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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1989-05-03, Page 14'9 Paige 1,4--Dack w ElesittA9 Wedlieciley9 MAN7 19$ ertiserr agents train c i kJ Lor a dr be the Smiths first real ized he had a problem. Bill was 8 years old. Now he is 15. "Don't worry, he'll outgrow it," the doctors kept telling them. The last time had been four ye.:rs ago. But Bill was still a bedwetter. He would wake up in a dry bed just two days a week. -Five doc- tors had tried their best. They put Bill through many tests, wrote numerous prescriptions, ordered hospital stays and even performed surgery. Nothing seemed to work. "Over the last 15 years, we felt fortunate if'the bed was dry two nights in a row," says the boy's father, who asked that their real names not be used. Bill could go to visit someone and spend the night. But he might stay awake the whole time, because he was embarrassed and did not want to wet the bed. Then, several weeks ago, the Smiths heard of the Canadia n Children's Centre. They sent away for free literature and saw their own son's story being played out. What had hit them hardest was a earlier story that linker, bedwetting to arson. "MAy son tried to burn down our shed," says the father. That's when I said I am tired of hearing 'don't worry he will out- grow it' - also I found out bedwetting is harmful physical- ly and emotionally. If bedwet- ting can be stopped, why should we allow our child to sleep in this ;condition. If my son needed braces, I wouldn't. hesitate:" Many don't outgrow bedwetting Children don't always stop bedwetting says Canadian Chil- dren's Centre director Vincent Fowler. In 14 -years the Centre has successfully treated thousands of bedwetters, and receives a large number of inquiries from adults who still have the:problem. "But:quite,ciften,a doctor -will say 'Don't worry, your child will out- grow it.' That's because most doc- tors don't want the parents to wor- ry. A history of bedwetting in tht family can reduce the chances a child will outgrow it." Psychologist Dr. Warren Bailer of the University of California at Los Angeles writes "Evidence ac- cumulated casts doubt that chil- dren outgrow bedwetting. Most bedwetters hide their feelings and shame, and embarrassment are their constant companion. Correct- ing bedwetting often produces re- markable results in family rela- tionships, behavior, school work and peer contact." Bill wag dry nine weeks after the Smiths sent for the Centre litera- ture and eight weeks without a wet bed, they have started to no- tice other changes. "My son has always been very quiet, very withdrawn. He seldom talks to .us. I guess that's because he was teased a lot when someone who'd let him stay at his home let the cat out of the bag," says the father. Today Bill reaches out fer affection from his family .in a way they've never known. He also ap- pears much calmer. Bill follows the patterns of many "nocturnal enuretics" as the con- dition is medically ;known. For them, the problem is more than just .a wet sheet ;nuisance. Unfor- tunately, it's still a closely closet- ed problem few people are willing to seek help for or even ,'discuss with their family physicians or friends. iarmnful physically and emotionally "These children ,can .become so- cial outcasts,"-Fowler;nays, "their bedwetting•problemmakes it diffi- cult for them to join the crowd, to t�►r ' + �.. 4 1 4, A night's seep Psychological considerations "To offer a child a reward to accomplish something when they're sleeping, they can't win. It sets them up for failure." uo -to-= i fi rFoss-nr-st?eru -the--nTEht- with a friend. They iive in con- stant fear of ridicule - that some body will uncover their problem. Bedwetting is not an accepted thing to do. He noted that the resulting shame from bedwetting during the sensi- tive age of a child, can be devastat- ing. Often hostility, resentment and feelings of rejection or antiso- cial traits that can carry over into adulthood. "Our success goes beyond just stopping bedwetting," Fowler says. "Most parents tell us. that thein children :are happier• with themselves. The children like themselves more :and so do their parents. A child who likes and re- spects himself is more capable of liking and respecting others. "A tremendous amount of stress is removed from the whole family. Often they weren't even aware it was related to• bedwetting. Parents often find a great behaviour and attitude change in the child." "Schoolwork often improves and so.does the child's attention span and concentration. There are some real, positive benefits from stop- ping benwr• „g." F be, el wetting, he. explains, can :-car • both on chil- ,arent>- if the problem as rj quickly. And.as a gen- e- say q. children should b4 e c: c it through the nigra within six months of being toilet trained during 'laytime hours. Thi parent ,orned Bedwetting is known to cause emotional problems if not correct- ed -before school. So the majority of inquiries come from parents of four year olds looking for a solu tion prior to their children start- ing school. Many other parents get upsetat the child because they know friends and relatives can some- times smell the odor, and the cost can average over $300 a year, just for laundry. Some parents will reward their children for a dry night or scold when bedwetting occurs. but Fowler says "To offer a child reward to accomplish something when they're sleeping, .is a no-win situation. It sets thern up .for'fail- ure." He notes that a 3V2 year study at McGill Uni>}ersity concludes that deep sleep, ,not the Child, is to blame as the No. " 1 cause of bedwetting. Causes and :-effects "Bedwetting can •use .a '@tiny bladder and ssodoes waking..,or re- ducing )squids."..he says. "You .ac- tually „encourage bedwetting waking them." Alter ,a while.` the, child: develops some strongly ingrained •habits and ,negative self -expectations, which me itharder to overcome Staff psychologist Arnold Keller says the worst so-called solution - without question - is for parents to wait until children outgrow the problem. This is because toilet training teaches children the dif- ference between right and wrong, success and failure, clean and dirty. So bedwetting only rein- forces negative feelings and can lead to a poor self image. "It's not that they outgrow it, it's that they stop talking about it," he says. Most bedwetters hide their feelings in shame. They try to hide from the parents any ink- ling that it matters. So parents of- ten don't think it affects the child. If a child does not show signs of the bedwetting bothering them, this can be serious. "The majority don't work to their full potential," he says• Since they are active during the day they are deep sleepers with a short attention span. Keller says they often have difficulty communicat- ing with their parents because of the guilt associated with bedwet- ting. One study showed three of every four institutionalized ;Live- -- the--problemeehe--addsl-Repeated---- uve----t-he--problemeehe-adds:-Repeated--- oile- inquents-were erl•tachbeen-- bedwetting episodes at night, and the frequency of day time voiding may tend to keep the bladder un- derdeveloped and the sphincter or lock muscle weak. Most bedwet- tings are very sensitive. The child may also, become overly sensitive about being a bedwetter. This anx- iety connected with bedwetting can make the problem worse. After children are toilet trained, he says, waking in the morning wearing a diaper or sleeping in a wet bed can't help but affect them emotionally. They know they are a disappointment to themselves and their parents. Folk remedies There are plenty of folk and trad- itional remedies, but they often do more harm than good because they delay proper therapy - Improper methods of treating bedwetting can include: waking or lifting a child at night, restricting or reducing liquids during the day -or before bed, rewards, -scolding, drugs, waiting to outgrow it, and treating it medically. All of the above methods can produce harm- ful side effects. Scolding only makes the prob- lem worse, because the child ends up denying how badly he or she feels to the parents. Medical attempts Medical intervention isn't as prevalent as it once was, it also can worsen a condition. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Ad- ministration and the American Medical Association say drugs are not the treatment choice. Fowler notes that the American Academy of Pediatrics established that bedwetting is not .a medical problem, and advised against most medical tests or drugs. For exam- ple X-rays close to a child's geni- tals poses unnecessary risk ofradi- ation. He notes that a surgical proce- dure where the urethra or urinary passage is enlarged has been popu- lar. But Fowler says the healing and a scarring process can cause the urethra to become smaller. The Smith's son Bill underwent the operation and it didn't work. bedwetters. Unfortunately , too, says Keller, there is a higher inci- dence of suicide in children why, are bedwetters. The older personality type is that of the over -achievers, who tr; to prove they're OK. Keller says they knock themselves out to be successful. All of this ,can cause parents to suffer guilt when family or friends start blaming them for their children's problem. And as a last straw, parents sometimes have resorted to rather cruel methods of stopping their children from bedwetting. Keller says one family admitted beating their child and making him sleep in a wet bed - admitted- ly the first time they'd been abu- sive, and contrary to their love and desire for their son to stop wetting the bed. VINCE FOWLER For additional information, and to find out why your child wets the bed, .send for our free brochure. MI inquir- ies are confidential. Call or write Canadian Children's Centre, 880 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 802 Windsor, Ontario, N9A 1C7, Canada. Telephone: 1.8004654802 or (519) 254- 2511. Send for free information on WHY YOUR CHILD WETS THE BED and HOW ,TOSTOP IJ NAME ADDRESS ern. PHONE PROV-- &AR A CODE {POSTAI, CODE CHILD'S AGE <Moil,to: 'CANADIAN CHILDREN'S ENTRE, 8001 usilstts Annus, Suite 800; Windsor, Ontario NMA 1C7. TiOsPhoria Ti,1'80048,54802. A 4.4N a° 1 a NFI N. NTIA • • 1QBflUARY Franklin Oliver Glenn Franklin Oliver Glenn, a 1st World War Veteran, died in Wingharn and District Hospital, on April 24, 1989, in his 91st year. Mr. Glenn, who resided in Lucknow, was a member of the Dungannon United Church, Goderich Legion Branch 109 and Morningstar Lodge, Carlow He was born in Dungannon on January 22, 1899, a son of the late John Glenn and Elizabeth Smith. - Mr. Glenn is survived by six children, Oliver and Harold of Lucknow; Donald of Richmond Hill; Vernon of Auburn; Gerrie of Dungannon and Joyce, Mrs. Herb Pocock, of Dawson Creek, B.C. He is also survived by a sister, Alberta Brydges of Blenheim, 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Mr. Glenn's wife, the former Mary Cooke, predeceased, as did two children, three brothers and one sister. Visitation was at the MacKenzie and Mc- Creath Funeral Home, Lucknow. Branch 309, Lucknow and 109, Goderich of the Royal Canadian Legion held a legion ser- vice on Tuesday evening, followed by the Morningstar Lodge Carlow service. The funeral service was held on Wednes- day, April 26, conducted by Rev. R. Roberts of Dungannon United Church, with Rev. D. Aramatro:Ms as.- t pg._ Mr: Maui's grandaughters were flower bearers and his grandsons acted as pallbearers. Interment was in Dungannon .Cemetery, CPS INSIDER ' from page 7 enough money to pay for their trip to Ot- tawa this ,year. Without your thoughtfulness, such worthwhile educa- tional opportunities simply would not be possible. Special Education The special education class is looking forward to a two day science excursion near Wiarton. It will take place on May 1 and 2 at the outdoor Education Centre. The students will be nature hiking, orienteer- ing, and tree planting. They will also be en- joying a day cook out meal and a night Uncle camp activity. Library Mrs. Maclntyre spent Wednesday buy- ing books at "Learning Tree" in Toronto, with other teacher -librarians from Bruce County. She had to make some difficult decisions about which books . to buy because there were so many terrific books on sale. Band News The exciting moment finally arrived at about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening when Mrs. Gingrich and her crew arrived with our new band uniforms. As you might already know they are navy and white. Mr. Cayley and the Band are very pleased with the new uniforms. Mr. Cayley quotes "They are just super!" So you will just have to come to our Band Concert on May 12 at the Lucknow Community Centre at 8:15 p.m. and .see Us model our new uniforms and we will "Perform music to your ears ! " Hope 'to see you there! Sneak a pea at spring The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) invites you to `Sneak A Peek AtSpring' at Naftel's Creek Conser- vation Area on Sunday, May 7 at 2 p.m. John them for a spring wildflower hike through the scenic trails at Naftel's Creek Conservation Area. Enjoy the'unique shapes and -hues of trilliums, trout lilies, marsh marigolds and other spring wildflowers. •Please bring your waterproof footwear. Admission to thisevent is free. Nattel's Creek Consei ►atlon .Age, is located an the ea side of :Highway six :kilometers south of Goderich. For further information.about,thlia event eontaet the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority at 3357.