During the week of March 23rd, we will present our CdLS powerpoint to the RN and LPN nursing classes. The goal of these presentations will be to educate the future health care professionals at WCC about this rare syndrome and its manifestations. We hope they will gain a sufficient knowledge base to recognize an individual with CdLS, to provide sensitive and nonjudgmental care to the affected individuals and support to the families. We have numerous informational packets which we will distribute to the students and professors so that they may share their awareness with fellow health care workers.
In addition, we will organize a table at the WCC Health Fair in April. The health fair is located in the main student cafeteria and is a highly visible campus event. Our table will be laden with a large banner, powerpoint slide show and many pamphlets and written material. We hope to spread awareness about CdLS to the campus community during this event.
We are considering presenting our powerpoint in a hospital setting such as Westchester Medical Center or Hudson Valley Hospital. It was suggested by a nursing professor and we are reviewing our schedule of events.
About Ingrid Barone
I am currently in the RN Nursing Program at WCC and preparing for a second career in the nursing profession.
I graduated from Villanova University in 1984 with a BS in Civil Engineering. I worked as a project engineer and project manager on several design/build hotel projects in Florida and New York City. In 1990 I began a consulting company which provided project management and design services for Columbia University's five million square foot energy efficient lighting and controls conversion project. The project lasted seven years and saved the University $2.5 million per year in electricity costs.
By 1997, my focus had shifted to raising my three young children. It was over the course of the next ten years when my interest in pursuing a career in nursing developed. My middle child was born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Meeting the challenges involved with raising a child with special needs has and continues to profoundly affect my life. The experience of advocating and caretaking for my husband during his fight against a brain tumor was significant in reestablishing priorities and goals for the future.
I am delighted to be in school again and very excited about new opportunities to learn and grow and serve.