Volume VIII

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING Real WOMEN

Turn this issue over for a

spotlight on an amazing
business woman:
Getting a KICK
out of life with
Jackie Howie

Cayce, Chapin, Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, West Columbia, and White Knoll
 In this Issue

Volume VIII

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING, AND EDUCATING Real WOMEN

Turn this issue over for a

spotlight on an amazing
business woman:
Getting a KICK
out of life with
Jackie Howie

Cayce, Chapin, Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, West Columbia, and White Knoll

Volume VIII

Editor-In-Chief:
Lori Samples Duncan
8
(ld@woman2woman.sc)
A Personal Note 2
Project Coordinator:
Lori Samples Duncan Events
4 What’s happening in and around Lexington?
Media Representative:
Theresa Adams
(adamsmedia1@gmail.com)
Kid’s Stuff
5 Future Lexington women to look for!
Contributing Writers:
Theresa Adams Let’s Talk
Lori Samples Duncan 6 Lexington Woman loves Lexington men!
Margaret Anne Pitts Gaffney 7 Let’s hear it for the boys!
Heather McNair 8 9 months and 34 minutes of a purpose filled life
Melinda Norris
Tyler Ryan
Health & Wellness
Cover Photo: 10 Having children isn’t always easy
Clark Berry Photography 14 Smart Lipo
16 Healing health and wellness mother daughter team
Publication Layout and Ad Design: 17 Sneh Patel, Vital Energy Fitness
Melissa Wates
Business & Web Directory 19
Photography:
Clark Berry Photography
Dream Weaver Photos
Timeless Expressions Photography

Woman 2 Woman Enterprises

PO Box 85282 | Lexington, SC 29073 Meet real Lexington moms throughout this issue in
(803) 808.0866 | www.woman2woman.sc
our Mothers’ Spotlight features. Lexington Woman
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of wishes you all a Happy Mother’s Day!
this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume
responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this
book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission. © 2010

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 
A Personal Note

H appy Mother’s Day to each of you Lexington mothers! I know a lot of you, and you are wonderful women who are raising the next
generation of Lexingtonians. You are doing a fantastic job if your children are any indication.

In celebration of one of my favorite days of the year, Mother’s Day, I thought it only fitting to share with you my incredible mother, Patsy Gail
Samples. My very first memories she gave to me. I was only two and truthfully they are not my memories; they are hers. Her memories were
of a little girl that she obviously loved, that she gave to me. I tell them to my children and we laugh. I will share them with my grandchildren
one day and they will laugh at their “nana” the same way I laugh when my grandmother tells me stories of my mother. I love her.

photos by Dream Weaver Photos
When we are children we love our daddies, because I think daddies are usually more fun.
They play with us; they tease us. In my house he went to work everyday and came home at
the same time, so I looked forward to the newness with him. Mama was about taking care
of business. She did the hard stuff. She had doctor visits, eye appointments, dental visits,
bath time and making sure I ate my vegetables. Though I will say when I was hurt it was
mama that I wanted.

I remember being eighteen and having my wisdom teeth pulled. I counted to four and was
out. I woke up crying for my mother. Mom said later the nurse came to get her and said,
“she want’s you Mrs. Samples.” I remember how I felt when she walked into that room. I
was at that time already taller than her, but her presence made everything else seem okay.
I knew she had great expectations of me, how I handled my self as a young woman, and
who I would be as a woman with children of my own. I knew she believed in me. She was
my biggest fan. It used to bother me that people thought we looked like sisters instead of
mother/daughter. I was convinced that I must look really old! I now appreciate the fact that
I have a young looking mother and hope that is a testament to good genes.

There was a time in my life, I thought I knew everything. I thought her sole purpose was
to railroad any attempt I made at having a little fun. I disagreed with her simply because it
was her idea. After having children of my own I understand now all the wisdom she was
trying to impart to me by the benefit of her experience.

My mother is the strongest woman I know. She raised a

house full of children on a meager salary, and when Daddy
had an accident that left him unable to return to his career,
she went into real estate to help pay the bills. At the end of
his life, she quit work to take care of him so he could stay
home for the duration of his illness. After he died she re-
turned to the workforce to take care of three children still
living at home.

Mama took me to church every Sunday. We didn’t wake

up and ask, “are we going to church today?” We woke up,
and got ready. She made sure we were there Sunday morn-
ing, Sunday night and Wednesday. She dressed us all with
no help from my dad or anyone else. We went to Sunday
school and were always on time! I have not once in 37
years heard my mother say a curse word; I barely remem-
ber her even spelling one to repeat what someone said.
That I know of she has never tasted alcohol or smoked a

 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women

 A Personal Note

cigarette. She has loved her children to distraction and made every effort to help
each of us to be the best adults we can be.
Mothers’ Spotlight!
I think the day that I held my first son in my arms, I started to realize the depth
of my mothers love. On that day it was as if my heart swelled right inside my
chest to accommodate all the emotion that I felt for this beautiful baby in my
arms. Suddenly all the things I had taken for granted became so clear to me. As I
looked at him, as I did with each of his siblings, I realized I would move heaven
and earth to keep him from harm. I would climb mountains, swim oceans, stand
in front of speeding trains if it were necessary to keep him healthy and happy. I
finally understood what motherhood was all about.

As a mother myself, I can look back on the sacrifices she made, without com-
plaint and see them for what they were, a mother’s love. I can remember hearing Beth Branham with her mother
her prayers over each of her children, how I thought she was silly to pray so hard. “Of course I have the best Mom in the world! She and
Dad live in Chester, SC where I was raised. I consider
I now realize the language of love she was speaking over her family. I can look her a best friend who is always there to support me and
back with a woman’s eyes and see the love she poured into every dress she sewed encourage me no matter what happens in my life. I espe-
for me, every cut she cleaned, every bruise she kissed, every off key tune she sang cially enjoy the times now when we get together for no
to soothe us and know how she loves us. particular reason but to have lunch or go shopping.”
– Beth Branham
Even now, at 37, when she gives me advice or tells me I need to do something…
that little girl who doesn’t like to be bossed around rises up in me and I laugh.
Usually she is right. I remember when I was pregnant with Ryan and I was so
worried about the news the doctors had shared. I knew she was too far away to
come to the ultrasound, and had other responsibilities at home. I didn’t expect
her to drive 3.5 hours to hold her grown daughters hand, yet she did. When the
doctor gave us good news and not what we had feared, she stood at the head of
my bed and cried with me.

Not only is she an amazing mother, she is a wonderful grandmother. My mom

has taught me so many things in my life. How to love the Lord, to take care of
my family, to love my children unconditionally, to be compassionate to others,
to always be willing to help someone in need and to never take for granted the Paulette Criscione and her mother,
many blessings God has bestowed up my family. I am grateful for each of those Juanita Criscione
lessons. “I’m amazed at my Mother’s strength, courage, integrity
and faith to live life to the fullest considering all of the
tragic journeys that she’s endured. I hope that I can be
Being a mother is a thankless job at times, and as my children get older and I am
just like her when I grow up.”
pulled in four different directions and still trying to maintain time for myself as – Paulette Criscione
a wife and a woman, I realize how blessed I am to have a Mama like mine. Is she
perfect? To me she is as close as it gets. I love her as fiercely as I know she loves
me. I still can’t out shop her, out last her, out do the good she does, but I know
this one thing – I don’t have to. Going home is like being five again, getting off
the school bus after a long day at school, running to the door with a smile on my
face and calling her name, knowing on the other side of that door is love and
acceptance.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mama. I pray that I am as present and loving in my chil-
dren’s life as you are mine.

Lori Samples Duncan Kim Hamrick with her mother

(Become our fan on Facebook!) “My mother is my rock, mentor and friend…her love
is unwavering and unconditional…and I will be forever
grateful to her for molding me into the woman I am
today!”
Proverbs 32
– Kim Hamrick
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
28

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 
Events

What’s happening in and around Lexington?

Beth Moore live via satellite
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The Harvest on 378, Lexington
Event time is 9:45am - 3:30pm with doors open-
ing at 8:30am. Lunch on your own. A great day
to tailgate with your girlfriends. This event is co-
sponsored by Sax Gotha Presbyterian Church.
Tickets may be purchased at Sax Gotha or The
Harvest or online at www.saxegotha.org.
2nd Annual Mother/Daughter
Garden Party
Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 2-4pm
Virginia Hylton Park, Lexington
The cost is $20/couple and $10 per additional girl.
One day event for girls ages 5 and up with their
mother, grandmother, or other significant female
adult. Wear your Sunday best and springtime
bonnet for an afternoon in the garden. Registra-
tion includes: 4x6 portrait, refreshments, crafts,
games, and goodie bags. Prizes given for the best
hats. This event is hosted by the LCRAC. Call
Holly at (803) 939-9309 for details.
The Bi-Lo Charity Golf Tournament
Monday, May 3, 2010 at 10am
All donations will go to the Boys and Girls Club
of the Midlands. Contact Theresa Steele for more
information at theresa29170@yahoo.com.
2nd Annual Get in the Pink
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Get In
The Pink breast cancer fundraiser! The event fea-
tures two certified races: the KICKS 10k and the
5K for KOMEN. Not interested in the races, then
make plans to have some fun with the Stiletto
Sprint and the Devine Street Post-Race Party.
Register your kids for the Kids Fun Run and make
it a family affair. Registration for all events is now
open! Find out more at www.getinthepink.org.
Fairy Week with Clark Berry
Photography
May 10-14, 2010
Appointments start at 10am and we have a “late”
day on Tuesday with appointments going all day
through 6:00pm. Session fee is only $25 and we
have special package pricing for these sessions.
Please give us a call to reserve your session. (Ses-
sion fee is due at the time of booking.) We have
a nice variety of fairy costumes and head pieces,
but you are welcome to bring your fairy’s favorite
fairy costume, too! Call (803) 996.5982 to book
your appointment!
South Eastern Angels of Life Pageant
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Wingate by Wyndham, Lexington
Compete or come out and support the pageant
and become Ambassadors for -The Adam Turner
Children’s Foundation “A Voice For Our Kids!”
Pageant Dress and Photogenic Competitions - Giv-
ing Back Competition - 2 little boy age divisions
and 12 girl age divisions. Contact Joyce Wagster at
joycewagster@aol.com or call 803-463-8360 for
an application or more info. Applications will be
online at www.adamturnerfoundation.org.

Mother’s Spotlight!

Tyler Ryan with his mother

“They say you can pick your friends, but not
your family. I guess I’m lucky. One of my best Carolina Gonzalez and
friends is in my family. Love you Mom!” her mother, Delfina S. Santiago
– Tyler Ryan

3 generations:
Ruth with her mother, Beverly Jennifer Hutchinson with her Mandy Bowden with her
Abdalla, and daughter Christine daughter Elizabeth mother and grandmother
“My mom has never met a stranger. She is the “A hug and kiss from my Elizabeth consumes my “I am so lucky to come from generations of strong,
friendliest, most outgoing Southern lady you will heart, her big blue eyes look at me with nothing kind, loving and beautiful women.We are never too
ever meet!” but love and I am proud to be her mother.” old to need our Mommies!”
– Ruth Chapman – Jennifer Hutchinson – Mandy Bowden

 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women


Future Lexington women to look for!
Meet Alana and Laura Grace Swindler
T his issue’s future women to look for
are sisters! Their names are Alana
Swindler and Laura Grace Swindler. They
were nominated by their father, Rev. John
Swindler, minister of education and music
at Round Hill Baptist Church in Lexington.
Alana graduated from Lexington High
School in 2006 and is currently a junior at
the University of Mobile in Mobile, Ala-
bama majoring in musical theater. In 2008,
she was Miss University of Mobile and com-
peted in the Miss Alabama pageant. This
summer she will go to Germany to study in
a musical theater program there where cast-
ing agents from all of Europe will meet with
her. She is currently preparing to star as
Aunt Eller in Oklahoma!, at the University
of Mobile April 16-18 which her parents are
looking forward to attending. Alana is pic-
tured left at a recent recital in Mobile.
Laura Grace is a senior at Lexington High
School and plays volleyball. She was a mem-
ber of the Lexington High School team this
year that almost won the state champion-
ship. Laura Grace works everyday with the
Boys and Girls Club at New Providence El-
Working Studio  

'ANTT3TREETs,EXINGTON
and Gift Shop WWWTHESTUDIOLEXINGTONCOM
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Kid’s Stuff
ementary. She plans
to attend Charleston
Southern University
in August where she
will study education,
planning to be a for-
eign missionary. She
is spending spring
break in the coun-
try of Belize sharing
Christ and teaching
volleyball to children
there, and we know she will have
great stories to share. Laura Grace
is pictured right on the first day of
her senior year at school.
Both girls have been on mission trips with Jillian, who is 11 years old. If she’s anything
their father, Rev. Swindler, throughout the like her sisters, you’ll probably be seeing her
years. Alana went to Tanzania with him in featured here in the next couple of years!
2003, and Laura Grace travelled to Haiti
with him in 2008. Both of them have been
to the Dominican Republic on mission trips Know a young lady who
with him several times. should be featured here?
If you know any local young ladies who are
Lexington Woman is excited to share these working hard toward their future goals, please
email your submissions to ld@woman2woman.
sisters with you as future women to look for!
sc for consideration in our next issue.
Alana and Laura also have a younger sister,
www.lexingtonwoman.sc 
Let’s Talk
Lexington Woman loves Lexington men!
Everybody’s Granddad – Ed Pitts aka “Mr. Ed” is a local “Good Guy”
written by Margaret Anne Pitts Gaffney (daughter), nominated by Julie McDowell
A lthough he has just six grandchil-
dren, was a record-setting Game-
cock football player, and has served Lexing-
ton for over 40 years from Rotarian to Little
League coach, my dad Ed Pitts fills that role.
Each morning before heading to his “real”
job at USC, “Mr. Ed” opens the family school
(Anne Pitts Child Development Center),
turns on the lights, and gets the marshmal-
lows ready! With a cheerful “Good Morn-
ing” he gives a marshmallow treat for being
big and sending mom or dad to work.
Ed Pitts spending time with his six grandchildren
Everybody loves Mr. Ed! One morning, a
toddler was crying for no apparent reason.
He said, “I don’t want Mr. Ed to go to work.”
This child hadn’t shed a tear when dropped
off earlier. A mother of twins came with cam-
era poised to capture a shot of her girls with
“Mista Ed” on their first day of school. Mr.
Ed is famous for his dump truck hayrides!
At Halloween, he takes children and parents
on an exciting trip. The highlight is the much
anticipated tilting of the truck bed. Squeals of
terror and delight ring out! He even takes a
day off from work for an encore trip because
the pre-schoolers beg for one more ride.
Grown children remember him fondly as
big a softy and respected disciplinarian. A
former student says, “Gum was not allowed,
but Mr. Ed made Fridays special by giving
out Big Red. When I see Big Red, I think of
Mr. Ed and my days at the Center.” A former
player said, “Coach Pitts made a big impact
on my life, instilling a toughness and work
ethic that I didn’t get from my own dad.” An
opposing runner-up baseball coach came to
be an assistant. He was hesitant to help be-
 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women
cause of Coach Pitts’ reputation for being
tough and taking the game seriously. At the
season’s end, he said, “Coach Pitts teaches
things that aren’t just about the sport -
things every young boy ought to learn. Plus,
it’s much more fun to be the giant everyone
shoots at but can’t beat!”
At age 72, Mr. Ed cuts firewood, digs ditch-
es, drives a front-end loader and backhoe.
He fixes septic tanks and school buses. My
brother Ted was cutting down a tree and
When Granddad
is around, we are
chopped liver. He
is such a good role
model.
worried that the tree was falling the wrong
way. Never mind knee replacement surgery a
few weeks before, Ted called Dad who came
to assist on a crutch. Good thing he did….
I asked my brothers Ted and Walt for
thoughts for this article. The same things
kept coming up: Dad was tough, but fair.
Parenting was not about us liking him, but
about raising us to be valuable and respected
adults. He put teaching the right lessons over
being our friend. Amazingly, he and his two
older brothers were raised by their mother
Esther Pitts after their father died when he
was two years old. He drove to visit her every
Sunday in Clinton until she died at the age of
100 in December 2006.
Ted sums it up, “Dad had and still has one-
liners for any situation. When he spoke, you
listened because it was important and he
wasn’t going to say it again. Playing football,
if the same formation wasn’t working, he’d
say, “Don’t you think it’s time to try some-
thing different?” Other favorites: “Don’t tell
me, show me,” and “You have to be mentally
tough.” Ted and Walt both said, “You play
the game to have fun, but it’s a whole bunch
more fun to win than lose.” Walt remembers
Dad pulling his hair before a baseball game
and asking if it hurt. Of course, the answer
was yes. Coach Dad said, “That’s pain. There’s
a difference between pain and injury. I don’t
expect you to play with injury, but you can
play with a little pain.” My personal favorite
is, “Smother ‘em with kindness.”
With his grandchildren, Granddad is a
pushover. They eat out, stay
up late, and eat ice cream. My
children beg to walk “up the
hill” to Granddad’s house. He
is a great role model whose
positive outlook and can-do
attitude are infectious. My
brothers and I agree that we
are lucky to have our children
grow up with him. Anna (4)
and Conor (9) love to go to
restaurants with Granddad-
dy. Conor likes the fact that
Granddad forks over cash for base hits. Ed-
ward (4) and Pascal (3) love to ride Grand-
daddy’s tractor. Sara Anne (2) likes to hold
his hand and baby Hampton (11 months) is
in awe of the straw cowboy hat he wears. He
is their idol and mine too!
Ed Pitts is a native of Clinton, SC. He and
the late Anne Digby Pitts of Greer married
in 1966 and were married until she passed
away in 1998. Their three children and six
grandchildren all live in Lexington. Ed Pitts
is a local hero to his family, friends, former
players, Anne Pitts Child Development Cen-
ter children, and anyone who knows him.
When in doubt feel free to refer to one of his
famous one-liners!
Do you know a local “good guy”?
Please send us a detailed essay explaining
why you feel your nominee deserves to
be featured as our next “Local Man of the
Hour.” Emails can be sent to our editor at
ld@woman2woman.sc. We will notify you
by email if your “good guy” is chosen.
 Let’s Talk

Let’s hear it for the boys

by Theresa Adams

I t seems universal, at least in my uni-

verse. When I meet a fellow “mom of
boys”, the answer to the question “aren’t boys
just great?” is always the same….yes! Even
moms of teenage boys, though a little less
enthusiastic in their response, share those
feelings. Nothing against girls, mind you (I
happen to be one), but I’ve never had one
and I’ve always lacked the burning desire to
keep trying until I got one. I’ve even gone so
far as to say that if I knew for sure that God
would keep giving me little boys I’d have a
house full of them. I have nieces to love and
buy Polly Pocket dolls for, and I’m already
praying for my future daughters-in-law. I
have this funny feeling that God will grant
me a granddaughter one day.
I didn’t grow up thinking that I wanted to get
married and have little boys. In fact, I was
quite a Daddy’s girl, and as an adult I fully
grasp the power of that bond. Losing both
of my parents at an early age, I’ve struggled
with the fact that my boys never got a chance
to know them, or worse yet that I haven’t had
the joy of seeing my parents enjoy them. But
I get it now, that bond, that love for your chil-
dren, and especially between a mother and
her sons—much like my bond with Daddy.
It’s just special. And once you have a three-
year-old boy tell you he wants to marry you,
and then the realization hits him that you’re
already committed to another man and you
state sections for this magazine I’d loved for
years—and still work from home. Six years
later I’m still representing them, and I’m
hug and cry together over this revelation, fortunate to have met Lori Duncan who has
you know you’ve got it. offered me the chance to work with her at
Lexington Woman Magazine in the same in-
Being the planner that I am (that’s espe- dependent capacity. I’ve also added another
cially funny to those who know me well), “independent” hat to my collection as an
I had a plan even before independent consultant for
we started a family after Rodan + Fields® Dermatol-
6 years of marriage, to go ogists—a new skincare line
after a career that would by the creators of Proactiv®
allow me to eventually Solution. I saw this ground
work from home or work floor opportunity to part-
part-time. I even turned ner with the Doctors as an-
down a great job oppor- other way to do something
tunity that involved travel for the boys in my life…and
because I knew we would for me.
soon be trying to start a
family. Advertising sales So whether you have boys
for a local magazine was or girls, and whether you
the door that opened, and left the working world al-
sure enough, I went part- photo by Timeless Expressions Photography together when kids came
time and stayed part-time along, worked part-time, or
Theresa and her family
as the boys came along. decided to go back to work
That evolved into being an independent full-time and juggle all of the things we do as
advertising rep after receiving “the call” moms….as moms we get it, don’t we? We do
from Southern Living Magazine. It was out what we do because it’s best for our children.
of the blue, but a chance to be an indepen- So let’s hear it for the boys (and yes, even
dent contractor representing the individual girls) who make us want to be better moms.

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www.lexingtonwoman.sc 
Let’s Talk
9 Months and 34 minutes of a purpose
filled life
Lori Duncan with Crystal Poston
“F or you created my inmost being; you
knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and won-
derfully made; your works are wonderful, I
know that full well.” – Psalm 139:13-14
I decided last September that I would help tell
the story of a special little boy, Benjamin Mi-
chael Poston II, after Becki Berry brought to
my attention a wonderful organization called
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. It was im-
portant to me, as it always is, to tell his story
with integrity and in a way that could help
others who may experience what his parents
did. This scripture seems so appropriate to de-
scribe Benjamin because of many reasons. I
wanted to share with you a few.
The word knit in this verse is particularly
interesting to me. A knitter has a purpose.
He/She toils patiently, diligently, purpose-
fully with the yarn to fashion it into some-
thing that someone she loves will wear, warm
themselves, and a host of other reasons. She
knows when she begins there is purpose to her
craft. God’s use of the above words was no ac-
cident. Long before technology could show us
our children’s faces with ultrasounds and so-
 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women
nograms, He gave us a picture of the miracle
of life as it is fashioned together with purpose
in that sacred place – our mother’s womb.
We are created with purpose. Each of us has
a valuable life, a work we were created to do
– no matter how brief or long that life may be.
His works are wonderful.
Crystal Poston is an amazing mother. Her
strength of heart and her courage to tell Ben-
jamin’s story was an inspiration to me. Here
are her words.
Lori: Crystal, share with us what it was like
finding out that you were pregnant with
your second child.
Crystal: We started trying for our 2nd child
around the time of our daughter’s 1st birth-
day. We were so excited when we found out
the news, but waited until Halloween to tell
our parents. (Benjie – the chef, Me – the
oven, and Bailey – the bun) I love being
pregnant. It is an amazing feeling to know
that God has trusted you with life.
Lori: Can you tell us when you knew some-
thing was different with this pregnancy?
Crystal: From the beginning of my pregnan-
photos by Becki Berry (Clark Berry Photography)
cy, everything was normal. I had morning
sickness, but nothing out of the ordinary. I
felt like everything was perfect.
We arrived at our first ultrasound appoint-
ment (at 5 months) February 3rd. That is
when we found out that something was
wrong. Our doctor (Dr. Jimmy Stands of
SCOBGYN) explained to us that there were
some complications that were noticed on the
ultrasound, and that we would need to get a
second opinion to be sure of the diagnosis.
At this point, all we knew is that we were
expecting a baby boy whose bones were not
developing properly. There was a moment
at the end of my appointment when Benjie
and I walked into Dr. Stands’ office in shock
to say the least. I remember him closing his
office door as we sat down. He knelt in front
of us, and asked if he could pray. At that mo-
ment, in my whirlwind of emotion, there
was a calm. Benjie squeezed my hand as he
prayed, as if to assure me that everything
would be ok. Dr. Stands praying with us that
day is proof that God places people in your
life in perfect time.
We drove to Greenwood Genetics Center to
 Let’s Talk

Through her pictures, and

her amazing attention to our
emotions, I have my baby. I
can see him cry. I can see
him breathe. I can remember
his hands and his feet, and
his soft skin and lips.

find out a final diagnosis two days later on
February 5th. We were told that our sweet
baby boy, (who we had named Benjamin
Michael Poston II) had a disorder called
Thanatophoric Dysplasia.
Thanatophoric Dysplasia is a type of fatal
dwarfism that affects 1 in 60,000 pregnan-
cies. While the baby is in utero, he is safe,
happy, and healthy. But at birth, he is unable
to breathe. With this disorder, because of the
small size of his chest, there is no room for
the lungs to expand.
The reality that we would only be with our
son for 4 more months was overwhelming.
Knowing that he was healthy and happy
inside of me, made me wish the pregnancy
would take its time. I wanted to feel every
kick, and every hiccup, and all of the back
aches and heartburn. I dreaded my due date,
because I knew it would also be the day I lost
my child.
Lori: When you received the diagnosis, what
were some of the important decisions that
had to be made?
Crystal: The important decisions were how
to make certain we preserved our memo-
ries of him as best we could. This diagno-
sis confirmed our greatest fear. Most babies
with this condition are stillborn, but some
live for minutes to hours after birth based on
the severity of their case. The chance of sur-
vival for a baby like Benjamin was impos-
sible. We struggled beyond comprehension
for the following days. We had to address
all of our friends and family. And we had to
stay strong for each other and Bailey. We im-
mediately reached out to our Pastor. (Alex
Twedt of Transfiguration Lutheran Church).
He is an amazing preacher, and throughout
our entire journey, he stood with us. There
were moments at the hospital when there
were no words necessary. His presence was
enough. We are very thankful for the role he
played in Benjamin’s life and death.
For Benjie and me, there were no hard de-
cisions to make. I believe that you become
a mother the minute you find out you are
pregnant. Benjamin was my son, and I loved
him unconditionally already.
Lori: What do you feel played a major role in
making those decisions?
We visit his grave
often, and take Bailey
there with us. It is
not a place to be sad.
For us, it is a place
to love, and share
Benjamin with Bailey.
Crystal: We both believed that God intend-
ed for us to carry out this pregnancy, and He
was in control. I felt amazingly blessed that
Benjie felt the same way. We never once con-
templated an alternative. I felt I was given the
opportunity to carry and hold Benjamin for
9 months. To deny Benjie the opportunity to
hold him also, would have been unfair. He
loved him too!
Dr. Stands was extremely supportive of our
decision and helped along the way to ensure
us that we were taking the appropriate steps.
His knowledge as a doctor helped to guide
us and give us a peace in our minds, but
it was his strong devotion to the Lord that
comforted our hearts.
I believe that I was a surrogate mother for
the Lord. I enjoyed my pregnancy, and my
time as his mommy, but he wasn’t mine to
keep. He belonged in God’s hands.
Lori: When was Benjamin Michael Poston,
II born?
Crystal: Benjamin was born (full term) June
10, 2009 at Baptist Hospital. Dr. Stands and
the staff there had arranged for me to re-
cover in a large room where I was joined by
my family for a small service performed by
Pastor Alex. My family was able to hold Ben-
jamin before the service (after his death). I
of course lay in my recovery bed with Benjie
holding Benjamin beside me, surrounded by
my family. It was beautiful. In the most dev-
astating moment of my life, for a moment,
just like on February 3rd in Dr. Stands’ of-
fice, there was peace. I know I am watched
over, and I know that God trusted in my and
Benjie’s faith, and our marriage. We were
strong, and because of Benjamin, our faith
AND our marriage are now even stronger.
Lori: How long did he live?

www.lexingtonwoman.sc 
Let’s Talk
photo by Clark Berry Photography
Crystal, Bailey, and Benjie Poston
Crystal: Benjamin lived outside the womb
for 34 amazing minutes. Benjie held Ben-
jamin in his arms and we felt him, and we
kissed him, and we talked to him. We cried,
and we smiled, and a million emotions ran
through us at once. But none more than
love. In those minutes, I witnessed my hus-
band become a hero to my son. He passed at
10:02am, in Benjie’s arms. Warm, and safe,
and loved.
Lori: I have read that there is no greater pain
than that of out living a child. Can you share
with us some of the ways you are dealing
with that loss?
Crystal: We were joined in the OR with pho-
tographer Becki Berry who is a volunteer for
the NILMDTS program. She managed in a
moment of fear and happiness, to capture
every second we experienced. Because of
her, my family, and my daughter will know
Benjamin. Through her pictures, and her
amazing attention to our emotions, I have
my baby. I can see him cry. I can see him
10 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women
breathe. I can remember his hands and his
feet, and his soft skin and lips. I will forev-
er be in debt to her, for what she has given
my family. She used her heart in all of the
pictures she took. She felt our love, and she
felt our pain. And she understood the love
that we had for each other, and for Benja-
min and Bailey. Her heart and her kindness,
has provided us with memories of who we
were when we were with Benjamin. Looking
at her pictures reminds me that he knew he
was loved, even in his short 34 minutes.
We visit his grave often, and take Bailey
there with us. It is not a place to be sad. For
us, it is a place to love, and share Benjamin
with Bailey. We go there to remember that in
his short life, he was so relevant; he touched
us so much.
Lori: Are there words of wisdom you may be
able to impart to another grieving mother?
Crystal: God makes no mistakes. He has a
purpose, and a desire for even the small-
We were strong, and
because of Benjamin, our
faith AND our marriage
are now even stronger.
est or shortest life. I cannot offer advice to
grieving mothers, because I am still unsure
of my own feelings. The pain and sorrow is
indescribable. If it weren’t for my husband,
my mother, and my God, I would be broken.
Because of them, I will heal. I am unsure
whether or not I will ever feel whole again.
But I am a mother, a wife, and a daughter. It
is my job to be strong.
Lori: Tell us anything you want us to share
with our readers about your son’s life.
Crystal: Benjamin was very loved. Benjie
and I have amazing parents, who supported
us whole-heartedly through the entire nine
months. Benjamin’s birth has made me a
better mother to Bailey, and made me a bet-
ter servant to the Lord. He touched many
lives in his short time here on earth, and
continues to do so. The nine months I was
pregnant with Benjamin, he heard us pray;
he heard us laugh; he heard Bailey play; he
heard his grandparents and his daddy. He
heard life. He was able to feel us love the
Lord, and feel us love each other. I am very
proud and thankful for that.
Dr. Stands, Becki Berry and Pastor Alex
Twedt are three of the many people who I
believe God blessed us with. They supported
us and reminded us that God is great!
Crystal said something so profound in our
meeting, I felt it was important to share with
you all. Grief is a personal journey and no one
has the right to judge a mother’s grief. “I chose
Bailey’s life instead of Benjamin’s death.”
As we go to print with this issue of Lexington
Woman, Crystal Poston is 21 weeks pregnant
with her third child, a healthy Baby Girl! She
and Benjie have decided to add to their fam-
ily. What wonderful news. We wish them the
best in this joyous time!
To learn more about NILMDTS, please check out
www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.
 Craving quality care?
Take care of that craving and we’ll take care of you.

tending to the unique nature of women

1301 Taylor Street, Suite 6-J, Columbia, SC 29201

803-254-3230
columbiawhc.com
www.lexingtonwoman.sc 11
Health & Wellness
Having children isn’t always easy
by Melinda Norris (submitted by Shirley Keels, Columbia Women’s Healthcare Administrator)
M y husband and I started dating
when I was 15 and he was 18 years
old it was 1982. That year, Paul left Moncks
Corner to study engineering at the Univer-
sity of South Carolina. I followed in 1984
to study education. Paul refused to marry
me until he had a job, he graduated in May,
started working for SCE&G and we married
on June 20, 1987.
I went off the pill soon after we married. We
thought we would get pregnant but we didn’t.
I ate well. Paul changed to boxer shorts. I
took my temperature EVERY morning. Af-
ter almost 3 years, we went to the doctor. Paul
had a mild bladder infection-he had plenty
of critters, but they couldn’t swim. One week
on penicillin, I was pregnant. Unfortunately,
there were problems from the beginning
On April 16, my husband and I felt my stom-
ach tightening before we went to sleep. We
thought it was the baby moving…it was
contractions. By lunch the next day, I knew
something was wrong. I was feeling pressure
in my pelvic floor. The nurse said to put my
feet up. I said something is wrong, and I’m
coming in. I was in active labor and I had no
idea. My water broke. I was giving birth.
We flew over the crosswalk! They set me up
in a room. Paul arrived. We met Terry, the
nurse. She was absolutely wonderful. Some-
how through everything, she kept us calm.
I started hemorrhaging. They could not put
off delivery any longer without losing me.
Paul had to choose. He chose me hoping the
baby would survive at 23 weeks. I literally
felt the moment she left us right before she
was born. The room was absolutely silent.
I remembered Paul asking Terry if she was
okay. Terry said she wasn’t breathing. They
asked this back and forth a few times. Fi-
nally, Terry said, Paul she didn’t make it. Our
worlds fell apart. We couldn’t afford a casket,
so we named her Harriett, had her cremated
and buried on her grandmother’s plot.
I remember looking out of the window the
next morning watching a construction crew
across the street building a new building. I
12 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women
kept wondering why the world didn’t stop
at our loss. I had taken a Death and Dying
course at USC the year before (God works
in mysterious ways) and I had to go to the
morgue. I had looked at a tiny baby girl born
at 23 weeks to another couple. They had
left her at the hospital. The attendant said
she would be incinerated with the hospital
waste if she was not claimed. Because of that
I knew what my daughter would look like
Touching Joshua for the first time
and I knew I had to bring her home. I held
her and the nurse took pictures for me to de-
velop when I could handle it. Those pictures
are in my safe deposit box to this day.
I fell into a deep depression. That is when
Rosalie entered my life. The Wee Remember
support group saved my life. It was the only
time I would leave the house without Paul.
It gave us an outlet with people who KNEW
what we were feeling. The death of a child is
different from all other deaths. Other deaths
get easy over time. Day to day living gets tol-
erable over time, but the anniversary of your
child’s death hits you every year as fresh as it
was the day it happened.
The Doctor said we could try again in four
months, Paul got sent to New Orleans Before
we could try the first time. I was devastated. I
drove him to the airport. On the way home,
I was involved in an accident. I was bruised
up pretty bad. A few weeks of doctor visits
cleared up everything but the continuing
nausea. The doctor commented that he had
tested me for everything but pregnancy. Re-
member—it took me 3 years to get pregnant
the first time. I picked up a test on the way
home, and Paul and I watched the stick turn
blue together. We couldn’t believe it. One
time when we weren’t even trying and we
were pregnant!
After many tests after my first pregnancy,
we knew I was always dilated a little and I
had an incompetent cervix. We changed to
Dr. Smythe after I got pregnant with Joshua.
I needed a doctor that was in tune to diffi-
We held him for
the first time
when he was 4
days old. Each
day got better.
cult pregnancies and he came highly recom-
mended. Life was normal until 17 weeks. He
did a cerclage and put me on bed rest.
On my birthday, I had a really bad feeling.
Paul was supposed to go out of town and for
the only time in our years together I said, “No
you can’t”. I somehow knew I would need
him. I knew I would be in labor on my birth-
day. At 11:00 we were watching the news.
Paul looked at me and said, “See, everything
is fine. You were worried over nothing.” At
11:30, we were on our way to the emergency
room. By the time we arrived, my contrac-
tions were one and a half minutes apart.
They put me on magnesium sulfate to stop
the contractions. I was in the hospital for a
week or so I think. They sent me home on
the pump with home care. That bought me
a couple of weeks. Our goal was 32 weeks.
Paul would feed me in the morning, fix my
lunch for later, and hit Lizard’s Thicket on
the way home.
Finally, Dr Smythe said it was time. After
a sonogram, he decided that Joshua’s lungs
may be okay and he was about 4 pounds. He
wanted to get me going right then. Guess

what day it was? Harriett’s first birthday. The
day she also died. We couldn’t have him on
that day.
Paul talked to Dr. Smythe and they used
drugs one more time to hold me off. At mid-
night, they unhooked me from everything.
It was heaven. I took off my gown (I used to
sleep naked but couldn’t with a pump) and
propped myself up in bed with about 15 pil-
lows. I’ll never forget this little nurse coming
in to do my blood pressure. The last thing she
expected to find in that bed was a “propped
up buck naked white chick”. She howled and
ran out of the room.
At 8:00am Dr. Smythe removed my cerclage
(which I have in Joshua’s baby book to this
day). That hurt and Paul passed out. I went
into labor immediately. For some reason I
could not understand, they would not move
me to a delivery room. They kept saying
there was not enough room. What I did not
know was that the only room available was
the room I delivered in the year before. They
remembered this! I didn’t even remember
the room number at this point. When they
finally wheeled me down to delivery, I did
notice there was duct tape over the room
number, but I was hurting too much to care.
At 5:00pm, I was fully dilated and in a lot of
pain. I pushed for only 13 minutes. Joshua
was so deep he got stuck. They had no heart-
beat on him and needed to get him our fast.
The nurses crawled onto my bed to help
straighten Joshua out. They had to cut me to
get him out. The room was silent. I didn’t ask
the usual questions. My first question was
“Is he breathing?” What I could not see that
Paul could was that as soon as he came out,
he peed right in Dr. Smythe’s face. He chuck-
led and said he was going to charge extra for
that. I wanted to see him so they stuck him
in my face for like 3 seconds, and then ran
off to the NICU.
I looked around for the first time. Everyone
had heard that I was finally delivering. There
must have been 30 people in my room – my
doctor and his assistants, the neonatologist
and his assistants, nurses, staff on the floor,
the support group, family. I felt like crap un-
til a nurse introduced me to Demerol.. It was
11:00 that night before I finally made it down
to the NICU. No one was around and I did
not want to be with people, so I took off on
my own. I got so lost! I finally found him.
Joshua holding Jasmine Melinda and son, Joshua on his graduation day
Compared to the other babies, he was huge!
Dr. Smythe miscalculated his weight – he
weighed almost 7 pounds! They actually
had a scale brought to delivery to confirm
it. The NICU alarms terrified me. Every
day I pumped a six pack of breast milk and
brought it to the NICU when Paul got off
work. I was devastated because his first feed-
ing when he was 4 days old was formula be-
cause I couldn’t get to the hospital on time.
We held him for the first time when he was
4 days old. Each day he got better. We asked
his neonatologist every day what his chances
were—they started at 50-50. Imagine our
elation a week later when he said 100%...take
him home. Joshua was on a breathing moni-
tor which was nerve-wracking. The first day
he was home, we drove him to Charleston to
meet my grandmother for the first time. I re-
member my mom was mortified because he
was in his underwear (it was a onesie, it was
hot). They explained to us that since Joshua
was born early he may be smaller than aver-
age, sickly, and not so smart. So, we prepared
ourselves. I quit my teaching job and dedi-
cated my life to raising him. He saved me
from the pit I had fallen into when we lost
his sister. I was going to do my best to raise
him to be the best he could be.
When Joshua was 18 months, his dad and I
spoke on a Saturday that we wanted to try
one more time…for another girl. Joshua had
to know how to fetch and open the fridge be-
cause I would be on bed rest again. He mas-
tered both of those by that Sunday. Monday
we decided to try again. By Thursday, I was
pregnant. We announced our good news at
the Thanksgiving dinner table. The room fell
silent. My mother-in-law whispered that it
must have been an accident. After all that we
went through we wouldn’t get pregnant on
purpose…would we? We did. By this time,
we had moved to York. I called St. Smythe in
a panic…who would get this baby into the
Health & Wellness
world? I only had a 50-50 chance doing that
on my own. He suggested Dr. Ronald Brown
who he had trained. Dr. Brown put me on
bed rest at 9 weeks and cerclage in the first
trimester. After 15 trips to the hospital in la-
bor, I had the baby girl we wanted – Jasmine.
Only 2 people were in the delivery room this
time and we got to bring her home the next
day.
Fast-forward 16 years – Joshua graduated
from Charleston County School of the Arts
(this school is 11th in the nation) with a
4.033 (in spite of the senior slump). He test-
ed in to the top 1% in the country, and has
been sick only twice since the first grade. He
is 5’10”. He attended the University of South
Carolina’s Honors College fall of 2009.
Jasmine is the goalie for her high school soc-
cer team. She is on the honor roll, 5’10” and
gorgeous. She plans to attend USC like the
rest of us—plans to be a nurse. She is not in-
terested in the Honors College—she wants
to be in Capstone because they have cookies
every Friday night.
We are so incredibly blessed. Dr. Smythe
had a hand in bringing both of our children
into the world—by hand with my son and
through his teaching with my daughter.
So in a nutshell, I had Joshua in the same
hospital, the same room, with the same nurse
(Terry), one year and one day later than
his sister. Dr. Smythe delivered Joshua and
trained the doctor that delivered Jasmine.
columbiawhc.com, (803) 254-3230
www.lexingtonwoman.sc 13
Health & Wellness
Smart Lipo
by Heather McNair
L ooking for a way to tone areas that
are not responding to diet and exer-
cise? Want a less painful method of liposuc-
tion with little or no downtime? Then your
answer is Dr. Dee Carter and her team at the
Cosmetic Laser Studio.
Dr. Dee Carter has a degree in electrical en-
gineering and worked in that field for eight
years before deciding to attend the Univer-
sity of South Carolina School of Medicine.
The Cosmetic Laser Studio is a full service
medi spa that offers the latest technology
available. The office is small and discreet
“so you won’t meet your neighbor walking
through the front door,” Dr Carter said.
Dr. Carter does not believe that any single
procedure is the answer for everyone; there-
fore she offers many different treatment
techniques. “An array of tools in the tool
box,” she said.
Laser Body Sculpting, or SmartLipo, is an
innovative treatment that is laser assisted
liposuction. The patient is not put to sleep
for this procedure. There is less bruising and
bleeding than is seen in traditional liposuc-
tion, and SmartLipo only requires a few days
14 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women
to recover. The laser heats the subcutaneous
fat, melting the fat before the suctioning be-
gins. This allows for the less pain and little to
no recovery time. A local anesthetic is used.
SmartLipo is great for areas that one has
trouble toning with exercise. This procedure
is not used for weight loss, but instead is
The Cosmetic Laser
Studio is a full service
medi spa with the latest
technology available.
used to sculpt such areas as the “love han-
dles,” the neck, inner and outer thighs, ab-
dominal fat, and the area most women refer
to as “bra fat.”
Thermage is also offered at the Cosmetic La-
ser Studio. Thermage is a non-surgical, injec-
tion free treatment that uses radio frequency
energy to tighten the skin. This treatment is
great for treating fine lines and wrinkles by
stimulating collagen and elastin production
in the skin.
Other procedures that Dr. Carter offers at
the Cosmetic Laser Studio include laser hair
removal, laser vein removal, fractional CO2
skin resurfacing, erbium skin resurfacing,
permanent makeup, Botox and M.C.A., or
Multitrepannic Collagen Actuation.
M.C.A. is a non-surgical technique that uses
dry needles (no fillers) to cause micro trau-
ma in the skin, thus stimulating the patient’s
own skin rejuvenation. This works for both
men and women who want to look younger
without surgery. And, unlike fillers, the re-
sult is permanent.
The Cosmetic Laser Studio also offers spa
services such as facials and skin treatments,
such as microdermabrasion and chemical
peels.
Dr. Dee Carter also carries makeup and skin
care products for her patients, brands such as
Clayton Shagal, Rodan & Fields, Cosmelan,
and the Clarisonic brush. She recently add-
ed the Glo Mineral make-up line.
Dr. Carter is board certified. She lives with

‘All Mother’s Days
are special for me
– my only child is
adopted. Being a
Mother was never
something that
I could take for
granted.’
her husband and two dogs in
Lexington. Her son resides in
Newberry and is employed by
the college.
When asked about special
Mother’s Day memories, Dr.
Carter replied, “All Mother’s
Days are special for me – my
only child is adopted. Being a
Mother was never something
that I could take for granted.”
Doctor Carter’s staff has a spe-
cial member, her five year old
Yorkie, Scooter. He has come
to work with her since he was a
small puppy. “Patients notice if
he’s not around; especially the
children,” she says. Dr. Carter
said she and her staff work to
make sure her office is infor-
mal, private and friendly. They
want their patients to feel com-
fortable and relaxed when they
come in and feel no pressure or
embarrassment for being there.
“We’re off the beaten path,” Dr.
Carter said.
Dr. Carter does consultations
before any procedure. This will
help the patient learn more
about the method and what is
best for their situation.
For more information, please
visit Dr. Dee Carter’s web site,
www.cosmeticlaserstudio.com.
Mothers’ Spotlight!
Becki Berry with her mom,
Marian Warner
“Growing up, my mom was a wonderful
mother, today she is my best friend.”
– Becki Berry
Jean Jones with her
mother-in-law, Maggie Hyte
“She is my mother-in-law, my friend, a very
loving person that loves the Lord and her fam-
ily, a blessing to me each and every day. I love
you! I hope I can live a life just like her and be a
blessing to others. Thank you Lord for putting
her in my life.”
– Jean Jones
Katie Byrd with her grandson,
Logan Holmes
“My mom is pictured here with my son, who
really has her wrapped! She also is the owner
of Better Bait and Tackle on Hwy 6 behind the
Dam Bar and Grill!”
– Lindsay Holmes
Health & Wellness
3 generations: Julie McDowell with
twins, Whitlie and Weslen, and
her mother, Russellette Swygert
“My mother always decorated our house for
every single holiday. She always filled our hearts
with joy with her special gifts for each season.
Even holidays that are not even on the calendar,
she celebrated! My mother is the best gift giver
as well. She makes baskets for every special oc-
casion just to make someone’s day. My mother
has taught me to celebrate life by being festive
with my children for each and every holiday. It
makes life so much sweeter!
– Julie McDowell
Ginger Hubbs with her mother
Gaynell S. Hubbs
“My mother is a longtime Lexington resident.
She is so amazing. A few years ago she was learn-
ing how to walk again after having a brain tumor
removed, and this year we are walking together
in the Susan G. Komen 3 day for the Cure in
Tampa Bay, FL.The 3 day is not your typical walk
for Breast Cancer – it is a grueling, demanding
60 mile event! She amazing, she is classy and
spirited and full-of-life. I stand in awe of her! I
can remember a doctor telling her that after her
brain surgery she would never be able to walk
again, and 6 months later she was water skiing in
Lake Murry! And this October she will be walk-
ing 20 miles a day for 3 days to help find a cure
for Breast Cancer! She is more than a Mother
to me, she is both inspiration and hero!”
– Ginger Hubbs
www.lexingtonwoman.sc 15
Health & Wellness
Healing health and wellness mother
daughter team
by Heather McNair
HTherapy.
ima Dalal is a growing name in
Lexington with her Vital Energy
Hima is an occupational therapist that uses
traditional Indian remedies for pain relief,
healing and rehabilitation. She owns a well-
ness center that helps patients with fitness,
pain from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
syndrome, acute chronic pain from ortho-
pedic and/or musculoskeletal disorder, and
even breast cancer, just to name a few di-
agnoses.
Board certified, Hima recently opened her
new wellness and rehab center. Her daugh-
ter, Sneh Patel, started Vital Energy Fitness
Underwater Treadmill Power Hose Jet
Power Jets
Shoulder Rehab Sports Rehab
Chair Lift Aquatic Push-ups
Hima N. Dalal
Occupational Therapist
Reiki and Myofascial Release Consultant
Sports Personal Fitness Consultant
16 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women
alongside. Together, they help their custom-
ers heal to their fullest.
Hima told Lexington Woman magazine she
likes the “overall approach of being with the
patient and not just dispensing medicine,” as
her reason for falling in love with occupa-
tional therapy vs. being a medicine doctor.
Sneh said she also loves people and working
with them.
Hima uses different techniques depending
on the situation. For cancer patients, Hima
told us, they offer alternative therapy such
as aqua detox treatment and Reiki that helps
to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy
treatments along with rehab treatment to Hima and her daughter Sneh
Our goal is to achieve mental and physical wellness
through our combination of Complementary/Alternative
therapies with traditional Occupational Therapy.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
• Occupational Therapy • Aqua Detox
• Physical Therapy • Women’s Health Issues
– Chronic/Acute Pain
• Reiki Therapy
• Yoga/Personal Fitness
• Pediatric Therapy
• Weight Loss/Toning
• Aqua Therapy
• Ayurvedic Diet
• Myofascial Release Treatment
and Craniosacral Therapy • Permanent Cosmetics
803.359.1551
www.vitalenergytherapy.com 163 Charter Oak Road
Lexington, SC 29072
 Health & Wellness

achieve physical and mental well

being. Sneh Patel,Vital Energy Fitness
Aquatic Therapy is also used for by Heather McNair
many different reasons. The buoy-
ancy of water helps to relieve pres-
sure from the joints while providing
resistance to help strengthen mus-
cles. Vital Energy has an underwater
treadmill, jets that pulsate the water
W anting to be just like her mother,
Sneh Patel opened Vital Energy
Fitness Studio, a fitness center adjacent to
could interact with people and help them
achieve their goals.”

providing resistance and aquatic
weights that help for strengthening
and power hose that helps massage
muscles. Those who suffer from
obesity also use this Hydrotherapy
treatment.
For conditions, such as diabetes and
high blood pressure, Hima told the
magazine they offer a combination
of proper selection of food group,
lifestyle changes and therapeutic
exercise.
Hima also offers yoga, Reiki and
Myofacscial Release therapy that
“stimulates the muscle energy flow
that keeps everyone feeling alive
and happy.”
Sports therapy, pediatric therapy,
and hand therapy are also provided
at Vital Energy by a Board Certified
Physical Therapist and Hand Thera-
pist.
Hima and her staff work with new-
born to elderly patients providing
Physical/Occupational/Hand Ther-
apy/Aqua Therapy. Pediatric Ther-
apy provided at Vital Energy helps
young children who suffer with
birth defects, scoliosis, torticolis, au-
tism, etc., just to name a few.
Sneh offers personal fitness and
weight loss for adults, children, and
geriatric clients.
Together, mother, daughter and staff
work hard for the people in Lexing-
ton to achieve good health, fitness
and wellness.
her mother’s Vital Energy Occupational/
Physical Therapy Center.
Vital Energy Fitness Studio specializes in
bariatric fitness and personal training. Bar-
iatric fitness basically means obesity in chil-
dren and adults.
Although born in Cleveland, Sneh moved
with her family to India at the age of eight.
After spending eight years there, they moved
back to America.
Sneh graduated from the University of South
Carolina in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree
in exercise science. Her mother owns Vital
Energy Occupational Therapy and Wellness
Center and because of the known name, Vital
Energy, was already out there, Sneh decided
to use that name for her business as well.
“I love helping people and working with
people,” Sneh said. “I picked fitness so I
Sneh Patel, Exercise Physiologist
(803) 467-4217
163 B Charter Oak Road • Lexington, SC 29072
Email: vitalenergyfitness@gmail.com
www.vitalenergyfitness.com
“Vital Energy Fitness Studio is small,” Sneh
said, “so that I can work one-on-one with
my clients. It is a personal experience.”
Not only does Sneh specialize in bariatric
fitness, but she also works with people who
want to just lose a few pounds, who have suf-
fered injuries and are having difficulty losing
weight, and geriatric fitness (fitness for the
elderly), people who are into body building,
want to participate in a cardio workout, or
who want to participate in specific sports
fitness.
“It all depends on a person’s fitness level,”
Sneh said. Sneh helps children and adults of
all ages.
Sneh Patel said she does not have a favorite
mother’s day moment with her mom, but
instead said: “I’ve always wanted to be just
like my mother. Hopefully one day I will be
just like her.”
• Weight Loss
• Personal Training
• Bariatric Fitness
• Geriatric Fitness
• Toning
• Nutritional
Consulting
• Facials
• Massage
• Male and Female
Personal Trainers
• Under Water
Treadmill

For more information, a photo gal-

lery and testimonials, please visit
Vital Energy’s website at www.vi-
talenergytherapy.com.
www.lexingtonwoman.sc 17
 HOSPICE CARE OF TRI-COUNTY
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18 Celebrating, Motivating and Educating Real Women
 Business & Web Directory

Arts & Entertainment

Mothers’ Spotlight! The Studio...........................................................................5
www.thestudiolexington.com

Theresa and her mother Cosmetics and Skincare

“Although I don’t have many memo-
ries of her since she died soon after
I turned 5, what I love hearing about
her is that she was a powerful witness
to everyone she met, even when she
knew she was dying. Even her hospital
room was a sacred place. I love that
my mom is remembered that way and
wish I could have spent my life with
her.”
– Theresa Adams
Rodan + Fields Dermatologists.......................................7
http://theresaadams.myrandf.biz
Health Services
Cosmetic Laser Studio....................................................14
www.cosmeticlaserstudio.com
Vital Energy Fitness Studio............................................17
www.vitalenergytherapy.com
Vital Energy Wellness and Rehab Center.....................16
www.vitalenergytherapy.com

Hospice
Nikki Haley with and her Hospice Care Of Tri-County..........................................18
mother, Raj Randhawa www.medicalservicesofamerica.com
“My mother taught me that whatever
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sons I have learned from her and the www.columbiawhc.com
support she continues to give me.”
– Nikki Haley
Photography
Clark Berry Photography..................Inside Front Cover
www.clarkberry.com

Lexington Woman loves Lexington Kids! Volume VI

Volume VII

G, AND EDUCATIN
G Real WOMEN
CELEBRATING, MOTIVATIN

CELEBRATING, MOTIVATING
, AND EDUCATING Real WOMEN

Melissa Birdsong
What’s cookin’ mama?

Dooley
Ashley McGuinn 2ndAnnual Surviving the
At home with Ashley Holidays Fashion Show

Debbie Summers What is a Ta-Tini?

A Lexington pacesetter Meet Kim Hamrick

Palliative Care unty Affairs of the Heart

Hospice Care of Tri-Co Debbie Kelly
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www.lexingtonwoman.sc 19