Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of a series on north Okaloosa County residents with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk is Oct. 26 in DeFuniak Springs.

CRESTVIEW — Benjamin Shea, at 13 months old, is pretty much like any other toddler.

"He laughs the same, he cries the same, he teethes the same,” Benji's mother, Stefanie Shea, said. “He has the same stubborn streak as his brother and sister."

But Benji, as his family calls him, has Down syndrome.

Stefanie and her husband, Chris, knew Benji was going to be special when prenatal screenings came back positive for the genetic disorder that affects development.

"We knew we were going to be blessed," Stefanie said.

While life is as routine in the Shea household as it was when Benji's 2-year-old brother, Logan, was his age, there are a few extra challenges, including physical therapy and other medical appointments, Stefanie said.

When Benji reaches 3 years old, he'll enter school at the same time as Logan, though he'll be in a special needs program. It will "help him stay in line with his intellectual and physical development," Stefanie said.

However, having a child with Down syndrome is no burden, Stefanie and Chris stress. Life remains a typical family's whirlwind of activity, including runny noses, trips to the zoo and shopping.

"We really plan to raise him with the same discipline and the same love," Stefanie said. "There will be the same consistency at home."

The Sheas are putting together a team for the National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk, which is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26  at Walton County High School in DeFuniak Springs.

 "We have our own team registered for the Buddy Walk," Stefanie said. "It's called Bennie and Jets. We are very excited."

Potential donors, supporters or new team members can call Stefanie Shea, 902-2313, for more information.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview mom: Life with Benjamin 'not that different than life with a typical child'

CRESTVIEW — Understanding health insurance options can be difficult — especially for residents who’ve never had coverage — but help is available for those who don’t know the difference between a premium and a pre-existing condition.

Barnes Insurance and Financial Services' Spencer Barnes and Drew Roberts, among others, are helping residents, at no charge, navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace website. Healthcare.gov is a result of the Affordable Care Act — commonly referred to as Obamacare — which President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010. Uninsured residents can visit the website and enroll for health insurance even with a pre-existing condition.

While Barnes and Roberts can’t solve widespread healthcare.gov glitches reported since the site’s launch, they have tried to separate fact from fiction.

For instance, numerous Americans have reported receiving calls from someone claiming to be from the federal government, saying they’re verifying personal information — including a bank account number — before an Affordable Care Act insurance card can be mailed, according to the Better Business Bureau. However, there are no Affordable Care Act insurance cards.

"There is a lot of conflicting information out there, so our goal is to educate people and let them know what is available to them," Roberts said.

Barnes and Roberts answered questions and advised residents on enrollment options Wednesday at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce office.

Deb Winter, a retired widow, said she appreciates the information. Winter, who has been unable to find health coverage due to preexisting conditions for the past five years, said she was skeptical when she first learned about the Affordable Care Act.

"I was thinking (the government) was going to be able to charge you whatever they wanted to, but after being here (Wednesday), I am excited about it."

A licensed Healthcare Exchange certified agent will offer the same assistance from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Crestview Public Library. More dates will be added if necessary.

Local insurance agent Eric Riggenbach will offer information on Medicare and coverage options 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. Nov. 6 at the library. Space is limited; call 862-8082 to reserve a seat.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT:Health Insurance Marketplace information sessions

WHEN:10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Oct. 23

WHERE:Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce office, 1447 Commerce Drive

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Agents demystifying Health Insurance Marketplace for Crestview residents

CRESTVIEW — Organizers are hoping thousands of people will pack Main Street Nov. 2 for the annual Great Strides Race for Lace, raising at least $62,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Approximately 500 participants were expected for last year’s race, but 2,000 showed up, Laurie Hutchison, one of the event organizers, said. This year, she hopes for even more.

SEE photos from last year's Race for Lace >>

"We're planning on having 3,000 this year," she said.

Lacy Adams, 4, of Baker, for whom the event is named, chose this year's $62,000 goal, Hutchison said. Lacy, like Hutchison's daughter Meagan, a Crestview High freshman, has cystic fibrosis.

More than $52,000 was raised during last year's event, Lacy's mom, Lindsay Adams, said.

In advance of the 5-kilometer walk and run, Race for Lace is sponsoring CF 4 CF, or CrossFit for Cystic Fibrosis, Wednesday at Crestview High School's Jack Foster Stadium.

Two-person teams will be challenged to perform a Workout of the Day at one of three competition levels.

"65 Roses," another benefit, is a beauty pageant this Saturday. Registration in 10 categories, including some for boys, is open through today.

Hutchison said the pageant name comes from Lacy's term for "cystic fibrosis," which can be a tongue twister for a small child.

Entry fees for both events, as well as donations and sales of Boston butts on race day, directly benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

WANT TO GO?

Three upcoming events benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation:

WHAT: CF 4 CF (CrossFit for Cystic Fibrosis)

WHEN: 8 a.m. today

WHERE: Jack Foster Stadium, Crestview High School

DETAILS: Registration: $60 per two-person team. Information: Kristy Kolmetz, 826-3707, CF4cysticfibrosis@gmail.com

WHAT: 65 Roses Beauty Pageant

WHEN: Noon, Oct. 19; Rehearsal: 6 p.m. Oct. 17

WHERE: Pearl Tyner Auditorium, Crestview High School

DETAILS: Register by Oct. 16. Admission: $5 at the door. Contact Tanya Richardson, 376-0108, a65rosesbeautypageant@yahoo.com

WHAT: Great Strides Race for Lace 5K Run/Walk

WHEN: Registration at 7 a.m. Nov. 2, event is 9 a.m.

WHERE: Main Street Medical, 369 N. Main St.

DETAILS: Register at active.com, and see www.raceforlace.com for more information

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crossfit competition, pageant, 5K run/walk to benefit cystic fibrosis research

CRESTVIEW — The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Crestview is getting underway; its kickoff is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Riverside Elementary School, 3400 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview. 

As participants gather this year to register teams and launch fundraising efforts, they’ll be helping the American Cancer Society redouble its efforts to make this cancer’s last century – not just for members of Crestview, but around the world.

As the world’s largest grassroots fundraising program, the Relay For Life movement mobilizes friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, service organizations and faith-based groups in communities throughout the country, to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and provide everyone an opportunity to fight back against the disease.

You can get involved with Relay For Life Crestview as a volunteer, team captain, or participant. The Oct. 17 kickoff event at Riverside Elementary School will feature speakers from the community who have benefited from funds raised at Relay events and will honor cancer survivors.

For more information about the program, call the American Cancer Society at 850-244-9042, or visit RelayForLife.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Relay For Life sets Oct. 17 kickoff at Riverside Elementary School

March of Dimes’ Florida chapter seeks applications for grants that would help address significant maternal and child-health issues such as stopping smoking, access to care in rural areas, and lack of access to prenatal care.

Community Awards — which can be requested for amounts up to $3,000 — can support activities such as providing or enhancing preconception health or interconception education or services; or providing or enhancing risk reduction education or services.

See a link to the application — due Nov. 15 —at March of Dimes Florida website>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: March of Dimes grant applications due Nov. 15

CRESTVIEW —  Healthy Woman, a resource of the North Okaloosa Medical Center, celebrated  National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with “Paint It Pink” Oct. 10 at Florida A&M University's pharmacy school.

Several organizations came together to raise awareness and educate attendees about breast cancer.

Dedria Lunderman brought her 16-year-old daughter, Leah, to speak with NOMC specialists.

"You're never too young to learn this," Dedria said. "I wanted to bring her here to find out the 'how-to' from professionals."

Leah was one of several to receive a breast examination from the specialists, who showed attendees how to perform self-examinations. 

Journey Java Connection’s artists created artwork to honor those with breast cancer. Using pink handprints from attendees, the artists created painted art pieces on canvas, which will be on display during the annual Relay For Life in April 2014.   

In addition, breast cancer survivors June Busbee, Tami Fowler and Lizzy Swanson were recognized. Busbee said she was also representing her daughter Susan Kelley.  

"She is doing great, but she is still going through (chemotherapy) treatments," she said.

Having any kind of support is beneficial when dealing with breast cancer, Busbee said.

"I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have the support I had,” she said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Paint It Pink' recognizes, educates women about breast cancer awareness