TOLEDO, Ohio, July 5, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- (WITH PACKAGE) An estimated 3,000 children are diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome (SBS) annually in the United States. SBS is a devastating traumatic brain injury that is the result of child abuse. Gerald Franklin, from Houston Texas, and National President of the National Exchange Club, cites correcting this as a top priority for the NEC.
SBS is considered a very serious form of child abuse. The trigger for SBS is typically a crying, inconsolable child. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines SBS as an act "of shaking/slamming that is so violent that any competent individuals observing the shaking would recognize it was dangerous." Symptoms range from lethargy, irritability, decreased appetite and vomiting to the more severe symptoms of difficulty breathing, seizures and unconsciousness.
In a Colorado study, it was found that biological fathers are most often the perpetrators (36%) followed by boyfriends of the mother (21%), female babysitters (17%) and biological mothers (13%). SBS perpetrators come from all walks of life, races and economic classes. A church daycare worker shook one victim. The daycare worker was the pastor's wife.
SBS victim outcomes are generally poor. Studies suggest that 15-30% of the children die. It is estimated that only about 15% escape without any type of permanent brain damage. However, no substantial, long term studies for SBS victims exist and it is questionable whether any child truly recovers from SBS. Survivors often suffer from varying degrees of cerebral palsy, paralysis, cognitive impairments, seizures, visual/hearing impairments as well as learning and behavioral challenges. SBS is a lifetime sentence of disability or death.
Ryan was born August 10, 1992, weighing in at a robust and healthy eight pounds, four ounces. It has been eight years since he was shaken on October 9, 1992, by his babysitter, the owner of a Christian childcare. Ryan has traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment (blindness) and severe mental retardation.
The perpetrator was convicted of felony child abuse in May 1993 and sentenced to four years in jail. She served 18 months and is on parole, with intensive supervision, until 2003. She is a grandmother and has three grown children of her own. She had a long history of abuse under her belt and parents removed their children from her daycare frequently, though didn't report her to Social Services. She abused her own children as well and five kids testified against her at the sentencing.
Ryan attends elementary school and is enrolled in a classroom for severe and profound mentally retarded students. He has the development of an 18-month-old. He wants so desperately to be out of his wheelchair. His drive and determination has helped him to walk with his own two feet since last February. He loves Barney, water, computers, rock n' roll music and food. Ryan also attends a special needs daycare before and after school and is very happy and well cared for there. Ryan receives occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy, twice per week and vision therapy twice per month. He plays Challenger t-ball and participates in hippo therapy.
The National Exchange Club Foundation has made a commitment to educate as many care givers, day care providers, parents, grandparents, baby sitters, etc., about the dangers of shaking a baby. The NEC Foundation has distributed over one million educational brochures nationwide throughout the last three years. The National Exchange Club has more than 900 clubs and 33,000 members in communities throughout the United States.
To raise the necessary funds for this widespread campaign, the NEC Foundation operates a vehicle donation program called C.A.R.S. (Children Are Really Special). This highly successful program provides funding to nearly 100 Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers throughout the United States. Donations raised by C.A.R.S. help the centers and the NEC Foundation train parents on how to be more loving and responsible to their children, specifically educating them to NEVER, NEVER, NEVER shake a baby. By calling 1-888-GETMYCAR, toll free, you can donate an unneeded car, truck, motorcycle or boat, and save a child's life. When you give your vehicle, you will get a welcome tax deduction, plus a representative will make arrangements to pick up your vehicle absolutely free.
Child abuse is one of our nation's most serious and disturbing national concerns. There are over 3.5 million reported cases of child abuse and neglect each year throughout the United States. For more information on shaken baby syndrome, child abuse prevention or the C.A.R.S. program, visit www.preventchildabuse.com. You may donate your vehicle directly online or Call 1-888-GETMYCAR today. You just may be saving the life of a child you know.
Releases related to this and other Feature Packages can be found at FeatureXpress, www.featurexpress.com
-0-
CONTACT: Lee Associates
Charles Lee, President
(704) 342-3666
leechar@bellsouth.net
National Exchange Club Foundation
Jamie Orians, Marketing Director
(800) 924-2643