Shari specializes in complex medical negligence (malpractice), catastrophic birth injuries, and birth trauma. She is able to relate especially well to parents whose infants suffer injury and trauma at birth. Her own daughter, Katlyn, passed away in 1996 at just seven months of age after being born with severe disabilities, and contracting a respiratory infection.

To honor her daughter’s memory, and to help other children born with similar challenges, Shari founded Katlyn’s Hope while living in Wichita, Kansas. The organization raised money which was used to help provide in-home training for children who were blind and deaf. Funds also went toward purchasing educational toys, glasses, and hearing aids, and to pay for families to travel to workshops and conferences that taught them how to cope with the disabilities their children had.

After a little more than a decade, Shari moved from Wichita to Denver, and was no longer able to dedicate the time necessary to continue managing Katlyn’s Hope. She donated more than $120,000 in assets from the organization to Challenge Aspen, which has a similar mission, but helps people in a wider age range, and with a wider range of disabilities.

Shari was recently profiled by the Wichita Bar Association, which noted that “she returns to Wichita regularly to finish up cases she has in Kansas,” and that she “loves the mountains and the scenery of Colorado, but still loves Wichita for the warmth of the friends and lawyers she has met and maintained contact with.”

The fact that she makes a habit of visiting her former city to follow up on cases just demonstrates how committed Shari is to her clients, and that she truly cares about them. She regularly takes on cases where people have been wronged in some way, and takes a personal approach to representing them. Shari understands how stressful the legal process can be, especially to someone who doesn’t work within it on a daily basis, and she makes a concerted effort to walk her clients through that process, and remains by their side every step of the way.

We hope it never happens, but if you or a loved one ever finds yourself in need of a medical malpractice lawyer, or one who specializes in catastrophic birth injuries and birth trauma, you would be well represented and supported by Shari Willis.

Accreditation

The American Camp Association (ACA) offers accreditation to camps that meet extensive standards of quality, health, and safety. If the camp you choose is accredited by the ACA, you can rest assured your child is in good hands.

Permit

A summer camp, just like any other business, requires certain permits in order to exist. For example, the camp must have a permit to prepare and serve food. You don’t want to find out later that the health department revoked a camp’s food services permit due to unhealthy practices. Check with local government offices to ensure the camp’s permits are current and in good standing.

Medical Care

Find out whether the camp offers medical care on site. Shockingly, many camps still do not provide basic care for sick or injured children. They don’t have to have a doctor on site at all times, but camp staff should be trained in basic first aid, and there should be a plan in place for transporting injured children to a nearby care facility.

Professional & Trained Staff

Camp counselors should have some sort of training in interacting with children. Working at a summer camp isn’t just a job like working a register at a retail store. It requires a completely different set of skills. Find out what kind of training camp staff goes through. More importantly, find out whether camp staff is screened before being hired. Ask whether the camp does a criminal background check on employees, and whether it requires a drug test. Any camp that hires people without making sure they’re safe to be around children is not a place you want to send your child for the summer.

In addition to overall training to work with children, camp staff should receive additional training specific to their everyday tasks within the camp. Again, all staff should be trained in basic first aid and CPR. People who work in the kitchens should have knowledge of food safety and proper preparation. If the camp has a pool or is near a lake, there must be lifeguards who are certified, and trained in CPR. Hundreds of children die every year in pool accidents that could have been prevented. Do everything you can to make sure your child isn’t one of them.

Healthy Meals

You probably don’t allow your kids to eat hamburgers and hot dogs every day at home, so you don’t want them to eat that kind of food every day just because they’re at camp. Those things are okay in moderation, but find out what kind of menu the camp provides. They should offer healthy options like fresh fruits and vegetables, and go easy on the sugary desserts. Also, if your child has special dietary needs

This is becoming an all too common news story. Someone crashing their car while texting. Someone hitting a pedestrian while talking on their cell phone. Sometimes the driver is injured or killed, as was recently the case in Georgia when an 18-year-old girl died in an accident just two days after she graduated from high school. Authorities believe she was texting while driving. But more often, the driver causes the injury or death of others through their carelessness and irresponsibility.

Texting and driving has become what drunk driving was in the ’80s. That irresponsible behavior launched national campaigns, public service announcements, and non-profit groups intent on doing away with driving under the influence. It worked, to a degree, and the number of accidents caused by alcohol has been greatly reduced over the last three decades. Driving and texting, or just talking on a cell phone, is now gaining national attention as the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths caused by this activity continues to rise.

In January of 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a federal ban on texting by commercial vehicle drivers. It applies to large trucks, like those that transport goods across the country, and buses. The DOT has even launched an initiative to end distracted driving, going so far as to team up with Oprah Winfrey, who has launched her own campaign against distracted driving, called the No Phone Zone.

Winfrey has required all of her employees to sign a pledge stating they will not conduct business over their cell phones while they drive, and asks every guest who appears on her show, as well as audience members to sign the same pledge.

It was, in part, Erica’s death that encouraged Oprah to embark on her mission to get people to give up using their cell phones while driving. The girl’s death was also an impetus for the state of Colorado to pass a ban on texting while driving. The bill started out as a total cell phone ban, which would also cover talking on the phone while driving, but was reduced to address texting alone.

If you’re involved in an accident caused by a driver who texts while driving, you are protected by Colorado law. An attorney can help you understand your rights. And because of Erica Forney’s untimely death, a Fort Collins accident attorney will be especially familiar with this type of case.

If even one accident is avoided because one person chooses not to use their cell phone while driving, Erica Forney will not have died in vain.

Bicycle Accidents

Kids love to ride their bikes. Once they learn how to ride, a bike offers kids a sense of independence, and the ability to propel themselves ever faster can be thrilling. It’s pretty common for kids to race against other kids, or to do tricks like wheelies. This behavior can lead to bicycle accidents. The best thing parents can do is make wearing a bicycle helmet a requirement for riding a bike. No helmet, no bike. Check the fit every so often to make sure the helmet is offering optimal protection as the child grows.

Swimming Accidents

One of the best things about summer is being able to enjoy a swimming pool. It’s a great way to cool off, and can provide hours of fun for kids of all ages. Unfortunately, many small children drown in swimming pools every year, even when parents are doing their best to be careful. It only takes seconds for a toddler to drown in just a few inches of water, and all it takes is for a parent to divert their attention to take a phone call or to go inside to get something to drink. If you have a toddler near a pool, take the child with you if you leave the area, even if you think you’ll only be gone for a minute. If the pool is in your back yard, invest in a fence with a locking gate to keep your toddler out of the pool area without your supervision.

Automobile Accidents

Even with seatbelts, car seats, and air bags, the truth is, automobiles really aren’t built with children in mind. It’s very easy for a child to be injured in even minor automobile accidents because airbags are propelled with so much force, and seatbelts are made for adults. With the kids out of school for the summer, they will probably be in the car with you more often. Take extra care when driving with kids in the car. Make sure every passenger is wearing a seatbelt, and that it’s adjusted for the child’s size, if possible. Ensure toddler and baby car seats are properly installed and secured in the back seat. Obey the speed limits, and reduce distractions by turning off the radio, avoiding drinking or eating, and not using a cell phone while driving.

Kids don’t have to be passengers in vehicles to be injured by them. During the summer, a lot of kids play in neighborhood streets, especially areas where there is little yard space, or near apartment complexes. One thing to really watch out for is kids playing in front yards in neighborhoods where cars park on the street. A child will run after a stray ball without thinking, and may dash out into the street from between parked cars. This makes it difficult for drivers to see them until it’s too late.

It’s essential to obey neighborhood speed limits, and perhaps even drive a little more slowly when you see kids playing outside. Above all, don’t take your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds. That’s all it takes for a child to run out in front of a car and be hit. Even at the posted speed limit, a moving vehicle will severely injure a small child.

Fire Accidents

Grilling is a popular cooking method during the summer. Keep kids away from the hot grill while it’s in use, and talk to them as they get older about the dangers of grills. Store grilling supplies such as charcoal, lighter fluid, and matches well out of children’s reach. You also may enjoy setting off fireworks on Independence Day, if they’re legal where you live. Never allow small children to light fireworks, or to be too close to an area where they’re being set off. Every year, hospitals see hundreds of children burnt by fireworks. Don’t let your child be one of those statistics.

Talk to your kids about the dangers of everyday activities, and teach them how to enjoy them safely. And whenever possible, supervise your children to ensure they’re staying safe, and will be able to enjoy many summers to come.

Below is a list of several emergency and urgent care facilities in Colorado that cater to children. This list is not exhaustive.

Emergency Departments

The Children’s Hospital Main Campus, Aurora
Emergency Care
13123 East 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: 720-777-1234

The Children’s Hospital at Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver
Emergency Care
1830 Franklin Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: 720-777-1360

The Children’s Hospital at Parker Adventist Hospital, Parker
Emergency Care
9395 Crown Crest Boulevard
Parker, CO 80138
Phone: 720-777-1350

The Children’s Hospital at Littleton Adventist Hospital, Littleton
Emergency Care (After-Hours only)
7700 S. Broadway
Littleton, CO 80122
Phone: 303-730-5895

Memorial Hospital Central, Colorado Springs
Emergency Care
1400 East Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Phone: 719-365-5000

Memorial Hospital North, Colorado Springs
Emergency Care
4050 Briargate Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: 719-364-5000

Urgent & After Hours Care

The Children’s Hospital North Campus, Broomfield
Urgent Care
469 W 168th Avenue
Broomfield, CO 80023
Phone: 720-777-1340

The Children’s Hospital at Lutheran Medical Center (Wheat Ridge)
Urgent Care
3455 Lutheran Parkway, Suite 230
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Phone: 720-777-1370

Briargate Medical Campus, Colorado Springs
Urgent & After-Hours Care
8890 North Union
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: 365-2888

Springs Medical Center, Colorado Springs
Urgent & After-Hours Care
2502 East Pikes Peak Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Phone: 365-5075

Wildfires are common in Australia due to frequent drought and oppressive heat. Yet firefighters continue to risk their lives to fulfill their duties of keeping people and property safe. In 1998, five firefighters died in a horrible wildfire in Lindon, Australia. Afterward, the local community paid tribute to them and the sacrifices they made by wearing red ribbons in their honor. This small gesture was the beginning of what is now observed as International Firefighters’ Day.

The loss of those five men, and the ensuing tribute prompted a volunteer firefighter named JJ Edmondson of Victoria, Australia to begin an online campaign to coordinate international recognition for firefighters around the world. The positive response was overwhelming, and after some discussion, it was decided that International Firefighters’ Day would be observed on May 4 every year.

This date was chosen because it is also the day that celebrates the life of Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, among other things. He stands for selfless dedication to duty and saving lives, the very things today’s firefighters risk their lives for.

Last week, those who want to pay tribute to firefighters wore a blue and red ribbon to honor those firefighters who have been injured, who have given their lives to save others, or who simply take on that risk every single day. Whether or not you observe this international day of recognition and tribute, the bravery and dedication displayed by firefighters everywhere is undeniable.

In March 2010, the NSC released a white paper citing more than 30 studies that show cell phone use while driving is dangerous. The paper is interesting because it doesn’t support using hands-free devices in lieu of hand held phones, an alternative advised by many who speak out against cell phone use while driving, but who don’t support a complete ban. Instead, the paper states that using a cell phone at all while driving requires the brain to multitask, divides attention, causes distraction, and can thereby cause accidents.

Some people argue that talking on a cell phone is no different than talking to a passenger in the car. This is true, to a point. But a passenger in the car is seeing everything the driver sees, and when a situation arises that requires more of the driver’s attention and skill, the passenger will most likely stop talking to allow the driver to concentrate. The person on the other end of a cell phone call doesn’t have that advantage, and will continue to talk, perhaps even demanding responses when the driver needs to concentrate fully on the road.

Studies have also shown that drivers talking on cell phones have similar reaction times to drivers who are impaired by alcohol. No one argues that drinking and driving is dangerous and should be illegal, yet many people still argue that using a cell phone while driving is acceptable.

People tend to forget that when they’re driving, they’re operating a complex machine that weighs two to three thousand pounds, depending on the vehicle. All those features that were created to make driving easier, such as power steering, power brakes, and automatic transmissions belie the amount of energy it takes to power a vehicle, and the tremendous amount of force it can exert on impact. Most of the accidents traced back to cell phone distraction involve running red lights or stop signs, or simply driving into oncoming traffic, things that drivers would be much less likely to do had they not been talking or texting on cell phones.

Although the Colorado ban now in effect bans texting

Living away from urban areas is still something that a lot of people aspire to. You may have built your home on a wooded lot, with a stream or river running through the property. While this is a highly desirable place to live, it can be dangerous during the spring thaw. Fast-rushing streams and rivers can be quite attractive to children. Seeing the water rush by is exciting, especially if it’s not the normal state for that body of water. Kids get curious, or imagine themselves as explorers, and can get too close to the water.

It only takes a moment for a child to lose his footing and tumble into rapidly running water. Even a child who can swim can quickly become tired just trying to keep his head above water in a fast-moving river. The safest thing to do is keep your kids away from the water at all times. High water levels or not, a river can be dangerous. If they’re old enough, talk to your kids about the dangers so they’re at least aware if you can’t be with them all the time.

The same goes for your pets. Dogs are natural swimmers, but it takes a lot of energy to stay afloat in rushing water. There’s also a danger of running into rocks or tree branches, and not being able to move out of the way quickly enough. Keep your kids and your pets safely in sight until the water levels go down again.

When some roads are built, they go through areas that perhaps were once part of a river or stream that has since dried up, or through low-lying areas that are vulnerable to a build-up of water if conditions are right. These low water crossings are usually very well marked, and should be avoided if river and stream levels are high at the beginning of spring, or during heavy downpours. Trying to drive through a low water crossing because you think your vehicle is sturdy enough to make it, or because you don’t want to add time to your route by taking a detour, is dangerous and foolhardy.

Every year, people try to drive through low water crossings, and it usually turns out badly. The vehicle passengers end up having to be pulled out of the water by rescue workers, mildly injured if they’re lucky. Some people end up drowning in their cars before rescue teams can reach them. Even those who make it out with just a few cuts and bruises will have an auto insurance nightmare to deal with. Comprehensive coverage does address water damage to a vehicle, but your premiums are sure to skyrocket under the circumstances, because it may not be considered a vehicle accident if you drove into it willingly. Save yourself, your passengers, and your wallet by simply avoiding low water crossings until they’re safe to navigate.

Staying safe during the spring thaw is really a matter of common sense. Be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye on your kids and pets, and obey road warnings. Water levels will return to normal soon enough, and you’ll be able to enjoy spring and the coming summer with your family.

Having lived most of my life in Colorado, I’ve hit a patch of ice and lost control of my car and slid off the road a time or two. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan helped me out and my time stuck out in the blizzard was minimal. But what if my timing isn’t so good the next time? What if I’m on my way back from the mountains and I get stuck – as we all know, cell phone coverage in the mountains can be unreliable.

Most people don’t realize that you can get hypothermia even when the temperature is not below freezing and is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Hypothermia can be fatal and if not treated promptly, lethargy, cardiac arrest, shock, and coma can set in.
Hypothermia symptoms include:
- Uncontrollable shivering – although, at extremely low body temperatures, shivering may stop
- Weakness and loss of coordination
- Confusion
- Pale and cold skin
- Drowsiness – especially in more severe stages
- Slowed breathing or heart rate

In the unlikely event that you are trapped in your car during one of our Colorado snowstorms it is best that you are prepared with a Winter Survival Kit to get you through the storm with nothing worse than a great story to tell your friends and family.
You can buy winter survival kits or you can make your own.
What to put in your winter survival kit:
- Duffle Bag
- High Calorie Foods (candy bars, granola bars, nuts, power bars, etc.)
- Bottled Water
- First Aid Kit
- Flashlight and Extra Batteries (put in Ziploc bag to keep dry)
- Flares (put in Ziploc bag to keep dry)
- Matches and/or Bic lighters (put in a Ziploc bag to keep dry)
- A Candle (to help keep the interior of your car warm. I carry one made in a glass jar that has a lid)
- Warm Blanket(s)
- Large Plastic Trash Bags (or reflective safety blankets – these can help you stay warm and dry)
- Extra warm clothing (sweaters, long pants, etc. – layering can help you stay warm)
- Pet Food (if your pet travels with you)

You can easily make these kits for all drivers in your family. Every spring I take out the perishables and every winter I check the flashlight, batteries, etc. and replenish the food items and bottled water.

I keep this duffle bag in my car year round, and oddly enough, you’ll be surprised at how often you’ll use something from this kit, even when you’re not stranded in a blizzard.

Day 1 (Friday, November 6th): Today was the first day of competition for the Providence Cup. After a brief scare involving lost case materials, we got everyone through security and into the courthouse. We had never competed in this tournament before, so we didn’t know exactly what to expect. After a brief introduction, we were dispatched to our first round.

The team preparing to compete in the championship round. Clockwise, from top left: Aharon Fleury, Jackson Emanuel, Anton Nguyen-Vu, Connor Trafton, Taylor Kelson.

Our first opponent was the Palmer A team. Palmer was the 2009 state champion, and the Providence Cup team had several members in common with the championship team, so we knew we were in for a hard fight. We presented defense against their prosecution, and felt that the round went very well, especially for the first of the competition. Our second round was against the Bear Creek B team, where we presented our prosecution against their defense. While they were not quite the caliber of the Palmer team, it was still a hard-fought round, especially since our prosecution side of the case was slightly weaker than our defense. The second round didn’t conclude until 9:45 pm on Friday, so we left to get a much-needed night of rest before day 2.

Day 2 (Saturday, November 7th): The day opened with the unfortunate news that the Palmer A team had been forced to withdraw due to a family emergency that had called one of the team members back home. We had enjoyed the company and the competition of the team, and were looking forward to possibly facing them in the championship round, so we were disappointed that they had to leave early. In the first round of the day, round 3, our defense faced the prosecution of a team comprised of members from many high schools who had met each other at the Providence Foundation’s Academy of Law and Leadership. Their rhetoric skills were outstanding, and the round was highly contested. Their team went on to win the professionalism award for the competition. Round 4, the final regular competition round, placed our defense against the prosecution of Rock Canyon. We knew that, if our scores so far had been good, the outcome of this round would determine whether or not we moved on to the championships, so we put our best foot forward. A few minutes after round 4 concluded, we were excited to hear that we had made it to the championship round. The championship round pitted our prosecution against the defense of Bear Creek A. This team, which had won the Providence Cup in 2008 and fared well at the state tournament, was another formidable opponent. Both teams put forth a compelling case, and our presentation was by far our best.

Awards Ceremony (Saturday evening, November 7th): After the championship round, the team headed to Dave and Busters for dinner and to hear the results of the tournament. The first awards presented were the Professionalism and Spirit awards. They went to the Providence Academy and Glenwood Springs teams respectively. Awards were also presented to the three top attorneys and the three top witnesses of the whole tournament; Aharon Fleury received an Outstanding Witness award, and Taylor Kelson received an Outstanding Attorney award. Last, in the moment we had been waiting for, our team received the “Championship Finalist” (2nd place overall) award for the tournament. This means that we were most likely undefeated in regular competition, and lost by ballots to Bear Creek A in the championship round (though due to the way scoring works, it is theoretically possible that we lost a prior round and won the championship round). We were disappointed not to walk away with the Providence Cup, but overall we were extremely pleased to walk away with second place and two individual awards in our first year in the tournament.

Our participation in the Providence Cup has now concluded, and we have begun work on the case for regular season Mock Trial competition in February. We are still anxiously awaiting ballots, comments, and points from the Providence Cup, which should be released sometime next week. The tournament was a great experience for all five team members, and hopefully the insight and practice we gained will help propel us to success in the regular season.

Statistically, 5 to 12 year old children are four times more likely to be injured on Halloween night due to falls and car crashes.

To help ensure that your children have a safe and happy Halloween, follow these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

ALL DRESSED UP:
-Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
-Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
-Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer -When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
-If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
-Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
-Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.
CARVING A NICHE:
-Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
-Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.
-Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.
HOME SAFE HOME:
-To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
-Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
-Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
-Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.
ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:
-A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
-If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
-Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or-Treaters:
-Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
-Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
-Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
-If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
-Never cut across yards or use alleys.
-Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
-Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!
-Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:
-A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
-Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
-Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
-Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

Let’s keep our neighborhood children safe this Halloween. Click here for more Halloween safety tips.