Our Trip to Chicago

               
              Written by Bret K.

              The weekend of December 7^th was an exciting one for select Oakland and Wayne DTS clients.  Four clients from each facility accompanied by two staff were able to drive to Chicago for the weekend. This trip was for pleasure, although a small amount of business did occur.

                It took staff over four hours to make the drive from Detroit to Chicago.  They listened to music, played various road trip games, and socialized to make the time pass faster.  When they finally arrived, everyone was happy to get out of the vans and stretch their legs.

                The group was able to stay at the Fairfield Inn located in the heart of Chicago.  Once checked in and settled from the drive, the group set out to see the town.  They were able to eat lunch and stop at the Shedd Aquarium for the afternoon. Seeing the different animals of the sea was a great experience for the group.  A short stop at the gift store was all that was left to do before going to a nice dinner.

                The group stayed together throughout the weekend, participating in the same activities, with the exception of the two bosses who visited the Rehab Institute of Chicago.  The group was able to see the Field Museum for an afternoon along with doing some shopping, because what is a vacation without shopping? While in Chicago, the group visited the Sears Tower as well as the Navy Pier. They loved all of the sites that they were able to stop and see.

DTS Invades The Palace

           

Written by Bret K.
          
           The Wayne County Day Treatment Services Program of Special Tree attended a Detroit Pistons game in mid-November against the Orlando Magic.  Upon arrival they were greeted with a pleasant surprise.  Clients and staff alike were also able to enjoy a half-time show by a famous artist.

            The program director, Joe, along with Neal and seven staff were able to orchestrate a flawless event.  Several Special Tree Residential facilities were able to participate in the event totaling nearly 40 clients in attendance.   Everyone gathered at the Wabash facility for pizza prior to leaving for the game.  Staff then loaded the vans and headed to Auburn Hill in a lengthy caravan. 

            Upon arrival to the Palace, everyone received a gift from a Palace worker.  He brought over an abundance of Pistons duffle bags for all DTS attendees to take home.  The group was extremely thankful for the gift.  Then everyone settled into their seats just in time for the game to begin at 7:30pm.

            The first half of the game seemed to fly by, with the Detroit Pistons working hard for a big win.  Soon enough, the lights dimmed as the players headed to the locker room.  The half time show was under way and everyone was anxious to see who would be performing.  As the smoke cleared, it became apparent to the group that Bobby Brown would be the one putting on the show.  He sang a couple songs and had numerous dancers perform center stage with him.  Although some of the DTS attendees did not particularly enjoy Bobby Brown’s performance, they still had a blast at the game.

            The Pistons emerged from the locker room reenergized and ready to attempt to win this game.  They put on a good show despite their loss to the Orlando Magic.  All DTS attendees were glad that they came.  As everyone was preparing to head home they were met with another great surprise.  A group of the Piston’s cheerleaders had come up to their section to say hello.  They took pictures and chit chatted with the clients about the game.  If they weren’t already having the time of their life, they sure were now.  After some time, staff politely said their goodbyes and loaded up the vans to head home.

            It was about 11pm when the caravan returned to the Wabash facility.  Everyone was in good spirits even though the Pistons lost the game.  They were delighted with the new bags and photos they had acquired from the game.  All in all, DTS had a good time at the game and plans to attend more events like this in the near future.

           

            If you have any ideas of events or activities please feel free to comment below. We appreciate your thoughts and ideas!

Ceramics in Traverse City

                                                                      Written by Bret K.

          The Ceramics Studio at Special Tree’s Day Treatment Services program was on the move in early November.  They received an invitation to attend a ceramics show in Traverse City to attempt to sell their goods.  The staff was extremely delighted to attend the show, and began prepping immediately.

          Every person involved in the Ceramic Studio worked hard every day to create the best pieces they could for the show.  They spent time pouring molds, cleaning the pieces, firing them, painting the pieces, firing them again, and packaging them up for the trip. And let’s not forget the pricing part of the job.  Sure it was a little stressful, but they all pulled together as a team and had the van loaded and ready to go on November 5, a day ahead of schedule.

Four clients along with two staff were able to travel to Traverse City for the weekend business trip. They drove the four hours and were able to bunk up for the night after setting up their tables and ceramic pieces.  The next morning would be the beginning their chance to show off their work to the public, and boy were they excited!

The morning of the first day of the ceramic show, the group was slightly nervous to see if the public would like and purchase their goods.  Needless to say, they had nothing to fear.  They were able to sell over $500 worth of goods throughout the two day event. 

The trip wasn’t all work and no play for the group of attendees.  They were able to spend an evening out on the town.  Starting with dinner at a restaurant and continuing through the night. They were full of fun and laughter, delighted that their hard work was paying off.

Upon returning home from the show, all attendees were anxious to share their good news with everyone at DTS.  People liked their goods and purchased over half of the supplies they took with them.  Everyone was able to enjoy themselves as well as get the job done while selling some ceramics!

All in all, this was a good trip for the group.  They were able to sell some of their ceramics, as well as having a little bit of bonding time within the group.  On top of it all, everyone enjoyed themselves!  

Floats, Football, and Food

Written by Steph H.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and with that comes older floats that are always a  hit, new floats, including one designed by local eighth grader Robin Ryce, and of course, Santa Clause. Among the parade will be clowns, horses, the "big-heads", and local marching bands. Ashanti will make an appearance in the parade along with several actors and athletes, including Olympic soccer gold medalist Alex Morgan. There will be the turkey trot as there has been for the last 30 years.

The Thanksgiving day parade in Detroit is in its 86th year of making Thanksgiving morning fun, however we all know the highlights of the day are always the food and the football! This year the Lions will be playing the Houston Texans; this will be Houston's first Thanksgiving Day football game. Thanksgiving football has also been a tradition in Detroit since 1934. Dallas is another city where thanksgiving football games are a tradition; Dallas will be playing Washington in Dallas. Growing up I remember going to the Thanksgiving day games when the Lions played at the Silverdome in Pontiac.

After all is said and done, all the football is over, and all the food is gone, we can still look around and see all we should be thankful for. Our mother, our father, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and our grandparents. We should be thankful for our health and for even waking up this morning. We should be thankful for our lives just the way they are; remember, someone always has it worse. We need to be thankful for those men and women who are sacrificing their lives to fight for our freedom.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.   

The Inner Workings...

Written by Steph H.

First day at a new "job"; writing is something I enjoy doing so one would think that it wouldn't be to hard to describe myself, yet I'm already at a wall.

December fourth of 1985 I graced my family with my stunning personality, weird, yet witty, sense of humor and sparkling blue eyes. I came into this world in only 45 minutes giving the doctors no time to give my mother an epidural or any pain medications thru her IV. Coming out as fast as I did caused one problem, but don't worry, I am not affected by the problem anymore. When one sees my baby picture that they take in the hospital I have a big head, no hair, and oh yeah, that broken collar bone from shooting out of my mother too fast. I am the middle child in my family between my older brother Jonathon and younger Benjamin.

On January 25, 2004 a drunk driver changed my life forever. A friend and I were walking home on the sidewalk area and from behind we were hit by a drunk driver who then fled the scene of the accident. My friend that I was with died instantly. I have no memory of the accident up until about Valentine's day when they told me I had to lose my leg because of infection. I remember waking up to my mom sitting next to me every day for about the first two months. After that she would come up and sit with me after work daily. Along with becoming an amputee I lost a kidney and the other one was very badly damaged. I have a T-12 level spinal cord injury, a mild TBI, was in surgery inititally for 18 hours just to get me semi-stable. The drunk driver eventually turned himself in only because the friend whose snow truck it was saw it on TV and noticed front end damage. My mother went to every day of his trial and he never looked at her or my friend's mother. At sentencing when he was given the opportunity to apologize, he just sat there with his head down. David Rumph was sentenced to 15 - 22.5 years in jail. His earliest parole date is in January of 2019.

In the more than eight years since my accident I've gone through ups and downs just like any other individual my age. I was too old to go back to high school to finish my last semester of high school in order to graduate so I took my GED and passed on the first try. From there I began Oakland Community College majoring in Biology and minoring in Italian. The hour or longer drive, depending on traffic, wasn't working out for me so I transferred to Henry Ford Community College. It may have taken longer than two years but I recently received my Associates in General Studies with honors. In January I will begin to work on my bachelors of Chemistry focusing on Pharmacy. It's a lot of schooling, but I will not give up my dream to become a doctor just because of this accident.

I've had a few relationships but my current relationship has lasted over four years. I can honestly say I was shocked when she looked at me and didn't see the wheelchair.

November 4th 2011 I got the call from the University of Michigan Hospital telling me to get there as soon as possible; they had a kidney for me!!! I was scared and ecstatic at the same time. I'm still having difficulties with it but it's working and that makes me happy.

Over the summer of 2012 I had open heart surgery to fix my mitral valve regurgitation. I kept getting pneumonia after the kidney transplant and they couldn't figure it out so they checked my heart and found it. One more surgery under my belt, one new scar to call my own. After a recent echo of the heart my cardiologist said it looks and sounds beautifully.

A week from today I am having another big surgery. I have to go in two days early and stay for at least a week after. I'm looking forward to the results but as soon as I get there I just know I'm going to be getting nervous just like I do with every procedure.

The worst thing that came from all of this is that I now watch my son grow up with my mom instead of me. I took care of Zacky until my accident. We always talk right after school and right before bed but I wish I was there so I could give him kisses and hugs all day long.

That snowy day in January changed my life and there are parts of it that I will never get back. They say that forgiving and forgetting is going to help me heal but I'm not ready to do either.

Spooky Bash at DTS

Written by Bret K.

          The Wayne County Day Treatment Services Program of Special Tree has been planning away for this year’s Halloween celebration. They will be hosting a Halloween Party as well as having a Haunted House at their location the week of October 22, 2012.

            It all began with Kayla and Katelyn.  They had a vision of Special Tree’s Wayne County Residential homes enjoying the festivities of the season.  So they began planning.  All Wayne County Residential houses in connection with Special Tree have been invited to attend the bash!

            To set the mood, a Haunted House will be on display on Wednesday October 24 from 2pm to 4pm.  The staff is planning to have refreshments for all clients and staff attending following the Haunted House.  

            To end the spooky week’s event with a bang, there will be a Halloween Party on Friday October 26, 2012.  The party will be held at the Wayne DTS location.  There will be planned arts and crafts, BINGO, karaoke, and many more engaging activities for clients of all levels.  After a short lunch break, the festivities will continue into the afternoon with the viewing of a well known haunted thriller.

            If that isn’t enough Halloween partying, Special Tree is throwing their annual Fall Bash on October 26, 2012 beginning at 5pm.  The dinner dance is a yearly festivity that will be a blast for those that attend.

            Hope to see everyone enjoying the events of the week to come.  They are sure to be awesomely fun.

               

Wayne County Day Treatment Services

       

Written by Bret K.

Wayne County Day Treatment Services or DTS does a lot for Traumatic Brain Injury clients.  You have to register with Special Tree to get into the program.  DTS gives you a job, for example this blog is my job.  

            There are two portions of the Day Treatment Program, a vocational and a recreational.  The vocational portion is what gives clients supported employment to work on building employability skills.  The program helps people prepare to get a job after full recovery.  With TBI, however recovery can be a very long journey.  That is why the vocational program has grown to assist clients that will require supported employment for long periods of time.  That is where the clients are given an opportunity to build upon the skills to become a valued employee.

            The recreational portion of the program encourages clients to become active in their community.   Clients are able to work on social skills within groups of their peers to overcome the fear of talking to strangers.  They are encouraged to build friendships with other clients and the outside world.  The recreational portion of the program combines fun with building multiple skills for leisure purposes.

            The Wayne County Day Treatment Services Program is very helpful to clients that may need help with interacting in the community.  They help to build a variety of skills needed to become an employable citizen.  They also help clients to build the skills needed in everyday life to interact with their peers.  All in all it is a great place to go and make new friends and build skills.

Handicapped Parking

               

Written by Bret K.

Have you ever seen anyone park in a handicap parking spot that doesn’t belong there? I’m sure you have because there are violators everywhere.  In fact, you should always hang your handicap parking permit from your rearview mirror, where it can easily be seen.

We have all seen the blue sign designating a handicapped parking spot at the grocery store, the mall, and even the doctor’s office but what makes the spot so special?  Low and behold, the sign we all know to designate a handicapped parking spot has regulations that make it legal. The sign has to be placed at least four feet above the surface, but no taller than seven feet above the surface to qualify as a legal handicapped parking spot.  A painted symbol or sign on the pavement will not constitute that spot in court as a designated handicapped parking spot, and can potentially cause more confusion to those in need of these parking spots.

Why do we have special parking spots for the disabled? Stores and other public parking areas have designated parking spots for the disabled for multiple reasons throughout history.  One of the main reasons for these areas is to allow for wheelchair patrons to access their vehicle before and after their visit at said location.  These permits also allow for easier access to stores, doctor offices, and other general parking needs for patrons in need of them.  The designated handicapped parking areas are generally located close to crosswalks and tend to guide patrons safely to the building’s doors.

You may not see it as “hurting” or “harming” a disabled person by parking unlawfully in a designated handicapped spot but you really are. Persons that are wheelchair bound often need to utilize these spots for easier access to their vehicle without being blocked in by other vehicles parked to closely.  Patrons utilizing walkers often walk slower and require more space to get into and out of their vehicles.  Blind or deaf patrons require spots closer to the entrance so they are not potentially walking in the middle of the lot in harms way.  Last but not least we need to consider the elderly of our community. They require closer spots due to walking slower, possibly being weaker, or even ill when out in the community. The closer spots allow for others to easily see the patron if anything was to happen to them on the way into the building.

Who violates these parking permits the most? There is the obvious answer to this question, being those that do not acquire a parking permit and still park in the areas designated for disabled persons.  However, the majority of violators include those that have been able to obtain a permit that either does not belong to them or has expired.  You can utilize a permit if it does not belong to you only if the disabled person is in the vehicle at said time of parking otherwise, you are utilizing the permit unlawfully.

So, what happens if you unlawfully park in a designated handicapped parking area? In Michigan, you can receive a ticket for parking unlawfully in a designated area for disabled persons. The ticket can range in cost from $100 to $500. That’s a big price to pay just to park a few feet closer to the door if you don’t need to.

Parking illegally is a big problem.  It can make getting to the destination hard if a disabled person cannot park in a handicap spot because it was taken by a person who is not disabled. Make sure your handicap parking permit is hung where it belongs, which is on the review mirror, because some people may be looking for them that are in wheelchairs.  If it’s not hung where it is suppose to go and just laid on the dashboard, the person in a wheelchair might not be able to see it.  This has happened to me. Since I’m in a wheelchair and a person had just set the handicap parking permit on their dashboard of a tall vehicle, I could not see it. Since I thought the person was illegally parking, I found a police officer and told them there was an illegally parked vehicle. When he checked it out, he looked and told me that they had a handicap parking tag, just laid on the dash.  So, to make it easier for everyone to see hang your permit from the rearview mirror.

If you’re not handicapped, or have a handicapped passenger, please refrain from using handicapped parking places. You should also be sure that you’re parking permit is in the proper place. You could be endangering others by using these spaces unlawfully.

Do you know the history of Halloween?

         

Written by Bret K.

          We all know what the day of October 31st is.  This is the day we celebrate a holiday called Halloween.  We all know that Halloween is a day for dressing up and eating candy.  Do you know the history of Halloween?

          Irish and Scottish immigrants brought about different versions of the tradition to the United States in the 19th century.  Some western countries established the holiday in the late 20th century.  Some western countries established the holiday in the late 20th century including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

          The Celtic festival Samhain is where Halloween originated.  Samhain was celebrated at the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture.  This festival was a time utilized by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and get ready for the winter.  On October 31st, the ancient Gaels believed the boundaries between the living and the dead overlapped and the dead would come back to life and cause trouble like sickness or damaged crops. 

          Bonfires were very frequent at the festivals.  This was because the Gaels believed bats would be attracted to the area since insects were attracted to the fire.  Items like masks and costumes were worn to the festivals also to try to copy the evil spirits or appease them.  Children would go from house to house in costumes asking for treats with the question, "Trick or Treat?"  The "treat" part meant that children wanted to receive candy by the people living at the house.  The "trick" part meant that a threat would be made by the children to play a trick if no candy was received.  Worldwide, Halloween has become socially expected to hand out candy to children that night.

          Halloween is a night mainly for children.  Halloween is not just about costumes and candy but there is also some history behind it.  What do you do in preparation for fall?  I hope you all have a fun Halloween this year and receive many treats and no tricks!

Baclofen Pump

         

Written by Bret K.

          

            Baclofen pumps tend to help a lot with spasms.  Neurologists usually test it out first before they actually put one in you.  With me, I have a baclofen pump, they tested me first.  They tried to separate my legs with no baclofen and because of the amount of spasticity in my legs; it did not go so well. Then they shot baclofen directly into my spine with a needle, tried to separate my legs again, and it worked very well.

            A baclofen pump is a medical device used to deliver small quantities of medication directly into the spinal fluid. A baclofen pump is best described as an intrathecal pump. There is no age limit on these devices, but the youngest patient to effectively receive a pump was four years old.  The baclofen medication reportedly reduces the amount of spasticity throughout the body. It also tends to reduce the amount and severity of spasms.

            The baclofen pump is surgically placed within the abdominal area.  The patient is generally placed on bed rest for two to three days following the procedure.  While on bed rest, intravenous antibiotics are given for the first day after pump insertion.  The baclofen medication is increased at minimal rates over the next couple of weeks. It can be adjusted as needed throughout time. Spasticity is noticeably decreased within four to five days after the pump has been inserted.

            Following the initial procedure there is a few follow up procedures to take account of. Medication needs to be refilled into the pump every two to six months; this can be done by the physician or physician’s assistant. They may also need to adjust the amount of medication that is dispersed at that time. Generally medication is increased for the first year after insertion. The pump runs on a battery, and when the battery dies, the pump must be replaced. Depending on the exact pump and your dosage levels the pump should be replaced every five to eight years.  This device has been used for over 15 years with no long term complications. The amount of spasticity reduced depends greatly on the pump placement, as well as the amount of medication dispersed. The pump may need to be moved after initial insertion, varying by the individual.

            With every medication or treatment, there are both positive and negative side effects on the mind, body, and spirit. The most common complaints of baclofen users tend to be; difficulty voiding, constipation, headaches and dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Not all patients with the baclofen pump experience these symptoms, or do very rarely. 

            Some less common side effects of the baclofen medication can include seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, blurred or sometimes double vision,  and muscle weakness. Some patients have reported shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fainting, mental depression, ringing in the ears, and occasionally grand mal seizures. Again, these are less common side effects and not all pump recipients experienced all side effects listed.

            There is a chance, as with any medication, of a baclofen overdose.  If you experience any of the following please see your physician immediately. Symptoms of overdose can include mental confusion, increased watering of the mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, grand mal seizures, muscle weakness, nausea, and vomiting. The patient may have one or more of the side effects occurring at the same time or consecutively.

            If you have been on this medication regimen, and it is not working out there are some notable side effects of abruptly stopping the baclofen medication.  These symptoms include decreased heartbeat, increased muscle spasms, facial flushing, headache, increased sweating, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, and even grand mal seizures. If you are considering stopping this medication, be sure to see your physician and discuss with him/her advantages and disadvantages.

            The body may go through some symptoms of withdrawal if a) you abruptly stop the baclofen medication, or b) the pump can run low or out of medication to disperse. If this occurs, be sure to see your physician as soon as possible. Withdrawal symptoms include; seizures, blurred vision, confusion, itching, burning sensation, feeling like pins and needles are poking you , unusually or easily becoming tired or weak, dizziness, faintness, and unusual sweating. These are just a few symptoms, but you know your body the best. If there is anything unusual occurring, you should make an appointment see your physician as soon as possible or head to the emergency room.  

            There are some rumors running the rumor mill pertaining to the baclofen pump.  One myth is that a test dose is given to see if the patient is a good pump candidate, in truth this test is performed to see if the baclofen medication reduces the amount of spasticity in the individual.  Another myth is that the pump only reduces spasticity in the legs. In truth, having a baclofen pump can reduce spasticity throughout the body, depending on the placement of the catheter delivering the medication to the spinal cord fluid.

            All in all, a baclofen pump is a good thing if you’re the right candidate for one.  The doctor or physician can tell you or your guardian if you are a good candidate for a baclofen pump. Good luck if you’re in this situation and need a baclofen pump.

             

GO TIGERS!!!

         

Detroit Tigers

Written by Bret K.

    The Detroit Tigers are currently in a battle for first place in their division. They are competing against the Chicago White Sox. At this point, they are one game behind to be tied.

    There are currently 28 games left in the season. Out of those games, only 12 are to be played at home. The Tigers must play against the White Sox four more times. Hopefully we sweep the Chicago White Sox, putting us in the lead. We can and should win the majority of the games that are remaining.

    The Tiger’s two hottest hitters are Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. Cabrera has hit 33 homeruns this season alone, and holds a .331 batting average. Fielder is only ten homeruns behind with 23 and a steady batting average of .313.  

The Tiger’s top pitcher is Justin Verlander. He won the MVP Award last year, 2011, for his outstanding performance game after game. This season he has been able to keep up with his household name, pitching 204.1 innings, and striking out 209 batters. Verlander has started 28 games and he has pitched six complete games so far in the 2012 season.

    With this triple threat, the Tigers have a chance at winning the Division Title for the 2012 season. Tune in tonight to see or hear how the game goes against the Cleveland Indians. GO TIGERS!!!!         

My Brain Injury

    

Written by Bret K.

       Hello, my name is Bret and I have a traumatic brain injury. I acquired my injury when I was 20 years old. A traumatic brain injury happens when the brain is injured due to an outside force. Half of all traumatic brain injuries result from motor vehicle accidents. My injury is no exception.

     Before my accident I was working full time at a machine shop. I loved playing baseball, and was even on my school's team. I was attending a community college and planning to become a police officer. I was very independent and had an active social life. I had even lived in another state with friends, but recently moved back home prior to my accident.

     My accident occurred very early one morning, at about 4:30 a.m. I was driving one person to their house after a night of drinking with a group of friends. I was not wearing a seatbelt. I was ejected from the vehicle after it flipped multiple times. My friend was still inside, with his seatbelt on, which saved him from getting a traumatic brain injury. I wasn't as lucky.  I was in a comatose state for a couple of months following the accident. When I awoke, I knew my parents, but everyone else was a stranger to me. The doctors told my parents that I was going to be a vegetable for the rest of my life. I am able to be here telling you my story because of the hard work and faith that my family and friends had in me. My injury occurred on the left side of my brain, leaving my right side of my body semi-paralyzed. I have little to no control of my right arm and right leg.

   My life now is not a pot of gold, but is definitely worth more than any words can explain. I am able to work through Special Tree and even have more than one job title. I have a few friends that continue to visit and remain in contact with me, which I am very grateful for. I am still pretty independent. Although I currently live in a group home and require some staff assistance, I am planning to move to an apartment in the near future. I am improving everyday. I get to walk with a walker two times a week, it was very difficult at first, but I am not willing to give up. I am currently working on my social and communication skills with my peers and staff to be able to find a life partner and supportive friends.

     Although partying may be fun, do not drink and drive.  If you drink and drive the thing that happened to me could happen to you, or even worse you could die.

   
    

Underage Drink?

          

Written by Bret K.

                Do you drink under age? If yes, you should stop. I know some people that drank under age and they decided to drive.  This caused them to get into a serious car accident. They ended up getting a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). There are also many affects that consuming alcohol has on an under developed brain.

            Many bad things can happen to you if you drink under age. While the brain is still developing alcohol can have lasting affects. When alcohol is consumed the brain’s central nervous system is affected and makes you think, speak, and move at a slower rate than normal. Alcohol consumption at young ages may interrupt key processes of brain development. A study performed by Brown and colleagues shows that alcohol dependent 15 and 16 year olds have greater difficulty remembering words and geometric shapes after a tem minute interval than teens without the dependency. The cerebral cortex is also slowed down by the consumption of alcohol. The frontal lobes of the brain are important for forming ideas, making decisions, and using self control. Alcohol consumption can permanently damage the frontal lobes of the brain. The part of the brain that forms memories is called the hippocampus, it is shown that in alcohol dependant teens the hippocampus is smaller than in normal teens that do not consume alcoholic beverages. The part of the brain that controls automatic actions, like your heartbeat and breathing, is called the medulla. This portion of the brain can be seriously affected by the consumption of alcohol, possibly leading to hypothermia (dangerous low body temperature) in the right conditions. The last thing I want to talk about is the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus of the brain controls blood pressure, hunger, heart rate, temperature, and thirst. When alcohol is consumed, blood pressure, hunger, urination, and thirst are increased. While the body’s heart rate and temperature is decreased.

            Under age drinking can pose a very dangerous situation for anybody involved. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of sexual assault such as rape.  Teens that involve themselves with under age drinking are much more likely to have unprotected sex with multiple partners. This can lead to unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.

            Teen suicide has been increasing due to under age alcoholism. Due to alcohol affecting the brain in the ways listed above, teens are facing greater levels of depression and anxiety. There is an alarming rate of 37% of females in the 8^th grade who drink heavily reporting attempts of suicide. Alcohol related suicide is the third leading cause of death for ages 14-25.

            Early drinking and alcohol abuse may be linked to personality characteristics. Persons who are more likely to become dependant on alcohol tend to seek out new experiences and sensations. They also have strong tendencies to act impulsively before alcohol consumption. Environmental factors are also prevalent to early alcoholism. Having alcoholism in the family to begin with is a major factor in adolescent alcoholism. There is easier access to alcohol, greater acceptance of alcohol use, and a lack of parental monitoring.

            There are many long lasting affects of early alcohol consumption. Teens that began drinking prior to age 15 are four times more likely to become alcohol dependant than others who wait until the legal age. Once an alcoholic pattern has begun, social factors such as peer pressure play a large role in relapse for teens.

            For those of you that drink under age you should think about all of the negatives that can happen before you take your next drink. You can still attend parties, but you don’t have to drink to have fun.

Labor Day

  

Written by Bret K.

      Labor Day is approaching, it is the first Monday of September. Labor Day is a national holiday because it celebrates the economic and social contributions of the American society. This year it falls on September 3rd.

     The first state to declare Labor Day as a holiday was Oregon in 1887. As time went on, more states began to recognize the holiday until 1894 when Labor Day became a federal holiday. Labor Day was passed following the Pullman Strike where many union workers were killed by the United States military and the United States Marshalls. In fear of further conflict, after the reconsiliation of President Cleveland and the leader of the labor movement, Congress unanimously signed Labor Day into law as a national holiday just six short days after the end of the strike.

      First celebrations of Labor Day included  a street parade and a festival to display the strength and devotion of the trade and labor organizations. Later, speeches made by prominant men and women were introduced in celebration of Labor Day. Today's celebration has a different feel. It is regarded as a day to rest and party. Different ways to celebrate Labor Day include attending a picnic, barbeque, public art event, fireworks display, or participating in water sports. Many families take this weekend as a chance to travel one last time before school resumes from summer recess.

     Labor Day is looked at as being the end of summer by most Americans. It is also looked at as the beginning of college and NFL football. NCAA teams often play their first games the week prior to Labor Day, with the NFL generally playing their's the week after.  

     This year Labor Day is September 3rd, so try and figure out what your plans are for this year. Whether its having a barbeque, attending a college footbal game, or just relaxing for the day you should enjoy whatever you choose to do for this holiday.

My Biggest Regret

      

Written by Bret K.

      I used to think about working instead of having fun.  When I look at it now I wish I could have had more fun.  I used to be an excellent baseball player and even made my high school team.  I could play many positions around the field including catcher, pitcher, third base, and left field.  Pitching was my favorite; I could throw hard and fast.  I was throwing 77 miles per hour when I was just fourteen years old.  Now, I look back and wish I would have stuck with it longer.

          I played baseball for six years.  It was very important to me while I was young.  Once I got to high school, I tried out and made the freshman team with twelve other players.  It was the best season yet.   I was starting catcher for the team throughout the season.  I had the time of my life and made a bunch of new friends with other kids on the team.

          When spring came the next year, I was unable to try out because I had a job.  I decided that work was more important to me and making money was the better thing to do.  Wow, was I wrong.  My biggest regret in life is not trying out for the team again because I would rather work.  

          I occasionally think about where I would be and what I would be doing if only I had played baseball instead of working a part time job throughout high school.  Maybe I would be making millions of dollars, attend a major college on a scholarship, or even a little kid’s idol.  I wish I would have continued to play baseball.

           All the reasons I listed above are the reasons I wish I would have kept playing baseball.  Although all of the choices I have made have gotten me where I am today, my biggest regret is not continuing to try out for the baseball team after my freshman year.

Father's Day Coming Up

                Father’s Day is quickly approaching.  Get ready to WOW your dad this year, from a great gift to an awesome fun-filled day.  He will not be disappointed with this holiday.

                The very first person to celebrate Father’s Day was a woman, or girl, named Sonora Smart-Dodd.  She had been inspired to celebrate her single father of six children by a Mother’s day church service in 1909.  By the next year, she had gained her city’s approval and celebrated the first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910.  Hallmark did not begin printing Father’s Day cards until 1920.  However, it did not become a national holiday until 1972. Richard Nixon declared Father’s Day be celebrated the third Sunday of June.  Although many presidents attempted to make Father’s Day a national holiday, congress was not on board for fear that it would just become commercialized.

                A lot of people give their dad gifts to celebrate Father’s Day.  Fathers tend to be more satisfied with their gifts than mothers.  Being this, on Father’s Day people generally spend less money than on Mother’s Day.  Sons and daughters spend an average of $90.89 for their Father’s Day gifts, as opposed to $123.89 for Mother’s Day.  If you are looking to give your dad a more traditional gift this year, head to the card section.  Father’s Day in the fourth highest card giving holiday in the United Sates, with 93 million cards exchanged annually.

                No matter the gift, all dads really want is time with their  family.  For an afternoon outdoors play some catch, head down to the lake to catch fish, or check out a local park for a hike.  Want to stay at home, try a family car wash, backyard barbeque, or shoot some hoops.  Most dads love to grill; you could pack it up for picnic style dinner or just enjoy preparing and cooking together at home.  You could also stay in and watch some old family videos, if your father is not into getting outdoors this year.  No matter what you choose, your dad will enjoy making new memories with his family.

                I hope Father’s Day 2012 is a lot of fun for you and your dad.  Do some activities with your family, I’m sure you will be glad that you did!

Get Outside!

                    The weather outside is getting warmer. The forecast for this weekend look great, with a high of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 59 degrees Fahrenheit for Saturday.  Sunday’s forecast is looking just as good or better with a high of 82 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. There is only a ten percent chance of rain all weekend with partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies. Get out your shades and a hat to start planning a fun filled weekend.

                 You could start your weekend off right with a pole and some bait.  There are many fishing spots in Southeastern Michigan offering a variety of different fish to be caught.  You could head on out to Crosswinds Marsh in Wayne County for a boardwalk of beautiful scenery and many fish.  Looking for a different spot? Try Round Lake, located in Irish Hills near Wampler’s Lake.  You could dock your boat or fish from their nice pier.  There are many parks that offer catch and release fishing.  Heritage Park, Bishop Park, and Elizabeth Park are close to downriver Detroit with various fishing spots throughout.

                Looking to plan a full weekend event, try camping. Camping can be altered to fit everyone’s needs.  You could sleep in a tent, park your RV, rent a cabin, or stay in a camper.  There are many places you could camp at; state parks, KOA parks, private land, and many others.  Most parks offer cabins to rent, campsites for campers and tents, trails to hike on, and play escapes for children.  Some state parks even offer sandy beaches, boat docks, and running water.  If you enjoy nature, try camping for a fun, relaxing weekend.

                Trying to keep to a budget?  I have put together some cheap activities you could do at home. Host a barbecue, have friends and family bring a dish to pass and enjoy the laughter and good times.  Have a pool?   Throw on a bathing suit and dive in to cool down from the hot sun.  Swimming not your thing? Go for a bike ride or brisk walk.  The cool breeze will feel great.  After the sun goes down, start a back yard fire.  You could roast marshmallows or cook hotdogs over the flames. Be sure to follow your city’s rules and regulations.  I hope these ideas are fun for you!

                You could also enjoy this weekend by spending a little cash.  Cedar Point and concerts are at the top of my list!  Concerts are a wonderful way to have fun listening to live music. If you enjoy a little rock and roll, Candlebox will be playing Saturday at the Emerald Ballroom at 7pm.  If you like sports, the Detroit Tigers will be playing the Pittsburg Pirates at home May 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th.  Cedar Point is also a good way to have fun.  It is full of roller coasters, arcade games, and never short of people to watch.  You could stay for a day or the entire weekend.

                These are all ways to enjoy this upcoming summer weather.  Weather you like to go fishing, camping, to Cedar Point, listening to live music, or barbecuing this week will not disappoint because of the excellent weather. Try some of these outdoor activities, I know I sure will!

The Spring Fling

     This annual event went off with a bang, as usual, on April  27, 2012. Special Tree clients and alumni were invited to a night filled with dinner, dancing, and prize give aways.


     Upon arrival guests photos were taken by the Day Treatment Services staff. They were able to get the photos developed and pass them out. The staff did a wonderful job of getting every client to smile. Each photo was given out in a handmade spring inspired photo card. Eveyone enjoys a photo to remember.


     After having your photo taken, clients were directed to take a seat at a table for dinner to begin. Dinner was served and eaten quickly, so to return to the festivities of the night. Everyone was able to enjoy an array of food while in attendance at the Spring Fling.


    Proceeding dinner was a new addition to the Spring Fling, a NEW Band! They consisted of two guitar players, a piano player, a fiddle playing lead singer, and of course a drummer. They sure did rock the house and got every body up and moving to the music. I hope to see their return at the annual Fall Bash!

     I had the pleasure of standing and dancing to multiple songs throughout the night. This made me feel excited because this was only the second time since my accident that I could stand and dance. I got the pleasure of seeing other clients enjoying this same activity and I could tell that they were just as happy as I was.


     Prizes were given out after the music was played. Names were drawn out of a hat. Each winner was able to recieve their prize at center stage and draw the next winner. I did not get the pleasure of winning and actual prize, however, I still feel like a winner for the oppurtunity to attend.


     This special night would not have been possible without the help of residential managers Debbie J. and Sabina K. Thanks girls for a great night!