wellness diaries

Follow Wellness at our new Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:01:00 +0000

Hello subscribers!

We are now moving our content over to our new blog found at littlesttumorfoundation.org/blog/. There you will find more on wellness, recipes, interviews and of course, more info on us, Littlest Tumor Foundation!
Thanks for the years of reading and thoughtful insights. See you at the new blog!

Valentine Vegan Brownie S'mores

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:03:00 +0000

Comfort mmm

Love, flowers, chocolates, candy, hearts, and cards are just a few of the things that come to mind in February. However, with all of the sweet treats that children

receive from their classmates or secret admirers it is easy to go candy crazy, so why not

make a delicious treat that won’t have your children running up and down the halls and is something that you feel good about giving them too. As I was searching online I came across Chef Doran Petersan of Sticky Fingers Sweets and Eats. She is a vegan based baker out of Washington, D.C. Her recipe for vegan brownie s’mores looked simply irresistible and would be a good opportunity for everyone to get together in the kitchen and start baking. Listed below is the ingredients as well as how to make these delectable treats. Bon Apetit!!!

Vegan brownie s’mores

Ingredients:

-Brownie Assembly

• 2/3 cup brewed coffee

• 1 tablespoon non-hydrogenated vegan margarine (recommended: Earth Balance)

• 2 ounces dark chocolate (58% or darker), finely chopped or pistoles

• 2 3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 cup cocoa powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 2./3 cup vegetable or canola oil

• 2/3 cup water

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

-S’more Assembly:

• 1 3/4 cup chocolate chips

• 4 cups mini vegan marshmallows (recommended: Dandies or Sweet & Sara)

• 24 graham cracker squares

Preparation

For Brownies:

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2 Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking pan.

3 Using a double boiler, heat the coffee, margarine, and dark chocolate, stirring, until the chocolate is melted and the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

4 In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, cocoa powder and salt and mix together with the paddle attachment.

5 Add the oil, water, and vanilla and mix to combine. Add the coffee mixture and mix to combine.

6 In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder. Stir in the chocolate chips. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.

7 Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely, then cut into squares.

For s’more assembly:

1 Once brownies are cooled and cut, melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in a microwave. Drizzle the melted chips over the brownies.

2 Pile the marshmallows onto the brownies, on top of the melted chips. Using a pastry torch, flame the marshmallows until you get some browning, being careful not to burn them. Sprinkle the remaining chips on top.

3 Break the graham cracker squares in half and press them into the marshmallows so that they stand upright. Or, simply crush them in a plastic bag and sprinkle them over the top.

Serving Size: Makes 12 large or 24 small brownies

LTF Meets With Rep. Tom Petri

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:54:00 +0000

Despite the freezing weather, we ventured out to North Fond du Lac, Wis. and had the pleasure to have an audience with Rep. Tom Petri of Wisconsin District 6, where most of his constituents reside. After a warm greeting, we discussed the possibility of him signing the letter this year. At the audience, Rep. Petri listened intently on how of the Department of Defense's (DOD) NF research program impacts people throughout the United States and the letter would circulate again in 2013 for all to vote on it. We also told him Rep. Reid Ribble had signed the petition. At the end of the audience, Rep. Petri agreed that he would also sign.
We would cordially like to thank, Rep. Petri for signing and for the audience! We appreciate your time spent with us because"You + Me = a Cure!"

LTF Gets Signatures in Oshkosh

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 02:57:00 +0000

This week, the staff and interns of LTF is asking for signatures in Oshkosh that will be sent to the politicians on capitol hill to keep funding NF research. Interns are finding support among Oshkosh residents. We raising awareness by interacting with students and informing them about the importance of the continued research by the Department of Defense (DOD) for people with NF. With every last signature on the letter, Oshkosh students are letting us know that "tumors in children, we do not like them." So far we have over 900 letters of support of NF research that we'll send to our senators and congress people! You + me = a cure!

DC Advocacy!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:42:00 +0000

This week Tracy and Lilla are in Washington D.C lobbying for the NF cause. We want Washington to know about the issue of NF and its affects on and families. Both in the Fox Valley and worldwide, we at the Littlest Tumor Foundation will be advocating for the continued NF research by the government.

In the meantime, interns back in Appleton are working around the clock planning for upcoming events at the Foundation. Don’t forget on February 23, 2012, we will be holding our ski-a-little benefit and talking circle at the Bubolz Nature Reserve here in Appleton. In addition, we are preparing for the crossover from our old website to our new website. Stay tuned for more updates!

A Little Update

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:13:00 +0000

This last week, four interns and Tracy attended a training session at Stellar Blue Web Design in Neenah, Wis. for some on-site training for our new website. There we got to learn about how to transfer our old content to our new website. Please note that our talking circle and ski event has been canceled and will take place at a later date.We will update you as we progress!

A New Year, New Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:35:00 +0000

It's a new year and at LTF, we have some new and upcoming events to mark on your calendars! As we look forward to a new year, we are always remember the ones from 2012 and a big thanks to all those who helped out! The sam-i-am race, kids-on-chemo drive, 3,000 acts of kindness and so many other events as well would have been nothing without our supporters in the Fox Valley and beyond.

We have some great family-centered events coming up in January. Join us at our NF Talking Circle: talk-a-little on January 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton, Wis. Learn about the effects of NF from a family perspective. Interested in skiing for a good cause? Then ski on over to our ski-a-little that will also be held at the Bubolz Nature Preserve from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.! See you there!

A Little Gala

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:30:00 +0000

We had a blast at our gala! There was food, fun, and a wonderful live band. People came from all over the Fox Valley and beyond to join in the activities. Our interns Kim and Ashley, manned the table doing the membership drive and advocacy effort. In addition, people bid on various items such as Christmas ornaments and other things at our silent auction. We also featured pictures from Project NF as well. Thanks to the Copper Rock Coffee House for making it a memorable night and donating space. If you didn't make it this year, we'll be having it next year! Happy Holidays!

A Little Gala Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:57:00 +0000

Don't let the winter snow keep you in. Come out in your ugly sweater for a great night of food, friends, and more! Tomorrow is the big day when we will have a little gala hosted by Littlest Tumor Foundation at the Copper Rock Coffee House's party room on College Ave. Appleton, Wisconsin from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. See you there!

Coming up: A little gala!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:10:00 +0000

This week at LTF, we have been preparing for our "a little gala" event coming up on December 21, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ! We've been calling and emailing people far and wide for the silent auction donations. In addition, we are posting up flyers around the Oshkosh - Fox Valley area of the event. More information about " a little gala" is posted on the community calendars as well. Check your local city to learn more. We are also pleased to say that our very own interns Beth Ann and Ashley will be on radio this coming Friday on WHBY at around 12:50 p.m.! Tune in to hear them speak about our event. Stay tuned for more updates!

Little Does Big Planning

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:37:00 +0000

We’ve had so much going on at LTF this month that we haven’t had a second to blog about what we have been doing. So far, been planning A Little Gala at the Copper Rock in Appleton, to unveil our new website and have a little fun doing so! Here’s a sneak peek at what will be happening at the gala.

During the event we will feature families speaking about NF and how it has affected their life, a silent auction featuring getaways and health packages, and a raffle giving away a signed Green Bay Packer jersey. We are excited to also be launching our new website live at the Gala along with unveiling our newest project: Project NF, an interactive display of what it is like for a child to experience life with NF.

At the event, drinks and "little bites" are provided.

Here at the office, we’ve been fine-tuning our events for the upcoming 2013 year – we’re even talking about our sam-i-am on Memorial Day weekend! Wow how the year is going by so quickly. In January, we will be holding our winter Talking Circle at the Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton and the same day, we will host Ski-a-Little a ski benefit also held at the nature preserve. We’ll keep you updated on everything as it unfolds.

NF Symposium by Kimberly Burton

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:32:00 +0000

On October 13, 2012, NF Midwest held its 21st annual symposium in Chicago. I was blessed enough to be in attendance with many NF families to hear three wonderful presenters, Dr. James Tonsgard, Dr. David Viskochil, and Dr. Tiffany Dell’aquila. Each professional held true to his or her topic of the day and gave us hope that change in the field is about to happen.

Dr. Tonsgard started the day off with his talk on the Natural History of NF1. In his presentation, he discussed his work on the NF database and how it has helped him see differences in complications in the disorder. In addition, he also discussed his treatment of NF patients and how he would like to see more aggressive treatments that he believes is based on chemotherapy. He also discussed briefly genetics, which was a natural transition into the topic of Dr. Viskochil.

Dr. Viskochil’s morning presentation was on genetic testing in NF1 and his afternoon presentation was on NF1 and bone health. Both presentations were very interesting. The morning presentation was very heavy-handed on genetics, but he was very successful in presenting the material in a manner that everyone could understand. He explained how the NF mutation occurs and what happens, when it happens. By using cartoon illustrations, he made this complicated process easy to understand. In both presentations, he made it very clear that NF is a spectrum disorder, meaning that one person’s symptoms will be different than the next. However, like most disorders, there are commonalities that occur among most people diagnosed with NF.

In the afternoon presentation he discussed leg bone bowing and the research occurring to help correct the false joints that can happen if and when the bone breaks. He also touched on scoliosis and how it affects most people diagnosed with NF. Dr. Viskochil briefly discussed learning disabilities in children with NF. He stated that about 51% of children with NF have school problems, but only 34% receive special education services. He did not explain in more detail the reasons behind this, but it proved to be a natural transition into the next presenter.

Dr. Dell’aquila is a clinical psychologist who specializes in executive functioning. Her presentation emphasized on an individual’s ability to manage daily routines and setting goals. It was very informative for anyone who may have executive functioning problems. She gave many signs to look for and easy ways to work on correcting them. Overall, she was very inspirational and gave very good tips as to how to keep on track and accomplish the goals you have in sight.

This was a great event put on by NF Midwest, it was very informative and gave a lot of hope for the research being done and that will be done in the future. I think in time we will see the world of NF being changed for the better, as researchers discover new modifiers and factors that affect NF. It is something to be on the look out for in the months and years to come.

Delicious Ideas from Weelicious!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:02:00 +0000

Not sure what to feed the family tonight? We've all been there. So let's look at a few words of advice from Weelicious founder, Catherine McCord. She has been cooking healthy and nutritious meal options for her children. Her website also features ideas lunch ideas for kids during the school year.

Q1: Your website Weelicious, has become a go-to for easy, fast, nutritious meals and recipes for may families. What inspired you to get started on this cooking path?

A: I wanted to inspire my kids to be great eaters. I have always been fascinated how some children love good food--- why some are great eaters and some are picky. The idea of how much impact do you as a parent have on your children’s eating.

Q2: What do you love about cooking?

A: Beginning, middle and end. I love finding the produce at farmer’s markets that have fresh seasonal produce. I love cooking it and finally feeding my family.

Q3: What is the most popular dish people love from your website?

A: Oh so many-- Raspberry Cream Cheese Tart, Kale Chips, Cinnamon Roasted Chick Peas, Crock-pot Mexican Lasagna.

Click here to get inspired!

A Culinary Connection- A Chef's Advice on Kids Eating Healthy

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 01:28:00 +0000

In keeping with the theme of eating healthy, eating together, let's look at an interview with the chef for our annual family Wellness Retreat, Linda Ott.
Linda cooks nutritious meals for us and naturally, she enjoys cooking as a hobby when not helping others make good dietary choices. Let's look at what she had to say in our December 2011 interview with Linda on how to involve your children and family into cooking.

Here is an excerpt:

Q) How can parents get their children to integrate healthy food into their diets?

A) Healthy eating should start at birth. The more you expose them to healthy foods, the more likely they will choose to eat healthy. Remember, kids are watching what you eat as well--set the right example. There is a lot of comfort food, it’s truly a mindset of choosing and I think that if you talk to anyone in the healthcare industry there are things a person can do. I think that people aren’t going to change the way they eat, until they are ready to change their eating habits.

Q) What has worked for you to get your children to eat healthy?

A) I raised them the same. My first child was raised on a vegetarian diet until about three when she came to Wisconsin. My 15-year-old has always been an easy-to-please kind of eater. She will try anything and enjoys healthy food--not to say that she doesn't enjoy junk food but if I stock my kitchen with good food, she will choose to eat good food.
My 6-year-old, on the other hand, is my picky eater. As with most kids, her tastes are constantly changing--one week she loves carrots and the next week she won't touch them! We grow a lot of our own veggies in the summer and that seems to help to get her to try the veggies after she has worked so hard to grow them. She also loves to cook with me and here again, if she is involved, she will try it. She has her days, some days I make Mac’ n Cheese but she also eats broccoli. I sometimes have to pick my battles. During the summer she is more likely to eat vegetables because she could see how they grow. I also find that she is more willing to try new things if they are simple--not a lot of sauces or seasoning and she prefers to eat one food at a time so no casseroles for her. I find that when I cook with my daughter she is more willing to try it later.

Q) In closing, what are some tips or even advice to give to people who are trying to eat and cook healthier?

A) The web has made searching for recipes so much easier than scouting through countless cookbooks. From what I have read I have learned that fresh is best, but frozen is the best second choice. When I do my own freezing I do them in servings of four and when it’s for a family or yourself then fresh is the best idea to go.
Take baby steps; don't try to overhaul your diet overnight. Start by adding a new fruit or vegetable each week or every other day. Try practicing Meatless Monday. Whip up a new flavored smoothie each week.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Back to School and NF Kids

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 23:26:00 +0000

With the new school year well underway, many kids are excited to go back. At the same time, some NF kids may face some social and behavioral issues. Let's revisit our interview with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Psychology Department's Kelly Janke, M.S., to learn more about learning issues and NF children.

1. Discuss some of the learning issues that you have seen with NF children in school.

Children with NF-1 are more likely to have learning difficulties than their siblings or same-age classmates who do not have NF-1. The rates of learning disabilities range from 30%-65%. Difficulties have been seen in all academic areas including word decoding (sounding out words), reading comprehension, math calculation, math problem solving, and spelling. We really see a lot of variability in the learning profiles of children with NF1.

2. I understand you’re doing a study on NF kids and their siblings, could you discuss that a bit further?

For our study, we recruit children with NF-1 and their siblings between the ages of three and six, and plan to follow them annually up until the age of 10 if possible. The goal of the study is to examine the cognitive and behavioral characteristics of NF-1 in young children to determine if we can see early signs of learning and attention problems. We are also hoping to learn more about the development of cognitive skills over time, and determine if this development differs from their siblings or other typically developing children.

3. What are some of the preliminary results you are finding?

We have found that learning and attention problems can in fact be identified in the preschool age range. There is no clear pattern to these difficulties. For example, some children have difficulty with verbal tasks (e.g., naming pictures, following directions), but do well on spatial tasks such as building with blocks. For other children, the opposite pattern is seen. Regardless of the pattern, most children with NF-1 have some difficulty in at least one area, although it may be mild. It is important that these difficulties can be identified at this young age because that allows interventions to be put in place earlier and prevents more pronounced learning and attention problems.

Click this link to read the rest of the article

Eating better, eating together

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:36:00 +0000

Eating together is an important part of relationship building in a family. It bridges gaps between generations through stories, cooking and recipes. Not too long ago, many families ate a nutritious, home-cooked meal together. Sometimes the food was homegrown- straight from the family garden. However times have changed.

Now people are on the go or on social media and have little time to eat with one another. Our jobs and academic obligations now have us eating at fast-food establishments by ourselves with no one to talk to. Nowadays, a family may eat together during national or religious holidays at most. The precious moments of spending time dining together are irreplaceable. At Littlest Tumor Foundation, we dedicate this month to eating better with those whom we call family and friends. So take the time to eat better and eat together as a family this month.

Little 's big Welcome to Kim!

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:45:00 +0000

This week we welcome Kim, our new social work intern. She has been here for two weeks so far and loving it. She hails from Clintonville, Wis. and is currently studying in UW-Green Bay. Let’s learn a little more about Kim.

Hi NF community, I would like to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Kim Burton and I am the newest intern at Littlest Tumor Foundation. I am currently a student at UW-Green Bay working toward my masters degree in social work. I grew up in the fox valley area and am happy to be back in the vicinity. I left the area for about 10 years while I earned my bachelor's degree in biology from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. Then I traveled to Nevada to volunteer with the Americorps. Later, I returned to Madison, Wis. after completing my assignment there and had been working hard to make a difference in that community. I am excited to be back in the area and look forward to working with the LTF and learning and expanding my knowledge over the course of the next year.

A Kind Little Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:01:00 +0000

Throughout August, the Littlest Tumor Foundation did 3,000 random acts of kindness to those around us. It’s been quite a trip even through the retreat. Some of us pushed carts, opened doors, baked cookies, cleaned up litter and trash and so much more. We’ve called old friends from the past and visited relatives.

LTF even sent warm wishes to people in an assisted living center! With all these little acts, we hope to help make the Fox Cities and surrounding areas a better place to live, work, and play in. We firmly believe that everyone can give a little. What can you do to make someone's day brighter and better? What’s your little?

A Little Goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 21:40:00 +0000

Three of our LTF interns are hanging up the purple and are going to spread the principles of hope, love and compassion to their next endeavors. Let’s learn a little more about what they did for the foundation.

Kim was part of our social work branch of LTF. She spread the message of LTF across the Fox Valley and beyond! Pierson spearheaded our web presence. Seneca spent countless, but very fruitful hours, helping coordinate many of our activities from April’s Kids-On-Chemo to our Sam-i-am race and finally our Family Wellness Retreat.

We wish them the best of luck in the future!

A Little Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:13:00 +0000

A smile. A warm greeting card, picking up trash, holding doors open for strangers, or even a simple message to a long-lost friend and so much more! We've been up to lots of great things for everyone by showing a little kindness! As part of our $12 membership campaign, where we invite 3,000 people to join LTF, we are also doing 3,000 random acts of kindness. Some are simple like a smile to being very heart-warming such as writing and sending greeting cards to people assisted-living facilities. With a simple act of kindness a person’s day is might be made brighter. Look for LTF interns and staff doing little acts of kindness near you!

The Affordable Care Act: An NF Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:32:00 +0000

Affordable Care Act: An NF Perspective

Running in the Heat

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:46:00 +0000

Running in the Heat

By: Kimberly Klessig, Littlest Tumor Foundation Master's Intern

This past winter, I started as a master’s intern for the Littlest Tumor Foundation. Prior to that, I had been an avid runner and participated in a few 5ks. Running was something that I found as a way to reduce stress and keep a healthy lifestyle. I had been running with a friend on a regular basis, so when my supervisor asked me if I wanted to run in the Green Bay half Marathon, I was both excited and nervous! I decided to go for it! We live once, right?

Commitment is key! I found that finding the time to train, while attending school for my master's degree, while working, and balancing everything else was surely a time commitment! I found that designating time and sticking to that time worked well for me. It also helped to have a workout partner to help motivate and push me to the limits.

A few days before the race, they sent out a weather advisory to prepare runners for the predicted heat extreme on the day of the race. I felt extremely confident on the day of the race that I had been training months for. I made sure to get a lot of rest, eat right and hydrate beforehand.

On race day, as I was getting ready the morning of and while driving to Green Bay, I had an extreme feeling of exuberance and excitement. That feeling continued as I began the race and all the way through it! The screaming and yelling of the fans along the sidelines, the smiles and excitement of the other runners, and the whole experience brought an adrenaline rush to my entire body, mind and soul.

Due to the heat, they had houses put out water sprinklers as we ran by. I made sure to run through every single one! As I ran, I concentrated on my breathing and listened to my body when I needed to slow down or stop and drink some water. Each time I passed a mile marker, my friend and I did a fun leap and high five to each other. This was a fun trademark we began during the race.

I began to get really hot and started feeling tired at about mile 10. My legs started hurting a bit, but really I felt like I could have run forever. As sweat dripped down my face, I stopped and paused a second and took in the moment and feelings I was having. I thought to myself: I am at mile 10, I am almost there, and you can do it! I thought about all the people that can’t run or wish they could run…I thought about Sami and children affected by childhood cancers and other health concerns…THIS little pep talk gave me the encouragement to complete the race!

At 9:35 a.m., due to the extreme heat, the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon’s medical director made the decision to shut down the course for safety reasons for the runners. I fortunately, was able to cross the finish line! I remember, as I ran across that finish line, the feeling of accomplishment. All the training had paid off and that feeling no one could take away! It gave me a sense of being, of accomplishment and of true gratification! I encourage all runners to sign up for a race, even if you’re not a runner…try it out, start small…you might surprise yourself!

Little Launches a New Website

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:54:00 +0000

There is a lot of new stuff happening at the Littlest Tumor Foundation! We are going to be re-launching our website in August. In order to celebrate, we would like to invite everyone to submit a launch picture of their own. Send us a picture or post it on our event page on Facebook and the day that we launch we will pick a winner. The best launch will win. We would love for everyone to participate! So get creative, have fun and show us how you launch!

NF and Families

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 01:30:00 +0000

The Fight Against Neurofibromatosis

Tumor growth in children affects families, too

By Kimberly Klessig

Health and nutrition play an important part in family wellness for children with health issues and their families. Both chronic and catastrophic health issues in children really have an impact on entire family units.

Neurofibromatosis (NF), a little-known disorder that begins in children with uncontrollable tumor growth in their bodies – such as in the brain and spine – as well as a series of other significant health issues, can create stress for children with the disorder and their families. First hearing the diagnosis of NF creates emotional strain for everyone involved.

Currently, there is no known cure or effective treatment for NF. The unpredictability of the tumors returning, even after surgery, can send children and their families on emotional rollercoaster rides. The financial strain for medical expenses, such as chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, scans and procedures, can also take a toll.

One way for families to alleviate some of that stress over emotional and financial matters and to better focus on ways to balance the NF health crisis and to build wellness, are through family wellness retreats. These experiences are wonderful ways to provide families with opportunities to learn, educate and promote family wellness.

Family wellness retreats for parents of children with NF might include nutritional therapy, yoga, relaxation, doctor question and answer periods, group support building sessions and nature walks. They also provide time for families to strengthen bonds through the difficulties inflicted by NF and the stress of the treatments.

There is a lot of literature that supports that stress reduction and plant-based nutrition can have a positive effect in disease progression.

One technique that can help families reduce the stress from NF and its treatments is yoga. By doing yoga, participants connect with themselves and others around them in a healthy and relaxing manner. When done as a group, yoga can build bonds between NF families and create social networks that can last a lifetime.

By following healthy, plant-based diets at the wellness retreats, families reconnect with nutritious, wholesome foods. Families can easily make these simple recipes together at home after the retreat for very little cost. Despite the perils of childhood disorders and diseases, family wellness retreats are a great way for families to form connections with each other and cherish the time they spend together through healthy and relaxing activities.

Kimberly Klessig is a master of social work intern at the Littlest Tumor Foundation in Appleton, Wisconsin. The Littlest Tumor Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to find a preventive therapy and treatment for tumor growth in children. The organization is dedicated to advocating for and raising research funds for NF, empowering families, and raising awareness. Services offered for NF families include: NF Family Wellness Retreats, NF Quarterly Talking Circles, NF Educational Webinars and a variety of fundraisers. For more information, visit www.littlesttumorfoundation.com.

Affordable Care Act: An NF Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (littlest) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:17:00 +0000

Supreme Court Decision Great News For NF Families!

Affordable Care Act: An NF Perspective

On June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), originally the vote was tied, but Hon. John Roberts cast the deciding vote in favor of the act. Now many Americans will be able to have access to affordable care. For example, young people up to the age of 26 are able to stay on their parents’ health insurance coverage. So far, up to 3 million young people are insured. Women will also greatly benefit from the ACA such as coverage of maternity and they will be covered for pre-existing conditions such as cancer. For many U.S. citizens, healthcare coverage will not cease during a difficult period when it would be needed the most in a person’s life. With this in mind, over 50 million Americans who would have otherwise have difficulties getting healthcare, now will have access. The article “At Risk: Pre-Existing Conditions Could Affect I in 2 Americans,” discusses this. Pre-existing conditions are defined as, “…is a health condition that exists before someone applies for or enrolls in a new health insurance policy…” (At Risk). It covers ailments such as cancer and diseases as well as high blood pressure. As we can see, the definition is fairly consistent. So what does this mean for NF families?

Now, NF families and children cannot be denied health insurance for the pre-existing condition of NF. Previously, if a child had a pre-existing condition such as NF, he or she could be denied insurance or the benefits could be limited in the coverage of insurance. This is catastrophic because of the high cost of the many surgeries or treatments a child or children may go through. Under the new healthcare act, no longer will NF families need to be financially strained to make ends meet for doctors’ visits, medication, checkups or surgeries. According to the online article, “The Affordable Care Act: Immediate Benefits for Wisconsin,” the act will also cover the treatments and therapies NF persons may have to undergo after a surgery or operation, in addition there will be no limit on healthcare. This healthcare act will help thousands of people with NF and their families through the difficult times that NF creates.

This act will go beyond helping those with NF, it will help people across the United States who try to make ends meet to have good and affordable healthcare for themselves and their loved ones. No longer will children with pre-existing conditions suffer from not having coverage for their ailments. With the new healthcare act in place, now millions of Americans, with or without NF can enjoy the assurance of having access to affordable healthcare.