The Sara Joy Rychener-Burkholder Hyperbaric Center  ●  A different approach... to a brighter future.

   Sara's Garden  ●  620 West Leggett Street  ●  P.O. Box 150  ●  Wauseon, OH  43567  ●  419.335.SARA

White to Gray: The Hyperbaric Way

The nursery is decorated. The tiny clothes are washed and folded. The hospital bag is packed. Becoming a parent is simultaneously one of the most beautiful and scariest moments that we may encounter in our lives. Many parents understand the joys of having a child as something they wouldn't trade for all the riches in the world.

Denny and Charli were eager to begin the next chapter of their lives with their new son. From the moment they received the news that they were expecting, they couldn’t wait to hold their new bundle of joy. They were thrilled when Kye was born on January 23, 2014, a beautiful, healthy baby boy. Unfortunately, that joy soon turned to terror when, shortly after his birth, Kye began to exhibit signs of seizures.

Doctors used a cooling blanket on Kye in hopes of decreasing the amount of cerebral edema, or swelling, around his brain. This cold blanket reduced Kye’s core temperature from 98 degrees to 91 degrees over a period of 72 hours, triggering a protective hypothermia in hopes of preventing further brain damage.

During this time, Kye continued to suffer additional seizures and stopped breathing numerous times. Once the cooling process was complete, Kye’s body was warmed back to normal temperature. Doctors then performed an MRI and an EEG to get a better picture of what was going on inside his little head. After reviewing Kye’s first MRI, Denny and Charli were given the terrifying news that virtually his entire brain was damaged and consisted only of white brain matter. Doctors could find no evidence of any gray brain matter.

The primary function of gray matter is to carry sensory information that comes from grey matter cells and sensory organs. This information is then passed to the areas of the brain that process sensory information. Intelligence and skill are often attributed to this brain matter, largely because it covers so much of the brain. Unlike white matter, gray matter is crucial in the development of muscle control, cognition (such as how things are seen and heard or the formation of memories) as well as speech and emotions. The fact that Kye’s brain did not possess any gray matter did not bode well for any potential development.

When Kye was released from the hospital, he was placed on two seizure medications as he continued to experience subclinical seizures every day. His parents were given a very uncertain and disheartening prognosis for what Kye’s future and quality of life was going to be.

From the moment they heard the news of his first MRI, Denny and Charli both agreed that they would do anything in their power to provide their son with the best possible outcome and chance for a bright future. They began to research Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and learned of its successes in treating children with traumatic brain injuries who suffer from seizures. Unfortunately, they were warned against doing HBOT treatments with Kye and told that it was a complete waste of time. Read more.

2014 JenAbby Memorial Run

Calling all runners and walkers! It's time to lace up!

On Saturday, November 15, 2014 the 2nd Annual JenAbby Memorial Run will be held in Wauseon, OH at North Clinton Mennonite Church.

We're excited to announce that Sara's Garden has been chosen as one of the charities that will received a portion of the proceeds from this year's event. Read more.

Why Essential Oils are Essential

Essential oils are the subtle, aromatic and volatile liquids extracted from the flowers, seeds, leaves, stems, bark and roots of herbs, bushes, shrubs, and trees, through distillation.

They are the oldest form of remedies and cosmetics known to man. At one time they were considered more valuable than gold. There are 188 references to oils in the Bible.

Science is only now beginning to investigate the incredible healing properties of essential oils. Read more.

Kroger Community Rewards

Do you and your family shop at Kroger?

Great news... now you can earn money for Sara's Garden and New Horizons Academy simply by doing your normal, every day shopping at Kroger.

Sara's Garden is enrolled in Kroger's Community Rewards Program. This program will link purchases made with your Kroger's Plus Card to Sara's Garden so that a portion of the sale is donated back to us. Read more.

You Shop. Amazon Gives.

Do you and your family shop online through Amazon?

Of course you do! Who doesn't?!? Well we've got exciting news for you.

Now, when you shop at Smile.Amazon.com, Amazon will make a donation to Sara's Garden. The best part is that it costs you nothing extra! AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know; Same products, same prices, same service. Read more.

Don't Miss Casino Night

Don't forget!! Saturday, November 8th is fast approaching and there are only 8 tables left for the 2014 Casino Night Gala.

Casino Night is being hosted by Don's Automotive Group. This fun-filled event will be held at Founder's Hall in Archbold, Ohio from 5:30-11:00 p.m. All proceeds from this event are being donated to Sara's Garden's handicap accessible playground project! Read more.

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   Sara's Garden  ●  www.SarasGarden.org  ●  info@SarasGarden.org  ●  419.335.SARA