Latest news with #BarberNationalInstitute
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Autism is not an epidemic' Barber Center EVP responds to Robert F. Kennedy's comments
(WJET/WFXP)– Dr. Maureen Barber-Carey, the executive vice president of the Barber National Institute, has responded to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's comments about autism and people with it. Secretary Kennedy spoke to the press on Wednesday regarding the disorder, saying the National Institute of Health will undergo an extensive initiative to uncover the cause of autism by September 2025, while also making comments about people with the disorder that have drawn the ire of organizations like the Barber National Institute. RFK Jr.'s first month as health secretary: Touting French fries and casting doubts on vaccines Kennedy was referencing a 2022 report from the Centers for Disease Control in which estimated that autism affects 1 in 31 8-year-olds in the United States, while also saying he believes the condition is 'preventable' and that there's an epidemic of the disorder. During that same conference, Kennedy said people who 'suffer' from autism will never work, find love, write a poem, play baseball, or use the toilet unassisted and that the spectrum disorder 'destroys families.' For context, the rate of children being diagnosed with autism was 1 in 150 in 2000, with new estimates putting the rate at roughly 1 in 36 children, though this uptick in diagnoses has been linked to more awareness and ways of diagnosing autism, along with expanding the definition of the spectrum disorder. Kennedy promises exhaustive studies to identify any environmental factors that may cause autism Barber-Carey released a statement reading: Many in our community are very concerned about the spread of inaccurate and misleading statements by Secretary Kennedy regarding the cause of autism and quality of life that individuals with autism can achieve. Research tells us that autism is a multifactorial condition, heavily influenced by genetics. It is not as he stats 'preventable.' He has stated that children diagnosed with autism are 'suffering,' claiming that they will never work, find love write a poem, play baseball, and 'many will never use a toilet unassisted.' This is a totally inaccurate statement. I have personally witnessed countless people who have accomplished all theses tasks and more are leading fulfilling lives. His statements regarding autism as being 'preventable' will certainly cause many parents to question what they should have done to prevent autism when it truly is not preventable. Autism is not an epidemic. Referring to it as such will perpetutate misconceptions and stigma. Unlike epidemics, which involve contagious diseases spread rapidly amond populations, autism is not contagious. It is a condition that individuals are born with or develop early in life. Understanding autism as a condition to live with rather than an epidemic helps promote acceptance and support for persons with autism. Dr. Maureen Barber-Carey Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Swish into summer — Spoons Summer Youth Basketball League hosts registration event
A local youth league is offering the opportunity for kids to make sure their summer is a slam dunk. The Spoons Summer Youth Basketball League hosted its first registration event on Tuesday. This year Spoons also offering a Biddy Camp so that younger kids can swish and score as well. Two coordinators spoke about what makes Spoons so special. Barber National Institute celebrates Week of the Young Child 'It's been real good. We keep them out of trouble,' said Melvin Witherspoon, commissioner of the Spoons Summer Basketball League. 'It's been successful, and the success needs to go to all of the people who volunteer to help me.' 'I see it as an opportunity for them to just have fun, like, we have a great time. It's not just about competition, it's about learning, teaching, you know, just having the best experience,' said Paige Collins, director of Biddy Camp. Those who missed out on Tuesday night's event will have a chance to register on Wednesday at the MLK Center from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information about the Spoons League, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Barber National Institute celebrates Week of the Young Child
A local school is participating in Week of the Young Child (WOYC) by teaching students mind, body, and spirit. WOCY is being celebrated by the Barber National Institute with week-long activities. LECOM offering free dental services to local children Saturday Tuesday's event was 'Tasty Tuesday,' where students learned about making healthy choices and eating healthy foods. One classroom teacher said students made a rainbow of healthy foods followed by their 'worms and dirt' treat at lunchtime, which included ice cream, Oreos and gummy worms. Fight to save Blessed Sacrament School continues 'It's very important to teach that whole child and that social, emotional piece. So, are they emotionally happy? Do they feel safe when they come to school? Are they having fun, you know? They're babies, so we're teaching them, and they're learning, but we're being fun about it. They have to get up and move,' said Alyse Wienecke, a classroom teacher at the Elizabeth Lee Black School preschool. The rest of the week includes 'Work Together Wednesday,' 'Artsy Thursday' and 'Family Friday.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Official, participants speak on final Barber Beast on the Bay
An Erie staple that has drawn thousands of people from far and wide will be coming to an end. The Barber Beast on the Bay will be having their final competition this year. Organizers are choosing to leave a 'lasting positive legacy' by concluding the event at what they're calling its peak. Organizers of the popular Barber Beast on the Bay announced that the extreme 10-mile race will be taking its final obstacle. Slaying the beast — Beast on the Bay announces 2025 event will be its last The event has taken place over the last 12 years along the beaches and trails of Presque Isle in the late summer or early fall to raise money for Barber National Institute. Participants and supporters first received word of this bittersweet news Tuesday afternoon from a Facebook post. Senior Vice President Bob Barber said there have been internal changes within the institute and it was a difficult organizational decision. 'The beast has run its course. Every event has a life cycle and we just felt like now is the right time for us to run our final year of the Beast on the Bay,' said Bob Barber, senior vice president of the Barber National Institute. 'Anything that's going on in either local politics or state politics or at the federal level, none of what's going on at those levels impacted this decision.' Erie brewery preparing for tariffs on aluminum The event is one of the largest fundraisers for the institute, having raised more than $830,000 over the years. As for how the institute plans to best fill this gap, Barber said the organization is still evaluating, but they plan to keep what they said is the most meaningful part. 'The adaptive course is going to continue. We want to continue to have an event for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism and so we're going to continue to do that,' Barber said. Participants we talked to said the Beast on the Bay has become an iconic Erie event and the personal challenge will be missed. Sensitive documents spill along West 8th St. during Bel-Aire demolition 'It's 10 miles on sand which I always said was the toughest obstacle was running on sand,' said Kate Thiem, a Beast on the Bay participant. 'I think the last year they had 30 obstacles and very reliant on your upper body strength and people didn't realize that until they got on the course.' 'It was so much fun, it was just do and finish, that was our goal and we did by the hair of our teeth and by the cramps in our hamstrings,' said Julie Lokahi, another Beast on the Bay participant. 'It's been a great experience. To see everybody that has come through and again all walks of life to be able to say 'You've got elite athletes' and you've got your moms and dad that just compete to finish.' Both Thiem and Lokahi are disappointed to see it go, but understand the organization's decision. 'The Barber Institute is such an iconic institute in Erie, it's been around for years and years, decades from when I was young and so to be able to compete in something like that is so top of mind in the community has been incredible and I hope that they have something bigger and better to come up with for their fundraising in the future,' Lohaki said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'It took a village to make this event happen. So I know that it's been difficult post-COVID to get a lot of people to volunteer but hopefully, this is going to maybe encourage some people to step forward and say 'Hey I don't want to see this event end,'' Thiem went on to say. The 12th and final Beast on the Bay will take place on September 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Slaying the beast — Beast on the Bay announces 2025 event will be its last
(WJET/WFXP) – A popular athletic event has announced that it will no longer be continuing after this year. On Tuesday, March 11, Barber Beast on the Bay made a post on their Facebook that their 2025 fundraising event would be their last. A further statement posted on their website explained that rather than seeing the event lose steam over time, they'd like to end the event while it was still a success to leave behind a 'lasting legacy.' Barber National Institute Senior Vice President Robert Barber thanked everyone who participated in the event over the last 11 years, and hopes that people will continue to support the Barber National Institute after the beast has been slain. 'While the Beast on the Bay is coming to an end, our commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities is unwavering. We will continue to channel our resources into innovative programs and services that create opportunities and transform lives,' said Barber. 'We encourage our community to stay involved at Barber National Institute in other meaningful ways – through volunteering, giving or advocating for inclusion.' The institute stated that their adaptive course will continue, just in a new format. The final Beast on the Bay event will take place at Presque Isle State Park on September 6, 2025. For those who'd like to get involved, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
