Month: June 2024

2024-06-21T07:01:00

(BPT) – Thirty-eight-year-old Antwan has been living with neurofibromatosis type 1 with plexiform neurofibromas (NF1-PN) his whole life. This diagnosis led to more than 25 hospitalizations and 18 surgeries, as well as the need to have a permanent ventilator to help him breathe.

Despite having gone through all of this, Antwan refuses to let NF1-PN impact his positive outlook and wants people to understand this rare disease, noting: “Adversity does not determine your destiny.”

What is NF1-PN?

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare, incurable genetic condition that manifests in a variety of ways including abnormal pigmentation, skeletal deformities, non-malignant and malignant tumors, and neurological complications.^[1] There are approximately 100,000 adults and children in the U.S. with NF1.^[2],[3] Those living with NF1 have a 30-50% lifetime risk of developing NF1-associated plexiform neurofibromas, or NF1-PN, whereby tumors can grow aggressively along peripheral nerves, leading to complications such as pain, reduced mobility, and severe disfigurement.^[4],[5] NF1-PN can also have a psychological impact, including isolation, low self-esteem, stigma and emotional distress, among others, substantially impacting patients’ quality of life.^{[6],[7],[8],[9]}

Overcoming challenges

Antwan didn’t experience life-threatening complications of NF1-PN until he was in college. By that time, Antwan had been raised with a strong, independent mindset. He had withstood bullying due to changes in his appearance caused by NF1-PN, as well as his physical limitations, such as not being able to play the sports he loved.

“My mom never allowed me to use my disability as an excuse,” Antwan explained. “She was harder on me than my brothers. She was mentally preparing me to be a fighter, not a victim.”

Antwan credits this upbringing with giving him the strength to persevere, even during college, where he experienced a serious bout of pneumonia caused by internal tumors compressing his lung, as well as H1N1 and a collapsed lung all at the same time, leading to dependence on a ventilator. But even this has not stopped him as he continues to work and spend time with his friends and family.

What Antwan wants people to know

Despite a doctor predicting his life expectancy would be short, Antwan pursued his educational dreams and has worked fulfilling jobs, including running a high school truancy program and managing a family-friendly entertainment center.

He’d like everyone to know that even with lumps, bumps and scars, plus his “wheelbarrow chest” that is sometimes seen with NF1-PN when there’s limited room for organs to grow, people with visible disabilities have the same hopes, dreams and capabilities as everyone else. There are five key things Antwan wants people to know.

1. Fostering independence and self-care are key

Antwan attributes his inner strength to his independence, particularly as he transitioned to college, when he was truly in charge of his own care for the first time. Despite his complex medical condition, he learned to care for himself and aimed to live like a typical student. His desire for independence drove him to begin actively managing his NF.

“We aren’t victims,” said Antwan. “We appreciate compassion, because we have challenges, but we don’t want to be looked down upon. We want independence, just like you do.”

2. Transitional support makes a difference

Antwan realizes that many challenges he faced when beginning to manage his own care were due to a lack of guidance and preparation for managing his health care needs when he moved to college.

Because Antwan was not advised on the importance of connecting with a new doctor when relocating, he felt unprepared to manage his own care; this led to delayed treatment because he didn’t have an NF expert on his care team. He recommends that parents of kids with disabilities support this transition by identifying and connecting with a health care team in advance.

3. The changing role of caregivers

Antwan’s relationship with his caregivers, his mom and grandmother, changed as he grew older. Instead of his mother monitoring his tumor growth or tracking new symptoms, Antwan began keeping those records himself. Even though he still needs their help occasionally, they taught him to be independent. Their encouragement shaped his resilient, self-sufficient approach to life and prepared him to eventually advocate for himself and his needs.

Despite the physical and emotional difficulties posed by NF1-PN, Antwan maintains that his positive outlook has helped him meet many of his goals, such as graduating from college and earning his master’s degree. Antwan couldn’t attend his master’s graduation in person, but he was able to watch and celebrate while in the hospital.

“I’ve had 18 surgeries. I’ve been in the hospital over 25 times. But I’ve graduated with a master’s degree, and I’ve traveled,” said Antwan. “No matter what you go through in life, if you have the right attitude, you can really do anything you want.”

5. Openness and advocacy

Above all, Antwan is open about his condition. He encourages anyone to ask him questions, and he sees great value in sharing his story to help educate and inspire others. Antwan views adversities not as limitations, but challenges to overcome.

“People with NF just want to live life and be as happy as we can,” said Antwan. “We’re competent and smart, and we’re regular people, with just a few more challenges. We don’t let NF hold us back.”

To learn more about NF1-PN, visit NF1PN.com.

[1] Gutmann, D., Ferner, R., Listernick, R. et al. Neurofibromatosis type 1. Nat Rev Dis Primers 3, 17004 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.4

[2] Children’s Tumor Foundation. New and Improved: The way to talk about NF. Press release. May 9, 2023. Accessed February 2, 2024.

[3] Lee TJ, et al. Incidence and prevalence of neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2023;18(1):292. Published 2023 Sep 14. doi:10.1186/s13023-023-02911-2).

[4] Prada CE, Rangwala FA, Martin LJ, et al. Pediatric plexiform neurofibromas: impact on morbidity and mortality in neurofibromatosis type 1. J Pediatr. 2012;160(3):461-467.

[5] Miller DT, et al. Health Supervision for Children With Neurofibromatosis Type 1. Pediatrics. 2019;143(5):e20190660.

[6] Foji S, Mohammadi E, Sanagoo A, Jouybari L. How do people with neurofibromatosis type 1 (the forgotten victims) live? a grounded theory study. Health Expect. 2022;25(2):659-666.

[7] Rosnau K, Hashmi SS, Northrup H, Slopis J, Noblin S, Ashfaq M. Knowledge and self-esteem of individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). J Genet Couns. 2017;26(3):620-627.

[8] Lai J-S, Jensen SE, Patel ZS, Listernick R, Charrow J. Using a qualitative approach to conceptualize concerns of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 associated plexiform neurofibromas (pNF) across the lifespan. Am J Med Genet A. 2017;173(1):79-87.

[9] Fournier H, Calcagni N, Morice-Picard F, Quintard B. Psychosocial implications of rare genetic skin diseases affecting appearance on daily life experiences, emotional state, self-perception and quality of life in adults: a systematic review. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2023;18(1):39.

2024-06-20T09:43:00

(BPT) – By Thomas Yoon, executive vice president of the Overseas Sales and Marketing Company at LG Electronics

To position LG as a leading “Smart Life Solution Company” and ensure sustained growth, we must revolutionize our operational approach. Embracing change is pivotal for enhancing our organizational capabilities and business competitiveness, enabling us to uncover new opportunities for customer value creation in a rapidly evolving global market.

Last November, our CEO William Cho established the Overseas Sales and Marketing Company to drive change and growth while enhancing our global brand power through customer-value creation. This initiative introduced the concept of an ‘Outside-In’ approach, shifting our focus from internal processes to actively gathering direct feedback from customers. Traditionally, we focused on product quality and timely delivery. However, we have recognized that in today’s competitive environment, these factors alone are insufficient for increasing market share and differentiating ourselves. Consequently, we began shifting our product development approach to evaluate ideas and proposals from the customer’s perspective and develop sustainable growth strategies based on this feedback. The Overseas Sales and Marketing Company plays a crucial role in executing these strategies.

From a broader perspective, the essence of the Overseas Sales and Marketing Company is the brand, underscoring the paramount importance we place on it. The brand is the cornerstone of a company’s existence, representing the value delivered to and perceived by customers, which in turn justifies the company’s existence. Additionally, the brand signifies profit, playing a crucial role in sales. Therefore, the primary objective of the Overseas Sales and Marketing Company is to enhance LG’s global marketing and brand management capabilities.

Our ‘Optimism your feed’ campaign, initiated this May, is an exemplary effort towards this end. We launched the campaign with the aim of balancing the ‘algorithm’ that keeps much of social media mired in negative content. We sought to induce changes in social media recommendation-algorithms by posting a playlist with optimistic content, thereby helping to create a more positive online environment. We see the campaign as a powerful vehicle for reinforcing our dynamic and youthful brand image, and as an innovative means of communicating our ‘Life’s Good’ brand promise.

Another key focus area of the Overseas Sales and Marketing Company is bolstering the sales capabilities of our members, a major driver of profit generation and market share improvement. This involves targeted adjustments to routine tasks and the implementation of innovative solutions to reduce inefficiencies. For example, by leveraging automated dashboards, employees can save time on repetitive administrative tasks, allowing them to enhance their skills and productivity. Such efforts enabled us to grow even during the pandemic and fulfill customer commitments despite logistical challenges.

At the Overseas Sales and Marketing Company, we concentrate on four key strategies for transforming our business operations. The first strategy focuses on creating seamless value through software skills. Last November, the company launched the ‘LG SW Reskilling Program,’ an in-house initiative designed to elevate our software development personnel. Initially available to employees at our Korean headquarters, this program provides intensive training in embedded software and data science. This initiative benefits both employees and the company by strengthening individual capabilities and career prospects while allowing us to deploy talent to areas of high strategic importance, thereby enhancing business competitiveness.

The second strategy involves streamlining the distribution process and connecting directly with customers through Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) business models. Our goal is to increase sales by leveraging our deep understanding of customer preferences and purchasing patterns.

Our third strategy is to expand our subscription services. By offering subscription options, we aim to lower the barriers to entry for high-priced products while delivering new customer experiences at the same time.

Lastly, we focus on providing solutions tailored for diverse B2B sectors. Our objective is to integrate our solutions with the hardware possessed by our business customers, thereby enhancing their revenue generation from end-customers. For example, when ads are shown on an LCD display, the value of the hardware increases. This kind of ad business can become a part of our B2B solutions portfolio.

While these four strategies may not immediately boost revenue, they lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and represent crucial changes in how our employees operate.

Every employee plays a significant role in shaping our brand and leading sustainable growth in the global market. We believe that all personnel are, in essence, brand ambassadors. We will continue to innovate how we work to achieve sustainable growth for the LG brand.

2024-06-20T07:03:00

(BPT) – Wedding planning requires countless choices, but one that remains highly debated is whether (or how much!) to include children in the festivities.

The Zola First Look Report found, of 4,000 couples with 2024 wedding dates, 79.5% are in favor of kid-free weddings. Although the decision is becoming more popular, it’s often met with criticism from guests who are parents needing to secure child care, which can add stress for the soon-to-be newlyweds.

Engaged couples are turning to “something new” to address the needs of guests with kids without sacrificing their own preferences and priorities: babysitter services. This new trend has become increasingly popular for weddings with couples offering in-home or on-site options to care for kids while adults focus on the celebrations. In fact, Jovie, the network of professionally trained child care experts, nannies and sitters, reports that the company has seen a 159% increase in event care since 2022.

“Couples can find themselves in a difficult position when contemplating whether to include children in their wedding day festivities as they may worry about parents feeling overwhelmed or distracted by having their kids present,” said Laura Davis, Jovie’s Nanny Concierge. “We’ve seen couples increasingly interested in providing child care for their guests, as it’s a win-win for both the couple and parents as everyone will get to enjoy the event without worrying about their children.”

Interested in services for your own nuptials? Davis recommends considering a few key factors ahead of time:

Determine whether a “kid-free” or “kid-friendly” option makes more sense:

• A “kid-free” wedding allows for babysitters, provided by the couple, to care for guests’ children at their home or hotel room. This option allows for parents to be conveniently connected with a pre-vetted babysitter directly. Most often, the couple covers the cost but are not the coordinators — with the babysitter service working directly with the wedding planner or venue to streamline and reduce stress. Alternatively, “kid-friendly” weddings invite children to the festivities but offer child care covered by the couple in a designated on-site area outfitted with a kids table, games and snacks that won’t disrupt the event’s flow. This is a wonderful choice for larger families who would prefer to have their kids close by or those including a flower girl or ring bearer in their ceremony and photos.

Utilize RSVPs to determine how many kids need care — and book babysitters early:

• Summer and fall are peak wedding seasons, so be sure to start reserving babysitters at least 3 months in advance. Adding a “Child Care Needed: Yes or No” section to your invites or RSVPs can seamlessly determine how many children will need care and how many babysitters need to be booked. Once booked, babysitter services will collaborate with you, your wedding planner or the parents directly to ensure individual needs and communication preferences are addressed.

Pay attention to the details — and loop in your babysitter accordingly:

• On-site babysitter services typically accommodate groups of up to 20 children, but it’s important to notify your babysitter when that number may ebb and flow if couples expect children to be involved in certain parts of the festivities. This will not only create a smoother experience, but if there are multiple babysitters present, they may also be able to help coordinate. Additionally, ahead of the big day, connect the babysitter service with your wedding planner or venue so they can work together to determine an appropriate care space and arrange meals.

“Your wedding day should be nothing short of spectacular, and whether you choose to include children in any capacity, remember there are multiple care options at your disposal,” continued Davis. “Babysitter services are just one of the many decisions you’ll need to make ahead of your special day, and companies like Jovie are eager to play a role in it being as stress-free as possible.”

To learn more about Jovie, visit www.jovie.com.

2024-06-20T09:51:00

(BPT) – The start of a new day can be exciting, especially if you have an action-packed schedule to look forward to. If you’re looking to meet the day with more, there are plenty of easy ways to set yourself up for success in the mornings. Research has shown that adopting a morning routine can boost productivity and focus, reduce stress and anxiety and supercharge your mood.

But it doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your life completely. Just a few small changes can result in big benefits.

Here are six ways to lay the groundwork for a more fulfilling day.

Ditch the snooze button. Stealing a few extra minutes of sleep when you’re cozy in bed is a tempting idea, but it can do more harm than good. Dozing off after hitting the snooze button can leave you feeling tired and groggy, especially if you drift into REM sleep and are jolted out of it by the follow-up alarm. It can interfere with your overall sleep cycle, too.

Let the light in. Some people love wake-up lights that mimic sunrise, so they wake up more naturally. These can be great tools to simulate a natural sunrise, especially during the winter season. If you don’t have one of those and are waking up during sunlight hours, just throw open your curtains and greet the day. Seeing light in the morning tells your body it’s time to get up and can help you feel more alert.

Take your vitamins. Many individuals, even nutritionists, find it hard to eat a balanced diet every day given how busy our lifestyles are. A good vitamin and supplement routine can be key to getting the nutrients you need. There are a lot of choices in the vitamin aisle, but when it comes to wellness, there’s a reason Nature Made is the brand consumers have been turning to for over 50 years. If you’re looking to get more out of a multivitamin, the new, enjoyable Nature Made Advanced Multivitamin Gummies are available in three varieties — Nature Made Advanced Multivitamin for Adults, Nature Made Advanced Multivitamin for Her, and Nature Made Advanced Multivitamin for Him. Curated with a unique ingredient combination, the assortment offers 20 essential nutrients and provides a good source of magnesium, calcium and all 8 B vitamins^†.

To help people elevate their morning routine without added sugar, Nature Made also recently launched a portfolio of Nature Made Zero Sugar Gummies^‡ formulated to deliver a sugar-free^‡ alternative that tastes great and offers the same nutrient support as the brand’s traditional Gummies. This assortment is comprised of five products, all of which earned the United States Pharmacopeia’s Verified Dietary Supplement mark through rigorous third-party verification, that provide nutrients to support immune and bone health, cellular energy, sleep and overall wellbeing^†.

Hydrate. Drinking water soon after you wake up hydrates you after a long night and can increase your energy levels. It is also helpful in boosting mental performance.

Eat a healthy breakfast. According to research from Henry Ford Health, among numerous other studies, eating a high-protein breakfast helps you feel full throughout the day and, even more than that, it helps control your blood sugar. According to this research, after eating protein for breakfast, your blood sugar remains low for hours. But if you start the day with refined carbs, like grabbing a pastry on the way out the door, your blood sugar spikes and then crashes, which can make you feel tired and hungry. Great choices: Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, a smoothie with protein powder, or a breakfast burrito with eggs and black beans.

Move a little. This doesn’t mean you have to take a spin class or run a marathon. Ten minutes of stretching, some light yoga or tai chi, or walking the dog will energize you, get your blood moving, and make you feel more alert, awake and ready to take on the day.

Instead of a mad dash out of the house, mornings can be a time where you practice self-care, setting yourself up to tackle whatever the rest of your day holds. By creating a positive, uplifting morning routine, your whole day will fall into place.

^†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

‡ Not a low calorie food

2024-06-19T20:01:00

(BPT) – Aging in place, the ability to live at home safely as we age, is crucial for many of us. The Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan recently found 88% of Americans want to stay in their homes as they age. But, that same study found only 15% have thought about the types of home modifications they need to make aging in place possible. Those modifications are crucial to prevent falling and other issues that can affect a person’s ability to live safely at home.

Here are seven ways to create a safe, accessible environment for your aging parents — or yourself.

1. Create clear pathways. It’s vital for people to have clear pathways to get around in their home. Look at the rooms, especially the living room and bedroom, with a critical eye. Is anything in the way as you move from the bedroom to the bathroom? How about from the living room to the kitchen? Do you need to maneuver around end tables, accent chairs or lamps? Stacks of books next to an armchair by the fireplace? It might mean you’ll need to move furniture to a new room configuration to create a clear pathway from Point A to Point B.

2. Remove throw rugs. They’re one of the biggest tripping hazards in the home, and they can make using a walker problematic. Get them up and get them out! And while you’re focusing on floors, use non-slip wax on wood floors and add non-skid treads to steps.

3. Add a toilet seat with built-in support arms. Bathroom safety is critical to aging in place. The Bemis Independence Assurance features support arms, each with a weight capacity of 350 pounds, integrated into the seat. The seat is securely mounted directly to the porcelain, ensuring exceptional stability. In addition to the arms, the Bemis Assurance is elevated three inches, to make sitting and standing easier. It also can include bidet functionality, which is incredibly helpful for the hygiene of older folks. This seat eliminates the need to install permanent grab bars near the toilet and makes it easier for people to sit and stand. It’s a powerful ally for people who want to be safer, aging at home.

4. Add non-slip treads or appliques to the bathtub or shower floor. It’s quick, it’s easy and it can save you or your loved one from a nasty fall. Add grab bars to help steady people in the shower or for extra stability getting into and out of the tub, and a waterproof shower seat.

5. Consider converting your tub into a walk-in shower. This is a more expensive fix than adding grab bars or a new toilet seat, but a walk-in shower is ultimately much safer than climbing over a tub, and can also accommodate a wheelchair.

6. “Smarten” up the house. Smart faucets, thermostats and other smart appliances can add ease of use, protection and safety for older adults. Faucets can be voice or motion activated, and turn off automatically at the end of use. Smart thermostats can keep the house at a comfortable temperature, and smart HVAC units can come with features like leak alerts that sense if pipes have burst or are leaking. All of these smart home items can be monitored from a cell phone, which adds peace of mind for adult children with an aging parent.

7. Install cameras inside and outside the house. Along with smart appliances, cameras can give adult children of aging parents an added layer of peace of mind, and a way to check on their loved one instantly on their phone, from wherever they are.

By making these and other simple, inexpensive changes, you or your loved ones can age in place safely, for as long as possible. And everybody wants that, right?

2024-06-19T06:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know we have less than 100 days to enjoy the summer season?

Summertime is here! The season we all know and love — and one that tends to go by way too quickly. Let’s be sure to take advantage of those longer, sunnier days ahead of us.

Here are some ways to do just that:

• Swim at your favorite spot — beach, lake, pool, you name it
• Ride bikes around the neighborhood
• Host a picnic at a local park
• Throw a barbecue party — the Fourth of July is a great time to throw some food on the grill and get together with family and friends

You should also add getting vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, a potentially serious bacterial lung disease, to your list. Then, keep enjoying your summer plans.

Pneumococcal pneumonia can strike at any time, in any season. There’s a misconception that you can only get it in the winter or during flu season, but you can get it any time of year — even summer!

Pneumococcal pneumonia can put you in the hospital and even be life-threatening. You’re at increased risk if you’re 19-64 with certain underlying medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, chronic heart disease and COPD.

Adults 65 or older are also at increased risk. In fact, if you’re 65 or older, you’re at over 10x greater risk of being hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia compared with adults 18-49.

If you fall into any of these groups, getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to help protect yourself.

Vaccination is available all year round, so now is a great time to assess if pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination is right for you. Even if you’ve already been vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia previously, your healthcare provider may recommend another vaccination for additional protection.

There’s no room for pneumococcal pneumonia in your busy summer schedule, so don’t let it get in the way of enjoying all this season has to offer.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination and visit PfizerVax.com to schedule a vaccination today.

Brought to you by Pfizer.