HEALTH & WELLNESS THE DAILY SENTINEL ■ 7A TUESDAY MARCH 9, 2010 Baby Ava is a bundle of challenging joy By SAM COOPER Republican-American of Waterbury WATERTOWN, Conn. — As things like rolling over and the camera clicks, 10-month-old crawling has been a challenge. Ava Jean Perillo’s head cocks Sight facilitates movement, to the side, and a wide smile Perillo said, and because she spreads across her cherubic doesn’t see things to pique her cheeks. curiosity, she doesn’t have the Television interviews and incentive to reach out and grab, calls from reporters have or explore. slowed, but life is coming fast “We’re really working on at the celebrity infant who has her independence,” he said. captured so many hearts with “She needs to be a much more her joy for life and angelic independent person to be very demeanor. strong, and secure in herself.” Ava has a rare birth defect Sometimes, that means let- known as bilateral anophthal- ting her figure things out on mia, in which the baby’s ocular her own, her parents said, even tissue, or eyes, do not develop when they desperately want to during the first month of preg- help. nancy. It occurs in about one It’s tough love, but it’s the out of every 100,000 children. right thing to do, said Michelle These days, Ava is a ball of Contey, of Stow, Mass., who energy, bouncing wildly in her along with eight other parents stationary entertainer as she of children with anophthalmia giggles and coos. founded an online support The little girl and her doting group called Micro Anophthal- parents, Kimberly Osborne and mia Parent Support. Jason Perillo, have settled into “It’s just a place for sharing WILLIAM WOODY/The Daily Sentinel a cozy Watertown townhouse, and for being with other people TIM WITHEE, right, a Kundalini yoga instructor, leads a class for veterans at the Fairmont Hall. John Armendarez, left, participated in a recent class. where Ava’s playpen, rocker that know what you’re going and high chair dominate through,” she said. “You kind Withee, a Vietnam veteran, credits Kundalini for helping him through the inner struggles he has faced since the war and thinks it can help others. the living room and a steady of think, because it’s so rare, stream of therapists and teach- there’s nobody out there that’s Teacher thinks veterans Yoga motion ers keep her busy learning the dealing with what you’re deal- skills she will need later in life. ing with.” Between house calls and doctor Parents don’t give out medi- visits, taking care of Ava keeps the young couple on their toes. “It’s good because we know she’s up to date with every- cal advice, but do discuss the pros and cons of various treat- ment options, Contey said. Contey’s son, Matteo, 8, was can help themselves thing, but it is hectic,” Osborne said from her living room recently. “There’s no training born with bilateral anophthal- mia and a cleft palate. These days, he goes skiing, kayaking deal with unseen scars manual for how to raise a child, and participates in special By AMY HAMILTON TRY THE CLASS let alone one with a disability.” needs baseball and swimming. Amy.Hamilton@gjsentinel.com Like other infants, Ava has He can really do anything, she Kundalini yoga is available at 5 p.m. picked out her favorite toys, said, it just takes a little longer In a black T-shirt and black Mondays at Fairmont Hall, 2511 N. 12th outfits, foods and in particular, to teach him. jeans, John Armendarez takes St. Classes are offered on a donation music. Perillo said she proba- Many parents in the group his place on a mat on the floor. basis, and a suggested donation is $10. bly has more CDs than he does. have attempted to discover The 47-year-old veteran who “It’s music, music, music, what caused anophthalmia was assigned to the demilita- Junction Veterans Affairs all day long,” Osborne said. in their child, but most of the rized zone between North and Medical Center to help veterans “She likes the Rolling Stones, time they’re unsuccessful, Con- South Korea has never taken a recover from physical ailments, Pink Floyd, mostly classic rock tey said. The defect has been yoga class before, but has been spokesman Paul Sweeney said. ... my dad was like, ‘no Lady linked to mutations in several trying new things lately and Withee can understand that Gaga.’ ” genes, as well as the fungicide figures the experience couldn’t there may be a perception of She has also begun sounding Benlate. hurt. yoga that could keep veterans notes on the piano, they said. International chemical giant Before class starts, Arm- from trying it. Participants “She’ll hit a few keys, listen, Dupont Co. has settled law- endarez raises his left shirt need not wear spandex, but then wait until the sound is suits in Delaware, Britain and sleeve to reveal a foot-long scar comfortable, loose-fitting over and then play a few more,” New Zealand with dozens of on the inside his arm, an indel- clothes are recommended. Perillo said. families who had children born ible reminder of his service. Participants do not need to be But born in world of dark- without eyes, or with abnor- Hesitant about going into it in good physical condition to ness, teaching her simple mally small eyes. further, he added, “I’ve seen of techniques meant to pro- For years, Withee battled practice yoga. some action.” mote flexibility and increase his inner demons by trying to “If you can breathe, you can Just like Armendarez, Tim awareness, was introduced to drown them in drugs and alco- do this,” Withee said. Withee also served his country. the West in the 1960s by Yogi hol, he said. Because Kundalini yoga is Withee, 60, is a Vietnam War Bhajan. In 1988, he got sober and has practiced largely with eyes veteran and had a rough time The practice incorporates been so ever since, he said. closed, an atmosphere of being recovering from the effects breathing exercises, medita- In 2005, Withee tried Kundali- watched or judged is mini- of war until he discovered tion and reciting mantras that ni yoga as he was looking for a Kundalini yoga. mized. are meant to relieve stress and way to regain flexibility. Almost Since 2005, yoga has helped Most classes focus on begin- prompt serenity. Typically, in- immediately the yoga affected Withee cope and now he teaches structors use a gong at the end him more deeply than provid- ning poses because most par- yoga classes locally in the hope of classes that releases a cre- ing physical gains. It helped ticipants are beginners, Withee more veterans also can benefit. scendo of reverberations and, him deal with emotional bag- said. It’s not outward scars, but vet- as Withee is fond of saying, gage, he said. He thinks veterans aren’t the erans’ inner struggles, where “scrubs your self-consciousness “It raised me to a level that only ones who could benefit. Withee feels he can help. clean.” I didn’t even know existed,” Those who have been in jail or “A lot of men and women Withee wants to invite more Withee said. “Any age you start prison and those battling sub- coming back from the war zone veterans into his practice as a is OK. My mom is starting at 83. stance abuse could be helped. have a lot of injuries that you way to deal with Post Traumat- Obviously, you’re not going to “It will get you in shape. It can’t see,” Withee explained. ic Stress Disorder. The disorder get into poses that someone at changes you and spirituality “When you get home and take is labeled an emotional illness 22 can get in.” you’re uplifted,” he said. that uniform off, everybody that develops as the result of Several forms of yoga have After a yoga class on a recent expects you to be the same experiencing a frightening or gained momentum in recent Monday, Armendarez reflected person you were when you went life-threatening situation, a con- years as a treatment options for on the experience. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS He was able to do many of off, but you’re never going to dition not uncommon among veterans dealing with the men- KIMBERLY OSBORNE, 24, and Jason Perillo, 31, of Watertown, Conn., be that way. You see terrible war veterans. tal and physical implications of the poses and exercises and hold their 10-month-old daughter, Ava, who has a rare birth defect known things, maybe you even pulled Those with the disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. enjoyed the gong Withee rang at as bilateral anophthalmia, in which the baby’s ocular tissue, or eyes, do the trigger. Kundalini yoga can may experience high levels of Since 2006, Walter Reed Army the end of class. help a person recover from a lot anxiety and may tend to avoid Medical Center has used yoga “It’s just like he said, it’s good not develop during the first month of pregnancy. It occurs in about one of things.” certain situations that could jog as a treatment. for the mind,” Armendarez out of every 100,000 children. Kundalini yoga, a series a traumatic memory. Yoga also is used at the Grand said. “I need this.” “We’re here for life.” $"3&  tXXXTUNBSZHKPSH /UI4USFFUt10#PYt(SBOE+VODUJPO $0 An Affiliate of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System Grand Valley Health Fair is good healthcare news S tories about families without healthcare looking forward to the many services the coverage because of the poor economy fair offers.” Supported by area Lions Clubs, fill the papers. It’s about time for some the fair will feature 48 booths staffed by good news.The 31st annual Grand Valley Health local agencies.The popular low-cost blood Fair, March 12-13, will provide free and low-cost screenings will be available both days.This health screenings and education that can help year many area residents took advantage of March 12-13, 2010 7:00 a.m.–Noon area residents take better care a new feature and made an appointment to Central High School of themselves. have their blood work done at the fair. Moe For information call 970-244-8400 “These days people want to says there will be plenty of phlebotomists or visit www.mesahealth.org. maintain their health and their available to take blood samples for walk-in customers as well. Take advantage of St. Mary’s free screenings budgets,” says Samantha Moe, and health education. St. Mary’s public relations “St. Mary’s looks forward to participating t Exercise and Fitness t Breast Health representative,“and they’re in this fair every year,” Moe says.“It allows t Diabetes Education t Cancer Survivor Resources us to carry out our mission to improve the t Surgical Weight Loss t Understand Your Hospital Bill health of the individuals and communities t Body in Balance t Stroke Prevention Samantha Moe, we serve.” Q t Lung Function Screening public relations representative