Conference for caregivers draws crowd

At least one hundred people attended the 7th annual Grand Family Conference at the New McKendree United Methodist Church Celebrations Center recently.

Directed at caregivers other than a child's biological parents, information was delivered by a group of panelists, each of whom presented on his or her topic of expertise.

Sonja Shario, intensive in-home services coordinator at the Community Counseling Center, discussed what is known as "the choking game" during her presentation.

Statistics show that between 500 and 1,000 children die from asphyxiation annually. Some children play the game by compressing their bodies against a wall, while others tie a rope or bike chain around their necks.

"Children wearing a scarf or with red marks around their necks may have been playing the choking game," she said.

In addition to the choking game, children may try to get high without drugs or alcohol by inhaling the substances found in cooking spray, glue or spray paint. She said that in some cases, these substances act as gateway drugs to more potent substances.

"Talk to them now while they're alive," she said. "Avoid having to go to their friends' funerals. Just give them the info. Kids connected to those of you in the room are really lucky. You can look at them and say 'Gee, what's odd today?' and have the ability to call a doctor or the Community Counseling Center. You are their best resource."

Many topics discussed

In another presentation, dentist T. Wayne Lewis explained the importance of evaluating the amount of sugar taken into the body.

Lewis also discussed the importance of limiting the frequency and quantity of sugar combined with removing plaque.

Psychiatrist Brad Robinson discussed eating disorders and bipolar disorder during his presentation, explaining that it can be hard for caregivers to determine what's normal behavior and when professional help should be sought.

Separating anorexia from selective, picky or restrictive eaters can be difficult. he said. Victims of bulimia often engage in private behaviors of excessively using laxatives or purging. The disorders may not be detectable at all, but the long-term health consequences of both can be serious.

Amy Roth, Cape Girar-deau parks and recreation director, announced participation in the national program Start Smart Basketball, which is designed to help caregivers teach basketball to 3- to 5-year-olds.

She also discussed indoor and outdoor forms of leisure activity that can be enjoyed at any age, such as use of the trail system.

The event included concurrent sessions and 23 booths along the room's perimeter that offered information on health, education, recreation and family services.

Conference attendees

Teresa Benn of Cape Girar-deau was one of the attendees at the conference, and she went to great lengths to be there.

"I heard about the conference at the SEMO District Fair and took off work without pay today to get the information I need," she said.

She has been raising her grandchildren, ages 5, 3 and 18 months, for four years and learned that obtaining guardianship papers would help her financially support her grandchildren.

Marilyn Sedwick of Cape Girardeau, a retired nurse, came to the conference seeking help for a 12-year-old girl she knows who has been abused.

"She's an A student, in choir. I do what I can for her. She visits. I bought her a keyboard to support her musical interests."

Sedwick said she would consider it a blessing if the child could come and live at her home. "The mother told me 'If I let [the girl] go I won't get help.'"

Children and crime

Cape Girardeau prosecuting attorney Morley Swingle concluded the conference with a discussion of changes in the law regarding juveniles and driving while intoxicated and juveniles tried as adults.

"I can't stress the importance of telling those you love not to drink and drive," Swingle said.

He also discussed what to expect if a child were to become a victim of crime. He explained that common crimes that children fall victim to include assault, property damage and child molestation.

He also said the 1992 Crime Victim's Rights Amendment in Missouri has helped reduce some of the stress for children testifying just by giving them a tour of the court beforehand and explaining what will happen.

"A crime victim's advocate will answer questions and two of my senior attorneys and myself handle a lot of the assault or child molestation cases," Swingle said.

"We also have a witness protection program and the authorities are very good about putting on extra patrols," he said. "We even have an investigator who can drive witnesses to court."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133