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Local Mother Achieves Degree Despite Health Challenges

by TERESA SCHIFFER Britainny Palmer may look like an ordinary mother, but she struggles with health issues that few have. Despite the obstacles created by her own body, she has managed to attain a bachelor’s degree in supervision and management recently from Polk State College. It wasn’t an easy task, but with perseverance and a…
Tom Grothouse Working Passionately to Educate, Prevent Pediatric Drownings

by Mary Toothman Tom Grothouse worked in the fields of education and airlines much of his life, but his most recent years have been spent teaching children life-saving skills that prevent drowning. He seems to have found his niche. The Winter Haven resident is passionate about being an Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) instructor. With its…
Finding the Right Plan and Support System Aids Local Weight Loss Stories

by Teresa Schiffer When it comes to health and fitness, the journey is just as important as the destination. Knowing what your goals are and developing a real plan of action for achieving them is the first step on that journey. That’s what these two individuals have done, and they’re sharing their stories. From the…

Are You At Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease?

September is Peripheral Arterial Disease awareness month. PAD is a chronic condition affecting 20 million people in the U.S. If left untreated, it can result in unnecessary limb amputations. This has been seen disproportionately in people from minority communities. It involves a buildup of plaque in the arteries— much like how your kitchen sink builds…
Diagnosed With Astigmatism? You’ve Got Options

by TINCY THOMAS, O.D. You were told that you have astigmatism—a seemingly scary term! Luckily, it’s not usually a cause for concern. What is astigmatism? Astigmatism is a condition that causes blurry vision, much like nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). However, with astigmatism, your cornea or lens inside the eye may be irregularly shaped, similar…
Protect Your Vision With Multiple Pairs of Glasses

by Julia King, O.D. Nowadays, when we use our eyes for so many different activities, one pair of eyeglasses is rarely sufficient. Multiple pairs of eyeglasses provide different levels of correction or features to enhance your vision for varying daily activities. Most people have an everyday pair of glasses that they use on a regular…