It is difficult for Kyle and Bobbie Robinson of Greenville to talk about the value of their son Samuels smile without crying. They now are trying to find out how much value an insurance company will place on that smile. The Robinsons life changed forever in April 2013, when Samuel, their only child, now 3, was diagnosed with autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Before Samuel started his therapy last August, he didnt notice when I walked in the house from work, Kyle Robinson said. He was in his own little world. For the complete article, please pick up a copy of The Daily Reflector. Current home delivery and electronic edition subscribers may log in to access this article at no charge. To become a subscriber, please click here or contact Customer Service at (252) 329-9505. More here: Family seeks autism treatment coverage … Continue reading →

Peggy McEwan/The Gazette Presidential appearance Runners in the Autism Speaks 5K Run in Potomac on Friday included Woodrow Woody Wilson, mascot of the Wilson Bridge half-marathon. More than 2,000 runners and walkers took part in the 5K run and 1-mile walk. About 2,000 runners and walkers started their Fourth of July holiday weekedn Friday by participating in the annual Autism Speaks 5K Run/1 Mile Walk in Potomac. The run through the communitys residential streets was first organized 14 years ago by Susan Pereles of Potomac after her nephew, now 16, was diagnosed with autism. It has grown into a wonderful community tradition, Pereles said. Although she said Monday it was still too early to know how much money was raised, last years race raised $298,000 for Autism Speaks, a national organization that funds research into the causes, treatment, prevention and possible cure for autism; advocacy; family services; and awareness of the disorder. Pereles said a virtual 5K was added this year, in which runners and walkers could participate from wherever they were Friday. About 200 participants took part in the virtual race in places as far away as Armenia, London and California, she said. Christina Markish, senior manager at Autism … Continue reading →

Custom byline text: Helen Puttick Health Correspondent An official report shows many hospitals are still not meeting important care standards for stroke patients - more than 15 years after the Scottish Government made the condition a priority. Just 34 per cent of stroke patients for whom clot-busting drugs are appropriate receive them within an hour of reaching hospital, even though evidence shows they reduce the number of brain cells damaged. A checklist of four other key treatment goals, including being admitted to a stroke unit and receiving a brain scan within a day of reaching hospital, was ticked for only 58 per cent of patients last year. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the country's biggest health board, had one of the worst records in the country for meeting all four criteria. NHS Orkney was the only area to have a smaller proportion of patients treated in line with the four "care bundle" standards, and it did not have an operational CT scanner on the island. Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Scotland and 10,233 people were diagnosed with a stroke in hospitals last year. The care of patients has improved - the proportion treated in line … Continue reading →

For the second consecutive year, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center has been awarded the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold-Plus Quality Achievement award and has been recognized as a Target: Stroke Honor Roll hospital, according to a press release from St. Mary-Corwin. The accolades come from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, which chose recipients based on specific quality improvement measures by a hospital for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients for a set level for a designated period, the press release said. Some of the measures set by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association include an aggressive use of medications and risk-reduction therapies aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients, the release said. The Target: Stroke Honor Roll designation is based on a hospitals ability to reduce the time between hospital arrival and treatment with the clot-buster tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke, the release said. This award demonstrates the excellent care that we deliver at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, said Ashley Trujillo, stroke program coordinator at the hospital, in the release. We provide our patients with fast-acting, exceptional stroke treatment that prepares them … Continue reading →