34 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 25, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Adoptive families embrace support group By Sabrina Byrnes SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Parents and children who have been touched by adop tion can embrace a sense of belonging as they share their stories and experiences with other families in similar situa tions. `Belonging' is the name of a support group for parents with adopted children that was started by Janice McDonald, of Burlington. McDonald, who has two adopted children, Mark, 19, and Karen 17, started the group because she felt there was a need for a support sys tem. She envisioned a group of people coming together to give encouragement and sup port to others who have shared the same experiences. "It's being together with others that have an under standing, and we're all sort of going through the same thing," said McDonald com menting on the importance of the group. "Unless you have an adopt ed child, you don't under stand." McDonald claims there are Atun Narang, D.D.S. Smokers Should `Whiten Up'After Kicking the Habit With the increase of `Smokers' kicking the habit, dentists are encouraging the efforts by suggesting they reward themselves with a teeth whitening treatment. Tobacco users place themselves at an increased risk of oral, lung and throat cancer. In addition to the well-documented health benefits associated with quitting smoking, those who give up tobacco products can dramatically improve their smile by undergoing teeth whitening procedures. Plus, a bright smile is always more appealing when it is accompanied with fresh breath. The most unattractive thing about a smile is having yellow or discoloured teeth, accord ing to a 2004 AACD scientific poll. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, a tobacco user that smoke an average of two packs of cigarettes per week will spend nearly $500.00 a year on tobacco-quite a bit to put towards a teeth whitening treatment instead! Teeth whitening treatments are the number one requested cosmetic dental procedures*. Dentist-supervised teeth whitening products remain the best method to help patients erase the nasty stains of tobacco products. We recommend all patients consult with their local dentist to review their options for brightening their smile through teeth whiten ing procedures. The tllree most common teeth whitening options include: At-Home Dentist-Supervised Treatments- Patients wear a custom-fitted mouth tray containing whitening gel for a few hours each day or night. Trays can be adjusted to · lighten individual teeth. The average patient wears the tray for one to two weeks. Severe tobacco stains can often be removed W ith extended use of a home whitening system prescribed by a dentist. In-Office Power Whitening- A whitening gel containing a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth. Desired results can often be achieved in just one visit' to a dental office performing this procedure. Often, at-home treatments, as described above, may be recommended to enhance the effects. Over-the-Counter Kits-While numerous over-the-counter (OTC) kits are now available, dentist-supervised treatments remain the safest way to remove tobacco stains. OTC trays often fit improperly and can release whitening gel that results in irritated gums and less effective results. A key point to note: dentists can monitor each patient's sensitivity in supervised treatments, but not with OTC kits. Yours for better dental health, unique problems that are faced by adopted children because they deal with .rejec tion issues, which can lead to attachment disorder and other difficulties. In the same way that ani mals know their moms when they are bom through their scent, McDonald said babies know their mothers, as well. From the first moment they are handed to their adoptive mom, they know that' s not who they belong to, said McDonald. · "From that moment when they know that that's not who they^belong to, they make a subconscious decision that they are either going to bond or they're not," said McDonald, adding that while her son bonded, her daughter did not. She claimed she could never settle Karen as a baby, but she would calm right down when handed to Janice' s husband Scott. "I used to think I just wore her out, that she was tired by the time he got her,"' said McDonald, later realizing that it was rejection issues. McDonald's children are both in counseling, which she feels is beneficial to all chil dren who have been adopted. Karen has difficulties get ting close to anyone. "I feel like I need to reject other people before they have a chance to reject me. "I push people away, and I refuse to let people get really close to me, and I don't open up very easily," said Karen. McDonald did not have the help of a support group when she was raising her adopted children, but she did have the help of one couple, who became her mentor. Although things are a little easier now, her journey was not always smooth. McDonald thought others could benefit from her experiences. See Support page 35 SABRINA BYRNES / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Alliance Chiropody (Foot Care) Clinic Member of Alliance Healthcare Professionals Inc. O F F E R I N G S U P P O R T : Janice McDonald w ith her adopt ed daughter Karen. Janice has formed a support group for par ents w ith adopted children. A c u p u n c tu r e fo r C a r T r e a tm e n t "Providing quality foot care to meet all your foot health needs " REG. CHIROPODIST Specializing jn: ·Foot/Arch Pain ·General/Diabetic Care ·Permanent Ingrown Toenail Removal ' Custom Made Foot Orthotics m m m Q El Acupuncture is a NEW concept to many people in treating car injuries. Acupuncture is an effective, profound healing therapy that encourages the body's natural healing ability. There's the case ofa 67-year-old lady who had a car injury 3 years ago. She tried many therapies and went to a lot of specialists; they all gave her pain killers, anti-depressants, and sleeping pills for her headache, shoulder, neck pains & depression. Her injury did not improve. Having a hope, she headed to Acupuncture & Herbs Clinic at Hopedale Mall for an alternative approach. After 6 months of acupuncture treatment with Dr. Zhang, she finally realized a life without pain and she didn't have to take any more pills. She was very happy and thankful to have met Dr. Ac. Zhang so she could return to her normal life. During the treatment, her insurance adustor was very supportive. A physician and his wife came to D r. Zhang for acupuncture treatment shortly after their car accident. After only two treatments, their headaches; dizziness, neck pain and stiff shoulder and upper back pain dissapeared. Two weeks later they saw Dr. Zhang and told him theyfelt great, no m ore pain. If you have had a car accident recently, or have a long-standing condition, call Dr. Zhang and let him help you. ·Please visit www.acupunctureherbs.ca A c u p u n c tu re & H e rb s CA LL 905- 845-229 232 SO U TH S E R V IC E ROAD E . OAKVILLE B .S c ., D .D .S . Join Our Growing Dental F a m ily... and benefit from the protection offered by our 5-year continuing care dental warranty that guarantees all porcelain crowns, bridges, veneers and dental implants for 5 full years. 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