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September 28. 2011
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H ealth
More Children Live in Poverty
Impact worsens
with cuts in
basic services
Regan Gray
The percentage of fam ilies liv­
ing in poverty in the state has
increased, according to data re­
leased Thursday by the Census
Bureau.
In Oregon last year, 18.2 per­
cent of fam ilies with children un­
der 18 had incom es below the
national poverty level. Among
fam ilies with children under five,
21.6 percent were living in pov­
erty. In 2007, prior to the reces­
sion, the poverty rates for these
fam ilies were 14.3 and 16.2 per­
cent, respectively.
The consequences of life in
poverty for children are poten­
tially dire.
"Among many other terrible cir­
cum stances, children who grow
up in poverty lack stable, good-
quality child care and adequate
nutrition, which can lead to social
and cognitive delays,” says Pro­
fessor Ellen Scott of the U niver­
sity of Oregon. “The effects over
the long term are clear: children
who grow up in poverty are less
likely to g rad u ate from high
school and more likely to live in
poverty as adults."
A ccording to the non-profit
advocacy group Children First for
Oregon, the steep increase in pov­
erty for children and fam ilies in
Oregon was not inevitable.
"Increased poverty reflects the
disinvestm ent in programs that
support fam ilies and help them to
return to the middle class,” says
Regan Gray, policy director for
Children First for Oregon. “O r­
egon is pulling away from pro­
grams like Employm ent Related
Day Care subsidies, which allow
parents to sustain em ploym ent,
and other services that buffer fami­
lies from the worst consequences
o f poverty. W ithout reinvesting
in services for the poor and in low-
wage working families, we will see
the impact of this recession on
O regon’s children for years to
come."
Hearing Loss Volunteer Honored for Rejecting Barriers
At the age of 10, Mark Foster,
who has had profound hearing loss
since birth, took a stand — he stood
in front of his fifth grade class and
asked to be treated like everyone
else.
Foster has been named a Port­
land General Electric Outstanding
Volunteer for 2011. The award, cre­
ated to honor the volunteer spirit of
PGE’s employees and retirees, rec­
ognizes individuals who show ex­
traordinary com m itm ent to the
causes they care about most.
“I am honored to be a part of a
company whose employees exem ­ Mark Foster
plify one o f PGE’s strongest core munication deficits, and it can be a
values, and that is giving back,” barrier to those who want to become
said Dave Robertson, vice presi­ leaders,” said Bob Russell, presi­
dent of public policy. “It is inspiring dent of the statewide Hearing Loss
to see how generous people are Association. “Mark has demon­
with their time and talents.”
strated to others how to overcome
Foster is president of the Hearing
Loss Association’s Portland chap­
ter, a role he’s held since 2003. He
mentors those struggling with hear­
ing loss, offering everything from
emotional support to resources for
the latest assistive-listening tech­
nology devices.
“Those with hearing loss are
often concerned about their com-
Dentures Worth
Smiling About!
Battling Huntington’s Disease
Saturday’s walk to raise donations
The community is invited to make
a difference in the lives of the people
a ffe c te d by a d ise ase calle d
Huntington’s during a Team Hope
Walk on Saturday in Portland.
Tyrone Moore of Portland is a
loving father who struggles every
day with the genetic condition. In
February, his first bom daughter
Diamond Brown died after a long
and courageous battle against ju ­
venile Huntington’s disease.
Today, Tyrone’s symptoms have
progressed. He needs assistance
with eating, dressing, mobility, and
medication managem ent among
many other daily duties.
Huntington’s disease is a he­
reditary degenerative brain disor­
der which leads to both physical
Tyrone Moore and
his late daughter
Diamond Brown.
these obstacles.”
In honor of Foster’s work and
determination, PGE is awarding a
$500 Outstanding Volunteer Grant
to the Hearing Loss Association
Portland chapter.
and mental disabilities. Symptoms
usually appear between ages of 30
and 50, but the disease may strike
those as young as two or as old as
80.
Initial symptoms may include
difficulty in concentration, depres­
sion or twitching, but each person
who has Huntington’s is affected
differently and early symptoms vary
from person to person. In the U.S.
about 30,000 people have the dis­
ease and estimate of its prevalence
are about 1 in every 10,000 people.
You can help the Huntington’s
Disease Society of America find a
cure and help people who have the
disease or are at risk, during the
Team Hope Walk on Saturday, Oct.
1 at Willamette Park at Southwest
Macadam Avenue and Nebraska
Street.
Registration begins at 9 am the
walk starts at 11 am. No registration
fee required. You can also make a
donation by calling 503-201 -4294or
emailing kbeane@walkforhd.org.
• Professional Services • Affordable Prices
• Over 20 years experience
• Full & Partial Dentures • Natural Appearance
• Full Service Lab • Accepting Oregon Health Plan
Melanie Block, L.D.
D entvrist
503-230-0207
200 NE 20th Ave., Suite 100
Portland OR 97232
Free parking
THE LAW OFFICES OF
Patrick John Sweeney, PC.
Patrick John Sweeney
Attorney at Law
1549 SE Ladd
Portland, Oregon
Portland:
Hillsoboro:
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Email:
(503) 491-5156
(503) 615-0425
(503) 244-2084
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