Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/76177
FEATURES Dear Annie: My younger broth- er, ''George,'' is on the autism spec- trum. He has a friend, ''Cindy,'' with similar needs. For the past few years, my parents have Cindy into our home, and now she feels comfortable inviting herself over and doing whatever she wants. This means bossing George around and yelling at him while he avoids her by watching TV in a differ- ent room. She also carries our cats as if they are dolls. She won't let go even when they protest by scratching and biting. welcomed Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar know better, but she is loud, pushy and obnoxious. She doesn't listen when someone tells her ''no.'' Despite my best efforts to be polite and civil, I can- not tolerate her. When she's here, I leave the house or lock myself in my room. The problem is, my parents are often too preoccupied with business, phone calls and visits from our neigh- bors to deal with Cindy, so I have to be the emergency adult. I have tried talking to my parents about Cindy, pointing out her behavior and the way she treats George, but my pleas fall on deaf ears. Cindy's parents Cindy is in her late teens and should aren't any better. In fact, I think they are taking advantage of us by letting Cindy spend so much time here. But I seem to be the only one bothered. Is there anything I can do to put an end to these visits without causing offense? I can't take much more of her. — Ignored and Outraged Dear Ignored: Cindy's behavior may not be as tempered at this age as you seem to believe it should be, so we urge you to be less judgmental. In fact, you are in an excellent position to explain to Cindy how to treat the cats more gently and behave in a more acceptable manner. But if you don't wish to work with her, she should not be your problem. George can tell your parents if he no longer wants Cindy to visit, and they should handle it. And when Cindy is around, your parents should supervise more closely. We sus- pect they are avoiding her, too. Dear Annie: My daughter and I recently hosted a bridal shower in my home. We planned a fun event and took special pains with the food and drink offered. I was terribly offended when sever- al guests came with their own large sodas. We had lemonade, iced tea and water all served in crystal pitchers with lemon slices. Meanwhile, their big plastic cups with straws were not a pretty sight, especially when they plopped them down on my end tables. Please tell people that when they are invited to someone's home where Friday, July 27, 2012 – Daily News 5A Bothered by autistic girl refreshments will be served, it is rude to bring their own. — Not a Fan of the Big Gulp Dear Fan: Consider them told. But don't expect them to listen. Too many folks do not understand what appropri- ate behavior means — and resent any attempt to be educated about it. Dear Annie: ''Retiree in Florida'' took issue with a reader who said his widowed father sold the family house and used the proceeds to buy a new one with his new wife. She said whatever assets she built up with her husband are for her children, not his next wife. When my wife died, the first thing I Post-polio syndrome can affect survivors did was replace the old carpeting and repaint the inside of the house to get rid of the smoke smell from her cigarette habit. When I remarried, I moved. If any of my children say I should have given them money from the sale of the house, I will tell them that if they want money, they should go to work. If I had died first, my wife could have done the same thing. If ''Retiree'' wants the kids to get the house, she should put it in the will. — Happier Now Than Ever Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. READER PHOTOS DEAR DOCTOR K: My grandfather had polio decades ago. He recently went to the doc- tor and was diagnosed with post-polio syn- drome. What is this? And what can he do to regain his strength? DEAR READER: Post-polio syndrome is the term for a collection of symptoms that occur decades after infection with the polio virus. The main symptom of the condition is new muscle weakness. Polio is caused by infec- tion with the polio virus. The initial symptoms often include muscle weakness, and sometimes complete paralysis, that develops over a few days. (That's why polio, which often hit young children, once was called "infantile paralysis.") Most people retain some perma- nent weakness. Perhaps the best-known example is Pres- ident Franklin D. Roosevelt, who developed polio as a young man and whose legs remained paralyzed for the rest of his life. regain full strength. Whether fully or partially recovered, a person's condition one year after getting polio is general- ly the way he or she will remain for many decades thereafter. Some people with polio Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. bilitation of several types. Physical therapy can increase muscle strength and endurance, and can help improve balance and prevent falls. If the arms and hands are involved, occupational therapists can help improve functions such as writing or cooking. Therapists may recommend special adaptive equipment for the home or office. Speech and language pathologists can evaluate and treat swallowing and speech problems. some develop it while others do not, nor what causes it. There is some evi- dence that immune system cells are, for unclear reasons, attacking the spinal cord. Treatment includes reha- Orthotists can provide braces for the legs. President Roosevelt could not stand up, but he gave hundreds of speeches while standing — because his leg braces held him up. Many people did not even know he was para- lyzed. Then, for some people, something happens. Even if they had regained full strength, they start to get weaker. Muscles in their arms, legs or trunk start to lose bulk. They may begin having difficulty with swal- lowing, talking or breathing, since all those activities require certain muscles. Other symptoms include muscle pain, fatigue and cold intolerance. Often, the new weakness appears in muscles that were thought to be unaffected by polio. All polio survivors, regardless of how mild or severe their symptoms were when they initially had polio, can develop post-polio syn- drome. It's not clear why Submitted by Lisa Nye "I'm Exhausted!" Some complications require specific treatments. For example, if your grand- father has difficulty swal- lowing, he may be helped by using different positions dur- ing meals. Or if your grand- father's breathing is being affected, his doctor may pre- scribe an air-pressure mask and machine to support breathing during sleep. Post-polio syndrome usu- ally worsens slowly. But with a good rehab program and lifestyle changes, your grandfather should be able to return to or approach his pre- vious level of functioning. Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. To send questions, go to AskDoctorK.com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115. Submitted by Bronwyn Meyer "June Bug taking a rest with pheasy." 'Joy of Painting' mashup LOS ANGELES (AP) — On the heels of PBS' hit Mister Rogers video mashup, a second public TV favorite is getting the star treatment. PBS said Thursday it has posted a video remix with clips from ''The Joy of Painting'' instruction- al series, featuring the late Bob Ross. The ''Happy Painter'' remix is from John Boswell, who created the ''Garden of Your Mind'' video tribute to Fred Rogers. That mashup of clips from ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' has been viewed nearly 6 million times on YouTube. ''The Joy of Painting,'' still seen in repeats, aired on PBS from 1983 to 1994 with its bushy- haired, mellow-voiced host. Ross died in 1995 of cancer at age 52. The two PBS Digital Studios mashups are the start of a ''PBS icons remixed'' series that's intended to get people talking about public TV and to support their local PBS stations. Boswell, also known as Melodysheep, has done autotuned video pieces featuring prominent scien- tists including Neil deGrasse Tyson and the late Carl Sagan. RANDAL S. ELLOWAY DDS IMPLANT DENTISTRY 2426 SO. MAIN ST., RED BLUFF 530-527-6777 Photo submitted by Mike Murphy Grandson Jack Murphy on opening day in Tehama- July 19! Fish on! There's silver in that there river. Gonna be a good year! 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