Overheard

Neurosurgeons at Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute LLC are using a new surgical technique that offers some patients a chance to maintain motion in their necks following surgery for cervical degenerative disc disease.

The new artificial disc, called the Prestige Cervical Disc, is inserted into the neck using a similar procedure to a spinal fusion. Used in a procedure called cervical disc arthroplasty, the Prestige Cervical Disc scored well in a recently concluded clinical trial that compared outcomes of Prestige’s cervical artificial disc replacement to anterior cervical discectomy and spinal fusion procedures. It is the first artificial disc approved for the cervical spine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Kids’ Camp Tax Credit

Sending the kids to day camp this summer might qualify for a tax break. Working parents who send their children under 13 years old to a summer day camp program may be able to claim the cost as an expense toward the child and dependent care credit, IRS sources say.

The credit is generally 20 percent–35 percent of nonreimbursed expenses. Overnight camps do not qualify. For more information, review IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, available at www.irs.gov or by calling (800) TAX-FORM.

Slice of Nice

The Victim Center is seeking community volunteers to assist victims of violent crime and their families. Training is scheduled 5:30–8:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 13. Victim advocates are on call nights, weekends or holidays approximately twice a month to respond to (417) 864-SAFE hotline calls from crime victims or calls from local health-care and law enforcement agencies. 

For more information, contact Victim Advocate/Volunteer Coordinator Paula Tindell at (417) 863-0827, ext. 106.

The Victim Center is a United Way nonprofit agency that offers free crisis interventions, counseling and advocacy services to child, adolescent and adult victims of sexual and other violent crimes.

Twice of Nice

Radio station 99 Hit-FM and area Staples stores are sponsoring a back-to-school supply drive for residents at the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch. The drive takes place through Aug. 31 at Staples in Springfield – 2135 E. Independence and 2636 N. Kansas Expressway. Shoppers can donate school supplies at collection barrels located in the customer service areas.

Supplies needed include notebook paper, pens, pencils, folders, markers, rulers, glue sticks and calculators.

Located north of Springfield on Highway 13, the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch provides a home and education through Pleasant Hope schools to 76 boys ages 12 to 18 who have been abandoned, abused or neglected. For more information, contact Julie Conway at (417) 376-2238.[[In-content Ad]]