FSM January 2016

HEALTH & FITNESS • JANUARY 2016 • VOL XX, ISSUE 08 • $3.00
Promoting Community & Commerce since 1995

ADDRESSING INFERTILITY GET IN THE GAME TOYOTA STADIUM
The Science Behind the Preventing Athletic The National Soccer Hall
Disorder
Injuries of Fame Museum









BIG READS

Feature 40

BY CAROLYN CAMERON

Navigating the Science of Fertility

The barrage of treatment options for those facing infertility are boundless. With
so many couples desiring children and with so many options available to them,
making decisions about reproductive technologies can be extremely difficult
and ethically challenging.

BUSINESS 17 EDUCATION 79 Provided by Dr. Marius Meintjes
Celebrate with Our Heroes! A New Approach to
Innovative Education There’s always
FAMILY 23 by Minnie Payne more on
Embracing Texas Families
by Megan Sanders PROFILE 87 We want to connect with
Strong is Beautiful ... our readers. Have you visit-
DINING 65 and Fashionable ed friscostyle.com recent-
An Egg-ceptional Diner! by Christi Redfearn ly? Be sure to check out our
by Natalie Elliott magazine library, popular
recipes, featured contests
and so much more!

6 HEALTH & FITNESS

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Columns and Short Reads

21 BUSINESS REPORT 69 SMALL BITES 91 DID YOU KNOW
70 RECIPE
31 HEALTH & BEAUTY 92 CALENDAR &
It’s All Fun and Games Until ... COMIC by Cal Slayton
by Allie Spletter
94 ONE DAY IN FRISCO
35 SPORTS & by Melissa Southam
ENTERTAINMENT
The Hallowed Halls HEALTH & FITNESS • JANUARY 2016 • VOL XX, ISSUE 08 • $3.00
of Frisco Promoting Community & Commerce since 1995
by Stephen Hunt
On the Cover: ADDRESSING INFERTILITY GET IN THE GAME TOYOTA STADIUM
59 STREETS OF FRISCO The Science Behind the Preventing Athletic The National Soccer Hall
Disorder
61 R EFLECTIONS Injuries of Fame Museum
Lady, Leader and Legacy
by Dawn Bluemel Oldfield Provided by Elizabeth Nickles. 73 A UTO (Counterclockwise from bottom left)
Photo by Chris Fritchie. The Evolution of a Revolution 1. An egg just after recovery in the IVF laboratory,
by Ben Johnson
surrounded by thousands of ovary cells.
84 N OW & THEN 2. T he same egg at a larger magnification, with
The Railroad — Frisco’s Mother
by Bob Warren the cells removed.
3. A fertilized embryo at the one-cell stage (you

can see the male and female pronuclei on the
inside).
4. A four-cell embryo, 42 hours old.
5. An eight-cell embryo, 68 hours old.
6. Morula, about 90 cells and 86 hours old.
7. Expanded blastocyst (you can see baby and
placental cells). 180 cells and 114 hours old.
8. C ontracted blastocyst trying to hatch out of its
shell, called the “zona pellucida.”
9. A hatching blastocyst, 6 days (or 138 hours) old.
10. A fully hatched blastocyst (same age as
previous).
11. (middle photo) A fully hatched blastocyst
with baby part, placental cells and remnants
of the shell visible. This embryo was frozen for
several years and resulted in a baby, now 10
years old.

PROVIDED BY DR. MARIUS MEINTJES

HEALTH & FITNESS, JANUARY 2016

PUBLISHER CHRIS JOHNSON STAFF WRITER CHRIS MARTIN Style Publishing Group
EDITOR CHRISTINE PERRENOT P.O. Box 1676, Frisco, Texas 75034
ART DIRECTOR LEAH RATLIFF DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Phone: 972.335.1181 | Fax: 214.722.2313
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER MELISSA SOUTHAM GEORGE RODRIGUEZ
MANAGER, ACCOUNT SERVICES ANDREW JOHNSON Toll Free: 877.781.7067
MANAGER, DIGITAL MEDIA BEN JOHNSON ADVERTISING SALES [email protected] | www.friscostyle.com
LORI MORENO & LESA SWIMELAR
No portion of this publication may be
AD SALES: 972.335.1306 reproduced without express written
[email protected] permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC.

©2016 All rights reserved.

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Letters to the Editor

REFLECTIONS ONE OF MY FRIENDS went to the doctor, and while
waiting, she came across your story called “Life is Better
Life is Better at the Lake at the Lake.” She heard me talk about my small hometown
in East Texas called Oakwood and grabbed it for me. I’m
BY CHRISTINE PERRENOT looking at the article right now and I am taking it home
to show my family for Thanksgiving. As I read your story,
As you round each corner, friendly, famil- smiling from ear to ear, I could relate to everything as you
iar faces wave at you and welcome you back describe it. With your article, I can justify what I’ve been
home. Provided by Christine Perrenot. telling people for years. I loved every minute growing
up in East Texas. I must say, it made me the person I am
SOMETIMES THE STRESSES of daily life can become overwhelming and you find your- without the distraction of cell phones and today, very friendly and caring. Again, I would like to say
self daydreaming about sitting on a beach with a cold drink in your hand. In our minds (or to-do lists. thank you and it was a fabulous article.
at least in mine), we can transport ourselves to a place where time does not matter, away
from the monotony of a long grocery store line or the mind-numbing elevator music heard I have an understanding with nature at Micahel Owens
while holding on a phone call. When that restless feeling starts setting in, you know it is the lake. I can completely be myself. My
time to take a break. Even if a week-long vacation to a Caribbean setting seems out of the cell phone most likely will not work and
question, a lot of us have places we like to escape to, even if only for an hour, day or week- keeping up with Facebook is not even an
end. option. I cannot help but marvel at how af-
ter 27 years of spending most of my week-
Whether you like to admit it or not, everyone needs to get away from time to time. When ends at Stanmire Lake, I still get butterflies
I do, I head straight to Leon County in East Texas. There, you will find the welcoming little in my stomach when I turn off the high-
town of Oakwood, complete with a population of about 450 people. Oakwood is home to way and my tires meet the red dirt road.
not only my family’s lake house, but to stunning backdrops of huge, ancient trees, fields The level of excitement when I arrive is the
of cows, bails of hay and picturesque farms alongside a winding two-lane highway. So same now as it was when I was 10 years
many of my most-treasured childhood memories happened there, and the stories I could old. As you round each corner, friendly, fa-
tell about my favorite Texas town are endless. It is where I learned to drive, where I still go miliar faces wave at you and welcome you
camping with life-long friends and where my family gets to spend quality time together back home. As you drive further and fur-

FRISCOSTYLE.COM Celebrating 20 Years! OCTOBER 2015 49

THANK YOU so much for providing me with the opportunity to work as an editorial intern Happy
this fall. I learned so much about magazine publishing and I am extremely grateful that New Year!
my writing was published. I look forward to learning more about the magazine industry,
writing, editing and publishing in the future! WISHING YOU blessings and suc-
cess in 2016! Keep an eye out for all of
Megan Sanders, fall editorial intern the new and exciting changes Frisco
STYLE Magazine plans to bring to read-
ers this year!

10 HEALTH & FITNESS

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DON’T MISS FROM THE EDITOR

The 2016 NCAA DIVISION
I FOOTBALL CHAMPI-
ONSHIP is scheduled for
Jan. 9 at Toyota Stadium.

Get your game face on! Go to ncaa.com
for additional game day information.

Frisco will host the TAE- Have you been asked about your
KWONDO AMERICA 2016
NATIONAL TOURNAMENT New Year’s resolution yet? Every year (at least for me), these resolutions tend to become
on Jan. 15 and 16. Tae- less important as time progresses. Seasons change, priorities get rearranged and there
kwondo America is a national or- never seems to be enough time in the day to accomplish everything. This year, maybe
ganization with numerous schools your goals include landing your dream job, loosing that extra 10 pounds, eating healthy
across the U.S. For a list of times and or putting all of your “extra” money into savings. Have you noticed that sometimes the
additional event information, visit expectations we set for ourselves can be a little intense?
taekwondoamerica.org.
This past fall, I had the amazing opportunity to move into my first home. I like to think
The TAAF WINTER GAMES OF I always know what I am doing and have a bulletproof plan in action, but it was not long
TEXAS has been continuously into the paperwork and never-ending phone calls that I quickly discovered I had no idea
hosted in Frisco for more than 10 what I had gotten myself into. I had this vision — the idea of the perfect home-buying
years! Locations and information experience. I thought I would have all the time in the world to spend creating a comfortable
for this year’s Jan. 15-18 event can ambiance and decorating a house fit for Southern Living cover space. Originally, my New
be found at taaf.com. Year’s resolution was to be done painting and decorating within the first couple of months
into 2016. After that, I was going to make everything on the outside of the house look
COMING UP better than it ever had before. It was not long into the process that I realized just how close
WITH A VARIETY of new attractions the new year actually was, but, I decided I would not rest until the project was complete!
opening daily in Frisco, the economy is
growing and booming! In our February Cut back to reality. Somewhere in the midst of all my “foolproof” time management and
issue, readers will learn about everything planning, I failed to factor in daily life. Unfortunately, garage doors break, air conditioners
from the Frisco Farm Fresh Market to go out and we always have something going on in our lives that requires extra time or
the new developments in downtown attention. During my obsession with paint colors and furniture, little by little, I was missing
Frisco. Read all about up-and-coming, the point. I originally wanted the house and extra space to share and make memories with
innovative businesses in the area and family and friends. Not once did I think I would be so preoccupied with curtains and sofa
about local ministries that are making a pillows that my social life would have to be rearranged for a trip to Home Goods, for the
big impact on the community. third time in a week.

FRISCO STYLE The holidays arrived, and for Thanksgiving, I invited the whole gang over to celebrate.
GIVES BACK I overestimated my ability to have my new house in order, but the day had arrived, messy
house and all. After I decided to put my unnecessary panic on the back burner, I was able
Frisco STYLE Magazine proudly sponsors to really enjoy the company of my loved ones. We made a huge mess with all the food, red
Clothe-A-Child, Frisco Arts, the Frisco Commu- wine was spilled and everyone witnessed the chaos and imperfection of my recent move.
nity Parade, Frisco Family Services, Frisco Free- It was, shockingly, a relief! After all, is anyone really going to remember that moving boxes
dom Fest, Gary Burns Fun Run, 2016 Mother had to be used for tabletops? I hope, when we look back, that we remember the moments
& Daughter Tea and Style Show, Plano Balloon we had together and the joyous occasion we had to give thanks for our many blessings.
Festival, Silver Dollar At The Ranch, the Frisco Gratitude is what it is all about!
Rotary Club, LifeTalk Resource Center and is a
member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. So, after my various learning experiences as a new homeowner, what is my New Year’s
resolution? To let go and stop trying to make it all perfect! Life is lived when you stop to
take a breath and enjoy the truly amazing things going on around you. This year, I hope you
pursue your goals and achieve every level of success you have been dreaming of, but you
do not have to have every second planned or mapped out perfectly. Live in the moment.
When you look back this time next year, what you will remember are unplanned memories,
happy occasions and the people who make it all worthwhile. Happy New Year!

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 13

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16 HEALTH & FITNESS

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BUSINESS

Celebrate With Our Heroes! On Sept. 18, 2016, the first annual “Salute Our Heroes”
cruise will set sail from Galveston, Texas, aboard Royal
Caribbean’s “Liberty of the Seas.” Provided Wendi Cartwright.

WHEN YOU ASK A CHILD what they want to be when they grow up, the answer is usu- are in the travel industry, we understand
ally some sort of superhero. More often than not, that superhero takes the form of our the importance travel has on health, both
everyday heroes: policemen, firemen, paramedics or someone in a branch of the military. mental and physical. Vacations give peo-
The awe and pride that is evident in the faces of children when they meet a real life hero is ple the time, and even the permission, to
inspiring and humbling. We all should learn from the innocent and take the time to honor slow down and reconnect with their family
our community heroes. They are the ones who run toward the fire as we are running away. and strengthen bonds with friends,” says
They are the ones who perform lifesaving procedures on our darkest days. They are the Ms. Cartwright. The importance of savor-
ones who keep us safe in our homes and our country. ing each moment has never been more
evident than in the world we live in today.
Long-time Frisco residents Wendi Cartwright and Debbie Stevens, owners of the full-
service travel agency, Barefoot Travel Agency – CruiseOne, are proud to announce the “We are so excited to say ‘thank you’ to
launch of the first annual “Salute Our Heroes” cruise. This cruise was developed with dual our heroes! And it is not just for our police,
purposes in mind. Ms. Cartwright says, “We wanted to develop something that would firemen, EMS or military. It is for anyone
offer a much-needed getaway for the first responders, veterans and active military in our who wants to attend and pay tribute to
community. Finding time to reconnect with friends and family is often difficult, so offering those who help us on a daily basis; who put
them a package that is pre-planned, at an incredible price, was important to us.” Putting their lives on the line for us; who keep us
together a package that included an award-winning cruise line, Royal Caribbean, that of- safe; who keep us free!” says Ms. Stevens.
fers tons of activities, sailing from a port close to home, was the first step in ensuring an
unforgettable experience. On Sept. 18, 2016, the first annual “Sa-
lute Our Heroes” cruise will set sail from
Secondly, the “Salute Our Heroes” cruise was created to serve as a vehicle in which the Galveston, Texas, aboard the Royal Ca-
community could get involved. Participation in the cruise offers friends, family and sup- ribbean’s “Liberty of the Seas.” Barefoot
porters a way to celebrate the service that is provided by the military and first responders Travel Agency invites you to join in on the
on a daily basis … and to thank them for all they do. Ms. Stevens says, “We all know that fun. If you are a veteran, active military, first
these heroes choose their professions, but by participating in this organized event, it gives responder, or a friend, family member or
everyone an opportunity to outwardly recognize and appreciate the toll the job has on our supporter of the people who keep us safe,
heroes, and ultimately, their friends and family.” Taking the time to reconnect is critical in make plans to attend. It is not too early to
keeping life in perspective. Honoring their bravery and selflessness is important. “We are start planning how you will enjoy the great
creating an atmosphere where our heroes can relax and enjoy themselves, while at the amenities found on board the beautiful
same time, allowing the people they serve to show appreciation,” adds Ms. Stevens. ship, all of the non-stop entertainment and
stunning views of some of the most gor-
Studies show that 70 percent of Americans leave vacation time on the table each year. It geous ports in the Caribbean.
is time to change that. It is time to start enjoying the world and each other! “Because we

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 17

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The cruise offers families non-stop entertainment and
stunning views of some of the most gorgeous ports in
the Caribbean. Provided Wendi Cartwright.

The itinerary includes three port stops. The first is Cozumel, Mexico. Here you can snor- If you are a business owner or an indi-
kel in some of the most pristine waters or experience all of the flavors of Mexico. Choco- vidual resident of this wonderful commu-
late, tequila and tacos sound like a great place to start! The second port will be George- nity and you are interested in showing your
town in Grand Cayman. Ride a horse along the edge of the warm Caribbean waters, hit the thanks and appreciation for everything
mud in a dune buggy or pay a visit to Hell (a real place in Grand Cayman, where a beautiful military and first responders do for us,
outcropping of jagged dark limestone awaits you). The final port will be Falmouth. That is Barefoot Travel Agency is making it easy
in Jamaica, mon! Here, vacationers can tube down the river or zip line across the treetops to become an All-Star Sponsor of the “Sa-
of the jaw-dropping rainforest for the ultimate adrenaline rush. You might even qualify to lute Our Heroes” cruise. They are looking
be an honorary Jamaican bobsled member, if you’re lucky! for partners to provide the extra amenities
for the heroes’ vacations, so the heroes
These are just a few examples of the adventures that await you when you decide to at- will not incur any additional cost for the
tend the first annual “Salute Our Heroes” cruise. If you have never been on a cruise, you do cruise. “By becoming an All-Star Sponsor,
not have to worry! Barefoot Travel Agency will be with you each step of the way! “Wendi you will be joining us in transforming their
and I are personally escorting the group, so we cannot wait to welcome everyone aboard. ordinary vacation into an extraordinary
We will make sure everyone is settled and we will be on hand to offer our own thanks,” experience,” says Ms. Stevens. “Please
adds Ms. Stevens. help us give them a heartfelt ‘thank you’
by deciding to participate with us. We plan
In addition to arranging specially negotiated rates from the cruise line, Ms. Cartwright to recognize sponsors in a variety of ways.”
and Ms. Stevens will personally provide each cabin with a complimentary credit to be used
toward extra amenities that guests might like to purchase. Also, because they realize work- To find out more about available pric-
ing a memorable vacation into a family budget can be tough, only small deposits are re- ing, to make reservations or to become a
quired now, allowing the balance to be paid off over the next several months. sponsor, contact Barefoot Travel Agency
– CruiseOne at 972-581-9551 or email
“We are so proud to be able to offer this top-notch itinerary, aboard the much-loved [email protected]. Ms. Cart-
and celebrated cruise line, Royal Caribbean, to the men and women, along with their fam- wright and Ms. Stevens are excited to
ily and friends, who lay their lives on the line for us each day. We are equally proud to speak with you!
extend an amazing opportunity to the community as a whole to participate with us,” says
Ms. Cartwright.

18 HEALTH & FITNESS

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FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 19

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20 HEALTH & FITNESS

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Business Report

ORANGETHEORY FITNESS’ FOURTEENTH
DALLAS/FORT WORTH LOCATION
Orangetheory Fitness-North Texas announced that the
fourteenth location in Dallas/Fort Worth will open in east
Frisco in late fall/early spring of 2016 at the northwest corner
of Eldorado Parkway and Custer Road. Future locations will
include studios in Southlake, Uptown, Highland Park and more.
Orangetheory Fitness is passionate about being involved
in the community by supporting local businesses, nonprofit
organizations, school districts and Chambers of Commerce.
The company brings a cutting-edge, technology driven,
health-focused fitness program to these areas and provides
employment to those within the community. To learn more
about this growing business, go to orangetheoryfitness.com.

PIADA ITALIAN STREET FOOD PARTNERED
WITH FC DALLAS FOUNDATION
Piada Italian Street Food recently partnered with the FC Dallas
Foundation to raise money for its new youth soccer field at the
Salvation Army of Plano. Piada donated $1 to the foundation
from every Piada wrap sold at its Frisco location. Through Dec.
31, diners had the chance to order food for a good cause! With
all natural, fresh ingredients, Piada is able to create healthy
food that does not lack in flavor. For more information, go to
mypiada.com.

MEND PARTNERS WITH CHILDREN’S HEALTH
Mend, a Dallas-based health-tech startup, announced that it is
now an official affiliate of Children’s Health. The deal will allow
Mend to expand its scope of services and geographic reach
throughout the state, as well as to other markets. In addition
to its current Dallas base, Mend opened Frisco and McKinney
bases in December and will open Southlake and Flower
Mound bases in January. Mend delivers on-demand urgent
medical care for the whole family, right to your doorstep.
The convenience of Uber or Lyft meets a doctor house call.
Children’s Health is one of the nation’s leading pediatric health
care systems, providing medical services for children in Dallas,
North Texas and surrounding areas. Learn more about the new
affiliation at mendathome.com.

BURGER 21 OPENING SOON
Burger 21, named for its 21 menu options, will be opening at
5757 Main Street, Suite 100, later this month. On the 21st of
every month, the fast-casual burger joint (that also features
chicken, turkey, veggie and seafood burgers) will offer
customers a special burger and shake for purchase. Go to
burger21.com for more information or to check out the menu.

Does your business have some exciting news to share?
Email [email protected].

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 21

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22 HEALTH & FITNESS

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FA M I LY

Embracing Texas Families Founded in 2007, in McKinney, Embrace Texas is an
organization that partners with churches to provide programs
BY MEGAN SANDERS
for families considering fostering or adopting children.

IT IS SADDENING to think that many and adoptive moms and dads.” Ms. Kendrick describes her job, explaining, “I get to
children and young adults in our dream up new programs to support families and ways to engage local churches in caring
community and the rest of the world for foster children. I currently oversee our support groups, respite nights, volunteer
are without a home. There are families training, mom’s retreat, parenting training, transitional services for foster youth and
everywhere that are looking to adopt and meeting tangible needs of children in care through donation drives.”
make a child part of their loving family.
Adoption, while such a beautiful and There is a process to the organization. Mary Wells, the program coordinator at
selfless act, is not without its struggles. Embrace Texas, explains, “Embrace Texas is not a child-placing agency. There are
Luckily, there are people who care and many fine agencies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area doing the work of licensing families
make it their mission to help bring families and placing children. We have identified gaps in service when it comes to vulnerable
together while making a real difference in children and have stepped up to meet these needs. Embrace Texas not only serves local
the lives and relationships formed in local families, but we also train churches and communities across the nation how to replicate
families. the services we offer. We also advocate for foster and adoptive children on a state and
national level. We encourage everyone to consider how they can be a part of caring
Founded in 2007, in McKinney, Embrace for children in need. If you do not feel called to open your home, we have numerous
Texas is an organization that partners volunteer opportunities available year round.”
with churches to provide programs
for families considering fostering or Embrace Texas’ local mission sits upon a few core goals: family support, recruitment,
adopting children. Denise Kendrick, the transition services and child advocacy. The ability to support families is basic, but it is an
program director of Embrace Texas, says, extremely essential foundational principle of any orphan care ministry effort and is the
“My husband and I, while foster parents, first step in recruiting families before they consider becoming a foster or adoptive family.
realized that we needed specialized Embrace Texas provides families with one-on-one parent coaching and placement
parenting training and support to care resources including clothes, beds and equipment for when their new child comes into a
for abused and neglected children. We foster, adoptive or kinship home.
began hosting support groups for foster
There are many opportunities for people in the community to get involved. Ms. Wells
encourages those who wish to volunteer to visit their website to see the full list of current

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 23

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One of the most important things about Embrace Texas is that the people who volunteer and work there love what they do.

needs. She says, “Some volunteers fill love when you start volunteering with foster children and the families who care for them!
regular roles in our tutoring program, So many of our volunteers start out hosting donation drives or helping with small events
office staff and support groups. Other and feel called to be more involved.” She continues, “It is an incredibly rewarding feeling
volunteers and volunteer teams step up to help a child who has faced such hardship overcome challenges and succeed. We
to help us prepare for large events and also have many opportunities for those not interested in working directly with children.
fundraisers.” There is so much work to be done, we can find a perfect way for you to use your gifts
and talents to serve local foster children.” If you or anyone you know would like to take
With such a unique set part in Embrace Texas’ legacy by volunteering to help directly alongside the children, a
background check is required.
of challenges that hope-
Hundreds of children enter foster care in Collin County each year. Many times, these
ful adoptive and foster children have challenging behaviors or developmental delays from the abuse or neglect
they have endured. Ms. Kendrick adds, “With support and training, we have seen parents
families face, knowing go from just surviving to really thriving as they care for the children in their home.” She
continues, “We get to cheer on families as they develop the unique skills and approach
there is support and that will allow hurting children to flourish and feel safe.”

care available makes all Ms. Wells says, “Embrace Texas’ services and resources help keep foster families
healthy and prepared to care for foster children. Some children in foster care cannot be
the difference in the of- reunited with their biological parents. In these cases, Embrace Texas begins recruiting
to find the perfect adoptive family to provide a loving, forever home for each child. Once
ten-lengthy and always these children are adopted, Embrace Texas is there for families every step of the way.”

life-changing process. Even though many children each year find a foster, adoptive or kinship home, Ms.
Wells explains, “Sadly, many teens in our area ‘age-out’ of foster care at age 18, with little
There are many benefits of putting more than the clothes on their back and no permanent, loving family. Embrace Texas
yourself out there and giving of your time comes alongside these teens to help them successfully transition into independent life.”
and energy. Ms. Wells, providing insight The program does all it can to ensure hope for teens who have aged out of foster care
and a look at the expectations of the programs.
program, says, “Prepare yourself to fall in
Embrace Texas is unique because it is the only program in Collin Country that recruits
families for children who may be unhappy in foster care. The executive director of
Embrace Texas, Bruce Kendrick, says, “Many organizations desire to raise their brand

24 HEALTH & FITNESS

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FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 25

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There is nothing quite like seeing the lives
of adults change through the healing of a

child’s trauma within their family.

in hopes of becoming big enough to encompass the needs of all the children in their and empowering God’s people,” he says.
community or across the world. We understand a nonprofit cannot be the answer for Embrace Texas is an immensely
all of these children’s needs, so we work to build and equip the largest network of
volunteers, advocates and families on our planet and the local church.” He continues, inspiring organization that helps families
“It is in this approach that churches and families begin to see themselves as the solution evolve and become the best they can be
rather than an outsourced agency or organization who act as the professionals. We firmly during the adoption process and beyond.
believe if churches cannot or do not respond, the needs of children will go unmet, no Ms. Kendrick says, “I am inspired when
matter how large our organization ever grows.” I see lives being changed and saved.
Children who would not otherwise have
Ms. Wells and the other staff members know their program is unique. She says, “We a family are finding hope and healing in
have a memorandum of understanding with the state of Texas that gives us the unique the arms of loving parents because of the
opportunity to get to know foster children and share their story with the community in work we are doing here in Collin County.
hopes that their forever family will be found. This recruitment effort, called the ‘Second We believe that every child deserves a
Story,’ is the first program of its kind in Texas.” In addition to their recruitment efforts, safe, loving family home and will not stop
this is the first time churches are collaborating across the county to empty the “waiting working until this dream is a reality for
child” population in Collin County. “We will not stop until every child has a home and every child.”
homes are open, approved and waiting when the needs arise again,” Ms. Wells says.
Do you know a family that could
One of the most important things about Embrace Texas is that the people who benefit from the services that Embrace
volunteer and work there love what they do. Mr. Kendrick explains that the most Texas offers? With such a unique set of
rewarding thing about working for Embrace Texas is “helping parents who have challenges that hopeful adoptive and
opened their homes to these children with the best of intentions move beyond their foster families face, knowing there is
expectations and realize the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their own lives support and care available makes all the
as well as their family’s.” There is nothing quite like seeing the lives of adults change difference in the often-lengthy and always
through the healing of a child’s trauma within their family. Mr. Kendrick enjoys working life-changing process. For additional
alongside churches that greatly desire to care for vulnerable children and families, but information, go to embracetexas.org.
simply do not know what to do or how to do it. “Developing church ministries beyond
donation drives and into champions who are changing the outcomes for children in Megan Sanders is a literary studies student
foster care in their community is a true joy because it means we are multiplying ourselves at the University of Texas at Dallas.

26 HEALTH & FITNESS

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FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 27

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HEALTH & BEAUT Y

Simon Fox, seen here with a broken arm,
had to help his dad coach his flag football
team from the bench because of his injury.

It’s All Fun and
Games Until ...

BY ALLIE SPLETTER

THE FRISCO ROUGHRIDERS, FC Dallas, the Dallas Stars and now the Dallas Cowboys all injury that often adversely affects them
call (or will soon call) Frisco their home. It is obvious that sports are a large part of what for months or even years. Dr. Marco Cop-
Frisco has become. For some, sports are merely a hobby, but for many, sports are a way pola, the chief medical officer and vice
of life. They provide the chance to work hard to achieve goals and dreams. Sports keep president for medical affairs of Family
athletes in great shape and challenge them to raise the bar higher as they grow and ex- ER+Urgent Care, pragmatically assures
cel. With such a large number of Frisco kids participating in high-level sports, the risk of parents, stating, “No matter what parents
injury in young adults has drastically increased over the years. It is vital that both parents do and no matter how vigilant they are,
and athletes remain diligent in preventing and treating sports injuries to ensure that the kids are always going to get hurt. But,
issues do not become problematic or detrimentally affect their child’s future health. there are a lot of things parents can do to
minimize injuries.”
Sports-related injuries are just part of the game for many athletes, and though the as-
sumption is that there are many “common” injuries as a result of hitting the field or falling So, how can parents ensure they are
on the court, many professionals generally link those injuries to the sports themselves. doing all they can for their future NFL and
Dr. Brad Bellard, a Frisco-based sports medicine physician, explains, “I am not sure if WNBA players now in order to avoid inju-
there are ‘common injuries’ in kids and teens in general so much as there are common ries or lasting problems? Dr. Coppola ad-
injuries specific to certain sports. For example, during basketball season, I expect to see vises that parents fully prepare and equip
an increase in ankle sprains in my athletes. During football, I see concussions, broken their child for success before they ever
bones and bruises/contusions more often.” Kim Watson, Wakeland High School’s head hit the court or field. He says, “There are
volleyball coach, agrees, asserting that volleyball injuries are commonly in the ankle or some non-negotiable things that parents
knee, but in the last several years, back injuries have become more prevalent. Ms. Wat- must do. First, before playing any type
son shares, “I have had a few young girls, ages 14-16, with back problems. To me, that is of organized sport, parents should have
crazy to have at that age. Most of the time, it is a result of overuse. Rarely, is it a genetic their child cleared by the pediatrician.
problem. When you have back issues at that age, most of the time, I feel like it is a result The child needs to be closely examined
of too much during the growing years.” In our ever-evolving world of modern medi- for heart murmurs or other signs that may
cine, there are measures parents can take to ensure their growing and maturing athlete’s result in sudden death. Then, there are
safety as they participate in the sports they love. the little things. For example, make sure
their little soccer players wear shin guards
All too often, parents are just as eager and enthusiastic as the young athlete is about and wear the correct size boot or cleat (be
their participation in a certain sport. In order to play harder and practice more, young prepared to buy new cleats often)! Have
athletes often brush off pain or discomfort, pushing themselves too far. This results in

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 31

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young football players receive a concussion baseline and make sure their equipment pain not relieved with simple home reme-

is new with the latest safety advances. As children get older, make sure they properly dies probably needs to be addressed by a

stretch before participating in strenuous activ- health care pro-

ity. Another important thing to remember is to vider. Even the

stay hydrated. I know this seems obvious, but it slightest of in-

is amazing how many young athletes come to the juries is enough

emergency room with dehydration.” to wreak havoc.

Additionally, Dr. Randal L. Troop, the sports So, it is best to

medicine physician and team doctor to the Frisco be safe sooner

RoughRiders, recommends that parents closely than sorry lat-

monitor their kids’ time spent practicing and play- er.” Dr. Troop

ing. “Parents can help their children avoid injuries advises parents

by working with coaches to monitor the amount to have pain

of practice time and game time allowed per evaluated by a

week,” Dr. Troop explains. “They should remain trained sports

vigilant in listening to their children when they medicine spe-

begin to complain about pains they are having cialist if their

during practice and games.” Dr. Bellard believes child begins

prevention depends largely on the sport, but that to complain of

there are, of course, certain injuries that are of- increasing pain

ten times unavoidable, such as broken bones and that does not

concussions. He says, “Injuries such as strains (like resolve with

hamstring or calf) can be limited by taking advan- rest and Ad-

tage of warming up and stretching both before vil. He urges

and after play. In addition, as a sports medicine Dr. Bellard believes prevention depends largely on the sport, but that there parents not to
doctor, I have seen an increasing number of over- are, of course, certain injuries that are often times unavoidable, such as encourage the

use injuries in youth sports. This happens primar- broken bones and concussions. child to push

ily because athletes are training too much and also training year-round, putting them at through the pain. Instead, have the child

greater risk of injuries including stress fractures in runners, elbow and shoulder issues rest and recover from his or her overactive

in throwers and tendonitis. Therefore, decreasing the intensity, duration and frequency schedule.

of training can help avoid many of these overuse injuries.” Chad Cole, the Reedy High While sports injuries are always possible,

School athletic coordinator, agrees that overuse is a growing concern for coaches across both parents and their young athletes can

the country. “I, like many others, am always concerned about overuse injuries at a very very much control many preventative mea-

young age, which is why a variety of sports in high school is a good thing!” Taking advan- sures in order to avoid injury. Sports-relat-

tage of preventative efforts is paramount, and parents can help their athlete by making ed injuries are common and sometimes

sure their kiddo stretches both before and after play, warms up and cools down after detrimental, but many are preventable. It is

workouts, rests well between games, practices and rests between seasons and closely important to remember that young, grow-

follows the instructions of the medical professional they have worked with while working ing and aspiring athletes need to have fun

towards returning to play. and not take things too seriously! While

dedication to the game is important, so is

In order to play harder and practice more, their well-being and health.
Frisco is home to many incredible

young athletes often brush off pain or sports medicine professionals who can
assess your athlete’s needs when the

discomfort, pushing themselves too far. time comes. Remember to be diligent
in preventative measures, help athletes

take care of their bodies and always re-

Preventative efforts are crucial, but, as Dr. Coppola and Dr. Bellard know, injuries are mind them to enjoy playing the game or

going to happen. When they do, parents need to take vigilant care, listening to their being involved in their sport. The impact

athlete and watching for problematic symptoms or signs that might indicate more than of sports injuries can be long-lasting or

just a little discomfort. Dr. Bellard says the best thing parents can do is listen to their ath- detrimental to the future plans of a young

lete. “Anytime their ability to perform or function at their regular level is compromised athlete. Taking control and knowing when

because of pain, then they should always be evaluated by a medical professional,” he to seek medical attention is an easy way

advises. to keep your athlete in the game, off the

Dr. Coppola recommends that parents look for physical signs of injury and remain safe bench and performing at their best.

(rather than sorry) in regards to dealing with injury. He explains, “Bumps that keep grow-

ing, despite ice and compression, may be a sign of an expanding hematoma. A bruise that Allie Spletter is a Frisco teacher and coach

really hurts and looks like the limb is deformed could be the sign of a broken bone, and who enjoys freelance writing.

32 HEALTH & FITNESS

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Set Your
Goals for 2016

MAKE 2016 A YEAR TO REMEMBER!
Share your goals for the new year with
your friends and family and see how
quickly the support can make a differ-
ence in your success! Start a pattern of
intentional happiness this year!

This year …

I will do more

__________________________________ .

I will do less

__________________________________ .

I want to learn

__________________________________ .

I want to get better at

__________________________________ .

I will get involved in the community by

__________________________________ .

I will use my talents and skills to

__________________________________ .

I am looking forward to

__________________________________ .

I will make time for

__________________________________ .

I want to see

______________________________ .

I will choose to

__________________________ .

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 33

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34 HEALTH & FITNESS

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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum at Toyota Stadium is scheduled to open in 2017. Provided by FC Dallas.

CANTON, OHIO, and Cooperstown, N.Y., Between 1999 and 2010, the National Soccer Hall of Fame had called Oneonta, N.Y.,

are known for one thing: they are each home. However, financial difficulties led to the February 2010 closing of that facility, and

home to a major sports hall of fame. Can- U.S. Soccer, the federation that oversees the sport, immediately started looking for a

ton is home to the Pro Football Hall of new permanent home.

Fame and Cooperstown has the National FCD president Dan Hunt is the son of the late Lamar Hunt, who was a member of the

Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Pro Football and National Soccer Hall of Fame and was instrumental in growing Amer-

Many people hope that the 2017 open- ican soccer. Lamar owned the Dallas Tornado of the North American Soccer League

ing of the National Soccer Hall of Fame (NASL) and was also a founding investor of the current top-level American professional

Museum at Toyota Stadium, through a league, Major League Soccer (MLS).

partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federa- Along with his brother, Clark Hunt, who currently runs the Kansas City Chiefs of the Na-

tion and FC Dallas (FCD), means that Fris- tional Football League (NFL), Dan wanted to make Frisco the Hall of Fame’s new home.

co will one day be held in similar regard “It’s sort of been years in the making,” Dan said. “I would say, 18 months ago, I started

by American sports fans. “The addition of having more active conversations. Things like this do not happen overnight, and once

the National Soccer Hall of Fame to Toyo- I got that exclusive window, I talked to Mayor Maher Maso about this. In passing com-

ta Stadium and the ments, he said, ‘We’re supportive of this and what you guys

City of Frisco pres- The Hallowed are doing.’ I was able to talk to George Purefoy [the city man-
ents an interesting ager] a little bit, but hammered the framework out in June.

opportunity for Halls of Frisco That’s when the real conversations actually happened.”
both to become a MAKING IT OFFICIAL
nationally central-

ized landmark for BY STEPHEN HUNT Around September of 2015, news leaked that Frisco would
soccer in the U.S.,” indeed be the Hall of Fame’s new home, but nothing was

said Peter Welp- official. On Sept. 30, 2015, the Frisco City Council approved

ton, a longtime local soccer fan who helps the improvements to Toyota Stadium. These improvements will center around the south

run the soccer blog for The Dallas Morn- end of the stadium, where the Hall of Fame will be located.

ing News. “Unlike most soccer-playing On Oct. 14, 2015, the official announcement was made during a press conference at

nations, the U.S. does not really have a Toyota Stadium. Toyota Soccer Center, which is 145 acres, includes 17 regulation-sized,

singular location, official or otherwise, for tournament-grade soccer fields and the nationally-renowned youth development pro-

the sport.” gram. City officials, including Mayor Maso and U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati were

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 35

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in attendance as the plans for the $39 mil- the new event space on the stadium’s south end will attract new events, including con-
lion facility, which will span nearly 100,000 certs better suited for smaller venues.
square feet once completed, were laid
out to the public. Since the stadium’s opening, Toyota Stadium has lured big shows to the facility, with
Jimmy Buffett being an annual visitor, and festival-type shows like the alternative rock-
The facility will be a partnership be- themed Edgefest. These improvements will allow Dan and his staff to entice more acts
tween FCD, U.S. Soccer, the Frisco ISD to come to Frisco, giving local residents, soccer fans and non-soccer fans, as well as fans
and the City of Frisco,
each of which will of any type of mu-
share costs of these sic, more diverse
improvements. In entertainment
addition to the Hall options.
of Fame, other im-
provements to Toy- “This is a gi-
ota Stadium (which gantic enhance-
opened in August ment to the
2005) include new overall Toyota
locker rooms, a new Stadium and Toy-
press area, new audio ota Soccer Center
and video equipment experience. We
for the facility and a think it will allow
new premium seating us to bring more
area. The museum major events,”
will feature U.S. Soc- Dan said. “We
cer memorabilia, in- can do amphithe-
cluding the Women’s ater-type shows,
World Cup, Gold so 5,000-person
Cup and Lamar’s U.S. Provided by FC Dallas. shows, that’s go-
Open Cup trophies. ing to be a real
There will be Olympic medals and ad- target for us start-
ditional memorabilia from the U.S. win ing in 2018. Every-
against England in the 1950 World Cup. thing from music to concerts to whatever we can come up with.”
Toyota Stadium will also be the perma- The improvements could also lead to other sporting opportunities coming to Frisco,
nent location for the annual National Soc- not just soccer-related events. “We actually think it will help us recruit other football
cer Hall of Fame induction ceremony. games. We think it will help add to our international [soccer] game base. I think it will
allow us to attract a major international opponent each year for FCD. The U.S. national
Local soccer dignitary, Kenny Cooper team programs, for both men and women, will be here on a more regular basis,” Dan
Sr., who once played for Lamar with the said.
Dallas Tornado, and whose son, Kenny Dan feels the improvements should allow FCD to host at least 10 more major events
Cooper Jr., has had two stints playing for per year, adding to the local economic impact, which is about $5 or $6 million annually
FCD, is among those excited about these (from the Jimmy Buffett concert alone). That added impact should lead to more hotels
improvements and the Hall of Fame’s being built near the facility, which would further increase the local tax base.
opening. Since 2010, Toyota Stadium has hosted the NCAA Division I Football Championship.
The current contract between the NCAA and the City of Frisco expires after the 2016
“It is a dream come true, especially for game this month, but Dan hopes these improvements, especially the new locker rooms,
all the former Dallas Tornado players who will ensure that game remains in Frisco for years to come.
still live here,” Mr. Cooper said. “Special “This is a marquee football game. It is one that is watched all over the country,” he
thanks to the Hall of Fame for understand- said. “It is great for the universities. I actually believe it is a great recruiting tool. We
ing Lamar’s vision for soccer in the USA. heard that North Dakota State (which has played in the game for four straight years) has
Great credit to Clark and Dan Hunt and had a tremendous upswing in their recruiting in the metroplex (because of the game).
the entire Hunt family. Special thanks to When you are playing in a marquee venue in front of huge crowds, I believe that will help
the [FCD] coaching staff and front office them.”
staff over the years. They have allowed Construction on the National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum at Toyota Stadium begins
Lamar to follow his dream and vision for in early 2016. Completion of the improvements is scheduled for December of 2017, which
professional soccer.” is when the Hall of Fame should open. At that point, Frisco will be home to yet another
unique attraction that cannot be found in other cities. “Frisco now has that opportunity
A VARIETY OF BENEFITS FOR FRISCO to become the equivalent (of Canton and Cooperstown) for the sport maintaining the
Frisco residents who are not soccer fans fastest growth in this country,” Mr. Welpton said. “It should be a fantastic addition, along
are probably wondering how these im- with all the other attractions, both present and coming to the city.”
provements will benefit them. Besides
the opening of the Hall of Fame, Dan feels Stephen Hunt is a longtime Frisco resident who has covered FCD soccer since 2006.

36 HEALTH & FITNESS

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It’s All
About Football
in Frisco!

FRISCO ISD’S Lone Star Rangers won
the Class 5A Division II state semifinal
game against the Lake Dallas Falcons
at Eagle Stadium in Allen on Fri., Dec.
11. The final score of the game, which
went into three overtimes, was 55-49.

In 1973, Frisco High School was the
last Frisco ISD football team to go to
the state semifinals. The Rangers are
now the first Frisco football team to
play in a state final game.

The Rangers played the Cedar
Park Timberwolves on Sat., Dec. 19,
at NRG Stadium in Houston. The final
score was 6 to 22. Even though the
Rangers did not win, their teamwork
and perseverance was inspirational!
The Frisco Police Department patrol
officers even escorted the Rangers
back into Frisco after the game.

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 37

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FEATURE BY CAROLYN CAMERON

40 HEALTH & FITNESS

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Navigating
the Science
of Fertility

Vitrification allows no trauma to the embryo and “PAUL AND PAULA sittin’ in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes
provides high survival rates for both embryos and marriage,then comes baby in a baby carriage!” If only it were that easy. Often,
eggs, providing a better than 95 percent freeze- the sequence of events do not go as planned. Fortunately, numerous medical
thaw survival rate, and a pregnancy generating facilities and technological advancements now exist to address the illness of
potential that is comparable to fresh embryos, infertility.
left. Above, images of a 26-week-old, premature
baby. One image shows the baby still in the uterus Today, the barrage of treatment options for those facing infertility are
and the other shows it after birth, alive and boundless. Currently, with at least 38 ways to “make a baby,” the possible con-
happy. Provided by Dr. Marius Meintjes. figurations and therapies are mind-numbing. Infertile couples are confronted
with an alphabet soup of options including artificial insemination by husband
(AIH), artificial insemination by donor (AID), gamete intrafallopian transfer
(GIFT), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy
and many others. With so many couples desiring children and with so many
options available to them, making decisions about reproductive technologies
can be extremely difficult and, at times, ethically challenging. And, with this
new technology comes an onslaught of questions and potential opportunities
for abuse.

Dr. Marius Meintjes, one of the founding members and the current di-
rector of the Frisco Institute for Reproductive Medicine (FIRM), is a Bible-
believing Christian who sees struggling and hurting couples in his facility
every single day. “Understanding the devastation of infertility in a couple’s
life is immeasurable, and it is my goal to help individuals make better deci-
sions about when to start and how to go about the process of facilitating life.
What most people do not realize is that infertility is a disease. Heart disease
is a rampant disease here in America. Infertility is just as much a disease that
negatively affects the reproductive system like heart disease negatively af-
fects the circulatory system,” he notes. “As such, my mission is to help those
who are suffering. In science, we know a great deal about human life, and we
have advanced tools at our disposal to help those in need, but many myster-
ies of life remain. I am blessed to have a wealth of knowledge and informa-
tion about assisted reproduction, and here, we utilize common sense and
strict ethical guidelines to treat this disease with the most compassion and
nurturing response possible.”

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility is
medically defined as “the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term af-

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 41

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42 HEALTH & FITNESS

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Dr. Marius Meintjes, one of the founding members and the current director of FIRM, is a Bible-believing Christian who sees struggling and hurting couples in his
facility every single day.

ter 12 months of trying to conceive, and if a woman is over the age of 35, the time of trying male factors account for 50 percent of
to conceive is reduced to 6 months.” Infertility is a medical condition, found equally in both fertility problems. Frankly, you probably
men and women, and the harsh truth is that infertility affects one of out every six couples know someone experiencing infertility,
in the U.S., as stated by the American Pregnancy Association. Infertility holds no socio- even if you don’t personally know some-
economic discrimination and cuts across all racial, ethnic and
religious lines. It strikes diverse groups and knows no bounds. one in the throws
of it currently,” ex-
Chances are great that most know a friend, relative, neigh- plains Dr. Meintjes.
bor or individual who is coping or dealing with the medical and “A woman’s fertil-
emotional aspects of infertility in his or her life. In the U.S., and ity decreases dra-
around the world, rates of infertility are on the rise. Women are matically at age
waiting longer to have children, due to a variety of reasons, in- 34, given the age
cluding their own career aspirations, which contributes to the of her eggs inside
infertility increase. Since 1980, the birth rate in women greater the womb for nine
than the age of 35 has increased by nearly 60 percent in the months, so I en-
U.S., whereas the birth rate for women ages 20 to 34 years has courage couples
increased by only 10 percent. to seek help ear-
lier in the process
Infertility is not just a “woman problem.” As much as they rather than later.
would not like to admit it, problems in males are just as likely We have a lot of individuals who are in sec-
to be the cause of fertility difficulties as those in women. Experts in recent years have ond marriages or have become caught up
raised the alarm bells over what some are calling a “sperm crisis,” because it is believed in their careers and come to us very late
that men’s sperm counts have been decreasing for a decade or more. One recent study in their reproductive lives. There are three
in Northern Europe found that as many as one in five young men have sperm counts low things required to make a baby: a sperm,
enough to affect fertility, according to Richard Sharpe, a male reproductive health special- an egg and a uterus, and if a patient needs
ist at the University of Edinburgh. External factors, such as weight, environmental elements help with one of those items, we can help.
and lifestyle choices can impact sperm count in adulthood. However, if the patient needs more than

“The causes of infertility are diverse and sundry, and despite what some may think,

FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 43

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Vitrification has been used for cryopreservation
of eggs and embryos and does not cause damage
to those entities. The cryoprotectants act like
antifreeze, lowering the freezing temperature,
and they also increase the viscosity.

When a couple does not respond to medication or
surgical interventions, many turn to ART, which
is technology used to achieve pregnancy. These
procedures might include fertility medication,
artificial insemination, IVF and surrogacy.

one factor, we believe we are crossing the “Honestly, you wouldn’t believe it, but
line to becoming a baby factory and do sometimes the inability to conceive might
not treat them. In every case, we have to be as simple as couples being off on their
consider numerous aspects, including the timing. Often, it might be a small tweak
health and well-being of the child.” in the hormones or blood work tests to
identify a thyroid problem, for example. If
Opened in 2008, FIRM was established not one of those areas, we begin to look
by Dr. Meintjes because of his passion and at the anatomy of the patients to iden-
desire to help couples with infertility issues tify and resolve any possible blockages
while maintaining clear ethical guidelines or other issues.” Dr. Meintjes continues,
and standards. After beginning his career “Humans are the most infertile species on
in serving as the scientific director for the the planet. The natural fertility rate for men
Assisted Reproductive Technology Ser- and women is 20 percent, whereas in ani-
vices (ARTS) program from 1998 to 2008, mals, it ranges between 90 and 98 percent.
Dr. Meintjes left the system and desired to open a facility that was dedicated to offering From my previous experience as a wildlife
state-of-the-art, cutting-edge treatment options for his patients, while adhering to clear veterinarian in South Africa, I have seen
guidelines and defined ethics according to the sanctity of life. He holds a doctorate de- how animals reproduce, and it’s quite ef-
gree in reproductive physiology and embryo biotechnology and is renowned as one of the ficient. However, for humans, 80 percent of
top three embryologists in the world. He is often featured as a national and international the time, when the sperm and egg come
speaker on in vitro laboratory excellence and design as well as various aspects of the opti- together, the genetic embryo is abnormal,
mization of assisted reproduction success rates. so only 20 percent of embryos will develop

“I wanted a place where we could offer the best of science while ensuring we are do-
ing what is right in a responsible manner. We provide a plan for individualized treatment,
making sure our patient care is second-to-none. Everything we do is for the benefit of our
patients, whether it’s our expert physicians, cutting-edge labs or our clinical staff, every
person in our office is driven to help our patients succeed from the moment they walk
through our doors,” notes Dr. Meintjes. “Our goal is to be comprehensive in nature while
minimizing invasiveness, if at all possible. Not everyone needs in-depth treatment, but
ultimately, our goal is to be successful in treating the disease of infertility.”

Treatments for both males and females to identify the infertility problem can include
lifestyle changes, vitamins and supplements, surgery, medication or assisted reproduc-
tion. Initial fertility tests for women might include testing for appropriate hormone levels,
in addition to evaluating menstrual and gynecological problems or treat causes of ab-
normal bleeding. Initial fertility testing for men includes semen analysis as well as genetic
and hormone tests to determine causes of potential causes and inhibitors to fertilization.

44 HEALTH & FITNESS

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FRISCOSTYLE.COM JANUARY 2016 45

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To see micro fine grains of salt, a microscope is needed. Pictures of
the grains of salt were taken with phase contrast microscopy and the
embryos with Nomarski optics. A thousand embryos can fit into one
3D cube of salt. From left to right: egg, eight-cell embryo, group of
3x8-cell embryos, expanded blastocyst and hatched blastocyst.

Provided by Dr. Marius Meintjes.

ACCORDING TO THE
NATIONAL FERTILIT Y
A S S O C I AT I O N :

• Approximately one-third of infer-
tility is attributed to the female
partner, one-third is attributed to
the male partner and one-third is
caused by a combination of prob-
lems in both partners (or is unex-
plained).

• A couple ages 29-33 with a normal
functioning reproductive system
has only a 20-25 percent chance of
conceiving in any given month.

• 1 in 8 couples have trouble get-
ting pregnant or sustaining a
pregnancy.

ACCORDING TO THE and be potentially viable.” infertility in women. Today, it is estimated
CENTERS FOR DISEASE When a couple does not respond to that more than five million couples around
CONTROL AND the world have conceived babies using
PREVENTION: medication or surgical interventions, many IVF. However, the procedure has been
often turn to ART, which is technology surrounded by controversy, as the proce-
• T he number of married women used to achieve pregnancy. These proce- dure can result in multiple embryos, and
ages 15-44 that are infertile (un- dures might include fertility medication, often times, many couples are faced with
able to get pregnant after at artificial insemination, IVF and surrogacy. weighty decisions about what to do with
least 12 consecutive months) is One of the most popular and success- extra embryos. Christians typically believe
1.5 million. ful treatments currently used to achieve life begins at conception or the moment
pregnancy is IVF, a laboratory procedure a human egg and sperm unite, creating
• The number of women ages 15-44 that retrieves a woman’s eggs, fertilizes a unique, genetic individual. Because the
with impaired fecundity (impaired them with a man’s sperm and places the IVF process typically involves screening
ability to get pregnant or carry a resulting embryo into a woman’s uterus to embryos, proceeding with only chromo-
baby to term) is 6.7 million. achieve pregnancy. somally “normal” ones and going forward
with cryopreservation, or freezing of re-
ACCORDING TO THE Almost since its inception, IVF has been maining embryos for future pregnancies,
AMERICAN SOCIETY celebrated by some and has been a sub- IVF can create a quandary and a source of
FOR REPRODUCTIVE ject of moral and ethical controversy for controversy in almost every step.
MEDICINE: others. With the birth of the world’s first
test tube baby, Louise Brown, in July of “The controversial and fundamental
• Most infertility cases (85 percent 1978, the field of reproductive medicine question for most is ‘when does life ac-
to 90 percent) are treated with was revolutionized and gave infertile wom- tually begin?’ Many believe life begins at
conventional medical therapies en hope that they could become moth- conception, but in my in-depth studies of
such as medication or surgery. ers. In the case of Ms. Brown’s mother, both science and the Bible, I believe there
she had blocked fallopian tubes, which is is a different answer,” notes Dr. Meintjes.
still one of the most frequent causes of

46 HEALTH & FITNESS

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“In the book of Leviticus within the Bible,
a case can be made that life begins not at
the time of fertilization, but when blood
first appears in the embryo, and interest-
ingly, an embryo begins having a rudimen-
tary blood circulatory system on about day
seven of its development. Additionally,
when we watch an embryo develop and
naturally-occurring twins occur, they split
on day three or four, and it just doesn’t
make sense that the soul is split in half. So,
we are taught that conception begins on
day one, but practically, from a scientific
point of view, either the soul must enter
the embryo after day five or the soul is split
in half, which doesn’t make sense. These
are difficult issues, but based on what I
know and understand scientifically, life ac-
tually begins after day six of the embryo’s
existence,” explains Dr. Meintjes.

The process of IVF at FIRM begins in
their state-of-the-art laboratory, which is at
the heart of all the successful outcomes for
successful IVF treatment cycles. Specifical-
ly dealing with male infertility issues, pa-

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48 HEALTH & FITNESS

No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2016 • All rights reserved.

One of the most popular and successful treatments currently used to achieve pregnancy is IVF, a laboratory procedure that retrieves a woman’s eggs, fertilizes
them with a man’s sperm and places the resulting embryo into a woman’s uterus to achieve pregnancy. Provided by Marius Meintjes.

tients undergoing treatment at FIRM have culture media. Specially installed air-pollution filtration systems (called “air scrubbers”)
access to the high-complexity, accred- have been installed for the IVF laboratories. These operating rooms cost several hundred
ited andrology lab, which performs semen thousand dollars, to ensure that the embryos are exposed only to the purest air possible.
analysis, detailed counts, morphology (or These systems not only remove microscopic particles, but they also remove the much
the shape of the semen) assessments
and other specialized tests. smaller chemical compounds through non-specific absorption and specific chemical
elimination reactions. All of these preparations ensure the cleanest air possible
For their patients’ con- to protect embryos and provide the possible live-birth outcomes when
venience, FIRM provides performing IVF. Without the purest air, IVF laboratories may frequently
all of their fertility ser- experience unexplained drops in the pregnancy rates.
vices under one roof, Research performed in the laboratory has shown that when em-
including surgery to bryos are cultured under these low oxygen conditions, more girl em-
correct or address bryos survive, resulting in higher pregnancy rates and more babies
fertility problems. born overall. Dr. Meintjes adds, “We take extra precautions to ensure
Within the IVF proce- the oxygen rates are very low and super clean, otherwise it will reduce
dure, once eggs are ex- our success rates for girl embryos and thus our overall pregnancy suc-
tracted, they are exposed cess rates in general.”
to the sperm in the lab, and Another one of the IVF lab’s newest, cutting-edge technologies is the
the resulting embryos are safe-
guarded and incubated for up to six days. time-lapse assisted embryo culture. Embryo incubation and assessment is a vital
Waiting for this time period allows full step in IVF. Normally, embryos are removed from the incubators once per day to obtain a
distinction between baby and placenta, snapshot of embryo development. FIRM is currently the only IVF lab in Texas, and one of
which verifies that the embryo is sustain- only a few in the country, to offer time-lapse-assisted embryo selection using computer-
able, viable and truly alive. controlled microscopes. Embryos are cultured in the Embryoscope®, a special incubator
in which a computer takes a low light-intensity picture every five minutes or less for the five
Embryos kept in FIRM’s IVF laboratory to six days of embryo culture.
are contained in computerized, low-ox-
ygen incubators to keep embryos at ex- Instead of receiving a snapshot of embryo development once every second day, a con-
actly the right temperature and humidity, tinuous video of embryo development can be observed by specialists without removing
precisely controlling the acidity level of the them from the incubator. Furthermore, patients can be provided with a dynamic video of
their embryo’s development, from fertilization all the way to the time of embryo transfer,

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