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Page 16, Terrace Bay-Schreiber News, Wednesday, January 19, 1983 Healthy outlook will help dispel myths Mental retardation is a term that means dif- ferent things to different people. For some it spells out heartache, shame, guilt, rejection or bewilderment. The following should dispel some myths, explain some causes and hope- fully provide a healthy outlook and a more un- derstanding view to- ward the mentally re- tarded. MYTH 1 "The mentally re- tarded will never be- come productive mem- bers of society."' With special educa- tion and training and de- pending on the severity of retardation, the men- tally handicapped are quite capable of employ- ment. In fact, studies show that the retarded have a better work rec- ord and less absentee- ism in routine type jobs than normal people. MYTH 2 "The mentally re- tarded are freaks."' Although some peo- ple who are mentally re- tarded have accompa- nying physica! defects, most of the mentally handicapped are not physically' distinguish- able from the average person. MYTH 3 'The mentally retard- ed are dangerous and perverted."' It is not common be- havior for the retarded to be violent or commit sexual assaults. There Tips on are exceptions, just as there are exceptions in the normal population. MYTH 4 "Being around the re- tarded is detrimental to a normal child's brain deveiopment."' Mental retardation is not a contagious dis- ease. Contact with the retarded does not have any adverse effect on the brain of normal children. Mental retard- ation can occur in any family and the degree of impairment can range anywhere from mild to profound in_ severity. Retardation is not an ill- ness which can be clear- ed up with therapy. A brain impairment is a permanent disability of slow mental develop- ment. This does not mean that the retarded cannot learn. They most certainly can, but at a slower rate than most people. There are 200 known causes of mental retardation. A_ child's brain can be damaged during pregnancy, during birth or after de- livery. These three periods are referred to as prenatal, perinatal and postnatal periods respectively. Causes include such factors as poor maternal nutrition, maternal dis- eases or infections, drugs. genetic defects, premature birth, diffi- culties during delivery, poor postnatal nutrition, head injuries, infections and the lack of environ- mental stimuli for in- household chores Mopping the floors is a tiring job, even for people without arthritis. Here are a few tips that make the job easier: use 'fone wipe" cleansers that don't demand a second rinsing; use the kitchen or bathroom sink as your water pail so you don't have to drag a heavy bucket around; use a sponge rather than a string mop, it's lighter and easier to handle. Never scrub the floors on your hands and knees. In The Laundry When you purchase new clothing or linens, try to buy. those that don't require ironing. Use laundry products that have a pre-wash stain remover in them to cut down on _ hand- scrubbing. Add soften- ers that make ironing easier and cut down on static cling. Do smaller wash loads to reduce the weight you have to handle. Encourage older children to do their own laundry and ironing. The Kitchen Arrange your kitchen cupboards so that the 'products or- items you use most often are near- est to your stove or sink. Try to plan a place to sit while working. If you need to transport items across the kitchen, try _using a wheeled cart. Use. rotary trays that tirn ae' nn! ant iat 'a cupboard to make. it easier for you to get at foods or products you need. Avoid storing foods and heavy uten- sils below the counters whcre you have to bend or squat to pick them up. Plan Your Shopping If you do your own shopping, plan it out beforehand. Make sure you include a break for rest. Shop with a list - it makes the job easier and you'll probably save some money. Try to learn the layout of the stores you most often go to so that you're not backtracking from aisle to aisle. If you need a product on a high or low shelf, ask a clerk or another customer to get it for you. Most won't mind helping. If your store has a delivery ser- vice, use it. Don't try to carry heavy packages yourself. 'Don't Give Up! Everyone has a ten- dency to give up a little bit when times are tough, especially if they have arthritis and are going through a period: of "flare up" and are experiencing some pain. Try not to because it's an easy pattern into which to fall. Plan your day and your work and you'll find that you can accomplish everything you want to without too much difficulty. fants. PRENATAL CAUSES Poor maternal nutri- tion can cause retarda- tion to her unborn child. Any deficits of vital nu- trients, such as a lack of protein or an inade- quate intake of vitamins can have varied effects on fetal brain develop- ment. Maternal dis- eases or infections in- clude ruebella (German Measles). Ruebella con- tracted during pregnan- cy -- especially during the first trimester -- can have profound untoward effects on the develop- ing fetus. All drugs including aspirin should' be avoided during preg- nancy unless. taken under the supervision of a doctor. Genetic defects are abnormalities in the chromosomes of either parent which can be transmitted to the gene- tic make-up of the fetus and cause _ physical and/or mental impair- ment. PERINATAL CAUSES During birth a num- ber of things can cause brain damage. They in- clude lack of oxygen during birth, prolonged and difficult labor, mechanical injuries by the use of forceps and premature birth. A pre- mature baby has a smaller head circum- ference than normal and a subsequently smaller brain size and capacity. The premature child is 10 times more likely to suffer retardation than a full-term infant. POSTNATAL CAUSES In the period follow- ing birth poor nutrition can cause brain damage in an infant. A mal- nourished fetus is bad, but a. malnourished fetus followed by a mal- nourished infant is con- siderably worse. Un- fortunately, the two al- most always go hand in hand. Lack of environment- al stimuli can retard brain development. This January can include sensory de- fects. Often children who function as retard- ates are the victims of defective hearing, or vision which keeps them from learning in the conventional way even though they may have normal intelligence. Furniture Sale Continues oe T EA 4 AS. Furniture GW Centre 275 Park Street Thunder Bay, Ontario 345-0201 PARKING al POST OFFICE [ Nylon-net playpen by 'Dorel' Provides a convenient and safe place for baby to play. Features nylon-mesh netting with padded bottom. Folds away easily for storage. Size abt. 26x40". (48164) 3 7) Quality made Storkcraft® crib Wi | Hardwood crib meets gov't safety stan- dards. Has a white non-toxic finish. (48086) Crib mattress abt. 27x52" size. (48121).42.99 BABY WE il ; 109° the 95 ay ss -- a handy front tray plus 6 ball casters. Red/white. (48069) * A 00 AMD OF LE ~_ 1) WT: ol Great buy! Super walker Plastic lounge for baby It's adjustable to grow with 4S has 499 Features include safety strap plus pla' beads to keep baby amused! In white, almond or yellow. (48072) 9 Blanket sleepers in infants': Thermal-knit soakers. Sizes 2,3,4. (47235). Reg. 2.29 ea. Terry-cloth bibs in asst'd patterns. (47270). Reg. 1.39. Lap pads. Vinyl top, cotton underside. (47650). Reg. 2.69 Acrylic receiving blanket. (47603). Our reg. 4.49 each SML. (47177). Reg. 8.98 each 4199 799 499 Solids. (47630). Reg. 7.59 Baycrest 5-pc. bumper pad 2 229 Pampers disposable diapers are so _helps protect baby. (48130). 1199 where' yow'll find great convenient for you. Come in and see value' id savings all our low prices on overnight, new- Infants' stretch sleepers in 399 born, daytime or toddler sizes. SML. (47150). Reg. 3.98 ea. 319 month long! GREAT BUYS! Fitted bottom crib sheets. Stock up! (47632). Reg. 8.49 Soft flannelette top sheet. Flannelette diapers. Cotton vest. Sizes 3-24 mo. 2/pack. (47262). Reg. 4.98 699 649 Plastic bath tub for baby. Asst'd colors. (48107). 12/pkg. (47217). Reg. 13.98 499 399 499 Wey Pe DY Wb a ' Come in out othe cold and join-us atthe Bay Seal *¥3ay) Customer satisfaction, we guarantee it at the Bay ee SS = Fudsons Bay Company scurewer SALE ENDS JAN. 22