When
thinking of research that had a positive effect on children and families, the
Abecedarian Project quickly comes to mind. The results of this project showed the impact that health
and nutrition has on children and their families. The positive effects on the children have been long lasting
up throughout adulthood. Also
through this research came the Heckman Equation. The Heckman Equation brought an element of economics to our
field. It shows that we need to
invest in early childhood if we want to build our economy and sustain our
society. The rate of return in
investing in early childhood is 10%, which is substantial. In North Carolina, we have the First
2000 Days campaign to spread the awareness of early childhood and the
importance of investing in it. It
uses the research done through the Abecedarian Project and the Heckman Equation
as the foundation for its campaign.
The research has been positive and critical. It gives people information to use to advocate and invest in
early childhood.
Another
exciting new research that has been conducted has been the study of marijuana
oil, known as Charlotte’s Web, and its ability to reduce or even eliminate
seizures in children. This has
been very controversial research especially since marijuana is illegal. Only a handful of states are allowing
patients to even take the drug.
This research is dear to me because a friend and co-worker has a nephew
with Dravet Syndrome. He is
constantly having mini seizures, ranging from minor ones up to grand mal. He is on numerous medications yet he
still has them daily. This summer,
his family is moving to Colorado to receive Charlotte’s Web in hopes that it
will work and he will finally be seizure free. This is his family’s last hope and I hope that it
works.
The
downside to this research is that the long lasting effects of taking marijuana
oil have not been studied simply because this is still new research. Nobody knows what is going to happen to
these children several years from now.
This type of research gives me an ethical dilemma since nobody knows
what will happen to these children later in life. But it is giving some people hope, and I cannot take that
away from them. So far the results
have been positive and here is to hoping it stays that way.
Myra,
ReplyDeleteYour post is very heart felt and informative. I have never heard of Dravet Syndrome. The information you have provided regarding this syndrome is very disturbing. As far back as I can remember I have known someone within my circle that has seizures. I use to sleep over one of my church members houses and her sister had seizures. I remember the first time I saw it happen, I was so scared and I did not know what to do. As time went on, I got used to seeing the seizures occur. I know what affects this disability can have on a child and the family. It is heartbreaking when you want to help someone, but you do not know what to do. I feel the research on Charlotte’s Web would be ideal to try if it has worked on so many other children. Although I do not condone Marijuana use, I feel if it works to elevate the issue, use it. We can only see what seizures do to individuals on the outside; we have no idea what it does to individuals on the inside. I really enjoyed reading your post; I hope to hear more about this child in the future.
Lah-Lah
I have learned some things from this post and they were very informational, thanks. I had never heard of Dravet Syndrome until now and I’m glad that you gave me some information about it. I will be looking into this more because it has triggered my interest. I live in North Carolina and didn't know there was a thing called the First 200 Days campaign.
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