By By Lisa Tindell – editor
Shaking an infant could cause damage severe enough to render the child's brain frozen in time.
Fussell, along with SaBarba Lewis-Williams, addressed the students in the Child and Elderly Care class at the Escambia-Brewton Area Vocational Center to discuss the results of shaking a baby.
Fussell conducted a demonstration showing the vulnerability of the brain of an infant. By using a tomato to symbolize the brain and an empty can as the child's skull, the severity of even mild shaking of a baby was evident to the class.
After mimicking rocking and playing motions with the simple tolls, Fussell opened the can to reveal a tomato with broken skin and oozing juice.
Gail Cooper has seven years experience working with the Department of Human Resources and says the SBS is a problem that must addressed.
One child each year is one child too many, Cooper said.
Williams offered tips to students in the class that would provide an opportunity to avoid making an irreversible mistake.
Williams told students staff members at The Hope Place, the Department of Human Resources and law enforcement personnel would answer their call for help at any time.
Wiliams also said if no help is available, the next best option is to walk away.
For information on detecting possible victims of SBS contact The Hope Place on St. Joseph Avenue in downtown Brewton or Escambia County Department of Human Resources on Evergreen Avenue.