Inspiring Stories: Overcoming Health Challenges and Infant Nutrition

Today on The Balancing Act, we spotlight a rare disease, visit with an inspiring advocate for the blind, and learn about a scientific breakthrough boosting the health of formula-fed babies.

First, groundbreaking science has brought the immune-nourishing benefits of a special ingredient to formula-fed babies for the first time. Similac® is the first and only infant formula with 2’-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO), previously only found in breast milk, and has no artificial growth hormones. Similac with 2’-FL HMO supports babies’ developing immune system in the gut. Dr. Rachel Buck of Similac parent company Abbott Laboratories joins the show to discuss how HMO supports the immune systems of formula-fed babies to be more like breastfed babies.

Then, our series Behind the Mystery: Rare and Genetic spotlights Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (nOH).

NOH is a rare disorder defined as low blood pressure that occurs upon standing. However, the symptoms of nOH are often mistaken for something else, or are considered “just” another symptom of an underlying nervous system disorder like Parkinson's disease. Dr. Stuart Isaacson, a South Florida neurologist, explains the signs to look for and ways to manage the disease. Also, Parkinson’s patient Keith Hall and his wife Linda, who serves as his caretaker, share their journey of living with nOH. The Halls continue to spread awareness as active advocates for both disorders.

Finally, we learn about Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and its CEO Virginia Jacko, a staunch advocate for the visually impaired. Miami Lighthouse for the Blind is an organization whose goals include providing vision rehabilitation, eye health services and education that promote independence, collaborating with and training professionals, and conducting research in related fields.

Virginia, a blind visionary in a sighted world, shares her personal story of losing her sight at age 44 and talks about her organization’s mission. Virginia originally moved to Miami as a client of Lighthouse for the Blind before becoming the first totally blind CEO anywhere. Virginia is an inspiration to the visually impaired and the sighted—she has never lost hope, and her passionate leadership has changed so many lives for the better.

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