August 2017

Her origin story is pure Cinderella, but here the heroine is waif, prince, and fairy godmother rolled into one. Her rags-to-riches ascent is well-told, but let’s revisit: Single mom – living on government assistance – rides train and conceives a fully formed idea for a children’s book. She spins her…

[Updated on March 16, 2021] Deborah Nickerson loves watching her son Justin, sixteen, whirl through the air with no cares or worries on the swings at PARK365 in Richmond. “He could swing for hours on end. He loves the park,” she says, adding that her daughter, 22-year-old Ashley, “loves the…

At age seven, Madeline Frazier of Chesterfield was an active, sociable kid who made good grades and excelled in gymnastics. Her mother, Laura Frazier, describes her as “very independent – the kid you drop off anywhere and you’re like, ‘See ya later.’” But suddenly, everything changed. Madeline became scared of…

Community. Neighbor. Kindness. In times of joy, pain, loss, and need, bringing a meal to others is an everyday act that can bring these words to life. I would be lying if I said one of my favorite memories about bringing a baby home from the hospital wasn’t the meals…

Oh, the tears, the tears. How hard it was to hold them back and keep from blubbering inconsolably at the thought of it, the sight of it, the realization that our little baby girl had finally reached the official, verifiable, legally-able-to-drive age of sixteen. With barely a wave to us…

Well, it is August – what did we expect?! If you’ve read RFM for a few years, you know I refuse to make August a back-to-school issue. After all, there is still a third of summer left! August marks a shift in summer activities in our household. Our second year…

Haitian art is known for its bright colors and themes from island life, such as fruits, flowers, and exotic wildlife. Most people in Haiti don’t have ready access to expensive supplies, so artists create beauty by using what they have around them. That’s why papier maché bowls and vases made…

Kate and John have three children. One of them has been diagnosed with autism, and is enrolled in Henrico County Public Schools with an individualized education plan (IEP) in place. Kate and John struggle with how to take care of her special needs while also meeting the needs of their…

How do you feel about letting a 6-month-old baby cry it out at night until she gets back to sleep? She has been sleeping through the night for a few months, but lately has started waking up. It is not unusual for a baby who has excellent sleeping habits to…

“I really felt at home – like it was a place where I belonged – which, unfortunately, isn’t something I can say every day,” said Alex, a sophomore in high school who had recently completed a week-long retreat through the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC). That VCIC summer retreat,…

For people who suffer from excessive underarm sweating (or primary axillary hyperhidrosis), RVA’s hot and miserably humid summers can be a season of stress, embarrassment, and frequent clothing changes. But that doesn’t have to be the case anymore. A new procedure called miraDry is available for men and women in…

Lima Bean Hummus In a medium pot, add 12 ounces thawed baby lima beans and cover with about an inch of water. Bring to a boil, and add a large pinch of kosher salt. Cook until the beans are tender, but not mushy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve about…

Many pet owners may be surprised when their veterinarian tells them their sick dog or cat needs a blood transfusion. Transfusions are a large part of emergency and critical care veterinary medicine. Dogs and cats (and even horses, birds, and rabbits!) can receive blood transfusions to treat numerous diseases and…

From shipping and hydropower to fishing, boating, and bathing (yes, the traditional kind!), early life in Richmond revolved around the James River. Although the river was the primary reason for the city’s founding, by the mid-twentieth century, it had become nearly completely off-limits to Richmonders. Sewage and industry had polluted…

There are many ways to reduce energy use at home. Some of them are easy and quick, and others are more involved. Let’s start with the easy stuff: bump up the thermostat a degree or two; turn off lights when leaving a room for more than five minutes; set hot…

On November 7, Virginians will head to the polls to elect a new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all one hundred members of the Virginia House of Delegates. Between now and then, Family Advocate will examine a number of challenges facing Virginia’s children that voters can use to evaluate…