Research That Benefits Children and Families-Uplifting Stories

Our assignment this week is to find an article to share regarding a family that has benefited from research. The article I found is a true story found under the Children's Cancer Research Fund and it will speak to your spirit:

     Derek's Story: Surviving Hurler Syndrome 

 

 

     Derek Hanewacker of Flint, Michigan was diagnosed with Hurler Syndrome at 10 months old. Hurler Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive physical and mental deterioration. If this disease is left untreated, patients typically do not live past the age of 10 years-old. Derek's parents Holly and Scott learned that the best place to treat Derek's disease was at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, using stem cell therapy treatments funded in part by grants from Children's Cancer Research Fund.

     Derek's workup for his umbilical cord blood transplant began during the month of January. Holly was able to stay in Minnesota with Derek as he prepared for his transplant, Scott unfortunately, had to return home to work as he became the sole financial provider. High costs of airfare and poor winter driving conditions would limit Scott's visits. Families recognize that stem cell transplant day is one filled with celebration and hope - hope of a new beginning and a chance at life without the devastating effects of cancer or rare illness.

     Scott was going to miss this important milestone, because making the choice to pay medical bills outweighed costly flights. Fortunately, for the Hanewackers, a Child Family Life specialist surprised them with a Care Flight!

     Scott arrived early in the morning before Derek woke up on transplant day! When Derek saw his dad - he clapped his hands and smiled. The generosity of SkyMiles donors allowed Scott to be there for Derek's big day, standing with his wife Holly, and grateful to witness this milestone together.

    

 

 

Reference

 

Children's Cancer Research Fund, (2015). Retrieved from

     www.childrenscancer.org/main/kids_stories/dereks_story_surviving_hurler_syndrome/



Personal Research Journey

     Given guidance to choose a topic that interest me during my current course; I chose aggressive behaviors in young children ages 3 - 5 years. I chose this topic because I encounter young children that display behaviors such as hitting, pushing, and throwing furniture in the classroom environment often. Sometimes children are so violent that I will not honor the full 30-day behavior plan put in place to protect the teachers as well as the other children in the classroom. It is not fair to subject other children and my educators to these behaviors for an extended amount of time, therefore I ensure documentation is in place when or if I have to make a drastic decision.
     I would like to help families get the answers to their questions, "Why is this happening...?" or "What should I do...I've tried everything?" in regards to their child's behavior. I want to have a better turn around rate in which a child learns to gain better control of themselves and the choices he makes rather than terminating.
     The simulation process was fairly easy after reading the examples provided by the instructor.
     Insights gained from constructing the Research Chart would be reading an article and having the ability to know exactly what I am looking for without wasting a lot of time. I was also successful at completing the chart during this particular assignment!
     Insights gained from this course so far are that researching for and finding quality material is easier than finding not so good quality material.
     If I could ask my colleagues for advice, it would be to provide their past experience if any with research and how not to become discouraged.
     I do not have resources to share at the moment, but I will improve in this area during this course!