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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1979-04-25, Page 8Back A Winner In Huron-Bruce Elect GRAEME C R A I G Published by the Official Agent for Greeme Craig, Walton. Ontario. • Get results I Post Want ads Phone 887-6641 r Frtssrats•gffs*A•rsso•T•rasgimiramsxsimuxmrisffmm.rmakaaiamNsmrmasssWriswska.~ismoir WHITE'S Rofing and Gen6ral, Construction Petie Estimates RR 4 BRUSSELS PHONE 88 '-6432 Canadian Pools (Seaforth) Opening Mon. Apr.30 for chemicals — pool accessories — patio furniture — repairs. 527-0104 Anumfolloolneirew Are Open To Assist You In Walton, Ontario If you Would tike to work on the caMpaign Or require information please Published by the °Metal Agent for' Craig, Walton, Ontario, II THE BRUSSELS POST, APRIL 25, *fa Help for parents prevents abuse BY SUSAN WHITE Although professionals are more aware and working together to prevent and report cases of child abuse, there's still a great need for support and help for all Huron County parents. That's one of the conclusions of a meeting on Child abuse, sponsored by Huron's Family and Children's Services (Children's Aid) at Seaforth Public School last Wed- nesday night. A discussion group for local parents, to start May 16 at SPS and the possibility of a block parents program here were two concrete results of the meeting which heard a panel of local people and viewed a movie on child abuse. A growing understanding that "every- body has some investment in a community's children" is one reason that more child abuse is being reported in Huron, said FACS director John Penn. Three years ago there may have been eight cases a month while now workers have 40 per month. Of 70 child abuse cases reported in the county last year, broken bones and serious burns were "fortunately very rare", the director said. More frequently kids have bruises or bangs, and about 15 children had injuries serious enough to have been taken into care. Huron people are not abusing children more than they used to, but people are more aware and reporting more, the director told the audience members. CYNICAL Seaforth policeman Charlie Akey, another panelist, agreed and said police departments have come a long way in handling child abuse and other family disputes in 15 years. Policemen tended to get cynical or avoid family calls, he said but they now are being taught how to diffuse a family crisis and some police departments have special teams to handle family complaints. Constable Akey said relationships between the police and family agencies have improved and cited a recent child abuse case in which two police forces and the children's aid co-operated to bring it to family court within four days. "How do we break the cycle and teach people to be good parents," asked Gary Boyle. "Even 'to drive a car you need a licence, Mr. Boyle said, while anyone can become a parent and "carry on with the training they didn't receive." There is some training for parenthood in the county's schools, SPS principal Paul Carroll replied but "in Huron County we've not yet resolved the question of the role of the school in these sorts of issues....I think personally we have a long way to go." The earlier parenting skills are taught the better, said FACS director John Penn. "It's like learning to play golf the wrong way and then having to unlearn." IMPORTANT? There could be a parent trainer in the school system, funded by the minstry of social and community services, he said. "If enough people say it (learning to parent) is an important part of the child's learning, it's amazing what's possible. . .That's how things change. People say "this is what we want." Preventing child abuse is the goal of the public health nurse said Marguerite Falconer of the Huron County Health Unit. Public health nurses can pick out high risk situations, perhaps on new baby visits where they watch for a lack of parent-child bonding or of information, for an older child who might be really hard to handle or for a family crisis. The health unit sponsors parenting classes throughout the county, works closely with other agencies and its nurses work with families where child abuse is being treated, she said. Alf-parents can get infortnal help from their work at the Seaforth nursery school panelist Joanne Holland, the school's teacher said. "Because it's a co-op it's a supportive group.. Parents are in contact with others and with kids the same age as theirs. They can share concerns, see other pre-schoolers in action and get ideas on how teacheri and other parents handle situ- ations." A BREAK The pre-school gives parents and kids a break from each other, Mrs. Holland said, and she added it would work closely with other agencies if a case of child abuse were detected. Other panelists were Rev. Robert Roberts representing Seaforth and area Big Brothers and Constable Jim MacLeod of the local OPP detachment. Huron's chief public health nurse Catherine Walsh was moder- ator. Constable Akey and Mr. Penn both said many criminals were abused as children. Paying to keep adults in prison is "an expensive way to treat child abuse," the children's aid director remarked. Suppose any ordinary member of the' public knows someone down the street is abusing his or her children, but is reluctant to get involved feeling "at least they have a home, parents . . . .they could be worse off", Mr. Boyle asked the panel. FACS believes the child belongs at home with its parents and children are removed only if they need care and protection, John Penn told him. In a case of not extreme abuse the agency tries to work with public health, family doctors, and other community people to support and watch the family. If the family has enough community link ups the child can be left at home and a treatment plan set up. The names of people reporting child abuse aren't made public, Mr. Penn said. Huron's FACS has two parent aides working now with families who have a child abuse problem, helping teach parentini and housekeeping skills, being a friend and giving parents an occasional break. But they're on a short term grant that could be cut off in July. With 40 cases per worker, "I sometimes feel you guys have too many things to do with the number of people to do it," Paul Carroll told the agency people. "There's a concern that you can't do what you should be doing." That's where community support comes in, Mr. Penn said and he cited changes to the Child Welfare Act which will make professionals who don't report child abuse subject to a $1,000 fine. A nurse in the audience said CINA (Children In Need of Attention) forms are used by Clinton Public Hospital to pass on suspected child abuse cases to FACS. She was told the agency hopes to get all Huron hospitals using the forms. Perhaps a parent volunteer program already at work at Seaforth Public School could be broadened to give extra love and attention to children who are at risk, suggested audience member Betty Beutten- miller. Perhaps, as long as family privacy was respected, the SPS principal said. Rev. James Van Slyke, also in the audience said, the clergy can help in child abuse cases but naturally has to look after its own parishioners first. "We don't have unlimited time to counsel the whole com- munity," At Country Playhouse Bill Amos, Chairman of the Board for Huron. Country Playhouse announced today that Glen Wood, the innova- tive designer and developer, has agreed to be convener for the Third International Art Auction to be held at the Huron Country Playhouse, Sunday, July 29th. Mr. Wood is the owner and developer of numerous commercial properties in re- novated historical buildings, The meeting's most optimistic note came from pre-school teacher Joanne Holland who said nursery school starts training in parenting. More and more boys are comfortable in the doll centre, for example, "That will make a difference 16 or 20 years from now and will give them a positive feeling toward parenthood." With the declining enrollment in high schools, perhaps we'll see nursery schools using the empty classrooms. Family Life programs can be taught to the senior students while they "see what it's like to work with actual three and five year olds." Rheumatoid arthritis may begin at any age. Many patients show preceding strain, emotional or physical, prior to the onset of the disease. However, this is not always the case. The current thinking is that the disease is life-long in duration and although it may seem to go away and be no problem at all, is always there. Rheumatoid arthritis may begin insidiously or abruptly and severely. It starts abruptly in only a small number of cases. The onset isn't predictable. The symp- toms, fatigue, weakness and mil A morning stiffness, may be present for months or even years. Loss of appetite, weight loss and mild fever are common. Numbness and tingling, stinging, and burn- ing sensations of fingers and toes may occur. However, swelling of the small joints always eventually occurs. It may begin in any joint but most often in the small joints of the hand. Oddly, the end joints of the fingers are infrequently involved. The progression of joint involvement is often from joints at the periphery (that is, fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles and knees) toward joints more centrally located in the body. Joints then become swollen, tender, hot and red. Move- ment means pain. Kidneys, heart, lungs, spleen and eyes may become involved. Sometimes in cold weather one or more fingers may temporarily become white: Unusual sweating of the hands and feet With some bluish discolouration is Cernnion. Anaemia is usual, Muscle weakness and muscle wasting ,can also be part of the disease. This information is not written to provide a means of self-diagnosis. That would be dangerous. It 'is, howevor, Glen Wood to auction including the Talbot Inn, London, and the Festival Square, Stratford. He studied interior design at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City, then began his career with Simpson's in London. Ten years ago he started his own store, Tradewinds, sel- ling china and glassware. In 1976 his passion for renova- ting and restoring old buil- dings led him to buy the Belevedere Hotel in down- town _ London and turn it into the beautiful Talbot Inn. Mr. Wood's most recent project is another renovation of older buildings in Cam- bridge, Ontario. The International Art Auc- tion helps to raise funds for the Huron Country Play- house, as well as give the opportunity to the people of Southwestern Ontario to pur- chase valuable works of art. Arthritis begins at any age And lasts for a lifetime important for patients to know a little more about their disease because it will help eliminate fear of the un- known. The Arthritis Society emphasizes that no patient can ever be said to be beyond help. The future for arthritis patients is brighter now than ever. A cure will one day be forthcoming. Research has produced a greater under- standing about the disease than ever before. Until then, treatment offers relief and prevention of crippling and deformity. For free information about arthritis write to: Mrs. Betty Janke, The Arthritis Society, R.R. 2, Walkerton, Ont.