Coping with COPD

November is COPD Awareness Month. Caused by long-term smoking or inhaling other pollutants, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that makes breathing more difficult. Other symptoms are frequent coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. COPD can be treated with oxygen therapy and medications. For more information about this disease, go to http://www.copdfoundation.org/. On a related note, November is also Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month.

A Spotlight on a Dance Company

Special Spotlight Theatre is a dance company for school-aged children and adults with and without disabilities in Brevard County. Its annual recital “Anything Goes-Dance Varieties” (including ballroom, hip-hop, jazz, tap, country, modern, and more) took place yesterday at the Eau Gallie High School Performing Arts Auditorium in Melbourne. There were also refreshments, raffles, and a bake sale. Special Spotlight Theatre allows those with special needs to participate in the arts. For more information about this group, go to http://www.specialspotlight.com/.

Dealing with Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month, and today is World Diabetes Day. Diabetes is a disease in which a person has high blood sugar. Symptoms include frequent urination and excessive thirst and/or hunger. There are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes with Type 2 being more common, and some pregnant women have gestational diabetes. If diabetes is not treated with insulin and a healthy diet, it can lead to complications. For more information about this disease, go to http://www.diabetes.org/.

Honoring Veterans with Disabilities

Today is the day we honor veterans, including those with disabilities, as a nation. Life for these veterans is more challenging than ever before. They need assistance in adjusting to their service-related disabilities. One organization that supports them is the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. For more information about DVNF, go to http://www.dvnf.org/. Thank you, veterans, for your service!

A Community Full of “Promise”

Co-founded by Brevard County disability advocate Betsy Farmer and her son Luke (who has Down syndrome), Promise in Brevard is about to take the next step in its development as a community of apartments for people with disabilities. Best described as “a place where young adults with special needs can live a life full of opportunities and freedom never thought possible,” Promise will contain amenities such as a hydroponic garden, horse stables with a riding arena, and a full-size gym. It also has a partnership with The Field of Dreams, a nonprofit organization that’s currently building a handicapped accessible sports complex where the Promise Café and Bakery will be located. The Promise in Brevard groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 11:00 A.M. today at 4105 Norfolk Parkway, adjacent to the Hammock Landing Plaza in West Melbourne. I’m very excited to see this project get closer to being a reality for people like myself, and the Farmers’ efforts are much appreciated. For more information on Promise, go to www.PromiseinBrevard.com.

Examining Epilepsy

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which a person experiences seizures. People with this condition have to be careful because they can get hurt during a seizure. If epilepsy is not controlled, it can lead to disability. There are different types of epilepsy, which is treated primarily with medication and avoiding triggers; surgery is a last resort. For more information on this disorder, go to www.epilepsy.com.