Victoria Grotton, a pre-kindergarten teacher in Glenburn, has gone out of her way to support her student, Ellie LaBree, following the child’s diagnosis with a rare eye tumor. When Ellie had to miss school, Grotton brought out a toy stuffed monkey that she put in Ellie’s place, taking pictures of the monkey painting in art class or reading a book and sending the photos to Ellie. She read books to the children about cancer and had Ellie’s classmates make cards for her. When Ellie started losing her hair and wore a hat to school, Grotton gave every child in the class a hat so Ellie wouldn’t be alone.
Other top health stories this week:
Maine agency drops plan requiring disclosure of formaldehyde in children’s products
AUGUSTA, Maine — Manufacturers can continue selling children’s products in Maine without disclosing which items contain the cancer-causing chemical formaldehyde under a new Maine Department of Environmental Protection decision.
Mount Desert Island nurses to hold vigil to protest ‘declining resources at Maine hospitals’
BAR HARBOR, Maine — Registered nurses at Mount Desert Island Hospital planned to hold a candlelight vigil Wednesday evening to protest what they say are declining resources at hospitals throughout Maine. A labor union representing the nurses in contract talks with the hospital said cuts are affecting patient safety and services at hospitals in Bar Harbor and throughout the state.
From our bloggers
Sarah Cottell, Housewife Plus
An open letter to the nurses at the Lafayette Family Cancer Center
You don’t know that as a mother it fills me with dread to have to see you. And you don’t know that when I finally arrive with the weight of fear it is your smiling faces that ease my anxiety.
Diane Atwood, Catching Health
How to Recognize a Deer Tick and Protect Yourself Against Lyme Disease
“It’s estimated that 75 percent of Lyme disease cases are contracted within 100 feet of the house.”
From the source
A new statewide survey reveals that Maine parents who believe their teens are underage drinkers are more likely to take steps to protect them from using alcohol. But some parents are still in the dark: 25 percent suspected their child had ever downed an alcoholic drink, but 54 percent of teens say they have. For the full report, click here.