Tips on How to Help Siblings of Seriously Ill Children

Eloah Rocha Aids Child Psychology Research in Los Angeles

An alumnus of Boulder University, Eloah Rocha joined Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as a counselor more than a decade ago. Tasked with creating daily activities for children, Eloah Rocha also conducts studies that analyze how children respond to and cope with a sibling’s serious illness.

Parents of a child diagnosed with a chronic illness dedicate much of their time and effort to ensure their ailing daughter or son receives proper medication, treatment, and attention. This, however, often causes added stress for siblings, who may feel a sense of neglect and emotional distress. Signs that a sibling suffers from these feelings include being withdrawn or anxious, lacking interest in socializing and participating in activities with friends, as well as rebellion, depression, and a decline in academic performance.

To provide equal care for their children, parents should continually reevaluate how they are dividing their time and focus. Parents must strive to build individualized relationships with each child and avoid creating unfair expectations. Additionally, they should keep their healthy children informed of their sibling’s health condition, listen to their concerns, and answer questions that arise. This keeps children involved and helps build an understanding of the current situation, which alleviates the possibility of resentment.

Components and Short History of the Triathlon

Eloah Rocha, Los Angeles Children's Hospital Youth Counselor

After earning her bachelor of science in child psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder, Eloah Rocha joined the staff of the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, where she supervises the youth activity center created by the hospital for the siblings of children undergoing treatment there. When not involved with her professional responsibilities, Eloah Rocha keeps fit by bicycling, long-distance running, and swimming.

Eloah Rocha’s three sports are the basis of the triathlon, a multisport endurance event in which athletes run, swim, and bicycle over various distances. The three legs of the triathlon are run in immediate succession, with no rest period between legs. There are four primary triathlon distances:

1. Sprint: 0.5-mile swim, 12.4-mile bike ride, and 3.1-mile run
2. Olympic: 0.93-mile swim, 24.6-mile bike ride, and 6.2-mile run
3. Long Course: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run (this is often called a half-triathlon)
4. Full or Ultra: 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run (this is often called an Ironman triathlon, especially when the swim leg is held in the ocean)

The first modern triathlon in the United States was held in 1974 in San Diego, although it was run on a significantly shorter course than the four modern standards. The first Ironman triathlon was held in Hawaii in 1978; the invitation from the event’s founder, U.S. Navy Commander John Collins, read simply, “Swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, run 26.2 miles -- BRAG FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.”

Triathlons of all distances have become enormously popular in the United States. In 2015, more than two dozen triathlons are scheduled for various venues in the Los Angeles area alone and hundreds more nationwide. More information about the triathlon can be found at www.totaltriathlon.com.

Myths about Long-Distance Running

Eloah Rocha pursues a career in child psychology and counseling.

Eloah Rocha serves as a counselor at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, where she manages the youth activity center for the siblings of patients. Eloah Rocha attended Boulder University and majored in child psychology. In her free time, she enjoys staying active by practicing yoga and running long distances.

Long-distance running has many opponents, many of whom cite misleading claims about the damage it can do to the body. Read ahead to learn about some of the common myths about long-distance running:

1. Running decreases muscle mass. Many people believe that running breaks down muscle as fuel, eliminating muscle mass. While this could happen, it would be an extremely unique case in which a runner eats no protein while running many miles. Some runners find they do not increase their muscle mass through running alone, but they can supplement with strength training.

2. Running is easy. Critics claim anyone can put on a pair of shoes and go for a run. As with any sport or activity, running is a skill that requires proper form and equipment and that needs to be developed slowly over time.

3. Running does not help with weight loss. Numerous studies show that running is an efficient way to burn calories. Aerobic activities do more to burn the visceral fat and liver fat than resistance training. Finally, longer runs teach the body to burn fat more efficiently.