Soap Saves Lives So Please Help Save Soap

In America we take so many things for granted.  If we get sick, we go to the pharmacy and pick up over the counter medication that can help us get well.  Other times, we go to the doctor and get prescription medicine to help us get well from an infection or sickness.  We are blessed.  We have instant access to information to help keep ourselves well.

The best thing is that we have been taught that washing our hands well with soap can help to keep us healthy.  We have access to soap and water on a regular basis.  Not everyone is so lucky.  What they don’t know and don’t have access to can harm them or kill them.  Soap and water save lives and there is a Global Soap Project that you may not be aware of to get soap into the hands of people who are in need of it, to stay well.  To continue click here.

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Jack Kevorkian-Death And Dying

It is interesting to contemplate some of the facets of a man who was such a controversial figure in American culture.  Jack Kevorkian was known at one time in the media as Dr. Death because of his involvement in assisting individuals with taking their lives…this was titled assisted suicide.  Today, Jack Kevorkian died after a two week hospitalization for pneumonia.  He is believed to have died from a blood clot but they will know more later.  He struggled with the pneumonia and kidney complications during the hospitalization from media reports.

A lot has been said about Jack Kevorkian in the media over the years. To continue: Write Where You Are

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Life Affirming: Sanctity of Life Sunday

        Today is a life affirming day of recognition….it is the Sanctity of Life Sunday…a day when most churches and individuals choose to celebrate life and inspire individuals to cherish & protect it.  Many churches concentrate on the issue of teaching that abortion violates the sanctity of life (I happen to agree)… however, there are many, equally important ways to honor and celebrate life.

        While abortion is a horror to me and i think it should be repellant to all human beings; that issues comes up at the very beginning of life.  There are other circumstances that need to be addressed as well. 

          There are issues such as injury, illness and those who fight for the right to commit suicide.  Life is precious at all stages.  Should we turn a blind eye to those who would turn out the light of another human being simply because they are infirmed, disabled, impaired, terminally ill or have no desire to live another moment?

            For those who truly believe in the sanctity of life…it gets a bit stickier for some when you enter into the idea of criminals who commit heinous crimes; and, the criminal justice system offers up the death penalty or death row for certain individuals who have been convicted of crimes that can dish out the death penalty as punnishment. 

        For me that is a bit trickier –i have not sorted out the boundaries of my beliefs on that.  Criminals who commit the most horrible, vile crimes….it is a struggle in my heart to remind myself that God says, “Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord”.  But, if that verse is applied strictly…then…punnishment will come later from God (in the meantime…life in prison without parole is the only recourse to prevent further tragedy).  

          On the other hand, there are scriptures that also talk about an eye for an eye…and if a man take a life he must also forfeit his.  So…this part of the sanctity of life, i am still working out in my mind and heart.  Until i have studied the issues more closely..i am going to err on the side of; Life is precious and must be protected…at the beginning of life, in the early part of life, in middle age, in the elder years and in all stages in between.

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Cancer is a Thief

        Well, another life was stolen by cancer.  Today, we found out that a person that we loved and admired was taken too young by breast cancer.  She was the mother of a young 3 year old son.  She was the wife of a strong upstanding positive man.  She was the teacher of my sons and so many others; and, she was and is a blessing to all who knew her.

         My heart aches because of the loss.  She was one of those people who just made such an impact on all who knew her.  I thought she was going to beat the aggressive disease…i really did.  She fought it with all she had and she didn’t dwell on negatives.   She got into a clinical trial and was making progress.  Through surgeries, chemo, radiation and prayer and faith…she waged the cancer war on every level.   Her battle was courageous and focussed on healing.  She truly engaged all of those around her with a positive energy.  I can’t tell you how much this world has lost today.  I know how much her friends, family and community has lost.

         Cancer is a thief…stealing so much joy, brillance, compassion, energy, laughter, sensitivity, education, potential, love, understanding…and the list goes on.  Help to fight it in your own way.  Donate money, donate time,donate your skills, donate your experience, donate help, donate your free time, donate your educational/research abilities…because, cancer doesn’t just steal from those who can afford to lose extra people in their lives, every life is valuable, cancer steals from us all.  See what you can do: www.cancer.org/ or www.relayforlife.org/ .  www.acscsn.org.   

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Passionate Impact

        Have you ever felt passionate enough about something that you were willing to step outside of your comfort zone to make an impact on the subject? 

        Here is a story about a man who has been affected by the condition, cerebral palsy and wanted to raise funds and awareness for the United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan.  You can also choose to support their efforts here: http://www.ucp.org/ucp_local.cfm/87.  He is making his impact in an unusual and intriguing way.

           His name is Neil Sauter and he has a mild form of the condition.  The way that he has chosen to raise awareness, is to walk a total of 830 miles ON STILTS over the next six weeks across Michigan.  He started on May 5th and hopes to end the walk up by the Wisconsin/UP border.  He has already raised approximately $5,300.00.  He is making a passionate impact on this issue. 

          You can make a passionate impact on any area of your life that you choose.   Update:  Neil has completed his long journey on stilts…what an accomplishment.  Good job!  He was able to raise more tha 64,000 dollars by a matching grant program through the US Department of Education.   You can read more about this at:  www.stiltstory.org.

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Kissing is Dangerous

         You really might want to think twice about kissing that guy or gal on the first date.  You may even want to think twice about kissing someone you’ve know for a long time after you read this.  Get real ya say?  

           Well, are you aware that about 95 % of the adult population (over the age of 20) has been exposed to the Epstein Barr Virus?  Never heard of it…..join the club…lots of people haven’t. 

        It is an infectious disease…it is transmitted through the saliva of an infected person.  Even someone who is healthy and doesn’t exhibit symptoms of the disease can pass it on.  Once a person is infected with EBV, they carry it for life…it may be dormant, but they still have it.  It can flare up at any time, stress and other illnesses can trigger an outbreak.

        My sister has just been diagnosed with it.  This is after a couple of weeks of extreme illness,tiredness, and weakness.  The doctors that she saw in her family practice as well as in the emergency room did not know what was wrong with her.  It took my sister being proactive to get results…she went to a specialist who did some major tests and procedures before she got the results.

        The epstein barr virus is an illness that attacks the immune system.  It can cause many problems such as fevers,sore throat, headaches, weakness, diarreaha, pain, swelling of the spleen, liver and other organs.  It can even get more complicated than that; as in some rare cases, it can evolve into some cancers and it can also affect the central nervous system or the heart. 

           Doctors are the only ones who can diagnose this or any serious illness.  It is important to seek medical care whenever an illness attacks because you just can’t know for sure if it is something simple or a very serious illness.

          There really is no cure for EBV.  There are a couple of medications that may help …but, they also can attack healthy dna in a person, as well as the virus.  The best thing a person can do is to rest, drink lots of fluids and build up the immune system with a healthy diet. 

         Any information we have been able to find on the subject of EBV is somewhat vague and discouraging.  Even after recovery, you need to  remember that this is a virus that stays with you and can reappear in your future.  You must follow up with your doctor anytime that you think the virus is active again.

          It is important to find a doctor who will listen to you, and who will do the appropriate testing.  You must listen to your own body(follow your instincts) and not let anyone tell you that it is all in your head or that you “probably” just have the flu.  

           No one knows your body as well as you do!   Push, push, push for the doctor to follow up with the blood work…and the ultra- sounds and whatever else it takes to get the care that you need. 

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Illnesses That Doctors Can’t Figure 0ut

     I don’t know about you…but, over the last few years, anytime any of my friends or relatives have gone to the doctor about some major sickness/disease; the doctors have not been able to diagnose it. 

       Now, it isn’t because they all go to the same incompetent doctor or anything like that.  These are all well respected, professional doctors.  What is it then, why is it that illnesses/sickness/diseases are so very hard to pinpoint over the last few years or so?

        When the body functions as it should…it really is a major miracle as far as i am concerned.  With all of the things that can go wrong…when everything goes right…it is truly and honestly because God has designed a marvelous thing…the human body.

          When things go wrong…it is scary and confusing.  At the moment, i have a sister that is very ill and no one seems to be able to figure it out and she is getting weaker and weaker.  I know several people in the same sort of position.  It is frightening. 

           So, I lift up those people to God and pray that wisdom is bestowed upon the doctors and nurses who treat patients that are ill when there is no clear cut diagnosis…may healing flow over those God has created!

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Unfair law for special needs high school graduates

       I dont know about every state….but here in michigan, a special needs student that graduates high school and gets a diploma cannot continue to receive educational services. 

       If that same student, instead, chooses to get a certificate of completion; they are entitled to educational services through the schools until they reach the age of 26.  This may include teaching them daily living skills, a job coach among other services. 

         Unfortunately, in years past, families were not appropriately informed that they had a choice.  Consequently, many families are in the position of not being able to access additional services for their student.  This is unfair.

      Now, i suppose if you are living in a metropolitan area where there are more organizations, and more agencies geared towards the idea of improving the lives of special needs adults, you just might do ok. 

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