Did you know that more than 40% of adults in the United States suffer from obesity? Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for this condition. Perhaps worse is that more and more adults and children are gaining weight across the country, choosing the convenience of fast and nutrition-deficient foods over healthy eating, exercise, and positive life choices. From an aesthetic standpoint, being overweight is a struggle - clothes don't fit right, people make uncomfortable comments about how you look, and everyday activities are less appealing.
From a health and wellness standpoint, however, being obese is much worse. Your life is literally on the line. The people who love you and depend on you to be in their lives could lose you sooner than you expect. With time, you have a higher chance of suffering from significant, life-changing issues such as:
While obesity is a serious problem, a new medication on the market is giving hope to millions of men and women across the U.S. This game-changing treatment is called Semaglutide in Emerson, NJ. This anti-obesity medication is unique because it treats obesity as a chronic metabolic disease, rather than a problem that can be solved through sheer willpower. The best part? Semaglutide and other medical weight-loss peptides are now available at Global Life Rejuvenation.
At Global Life Rejuvenation, we understand that losing weight is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Our medical weight loss clinic offers custom medical weight loss plans tailored to your body, rather than plans based solely on your age or weight. In fact, our team of doctors and practitioners provides personalized guidance to help you achieve real results and live a healthier life.
Because the truth is maintaining good health and fitness are crucial in the modern world. Research has shown that viruses and diseases are more likely to affect those who are overweight and unhealthy. At Global Life Rejuvenation, we take a comprehensive, custom approach to medical weight loss that includes peptide therapy and more. We then work with you to make positive lifestyle changes, so you can lose weight, get healthy, and boost your wellbeing permanently - not for a few weeks or months.
If you're ready to get back to loving your life with more energy, confidence, and positivity, medical weight loss with peptide therapy may be for you. But to truly understand the benefits of peptides like Semaglutide, it's important you grasp what peptide therapy is and how it benefits your body.
Many individuals turn to peptide therapy to enhance their overall wellbeing by boosting hormones. Different types of peptides can target different areas of health, such as collagen peptides that can help improve skin, hair, and gut health.
Other peptides, such as AOD 9604, CJC 1295, and Semaglutide in Emerson, NJ, are incredibly beneficial for losing weight. Compared to vitamin supplements, peptide therapy works differently as peptides are already part of the proteins in our bodies, making them easier to absorb and benefit from. Conversely, our bodies can sometimes fail to absorb all the nutrients present in multivitamins, leading to their excretion through urine.
However, it's important to note that weight loss is a complex process that involves various factors like age, genetics, lifestyle, exercise, and diet. While peptides like Semaglutide can provide much-needed assistance in achieving your weight loss goals, they are most effective when combined with healthy dietary choices, regular exercise routines, and overall healthier lifestyle choices.
If you've already tried different weight loss plans and diets but haven't had any success, medical weight loss with peptide therapy may provide that extra boost you need to realize your goals.
If you're looking to lose weight and keep it off, diet and exercise are important, but it can be difficult to stick to a routine. For busy adults and parents, Semaglutide can be a helpful tool for weight loss. This injection, approved by the FDA for diabetes and obesity, works by stimulating GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in weight loss and improve long-term health.
You may be wondering to yourself, "That sounds great, but how does this type of peptide work?" Semaglutide acts like glucagon in your body, which signals to your brain that you're full and don't need to eat anymore. When you take Semaglutide, and you try to overeat, your body waves a proverbial red flag as if to say, "That's enough."
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, reducing unnecessary snacking throughout the day. By reducing glucose spikes after meals, it reduces inflammation, which is important for overall health. Additionally, Semaglutide helps your pancreas secrete insulin, regulates the glucose levels in your body, and even has anti-aging and longevity properties. If you're struggling to lose weight, peptide therapies for weight loss like Semaglutide can be an invaluable addition to your weight loss plan from Global Life Rejuvenation.
When combined with healthy lifestyle choices like diet and exercise, Semaglutide can help provide:
There are multiple medications available to combat obesity by suppressing appetite and promoting weight loss. However, Semaglutide stands out as an exceptional option.
A recent study of 2,000 obese adults examined the effects of Semaglutide when combined with a diet and exercise program. The results were compared to those who only made lifestyle changes without taking Semaglutide. After 68 weeks, it was found that half of the participants using Semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight, with nearly a third losing 20%. In contrast, those who only made lifestyle changes lost an average of 2.4% of their weight.
It's obvious, then, that Semaglutide is a safe and effective supplement for your weight loss journey with Global Life Rejuvenation. But who is the ideal patient who should be taking it?
If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 27kg/m2 or higher and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, or if your BMI is 30kg/m2 or higher, the FDA recommends Semaglutide for weight loss.
As medical weight loss experts, one thing our doctors and practitioners know at Global Life Rejuvenation is that true weight loss isn't dictated by medicines. It's achieved by sticking to a combo of exercise, healthy life choices, and healthy eating habits. From there, peptides like Semaglutide in Emerson, NJ are great for taking your weight loss efforts to the next level of success.
One area where many patients fail in this process is with their diet. If you're considering Semaglutide treatment, keep these diet tips in mind.
To enhance your dietary habits, a practical approach is to concentrate on consuming whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. These food items are rich in nutrients and can provide a feeling of fullness and satisfaction while also promoting your overall wellbeing.
Eating mindfully involves being fully present and engaged during meals. This entails taking the time to enjoy the flavor of your food, being aware of your body's hunger and fullness signals, and avoiding distractions like electronics or television.
To maintain good health and support weight loss, it's crucial to drink plenty of water. It's recommended to drink at least 8-10 cups of water daily. You may also try adding low-calorie drinks like herbal tea or infused water to keep things interesting.
Planning your meals in advance is an effective approach to maintaining a healthy diet. Set aside some time each week to plan your meals and snacks, keeping in mind to incorporate a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This will prevent impulsive food choices and guarantee that you have nutritious options available when hunger strikes.
Unlike many medical weight loss clinics, which only offer cookie-cutter weight loss plans and one or two additional fat-busting solutions, Global Life Rejuvenation provides access to new, innovative supplements and medicines. If you're used to fad diets and "quick" weight loss plans, peptides like AOD 9604 and others may be new to you. To help build your foundation of healthy living knowledge, let's take a look at a few of the most popular weight-loss peptides and medicines available at Global Life Rejuvenation.
Often combined with Semaglutide regimens, AOD 9604 is known to promote fat breakdown, inhibit lipogenesis, and support tendons and cartilage. However, most recently, it has gained popularity due to its ability to boost metabolism and aid in burning fat.
What sets AOD 9604 apart is that it stimulates the pituitary gland without affecting tissue growth or blood sugar levels. Additionally, it can burn fat without causing overeating, making it a viable option for obese men and women who are trying to implement better eating habits.
Interestingly, AOD 9604 activates your body's fat-burning processes without requiring an HGH receptor. It also releases obese fat cells and reduces the accumulation of new fat cells. By helping to regulate blood sugar and manage insulin levels, AOD 9604 is excellent for weight loss but also for other maladies like inflammation.
Some conditions that this powerful peptide can help address include the following:
This medical weight loss supplement Is technically a combo of two peptides. These substances work by stimulating your pituitary gland to produce more of your body's natural human growth hormone, which is secreted during both waking and sleeping periods.
This results in increased protein synthesis and levels of insulin-like growth factors. As hormone secretagogues, they help release hormones into circulation while mimicking the pituitary gland's production. Extensive research has been conducted on the effects of CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin. As a tool for medical weight loss, it has shown very promising results.
That's because when growth hormone levels increase, nutrients are transported through the body faster, more fat is burned, and weight management becomes simpler. Additionally, because CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin increase the amount of growth hormone in your body, it stimulates the breakdown of triglycerides in adipocytes, leading to improved fat metabolism and reduced abdominal fat.
Benefits of CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin for weight loss include:
A Methionine Inositol Choline (MIC) injection is a mixture of lipotropics that aid in fat breakdown. The key components - methionine, inositol, and choline - work together to metabolize fat cells and eliminate stored fat deposits in the liver and body. Methionine is an important amino acid, inositol contributes to proper cell formation, and choline is a water-soluble nutrient that promotes healthy liver function. When combined, these compounds may help reduce body fat.
When used in conjunction with a medical weight loss plan from Global Life Rejuvenation, MIC injections can be a powerful addition to reclaiming your health and wellbeing.
Request AppointmentLike other weight loss peptides and medicines on this page, Phentermine can help you lose weight when you stick to a medical weight loss plan that includes dieting, exercise, and smart life choices. It does so by reducing your appetite, which limits the number of calories you eat every day.
As is the case with Semaglutide, Phentermine has been approved by the FDA and is supported by clinical studies that show it can support weight loss. With time, patience, and healthy living, this supplement may help you reach your wellness goals sooner than you thought possible.
Request AppointmentIn the body, 7-keto-DHEA is produced from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is a hormone made by glands near your kidneys. However, unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted into androgen and estrogen in your body. Instead, 7-keto-DHEA is used orally or topically to boost your body's metabolism. It also helps convert more of your energy into heat, instead of storing it in your body as fat, which can accumulate with time and lifestyle choices.
Much like Semaglutide treatment in Emerson, NJ, 7-keto-DHEA has been shown to be very effective for weight loss as well as a host of other issues. Additional benefits of taking 7-keto-DHEA may include the following:
Have you tried everything under the sun to try and eliminate the cellulite on your legs, arms, and other areas of your body? If you're like most people, getting rid of cellulite isn't just difficult - it's nearly impossible. Fortunately, those days are over. Lipo Sculpt Cream from Global Life Rejuvenation can help reduce the unsightly appearance of cellulite while also refining your figure and firming up your skin.
The active ingredients in this product have the ability to reduce and prevent the growth of fatty tissue while also improving microcirculation. They work together to treat both adipose and aqueous cellulite, and aid in the elimination of fatty deposits and excess water stored in the tissues. This results in a reduction of dimples and an overall improvement in the appearance of your skin.
If you have experienced success with a medical weight loss plan and reached your target weight but still suffer from cellulite, Lipo Sculpt Cream is a fantastic choice to consider. A few of the most common benefits include:
Are you craving a productive life at a healthy weight? Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones? The pathway to wellbeing starts by contacting our office for an in-depth consultation, where we'll learn more about your weight-loss goals and needs.
From there, we'll create a custom weight-loss plan tailored to your body. This plan will map out the steps of your weight-loss journey, including peptide therapies like Semaglutide in Emerson, NJ. Though every person's weight management goals are different, when you're a patient at Global Life Rejuvenation, you benefit from dedicated doctors and practitioners committed to improving your weight and, in turn, your health.
Whether your health is on the line, or you don't like how being overweight makes you look and feel, our team is ready to guide you toward long-term health and happiness. This way, you can get healthy, stay in shape, and fall in love with your newfound body.
EMERSON—Longtime schools superintendent Brian P. Gatens wrote the community on Jan. 4 to announce — with gratitude for opportunities he’s had to help guide the district’s growth — that he’s stepping down to start a new job in Leonia on July 1. He said a replacement search would be under way.The Emerson School District consists of some 1,200 students at three schools and held its annual reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Gatens says on his superintendent page that “Our work begins with our pre-kind...
EMERSON—Longtime schools superintendent Brian P. Gatens wrote the community on Jan. 4 to announce — with gratitude for opportunities he’s had to help guide the district’s growth — that he’s stepping down to start a new job in Leonia on July 1. He said a replacement search would be under way.
The Emerson School District consists of some 1,200 students at three schools and held its annual reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Gatens says on his superintendent page that “Our work begins with our pre-kindergarten program and continues 14 years later to our graduating 12th graders. As one of the smallest PK-12 districts in the state, the opportunities for our students only exist in a close-knit community of caring parents, supportive citizens, and dedicated civic leadership.”
Here is his letter on his departure and next steps:
Good morning Emerson,
Happy New Year to our entire school community and I hope that this email finds everyone well as we move through the first week of the new year.
At their regular public meeting last night, the Leonia Board of Education appointed me as their next Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, 2023. As a result, my final day as the Superintendent of Schools for Emerson will be June 30, 2023. Since December 2013, it has been my honor to serve the children of Emerson and work alongside supportive families, and dedicated and hardworking faculty and staff.
I will remain forever grateful for the opportunity to have played my role in the success and growth of the district over the past nine+ years. Whether it be the successful 2018 school referendum, the completion of the 2015-2020 District Strategic Plan, the creation of the 2021-2026 District Strategic Plan, or our successful navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire school community should take rightful pride in the collective progress and growth of the district and the strong foundation that has been built for future students and their families.
The Board of Education will manage the selection process for the next Superintendent of Schools. Please know that I will be fully available to assist and will participate in the transition when a new superintendent is appointed. I have every confidence that the district will continue to thrive due to the dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators who make Emerson the wonderful place that it is.
One final, and perhaps most important, point is that my caring for the teachers, staff, children, and families of Emerson will extend far beyond my tenure as superintendent. All should know that I will always be prepared to assist in any way. Please reach out in the future if I can ever be of help. I consider myself beyond fortunate to have worked for so long in a place as wonderful as Emerson and my gratitude and availability will extend far beyond June 30, 2023.
All my best,Brian P. Gatens
According to 2022 data from the New Jersey Department of Education, Gatens ranked 99th for pay among school administrators, at some $224,161.
We will update this story.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICH. (PRWEB) JULY 05, 2023 – ARCH Medical Solutions Corp. (“ARCH”) announces the acquisition of gSource LLC of Emerson, New Jersey. gSource precision manufactures an extensive line of surgical instruments and performs custom contract manufacturing for medical OEMs. Since its founding in 1999, gSource has built a reputation as a medical equipment manufacturer known for crafting superior instrumentation primarily for orthopedic and spinal surgical procedures.With this acquisition, AR...
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICH. (PRWEB) JULY 05, 2023 – ARCH Medical Solutions Corp. (“ARCH”) announces the acquisition of gSource LLC of Emerson, New Jersey. gSource precision manufactures an extensive line of surgical instruments and performs custom contract manufacturing for medical OEMs. Since its founding in 1999, gSource has built a reputation as a medical equipment manufacturer known for crafting superior instrumentation primarily for orthopedic and spinal surgical procedures.
With this acquisition, ARCH Medical Solutions strengthens its position as a leading, diversified supplier in the medical device contract manufacturing market. The Emerson facility will continue as gSource.
“We are excited to join forces with gSource and have the opportunity to offer this category of high-quality, German-sourced surgical instruments to our existing and new customers,” said Paul Barck, Divisional President of ARCH Medical Solutions. “gSource is a respected brand for both catalog and customized instrumentation, broadening the products and solutions we bring to the surgical instruments market. In working with the gSource team, there is clear cultural alignment between our organizations in quality and customer focus, making this partnership a win-win for our customers and the patients they serve.”
As part of the ARCH family, gSource President Gerd Billmann anticipates growth opportunities for employees and customers.
“We are certain that ARCH Medical Solutions is the right partner for gSource,” Billmann said. “The core values at ARCH are remarkably aligned with ours, and the increased capacity will allow our employees to flourish, our customers to do more, and the patients they serve to receive the highest level of care.”
John Ruggieri, Senior Vice President of Business Development at ARCH Medical Solutions, is excited to have gSource and its expert network of specialists joining ARCH Medical Solutions.
“We are thrilled to welcome the entire gSource team as they become a part of ARCH Medical Solutions,” he said. “gSource is a well-respected brand in the medical community, and the reputation of the company is a testament to its commitment and high level of customer service for more than two decades. This partnership is sure to usher in an exciting new era of accelerated growth.”
About ARCH Medical SolutionsARCH Medical Solutions, a Jordan Company platform company based in metro Detroit, precision manufactures high-quality medical components, parts, instruments, devices, and implants for a range of life-changing medical applications. ARCH Medical Solutions has multiple FDA-registered facilities across the country serving the orthopedics, surgical robotics, dental, and life sciences markets. The teams at ARCH Medical Solutions are metalworking professionals with industry-leading tight-tolerance manufacturing expertise. ARCH Medical Solutions provides innovative and practical solutions to the complex manufacturing challenges of its customers that lead to better patient outcomes. Improving lives. We have a part in that.
The North Jersey Interscholastic Conference released schedules for the 2023 season on Monday afternoon.Week 1 is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend (the Friday is Sept. 1) and the final week of the regular season – Week 8 – is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 20. The NJIC schedule is only set for the first five weeks, then teams are matched up with opponents of a similar caliber for the final three weeks.Teams that play in the Union Division are not eligible for the NJSIAA postseason. They will start th...
The North Jersey Interscholastic Conference released schedules for the 2023 season on Monday afternoon.
Week 1 is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend (the Friday is Sept. 1) and the final week of the regular season – Week 8 – is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 20. The NJIC schedule is only set for the first five weeks, then teams are matched up with opponents of a similar caliber for the final three weeks.
Teams that play in the Union Division are not eligible for the NJSIAA postseason. They will start their seasons in Week 2.
Manchester moved from the Liberty Division to the Union Division. Wallington moved from the Union Division to the Patriot Division. The new Cresskill/Emerson co-op program will play in the Liberty Division.
BECTON
Week 1: at Garfield
Week 2: vs. Lodi
Week 3 vs. Secaucus
Week 4: at Rutherford
Week 5: vs. Glen Rock
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
GARFIELD
Week 1: vs. Becton
Week 2: vs. Cresskill/Emerson
Week 3: at Rutherford
Week 4: at Glen Rock
Week 5: vs. Lodi
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
GLEN ROCK
Week 1: vs. Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 2: vs. Rutherford
Week 3: at Lodi
Week 4: vs. Garfield
Week 5: at Becton
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
LODI
Week1: vs. Rutherford
Week 2: at Becton
Week 3: vs. Glen Rock
Week 4: vs. New Milford
Week 5: at Garfield, 1 p.m.
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
RUTHERFORD
Week 1: at Lodi
Week 2: at Glen Rock
Week 3: vs. Garfield
Week 4: vs. Becton
Week 5: vs. Lyndhurst
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
CRESSKILL/EMERSON
Week 1: vs. New Milford
Week 2: at Garfield
Week 3: vs. Lyndhurst
Week 4: at Secaucus
Week 5: at Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
LYNDHURST
Week 1: at Secaucus
Week 2: vs. New Milford
Week 3: at Cresskill/Emerson
Week 4: vs. Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 5: at Rutherford
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
NEW MILFORD
Week 1: at Cresskill/Emerson
Week 2: at Lyndhurst
Week 3: vs. Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 4: at Lodi
Week 5: vs. Secaucus
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
SECAUCUS
Week 1: vs. Lyndhurst
Week 2: at Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 3: at Becton
Week 4: vs. Cresskill/Emerson
Week 5: at New Milford
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
WALDWICK/MIDLAND PARK
Week 1: at Glen Rock
Week 2: vs. Secaucus
Week 3: at New Milford
Week 4: at Lyndhurst
Week 5: vs. Cresskill/Emerson
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS
Week 1: at PomptonLakes
Week 2: vs. Hasbrouck Heights
Week 3: at Park Ridge
Week 4: vs. Hawthorne
Week 5: at North Arlington
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
HAWTHORNE
Week 1: vs. North Arlington
Week 2: at St. Mary
Week 3: vs. Pompton Lakes
Week 4: at Hasbrouck Heights
Week 5: at Saddle Brook
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
NORTH ARLINGTON
Week 1: at Hawthorne
Week 2: vs. Pompton Lakes
Week 3: at Saddle Brook
Week 4: at Wood-Ridge
Week 5: vs. Hasbrouck Heights
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
POMPTON LAKES
Week 1: vs. Hasbrouck Heights
Week 2: at North Arlington
Week 3: at Hawthorne
Week 4: vs. Saddle Brook
Week 5: at Butler
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
SADDLE BROOK
Week 1: at Wallington
Week 2: at Hasbrouck Heights
Week 3: vs. North Arlington
Week 4: at Pompton Lakes
Week 5: vs. Hawthorne
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
BUTLER
Week 1: vs. Wood-Ridge
Week 2: at Wallington
Week 3: at St. Mary
Week 4: vs. Park Ridge
Week 5: vs. Pompton Lakes
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
PARK RIDGE
Week 1: vs. St. Mary
Week 2: at Wood-Ridge
Week 3: vs. Hasbrouck Heights
Week 4: at Butler
Week 5: vs. Wallington
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
ST. MARY
Week 1: at Park Ridge
Week 2: vs. Hawthorne
Week 3: vs. Butler
Week 4: at Wallington
Week 5: vs. Wood-Ridge
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
WALLINGTON
Week 1: vs. Saddle Brook
Week 2: vs. Butler
Week 3: at Wood-Ridge
Week 4: vs. St. Mary
Week 5: at Park Ridge
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
WOOD-RIDGE
Week 1: at Butler
Week 2: vs. Park Ridge
Week 3: vs. Wallington
Week 4: vs. North Arlington
Week 5: at St. Mary
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
BOGOTA
Week 1: idle
Week 2: at Harrison
Week 3: vs. Manchester
Week 4: at Elmwood Park
Week 5: at Weehawken
Week 6: vs. Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
ELMWOOD PARK
Week 1: idle
Week 2: at Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 3: vs. Harrison
Week 4: vs. Bogota
Week 5: at Manchester
Week 6: vs. Weehawken
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
HARRISON
Week 1: idle
Week 2: vs. Bogota
Week 3: at Elmwood Park
Week 4: vs. Weehawken
Week 5: at Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 6: vs. Manchester
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
MANCHESTER
Week 1: idle
Week 2: vs. Weehawken
Week 3: at Bogota
Week 4: vs. Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 5: vs. Elmwood Park
Week 6: at Harrison
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
PALISADES PARK/LEONIA
Week 1: idle
Week 2: vs. Elmwood Park
Week 3: at Weehawken
Week 4: at Manchester
Week 5: vs. Harrison
Week 6: at Bogota
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
WEEHAWKEN
Week 1: idle
Week 2: at Manchester
Week 3: vs. Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 4: at Harrison
Week 5: vs. Bogota
Week 6: at Elmwood Park
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
5-minute read0:000:56ADDamien Gonzalez has grown up watching Yankees baseball, usually on a phone held inches from his nose. More often, he listens to the broadcasts.Gonzalez, who turns 15 in June, was born with congenital glaucoma and is ...
Damien Gonzalez has grown up watching Yankees baseball, usually on a phone held inches from his nose. More often, he listens to the broadcasts.
Gonzalez, who turns 15 in June, was born with congenital glaucoma and is legally blind. As he kept warm in the family's SUV before an early season practice in Newark, the teen from Emerson considered a question about how he was able to play the game he loves.
"What does your world look like?" he replied defiantly, before explaining his view of the field is "a little blurry," with objects closer to him appearing more clear.
Damien didn't consider his low vision when he asked to try tee ball at age 6. His anxious parents, Nestor and Alice Gonzalez, got him into Emerson's youth softball program instead.
"It was a little awkward," Nestor Gonzalez recalled. "Some of the parents made comments. Even some of the umpires said, 'This is a girls' league. You know that, right?'"
Seeking a safe, more welcoming option, Nestor Gonzalez found the New Jersey Titans beep baseball team, which plays a modified version of the national pastime designed for the blind and visually impaired.
The Titans are one of the original teams in the National Beep Baseball Association, which fields 30 squads from around the world and will host its World Series this summer in Norman, Oklahoma. The Titans are a decade-old spinoff of the New Jersey Lightning, with whom they now share the Garden State.
Damien and Nestor Gonzalez have been part of the Titans program for six years, with Nestor now serving as head coach and president.
"I used to be the crutch for his disability. Now I try to be the springboard for him," Nestor Gonzalez said. Damien also wrestles, skis and rides a bike, and is going to aviation camp this summer.
"Don't let the vision thing hold you up," his father tells him.
Beep baseball is similar to what major leaguers play, with a few significant differences.
Teams are comprised of at least six visually impaired players, all of whom wear blindfolds while batting or fielding, as well as sighted pitchers and catchers. Spotters in the outfield help direct defensive players toward a batted ball.
The game uses a modified softball that weighs about a pound and beeps like an alarm clock.
At the practice in March, Nestor Gonzalez stood on a field in Newark's Weequahic Park as his son waited at the plate, clad in white pants with navy pinstripes like the Bronx Bombers.
"Ready," the father shouted, alerting the Titans that he was about to throw the ball. "Pitch," he yelled, as he released the beeping white sphere toward Damien.
Damien swung and connected. His teammates, all older and from across New Jersey, dove and scrambled after the ball using their ears for guidance.
'The same game:'Blind hockey players trying to spread the sport in New Jersey
In beep baseball, first and third base are 4-foot tall padded cylinders with speakers. They're placed 100 feet down each baseline and 10 feet outside the foul lines to prevent runners and fielders from colliding. When the ball is hit, a base is activated and emits a loud buzz, similar to the whine between frequencies on the radio dial.
The batters, who use the same equipment as traditional baseball players, must get to the base before the ball is fielded. If they're safe, a run scores.
A hit ball must travel a minimum of 40 feet. If it goes farther than 170 feet on the fly, it's a homer – worth two runs, as long as the batter reaches the buzzing base within 30 seconds.
Nestor Gonzalez said Damien didn't score a run in his first two years playing. Samantha Mischler, a 29-year-old from Monroe, still hasn't scored after eight seasons with the Titans. But, Gonzalez added, "She's worked so hard on her swing and hitting the ball as hard as she can. This is going to be her year."
Mischler has trouble seeing details or objects that are far away, but her low vision can't be corrected due to nystagmus, which causes her eyes to move uncontrollably. She ran cross country and middle distances at Monroe High School with a guide. She loved the 400 meters and the mile, she said, but "hated the 800, because how do you pace that?"
She first saw a beep baseball demonstration at Camp Marcella, a Rockaway Township sleepaway camp for the blind, when she was 10 years old. But it took more than a decade for her to connect with the Titans.
"To find out there are sports teams for people with low vision just blew my mind," said Mischler, a classroom aide in a Sayreville preschool. "I'm the only female player, but I don't think of it that way. I am a teammate. I've been cleated and didn't even flinch. I've had beep baseballs hit me on the top of my head: 'Oh, ow, all right then, keep on playing.' I firmly believe your individual identity is important, but you're a team. You're all one."
‘I can do more’:NJ kids with physical disabilities struggle to play, compete
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That camaraderie is what got Alfonso Harrell hooked on the Titans.
One of six siblings, three of whom were born legally blind, Harrell was hesitant to share his condition with people or to ask for help. The 29-year-old said he switched from special-education classes at a Newark public school to a school for the blind, and back again after telling his mom, "I'm not learning nothing here. I don't want to do this."
Harrell said he got an aide to take notes, and was on his way through mainstreamed classes instead of the "small box" of the specialized school.
After graduating from high school, he went to the Joseph Kohn Training Center in New Brunswick to become more independent. That's where he was introduced to goalball – another sport for the visually impaired – and then beep baseball. Harrell is the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his associate's degree at Bergen Community College and then a bachelor's in business management from Kean University.
Harrell, Lamont Bordley from Hamilton and Newark resident Marvin Morgan are among the original Titans from the 2013-14 season. The team later brought in Mischler, Damien Gonzalez, Zak Turner of Hillsdale, and even teammates from Long Island, Philadelphia, North Carolina and Iowa who drive or fly in when they can.
On Saturday, the Titans will play the Long Island Bombers on the North Meadow baseball fields in New York City's Central Park.
Future Titans games are scheduled for July 1 in Philadelphia and July 14 in Boston. The National Beep Baseball Association World Series will be held July 30 to Aug. 5 in Oklahoma. The Titans finished fifth in 2019 and 2021.
Damien Gonzalez has been the youngest player, and the only one under 15, at all five World Series he's attended.
"Being around other blind people helped me so much as far as being comfortable with being blind myself," said Harrell, a father of two young daughters who works as a recruiter for Bestwork Industries for the Blind in Cherry Hill.
"These kids growing up now are probably the only blind person [they know] in their town," he said. "Maybe someone will see the sport and know someone who is visually impaired or blind, and can point them in the right direction. Even if they don't play the sport, being around someone else like yourself is important. It all matters."
Jane Havsy is a storyteller for the Daily Record and DailyRecord.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis, subscribe today.
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Hooray! You booked that family trip of a lifetime (or just the one you always take in the summer), now all you need to do is pack your bags. Oh... and figure out who will care for that one member of your family who won't be traveling with you - your fur baby. You could also use a safe place where you doggo can spend a day of two per week socializing and running off those zoomies. To ensure your dog is cared for as the member of the family they are, in a clean, safe facility, make plans to send your fuzziest family member to the K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, opening soon in Emerson, New Jersey.
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465 Old Hook Road
Emerson, NJ 07630