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You Can Do Something About Youth Sports Injuries

September 9, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Indiana Youth Soccer - Wikipedia Commons — Indiana Youth Soccer

There’s an epidemic afoot.

A recent report by Safe Kids Worldwide, an organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children, revealed an alarming lack of action among parents and coaches when it comes to young athletes and sports-related injuries. Despite percentages in the majority, a significant gap in adult awareness remains, which has proven to be a major hurdle for advocacy groups seeking to change the status quo.

It’s the latest finding amidst a slew of headlines chronicling the long-term effects of head injuries and concussions in major American sports, most notably the National Football League (a federal judge granted preliminary approval to a landmark deal that would compensate former players suffering from the long-term effects of concussions), the National Hockey League and professional soccer’s governing body (a group of soccer parents and players filed a class-action lawsuit last week against FIFA over its handling of concussions).

In this case, the Safe Kids statistics shed even more light on a prominent phenomenon of sports culture, celebrating athletes who proudly and readily admit to playing through pain. Equally as detrimental are the adults that turn a blind eye to the risks of ostensibly benign injuries, allowing their kids to play through something that could turn into a much bigger problem down the road.

The Safe Kids survey included 1,000 athletes between 7^th and 12^th grade, 1,005 coaches, and 1,000 parents. Below are some highlights:

90% of athletes said they have been injured while playing a sport; 54% of athletes said they have played injured; 42% of athletes said they have hidden or downplayed an injury during a game so they could keep playing; and 62% said they knew someone else who had hidden or downplayed an injury so they could keep playing

70% of athletes who played injured had told a coach or parent that they were injured

More than half (53%) of coaches said they have felt pressure from a parent or player to put an athlete back into a game if the child had been injured; and 31% of parents said they don’t do anything to prevent injuries

Less than half of coaches said they had received certification on how to prevent sports-related injuries; and nearly 80% of parents said they would want their child’s coach to be certified in injury prevention

Nearly 1.24 million youth athletes were seen in emergency rooms for sport injuries in 2013, nearly 3,397 each day

The statistics underscore a stark reality for students, athletes, coaches and parents. As we enter the fall season, it’s important to take proactive steps to prevent unnecessary injuries by educating each other and taking advantage of strategies for smart play. Discussing such strategies in a communal setting may be the most beneficial way to achieve a supportive environment, one that depends on like-minded folks to protect the well being of students involved in school sports.

Below are some tips on injury prevention, as described in the same report by Safe Kids Worldwide:

Set the ground rules at the beginning of the season: Coaches bring together parents and athletes before the season begins to agree on the team’s approach to prevent injuries

Teach athletes ways to prevent injuries: Proper technique, strength training, warm-up exercises and stretching can go a long way to prevent injuries

Prevent Overuse Injuries: Encourage athletes to take time off from playing only one sport to prevent overuse injuries and give them an opportunity to get stronger and develop skills learned in another sport

Encourage athletes to speak up when they’re injured: Remove injured athletes from play

Put an end to dirty play and rule breaking: Call fouls that could cause injuries

Get certified: Learn first aid, CPR, AED use and injury prevention skills

Nonprofit Spotlight: Forever Kids Foundation Benefits Pediatric Cancer Research

September 3, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Forever Kids

Craft beers and golf are finding a prominent place this month at the Forever Kids Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) that raises money and awareness towards eliminating life-threatening diseases among children. On September 13, the foundation hosts Sophisticated Palette at Beer Bistro North in Chicago at 7pm, an evening of food, craft beers and live music (courtesy of Evans Acoustic) with proceeds benefiting the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, a 22-year-old Chicago-based organization supporting pediatric cancer research and quality of living around the country. Tickets range between $75-$85.

Nearly a week later on September 19, Forever Kids hosts its second annual Fore! Kids Golf Outing at the Bridges of Popular Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates, a special event also supporting Bear Necessities. The event includes contests throughout the day and opportunities to win prizes and giveaways during a silent auction and raffle. Participants will enjoy lunch, unlimited use of the driving range, 18 holes of golf (cart and greens fees included) contests, prizes and a closing awards dinner with silent auction.

Forever Kids is currently seeking additional sponsors for the Friday golf outing. The organization is also still in need of silent auction items and prizes for the planned raffle as part of the festivities, as well as additional contributions. Levinson and Stefani is proud to be one of the newest sponsors of The Forever Kids Foundation, and we hope you’ll join us in supporting such a worthy cause. As part of your contribution, Forever Kids will acknowledge you and/or your company on its website, marketing materials, and on event signage; all donations are tax deductible.

Since its founding in 2013, The Forever Kids Foundation has taken a proactive approach to eliminating child disease through events like the Fore! Kids Golf Outing and other community-based events. The not-for-profit has partnered with Bear Necessities and other like-minded groups over the past year, increasing awareness and providing financial help to those who need it most. If you’re not familiar with Bear Necessities, the national foundation has launched an aggressive campaign to wipe out pediatric cancer among children. Established in 1992, Bear Necessities was founded by CEO and President Kathleen Casey, whose son, Barrett “Bear” Krupa, battled pediatric cancer for more than five years.

Bear’s story is one of courage and selflessness. During his stay in the hospital, he frequently expressed more concern for the well being of other pediatric cancer patients despite his own battle with the disease. Bear and Kathleen learned first-hand the difficulty of the many hidden needs of patients and their families, even the needs of hospital facilities. They established Bear Necessities as a way to customize a healthy and joyful experience in the face of life-threatening disease.

Today, the organization has developed two separate causes over its two-decade history: providing immediate family and financial support to those in need; supporting and providing medical research grants in the name of junior investigative researchers, whose goal is primarily making advancements in the field of pediatric cancers.

By Presidential Proclamation, September 2014 is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s estimated that nearly 16,000 children under the age of 20 will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone—the leading cause of disease-related deaths for children. Thanks to organizations like Forever Kids and Bear Necessities, that number continues to dwindle. We aim to do more this month during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we hope you will, too.

According to a press release from the White House, “Our Nation comes together to remember all those whose lives were cut short by pediatric cancer, to recognize the loved ones who know too well the pain it causes, and to support every child and every family battling cancer each day.”

Best Parent Practices and Safety Tips for a New School Year

August 29, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again: Time for pens and pencils, notebooks and notepads, stencil boxes and three ring binders. It’s back to school season, and for many parents it’s a time to prepare for the unexpected as only parents can do. We’ve rounded up a list of best-practices and school safety tips from a few reputable sources, as your toddlers, tykes and tweens embark on a new school year filled with new adventures, new learning and, most importantly, a better appreciation for secure and safe environments.

Back to School Chicago — Image credit: Deptartmentofed Flickr (US Dept. of Education)

Check, please.
The National Safety Council—a national non-profit whose mission is to “save lives” by promoting safety in an around the home, school, and the workplace—offers a comprehensive checklist of best-practices and safety tips in anticipation of those initial first days of school. The standard applies (e.g. teaching your child to look both ways before crossing the street, fitting them with a helmet before they ride a bicycle), but there’s more to this checklist than meets the eye. A recent report by the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission estimated that 7,300 backpack-related injuries occur every year, and for those kids taking the bus to school, it’s important to stress the unpredictability of large vehicles on the road. In a nutshell: there’s lots to love about this list.

What’s up, doc?
For most students, back to school is an exciting time of year. But for others the transition to a new grade, even a different classroom, can have adverse effects on students who might not adjust as easily as others. Preparing your child mentally for the eventual return to school can be extraordinarily beneficial safety measure. The National Association of School Psychologists recommends scheduling doctor and dental appointments in advance or in the early stages of school, which can make you aware of potential red flags before that momentous first day of class.

Spoiler alert.
A healthy and productive mental state can make all the difference for young students. And believe it or not, your child’s mental health has the potential to rub off on others. Scholastic offers a smorgasbord of tips and tricks to make your child’s school year the best it can possibly be, one of which includes designing his or her very own work station, complete with a tailored aesthetic and good vibes. By catering the design to your child’s study habits, you can influence what happens in and outside your home by (slightly) spoiling your future Ivy Leaguer.

Just breathe.
This time of year can be particularly troublesome for kids with asthma. Given the unpredictability of the seasons thus far, it behooves any parent to ensure that kids are well-prepared for the ill-effects of the summer-to-fall transition. The Public News Service recently interviewed Kathleen Shanovich, a former school nurse and pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who suggests parents meet with a school’s resident nurse to discuss a detailed action-plan, should a problem arise. Shanovich also advises parents to leave an extra inhaler with the school nurse should any unforeseen issues occur.

I’ll be back.
The Washington Post recently provided parents with back-to-school tips and tricks for the upcoming school year. A surprising, if not overlooked aspect of the back-to-school process is establishing the concept of “leaving and returning.” This seemingly miniscule detail might sneak by most parents, especially if they’re in a hurry, but it’s a detail worth remembering. Reinforcing the idea at drop-off that you’re leaving but will return later to can save your kiddos any unwanted heartache.

Is Your Information Part of the Most Recent Data Hack?

August 6, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Probably.

The truth is, it is better to be safe than sorry, and assuming the worst is the best way to handle a potential security breach that compromises your valuable personal information, passwords, email addresses/usernames, and your privacy in general. The most recent breaking story about a data hack comes thanks to a small hacking collective in Russia that managed to acquire more login credentials than you’d like to believe.

Besides just having login information – usernames and passwords – the data are of course tied to the websites from which they were stolen. In such a massive, large-scale breach like this one, it is possible that someone dedicated enough can put together a big chunk of your personal life, all based on the websites where you have an account (and this breach hit many, many websites).

As if that wasn’t unsettling enough, think about how many sites with which you use the same username or password. There are probably other sites which were not hacked where those credentials are good. All the hacker has to do is ~~type in your info~~ write a little program to automatically try your login info (and everyone else’s) at any website he or she can imagine.

The New York Times has some handy tips, and here are a few more tips (or more info on tips provided in the article):

1. Don’t use the same user name/password combination for multiple sites. This will save you from future hacks based on the stolen data.

2. Don’t even use the same password for more than one site. Usernames can be easy to figure out — often times they are just email addresses. Using the same password is just like using the same key for your house, mailbox, car, office, and bank deposit box. If one key gets out and duplicated, it won’t be good.

3. Use a password manager. The benefits most definitely outweigh the costs, if only because the password manager comes up with very secure passwords (or passphrases) and helps you so you do not have to remember everything for all your different websites.

4. Speaking of passphrases (and if you don’t want to jump on the password manager train yet), use a passphrase and not a password. Words are in the dictionary, and easy for a computer to figure out. This is true even if you substitute numbers and symbols for letters, like in p!33A. A computer can figure that out in less time than you can add 2+2 in your head. What’s harder for a computer to figure out is something like: H1mnIw#$$. (I came up with that loosely based on a song lyric.)

4.a. Longer passphrases are better because they take more time/computing power to figure out.

5. If a site does not let you use symbols or numbers, be very careful with the information you provide to that site. Consider not signing up, using an email address specifically created for that site (or spam in general), and using a modified version of your name. It might even help to email the people behind the site and ask why their security is lacking.