Beth Smiles Amoeba Awareness

04/08/2024

Amoeba
Awareness 😪
Will's forever on our mind...

As I was driving home yesterday by Stark Lake, I noticed a mama walking behind her little boy riding his little trike. I could see she was equipped with all things needed to enjoy a swim in the water. As I passed them, I whispered a prayer for their safety. I then decided to drive by the lake to see if their were any swimmers. There were, of course, it's Florida. It's hot. It's what you do to cool off and have fun. All normal stuff for the summer. Right?
Well, as I whispered a prayer for their safety from the amoebas, I saw the mama again. I put my window down and asked if I could share something with her concerning the lake water. She said yes. I then shared Will's story. Not realizing the little boy was paying attention, he said, "Can I ask a question. I said well sure you can." He said there is a bug in the water? I said yes, "And don't you let that bug get in your nose, ok?"" He said, ok.
I said, "Make sure you keep your head above the water, ok?"
He said, ok.
I went on to share with this mother that by chance, he complained of a headache or had a fever after playing in fresh water to get him to the ER and tell them he swam in fresh water. She was grateful for the info but still went towards the lake...
I get it. My kids grew up swimming at Eatons Beach(a lake) in Weirsdale, Fl.
I never once thought about an amoeba (snakes and alligators but no parasites). But the hard truth is that the parasites are there in all bodies of fresh water. You are taking a risk every single time your face hits the water. Its important to learn all you can about the Naegleria Fowleri Amoeba. Keep your head above the water. This parasite is tiny. Its main entrance is through your nose. Its target is the brain, where its warm. It will fushion and kill its victim. This is a fact unless you're fortunate enough to get you or your loved one to the hospital equipped to help them fight the amoeba by cooling your body to a low temperature to kill the amoeba. If not, the amoeba kills you or your loved one.

Please stay safe and never forget our W***y. He would have been 28 on June 6th of this year.

P.S.I had permission from this mama, Dana, to share this picture of her and her son, Abel. I just loved this little boys blue eyes and his curiosity about bugs....
May he grow up to be a successful entomologist.

Amazing Aven's Quest for Amoeba Awareness
Kyle Cares Amoeba Awareness
Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba
Amoeba-Season.com Waylon Abel- Amoeba Awareness Beth Smiles Amoeba Awareness Courtney Nash Amoeba Awareness Foundation Inc.

04/08/2024

14/07/2024

What parents can do to keep their kids healthy when going to a splash pad.

01/07/2024

“A 12-year old boy under treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode was tested positive for the rare infection, which is referred to as brain-eating amoeba.” Use ONLY distilled or sterilized (boiled) tap water in the nose & sinuses. NEVER allow poorly chlorinated freshwater in the nose at home, at splash pads , or at any recreational water park. Bring pool test strips.

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/kerala-sees-third-case-of-brain-eating-amoeba-infection-in-two-months-3085162

29/06/2024

Share from Jordan Smelski Foundation page .https://jordansmelskifoundation.org/
Have you ever thought about redoing a day over, if you were given the chance? Well, ten years ago today would be THAT day! It was ten years ago that Jordan and I spent 6-hours going down this slide, in this pool. We didn’t know the single cell amoeba - Naegleria fowleri - was in the hot spring water in the pool, that day. Jordan woke with a headache the next morning. In just one week Jordan was gone. The press likes to say PAM is rare, or very rare, or even extremely rare, yet Jordan swam just ONCE during our vacation in 2014. It only takes once, so please educate yourself and don’t gamble with PAM!

29/06/2024

Written by Chris Rice’s : Thank you Chris Rice for all you to do raise awareness and save lives! Be aware and share! 10 years ago I moved to the USA and started doing drug discovery on Naegleria fowleri. Jordan’s case was the first case I was exposed to when I started researching this pathogen. It will always be a special case for me. It motivates us to find cures and understand this pathogen.
Thoughts always go out to any person/family member or patient of any amoeba.
It’s unfortunate that many more people have the “rare” mentality.
Rare deemphasizes the perceived risk and outcome of these diseases. There’s only been 4 confirmed cases, maybe 5 cases, if you include Caleb’s case as Nf, which have survived this disease. It’s ~98% fatal and kills within 1-3 weeks.
Is that one time worth the risk of never seeing a loved one again?
Simple behaviours can minimize the risks of exposures.

Thoughts are with Steve, Shelly, and the family during this awful and traumatic time. A pain which never goes away. 😢💔

20/06/2024

https://is.gd/v5a3bV

07/06/2024

We will Always Remember our Amoeba Angels
Thank you, Lili Strong Amoeba Awareness.





.com

06/06/2024

05/06/2024

Plug fist… Then play…

Amoeba
Awareness 😪
Will's forever on our mind...

As I was driving home yesterday by Stark Lake, I noticed a mama walking behind her little boy riding his little trike. I could see she was equipped with all things needed to enjoy a swim in the water. As I passed them, I whispered a prayer for their safety. I then decided to drive by the lake to see if their were any swimmers. There were, of course, it's Florida. It's hot. It's what you do to cool off and have fun. All normal stuff for the summer. Right?
Well, as I whispered a prayer for their safety from the amoebas, I saw the mama again. I put my window down and asked if I could share something with her concerning the lake water. She said yes. I then shared Will's story. Not realizing the little boy was paying attention, he said, "Can I ask a question. I said well sure you can." He said there is a bug in the water? I said yes, "And don't you let that bug get in your nose, ok?"" He said, ok.
I said, "Make sure you keep your head above the water, ok?"
He said, ok.
I went on to share with this mother that by chance, he complained of a headache or had a fever after playing in fresh water to get him to the ER and tell them he swam in fresh water. She was grateful for the info but still went towards the lake...
I get it. My kids grew up swimming at Eatons Beach(a lake) in Weirsdale, Fl.
I never once thought about an amoeba (snakes and alligators but no parasites). But the hard truth is that the parasites are there in all bodies of fresh water. You are taking a risk every single time your face hits the water. Its important to learn all you can about the Naegleria Fowleri Amoeba. Keep your head above the water. This parasite is tiny. Its main entrance is through your nose. Its target is the brain, where its warm. It will fushion and kill its victim. This is a fact unless you're fortunate enough to get you or your loved one to the hospital equipped to help them fight the amoeba by cooling your body to a low temperature to kill the amoeba. If not, the amoeba kills you or your loved one.

Please stay safe and never forget our W***y. He would have been 28 on June 6th of this year.

P.S.I had permission from this mama, Dana, to share this picture of her and her son, Abel. I just loved this little boys blue eyes and his curiosity about bugs....
May he grow up to be a successful entomologist.

Amazing Aven's Quest for Amoeba Awareness
Kyle Cares Amoeba Awareness
Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba
Amoeba-Season.com Waylon Abel- Amoeba Awareness Beth Smiles Amoeba Awareness Courtney Nash Amoeba Awareness Foundation Inc.

24/05/2024

Have fun this summer. Remember to Plug then Play!!!