Page 3 - 6-21-16 Tuesday's Edition

Features
Registered Nurse
Fundraiser Launched To Get Handicapped
To Speak At Monthly
Health Forum
Van For Young Accident
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The Monthly Health Forum, hosted by the Men’s Group, will take place on Friday, June 24th, beginning at 11 a.m. The forum will be held at College Hill Church Of God In Christ, 6414 N. 30th Street, (corner of N. 30th Street and E. Diana).
This month, the keynote speaker for the forum is Mrs. Elaine Gibbons, Registered Nurse. Additionally, in her personal life, Mrs. Gibbons is an accomplished wife, mother, and volunteer at her church and at the Red Cross. As a professional, Mrs. Gib- bons has been a Flight Atten- dant, Actress, Speaker, Singer, and Costume Designer.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mrs. Gibbons and her family moved to Queens, where she attended high school. She continued her ed- ucation and graduated from Middlesex College, where she earned her degree as a Regis- tered Nurse. She was recog- nized as “Outstanding Student Nurse,” and was the recipient of the Black Achievement Award.
She was able to attend and graduate from college while both of her sons were full time students as well.
Mrs. Gibbons later re- turned to Kean College to fur- ther her education.
During her life’s journey, Mrs. Gibbons has not been a stranger to illness. During the years following high school to now, she has endured 14 sur- geries. Some of the illnesses she has battled includes Spinal Laminectomy, 4 Retinal De- tachments, and Breast Cancer.
However, she never allowed
MS. ELAINE GIBBONS, R. N.
her physical conditions to out- weigh her aspirations. As a youngster, she found that in- volving herself in several sports was the perfect solution to invest in because it helped her body to heal before and after surgery.
As the keynote speaker for the monthly Health Forum, Mrs. Gibbons will share her story as she talks from the prospective of a medical pro- fessional. Her topic is, “Un- known Facts About Breast Cancer.” She will also provide information to help others to lead healthy and productive lives.
Despite the many challenges Mrs. Gibbons has faced and overcome, she credits her faith and prayer. Her mantra is “It’s not over until He says so.”
The purpose of the forum is bringing attention to the need of maintaining a healthy lifestyle by having timely med- ical attention. All members of the community are invited to attend the forum.
The forum is free and open to the public. For additional information about the forum contact Coach Billy Reed, at (813) 744-4923, or Chester White, Jr., at (813) 327- 2804.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Sixteen months ago, a young cheerleader was injured in a traffic accident. Doctors told her parents that she would not survive.
However, ShaTayshia Brinson has survived and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Freddie (Jencey) Brinson, Jr., with the help of others, have worked tirelessly to bring her home. In addition to preparing their home to make it accessible for ShaTayshia, the family must now obtain a handicap van to transport the 12-year-old.
The accident occurred as members of her family were returning to Tampa from Gainesville. Several family members had attended a men’s basketball game be- tween the University of
SHATAYSHIA BRINSON ... Injured in traffic accident January 20, 2015
Florida and LSU. Their family member, Jordan Mickey plays for LSU.
ShaTayshia was in a vehi- cle with other family members who had attended a basketball game in Gainesville when the
accident took place. She was ejected as the vehicle flipped several times.
After several weeks of hos- pitalization she was trans- ferred from Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville to The Children’s Center at Sabal Palms, in Largo.
Before the accident, ShaTayshia led a very active life. She loved dancing and was a cheerleader for the Fair Oaks Rattlers. She attended Ferrell Middle School and was active at the family’s church, Friendly M. B. Church.
An electronic fundraiser was established on June 9, 2016 to raise money to obtain a handicap van for the little girl affectionately called “Duda Bug.” Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit the website at https://www.gofundme.com/ 283r7q3s.
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3