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ThinkFirst
of Northeast Center for Special Care Brings Message to Over 700 Elementary
School Students in the Hudson Valley
 
For Immediate Release: March 31, 2006
ThinkFirst
of Northeast Center for Special Care Brings Message to Over 700 Elementary
School Students in the Hudson Valley
ThinkFirst of Northeast Center for Special Care, a chapter of ThinkFirst
Global, has brought a message of injury prevention to over 700 elementary
school students in the Hudson Valley so far this term.
JoAnne Liguori, RN, and facilitator for ThinkFirst said, "Our local chapter of ThinkFirst is off to a great start!"
With two ThinkFirst assemblies already presented at Crosby School in Lake
Katrine and McCuy Elementary School in Hurley and three more ThinkFirst
presentations already scheduled within the next month.
ThinkFirst is an international organization whose mission is to bring the
message of injury prevention to as many children and teens as possible. A
concerned group of neurologists, frustrated and alarmed by the high
incidence of injuries in young people, began ThinkFirst in 1986 to raise
awareness of injury prevention through safety habits.
With 276 ThinkFirst
chapters in the U.S. and 56 chapters in 12 other countries to date, the
message of injury prevention is spreading. ThinkFirst of Northeast Center
for Special Care was formed in April of 2005 and is pleased to bring the
ThinkFirst message to students in the Hudson Valley.
At ThinkFirst presentations, children are asked what they know about their
brains and spines and why they are so important. They hear about the
importance of safety belts and helmets and good habits like looking both
ways, never treating weapons like toys, and always swimming where there is
a lifeguard.
It is vital that young students hear strong, clear messages
of injury prevention. ThinkFirst representatives recommend no diving even
in deeper water because often objects at the bottom cannot be seen.
Students learn that injuries to their brains and their spines won't heal
all the way and that the only real cure is to prevent them.
Students also hear a personal story from the Voice of an Injured Person
(VIP). ThinkFirst of Northeast Center for Special Care presenters always
make sure to tell students that the VIP is not there to feel sorry for but
rather to be an educator and an example of courage.
ThinkFirst of
Northeast Center for Special Care VIPs are individuals recovering from
spinal cord injuries who donate their time to reinforce the ThinkFirst
message at elementary school assemblies. The VIPs tell the story of their
injury and how their life became different afterward.
Transportation to ThinkFirst presentations at local elementary schools has
been graciously donated for VIPs by Alamo Ambulette and Comprehensive
Ambulette agencies. The VIPs describe traveling to the school in a vehicle
large enough to fit their wheelchair or power chair. They include details
the students may not realize such as having the chair secured to the floor
with straps for safety, and getting in and out by riding on a hydraulic
lift.
Students are often impressed by the assistive technologies but for a
touch of shock value, one VIP always mentions that his power chair costs
as much as a luxury SUV. The hope is that students come away with the
message that unless they think first and take safety precautions, they may
have a lot of physical, mental, spiritual, and financial barriers to
overcome to recover their independence.
The ThinkFirst of Northeast Center for Special Care program has been well
received at local schools. For more information or to set up a
presentation for elementary school aged children, contact JoAnne Liguori
at 845-336-3500.
Images:
(click on thumbnails for larger images)
Media contact: Northeast Center for Special Care, Beth Faichney, Director of Community Relations
845-336-3500
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2000-2006 Northeast Center for Special Care All Rights Reserved
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