Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. - Omicron Sigma Chapter

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem.

SMA is important to the North Dallas Sigmas, as one of our own valiantly battles with the disorder every day. As we continue the month of August, Bro. Nick Parker has given Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. - Omicron Sigma Chapter the opportunity to tell his story as someone living with SMA. In this five-part blog series, Bro. Parker gives us an honest, transparent and candid inside look at what goes on in his life on a daily basis.

The following are his words for WEDNESDAY. Look for more content as the week comes to a conclusion.

***

PART 3: AN AVERAGE DAY
The average day can either be very relaxing or very busy with appointments with doctors, nurses or physical therapists. If we need something to drink or want a snack, then another person gets up and grabs it for us.

Something to also consider: Since we need help with everything, another person might be busy, so we'll have to wait on them to finish what they're doing. All meals need to be prepared or delivered, and we're usually going to need help eating.

When it's time to go to the bathroom again, that's going to require another 20 to 30 minutes of someone helping. It's honestly a lot easier for us guys because we can use a urinal, whereas women need to get help on and off the toilet. A lot of times, women will settle for a catheter.

That's just a normal day for a lot of people with SMA.

***

Malwan Johnson Frankie Lloyd Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. - Gulf Coast Region Official Lone Star State FB Group - Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY

SMA leads to muscle weakness and atrophy, impacting movement and motor functions. It is is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, which is essential for the survival of motor neurons. The severity of the disorder can vary, with symptoms ranging from mild muscle weakness to severe motor impairment. Early diagnosis and advances in treatments have significantly improved outcomes and quality of life for individuals with SMA.

A common misconception is that there are mental disabilities associated with those with SMA. The disease is not a mental illness. Additionally, SMA is not something of paralysis. Those with SMA still have feeling throughout the body.

Looking for a way to help? Support the cause by donating to one of the following sites:

Cure SMA: https://www.curesma.org/

NMD United: https://www.nmdunited.org/

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy: https://www.parentprojectmd.org

Vilissa K. Thompson, LMSW: https://www.vilissathompson.com/

Breathe with MD, Inc.: https://breathewithmd.org/index.html

Black, Disabled and Proud: https://www.blackdisabledandproud.org/

National Black Disability Coalition: https://www.blackdisability.org/

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem.

SMA is important to the North Dallas Sigmas, as one of our own valiantly battles with the disorder every day. As we continue the month of August, Bro. Nick Parker has given Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. - Omicron Sigma Chapter the opportunity to tell his story as someone living with SMA. In this five-part blog series, Bro. Parker gives us an honest, transparent and candid inside look at what goes on in his life on a daily basis.

The following are his words for Tuesday. Look for more throughout the week.

***

PART 2: THE BASICS
Getting dressed isn't easy. Think about how difficult it can be to dress a baby. Now, imagine trying to do that with a full-sized adult. It usually has to be done in bed, so we have to be rolled back and forth in bed just to get our pants on.

It's finally time to transfer to the wheelchair, and that's going to require either a hoyer lift or a strong person to pick us up. After the clothes are on, it's time to brush the teeth -- and that requires help, also. A lot of us can't open our mouths very wide, so it's not very easy to get the toothbrush in.

From the time we wake up until we're finally ready to truly start our day, it's going to take at least two hours. I know a normal person can maybe get all that done in 20 to 30 minutes.

When it is finally time to go to bed, it's going to require more help getting into night clothes and then being transferred into bed. Sometimes, we have to go to the bathroom at night, and we'll need help. If we're not comfortable and need to roll over, someone else has to do that for us.

That's just a normal day (and night) for a lot of people with SMA.

***

Malwan Johnson Frankie Lloyd Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. - Gulf Coast Region Official Lone Star State FB Group - Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

QUICK FACTS
SMA leads to muscle weakness and atrophy, impacting movement and motor functions. It is is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, which is essential for the survival of motor neurons. The severity of the disorder can vary, with symptoms ranging from mild muscle weakness to severe motor impairment. Early diagnosis and advances in treatments have significantly improved outcomes and quality of life for individuals with SMA.

A common misconception is that there are mental disabilities associated with those with SMA. The disease is not a mental illness. Additionally, SMA is not something of paralysis. Those with SMA still have feeling throughout the body.

Looking for a way to help? Support the cause by donating to one of the following sites:

Cure SMA: https://www.curesma.org/

NMD United: https://www.nmdunited.org/

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy: https://www.parentprojectmd.org

Vilissa K. Thompson, LMSW: https://www.vilissathompson.com/

Breathe with MD, Inc.: https://breathewithmd.org/index.html

Black, Disabled and Proud: https://www.blackdisabledandproud.org/

National Black Disability Coalition: https://www.blackdisability.org/

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem. This leads to muscle weakness and atrophy, impacting movement and motor functions.

SMA is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, which is essential for the survival of motor neurons. The severity of SMA can vary, with symptoms ranging from mild muscle weakness to severe motor impairment. Early diagnosis and advances in treatments have significantly improved outcomes and quality of life for individuals with SMA.

A common misconception is that there are mental disabilities associated with those with SMA. The disease is not a mental illness. Additionally, SMA is not something of paralysis. Those with SMA still have feeling throughout the body.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is important to the North Dallas Sigmas, as one of our own valiantly battles with SMA every day. As we continue the month of August, Bro. Nick Parker has given Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. - Omicron Sigma Chapter the opportunity to tell his story as someone living with SMA. In this five-part blog series, Bro. Parker gives us an honest, transparent and candid inside look at what goes on in his life on a daily basis. The following are his words for Monday. Look for more throughout the week.

***
PART 1: STARTING THE DAY

There are five types of SMA (https://shorturl.at/MqOXT), with life expectancy ranging from infancy to normal. Respiratory issues are dangerous to us and can result in death, especially pneumonia.
People like myself, with SMA Type 2 (https://shorturl.at/WNQ09), have their lives greatly affected. Think about when you wake up in the morning: You might roll over and get out of bed whenever you're ready. It's not that simple for us, because we're going to need help.

We need personal care assistants (PCAs) to get our day started. We can't even get up and go to the bathroom on our own, so we will use a plastic urinal like you often see in a hospital. Some people even get catheters so they don't need help.

Now that we have gone to the bathroom, we still might have to use a special chair to go over the toilet and take care of business. The PCA will have to help clean up after doing our business. Then it's time to take a shower, and again we often can't do that alone so we need someone to wash us off completely and rinse. At this point you are probably starting to realize that we can't have much shame since we have to be helped with so many private things.
That's just a normal day for a lot of people with SMA.

***
Malwan Johnson Frankie Lloyd Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. - Gulf Coast Region Official Lone Star State FB Group - Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Looking for a way to help? Support the cause by donating to one of the following sites:

Cure SMA: https://www.curesma.org/
NMD United: https://www.nmdunited.org/
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy: https://www.parentprojectmd.org
Vilissa K. Thompson, LMSW: https://www.vilissathompson.com/
Breathe with MD, Inc.: https://breathewithmd.org/index.html
Black, Disabled and Proud: https://www.blackdisabledandproud.org/
National Black Disability Coalition: https://www.blackdisability.org/

The North Dallas Sigmas, in partnership with the 501c3 Progressive Initiatives, will host the 2024 R.R. Walston 5K Walk/Run for Sickle Cell Awareness on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Bachman Lake Park (3500 W. Northwest Hwy.) in Dallas.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. - Omicron Sigma Chapter will raise funds in the name of sickle cell disease (SCD) and also pay homage to our good Bro. Reginald R. Walston, a respected businessman in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, a dedicated member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc, a distinguished graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and, most importantly, a voice for those battling SCD on a daily basis. Bro. Walston passed away in 2015.

Registration for the walk will start at 9 a.m. The race will start at 10 a.m. Early-bird registration is $40 and will run through Aug. 25. Registration after that is $45. All donations also will be accepted on the website below.

REGISTER TODAY!
Click the QR code on the flyer, or visit

R.R. Walston 5K Walk/Run Join us for the R.R. Walston 5K Walk/Run, a fun event to get active and support a great cause!

Join the North Dallas Sigmas as we partner with the other members of the NPHC - North Dallas Suburbia for our Back to School Bash. We are collecting school supplies to donate to as many of our students as possible, and we would love to have your support in this effort. If you would like to participate, there’s still an opportunity to contribute:

• Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2UI6MLB43PCEE?ref_=wl_share

• Monetary Donations: https://omicronsigma.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=305&club_id=182064&item_id=62

Every bit helps in making a difference in the lives of these students.

🔵⚪️ Culture for Service, Service for Humanity ⚪️🔵

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, one of the country’s largest women’s service organizations, is delighted to announce the induction of 15 distinguished women as Honorary Members into its Alpha Omega Chapter. These accomplished women have demonstrated outstanding commitment to civic engagement and the advancement of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.’s principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood.

1 Tatyana Ali
2 Patrice Banks
3 Jaspen Boothe
4 Brigadier General Felicia Brokaw
5 Caretha Coleman
6 Wanda Durant
7 Andrea Hunley
8 Leela James
9 Maimah Karmo
10 Dawn Morton-Rias
11 Peirresha Shakes-Drayton
12 Ashley Sharpton
13 Dominique Sharpton
14 Angie Stone
15 Regina Young

We want to wish all of our Facebook family and friends a very happy and safe 4th of July. From the North Dallas Sigmas to you.

🎒 **Help Us Support Our Community!** 🎒

We're excited to announce our “Sigma Beta Club Backpack Drive” this August, organized by the North Dallas Sigmas. Our goal is to donate **100 backpacks** to students in need, and we need your help to make it happen!

🌟 **How You Can Help** 🌟
Click the link below or scan the QR code on the graphic to purchase a backpack from Amazon and donate directly to our cause. Your contribution will ensure that every student starts the school year with the supplies they need. We're also accepting donations of notebooks, paper, and pencils!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2UI6MLB43PCEE?ref_=wl_share](https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2UI6MLB43PCEE?ref_=wl_share

Together, we can make a difference in our community. Thank you for your support! 💙

It’s always good to see the growth of an event. Big shouts to Bro. Lennard Lathan and The Conscious Mind Counseling Group for their 30/30 Mental Health Event last Saturday, June 29th, in Richardson. Great topics, great conversation, great insight.

For this to be only their second-ever event, there's a big future on deck. Salute to Bro. Lathan and his wife, Soror Kim Lathan. Also, major shouts to Bro. Arthur Blackwell III for his donation to the cause and Bro. JD Gardner for his assistance with the event.

***CALLING ALL MY BROTHERS, SISTERS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY***

It’s the LAST WEEK of Men’s Health Awareness Month, and we are back tonight with “Wellness Wednesday”! Tonight’s webinar will be a courageous and informative session on Understanding the difference between Prep and Pep. This is a unique opportunity for us to learn from the insights of Bro. Greg McAboy, Bro. Dr. Vernon Rayford, MD, Bro. Dr. Reginald Spears and Jeremy Bashir from Gilead.

Tune in at 7pm EST via Zoom: Meeting ID: 554 636 3753 / Passcode: 1914
-OR-
Join via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5546363753?pwd=0U76bj5Defmaf8Zcap3qZ2CRtN8J1z.1&omn=82817561639

Another great Project Progress, Saturday at the Suite Space. Thank you Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. - Omicron Sigma Chapter for your continued support of our next generation of young men.

The North Dallas Sigmas would like to share our congratulations to both the President of Omicron Sigma, Brother Eric Hill, and the President of Gamma Alpha Kappa (our advising undergraduate chapter), Brother Jesse Watts, for being named as Denton Home Heroes.

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. In an effort to spread awareness, the members of the Divine 9 Social Justice Committee will collaborate to host “How Gun Violence Impacts Our Family, Finances and Our Future,” a community discussion panel on Tuesday, June 18, at Collin College, Frisco Campus (9700 Wade Blvd., Frisco, TX).

The event will start at 6 p.m. For fraternity and sorority members in attendance, the attire will be fraternity/sorority T-shirts, black pants and comfortable shoes.

Panelists will include federal, state and local law enforcement officers, first responders, lawyers, medical professionals, counselors, school board members, parents and students.

We are asking all to support this event, including fraternities and sororities, community leaders, service organizations and those looking to improve their respective communities.

Do you have a 1st - 5th grade male student?

Dymensions Education is excited to announce ROUND #2 of PROJECT PROGRESS in partnership with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. - Omicron Sigma Chapter.

Join us for our 4-week class every Saturday from 9:00am - 1:00pm.

Registration is FREE but we are limited to 20 students. Class is set to begin on Saturday, June 15th.

Register TODAY: https://forms.gle/h78k5VMiV2fQf6Qe6

Join us for a week of impactful events focused on mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Share this schedule with your networks and help spread the word. Your participation can make a difference! 💙🤝

Here's what's coming up:

Mental Health Monday (6/3, 8 PM EST)
Group vs Individual Counseling
- Led by Bro. Dana Davenport, LPC
Zoom ID: 554 636 3753 | Passcode: 1914

Teaching Tuesday (6/4, 7 PM EST)
Championing New Teacher Pathways for Black Educators
- With Bro. Dr. Theo Fowles & Company
Zoom ID: 854 5733 0271

Wellness Wednesday (6/5)
12 PM EST: Noon Day Prayer Service
- With Bro. Rev. Michael Anthony Carrington, Jr.
8 PM EST: A “Healthy” Smoke Session: Vapes, Ho**ah, and Ci**rs
- With Bro. Dr. Rayford
Zoom ID: 554 636 3753 | Passcode: 1914

Mind Your Business Thursday (6/6, 8 PM EST)
Relationships Matter: Understanding the Flow of Money In - Money Out
- Led by Bro. Rashon Howard
Zoom ID: 586 674 2916 | Passcode: 471011

Self-Care Friday (6/7)
Taking care of your mental health is an act of self-love, and you deserve it.

Find 2-3 things without associated costs that bring you joy and make you smile. Place images of these things in your frequent spaces (Laptop, Car, Workspace).

Let’s commit to our health and well-being. Remember, a healthy brotherhood is a strong brotherhood. 💪🏿💙