According to Wikipedia, October celebrates 25 different causes from National Pizza Month to Bullying Prevention Month. Mostly, October is known for only two colors: Orange and Pink. Orange of course for Halloween, and Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. However, there are so many other causes to celebrate, learn about, and raise awareness for that are just as important. Of course, it is impossible to talk about every single cause and do it justice, so here are three causes to be aware of this October.
1. National Bullying Prevention Month
As a former victim of bullying, this cause is near and dear to my heart. STOMP Out Bullying is recognized as the most influential anti-bullying and cyberbullying organization in America, according to their website. On the first Monday of the month, schools across the country participate in Blue Shirt Day. Adults and kids alike are encouraged to wear a blue shirt to signify their stand against bullying and cyberbullying. Kids are encouraged to not allow those being bullied to suffer in silence by standing up for their peers, telling a trusted adult about the problem, and being kind to the people being bullied. Most often, kids being bullied do not feel like they have many people in their corner. They feel isolated and alone, which allows bullies to continue bullying. Middle school and high school are rough; do not make it any worse by standing idly by. Research shows that over 30,000 kids cut school because of their fear of being bullied, and bullying causes over 6,000 deaths by suicide every year in kids and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24. Roughly 37% of students have suicidal thoughts a year because of bullying. So, speak up! You never know what alerting an adult to the problem or even just speaking an encouraging word to someone else can do.
2. National Dyslexia Awareness Month
It is estimated that 1 in 10 people have some form of dyslexia but are unaware of it. The National Institute for Learning Development describes dyslexia as a reading disorder characterized by trouble reading despite normal reading level. Although is characterized as a learning disability, and it does come with many, many challenges, people often overlook the benefits of living with dyslexia.
For example, one of my best friends is a significantly more creative individual than most of his friends because he does not have to think about the logical components of music or audio. He just does it. He also connects to people much easier because he works better on an emotional level than most people. Research shows that those with dyslexia are visual learners and can spot visual abnormalities in people, pictures, etc., much faster than the average person. They are alert to everything all at once while people without dyslexia have a much easier time focusing on one thing. It is also common to have some level of ADD or ADHD with dyslexia.
3. National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
Finally, October is a month for yellow, the color of the Spina Bifida Awareness ribbon and a cause extremely close to my heart. Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect involving the incomplete formation of a fetus's spinal chord and/or column. There are three types of Spina Bifida ranging from Spina Bifida Occulta, the least severe, to Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele, the most severe whereas Spina Bifida Meningocele is the most rare form of the defect.
The highest rates of Spina Bifida are found in Hispanic women. Spina Bifida is also most prevalent in the state of Kentucky. Although still considered a rare birth defect, it is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the US, affecting one in every 1300 newborns in the country. It is characterized by the spinal cord protruding from a baby's back. Surgery is typically immediately required, and many Spina Bifida kids will require many, many surgeries in their lifetime to combat the affects of the birth defect. The most common problem is some form of paralysis of the lower body. Most Spina Bifida patients walk with walkers, crutches, braces, or cannot walk at all. However, some patients can walk quite well and do not have much difficulty moving around. For some patients, it is sometimes even impossible to tell they have a disability at all unless they tell you.
Although Spina Bifida is commonly genetic, it can be combatted by women taking folic acid supplements while fertile.
So, here's what YOU can do to raise awareness for any October causes: speak up! Raise your voice, use whatever platform you can, and just start talking. No matter what cause you want to rally for, awareness can be achieved just by saying something.
And, p.s., it's also National Pizza Month. For all the college kids who made it this far, Pizza Hut and Papa Johns offer college discounts in some form. So, as your reward for getting through midterms, etc., go get yourself some pizza!
