Winston & Damman's online newsletter for October 2018
On Your Side (810) 966-WINS (9467)
October 2018
Living With a Diagnosis Honoring the Strength of My Children
T he news came out of nowhere for our eldest daughter, Hannah. She was in fifth grade and had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance. She would spend four days in the hospital, and when she was discharged, she left with a Type I diabetes diagnosis. Hannah was devastated, and as parents, my husband and I were terrified of what this might mean for our first child. The diagnosis made no sense. Diabetes had not affected anyone in our families, and by all accounts, Hannah seemed like a healthy, normal little girl. We soon learned the ins and outs of living with diabetes, realizing there were far worse things our children could face, and we continued with our new lives, raising our growing family. After Hannah’s diagnosis, we asked our pediatrician if we should check our middle child, Meghan, and youngest son, Zach, for diabetes, but she eased our fears, saying there was less than a 5 percent chance of one of the siblings also having it. A few years later, I picked up Meghan from school, and she immediately knew something was wrong. Her eyes became panicked as she learned that her brother, Zach, had been diagnosed with diabetes. Zach would spent two days in the hospital. What we weren’t quite expecting was the level of fear this instilled in Meghan. After learning about her brother, I can remember her saying, “Well, I guess the pediatrician was wrong. They’re going to tell me I’m
diabetic.” She became hypersensitive about how thirsty she was (a symptom of diabetes is extreme thirst), and feared taking a urine test, remembering the diagnosis that came doctor did a great job of easing her fears, and we’re pleased to report she’s a happy, athletic, diabetes-free kid. Despite the surprise of their diagnoses, our kiddos picked up with from her siblings’ tests. Luckily, her
boy who’s starting to enter his preteen years, it’s been a bit more difficult. He’s still learning, like anyone with the diagnosis, but both he and his sister continue to live normal, full lives. Both of them were and are athletes, and both have plenty of friends and activities to keep them busy. There isn’t that fear of the unknown anymore for them, and they’re growing every day. Zach will still go trick- or-treating with his friends this Halloween, and though we’ll have to ration out his candy consumption, he can still enjoy it just as his friends do. (And we know he sneaks a few extra pieces when we’re not looking.) Zach’s and Hannah’s lives aren’t hindered by the diagnosis of diabetes — they can still just be kids.
their lives and learned how to function with diabetes. Hannah has been a great teacher for Zach, continually reminding him to check his sugars and pay attention to his food consumption. We joke that she mothers him, as most older sisters do. Both Zach and Hannah are also good about letting us know when their sugars are low. As a kid, it’s more fun to play Fortnite or talk to your friends than it is to check in on your sugars. It’s not something most people have to think about, let alone children. As a kid, I don’t think I ever thought about what I was putting into my mouth, but that isn’t a luxury Zach and Hannah have had in their childhoods. Unfortunately, they both still struggle with knowing when they have too much sugar in their blood, and for Zach, as a growing
–Nicole Winston
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Best in Show or Halloween Hazard?
Costume Safety Tips for Kids
For many kids, picking out a costume is the best part of Halloween. Will they be a spooky witch, a
serious injuries. Remind your child to use caution around open flames and avoid costumes with flimsy, hanging components, like flowing sleeves, long skirts, and capes. Test makeup first. Halloween is a great time to have fun with face paint, and makeup is a good alternative to masks, which can obscure a child’s vision. However, a lot of costume makeup isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Before letting your child cover their face in makeup from the Halloween store, test their skin for allergic reactions by putting just a little bit on the back of their hand first. Practice prop safety. What’s a Jedi Knight without her lightsaber or a wizard without his magic wand? The right accessories can really bring a costume together, but it’s important that props — especially weapon props, like swords, knives, or guns — are not mistaken for the real thing. Choose props that are obviously fake, with round edges made from soft, flexible material. And if your child wants to wear their Halloween costume to school or some other event, check the rules on props beforehand to avoid any trouble. Halloween is a night for ghosts and goblins to come out to play, and with these tips, your kids can safely dress up and join in the fun.
wildcat, or their favorite superhero? There are so many options! But in all the fun, it can be easy for parents to overlook certain risks that Halloween costumes can pose. Here are important safety tips to remember when choosing
the best Halloween costume.
Look for fire-resistant costumes. Candles inside jack-o’-lanterns and other open flames are everywhere on Halloween night, so make sure your child’s costume isn’t a fire hazard. Most store-bought costumes are made from fire-resistant materials, but you should still check the labels on all costumes, wigs, and accessories. The same goes when you’re buying fabric for homemade costumes. And remember, fire-resistant is not the same as fireproof . While fire-resistant material takes longer to burn and can be put out quickly, it can still catch fire and cause
WHAT KIND OF CLAIM IS IT? Understanding Your Personal Injury Accident
Though it’s easy to tell the difference between a car accident and a work accident, sometimes it can be difficult to determine what kind of claim you’re entitled to as the victim. Get some guidance on how to move forward and fight the confusion with these tips. Who’s at fault? The guilty party in a vehicle accident may be difficult to determine, especially for truck drivers. It could possibly be the other driver, or maybe it was a different company that caused the accident. Furthermore, any employee can get injured at work, but maybe it wasn’t their employer’s fault.
due to Michigan’s no-fault state status. Non-work-related accidents may be mediated through personal parties, lawyers, the court system, and insurance companies. Once again, a lawyer can help you determine the process you should follow after you’ve been injured. How long will it take? In Michigan, it can take about a year for a workers’ compensation case to be completed. That timeline obviously varies, but with strict public deadlines, it doesn’t compare to the private world of insurance and lawyers (though some companies may utilize the private realm for certain claims). When
It could be the manufacturer of a product, fellow coworkers, or a contracting company. A lawyer and documentation of the accident can help you establish an accurate idea of who’s at fault. How do you file? The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim is vastly different than filing a lawsuit or claim against an insurance company or individual. If you’re hurt on the job in Michigan, you must file a report with the state to be compensated, but you don’t have to prove careless actions by your employer
you’re fighting for personal injury compensation in the private world, the insurance company can create its own timelines, filing reports and motions can take months, and if your case goes to court, you may spend years battling it. The lengthy process should not deter you from fighting for justice, especially if you have a lawyer fighting alongside you. If you’re unsure about what kind of case you have or if you need assistance in getting the compensation you deserve, call Winston & Damman at (810) 966-9467 or visit WinstonDamman.com .
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Fictional Personal Injuries Four Characters With Grounds for a Case
It’s All About the Llama Emperor Kuzco got more than he bargained for at a dinner with his former advisor, Yzma, in “The Emperor’s New Groove.” There have to be psychological, emotional, and physical
Movies are a great escape from reality, but after watching the following characters’ lives unfold on the screen, we believe some justice could be served for these fictional victims. Ding-Dong, Dorothy’s in Trouble We’re sure Dorothy meant no harm when a twister carried her house to Oz, but that doesn’t mean the damage done is justified. Just ask the family of the Wicked Witch of the East, who could sue the movie’s hero (and her little dog too — kidding!) for the wrongful death of their beloved wicked sister. When you factor in those ruby slippers she stole, In Disney’s popular 2010 film “Tangled,” Rapunzel’s golden locks are the object of obsession for Mother Gothel, who kidnaps the princess and locks her in a tall tower. Only when she is a young woman does Rapunzel leave the tower, and the emotional suffering she bore in her anxiety over leaving makes her a victim. The princess may not need the money, but a precedent of punishing evil witches who steal royal babies needs to be set in the Disney universe. we foresee a large court claim coming Dorothy’s way. Rapunzel, Rapunzel, You’ve Got a Case
repercussions for being turned into a llama, and we believe that he could fight for compensation. Maybe he’d finally get to build that dream pool. Every Bystander in Any Superhero Movie Ever It’s always thrilling to see the good guy or gal defeat the villain, but what happens afterward? There is no way that everyone in New York City, Gotham, or whatever city happens to be attacked this time makes it out unscathed. What’s more, how much do you think it costs to rebuild a city for the umpteenth time? Heroes save the day, but we hope they save a few extra bucks for their legal fees and destruction costs, too.
Homemade Marshmallows
As we enter the height of s’mores season, consider upgrading those store- bought marshmallows to homemade ones. For a colorful treat, you can easily add food coloring to this recipe.
INGREDIENTS
• 3 packages unflavored gelatin • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar • 1 cup light corn syrup DIRECTIONS 1. In a mixing bowl, combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water. Let sit while you make the syrup. medium heat, combine sugar, syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water until the sugar dissolves. 3. Raise heat to high and bring syrup up to 240 F, using a candy thermometer to check for temperature. 4. With an electric whisk on low speed, slowly whisk syrup 2. In a small saucepan over
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract • Powdered sugar, to coat into gelatin mixture. Switch speed to high and whip for 15 minutes, until very thick. Fold in vanilla after whipping. 5. Dust a nonmetal baking dish
with powdered sugar and spoon mixture into dish. Smooth mixture, top with
CAULDRON COSTUME DRACULA GHOST
HALLOWEEN HALLOWS EVE
SCARY STORIES SPOOKY TRICK-OR-TREAT ZOMBIE
more powdered sugar, and let stand uncovered overnight. 6. Cut into squares, decorate, and serve.
HAUNTED PUMPKIN
Inspired by foodnetwork.com
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this edition INSIDE
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Living With a Diagnosis What Parents Need to Know About Halloween Costumes What Kind of Claim Do You Have? Fictional Characters Who Were Personally Injured Homemade Marshmallows The Birthplace of Halloween
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The Real Halloween Town Fans of Halloween don’t need to look far to find somewhere to celebrate their favorite holiday. There are festive parties all over the world, from New Orleans to London, but if you really want to embrace the spirit of Halloween, there’s no better destination than the birthplace of the holiday: County Meath, Ireland. the harvest. Samhain was celebrated with bonfires, offerings to fairies, and other rituals meant to keep evil spirits away. Many of these customs carried through the centuries and inspired Halloween traditions that are still practiced today. County Meath, Ireland, Where Halloween Began
Today, Meath celebrates Oct. 31 with a blend of spooky thrills and traditional Samhain practices. The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival starts with the lighting of the first torch fire of Samhain in Athboy, which kicks off a month of fun activities. If you like your Halloween extra spooky, the scream park, Farmaphobia, is waiting for you. And if you’re not a fan of screaming your head off, you can check out the Halloween-themed Spookling Afternoon Tea for fresh-baked treats and spirited conversation. The motto of this all- ages festival is “Fun by Day; Frights by Night,” meaning all the really scary ghosts wait until after sunset to come out.
Every year in Boyne Valley, the residents of County Meath throw a month-long Halloween celebration. The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival attracts thousands of guests from all over the world, and while this festival has only been celebrated since 2009, many of the traditions observed here date back to ancient times. The ancient Irish weren’t trick-or-treating or visiting haunted houses on Oct. 31, but they were celebrating the pagan holiday Samhain. Over 3,000 years ago, this Celtic festival was born in Meath and marked the end of
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween, from carving jack-o’-lanterns and eating chocolate to running for your life through a haunted corn maze. And in County Meath, you can celebrate Halloween in every possible way. For more info, visit Discoverboynevalley.ie/whats-on/spirits- meath-halloween-festival-2018 .
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