Trick or Treat!

Our students had fun trick-or-treating around the building on Friday.  There were many scary witches, ghosts, princesses, and most of all—lots of big smiles and giggles.  Some children had their own Halloween costumes, but for those who didn’t, the Children’s Care Auxiliary provided funds to purchase costumes.  A “jeans day” held by Children’s Care staff members also contributed to the costume fund—employees could wear jeans for one day for a $3 contribution.  We work hard with the boys and girls in our care to help them reach their greatest potential, but we always remember that they are children first. Part of our “healthcare, education, and love” pledge is to make sure they have all the opportunities for fun that any child deserves to have.  By the way, if you’ve ever been interested in joining our auxiliary, we have one-hour luncheons at the main facility on the third Monday of each month at 11:45, and we love newcomers! Call Jackie in the Children’s Care Foundation office for details: (605) 782-2325 or email her at jackie.knowlton@cchs.org.

Swine Flu

Our entire country is experiencing sickness due to an elevated risk of seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 virus.  Serving as both a hospital and a school for children, we are paying special attention and keeping abreast of H1N1 along with the rest of the world.  To help you and your family with resources you can put to use, we’ve attached a few websites with hyperlinks that come from federal as well as local resources.  Please add any additional resources you’ve found in our comments section.

Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents/
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/print.htm#parent

World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/en/

South Dakota Department of Health
http://doh.sd.gov/

Minnesota Department of Health
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/swine/index.html

Iowa Department of Health
http://www.idph.state.ia.us

Sioux Falls Flu Information
http://www.siouxfallsflu.org/

Keeping Your Family Safe
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm

Before travelling, be sure to check out this map:  National Map of H1N1 Occurences
The spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue are all signs of H1N1.  Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.  While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.
CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to 2009 H1N1 flu virus.  The information analyzed by CDC supports the conclusion that 2009 H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people.  Those infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

PROTECTION
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.  Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs (for when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with 2009 H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, they should use an alcohol-based hand rub. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness. 
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands — with soap and warm water — that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.  You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

SICKNESS
If you or your child should get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.  Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.  If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

CONTAMINATION
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.  To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.  Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.
Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

For more information about H1N1, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents/
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/print.htm#parent

World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/en/

South Dakota Department of Health
http://doh.sd.gov/

Minnesota Department of Health
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/swine/index.html

Iowa Department of Health
http://www.idph.state.ia.us

Sioux Falls Flu Information
http://www.siouxfallsflu.org/

Keeping Your Family Safe
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm

Before travelling, be sure to check out this map:  National Map of H1N1 Occurences

Here is a story KELO-TV of Sioux Falls recently did on our preparations for flu seasons:

The spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue are all signs of H1N1.  Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.  While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.
CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to 2009 H1N1 flu virus.  The information analyzed by CDC supports the conclusion that 2009 H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people.  Those infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

PROTECTION
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.  Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs (for when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with 2009 H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, they should use an alcohol-based hand rub. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness. 
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands — with soap and warm water — that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.  You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

SICKNESS
If you or your child should get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.  Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.  If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

CONTAMINATION
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.  To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.  Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.
Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

For more information about H1N1, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

View Children’s Care in a larger map

As you continue to zoom in, you should see a map more like the one below, using our main facility in Sioux Falls as an example. But check out where our Foundation and Rehabilitation Center are located, along with our beautiful new facility in Rapid City.

View Larger Map

If you’re a beauty pageant contestant or model, perhaps you love what the mirror shows.  For some, that is not always the case and we will occasionally see something about ourselves that we wish was different.  Then there are others who know of their own imperfections but are quite content with how they appear.  Either way, as the saying goes, “Beauty is only skin deep.  It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”  People are much more than their appearance and its the uniqueness we each possess that draws others to us to become friends or perhaps more.   While your grandparents may be older than you, does that make them “old people?”  Ask them and they might disagree, preferring to go with another feature of theirs that overcomes that stereotype.

The language we use everyday to identify ourselves needs to keep in mind that very unique nature we all possess.  While all of us have flaws, there is much more to us and in most cases, those flaws are overcome by the personality or spirit we possess.  Putting people first is important - literally.  Put people first in your language and you honor them, their uniqueness and their special gifts.

Don’t say the handicapped or disabled;
Do Say people with disabilities;
Don’t say the mentally retarded;
Do Say people with cognitive disabilities;
Don’t say he/she’s retarded;
Do Say he/she has a cognitive disability;
Don’t say my child is autistic;
Do Say my child has autism;
Don’t say he/she’s a Downs kid;
Do Say he/she has Down Syndrome;
Don’t say he/she’s learning disabled;
Do Say he/she has a learning disability;
Don’t say he/she’s a paraplegic;
Do Say he/she has paraplegia;
Don’t say he/she’s crippled;
Do Say he/she has a physical disability, a mobile impairment;
Don’t say he/she’s a dwarf or midget;
Do Say he/she’s of short stature;
Don’t say he/she’s emotionally disturbed;
Do Say he/she has an emotional disability;
Don’t say he/she’s wheelchair bound or confined to a wheelchair;
Do Say he/she uses a wheelchair or has a mobility chair;
Don’t say normal and/or healthy kids;
Do Say typical kids or kids without disabilities;
Don’t say he/she’s in special ed;
Do Say he/she receives individual services;
Don’t say birth defect;
Do Say congenital disability;
Don’t say handicapped parking, bathrooms, etc;
Do Say accessible parking, bathrooms, etc;
Don’t say he/she has a problem with . . . ;
Do Say he/she has a need for . . .

Disability.gov features comprehensive information from 22 federal agencies, as well as educational institutions, non-profit organizations and state and local governments. Topics covered on the site include: benefits; civil rights; community life; education; emergency preparedness; employment; health; housing; technology; and transportation.

Raising Some Serious Money

Last year the Hamsters helped raise an incredible $185,000 for Children’s Care at their annual banquet during the Sturgis Rally, but 2009 was the year to outshine them all, raising $291,000! The Hamsters USA organization helps the kids served by Children’s Care of Rapid City as a way to give back to the Black Hills area, which many members call their second home, says Hamsters USA spokesman and Children’s Care Foundation board member Grady Pfeiffer of Escondido, CA.

Their fundraising was kicked off this year with an Arlen Ness Speed Liner motorcycle, belonging to Hamster Craig Betz of California, who died of cancer last fall. His sister Cecily donated his motorcycle for a very successful raffle.  Word spread throughout the motorcycling world in the effort. The winner’s name, Kurt Rumens, was drawn at the August 4th banquet, and the Seattle man took a most unexpected course of action.  Kurt gave the bike back, and held his own auction with the crowd of Hamsters - raising an additional $27,500 for Children’s Care!

A silent auction with over 200 items was also held with members donating and bidding on the items, many of which were emblazoned with the Hamsters USA logo. We thank Hamsters USA member Harlan Schillinger of Denver, CO, for organizing regional captains to solicit items for the auction.  Schillinger is also a board member for the Children’s Care Foundation.

Chrome Heart Award

Another highpoint was the special recognition of Hamsters USA member Larry Page of Richmond, Virginia, with the Children’s Care Chrome Heart Award, which recognizes philanthropy and civic-mindedness of an individual in the motorcycle world.  We thank Larry for his generous, no-strings-attached support of our children.

There was sadness at the gathering, too.  Hamsters USA member Bruce Rossmeyer of Florida had been killed in an accident on his way to the rally just days before.  Also missing was Bob Illingworth of Minneapolis, who helped found the relationship between Children’s Care and the Hamsters USA organization. Bob died of cancer in March. Other Hamster supporters who had been lost in the last year were Jack Gagen of Hawaii, who had ridden his custom Harley to baseball stadiums across the country in 2006 raising money for Children’ Care, and Richard “Doc” Harrison of Oklahoma City, who died in June and had asked that memorials be sent to Children’s Care.

Another special Hamster who assisted Children’s Care that week was former Space Shuttle Astronaut Curt Brown.  Curt visited our facilities in Rapid City as well as Sioux Falls.  Click here to learn more.

Needless to say we are eternally grateful for all of the Hamsters USA members and to everyone who participated in fundraising for Children’s Care. Although the economy has forced us all to tighten our belts a little, the Hamsters love of children overcame that reality on that amazing rally evening.  Thank you, Hamsters USA.  (Photos courtesy of Gene Slater)