POSTED 1/26/2010
Shaw Library Awarded Grant for Family Collection Article and photo courtesy of GantDaily/Jessica Shirey CLEARFIELD - The Joseph and Elizabeth Shaw Public Library will benefit from the legacy left through the Jennifer Mae Bowers Memorial Foundation for Postpartum Disorders. Paula Marshall, library director, was presented with a $5,000 grant on Monday from President Jeremy Condon on behalf of the foundation. She said the funding would not only better the library's family-related resources, but also raise awareness of the foundation's initiative. "Jennifer highly valued education. It's a part of our mission," Condon said. "We wanted materials accessible for everyone. Here, those resources can be used to the fullest potential." Marshall said she and foundation representatives discussed the family, pregnancy and parenting collections at the library. She said through the process, she realized it was an area needing development. With the grant, she said they'd update their literature for pregnancy and child birth to include self-help about postpartum depression. She said they were working together to select resources that will be archived in the library database. Marshall said they'd showcase the materials during their reading and pre-school programs. She said it would also be beneficial to both the children and their families who are participants in both library programs. "It's a great opportunity for us. We're very excited and honored that they thought of us," she said. Condon added, "It's a two-year commitment, depending on funding available. But it's one we hope lasts a lifetime." Postpartum Disorders & Foundation Background Condon said postpartum disorders are dangerously complicated health issues. He said if the disorder's symptoms become severe, they can sometimes be "unpredictable, violent and tragic," resulting in patient and or infant death. Condon said one in every eight women is affected by postpartum disorders. He said every new mother is at risk for some sort of postpartum disorder. But he said there is relatively little education available to medical staff, mental health workers, patients or families about these diseases. As a result, he said it often results in misunderstanding, misdiagnosing, and improper treatment of patients with postpartum diseases. "It's an overlooked disease. We want to help raise awareness because it is very real," Condon said. He said Jennifer suffered from severe postpartum depression but physicians and mental health works were unable to find treatment methods specific enough for her symptoms. He said, "They used the best tools that they had available to them. We want to equip health professionals with the multidisciplinary tools that are necessary for the job." Condon said Jennifer worked in the health field and understood her symptoms and their origin. He said patients who experience severe postpartum symptoms are better able to cope with knowledge of the same. "It is part of our mission to provide educational opportunities to patients, families and professionals," he said. He said since Jennifer's passing, many people have opened up about those who are suffering from postpartum disorders. "Many more, however, have never heard of postpartum depression, or don't know what it is. Postpartum disorders need attention. The foundation's goals are to focus much needed attention on serious postpartum disorders." He said the foundation was founded in June 2007 and is a 501(c)(3) public charity. He said their approach involves each individual who suffers from the disorder - the mother, the father, the baby and the family - in both the prevention and treatment stages. Condon said prevention begins with regular prenatal postpartum risk assessments and follow-ups during the labor and postpartum periods. He said it's essential for new mothers to receive quick diagnosis and treatment. Condon said Jennifer didn't experience any classic symptoms of postpartum depression. He said her diagnosis was delayed due to the lack of risk factors present and the medical community's limited exposure to the disease. "The foundation was formed to create something positive from the tragedy that impacted so many of Jennifer's friends and family," he said. "She was a compassionate and kind person toward all people. We will assure her compassion lives on." For additional information about the foundation, please contact Jeremy Condon by phone at 814-577-2710 or by e-mail at jer@chromebicycle.com . Any interested patron can make tax deductable donations through Clearfield Bank & Trust to the Jennifer Mae Bowers Postpartum Depression Memorial Fund. They can also mail any donations directly to: The Jennifer Mae Bowers Memorial Foundation for Postpartum Disorders, 400 Elm Ave., Clearfield, PA 16830. |
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September 7th, 2010
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