Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 January 2003 — Page 20

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2003 ■ PAGE C6

What parents need to know about bed-wetting

(NAPSI) — The most important thing parents may need to learn about bed-wetting is that it’s not the child’s fault. Knowing this can help parents cope with a child’s bed-wetting and help prevent the self-esteem problems that often accompany it. In the U.S., an estimated 5 million to 7 million children, age 6 and older are affected by bedwetting, also known as primary nocturnal enuresis. While the exact cause of bedwetting is unknown, it is considered a medical condition, not a behavioral or emotional problem. Bed-wetting has been linked to both family history and hormones. A child has a 77 percent chance of wetting the bed if both parents have a bed-wetting history'. Bed-wetting may occur because of allergies, bladder spasms, stress, constipation, extreme deep sleep, intestinal parasites or pinworms and excessive fluid intake and other medical conditions. It is a myth to think that bedwetting is caused by laziness or lack of motivation, and that punishing the child will solve the problem. Parental disapproval and punishment do not address the problem and could affect the child’s self esteem and progress in resolving the bed-wetting problem. According to the National Bladder Foundation, numerous treatments may help, starting with a simple change in diet. This may include cutting out or limiting products such as dairy, acidic juices, foods and drinks high in caffeine and reducing all fluids two hours before bed. Children should drink moderate fluids throughout the day. Some parents may try waking the child up to urinate one or two hours after he or she goes to sleep. Wetness alarms are designed to wake the child at the first sign of wetness and may help increase awareness. DDAVP (desmopressin acetate) is the most commonly used medication to treat bed-wetting. It works by replacing the hormone vasopressin and by limiting the amount of urine produced at night. Bed-wetting can be overcome through a supportive program that includes the whole family. For more information, and for a free brochure, send a self-ad-dressed, stamped, husiness-si/.e envelope to It 's Not Your Child's Fault, the National Bladder Foundation, Dept. B, F.O. Box U)p5, Bidt'cficld, CT (HiHy?. Sa 1 ■y® y. uJ \ ■

There are many options for treating bed-wetting. Parents may want to discuss them with the child's health care provider.

Indianapolis Recorder Staff 2003

President/General Manager Carotene Mays

Circulation employee Bruceil Mays (left) and Linda Hobbs, executive administrative assistant to the president.

Advertising Department (L-R): Sharon Maxey, Denise Petty, LeRoy Lewis III, Rita Wise and Lisa Shoemake.

Business Office (L-R): Kay Toliver, Angie Kuhn, Arthur Carter Sr., Shirl Williams and Crystal Dalton.

Staff Photographer Curtis Guynn

Editorial Team (L-R): Ericka Thompson, Joshua Cohen, Shannon Williams and Brandon Perry.

Art & Production Department (L-R): Chris Castle, Jeana Marie Lewis, and John L. Hurst Jr.

Sports Photographer Walt Thomas

Recorder Correspondent Carl Bradley (Staff Photos/J. Hurst)

JRUPPHBL, mpjpwK Recorder Correspondent Annette Anderson

Recorder Correspondent James Keough

Ona Cartwright

Woman, believed to be oldest in state, misses relatives

By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer

Ona Cartwright, an Indianapolis resident, recently celebrated her 109th birthday, and is believed to be the oldest living woman in the state. She has lived through the rough, lower middle class lifestyle of the Victorian age, both World Wars, the Great Depression, possible nuclear holocaust of the Cold War, and other events that her contemporaries did not survive. One would think that a woman with such a rich history would have enjoyed the presence of proud family members this past holiday season. But unfortunately, that was not the case. Cartwright currently lives at the Highland Manor Health Care facility, 2926 N. Capitol Ave. Few people come to visit Cartwright, and she has not seen any of her relatives since December of 1990, when her daughter-in-law, Charlotte Murphy, brought her to Scott Manor, where Cartwright stayed before being moved to Highland. “I had a grandmother, who lived to be over a 100,” said Mazuro Sanders, a visitor who befriended Cartwright and

eventually became her guardian. “I’m almost certain that ifher relatives, wherever they are, knew she .' existed and was still alive, they " would be delighted to see her.” ‘ Cartwright has been described as a humble woman who main- ; ■ tains a sharp sense of humor and ' speaks with a Southern drawl. She enjoys listening to Al Green and ^ is thankful for the quality care given to her by workers at High- ' land Manor. She’s usually pushed in a wheelchair, but occasionally ’ lifts herself up to stand. “Ms. Cartwright loves music, and loves dancing,” said Linda Patton, Highland’s activities affairs director. Cartwright said she wanted to give a hearty “hello” to the city of Indianapolis when the Recorder visited her. After learning of her ‘ scheduled appearance in the pa-' per, she said, in her characteristic humor, “That is the only thing that’s gonna do me any good.” Cartwright is unable to give information about her family on her own because she suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. She and her late husband moved to Indianapolis in 1921. She cannot remember his name. Anyone who believes they are related to Cartwright or has information about her family is encouraged to call Highland Manor at (317) 926-0254.

New Year’s Wedding

Arnetta Versell Williams and Anthony Wade King, Sr. had a special New Year's Eve marriage ceremony at the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Fitzhugh L. Lyons, Sr., officiated the ceremony. (Photo provided)

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