Inspiration

1. Say thank you to the entire military family:

When you thank a veteran, be sure to also thank his or her family...for all of their service to our country.
–Sheila Marcelo, CEO Care.com

In her article, A Veterans Day Thank You To Military Families, Care.com CEO Sheila Marcelo underscores the importance of recognizing the profound sacrifices that military families make. This sacrifice includes children, spouses, siblings and parents and extends well beyond the length of a specific military deployment, especially for those Veterans who are wounded in service to our country.

2. Great Veterans Day activities for kids:

Attending parades, reading books, visiting a VA hospital, raising money for wounded warriors, talking about freedom and sacrifice, and saying thank you to a veteran you know are great ways to teach the importance of Veterans Day to your children.

3. Learn some facts you may not know about military families: 

The average military family moves every 2-3 years

Both parents can be deployed simultaneously

Average military children change schools 6-9 times

Military families often have to give up their beloved pets- but programs exist to voluteer to foster these animals until they can be reconnected with their families

There are 5.5 million military caregivers providing support and care to wounded military family members or spouses

Read more interesting facts about military families

Lastly, a tribute to DCO's favorite veteran, Dr. Cassarella's father and biggest hero who served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He earned two Bronze Stars for his bravery in service to our country. This is a small excerpt from a 1992 interview in which he talks about his experience in Vietnam.

Thank you to all of our Veterans and their families!

That service is the noblest which is rendered for its own sake. -Mahatma Gandhi

Last month, Dr. Jeffrey Watson, colleague and close friend of Dr. Cassarella, took part in his 4th annual trip to Guatemala with the F.I.N.N. Foundation team.  During his time in Guatemala, Dr. Watson was able to provide care to those who need it most but are in circumstances that allow no access to the highly specialized care that is required.  Over the course of several years, this team has performed close to 200 surgeries, profoundly impacting the lives of each patient.  This year, his team screened and provided treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate as well as victims of domestic violence (see images below).  In a week full of long days, they changed the course of countless futures by using their skills in a powerful way. We are so proud to share the stories of those like Dr. Watson who utilize rare skills, education and talents to touch those who need it most.  Dr. Jeffrey Watson is in private practice as a facial plastic surgeon in Carlsbad, California.

Before and after photos of a cleft lip repair surgery performed by Dr. Watson and his team.

Dr. Watson pictured with a patient who was an unfortunate victim of domestic violence, which is prevalent in Guatemala.

Busy Operating Room schedule created by Dr. Watson's team after conducting screenings on their first day in Guatemala. Each post-it note is a life to be changed.

F.I.N.N. Foundation. Filling International and National Needs.  Learn more about the F.I.N.N. Foundation

Dr. Watson is a shining example of a highly trained, educated and skilled medical specialist placing a high priority on giving back.  Over the past 16 years, Dr. Watson has performed philanthropic medical work in Papua New Guinea, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and East Africa.

Learn more about Dr. Jeffrey Watson 

“May you growup to be righteous. May you growup to be true.”

Bob Dylan (Forever Young)

During my first few weeks of dental school, I took some time one afternoon to find the Department of Orthodontics to explore my interest in pursuing an orthodontic speciality training program after the completion of dental school.  To my surprise, I did not find a Department of Orthodontics listed in the school directory.  I learned eventually that orthodontic education and training took place in the Department of Developmental Biology.   As a newly minted dental student I found this confusing, but years later the semantics became accurate and meaningful.  Orthodontists have specific and intensive training in human growth and development for important reasons.  The comprehensive understanding of normal human physiology, growth, and development is what arms us as clinicians to detect and correct that which is abnormal and problematic.  An orthodontist is trained to possess profound expertise in skeletal, dental, and some aspects of psychological development.

Each day in my office, I am challenged to diagnose and treat developmental problems.  Sometimes the cause of the problem may be abnormal growth of the mandible (lower jaw) or maxilla (upper jaw).  Other times, unerupted, missing, or malpositioned teeth may be the primary cause for concern.  It is not unusual to treat a seven year old child and a 65 year old adult in the same afternoon.  You can imagine the variety and complex nature of the problems that fall within these parameters.  Skeletal problems (problems of the jaws) many times require a different treatment approach than those of a purely dental nature (problems of the teeth).  The seven year old child and 65 year old adult both require the same excellent standard of care, but meeting that standard requires a drastically different approach in treating and communicating to the patient.  For instance, the primary psychological focus of treatment in a 65 year old is rendering treatment in a dignified way that does not interfere significantly with the patient’s lifestyle.  For a seven year old, the primary focus may be alleviation of anxiety about the new office, exam chair, instruments, and appliances that the patient has never seen before.
Successful treatment begins with highly accurate diagnosis or discovery of the underlying problem.  In order to understand the cause of orthodontic problems, orthodontists engage in extensive study of the normal pattern of growth of the dentition and facial skeleton.  In addition, we focus on understanding psychological development in order to motivate and communicate with patients of diverse developmental statuses.   The challenge of utilizing knowledge of development to improve confidence and quality of life is one of the most rewarding aspects of practicing orthodontics in my view.   Despite Bob Dylan’s wishes in the aforementioned quotation, growth can sometimes be abnormal and causes functional and esthetic problems for people of all ages.  Orthodontists are armed with sophisticated technology to identify these problems and work with the patient to select individualized, viable treatment options to improve quality of life by means of functional, esthetic and self-confidence enhancement “when the winds of changes shift.”

Inspiration: Tom’s Team

If you are looking for inspiration this weekend, look no further. Please read about the journey of Tom Morris, University of Indiana Strength and Conditioning Coach. He has recovered from a spinal injury to return to triathalon competition for the first time since his injury. He is competing in the Maytag Ironman 70.3 Steelhead on August 14th.

Read about Tom's story here.

Tom and his wife Christa have joined forces with KentuckyOne Health and the Frazier Rehab Institute to set a goal of raising $70,300 (signifying the 70.3 miles of the race) by Sept. 1st. The funds raised will go toward helping those with spinal cord injuries return to performing physical activities. But even more than finances, Tom is seeking to help others feel the sense of community he felt as he put his life back together.

“Life is all about perspective,” he said. “What I go through day to day can either drive you to the ground or make you excel. I want to get better every single day. That’s what I’m all about. Make today better than it was yesterday.”

Learn more about supporting Tom's efforts:

Donations can be made to Tom's Team via KentuckyOne and via Tom's Team Facebook Page.

Tom is from my hometown of Hazleton, PA. As kids, my friends and I grew up looking up to Tom as a great athlete and a person of character. I never have admired him more than I do right now.  Best of luck to Tom in competition on Sunday and please consider helping to support Tom in reaching his awesome goal.

Have an excellent weekend!