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Please enjoy this newest edition of VNA E-News. |
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Bug Season
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Warmer weather has finally arrived in Vermont, and with it comes more time spent outdoors in activities like gardening, walking, swimming, playing sports, picnicking, or just enjoying the scenery.
 But, this extra time outside also means more exposure to mosquitoes and ticks. Not only are they pests, but their bites can transmit infectious diseases. Mosquitoes can carry illnesses like West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), while tickborne illnesses include Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Here are some steps you can take to prevent tick and mosquito bites and lower your risk of an infection:
For mosquitoes:
- Mosquitoes are abundant at dusk and dawn, so plan your activities accordingly and stay indoors during these times.
- Wear long sleeves and pants when outside.
- Apply insect repellent that contains active ingredients like DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Remove standing water from around your home and fix any holes in the screens in your house.
- Visit the Department of Health's website for more tips and advice about prevention and the different viruses.
For ticks:
- Avoid walking through tall grass and bushy areas if possible. When hiking, stick to trails.
- Wear long sleeves and pants and tuck pants into socks or shoes. Light-colored clothing will help you see ticks easier.
- Apply an insect repellent that contains ingredients to fight off ticks.
- Check yourself, kids and pets thoroughly after spending time outdoors.
- Visit the Department of Health's website for more tips about prevention and what to do if you find a tick.
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Being a Dad
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By Corey Mallon, father and VNA fatherhood program participant
 | | Corey and Ezra |
My partner, Dana, and my son, Ezra, and I were sitting around at my mom's house eating dinner. My cousin had just had a baby, so the discussion moved to how hard it is to transition into the role of being a parent, even if it is something you have planned and wanted and dreamed of for a long time.
My mom talked about how hard it was to learn how to be a mom without her own mom around to guide her. Dana talked about how fortunate it was that we had access to a lactation consultant at Fletcher Allen Health Care when Ezra was born - especially since it took him a while to figure it out. And at 2 1/2 years old, Ezra didn't have a lot to say about the subject - he just stuffed more bread in his mouth and said, "I am all done. I want to go play!"
The discussion got me thinking about my transition to being a dad. I work as a nurse, so when I became a dad, I already had several years of assessing lungs and bellies, checking vital signs, looking for infections, and changing diapers under my belt. However helpful these things might be, they are the skills of a nurse - not the same skills as those needed to be a dad.
Although physical care is important as a dad, what really stands out for me is the emotional work involved in being a dad. In one hour with my son, his emotions can range from the deepest pit of despair (tears literally falling from his eyes and hitting the floor, mouth wide open in silence just before the earth-shattering wail that no amount of verbal logic can stop) to the sweetest, happiest smile, when he says, "Daddy, I love you. Can you snuggle me?" And those are just his emotions!
Continue here to read more of Corey's story and learn how the VNA's fatherhood programs have helped him be the dad he wants to be.
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Sincerely,
Your VNA
Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties
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Lake Monsters
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Help us celebrate
fathers at the
Lake Monsters Opening Game
Monday, June 16, 2014
Game starts at 7:05 pm
Dads will be honored throughout the game and we'll be giving out free "Fathers Make a Difference" baseball caps to dads at the game.
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Fun Run Fun
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The Burlington Free Press featured an article about our recent Fun Run event to raise money for the Vermont Respite House.
You can read the article here.
Thanks to our sponsors, our participants and our volunteers who helped make this year's event such a success. To date, more than $60,000 has been raised for Respite House. To read more about our event, visit here.
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