Sole Awakenings Massage, Reflexology & Hot Stones
145 Waterman Street (1st floor right) ·
Providence, Rhode Island 02906
401-737-9108
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145 Waterman Street (1st floor right) · Providence, Rhode Island 02906 401-737-9108 |
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Pawtucket Times Teens get tips on living better at Adolescent Health Fair Posted on 2007-12-01 17:25 Students used their scheduled physical education class time to peruse the displays set up by volunteers from a number of health care professionals and organizations. They could also ask questions and take part in some demonstrations that included performing the Heimlich maneuver and doing CPR, experiencing a massage, and wearing special goggles that show how vision is impaired by alcohol. Diane Dufresne, director of the Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, said the event is in its 10th year. Thanks to grant money, the health fair is offered each year on an alternating basis between the city's three junior high schools and two high schools. "It keep the kids informed on various health related topics," said Dufresne. "We hope they ask questions, that they take a pamphlet or something... that they learn something," she said. Dufresne said that for the past couple of years, she has tried to attract more massage and Reiki therapists in an effort to promote alternative medical treatments for stress and other disorders. She also said he students are polled each year about what topics they would like more information on in the future, to which responses as varied as "cancer" and "sports medicine" have been returned.. Joseph McNamara, director of alternative learning and health and wellness coordinator for the school department, thinks the health fair is important because "it gives the kids a chance to ask questions of people who are not parents, or teachers, but objective professionals, who can give them accurate health information." McNamara added that the types of information being offered from the various exhibitors conforms to state Department of Health's frameworks. "One important curriculum standard states that students shall be aware of the health resources available in the community," he added. The most popular displays offered students an interactive experience. Pawtuclet Police DARE Officer Robert Brown had a steady line of students waiting to don the special "vision goggles" that simulate the effects of too much alcohol. To their amusement, the students were then asked to walk a 10 foot straight line. "It was tough... I'm dizzy," said Orianna Rodriguez, removing her goggles. "But I think this is good, having teenagers know what's going on, and how it affects you. The consequences." Brown said he likes school events such as these because they gives kids a chance to interact with police on a friendly basis. "I had two kids spend about 20 minutes talking to me about what it's like to be a police officer. It helps us to establish a rapport," he said. George Neubauer, director of health and safety services for the American Red Cross, was offering pamphlets on the serious topic of disaster preparedness. However, he successfully attracted students to his table by demonstrating how to perform "pet CPR" techniques on realistic looking cat and dog mannequins. "I've had some ask if these are real animals," Neubauer said, laughing. Jane McGinn, a licensed massage therapist with Sole Awakenings Massage in Providence, also had a waiting line for her neck and back treatments. "I'm just trying to get the message out on relaxation. How (relaxation) can prevent a lot of stress related illnesses," she said. "Our culture needs to find healthy ways to relax." "That was great, I feel really relaxed," said Shea student Eldrich Escobar, after spending just a few minutes in the massage chair. Rosa DeCastillo, a project coordinator for Lifespan, was using child size human mannequins to demonstrate CPR and techniques to prevent choking, while Joy Vaudreuil, an outreach coordinator with Butler Hospital, was talking to students about treatment programs available for those with eating disorders, depression and other mental illnesses. Carla Diaz, a student, said she was enjoying visiting the various tables at the health fair. She added that she is thinking about becoming a nurse, and also asked questions of the Butler Hospital representative about nursing opportunities there.
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