Monthly Columns
Ageless Member of the Month – May
Excuses. Excuses. Excuses. We all make them. When it comes to exercising and living a healthy lifestyle, we tend to make a lot of them. The most common excuse we hear is “I just don’t have time.” Even though there are 10,080 minutes in one week, people just can’t seem to find 90 minutes per week to invest in their health. Since I don’t have children, I don’t pass judgment on those individuals. Kids are a handful, and extremely time-consuming. At least that’s what I thought until I met the Byots family.
Originally, we selected Reggie Byots as May’s member of the month. However, it didn’t take long into our conversation to realize that her success was definitely a team effort. Thus, the entire Byots family is our member of the month: Reggie, her husband Mike, her daughter Nique, and her 3 sons Michael, J.D., and Noah. They are the epitome of a healthy, happy family.
Now, Reggie’s dedication to exercising wouldn’t be out of the ordinary if she was a stay at-home mother, especially with her kids being in school most of the day. However, she’s not. She works 40+ hours per week as the Chief Operating Officer at the Macoupin County Housing Authority and Village at Morse Farm. She also serves as the President of the Macoupin County Interagency Council, Member of the Carlinville Soccer Board, and President of the Carlinville Women’s Softball League. On top of all of those commitments, she somehow finds to play in a winter volleyball league as well as a summer softball league. It’s no wonder she was nominated as one of the “Top 25 Under 45” young leader award winners in Macoupin County.
And after her 9-5 shift, the fun begins. Her oldest child, Dominique, is a freshman on Blackburn’s soccer team. Her sons play in a flag football league, a basketball league, a baseball league, an indoor and outdoor soccer league, and a wrestling league. She’s just not a fan though. She coaches 3 of their baseball teams as well as 2 of their soccer teams. Needless to say, she’s busy, really busy.
Most would assume she doesn’t need any additional exercise after a daily schedule like that. They would be wrong. She’s a regular at our bootcamp classes, personal trains with Pete a few times per week, and her and Mike still find time to work out together a few nights each week. She was the first women to reach the top of Mt. Everest. She climbed 29,209 feet in an astonishing 4 days while still keeping her daily schedule as a mom and working woman. Her team, Thin It to Win It, is currently in first place in the BenGil Biggest Winner contest, almost doubling the 2nd place team’s score. She’s basically dominated any challenge we’ve thrown at her. And the amazing part is she’s done it without taking time away from her family or work.
How does she do it? She makes exercising a priority in her life. She fully understands and appreciates its impact on her not only physically, but also emotionally. There was a time when it wasn’t, and she lost her sense of self. After her youngest child’s birth, she fell into a rut. Her life was out of balance. Everything revolved around her family and her work. She lost her “me” time, and quickly realized something was missing. Thanks to her husband and children, she recommitted herself to exercise, and found that balance again. She hasn’t stopped exercising since!
Most importantly though, she couldn’t have accomplished any of this without her family. She freely admits that Mike has been her biggest supporter. Without his unselfishness, she would struggle to find time to make it to the gym. (Side note: I would list everything he does for her, but I don’t want to give Amber any ideas. Needless to say, he makes me look bad, real bad.) And the support just doesn’t stop with Mike. Nique and her 3 boys have been just as important to her success. It’s obvious her life revolves around her family, and her family’s life revolves around her.
Reggie provides us with a perfect life lesson. If your family is important to you, it’s critical you take your health serious. Having a little “me time” isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. Make a healthy lifestyle a priority. Not only will you reap the benefits, but so will your family!
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Dear Editor,
Domestic Violence within Macoupin County is prevalent. It is destructive and can be both physical and psychological. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. It may include behaviors meant to scare, physically harm, or control a partner. While every relationship is different – domestic violence generally involves an unequal power dynamic in which one partner tries to assert control over the other in a variety of ways. The following statistics are all according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
We can see domestic violence inside the home: through the use and control of household pets. In one study, 85% of survivors who experienced co-occurring animal abuse reported that the behavior of their pets had changed. An even higher percentage of survivors who reported partners had harmed or killed their pet, have also reported their partner for domestic violence. We can also see an increase usage of firearms within the intimate partner violence home. A survey of contacts by the National Domestic Violence Hotline found (of those with access to firearms):
- 10% said their abusers had fired a gun during an argument.
- 67% believed their abusers were capable of killing them.
We can see domestic violence inside our schools: as partner violence is not exclusive to the home. There are many instances of violence between dating partners that begin in high school. Nearly 1.5 million high school students in the United States are physically abused by dating partners every year. Within those relationships, 13.4% of male high school students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.
We can see domestic violence inside our community: Macoupin County provides a specific set of needs for those victims and survivors of domestic violence. There are several complex concerns within a violent relationship that come to light once action has been taken. Safe Families sees a few main re-occurring concerns within the county:
- Survivors have fewer financial resources, making them more financially dependent on an abusive partner.
- The lack of rental units or other affordable housing options makes it more difficult for survivors to leave spouses or co-habiting abusers.
The Macoupin County Safe Families program provides support for residents as they journey the emotional endeavors to leave behind domestic violence. As a contributor to that experience, we will be hosting a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on October 7th on the Carlinville Square. An event shirt will be included with a ticket sale. The online tickets will close 09/29 at 5pm. Tickets will be sold at 9am day-of event at the Safe Families booth. More information about the Awareness Walk can be found on our website at mcphd@mcphd.net. We urge Macoupin County residents to join us and rally against domestic violence together.
Juliet Wooldridge and Lilly Booth
Domestic Violence Advocate Coordinators
Community Health Worker
Macoupin County Safe Families
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Dear Editor,
Community Health Centers are the backbone of our nation’s primary health care system. We design innovative, integrated primary care based on what services communities need most — ensuring access to affordable, quality healthcare for over 30 million people. In addition to creating jobs and saving lives, collectively we save American taxpayers $24 billion a year in health care costs by preventing and managing chronic diseases.
Community Health Centers are not ordinary medical clinics; we are also problem-solvers who reach beyond the exam room to care for the whole person by providing access to necessities like food, transportation, and housing. Community Health Centers care for everyone, regardless of insurance status. Nationwide during hurricanes, floods, and fires, and locally during the pandemic, Community Health Centers are first on the scene and are vital to keeping America healthy.
The 2023 theme of National Health Center Week is ‘The Roadmap to a Stronger America.’ Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, we offer support and love. In moments of triumph, we offer hope and a vision for the future. This year’s National Health Center Week theme takes us on a virtual road trip across America, highlighting the achievements and amazing work being done at Community Health Centers in every state and territory. Celebrate the uniqueness of our community and get to know others as we journey across the U.S. together!
Each day of National Health Center Week is dedicated to a particular focus area. We will be working with community partners to recognize and celebrate each of the following focus groups in our community.
- Sunday, 8/6: Public Health in Housing Day
- Monday, 8/7: Healthcare for the Homeless Day
- Tuesday, 8/8: Agricultural Worker Health Day
- Wednesday, 8/9: Patient Appreciation Day
- Thursday, 8/10: Stakeholder Appreciation Day
- Friday, 8/11: Health Center Staff Appreciation Day
- Saturday, 8/12: Children’s Health Day
As part of National Health Center Week 2023, we invite you to support Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc. to celebrate our mission and accomplishments.
Christy Blank
CEO/Public Health Administrator
Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc.
Macoupin County Public Health Department
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