Choose to Live- Die in Hell/Choose to Die&leave your children motherless

12/22/10 NY TIMES

Arizona: Hospital Loses Catholic Affiliation

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix announced on Tuesday that St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center could no longer identify itself as Roman Catholic because it violated church teachings by ending a woman’s pregnancy in 2009. Hospital administrators said the procedure was necessary to save her life, and stood by their decision even after Bishop Olmsted excommunicated a nun on the hospital ethics committee. The hospital, which receives no money from the Phoenix diocese, can no longer hold Masses. But Catholics can continue to work and be treated there.

12/27/10 THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC

The Republic recognizes the bishop’s dedication and sincerity, but questions his compassion—particularly regarding the critical case in which an abortion was deemed necessary to save a woman’s life.

12/22/10 

OImsted also said that he was “very much worried” that the affair would divide the Catholic community and that he would “hope and pray” that the hospital would come back to full communion with the Church. “I’m very sad that this will happen, but it would be unfair to the people for me to make as if an institution was Catholic if it wasn’t following directives that are clearly known to them, given to them to serve them. I owe it to the faithful to know what’s happening there,” he said.

12/22/10 WASHINGTON POST

When an 11-weeks pregnant woman suffering serious health complications entered St. Joseph's Hospital, a Catholic medical center in Phoenix, Arizona last year, her care turned into a complicated tangle of moral wrangling that ended yesterday with the Bishop of Phoenix declaring that the hospital was no longer "Catholic."

12/21/10 THE GUARDIAN

"Tests showed that in the early stages of pregnancy her condition deteriorated rapidly and that before long her pulmonary hypertension - which can impair the working of the heart and lungs - had begun to seriously threaten her life. Doctors informed her that the risk of death was close to 100% if she continued with the pregnancy."

What happened to the protection that is mandated by HIPPA laws? Has Bishop Olmsted transgressed the law? Should he be prosecuted?

In general I am against abortion. But there are certain cases where the doctor deems the procedure medically necessary for the mother's health and the fetus is not going to be viable when it is delayed that the difficult decision must be made. Then it should be a private decision between the mother, and her healthcare professionals, assisted by her faith - and after that the law of the land.

Hopefully someday the law will uphold the rights of women to receive necessary medical care in all stages of life.

Julie Andrews at Radio City Music Hall

To commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's  Radio   City   Music Hall  for the benefit of the AARP.

 

One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things'  from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'.   Here are the lyrics she used:
(Sing It!)  - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!    

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and  handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
   These are a few of my favorite things. 
Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
   These are a few of my favorite things. 
When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
  When the knees go bad, I simply remember my favorite things,
      And then I don't feel so bad. 
Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
     These are a few of my favorite things. 
Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
   When we remember our favorite things. 
When the joints ache, When the hips break,
      When the eyes grow dim,
  Then I remember the great life I've had,
       And then I don't feel so bad.  
(Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd  that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores. Please  share Ms. Andrews' clever wit and humor with others who  would appreciate it.)

Saving Youth From Sudden Cardiac Death

Nurse.com News by Tracy Boyd

Incidences of pediatric sudden cardiac death, or SCD, seem to occur more and more frequently. We hear of instances in the news at youth baseball games and high school sporting events across the country. The problem has garnered so much attention that New Jersey’s Saint Barnabas Health Care System recently hosted the conference “Saving Young Lives,” devoted to creating awareness about pediatric SCD.

“Sudden cardiac death is defined as a sudden unexpected death from a cardiovascular cause occurring within one hour of the onset of symptoms,” says Mary Beth Kearney, RN, MA, CCRN, CPNP, a clinical nurse specialist in pediatric cardiology at Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York in New Hyde Park. According to Kearney, who has lectured extensively and written articles on pediatric SCD, the overwhelming majority of SCD events in adolescents are arrhythmic, most often caused by primary electrical disorders and inherited arrhythmia syndromes, such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, long QT syndrome or Brugada syndrome. “In arrhythmic events, there is an abrupt loss of consciousness and pulselessness in the absence of other conditions,” she says.

Other conditions also play a part in pediatric SCD. “One of the most common causes of SCD in the young is a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,” says Denise Crosta, RN, MSN, APN, manager of pediatric cardiology at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center. “HCM occurs in one in 500 individuals, but is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. In those cases, the presenting symptom could be sudden death.”

Cheryle Aizley, RN

Timing is Everything

Because these underlying conditions may not have been diagnosed, the problem only becomes known when the child collapses. In that instance, swift treatment is the only option and CPR becomes invaluable, says Cheryle Aizley, RN, APN-C, advanced practice nurse in pediatric critical care, pediatrics and pediatric sedation at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark (N.J.) Beth Israel Medical Center. After being transported to the hospital, an interdisciplinary team springs into action. “The nursing, medical, respiratory therapy and pharmacy staff work together to stabilize the child and optimize his or her breathing and circulation,” Aizley says. “The team works together with the family and pediatric cardiac subspecialists to determine the cause and optimum treatment of the child’s condition. This generally includes electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, electroencephalogram, lab testing, a full health and family history and any other tests or treatments that the child’s condition requires.”

Similarly, the pediatric ED at Hackensack works closely with first responders in the community to ensure a seamless transition from the field to the ED, Crosta says. Once stabilized, the child would be moved to the pediatric ICU for further treatment and monitoring. The physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and the rest of the healthcare team, which includes pediatric social workers and child life specialists, are specially trained in the needs of the critically ill child. “Any hospitalization can be traumatic, but an SCD event is life-altering, necessitating additional psychosocial support for the patient, family and sometimes the healthcare team,” she says.

Kearney agrees that optimal treatment comes from an interdisciplinary team of caregivers who treat not only the illness but also its psychological impact. “Cohen Children’s has a dedicated pediatric ED, a pediatric ICU and a pediatric cardiology department that forms a multidisciplinary team to investigate the probable cause, treatment options and screening of the whole family where indicated,” she says. “Emphasis is placed on the medical and psychological implications of such a catastrophic and life-changing event, which affects both the patient and the entire family.”

Staying ‘In the Know’

To educate the community, health professionals must be “in the know” when it comes to pediatric SCD. More than 350 participants attended the Saint Barnabas conference, which was a joint effort between four affiliates of the health system, including the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

“Programs like the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy conference or the APN conference held at HUMC or the one held by Saint Barnabas affords attendees the opportunity to learn the information, ask questions as needed and have points clarified,” Crosta says. “In addition to these programs, departmental grand rounds is another educational source. At HUMC, sudden death and related topics have been presented at grand rounds on numerous occasions.”

The department of pediatric cardiology at Cohen Children’s provides education to the staff and the community on SCD. “Andrew Blaufox, MD, director of electrophysiology, has lectured extensively to the staff in the hospital and to community pediatricians in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties on the topic of pediatric SCD,” Kearney says. “I myself have lectured on this topic to school nurses in Nassau and Suffolk, to the Nassau and Suffolk chapter of NAPNAP, as well as nursing grand rounds in the children’s hospital.”

Community Awareness

Although it seems pediatric SCD is becoming more and more prevalent, a child suffering from the condition is uncommon, Aizley says. “Sudden cardiac death is actually very rare in children,” she says. “Only about 500 to 1,000 cases are reported annually.” To help curb the number of incidences, ensuring that parents, teachers, coaches and other adults in the community are aware of pediatric SCD has become crucial to pediatric hospitals.

Saint Barnabas Health Care System’s “Playing with Heart” program offers free pediatric cardiac screenings based on American Heart Association recommendations to young athletes ages 6 to 18 throughout New Jersey. Staffed by pediatric cardiologists, each screening includes ECG testing of players and provides their parents or guardians with immediate results. If initial results identify a need for further testing, players are referred to their primary care provider for a referral to an appropriate specialist. In addition, the health system offers a CPR Training Center with more than 200 affiliated instructors, some of whom are nurses, who provide CPR training at the request of schools and community groups and at health fairs.

Cohen Children’s Medical Center provides all parents and caregivers of infants in the hospital training in CPR and offers a baby-sitting program that teaches infant and child CPR to youth in the community. The North Shore-LIJ Health System has an Office of Community and Public Health Education that coordinates programs for athletic coaches in terms of prevention of injuries and use of CPR and AED. “Pediatric cardiology is involved in EKG and echo screenings at various middle schools and high schools throughout Nassau and Suffolk,” Kearney says.

Screening Leads to Prevention

Prevention of SCD is a complicated task that involves several areas: screening during a health history, restrictions on sports participation, patient-specific therapy for members of high-risk groups and the development of organized rescue programs, Kearney says. “Patient and family history is critical for diagnosing possible etiologies of diseases that cause pediatric sudden cardiac death.”

A family approach to protecting our children is the philosophy behind the Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at HUMC, Crosta says. The center is committed to providing individualized care, treatment and support to patients and families with HCM. “Experts in cardiology, genetics, radiology, pathology, electrophysiology, child-life and social work services use an interdisciplinary approach to offer optimal patient care,” she says. “The center is the first facility established in the area to screen families for HCM.” This unique approach, Crosta says, enhances care and communication between medical staff and families — communication that could save a young person’s life.

Sisters with Cystic Fibrosis on America's got Talent

America's got Talent act by two sisters with cystic fibrosis is very inspiring.
The first time I became aware of this devastating disease I was a young adult just finished with nursing school. It was a pleasure to organize a fund raising concert for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Since then, through the years of my career I've treated a few patients with Cystic Fibrosis when they are ill. These girls are a wonderful example of mind over matter.

                             Christina and Ali Christensen

                       Visit Ali's Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Page.

What Would Florence Nightingale Think about Today's Bioethical Issues?

2010 is the International Year of the nurse. Today's nurses face a host of complicated issues in their day-to-day practice. During the centennial of Florence Nightingale's death, Nurse.com asked noted Nightingale scholars to predict what the founder of modern-day nursing would make of it all.

What insights does Florence Nightingale bring to today's ethical dilemmas?

I'm so glad to see that this next paragraph was included in ethical dilemmas. What back when I first came out of nursing school in the mid 70's the nurse was not really allowed to engage the patient in conversation about end of life issues, such as whether or not they wanted to be DNR.  I was severely disciplined for having done this without the doctor's permission. Now it is a matter of common practice. Here is what the above article says on that topic:

Nightingale would be pleased today with the ways in which nurses engage in end-of-life care in hospice and create healing environments in hospitals, as well as their strategies for bringing closure to personal affairs, such as medical directives, living wills and durable powers of attorney. She would ask us to bring more healing rituals into dying and to be reminded that patients should not be left to die alone unless that is their choice.

A related issue is Parent's Right to make healthcare decisions for their Children. Save the Child is a contemporary novel written by Margaret L. Turley, an RN with 34 years experience. She was inspired to write on this topic because of current events like the Parker Jensen Case in 2003, and the Danny Houser case in 2009. Turley's blog post on bioethics discusses ways families can deal with such situations. As nurses we should be aware of possible situations that require extra assistance and counseling in this area.

Save the Child will be released in September, 2010 during a unique book launch that is sponsoring a fund-raiser for the American Association for Cancer Research by the group Turley belongs to: Writers Unite to Fight Cancer.

Author talks about "Sharing" Cancer

Cancer has a characteristic that we teach our children. Share. Unfortunately, its sharing causes heartache, financial strain and often death. In a period of less than ten years, I lost my sister to colon cancer, prayed for the recovery of two of my sisters-in-law to survive breast cancer and nearly lost my husband to esophageal cancer. A classmate of mine from my writing class has cancer. It just happened. One day, she had a cough and the next day she was down for the count. She’s is waging a brave battle against her demon. In the past two months, I learned my niece has thyroid cancer and a close friend of our family has cancer. Enough sharing already! I don’t know anyone who has not been touched by cancer in some way; family or friends. My husband’s survival experience prompted me to write a Memoir; I MUST BE DREAMING. While it was therapeutic and hopefully those readers who experience symptoms of GERD will pay attention, it’s not a cure.

Research has made great inroads in cancer treatment, but no cure has been achieved. There is still HOPE. This year has been declared the  year of the birthday.  My husband and I walked in a Relay for Life last year. I was awestruck at the number of people participating who had survived cancer, were stricken with cancer and walking in spite of their pain and their supporters. When we walked the first lap in silence    around the high school track with our candles flickering in the darkness, Amazing Grace played over the intercom. The entire track was lined with luminaries representing family members, who had lost their struggle. Organizers of the event had set up a huge luminary display on the stadium steps that spelled out HOPE. The second lap, the luminaries had been rearranged to spell CURE. People cheered. Everyone cried.       Your donations can help one more person celebrate another birthday.

My fellow authors and I are participating in the Goodfellow Publishing Launch and have joined forces with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR Foundation). Our Writers Unite to Fight Cancer group is taking action. We’ve turned our book launch into something special; an opportunity to do our share in raising money for cancer research.  We will each be presenting their newest books at the launch.  Not only are we donating money from book sales, but we are also gathering items for a silent auction.
Please join us in our challenge of raising funds for the American Association for Cancer Research. The celebration takes place on September 25, 2010, from 7:00pm-10:00pm at the Shenandoah Mill in Gilbert, Arizona. Everyone may participate through donations on the GPS website. Thank you for your kind contribution.

See where the good goes

See where the good goes™  

Meet local health workers and the children they help to survive.
www.GoodGoes.org

Each year, almost 9 million children in the developing world die of largely preventable and treatable illnesses before they reach the age of five – that equates to approximately 24,000 child deaths a day.

However, every 4 seconds a child survives thanks to the basic health care provided by local health workers.

Save the Children and the Ad Council are working together to mobilize citizen action in the U.S. to help local health workers save more children worldwide.

Help local health workers bring the good to the children who need it most.
You are one step away from helping children around the world survive.

Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving

Each June, the National Safety Council encourages involvement and participation in National Safety Month that brings attention to critical safety issues.

This week’s focus is on Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving.

An estimated 28 percent of all traffic crashes – or 1.6 million each year – are caused by drivers using cell phones and texting. Cell phone use has increased dramatically during the last 15 years. According to NHTSA, an estimated 11 percent of drivers are talking on cell phones at any point of the day. We need to reverse this alarming trend. Even if you aren't using your phone while driving, it's important to be aware of others who are and to drive defensively.

Crashes from cell phone use are on the rise. Both handheld and hands-free devices increase driver reaction time and are equally as dangerous. As of January 1, 2010, seven states have implemented handheld cell phone bans and 19 have text messaging bans for all drivers. Don’t wait for legislation to drive safely. It’s important to:

• Silence your phone before you begin your drive

• Set up a voice mail message that explains you’re on the road, practicing safety to protect yourself and fellow drivers

• Stop texting while driving. Research shows drivers who text are 8 to 23 times as likely to be involved in a collision

• Pull over and park if a call is absolutely necessary

• Encourage your friends and family to leave their phones out of reach while driving

If you realize you are talking to someone on their cell phone while they are driving stop. Tell them to call back when they are not driving.
Hang up. Save Lives!

Mother & Daughter Join Writers Unite to Fight Cancer

Mother and daughter team Donna Richards and Shelly Rice co-authored CHRISTMAS TREASURES FROM THE HEART. This was their first book, and they didn’t know how to go about finding someone to edit, illustrate, publish and promote their book. First they had a couple friends edit the manuscript and then they looked around for a publisher. They attended the ANWA writers conference met Dr. Pamela Goodfellow of Goodfellow Publishing Services. She provided assistance with all their needs from A to Z and their book CHRISTMAS TREASURES FROM THE HEART will be released on September 25 2010, at the Goodfellow Publishing Book Services Launch Celebration.


Donna loved spending time together on the project with her daughter Shelly. Donna credits Shelly for spearheading the writing of the book. Now that it is done and will be available to friends and family and the general public, they are pleased and grateful they completed the project.

In the spirit of service that has played a huge role in their lives, Donna and Shelley joined with seven other GPS authors and Pamela Goodfellow to form Writers Unite to Fight Cancer. All of them have been touched by cancer. Their sister-in-law and a dear friend passed away due to breast cancer. They agreed with the others to take part in helping combat, raise awareness and find a cure for this dreadful disease. During the GPS Book Launch Celebration there will be a fundraiser silent auction and 50/50 raffle to benefit the American Association for Cancer Research, AACR. One of the authors, Lisa Finder is the founder of the White Lions Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to research & education in alternative cancer therapies and provides nutritional supplements directly to cancer patients.

They hope that their story will inspire other writers who have special family traditions to share them in some fashion with the reading public. This is the kind of book that is given as a gift or purchased with intent to adopt some of the activities. It is a book that will be passed down to children and grandchildren as a treasured keepsake. They as well as the other authors will be donating a portion of their book sales to the AACR. They invite you to join them in celebrating their publishing achievement by making a donation to Writers Unite to Fight Cancer. Every dollar helps.

Fighting Cancer

Are the patients and their families the only ones who are affected by cancer? No.

Do you have to be a Nurse or a Doctor to fight cancer? No.

How can anyone help to battle this disease?  Yes.

The American Association for Cancer Research or AACR


A group of writers has joined forces to help win this battle.
They call themselves: Writers Unite to Fight Cancer. 


One of them, Lisa Finder,  founded a non-profit organization called White Lions Foundation.

All of them have been touched by cancer in one way or another.

The author of Save the Child, Margaret L. Turley RN, blogged about her reason she joined the group.

I've joined their facebook group.  Will you?

Results of GPS Contributions to Brenda Novak Auction for Diabetes Research

Pamela Goodfellow PhD won the 1999-2000 Education Award for Teaching Excellence in Arts, Writing and Humanities at the University of Washington. In Arizona she has a production and consulting business for authors, and privately teaches her celebrated Crafting the Character Based Novel classes. Dr. Goodfellow is a Book Producer, Consultant, Developmental Editor, Publisher, Mentor, Coach, Design and Layout Consultant, Content and Development Evaluator, and Publicity and Promotion Expert, as well as an author of twelve books with over twenty years experience in the publishing industry. Pamela donated: Critique up to 3000 words with an hour consultation to the Brenda Novak on-line auction for Diabetes Research. The winning bid for her services was $150.00

Carol McGinnis donated three autographed copies of her book: “A Girl from Boston.” Strongly oriented in family values, Carol opted for the role of homemaker to see their three daughters through high school, then re-entered the business world to see those daughters graduate college. The Girl From Boston is her first book, yet it is a powerful read. This heartwarming tale is flecked with laughter, tears, and trials that test endurance and faith. “A Girl from Boston” sold for seven dollars each.

Nancy Burns donated five autographed copies of her book: “Retirement: Sacred or Scared.” Nancy is a self-described adventurer who recently retired from the field of social services. Her joys are writing, hiking, meditating, and painting icons. Her family and friends include numerous pets who reportedly call her “Auntie Nancy.” For those contemplating retirement or who are disappointed in retirement, “Retirement Sacred or Scared” offers food for deep thought. Anyone who likes senior adventures, or who is frightened of what retirement will mean, will enjoy this book.

“Black Sand” is set in an imaginary land of tropical islands. Lisa’s alluring descriptions draw the reader into the lyrical fantasy island and the emotional pulse of the lives of Icess and the two men she must choose between. One copy sold in a one-day auction. Four copies attracted seven dollar bids each. Lisa Finder is the busy mother of four children. She and her husband live in Arizona where she is the founder of the White Lions Foundation, providing natural supplements to cancer patients.

Cindy R. Williams donated five autographed copies of her book: “Chase McKay Didn’t Get up Today.” Cindy is a mother, wife, writer, harpist, and dreamer. Cindy lives in magical worlds and visits this world now and again. “Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today” was a finalist for the glyph awards in Arizona and is a finalist in the Southwest Book Design & Production Award competition (winners will be announced in June). It is a snuggly book to read with your child enfolded in your arms. It was Illustrated by the very talented Donald Jenny. Two books sold for twenty two dollars, and three for seventeen.

Louise Laughlin donated five autographed copies of her book: “I Must Be Dreaming.” Louise grew up in the fifties and the other side of the sixties, far away from Woodstock and the flower children in San Francisco. She fell in love, married her soul mate, Larry and they had two children. The partnership in their forty-one years of marriage and still counting has had been challenged; especially by her husband’s trials and illnesses, but her positive outlook on life and faith in God has brought courage to its success. The memoir “I Must Be Dreaming” is about her husband Larry. The journey takes you from Viet Nam through his battle with esophageal cancer and their world travels.

Five autographed copies of “Save the Child” were donated by Margaret L. Turley RN who recently retired from her career as a nurse after 34 years. Now she devotes her time to writing. She is the mother of two has three lovely granddaughters. “Save the Child” is the story of the Johnson family as they struggle to win the battle against cancer that attacked their daughter Sharon. This medical-legal drama strikes the cords of every reader’s heart.

Goodfellow Blog and GPS author blogs and social networks supported the Brenda Novak On-line Auction for Diabetes Research by installing buttons, posting several articles, and networking using seeded buzz, facebook and twitter. Our efforts resulted in approximately 1% of the net gain for Diabetes Research. We learned a lot from this experience and hope that the small amount we were able to help will make a difference in the lives of some special children in the future.

Brenda Novak’s Response: “I’m thrilled to announce that we hit the ONE MILLION DOLLAR milestone tonight. (5/30/2010) I remember when I used to dream of raising that much money for diabetes research and hadn’t yet thought of this auction. It’s hard to believe my dream has become a reality–and it’s largely thanks to all of you.”

You Can Make A Difference

The Starfish Story
by Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”

 

At the Gilbert High School on Saturday May 29th 2010 twelve youth finalists competed so they could make a difference. "Hope for the Children"  benefit concert featured young ladies and gentlemen from ages twelve to 25 vying for the honor to be Junior and Senior Ambassador for Hope for the Children for this coming year. 

The program was opened by the shows producer, Kirsten Millsap singing "My Name is Hope" a song she wrote for her adopted daughter. The music was arranged by William Joseph and Kirsten was accompanied by several children who have been orphans but are now successfully placed with families, including her own daughter Gabbi. 

 The Belchoir Children were participants in Kirsten's number and also performed and spoke to the audience after a short video Presentation telling about their heart rending story in Mozambique.  They introduced Sharon Slater, President of Family Watch International and founder of "Families for Orphans" who explained the "Seven Days of Nothing" program. 

The Gilbert High School Choir sang one of my personal favorite songs: "Prayer of the Children" - music and lyrics by Kurt Bestor. Dr. Marcy Spencer led the teens who were already out of school and graduated and came back voluntarily to practice and perform for this event. One of the students provided the sign language version.

American Idol Brooke White donated her talent, time and services. She gave a wonderful headline performance as well as serving as the chief on the panel of Judges. The other judges were Andy Biggs, William Joseph, Cameron Trejo and Brian Trotter.

Anna Collins was chosen to be the Junior Ambassador. She wrote the music and lyrics for "As Strong as You" and then sang and accompanied herself on guitar. Cody Darr performed his version of John Lennon's "Imagine" and accompanied himself on the piano. He was chosen Senior Ambassador. Gilbert Mayor John Lewis who announced each youth finalist prior to their song said that the panel told him that each performer had the talent to be chosen Ambassador. Their decision was based on the emotional appeal of the performer and performance given this evening. His quote was that all of this was worth it and more if we could help at least one child.

Positive Thinking Improves Health

"Whenever I start feeling as if it's unfair that I have to take so many shots and test my blood so many times a day, I think of people who have it worse. At least my disease is one I can fight by trying to eat right and manage well. Looking on the bright side helps." This quote is from Thad Novak a thirteen year old diabetic who spoke out on Save the Child Blog last week. His mother New York Times Best Selling Author Brenda Novak gives a great example of doing something positive about a health problem to effect change. She is hosting the sixth annual on-line auction for Diabetes Research.

Dr. Martin Seligman says that “quietly reminding yourself that you do have the skills and resources to handle most of what you will have to handle today is a good way to cultivate an optimistic attitude.” I think when Thad is focusing on the positive facts that with advances in medicine, a supportive family, and improved technology he has the chance to live a good life, compared to some other individuals, he gives himself the opportunity to save the energy that could be wasted if he moped and complained about his lot. It is like looking at the silver lining around the clouds or to survive the storm you dance in the rain.

Research suggests that maintaining a positive outlook during distressing times can optimize not only your emotional wellbeing, but also your cardiovascular health. The University of California researchers found that actors could influence their immune system by the emotions they portrayed. There are studies upon studies done at well respected institutions such as Harvard, Duke University, the University of Chicago and more showing a direct relationship between improved health, extended live, and overall sense of well being and having a positive attitude.

The Caregiver Club Sandwich

As a nurse and in my own family I have observed an increasing number of situations that are part of the "Sandwich Generation." The middle age adult, caring for sick parents and children at the same time. President Obama has addressed the issue by promising support for parents who are caring for elderly while trying to put children through college at the same time.

More that 50 million Americans are caring for a spouse, parent, or relative with a serious illness. Particularly difficult challenges I've noticed with the aging boomer population is when a couple is nearing or at retirement age and one or both of them are experiencing health problems, and / or they have elderly parents that require assistance.  Many times because of the economy or other circumstances their adult children have moved back home.

The pickles added to this dagwood is when an unwed grandchild then becomes pregnant and that baby has health issues. Yes that is five generations in one home, each with their own set of health challenges. I wouldn't bring it up if it were an isolated incident. Rather than being a fictional soap opera, this drama plays out time after time. Like the Dagwood it is too big to chew and too much to swallow, not healthy and certainly not recommended.

Author and journalist Gail Sheehy identifies eight crucial stages of caregiving in her book Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidnece.  Last week Diane Rehm interviewed Gail Sheehey on NPR.  She draws on her experience caring for her husband, the founder and editor of New York Magazine, Clay Felker. Even though her advice is focused on caring for the adults and elderly, it still applies to the caregiver that also has younger relatives and children that require their assistance. 

Seeking out qualified help is essential to survival in this kind of financial, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual storm.


Below is a list of  links that may be helpful to the reader or someone they know. The important part to remember is to take care of yourself - the caregiver. When you fail to do that there is no one left to care for the others and you become the burden.

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

socialworkers.org
National Association for Home Care & Hospice
Working Caregiver 
Am. Health Care Association and Natl. Center for Assisted Living
 American Association of Daily Money Managers 

 

140 Years of Appeals to Peace for Mother's Day

Julia Ward Howe -nursed the wounded during the American Civil War, 1861-1865. After a visit to a Union Army camp, Julia Ward Howe wrote the poem that came to be called "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."  As an unofficial anthem, Union soldiers sang "John Brown's Body." Confederate soldiers sang it with their own version of the words. But Clarke thought that there should be more uplifting words to the tune. It was published in February, 1862, in The Atlantic Monthly.  

 During the Franco-Prussian war in the 1870s, Julia began a one-woman peace crusade and made an impassioned "appeal to womanhood" to rise against war. She translated her powerful Mother’s Day Proclamation (written in 1870, Boston) into several languages and distributed it widely. Julia Ward Howe also went to London in 1872 to promote an international Woman's Peace Congress.  The Proclamation follows:

"Arise, then, women of this day! Arise all women who have hearts, whether our baptism be that of water or of tears!

Say firmly: "We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We women of one country will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs. From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own. It says "Disarm, Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."

Blood does not wipe our dishonor nor violence indicate possession. As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel. Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.

Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace, each bearing after their own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar, but of God.

In the name of womanhood and of humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women without limit of nationality may be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient and at the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace." 

As a mother, grandmother and nurse who lives in times that are wrought with unrest, war, violence, hatred, I wish to appeal to all women to join together for peace. Stop the anger. Stop the pain. Stop the senseless killing.

Let this be a true Mother’s Day. Peace!