Page 13 - 4-10-15 Friday's Edition

FLORIDA SENTINEL FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015
B
‘Healthy Kids Day’ Set For Curtis Hixon Park
Curtis Hixon Water- front Park will be the gathering spot for some healthy kids this month.
On Saturday, April 25 Tampa Area YMCAs will be hosting an event to inspire increased ac- tivity and healthy habits among families and children of all ages.
The free event, which takes place from 10 a. m. until 1 p. m. will fea- ture bounce houses, fit- ness demonstrations, crafts, safety informa- tion, healthy snacks, giveaways, live DJ and more.
Curtis Hixon Water- front Park is located at 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa.
For more informa- tion, call (813)224- 9622, ext. 1240.
‘Mock Trial’ Provides Mentoring Opportunity For Local Attorney
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
For the second straight year, Attor- ney Sean Shaw has hosted a “Mock Trial” to help familiarize the youth with the legal process and judicial process, both crimi-
nal and civil. This
year’s event was held Atty. Sean Shaw (standing, right) listens closely as a stu- March 27th. dent participates in the Mock Trial. His wife, Atty. Tammi
“During the Mock Shaw is seated to his left.
Trial, they can be lawyers, witnesses, and cover all aspects of courtroom pro- cedure.
“My wife, Tammi and I guide them through the process.”
Atty. Shaw said this year, 16 kids from Bible Truth Ministries partici- pated.
“When we talk to the kids, we dispel the things they see on television about courtroom procedures. We also tell them that lawyers don’t give testimony, and we show them how to redirect questions. They also make closing ar- guments.”
Atty. Shaw said he does a lot of mentoring with young people all over the city, and the Mock Trial is just one way of giving them something to think about. “The students are into it, and several told us they are inte-rested in studying law.
“We take them to the courthouse and let them sit in on actual trials. They write down questions to ask about the things they don’t understand.”
Atty. Shaw said it’s important
young people understand the conse- quences of making bad decisions.
“We teach them it’s better if they stay on the other side of the defendants’ table.
“It’s important we enlighten the young people about different careers, and the Criminal Justice System is a good place for them to start. It’s impor- tant they know the difference between juvenile courts and adult courts, and dispel the notion that if they commit a violent crime as a teenager or pre-teen, the system will be more tolerant of them and just let them go.”
Atty. Shaw said it’s important to remember that they are dealing with impressionable, underdeveloped minds that can be so easily influenced.
“A lot of kids get into trouble be- cause they believe the decisions they are making are the right ones.
“If they truly are shown the conse- quences of making bad decisions, they will begin to realize they have choices and options. Everything doesn’t have to be negative and full of anger and hate.”
4-Year-Old Diagnosed With Terminal Cancer
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
A month ago, 4-year-old Ayden Benbow, along with his mother, Mar- cella McCrea and his four siblings were preparing to embark on one of his fa- vorite journeys: a trip to Pensacola to visit his grandmother.
Ms. McCrea said Ayden had been complaining about headaches, and it had gotten to the point she felt he needed to see a doctor. During one of his visits, an MRI revealed a mass on his brain.
A return to the doctor gave Ms. Mc- Crea and Ayden news they weren’t ex- pecting. He has Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a disease that affects the pons portion of the brainstem, rendering the nervous system function impossible.
Symptoms include double vision, in- ability to close the eyelids completely, drooping one side of the face, and diffi- culty chewing and swallowing. Unfortu- nately, the symptoms worsen rapidly, because the tumor is rapidly growing.
DIPG is one of the most resistant of all cancers to chemotherapy treatments and affects primarily children.
Ms. McCrea said when she first got the news, it was difficult to maintain her composure in front of Ayden and her other children.
“It’s so strange. He was fine a month ago, and now this. Now, he has to un- dergo treatments every day, and he tries to stay as active as he can.
“Ayden loves playing with cars, and has a collection he’s still adding to.
“Ayden is the baby, and his siblings are more attentive to him now. His older siblings know what’s going on and the younger ones only know to help him out. He only complains about going to the doctor all the time.”
Ms. McCrea said the diagnosis was
AYDEN BENBOW
something new to her.
“Ayden is not as happy as he used to
be. He doesn’t know what’s wrong with him. He only knows he doesn’t feel good. “Ayden is very smart and upbeat. I had to keep up my faith for him as painful asthisisforbothofus.I’vemetalotof people to help us, as well as some kids
with the same condition he has.”
Ms. McCrea said she’s not giving up on her baby, because she’s seen children who haven’t beaten the disease, but are
survivors.
On April 18th from 10 a. m. until 2 p. m., an event has been planned at Ayden’s school, the Steps to Ma- turity Learning Center, 9508 North Nebraska Avenue.
“We owe Ms. Lydia Sams and Ms. Kristy Sams a lot of thanks because of what they’re trying to do for Ayden.
“We hope a lot of people will come out and interact with him so he can smile and understand people still like to be around him.”
Ayden’s family has also set up a “Go Fund” account for him.
To learn more about Ayden and his special event call (813) 932-2933.