Cell 2 Soul: The Humane Health Care Blog

Rugby World Cup

Adam Kleeberger, center, of Canada was brought down by Japanese players during their Rugby World Cup match in New Zealand.   

Sensei Keiko Fukuda

Banzai!! Banzai!! Banzai!!! to Sensei Keiko Fukuda of San Francisco. She recently became the first woman to earn a 10th degree black belt in judo, at the age of 98. Only three others have this martial arts highest ranking - all men living in Japan. Fukuda started learning judo more than 75 years ago in Japan and still teaches three times a week. Earning this black belt was her lifelong dream.  You can see an inspiring YouTube segment on Sensei Fukuda.

Coach: Above and Beyond

Coach and player sat in front of cameras and microphones at a table bedecked with Wake Forest caps — a scene reminiscent of the day last week when football recruits across the nation wore the hats of the colleges they had chosen.

This event was different, distinguished by white-coated surgeons who flanked the athlete — and by the player’s periodic wincing from the fresh, deep incision in his right side.

“I didn’t ask,” said Jordan, a freshman, who was not a transplant match with family members. Coach Tom Walter had volunteered.

In these days of venality and self-interest, we need feel-good stories like this.  Coaches and mentors can inspire us to be better people, bigger souls... Read Full Article.

Faces at the Finish

There were 45,344 runners who participated in the 2010 New York City Marathon. Here are 99 of them right after they crossed the finish line.

Each one tells a story.  See 99/45,322 (from the NY Times Journal of Sports)

  

 
  

Marginal Notes: One of the Club

 

My daughter’s fiancé, who is now my new son-in-law, invited me to a golf outing the day before their wedding.  Although it pained me deeply to admit it, the last time I had played golf was twenty-some years ago—and that was the miniature variety.  With the exception of one disastrous afternoon attempt at chip and putt as an adolescent, the only other time I had ever set foot on a conventional golf course was in high school when I ran cross-country.  “Sure,” I choked.  “I’d be happy to come.”  >>more

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: A Pleasant Two-Minute Diversion

 

Photo by Steve Helber/AP 

 

I walked through the front door of the pub and slid into a seat across from the bar.  A few regulars had gathered in front of one of the big screen TVs.  Bob Costas was interviewing Calvin Borel, the jockey slated to ride Rachel Alexandra in this year’s Preakness Stakes.

 

I sat for a while in the darkness in one of the small booths by the brick wall.  It had not been a pleasant morning at work.  Shortly after I arrived at the office I was informed of the accidental death of a mother who brought her daughters to our practice....more

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Marginal Notes: Life Span

Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images

Surgeon-poet George S. Bascom wrote:  "When life strikes a blow of irresistible force or offers a joy both gratuitous and intense, I find a poem may be the only adequate response."
 
Like Dr. Bascom, I sometimes experience "a stab of profound pleasure when a poem emerges."...more

 

Brian T. Maurer has practiced pediatrics as a Physician Assistant for thirty years.  His "Marginal Notes" column appears periodically in the Cell2Soul Blog. The title "Marginal Notes" is taken from a quote by Henry David Thoreau: "I love a broad margin to my life."

Cell 2 Sport

The New Times Journal of Medicine has an interesting article about a genetic test for sports ability that will determine the athletic potential of a new born.  "The test’s goal is to determine whether a person would be best at speed and power sports like sprinting or football, or endurance sports like distance running, or a combination of the two.  Atlas Sports Genetics is marketing this."

This is a thorough well-researched article that discusses pros and cons.  We'd be interested in hearing from parents, grandparents and pediatric practitioners in the C2S cybersphere about this Brave New World.

NYT, November 29, 2008  Little Ones Get Test for Sports Gene

Comments:

Brian Maurer, Pediatric Practitioner:  So now we have the ability to test young children for a gene that might help to determine future athletic ability.  Depending upon the results, children can be channeled at relatively young ages into specific training venues to enhance their natural athletic prowess.  Amazing—and all for the cost of just $149!
     I note that the two chief proponents of the test—Mr. Reilly and Mr. Epley—happen to have vested economic interests in marketing both the test and the training venues.  In spite of this obvious fact, many parents will undoubtedly jump at the chance to have their toddler tested.  One mother’s words are telling:  “What if my son could be a pro football player and I don’t know it?”  What if indeed?
     I echo Mr. Morgan’s sentiment that not many parents are going to be clear-minded about this.  For years we’ve had parents squabbling about the caliber of their children’s preschool experience to improve the chances that their son or daughter would gain admittance to a top undergraduate school.  In a sense, evaluating children for athletic ability falls in line with such over-zealous thinking.
    I agree with Dr. Ray Howe, the general practitioner in Denver, who says he would rather see his 2-year-old find his own way in life and discover what sports he likes the best.  But then I’m old-fashioned:  I still believe in letting children enjoy their childhood.

Caitlin Stiglmeier, Medical Student: I like the idea of letting kids be kids, and testing their speed on Dr. Fowlers'  "line then up and let them run" method. A child should be able to pursue the type of sports they are passionate about, not what they're genetically capable of.  Ultimately, what really determines a person's success, athletic or otherwise, is tenacity, passion, determination and attitude. 

Your comments are welcome as well.