Page 7 - PGA Community News - January '25

January 2025 January 2025 BW PGA C.A.N.!, Page 7

Helping Disorganized,

Forgetful, And Scattered Adolescents

By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., weaknesses can cause smart kids to become scattered, for success this year and beyond. Are you tired of being
Licensed School disorganized, and forgetful. These weaknesses might be your child’s only executive assistant and ready for your
Psychologist accompanied with ADHD or learning disabilities but can adolescent to hear about success skills from someone
A parent described her also be stand-alone difficulties. Our executive functions other than yourself?
eighth-grade son to me, improve with age and fully mature in our late teen years
“He has struggles following to early 20s. Thus, there’s hope for your student’s growth.
multiple oral instructions at Executive functioning skills can be learned, practiced
the same time. His information and improved. This month I am offering an in-person Northern Notes from page 6
retention in the short term executive functioning course for students in grades 6
is challenging especially for through 9. Your student can join us for three, 90-minute They usually lay their eggs directly on the ground
unpreferred topics. He has sessions of fun, interactive activities to learn executive rather than in a nest. They are incredibly good at
completed homework and functioning skills related to organization, planning, time camouflage, and their coloring allows them to blend
forgot to turn it in. He waits until the last minute to start projects management, memory, and attention. The group size is in remarkably well with the leaves and trees around
or studying for exams. What a hot mess!” limited to 10 students. them. Their soft plumage is colored to resemble bark or
This mom was describing her son’s executive We will use games, scenarios, and videos to illustrate leaves, protecting them from their primary predators:
functioning weaknesses. The term executive functioning points and practice skills. Students receive written foxes and raccoons. As a defense, these birds can hide
encompasses our brain’s ability to manage different handouts to keep which summarize the new skills. We in leaves on the ground, spread their wings and open
systems such as planning, organizing, maintaining effort, are approaching this mastermind course for teens using their mouths to resemble cottonmouth snakes preparing
remembering, self-regulating, attending, and completing a cognitive behavioral framework. That means that if to strike. Some species perch face lengthwise along a
tasks. School success depends, in part, on having strong you can change your thinking and learn new skills, you branch rather than across it as birds usually do to hide
executive functioning skills. Executive functioning can change your behavior. Your student can learn skills during the day, blending seamlessly with tree bark.
style gives the bird its folk name “bullbat.” They fly
The Common Nighthawk’s erratic, acrobatic flight
Susan G. Komen Announces alone or in groups in a looping pattern. This dusky
®
hunter jerks and weaves through the air on long,
2025 FORD Warriors In Pink pointed wings, flashing distinctive white wing patches.
Chuck Will’s Widows are the largest of the Nightjars

and are primarily nocturnal. They have enormous
mouths that, when open, can catch flying insects like
Warriors represent North Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple beetles and moths but can even catch small birds or
Boca Raton, Palm City, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Fort Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Further testing revealed bats on occasion. Their name is an onomatopoeia
Lauderdale and Broward County. she was positive for the BRCA 1 genetic mutation. Nicholle from its song. As is often the case with Nightjars, the
Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer has since undergone a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, Chuck-Will’s-widow was named due to its song, which
organization, is excited to announce the 2025 FORD Warriors radiation, and IVF treatments. Through it all, her children to many sounds like a phrase composed of the words
in Pink. These nine women from across South Florida will became her driving force—her “why.” Nicholle encourages “chuck,” “will’s,” and “widow”: “Chuck Will’s Widow.
be honored at the MORE THAN PINK Walk in West Palm others to find their own reason to fight, saying, “Why are we Chuck-will’s-WID-ow. Chuck-will’s-WID-ow.” The
Beach on Saturday, January 25, in addition to being featured fighting? The answer can simply be yourself and the will to first syllable of the call is often hard for humans to
in a variety of promotional materials and activities. survive.” hear. You can hear their distinctive call in the evening
“Susan G. Komen Warriors in Pink represent the strength, Stephanie R. Baker, RN, MSN, of Boynton Beach is or pre-dawn hours.
resilience and determination of everyone impacted by breast a Registered Nurse who teaches at Cambridge College of As is the case with many Nightjars worldwide,
cancer,” said Jamie Bellamy, Development Director at Susan Healthcare & Technology. During a routine mammogram 17 Nighthawk and Chuck Will’s Widow numbers are
G. Komen. “These women are beacons of hope and courage, years ago, Stephanie’s life was turned upside down with a declining. The factors driving these declines are elusive,
inspiring us to continue our work to achieve a world without breast cancer diagnosis. She met brave women who offered but habitat destruction, declining insect populations,
breast cancer. We are honored to celebrate them as breast her tools to cope, make plans, dream and continue with her and pesticide contamination have all been suggested
cancer Warriors and join them in standing strong for every treatments ahead. With the support of her husband, kids, as potential culprits.
life touched by this disease.” siblings, family and friends, she survived and later earned her
The Susan G. Komen 2025 Warriors In Pink Are: BSN and MSN in nursing. She has since retired to Florida and
Kristen A. Dugan of North Palm Beach is a single mom gives back to the nursing profession as a nursing professor
of three girls. She was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma at a local college.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in January 2024. Since Shae Henderson of Broward was diagnosed with
then, she has undergone a double mastectomy, five months of breast cancer at age 23. Shae’s journey with breast cancer
chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. On August 22, she was marked by delays and dismissals. Despite being
rang the bell to conclude her final chemotherapy treatment! told she was too young to have breast cancer and being
While her experience has not been easy, she has dedicated denied mammograms and referrals, she refused to give up.
herself to being a role model who embraces hope, inspiration Eventually, she found her team at Holy Cross, where a doctor
and bravery. finally listened to and validated her concerns. For Shae, that
Erin M. Correa of Riviera Beach is a registered nurse, compassionate care made all the difference—both physically
wife and mother of two young sons. In 2022, Erin was and mentally. Her advice to others: “Play an active role in
diagnosed with gastroparesis followed by Stage 2 Mesenteric the fight against cancer and draw strength from those around
Follicular Lymphoma and in July 2023 she was diagnosed you.” As a defense, these birds can hide in leaves on the
with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Erin advocated for herself Elizabeth Hamma of Jupiter is the market president at ground, spread their wings and open their mouths to
and met with multiple doctors before choosing her oncology Hubbard Radio, a wife, mother of two adult children, and resemble cottonmouth snakes preparing to strike.
team. By April 2024, she had completed her bilateral grandma to three grandchildren. Elizabeth never expected
mastectomy and chemotherapy, began physical therapy, and her journey with cancer to extend beyond supporting These fantastic but rarely seen birds are an integral
resumed her infusion therapy. family members, friends and her involvement with Komen. part of the Florida ecosystem. Now that the evenings are
Allison Jones of Palm City has faced a series of However, life took an unexpected turn when she was cool, enjoy a walk by a preserve area in or around your
health setbacks over the years. In 2023, plans for a dual diagnosed with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Thrust neighborhood. Listen for the call of the “widow” or watch
hip replacement were put on hold when she received a into the fight herself, she made the decision to undergo a the looping Nighthawks as they search for dinner.
diagnosis of HER2-positive breast cancer. Overwhelmed bilateral mastectomy. Now, Elizabeth embraces her role as NPDES tip: Storms occur all year round. Make sure
by the unexpected diagnosis, Allison was advised to focus a breast cancer “thriver” and looks forward to continuing her your yards and trees are trimmed neatly to avoid flying
on her breast cancer treatments as the top priority. Within advocacy with a renewed perspective. debris during a storm. Dispose of your trimmings and
two weeks, her treatment began. This year marks her first Julie Culpepper of Fort Lauderdale began her clippings properly—do not put them into storm drains
MORE THAN PINK Walk, where she hopes to reclaim her journey in 2017 when her oncologist identified an atypical or lakes!
strength and connect with other women, finding inspiration (precancerous) lump during a routine screening. Given
and renewed determination through their shared experiences. her family history—both her mother and sister are cancer
Lucille Ciaccia of Boca Raton went in for her first survivors—and a decade-long pattern of benign biopsies,
mammogram shortly after turning 40. However, what began she initially underwent a lumpectomy but later opted for a John Deloach
as a routine screening quickly escalated, and her cancer mastectomy for peace of mind. The path, however, wasn’t
progressed from Stage 1 to Stage 3 in a short time period. without its challenges. Over two years, Julie faced difficulties Experienced Driver
Since July 2023, Lucille has undergone a double mastectomy, with implant reconstructions before successfully undergoing
AC-Thermotherapy and 25 rounds of radiation. Lucille a DIEP flap procedure. Now, a year and a half later, she is For your errands and airport transportation
passionately encourages women to advocate for their health. thriving and grateful for the choices that have supported her Ride in my Lincoln
She advises, “If you’re told a mammogram before 40 isn’t health and well-being. Continental
necessary, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be afraid to fight for The MORE THAN PINK Walk is open to the public and
yourself!” free. Please register in advance at www.komen.org/wpbwalk. References available
Nicholle Chadwick of Boca Raton is a Registered Mental Participants are encouraged to fundraise. upon request
Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI) and mom of two. In 2022, Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with Please call (561) 310-1063
Nicholle’s world shifted dramatically when she discovered us on social at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/.