Hawks look to bounce back, News (Saugeen Shores Winterhawks)

News Article
News Article Image
Feb 12, 2020 | Winterhawks News | 3090 views
Hawks look to bounce back
After a less than ideal start to the playoffs, the Winterhawks look to rebound during a must-win weekend.

The Winterhawks dropped the opening two games of their WOAA Sr. "AA" quarterfinal series with the Tillsonburg Thunder, a 5-4 overtime heart-breaker at The Plex in Game 1, followed by a 6-2 decision in Game 2.

"[Tillsonburg] are gamers, they have a good goalie, they play pretty sound hockey, " said Winterhawks Head Coach Matt Turcotte. "But we have to play a lot better."

The best-of-seven series returns to The Plex on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. for Game 3, which is sponsored by Climate Clinic.

The Winterhawks, Climate Clinic and Luscombe families are teaming up to raise awareness and support for a local Winterhawks fan fighting a big battle with a disorder called PANDAS.

Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus is an disorder that causes a autoimmune brain encephalitis with exposure to the common strep bacteria.

Local 8 year old Ben Luscombe and his friend and Porter Bates want everyone to know about the symptoms of PANDAS so they can recognize the disorder and get quick help.

If treated swiftly, PANDAS can be quickly cured. If left untreated PANDAS can be utterly devastating to a child's brain and future functioning. 

The symptoms experienced by a child affected by P.A.N.D.A.S  may include the following:
Obsessive Compulsive Behaviours
Generalized anxiety
Joint pain
Restrictive eating
Tics (motor, vocal, echolalia)
Separation anxiety
Hyperactivity
Sleep difficulties
Choreiform movements
Emotional lability (including irritability, aggression or depression episodes, inability to control tears or laughter)
Behavioural regression (baby-talk, temper tantrums)
Developmental regression (fine motor skills, handwriting)
Decreased ability to concentrate and/or hyperactivity
Loss of abilities in mathematics and visual-spatial areas
Sensory issues (sound, smells, light, clothing)
Urinary issues (increased frequency, bed wetting or daytime enuresis)

After 5 years, Ben is finally recieving the care he needs to support his recovery. Thank you for supporting his journey. To learn more about the Luscombe's journey battling PANDAS watch:

For more information on PANDAS  visit www.pandaspansontario.org and www.pandasnetwork.org 

Sponsors