March is BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH
Janice Osborne Dowdy, MS, CCC/SLP, CBIS

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month across the country. Whether you know it or not, you
most likely know more than one person who has suffered a brain injury. The severity of these
injuries can range from what might be labeled a “mild concussion” to severe injuries that result
in permanent disability or death. Strokes, aneurysms, and brain tumors also fall under the
umbrella of a brain injury. A brain injury can also just result from the loss of oxygen to the brain
such as in a situation of cardiac arrest or heart attack.

In 2020, there were 64,000 deaths from brain injury. That breaks down to 176 deaths per DAY.
There are over 5.4 million people living with a brain injury in our country. It is the leading cause
of death and disability in children and young adults, and adults over 75 have the highest rate of
hospitalizations and death. It is also one of the most untreated medical emergencies because
individuals do not seek out treatment in many cases.

More males than females experience a brain injury. Motor vehicle and bicycle accidents, as well
as falls, make up the largest percentages of mode of injury. Domestic violence, physical attack,
and sports-related incidents also contribute significantly to the injuries.
The GOOD NEWS…..individuals can continue to improve following injury and be productive
members of society returning to their previous life roles with intervention and therapy services
that are specifically targeted towards the deficits they may experience with memory, attention,
problem solving, reasoning, self-care, balance, and ambulation, as well as addressing the
emotional factors resulting in such injury.

This art project “Bloomin’ Brains” was completed by survivors of brain injury to celebrate Brain
Injury Awareness Month and celebrate the fact that although their brains may have been
“broken” in the process, they are “blooming” back beautifully!

Janice Osborne Dowdy is a medical speech language pathologist and certified brain injury
specialist treating individuals at NeuroRestorative Ashland, in addition to traveling the country
to provide education to clinicians and physicians about brain injury rehabilitation. She can be
contacted at 606-928-0106 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ROSE HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL:  FAITH, FAMILY, FUNDAMENTALS

Deidra Bowling-Meade

Ashland Beacon

Rose Hill Christian School in Ashland, Kentucky is already gearing up for the 2023-2024 school year and ready to enroll new students into its wonderful program.  The Royals were recently knighted as a fully accredited school by the Association of Christian Schools International, which will give them a full accreditation for the next six years. This accreditation showcases just how valuable this school is to the community and how the school is setting the bar high for the students.

Mori Crawford who is the Academic Counselor/ Test Coordinator for Rose Hill Christian School shared, “Rose Hill Christian School opened its doors in the fall of 1980. Since that time, we have been providing a top-notch alternative to public school education to families throughout the Tri-State area. Accreditation with ACSI engages schools in a vigorous, holistic process of organizational appraisal and improvement that engages every school constituent. Our program is a highly regarded Christian program for member schools. We have partnerships with all of the U.S. regional accreditation agencies and offer joint accreditation with numerous accrediting organizations.”

The accreditation assessed the school’s performance in foundational areas of Christian education:

• Bible Knowledge and Biblical Worldview
• Academic Excellence
• Life Skills and Practical Application of Knowledge
• Character building and Spiritual Formation

 Crawford discussed the benefits of Rose Hill Christian School’s accreditation stating, “Parents seeking the best Christian education for their children know our school is committed to excellence. Students graduating from accredited Christian schools qualify for admission to most colleges and universities, and credits transfer between schools nationally and internationally. Instruction at our school improves through a continuous process of self-assessment designed to result in increased student achievement.”

Not only does Rose Hill Christian School standout with its accreditation, it creates an exceptional environment with its certified teachers, small class sizes, extra-curricular availability, family atmosphere, and Christian principles.  Rose Hill offers a variety of clubs, mainly at the middle school/ high school level including Beta Club, Key Club, Chess Club, and Young Authors.  Drama is also offered at the school with a whole school production each year. Rose Hill is a member of the KHSAA and also offers a variety of sports for all age groups.  Currently, Rose Hill Christian School has archery for students beginning in the 4th grade, boys and girls basketball for all ages, cheerleading for elementary, and for middle and high school students baseball, volleyball, track and field, golf, and tennis. The school is always open to adding more teams/sports if there is a sufficient number of interested students and an available coach.  

Crawford noted, “Rose Hill has a challenging curriculum, and caring teachers help students flourish.  We typically find that our students are studying material one to two years ahead of students transferring in from public schools in our area.  At Rose Hill, we have an average student/teacher ratio of 9:1.  Small class sizes mean that our teachers really get to know our students and are able to give each student more individual attention. Because we are a small school, we get to know each other well and we become FAMILY.  Students get to know other students across grade levels.  Parents get to know each other and develop relationships with teachers.  Biblical truth and Christian worldview form a solid foundation for teaching throughout all grades and subjects.  God’s Word is the foundation upon which we build our lives, and upon which we have built our school.”

Dr. Lonnie Laney, who is the principal at Rose Hill Christian School remarked, “Rose Hill Christian school is an awesome school with a staff that is so dedicated to children. I have lived and worked in Eastern Kentucky my whole career and knew that Rose Hill existed, but I did not realize what a great small school it was and is until I started working here three years ago. All our teachers have college degrees and in fact every teacher working here in grades 1-12 are certified to teach either through the Kentucky Department of Education or through ACSI (American Christian Schools International). Even our K4 and K5 program is focused on teaching the basics students need before entering first grade. Our students leave kindergarten reading and doing basic math. Rose Hill seeks out high quality teachers. Six members of the staff have 25 or more years of teaching experience. With small class sizes, we are able to provide lots of individual attention which students need. I cannot say enough good things about Rose Hill.  I’m so thankful for our students and teachers. I truly am proud and impressed with all the things Rose Hill offers.”

Open Enrollment for new students begins on March 21st.  You can also schedule an Educational Success Consultation.  Call the school or visit the website for more information: 606.324.6105 or www.rhcsky.com

King’s Daughters First in Region to Offer Aveir Leadless Pacemaker

   King’s Daughters Medical Center is pleased to now offer Abbott’s new Aveir VR leadless pacemaker – the world’s only leadless pacemaker designed to be retrieved. The device received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in March 2022.

   Pacemakers are commonly used to treat slow heart rate, or bradycardia; to prevent or treat irregular heart rhythms; and to regulate rapid heart rates (tachycardia). Cardiac electrophysiologist Basel Edris, M.D., performed the first Aveir implant procedure at KDMC on Tuesday, March 7.

   “The Aveir leadless pacemaker offers many benefits for patients,” Dr. Edris said. “The device is implanted in the lower right chamber of the heart, meaning that leads are not required for the device to work. This eliminates several potential complications associated with leads, including displacement and erosion.” Further, he said, the Aveir device can be retrieved for battery replacement, if the device needs to be changed, or if the recom-mended therapy changes, he noted.

   “The Aveir device has an impressive battery life,” Edris said, “which is up to two times longer than other leadless options.”

   The Aveir leadless pacemaker measures just 38 millimeters – smaller than a AAA battery.

   “King’s Daughters continues to offer the most advanced technology and expertise to the people of our region,” said Kim Grooms, executive administrator of heart and vascular services. “The Aveir device is just one example of how we are bringing the latest knowledge, expertise, and technology to our communities.”

   For more information about the Aveir device at King’s Daughters, speak with your cardiologist or give us a call at 606.324.4745. Same-day appointments are available.

Ashland Falls to Eventual State Championship

James Collier

The Ashland Beacon

BOYS SWEET 16

QUARTERFINALS

WARREN CENTRAL 64 ASHLAND 48

   Ashland kept Warren Central in reach for three quarters until the eventual State Champions finally put the Tomcats away in the final stanza for a 64-48 win.

   Warren Central raced out to a 5-0 lead in the opening 50 seconds of the contest but Ashland answered with back-to-back triples from Tucker Conway and Rheyce DeBoard to even the game at 6-6. Ashland took its first and only lead on a Zander Carter triple to put the Tomcats in front 9-8 but the Dragons Kade Unseld connected on three free throws to regain the lead for good.

   Ashland trailed by five after one but a pair of 3s by Braxton Jennings and DeBoard pulled the Tomcats to within, 22-21 midway through the second. DeBoard drained a pair of freebies and finished at the rim to keep the Tomcats within two, but the Dragons ended the frame on a 7-2 run for a 34-27 lead at the break.

   DeBoard pulled Ashland to within three to start the third, but the Tomcats would get no closer as the Dragons pushed the lead to 45-36 after three.

   DeBoard led the Tomcats with 21 points and four assists to earn All-Tournament team honors for the Tomcats. Carter added 14 points.

   Ashland closed the season at 23-12.

OPENING ROUND

ASHLAND 66 OWENSBORO 65

   Ashland needed a miracle in its opening round game with Owensboro.

   Ashland found itself down 65-60 with one minute remaining but Braxton Jennings was not about to let the Tomcats’ season come to an end. Jennings followed a Zander Carter layup with a free throw to trim the deficit to two. Owensboro missed the front end of a bonus free throw leaving Ashland a shot at the comeback.

   Ashland raced the ball into the front court and the ball found its way into the hands of Jen-nings. With Owensboro keeping Carter and Rheyce DeBoard from the ball, Jennings had only one option, shoot the ball. The sophomore backpedaled to get behind the arc and uncorked the biggest shot of his life that sailed through the twine to give the Tomcats a 66-65 lead.

   Owensboro had three looks at the rim and a potential game-winner inside of the final 10 sec-onds, but the final attempts rolled off into the hands of Nate Frieze to lift the Tomcats to the quarterfinals.

   Carter led the Tomcats with 25 points and 13 rebounds. DeBoard kicked in 17. Jennings finished with 10 and went 3 of 4 beyond the arc. Frieze grabbed 11 boards including five offensive.