Newspapers / The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.) / Oct. 28, 1976, edition 1 / Page 2
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Epileptic Child Prejudice Complicates Noncontagious Disease Epilepsy isn't contagious child "pUjT witb^Mi' efLptx child, sn employer wont hire sn epileptic (or fesr of possible seisures while at work; a teacher can discuss drug abuse and sex ""?wato'n in the classroom, but doesn't want to diacuaa epilepsy; parents are concerned about "what the neighbor! will think. " Elimination of the prejudices surrounding epilepsy is a major goal of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston Salem. Pat Gibson, social worker, is associate director of the program. In her job of coun seling epileptics and their families. Miss Gibson has found fear, prejudice, and adherence to "old wives' tales" to be her biggest ob stacles. "Even after careful ex controlled with medication, and another 30 percent can achieve partial control, parenta still are frightened and confined," Miss Gibeon said Immediate parental fears included possible brain damage caused by seizure and that the child will die during a seizure. These fears are natural, explained Miss Gibson, because, "Most people don't know bow to react to epilep sy." The term "epilepsy" comes from the Greek word meaning "seizure." The condition has been called the "sacred disease" because its victims included such famous people as Napolean, Julius Caesar, and Alexander the Great. Epileptic seizures occur when there are temporary buildups of excessive elec trical charges in some nerve cells of the brain. When this work property for a time and loess either partial or com plete control over differing parts of the body. Theoe parts include muse lee, senses, consciousness or even Loas of control results in seizures. The three moat readily recognized types of seizures are grand mal, petit mal and psychomotor Petit mal, most often seen in children, last from 5 to 30 seconds and may be ac companied by staring and momentary lapse of con sciousness Psychomotor seizures have a variety of patterns which may include lip-smacking, picking at clothes, or nibbing of hands or legs. A grand mal seizure, the type most commonly depicted, is when the victim loses con sciousness, and usually falls to the ground with general convulsive movements of all or part of the body The sight o( someone having a grand mat seizure can be frightening," Miss Gibson said, "but there ac tually is nothing to fear " She explained, "The victim does not know what is hap pening as he has lost con sciousness. He is incapable of intentionally harming anyone, but he can unintentionally harm himself ." Some of the "home remedies" for epileptic seizures which have been reported to Miss Gibson are "absolutely frightening." They include throwing cold water on the victim, shaking him, burning the clothes the victim wore while he or she was having the seizure, and holding the victim still. The correct procedure to follow is simple, according to Miss Gibson. The victim should not be restrained for the seizure cannot be stopped once it has started. The area around the victim should be cleared of any sharp objects; nothing should be forced between his teeth. If the person's mouth is open, a folded cloth may be placed between the side teeth to prevent chewing on the tongue. If possible, turn the victim on his side. After the seizure is completed, allow the victim to rest. "Even though great strides have been taken in the last 10 years in research and education on epilepsy," Miss Gibson said, "they are baby steps compared to the ac ceptance and understanding of other physical disorders.'' It hiss only been within the last few years that states have changed their laws allowing epileptics to marry without being sterilized. There are no indications that epilepsy is hereditary. Although there is no known answer to why seizures occur originally, they can result from brain injury Older Citizens Enjoy Lunch Program Getting together ? that's a __ big part of the Madison County lunch program for older citizens. And in Hot Springs citizens i over 60 have been getting together in large numbers at the recently opened Lunch Club. Forty-five people were present the first day, ac cording to Mrs. Christine acnaner, program manager Records kept by the secretary, Mrs. Dossie Holt, show that attendance remains high. Enthusiasm for the program is evident in more than at tendance. Praise for the food is beard frequently, and people taking part express ap preciation for the work of regional, county and local officials who helped make the program possible . The group is eager to be active, notes Mrs. Schaffer. When it was found that table covers were needed, participants chipped in to provide funds. Now they are collecting money for a coffee maker. Appropriately enough, one of the group, Mrs. Leroy Anderson, brought a penny collection in a coffee-jar bank. Following the meal, some groups gather to visit while others bring out table games such as checkers. Seam stresses are at work on a quilt, thanks to the donation of a quilting frame by Mrs. Jess Moore and of several bags of scraps. Later the group will learn to weave rugs from plastic bread sacks. Plans call for a crafts sale later in the year. A piano will soon be at the site, and Mrs. Mert Burgin will accompany group singing. More information about the program can be obtained by calling Mrs. Schaffer at 622 3411. Manager of the program in Marshall is Mrs. Geneva Ramsey, 649-3748. Mars Hill manager is Mrs. Rachel Morgan, 689-4406. Meals are provided at no charge under Title VII of the Older Americans Act. Fred Harrells Are Honored The Rev Fred Harrell of Burnsville retired recently as pastor of West Burns ville Baptist Church, completing 15 years. The church honored Mr. and Mrs. Harrell and presented them a silver ser vice. Harrell has now accepted the pastorate of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, also in the Yancey Association. Harrell is the father of DonaldF. Harrell of Mars Hill, director, trainee of the Madison County Department of Social Services. Iced coffee originated in Al geria as a sweetened, cold cof fee drink known as mazagran, according to the National Geo graphic Society. I Insulation Demonstration Scheduled Newly insulated homes of 81 low-income families across the Tennessee Valley region will begin serving as demon strations this winter of measures that can help reduce high winter heating costs. Insulation and winterizing measures for these homes were carried out this summer as part of the first phase of TVA's home insulation research and demonstration program. Local power distributors and community agencies cooperated in selecting demonstration homes among homeowners with low incomes who had faced high electric heating bills last winter. In another part of the program's initial phase, TV A provided a truck to blow in sulation in the attics of 138 low income homes already in volved in winterizing programs of local community action groups. The problem of winter heating costs for low-income families with inadequate home insulation shows up dramatically in the in formation already collected on the demonstration homes, according to W . C. Whisenant, TVA's coordinator for the program. Last year average monthly use of electricity in these homes went from around 1,000 kilowatt hours in the springs and summer to about 4,500 kilowatt hours during last January's unusually cold weather and heavy, heating requirements for demon stration homes in the upper east Tennessee area, that January average was over 6,000 kilowatt hours, at oasts averaging roughly two cents a kilowatt hour. "Although our program involves homes with electric heat, low-income families with other forms of heating can face similar cost problems when heating requirements are very heavy," Whisenant said. "With today's fuel costs, in sulation will pay for itself in lower heating costs and help at the same time in overall energy conservation." 1 For the 81 demonstration homes, TVA used local con tractors to provide attic and floor insulation, caulking of doors and windows, weathers tripping, and other conservation measures. In return, these homeowners agreed to provide information over a three-year period on changes in electricity con sumption, family living habits, and home comfort so these pome* can serve field n periments in power con servation results under actual family living conditions. Costs averaged 8440 for each of the demonstration homes. Whisenant said full attic in sulation alone can save as much as 30 percent on winter electric heating costs, and caulking and weatherstripping can save another 10 percent. "Hurt 40 percent saving in heating costs means the consumer's investment in heating conservation can be recovered in about three years,'' Whisenant said. Based on experience gained in the smaH-scale initial phase, TVA is now developing plans for an expanded second phase of the program to involve power / distributors and community agencies throughout the region. This larger program is being designed to mesh with present and prospective nationwide programs to help cut heating costs in low-income homes, and will try out some new approaches in providing assistance to low-income power consumers. Government Spending Government spending at all levels ? federal, state and local ? today accounts for 36 per cent of the nation's total output of goods and services (Gross National Product. GNP). In 1950. it represented 21 per cent of GNP and, in 1930. only 12 per cent. HAVE A FUN-FILLED, SAFE HALLOWEEN! BUT, PLEASE SPARE OUR SECURITY LIGHTS AND THINK TWICE BEFORE CUTTING TREES ACROSS ROADS OR POWER LINES!! Culinary Arts Show Everything from down home cooking to the fanciest dishes imaginable will be on display at the Asheville Civic Center Nov. 5and6. The event: the first WNC Food and Culinary Arts Show. The show includes cooking demonstrations, food sculp tures, a canned goods com petition and booths featuring foods especially important in this area, such as breads, apples, tomatoes and dairy products. The extension service of IS Western North Carolina counties are participating in the food show along with the Asheville-Buncombe (A-B) Technical Institute and local Th?re will be open com I petition between students, businesses and hotels in these categories: sugar with cocoa painting, marzipan, patillage, artistic creations with breads, cake decorating, tallow and butter sculptures and table settings. Members ot area extension homemakers clubs will compete in home canning, pickling and jelly making. Tickets for the Food and Culinary Arts Show are on sale from EH club members and extension office. For only 75 cents you can see what a fine job food producers, local businesses, extension homemakers. and students and staff of A-B Tech are doing in providing food preparation for home and away. I Hea/thHews and Views BMPMMI, Mart HW, N.C COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER PHARMACY Pill Swallowing Tip Will It Work For You? If you have a fear- of or marginal inability to swal lowing pills, take heed of a proven > and aee just how easily "downing" tto* capsules can be. Flm raise your tongue and piti ?> the pin on tht of your 'nouti" just ehin i .our lowe' teeth. Then, amply drink a (lass of water, completely forget th pill teeth. Voi/H b< Ihow easily the pill will be * a \h <"l d i)wri ? 1 h ro? with little taste ATI ^(1 ion' you fc t.' try swallowing a *itamin pill ? ? practice. 1 i isn't it? futt for fun why not write ut a tettimonia! kttn nit i: your degrw if wlUi mm, M Mrs. Gregory Is Appointed To Committee Mrs. 0. A. Gregory of Marshall has been appointed to the French Broad River Improvement Committee, it has been announced by William M. Ives, chairman, Land-of -Sky Regional Council Ives stated that bar ap pointment was based on the strong recommendation of James T. Ledford, chairman Madison County board of commissioners Mrs. Gregory is an active member of the Regional Council ?rf which Gerald Young of Mars Hill is a member. For and about Teenagers BY PATRICK EDWARD I THIS WEEK'S LETTER: I Save ? tag problem I'm almost 17 yesra old and my parents wont let me go o* >A? L. V wiin any a i like this one guy a let and he asked me out ? but I had to say no What should 1 do? Oim REPLY: f irst 01 all, understand that you dont really have a problem. You've got a situation that needs handling The best way to handle it is to be very clear on what you want to communicate to your par ents. For now ? at least ? you are actually a guest in their home. They pay the bills, they get to make the rules. You've got to accept when you're 4CceptiM I responsibility P ? give you more. Make ceru? 1 you share with your parents | exactly how you feel about I going out with boys. Yot^fB parents love you. you love B them. Learn to listen to w?m I they have to say. Get cleat''. I on why they wont let you go B out with beys. Be truthful and honest with them on U'B why you think it's time yotl ' l got to go out with your peers: ' B Together, you 11 work things B t? wklf U?*. MlwP?h>ch<k?t| . Ftm rHSlrl. SON AND Aiout B TlIN.Utm BOX CM FRANKFORT. , ,? n.?mi.| j Coming To The j| i NASHVILLE CLUB 1 Hwy. 25-A South-Sweoton Crook Rood (Ashovillo, N.C. 1 FRIDAY, NOV. 5 | | Direct From Nashville, Tenn. j| \ HANK WILLIAMS, JR. J; A HALLOWEEN PARTY?Com* Trick or Tr*ot I With Us Sunday ? 9 P.M. ? 1 A.M. K (For Advance Tickets and Reservations A CALL 274-4752 I | Blue Jeans and T-Shirts Not Allowed v'lfl I do you know... I how planning I I your phone calls fl I pays off? I Continental has valuable tips to help you save I on long distance calls. Plan to call direct during -9 off-hours, after five in the evening or on weekends when discounts are highest. Plan what -9 you want to say, then jot it down. Tell your party your call is Long Distance. Advanced planning can cut time and costs. Telephone service ..I continues to be a bargain. Helping you save... II an important part of Continental's job. fir; Wettco Telephone Company A membef0#poniloenk3l Telephone System SI An Equal Oppoikjntfy EmptowH
The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.)
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Oct. 28, 1976, edition 1
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