In an effort to remove barriers and improve accessibility to all, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library is fine free. Effective January 1, 2019, any returned borrowed items will not be charged overdue fines. Cardholders will still be responsible for never-returned and damaged items, with charges calculated at list price.
Historical Organizations Merge to Create Heritage Sylvania
After a unanimous vote, the new merger called Heritage Sylvania became official on January 1, combining three historical organizations: The Sylvania Area Historical Society, The Friends of the Lathrop House, and the Sylvania Historical Village. The three organizations decided to join forces rather than compete because many visitors associated them as one entity already. Through this merger facilitated by Creative Oxygen, Heritage Sylvania will be a stronger organization that is even better equipped to deal with challenges than before. Programs, tours, archives, Lathrop House, Historical Village, and the Heritage Center Museum will now fall under the umbrella of Heritage Sylvania.
Baby Blues: What’s Normal and What’s Not
Becoming a mom presents challenges. Whether it is your first child or your third, every pregnancy is unique. Just because you did not have the baby blues after the first baby does not guarantee that you will not experience sadness, or even postpartum depression, with the next. It is important to recognize what is normal as opposed to what may be cause for concern.
“Right after the baby is born our hormones go through a lot of changes so it is normal and natural to have some mood swings, crying spells and sleep difficulties right after birth,” said Dr. Victoria Kelly assistant professor and general psychiatry residency program director at the University of Toledo Medical Center. These issues are only troublesome when they last over time and cause problems.
Know what is normal for you
“Feeling sad and losing interest would be more problematic than simply having a crying spell,” said Dr, Kelly. Baby blues typically last a few weeks whereas postpartum depression can hit after a month or even 1 to 2 years after birth. “If a new mom has a history of struggling with depression, anxiety problems or managing stress I would recommend they preemptively get sleep and enlist support systems,” said Dr. Kelly. Women also need to look out for postpartum depressive compulsive disorder which is where you see intrusive distressing images of harm coming to your child and cannot get them out of your head. While it can be frightening, it is treatable with medications and therapies.
Set realistic pregnancy expectations
“The biggest thing that comes up is that some women may not feel like they have bonded with their baby right after birth and it is not all glowing and romantic the way movies would have you believe,” said Kelly. There are hormonal changes and brain changes that go along with the delivery process. Maternal instincts kick in and you may have hormonal issues like thyroid fluctuations or other physiologic reactions that cause problems with the endocrine system.
Early intervention yields the best results
There is no reason anyone should struggle with baby blues. “If it is causing dysfunction it may warrant a medical investigation by a primary care physician and possibly psychotherapy or medications,” said Kelly. Talk therapy can be helpful and sometimes antidepressant medications are used. Do not be afraid to reach out if you have questions or concerns.
“Often the postpartum wellness check up happens at about the 6 week mark and that is a long time to wait if you have more than the baby blues, and it is actually postpartum depression, so do not wait if you are not feeling better after about 2 weeks and check in,” said Kelly.
You are not alone
“Baby blues are usually within a week or two, postpartum and can have tearfulness, confusion, insomnia, anxiety, sleep disturbance or loss of sexual interest and 5 to 20 percent of women will have postpartum depression,” said Kelly. Moms have to accept that their identity changes and they go from being a wife to a mom. “There are physical changes, marriage changes, routine changes and the best thing we recommend is to make sure the communication is good between all parties involved,” said Kelly. You are not meant to do everything alone and should not feel guilt or pressure to do so. “Have a plan ahead of time, create new routines and take time for yourself,” said Kelly. Things like housework and social functions can wait as the priority should be allowing your body and brain to heal and rest after pregnancy.
Preparation makes all the difference
“There is never a perfect time to have a child because there are so many things that can be unknown about the process but I generally recommend if people are considering getting pregnant that they pursue it when they have an emotional and mental plan in place on how to deal with the stress, can communicate effectively with their partner and are able to understand the financial implications and life-changing routines that will be necessary to be able to be a healthy parent,” said Kelly. You can do it. “Take the time to rest, heal and figure out how you want to be a mom and do not let get society’s pressures or unrealistic images of what a perfect mom is get in the way of enjoying the life experience.”
Rare Childhood Illness on the Rise: What You Need to Know About Acute Flaccid Myelitis
AFM (Acute flaccid myelitis), a polio-like illness, has been in the news a lot lately, especially since confirmed cases were recently reported in Lucas and Wayne Counties. The condition is not new, but the large numbers of AFM cases which have been documented since 2014 when the Centers for Disease Control began surveillance are surprising.
Even so, it’s estimated that less than one to two in a million children in the United States will contract AFM every year. So exactly what is the condition and how can you protect your family from contracting it?
Defining AFM
“AFM can develop as a result of viral infections, including enterovirus and West Nile, as well as environmental toxins,” explains Shannon Lands, Director of Health Promotion and Policy Integration with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. “Fortunately, AFM is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person.”
In the past four years, more than 90% of AFM patients had a mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection prior to developing the condition. All of the patients tested negative for poliovirus, so the Center for Disease Control is working alongside experts in the field to better understand the possible causes of AFM.
The CDC has seen increases in the disease every two years since 2014, mostly in young children. Most of the AFM cases occurred in late summer and early fall, and the majority of the patients had symptoms of a preceding viral illness, including respiratory symptoms or diarrhea.
Signs and symptoms
On the onset, most people will initially experience weakness in the arms or legs. Loss of muscle tone and reflexes is also common. In addition, some people have a facial droop or weakness, difficulty moving the eyes, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, or slurred speech. Numbness or tingling is not as common, but some people have leg and arm pain. The most severe symptom of AFM is respiratory failure which requires immediate ventilator support.
Ms. Lands urges, “If parents see potential symptoms of AFM in their child, they should contact their clinician as soon as possible.”
While AFM can be difficult to diagnose because it mimics many of the symptoms of other neurological diseases like transverse myelitis and Guillain-Barre syndrome, with the help of testing and examinations, doctors can make a distinction between AFM and other diseases.
Prognosis and treatment
“There is no specific treatment for AFM,” Ms. Lands says. “A doctor who specializes in treating brain and spinal cord illnesses may recommend interventions on a case-by-case basis. For example, neurologists may recommend physical therapy or occupational therapy to help with arm or leg weakness.” While some patients make a full recovery, most have continued muscle weakness, even a year after the initial diagnosis.
The CDC understands that parents who have a child with AFM are in the best position to be their advocate. They encourage parents to talk with their doctor about any discomfort their child is having and ask questions about treatment options. Parents can also contact their school system about resources it may have to accommodate the special needs of their child.
Spending time with friends and family is a vital part of health and recovery. Parents should encourage others to spend time with their recuperating child if he/she feels well enough for visitors.
Safeguarding against infection
While poliovirus is an enterovirus, not all enteroviruses cause polio. “Being inoculated with the polio vaccine protects you from poliovirus,” Ms. Lands says. “But it does not protect against other viruses that may cause AFM.”
The Center for Disease Control recommends protecting yourself against bites from mosquitoes (which can carry West Nile virus) by using repellent, staying indoors at dusk and dawn (when bites are more common), and removing standing or stagnant water near your home (where mosquitoes can breed). You can also protect yourself and others from viruses by washing your hands often with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
Some good news
Respiratory illnesses and fever from viral infections are common, especially in children, and most people recover. Fortunately, in the 80 documented cases the CDC compiled from January 1 through November 2 of this year, none of the patients died, nor did they test positive for the poliovirus. There are still about 250 additional cases under investigation. Once the CDC discovers the cause, which could be a new enterovirus, they can actively work toward creating a vaccination.
It’s important to remember that, as with any illness, an ounce of prevention can go a long way. Above all, the CDC recommends practicing good hygiene as one of the best ways to protect your family from contracting the diseases that may lead to AFM.
Tips to staying healthy
- Wash hands frequently which limits exposure to germs.
- Cover your cough or sneeze.
- Stay home if you are sick or keep your child home if he/she is not feeling well.
- Stay up-to-date on vaccinations.
- Stay informed. Go to lucascountyhealth.com for more information about AFM and the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.
- Read more about AFM on the Center for Disease Control’s website: cdc.gov/acute-flaccid-myelitis.
Used Toy Drive at Levis Commons—Play It Forward
GUEST CONTENT | PRESS RELEASE
PERRYSBURG, OH (January 2, 2019)—After Santa has come and gone, many parents are left wondering where they will find space in the house for all of their children’s new holiday treasures. The Town Center at Levis Commons and Cousino Restoration offer a solution to this dilemma with the 9th annual Play It Forward Used Toy Drive that rescues and recycles outgrown toys to give to underprivileged children.
This annual event has grown substantially over the years therefore two new elements will be incorporated into the drive this year. For 2019, Play It Forward will also include the collection of used sporting goods and sports-related equipment. These items will be donated to kids who may otherwise be sidelined by the inability to purchase the necessary items to participate in sports. Toledo-based organization, UpLyft Toledo, will be handling the distribution of these items.
Also new this year, Play It Forward will be partnering with Keep Perrysburg Beautiful, a Hasbro Toy Recycling Pilot Program. Hasbro Toys has selected Perrysburg as a pilot location for the recycling of all damaged or broken Hasbro toys and games. These items can also be dropped off at Levis Commons on Saturday, January 19th.
Donations of gently-used, still-working toys, broken or damaged Hasbro toys, and gently-used sporting goods can be dropped off next to Bar Louie at Levis Commons from 11am-1pm on Saturday, January 19th. The toys will be cleaned and donated to children in Northwest Ohio who may not have been as fortunate this holiday season.
“Play it Forward is a simple concept with a widespread impact,” said Allison Schroeder, Marketing Director, The Town Center at Levis Commons, Hill Partners Inc. “By collecting the no-longer-used-toys, we keep them out of landfills and are able to provide the tools essential to creativity and imagination for children who need them. With the new additions this year of Hasbro toy recycling and the collection of sporting goods to be distributed to kids in need, we are further extending our mission to make “out with the old, in with the new” benefit the community we live in.”
Play it Forward would not be possible without the generous support of the community. Cousino Restoration provides countless hours of manpower and the equipment to help collect, transport, store, and clean all of the toys. Additionally, throughout January, there is a need for volunteers to help sort and clean the toys before they are delivered. This is a great opportunity for students, churches, service groups, or anyone looking to donate time to a worthy cause. Please contact Shelly Konz at 419-931-2054 or [email protected] for more information about volunteering.
Since inception, the Play it Forward Toy Drive has collected thousands of toys and positively impacted hundreds of children’s lives. Donated items have been delivered to organizations such as Mom’s House, Family House and the Aurora House as well as to families that live in LMHA Housing and children active in the Lucas County Children Services program.
The Town Center at Levis Commons is a 319,000 square foot open-air lifestyle center offering a collection of national, regional and local specialty merchants. The center contains over 68,000 square feet of Class-A office space featuring views of The Town Center and unparalleled regional access via I-475, I-75 and the surrounding freeways. The developer, Hill Partners, Inc., based in Charlotte, N.C., is responsible for merchandising, retail leasing and management of the center. Reichle Klein is handling the office leasing responsibilities.
For more information on this release or to schedule an interview, please contact Allison Schroeder, Marketing Director, Hill Partners, Inc., The Town Center at Levis Commons at 419.931.8888.
January 19, 2019 | 11:00am-1:00pm
January 2019 Giveaway—The Green Glove EcoDryer
This month we’re giving away something you’ll use all winter long- The Green Glove EcoDryer! A Michigan mom created The EcoDryer to dry gloves, mittens, boots, hats and more. Simply put TheEcoDryer over a floor register or against a baseboard register to allow heat to circulate and dry the garment from the inside out. It also eliminates odors and bacteria by thoroughly drying.