Portrait of a true survivor…The Missy Jenkins Story

May 1, 2012 by
Jenkins

On December 1st 1997, Freshman Michael Carneal walked into the lobby of Heath High School in West Paducah, Kentucky and began shooting. Three students were killed and five were injured. Missy Jenkins was one of those injured students. At the age of fifteen she was left paralyzed from the chest down. Now given the circumstances she could be granted the right to be bitter, resentful even, however this was not her choice and her story is not one of self pity but self empowerment. The events of that day were certainly life changing but in a positive and inspiring way. Read on and discover how … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration, Motivation, Professional Insight

May 2012 Letter from the Editor

May 1, 2012 by
family health

Wow!  The school year is already winding down, summer is around the corner, and we’re honoring several important causes this month!  May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Mental Health Month, and Arthritis Month.  Do one of these focuses resonate more with you? As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist, I encourage you to keep a comprehensive wide-lens view of health.  If we sit on the couch all day watching TV, eating fast food, scarcely exercising, having little family involvement/ communication, our mental health will no doubt be affected.  Feeling … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mental Wellness, Motivation, Physical Illness

Never Say Never

April 5, 2012 by
photo-1

Michelle Nazaroff is a picture perfect example of how incredible determination and a refusal to take no for an answer can help us overcome extreme obstacles in life and still achieve our dreams. A successful athlete who was told she would never be able to compete again, not only overcame a life threatening surgery and returned to the stage, defying the odds -  she returned to the stage a champion! At the age of 21, Michelle discovered she had aortic stenosis – a valvular heart condition characterized by abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve that impedes the flow of blood. If not taken care … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration, Motivation, Professional Insight Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Letter from the Editor: National Youth Sports Safety Month

April 1, 2012 by
sports month

Thank you for joining us on a journey of simple steps for healthier living…for you, your children, and the next generation.  We are all aware that children are sponges soaking up every aspect of their environments and following their parents’ model of living.  What are your goals for your children as they move through childhood into adolescence and eventually adulthood?  If your hope is for your child to live a happy and healthy life as an adult, are you modeling happiness and health? One step towards a healthier and happier lifestyle is physical activity.  If you’re concerned about the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child/Teen Exercise, Motivation