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Jeanne Kiefner, The Retired, But Resourceful School Nurse: Networking Works

By Jeanne Kiefner, MEd, RN, FNASN posted 09-10-2018 18:23

  


Recently my colleague
Relentless School Nurse, Robin Cogan, posted an informational blog that gave a parent’s perspective to a confounding disease known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). The purpose of the blog was to teach all school nurses about the value of listening and looking at our kids.  This personal blog written by Kathy Ripple-Gilmour, a Cherry Hill teacher whose child has EDS, wrote this memorable phrase "when you hear hoofbeats think horses, not zebras."  She cautioned us to look for causes of the child's bruise or unstable joint because EDS is often hard to diagnose. Through that phrase, we learned that every child does not fit the commonalities of "just a headache”,  “just a pain”, “just a complaint” to be ignored. This teacher/Mother wants us to know that Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a distinct entity with specific physical traits and symptoms that may go undiagnosed for many years.


To support this Cherry Hill teacher’s mission to educate the school community about her child’s unusual diagnosis, the Cherry Hill Education Association (CHEA) has chosen the Ehlers-Danlos Society as the recipient of the funds raised in the 14th Annual Volley For Support. Volley for Support is an annual fundraiser held in Cherry Hill Public Schools where teachers and staff from all of the district’s 19 buildings square off in a volleyball tournament. All of the schools hold fundraisers and sell t-shirts leading up to the event. The event itself includes gift baskets, raffles, food, activities and more, with all proceeds going to a local nonprofit.


The Ehlers-Danlos Society has the following vision: We support collaborative research and education initiatives, awareness campaigns, advocacy, community-building, and care for the EDS and HSD (Hypermobile Spectrum Disorders) population. Our goals are world-wide awareness—and a better quality of life for all who suffer from these conditions. Research is at the center of what we do so that one day we will have a cure.  Our strength begins with hope.


Please feel free to participate and root the teams as they play volleyball in support of this important cause.  The event will be held on Friday, October 12, 2018, at 5:30 pm at Cherry High School East. For more information visit CHEA Facebook page.

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