Help and hope highlight Juvenile Arthritis Month

All too many diseases, syndromes, disorders and other illnesses afflict people every day. These can range from debilitating to life threatening, and our concern is always heightened when the word “juvenile” is placed in front. Our hearts go out most to the youngest and most vulnerable among us whenever they suffer. And on the treatment side, juvenile ailments often prove the most difficult to manage due to challenges ranging from proper diagnosis to proper, effective methods of treatment.

Such is the case with Juvenile Arthritis, which affects 300,000 American children under the age of 18, according to the Arthritis Foundation. A particular challenge with diagnosing Juvenile Arthritis is that it is not a disease in and of itself. Instead, the term applies to a host of more than half a dozen conditions and sets of symptoms, each with its own causes and triggers. These include Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Juvenile Lupus and Fibromyalgia. Each is a complicated condition, and diagnosis and treatment can be time consuming and costly.

One of the biggest challenges is that the actual cause of arthritis in kids remains elusive. Many forms of juvenile arthritis are thought to stem from genetic factors that result in autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, but this is just the general trend in current thinking. What they all have in common though is they are painful, uncomfortable and, in many cases, crippling. The juxtaposition of these symptoms with the ages of its victims — kids who should be in the prime of health — is, needless to say, heartbreaking.

There is at this time no cure for Juvenile Arthritis. Treatment options, depending on the specific diagnosis, run the gamut from medications to physical therapy to dietary programs. More community awareness means more of us working to raise money for research. It also means that more of us are connecting with these kids, and their families, so they know they are not alone in this fight.
The good news is there are many ways to get involved, from donating to volunteering. Please learn about all the good you can do at Kids Get Arthritis Too, the Arthritis Foundation’s online home for Juvenile Arthritis awareness and support.

Simple safety tips to improve your fireworks experience

Sad but true: so much of what is fun in the world tends to come with an element of danger. Cliff-diving, bungee jumping, skiing down a black diamond, etc. But taken in the proper spirit of preparedness, none of these activities are dangerous in and of themselves, and all provide a healthy jolt of fun. Unfortunately, some people don’t educate themselves and take the simple precautions, and those are the videos you see on YouTube. So it is with extreme sports, so it is with fireworks.

Mom would tell us we could lose a finger, or an eye, playing with fireworks. And you know what? Mom was right. That is, she was right if we neglected a few simple safeguards. The National Council on Fireworks Safety has some great advice in this regard, and so do we! Here are some necessary tips every person needs to know before lighting the fuse:

Go with the good stuff. And the new stuff! Last year’s fireworks are this year’s bad idea. That stash of Roman candles you’ve got buried in the back of the garden shed — the one with the leaky roof — behind moldering potting soil and oily rags? Probably should have been used last year, and now should definitely be consigned to the nearest city dump.

Moisture does tricky things to gunpowder. It can increase flammability, oxidizing it, and also can mold the pouches containing the powder, which increases the likelihood of stray flak and blowback detonations. The cluster of hot bright lights that was supposed to shoot upwards now shoots backwards, where onlookers congregate. Also, improper storing of fireworks can play havoc with the wicks, which may have become frayed or are now shorter than optimal length. Fireworks occasions come along all too rarely throughout the year; it’s better to splurge on a new batch every time.

Get the best product. Do your shopping at a licensed store or stand. Fireworks are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and come with packaging details, country of origin and detailed directions for the safest use. Don’t buy from a friend of a friend, or from the guy down the block, and no-go on anything wrapped in plain brown paper.

So now you’ve splurged on a huge assortment of sparklers, cones, Roman candles and various other exotic goodies. Just flick the Bic to the wick and watch the show, right? Well, not so fast. For the best and safest experience, a few ground rules must be observed:

No drinking on the job. Advanced analytics have shown that alcohol and explosives often make a poor match. Questionable decision-making, loss of inhibitions, blurred eyesight — these are not the thoughtful fireworks aficionado’s friends. So let the six-pack chill until the light show is over. Also make sure to follow the instructions, and stand well back at a prudent distance as the fuse is burning.

Kids stay back. Children should never handle or utilize fireworks without adult supervision. Most incidents of injury are the result of kids being left to their own devices and not following the guidelines for careful usage. Keeping kids out the ER is preventable, and it is up to the grownups to see that all precautions are taken.

Following just these few simple tips should insure a festive and fun-filled experience!