The Voice of Miami Valley Guest Columns: March 2010

Senate Bill 220 to assist Autistic Individuals...

Senate Bill 220 Would Treat Autistic Individuals Using an Assistance Dog Equally Under the Law

We have all at one time or another seen a person with an assistance dog. These specially-trained animals help individuals with a seizure disorder, vision or hearing impairments or who have other conditions that limit their physical abilities live more active and independent lives.

Recently, assistance dogs have also been used to help individuals with autism. Dogs can be trained to help keep an autistic person safe in large open areas, to redirect repetitive or aggressive behaviors or to calm the person down if they become agitated. The presence of an assistance dog can also provide increased social interactions with others while the person is at school or at work.

While not every person with autism utilizes an assistance dog, those that do often benefit from the additional social and sensory interaction they have when the dog is present. Unfortunately, because autism is not included in Ohio’s laws pertaining to the use of assistance dogs, these individuals could face unequal treatment under the law.

To help clarify this situation and ensure that people with autism who use an assistance dog are able to take their dog anywhere they need to go, I introduced Senate Bill 220 last year. This bill seeks to include people diagnosed with autism in the definition of “mobility impaired person” as it relates to the laws governing assistance dogs.

I personally have seen the difference an assistance dog can make in the life of a person with autism. Some constituents of mine in Springboro have an autistic son, and use an assistance dog to help keep him calm and safe during the day. The dog accompanies him to school and has been trained to reduce emotional outbursts by pawing at him or licking him. The dog also provides a sense of spatial reference when the family is travelling through airports or other open spaces.

The family recently came to the Statehouse to testify in support of Senate Bill 220, and I want to thank them for sharing how an autism assistance dog has benefitted them and how the bill could help other families in similar situations.

Autism is a complex disorder with a wide range of symptoms that affects people differently. Senate Bill 220 will allow those individuals who benefit from the presence of an assistance dog to use the dog in all environments, helping them become more independent and increasing their overall quality of life. Senate Bill 220 is currently under discussion in the Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee, and similar legislation has also been introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have questions or concerns about any state-related matter. You can reach my office by phone at (614) 466-9737, by e-mail at SD07@senate.state.oh.us or by writing State Senator Shannon Jones, Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Cancer Survivor to Teach Qi Gong Meditation

April 17, 2010: Cancer Survivor to Teach Qi Gong Meditation

The St. Leonard Faith Community Women’s Group will host breast cancer survivor and Qi Gong instructor Jan Lively at 9:30 a.m. on April 17, 2010, at St. Leonard Senior Living Center, 8100 Clyo Road, Centerville.

Lively will teach an introduction to Qi Gong (pronounced CHEE-GONG) meditation, and will discuss the formation and mission of the Noble Circle, a local program of support and self-healing for women with a diagnosis of cancer. Participants will leave with additional information about the meditation and the classes which Lively teaches in the Dayton area.

In 1998, Lively was diagnosed with breast cancer, and received chemotherapy. Two and half years later, the cancer had spread to her liver. Lively checked the statistics on survival rates, and found that, at that time, the average length of survival after a metastatic recurrence of breast cancer averaged two years.

“Given that mine went to the liver, which has the worst prognosis, I assumed the survival rate would be even less, perhaps a year,” Lively says.

A friend suggested Qi Gong, a Chinese meditative practice over a thousand years old, as a process of self-healing. Lively’s own research uncovered incredible stories of healing in Chinese patients. In early 2001, she decided to give it a try.

“I have been in and out of treatment for recurrences, but have survived for nine years,” says Lively. “Qi Gong helps me to respond well to treatment. I believe it has given me these extra years of life.”

Lively became a Qi Gong instructor in late 2002. She describes the practice of Qi Gong as “cultivating and increasing life energy.”

According to Lively, practicing Qi Gong may help many chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia or other auto-immune disorders. Because the practice is mainly mental, the meditation is appropriate for any level of physical ability, and can be done standing or sitting.

“Qi Gong helps to increase immune response, decrease stress, and reduce the effects of aging. Even with a diagnosis of cancer, I am very healthy. Colds and flu are rare, and I bounce back quickly from the effects of the cancer treatments,” Lively says.

In 2004, Lively and seven other women co-founded the Noble Circle Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women with cancer explore alternative healing methods. The intensive, one-week program offered through the Noble Circle uplifts and empowers women by teaching them to supplement their medical treatments with the practice of Qi Gong, whole foods nutrition, and building a healthy support system of family and friends.

Lively’s cancer is now in liver and bone, but her attitude is positive and calm.

“I believe miracles are always possible,” she says.

The introduction to Qi Gong meditation is open to the public. Please reserve your seat with the St. Leonard Faith Community Office at 435-3626. To learn more about Qi Gong or the Noble Circle, please visit www.daytonqigong.com or www.noblecircle.org.

About the St. Leonard Faith Community

St. Leonard Faith Community is a freely formed Catholic community sharing in the Franciscan heritage.

We are committed to creating a spiritual environment where the Holy Spirit comes alive through active worship and the offering of our individual and collective gifts. Through a variety of ministries, we reach out to respond to the needs of others with love.

Our mission is to live our Christian faith, to grow spiritually, and to be actively involved in the community and St. Leonard's Senior Living Community.

Contact the St. Leonard Faith Community office at 937-435-3626.

Media Contact
Leslie Marsh

Public Relations Writer

Digital Ink Studio

160 Foliage Lane

Springboro, OH 45066

937-673-4624

leslie@digitalinkstudio.com

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Jones Debates 3C Rail...

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Jones Debates Merits of Proposed 3C Rail at Columbus Metropolitan Club

State Senator Shannon Jones (right) discusses the proposed 3C rail system at a forum at the Columbus Metropolitan Club.

COLUMBUS— State Senator Shannon Jones (R- Springboro) recently appeared at the Columbus Metropolitan Club as part of a discussion about the pros and cons of the proposed 3C rail line connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. Also appearing at the event were Jim Seney, former Director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission; Gene Krebs of Greater Ohio and political consultant Terry Casey.

“The proposal as it currently stands raises serious questions about the final cost and how we will pay for a rail system that will require $17 million a year in taxpayer subsidies while attracting only 1,300 riders a day,” Jones said. “Given the state’s current budget situation, I believe it is essential that lawmakers and the public have accurate information detailing the true cost of the project in order to determine if now is the right time to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on the 3C rail.”

During the discussion, Jones reiterated her concerns about the cost of the 3C rail and how its ongoing operations would be paid for, especially given the financial challenges facing Ohio. She noted that a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C. found that a study of 250 rail projects across the globe revealed that the total costs were underestimated by an average of 45 percent. Another study found ridership forecasts were overestimated in 90 percent of the projects reviewed.

The debate will be rebroadcast on the Ohio Channel on Monday, March 29 at 11 a.m. Video of the event will also be posted to the Ohio Channel’s archives in the coming days. It can be found by visiting www.theohiochannel.com and clicking on “Columbus Metropolitan Club” under the “Programming” tab.

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READING CONTEST WINNER VISITS COLUMBUS

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‘Become a Legislator for a Day’ Reading Contest Winner Visits Columbus

COLUMBUS—State Representative Peter Beck (R-Mason) today hosted the district winner of the ‘Become a Legislator for a Day’ Reading Contest at the Ohio Statehouse. The contest spanned the month of December and partnered the Mason, Springboro, Franklin, and Lebanon Public Libraries.

The number of books read by young people is consistently related to academic gains, according to several studies. Students who participated picked up special contest bookmarks at any of the libraries within the 67^th Ohio House District. The participants used the back of the contest bookmarks to list the books they'd read. They then dropped off the bookmarks in contest boxes at the libraries, where a drawing to select the winner took place.

The winner was:

Jonathan La Tour (4^th grade)

La Tour had the opportunity to come to Columbus to spend a day with Rep. Beck, where he was invited to participate in a mock committee and legislative session as well as have a personalized tour of the historic Ohio Statehouse.

“Jonathan is a prime example of a student who is excelling and working hard both inside and outside of the classroom on his education,” said Rep. Beck. “I enjoyed meeting Jonathan and spending the day with him and his family, and I look forward to great things from this young man.”

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Beck Honors WWII Vets in D.C.

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Beck Honors WWII Vets in D.C.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Peter Beck (R-Mason) today sent off 30 World War II veterans from the Mt. Pleasant Retirement Village in Monroe, OH to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial.

The trip, made possible by Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime (JBWOL), allows the veterans the opportunity to travel to the nation’s capital and view the monument that stands in their honor. Created in living admiration of Jeremy Bloom’s grandmother, Donna Wheeler, who still works full-time at the age of 83, JBWOL’s mission is to inspire an entire generation and to create a cultural shift in how we view aging.

“It is with great honor that I thank each and every one of you for sacrificing your lives for the protection of this country’s liberty and freedom,” said Beck. “As a veteran myself, I know the tremendous challenges that these men have gone through in their lives, and I am thankful that the Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime program is providing these veterans with this opportunity.”

Along the route to Washington D.C., the group will be stopping and meeting with local Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, which will host meals and provide an opportunity for the veterans of Mt. Pleasant Retirement Village to meet other World War II veterans. When in Washington D.C., the group will have breakfast with Congresswoman Jean Schmidt and tour the Capital Building thanks to Congressman John Boehner.

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Legislative Service Commission Internship

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Legislative Service Commission Internship Provides A Unique Opportunity to Learn About State Government

Each year, legislators consider hundreds of bills and amendments in committees and during House and Senate sessions. None of this would be possible without the hard work of the Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC), which provides a variety of technical and research services to lawmakers and staff at the Statehouse, such as drafting and analyzing bills and amendments and providing estimates of state revenue and expenditures.

In addition to their work for legislators, the LSC also sponsors full-time, paid internships each year designed to provide recent college graduates interested in government and politics the opportunity to learn first-hand about the inner workings of the Ohio General Assembly.

The LSC Internship program begins the first week in December and ends December 31^st of the following year. No political experience is necessary and the only eligibility requirement is that applicants must have graduated from a four-year college degree program by the start of the program. The program is not limited to those majoring in political science or other government-related fields – in fact, the 2010 class features interns who studied history, business and sports management and several who have also earned master’s and law degrees.

The majority of LSC interns work in the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate, where they are assigned to work either for an individual member or for an entire caucus. Other interns work directly with LSC staff in drafting legislation and performing legal or fiscal research. Two interns with backgrounds in telecommunications are assigned to Ohio Government Telecommunications, the agency responsible for televising legislative sessions and producing other government and educational programming.

Here in the Ohio Senate, LSC interns are assigned to members’ offices, where they perform a wide range of activities such as assisting with administrative duties and constituent inquiries, attending meetings, researching legislative issues and writing speeches and press releases. The interns also monitor committee hearings and floor sessions in order to gain more insight into the legislative process. The skills and relationships interns gain during the year will benefit them throughout their professional lives, whether they continue to work in government or pursue a career in another field.

I am pleased to say that the intern that has been assigned to my office this year is also from southwestern Ohio. Mallory Heidorn is a native of Cincinnati and attended Xavier University, where she majored in philosophy, politics and the public and political science. Mallory has been a wonderful addition to my office, and I hope she enjoys her time working in the Ohio Senate.

Applications for the legislative internship program are due by April 1 and the deadline to apply for a telecommunications internship is May 31. For more information about the program or to download an application, please visit LSC’s Web site at www.lsc.state.oh.us/internship. You can also write to Internship Program Coordinators, 77 South High Street, 9^th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have questions or concerns about any state-related matter. You can reach my office by phone at (614) 466-9737, by e-mail at SD07@senate.state.oh.us or by writing State Senator Shannon Jones, Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Ohio House Supports Reform Bill

Breakdown of political party representation in...

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Ohio House Supports Telecommunications Reform Bill

Legislation levels the regulatory playing field

Columbus—State Representative Peter Beck (R-Mason) last week announced the passage of House Bill 276 from the Ohio House of Representatives. This legislation revises the state policy regarding telecommunications service and repeals current law governing alternative regulation of telephone companies.

House Bill 276 will create a more favorable environment for competition in telecommunications, while retaining consumer safeguards and lead toward competitive pricing. It will help establish uniform regulations for telecommunication services and permit the industry to invest in Ohio’s infrastructure and technology, instead of overly burdensome regulatory compliance.

“Communication technology has no doubt changed over the years and by passing this legislation, the General Assembly has allowed for competition in the communications industry,” Rep. Beck said. “Like with many pieces of legislation, compromises must be met between interested parties and I believe that with this bill, consumers and companies will benefit from the modernization of the way Ohio regulates incumbent telephone companies.”

Since 2001, traditional landline telephone companies have lost 3 million customers due to increased competition from rapidly advancing technologies, including wireless and digital telephone service. More than 20 states have adopted telecom reform laws, which will spur investment in new technologies and create vital jobs.

House Bill 276 is supported by the Ohio Chamber, National Federation of Independent Business, Ohio Telecommunications Association, AT&T, and Institute for Policy Innovation.

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Federal Funding Depends on Ohio...

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Federal Funding, Representation in Congress Depend on Ohio’s Participation in 2010 Census

Recently, more than 120 million census forms were distributed to households across the country as the 2010 census gets underway. This count of the number of people living in the United States – both citizens and non-citizens – takes place every 10 years and is used to determine the number of seats each state will have in Congress.

Currently, Ohio has 18 representatives in Congress. Based on early estimates, Ohio could lose one – and possibly two – seats in the U.S. House. Ohio’s population is also used to help draw the legislative districts for the 33 seats in the Ohio Senate and the 99 seats in the Ohio House of Representatives. Because districts are required to contain roughly the same number of people, the census will help determine how our region is represented in government.

Many of you may have already received your census forms or will be getting them soon, and the questionnaire has been redesigned to make it easier to participate. The form asks 10 questions and should take about 10 minutes to complete. It is important to note that the information reported on census forms is used only by the federal Census Bureau and cannot be shared with other federal agencies or law enforcement officials. A small portion of the population will also receive the American Community Survey, which collects more detailed socioeconomic and demographic information.

Although Census Day is officially, April 1, residents are encouraged to complete their census forms and return them in the provided envelopes as soon as possible. Starting in late April, census workers will begin visiting households that have not returned their questionnaires to take a count in person. Those living in remote areas will also be counted in person. The final population counts will be released early next year.

In addition to getting a more accurate count of the nation’s population, the information gathered by the census is also used to determine how to allocate billions of dollars in federal funding and other resources – making it crucial to have as accurate a count as possible. A report released earlier this month by the Brookings Institute found that census data was used to help distribute more than $440 billion in federal domestic assistance programs in fiscal year 2008.

The largest portion of this money was used to provide grants to states for Medicaid programs and highways projects. Given our state’s extensive network of highways and increasing demand for Medicaid, getting as many people as possible to participate in the census will help ensure that Ohio does not miss out on valuable federal funding.

The Brookings report also ranked the top 200 counties nationwide based on how much federal assistance each received based on 2000 census data. In our region, Hamilton County ranked 51st with more than $1.2 billion, Montgomery County ranked 93rd with $725 million and Butler County ranked 153rd with $306 million.

Census data is also used by state and local officials to determine where new hospitals, schools, emergency services and housing developments should be located. Businesses use it to help decide where to locate plants and what products and services to offer customers, and non-profit organizations use it to understand their constituencies and how best to serve them.

As you can see, Ohio has a great deal riding on the results of the 2010 census, and state and local officials are working together to ensure that all Ohioans are counted. Participating in the census is easy, important and safe, and I encourage everyone to return their forms as soon as possible. For more information about the 2010 Census, visit www.2010census.gov or www.census.ohio.gov.

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A Good Hair Day...

A Good hair day at the Library

Except for one time in my life, I have always had long hair. My hair has been my security blanket in many ways. I could hide behind it when I was feeling shy, or it was my signature that everyone focused on when I didn’t have to be “on” with the other parts of me. Nothing made me feel better about myself then for someone to tell me my hair was beautiful. A bad hair day for me was a major event; it could make or break me.

So, many people were shocked when I told them I was going to get my hair cut short. I had just spent 5 weeks convalescing from bunion surgery, and my hair had gotten on my last nerve. Since it’s very heavy, coarse and curly, it became extremely hard to control, as if it had a mind of its own. Its annoyance had finally outweighed its beauty, and I decided to whack it off. Once I made up my mind I found a style I liked, printed multiple versions of it off the internet, and went to see my hair dresser. She was supportive about my decision, although hesitant to cut my hair until I reassured her repeatedly I wasn’t going to get up get upset.

We consulted over the pictures I took with me, and she cut my hair into a design that fit my needs and my face. I was pleasantly surprised I didn’t get upset and cry when I saw my hair lying in bunches on the floor, but I generally felt nothing but relief.

Before you do anything as drastic as I did, research different hairstyles either on the internet or in hair books. Find the perfect fit for your face and lifestyle.

One good book I looked at before making up my mind was, Great Hair, by Nick Arrojo, stylist for the show, What not To Wear, on TLC. His book runs the gamut of hair questions and answers. Nick’s hair philosophy is the same as mine, “The best way to get a great haircut is to match the texture and shape of your hair and not your face.” This will give you a low maintenance hairstyle that will work for you instead of against you. This is a philosophy I heartily embrace.

Since my hair is so thick and curly it would take me a huge amount of time every day to straighten it. Time that I don’t have. So I have always chosen a hair style that embraces my natural curl.

Some of Nick’s golden rules for taking care of your hair are:

• If your hair looks great long, who cares if you are over 40.

• Bangs cut wrong can make your eyes look too close together.

• A good haircut should last 6 weeks before needing another cut.

• When combing out tangles in your hair always comb from end to roots.

Throughout this book, Nick Arrojo gives timeless advice to having a beautiful head of hair. If you are planning on investing in a new hairdo, before making a big mistake, head on over to your local library and pick up this or numerous other hair care books.

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One Out of Many

One Out of Many

By Jan Beedle

When I think of so many youthful offenders and our country’s not-so-good soldier leaders in the media so much lately, it sickens my outlook of tomorrow’s leaders. Last week, I opened my newspaper and staring at me was another headline with a local Air Force Base leader abusing his position to take advantage of others. Rhetoric is not needed to enhance the story, but instead a simple true story I heard a few days later to restore my faith in the decency of humanity and to counteract the negative.

With permission of the writer, Sherry Wills, minister’s wife, Athletics Director at Sycamore Glen in Miamisburg and a resident of Franklin, I will relay the well-written message to you below. Sherry titled it A Soldier Story for Sycamore Glen’s newsletter to the residents:

“A few of our residents asked if I would share this short story with each of you in the messenger this month. It is a sweet story and one that I will remember always.

Last week, while my family was enjoying dinner out on a Saturday afternoon, we were blessed to witness a very touching reunion. We were just being served when in walked a young man who was dressed in his camouflage and boots. He had his badges neatly pinned to his shirt and looked a bit tired and happy all at the same time. A woman, who we soon learned was his wife, was accompanying him and had a look of a brand new bride on her face. She was glowing from head to toe and no one would have been able to erase her smile no matter how hard they tried. She was hugging and kissing him as if she hadn’t seen him in years. Then a short time later, a woman who appeared to be his mother walked in. She immediately wrapped her arms around the young soldier’s neck, crying and kissing him as she tried to mutter the words, ‘Oh, thank God! Thank God!’ It was difficult not to watch all this. After all, it was happening in a public place.

My nine-year-old son, Brennon, was taken by the soldier the moment he saw him. It just so happened that he had on his shirt with the word, ARMY, written across the chest and his camouflage jacket over it. After a short while, Brennon asked me to take him to the rest room. I knew he was really looking for an opportunity to get a little closer to the young soldier. As we were returning to our seat, I watched as my son stopped at the soldier’s table. He turned, their eyes locked, and without saying one word, Brennon saluted him.

The soldier and his family were so touched by Brennon’s offering of thanks that it brought tears to their eyes and a thank you from all who were present. I smiled at my son, letting him know that what he had just done was honorable. After we finished our dinner, Brennon asked if he could have the soldier’s signature on one of the placemats at the table. I told him it would be fine but to only ask for his first name. He then asked, ‘Mommy, would you do it? I’m too embarrassed.’ I waited until my husband and children were out of sight and approached the young man’s table. I said, ‘Excuse me, but my family would like to thank you for all that you do, and my son would like to know if he could have your first name signed on this piece of paper?’ The soldier’s mother was so proud and beside herself that she was beaming from ear to ear and kept repeating the words, ‘How wonderful. How wonderful.’

The soldier said that he would have loved to talk to Brennon but understood about his shyness. I learned that he had returned that very day from Afghanistan and that this was his first meal at home. He was thrilled that a little boy wanted his signature and wrote on a small piece of paper, To Brennon, Best of Luck Always. Sincerely, Sergeant Marshall. He added the date he left and the return date, which was that very day. I thanked him again and went out to see my eager little boy who was waiting in the car.

After telling them the story and showing Brennon his signature, Brennon began to cry and said, ‘Mommy, he could have died over there.’

I answered him by saying, ‘Yes, he could have and there are many of them who have died.’

Brennon said, ‘I never want to forget.’ He asked if I would place the signature in a frame for him, which is exactly what I plan to do.

In closing, Brennon’s response to this soldier just returning home made me think of all who have served and are serving, and made me think of our residents here at Sycamore Glen who are veterans. I wish we could honor all of you in the same manner that my son honored Sergeant Marshall. With, that being said, I think I can speak for all the staff at Sycamore Glen when I say that even though it isn’t Veterans Day, we would like to recognize you and say a sincere thank you. We salute you each and everyone.’

God Bless, Sherry Wills 3/3/10

May we never forget the sacrifices of our caring armed forces, because now and then we need a simple reminder that there are good young people coming up to lead our country down the right pathway. That, folks, is what this story is all about. Thanks, Brennon; thanks, Mom and Dad; and thanks to all the Sergeant Marshalls out there.