In a particularly difficult season of depression, photography was one of the tools Tara Wray used to cope.
“Just forcing myself to get out of my head and using the camera to do that is, in a way, a therapeutic tool,” says Wray, a photographer and filmmaker based in central Vermont. “It’s like exercise: You don’t want to do it, you have to make yourself do it, and you feel better after you do.”
In July, she published Too Tired for Sunshine, a book of her photos from that period, taken between 2011 and 2018. Some of the images show a stark beauty, others a raw loneliness, and some capture hints that the world may be slightly off-kilter.
Photographically, Wray says she’s drawn to light, the honesty of dogs and“things that are humorous and maybe aren’t trying to be.” Making these images helped keep her buoyant.
Having a camera functions as “a sort of protection, a buffer that gives me a reason to be somewhere,” she says. “It helps me move through an environment with a purpose when I might otherwise feel out of place.”
And, like exercise, photography provides a kind of release. “When I’ve made what I think is a good picture, I can feel it, and everything else momentarily falls away.”
Through creative expression, Wray says she’s able to focus her “ruminating or obsessing” into “something bigger.”
“There were moments that I felt alone and isolated in a dark place, and I wondered if I would see the other side of it,” she says. “Photography has given me those moments back … I can now see them in a different light.”
At the same time, Wray stresses that photography isn’t her only tool.
“You’ve gotta have a whole arsenal of things to deal with mental illness, and I try to do all the things I can to stay healthy,” she says, adding that she knows she is fortunate to have a supportive family and access to therapy, medication and good doctors.
It’s about creating a space to transition from your work self to your home self, according to peak performance researcher and consultant Adam Fraser.
Every weekday for the month of January, TED Ideas will publish a new post in a series called “How to Be a Better Human,” containing a useful piece of advice from a speaker in the TED community. To see all the posts in the series, click here.
What are you carrying home from work with you? We don’t mean the tangible, practical items — the empty sandwich container or the folders of papers to look over — but the invisible stuff that can weigh us down — that critical comment made by a coworker, the disappointing numbers in the weekly report, the important meeting that keeps getting rescheduled. Do you ever wish there was a “delete” or “pause” button you could push to stop your brain from whirring?
Australian performance consultant Adam Fraser hasn’t invented a pause button, but he has come up with a trick to help people stop bringing home their bad days: Create a “third space” that gives you the mental room to transition from work life to home life.
The third space doesn’t need to be a physical area. It could be “the drive home, the ferry ride, the bus ride, walking the dog, going to the gym,” as one CEO told him. It’s just about taking the time to power down from your day and decide how you’d like to show up at home. Because if you don’t do this, you risk passing your grumpy mood to the people you live with. “Even if you live on your own,” Fraser adds, “how you transition home determines whether you unwind, relax and socialize or obsess and worry about the day.”
To set yourself up for a restorative evening, Fraser suggests these three steps.
Reflect on your day. Ask yourself: “What went well? What did I achieve? What might I do better tomorrow?” These questions are intended to remind you about your successes, nudge you to learn from your experiences, and adjust for the future.
Rest by doing something that makes you present. This might mean doing sudoku, exercising or meditating. It could also be as simple as taking a shower and changing out of your work clothes before you engage with other people. Fraser likes to bring his two kids and dog to the park, where they all run around. “We are idiots for 45 minutes,” he says, laughing.
Reset by asking yourself: “How do I want to show up at home?” Rather than flying in the door with your work day trailing behind you, try to be purposeful as you step into your personal life.
You can spend as little as 15 minutes in your third space, says Fraser: “It’s not when you show up, it’s how you show up.”
The researchers found that exercise, regardless of volume or intensity, benefits non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients even in the absence of weight loss. NAFLD is commonly associated with obesity and diabetes. “The results from our study show that all exercise doses, irrespective of volume or intensity, were efficacious in reducing liver fat and visceral […]
As dementia progresses, the symptoms first experienced in the early stages of the dementia generally worsen. The rate of decline is different for each person. A person with moderate dementia scores between 6–17 on the MMSE. For example, people with Alzheimer’s dementia in the moderate stages lose almost all new information very quickly. People with dementia may be severely impaired in solving problems, and their social judgment is usually also impaired. They cannot usually function outside their own home, and generally should not be left alone. They may be able to do simple chores around the house but not much else, and begin to require assistance for personal care and hygiene other than simple reminders.[11]
I’m in Second Stage Dementia, a 17 on the MMSE and I’m going to kill myself. There’s no emotion in my voice, my husband, my Therapist, and my Psychiatrist know. I don’t want to die and that is why picking the right time is so important. I won’t lie wasting away not knowing anyone, unable to speak or eat. Someone has to bathe you and change your bed several times a day, it’s gut-wrenching to watch someone you love die this way.
I cared for my Granny, the second stroke is where she started losing touch. She would say “Why did Gramps leave me at this house.” I took photos off the wall to assure her he went to get groceries, she was lost in a terrible reality. She would bang her head against the wall and scream she wanted to die. My Granny got so violent I had to medicate her and that was the last time my Gramps could leave the house until her death.
My Dementia was caused by Lyme Disease, the Spirochetes used my brain as a host. I’m in the second stage and it’s difficult already. It’s not just the words forgotten, it’s the time’s per day forgotten. I talked with my husband last night but have no idea what we talked about. Many times the words don’t come. Maybe you’ve noticed? I try to tell myself it’s freeing to not worry about the date or day of the week, it’s sad cover.
These incredible pups catch poachers, sniff out invasive plants and diseases, and more, thanks to the work of wildlife biologist and conservation-dog expert Megan Parker.
What happens to those dogs that are just too much dog for people to handle? “You know them — you go to your friend’s barbecue, their dog is so happy to see you that she pees on your feet, and she drops a slobbery ball in your lap,” says Megan Parker (TEDxJacksonHole talk: Dogs for Conservation), a wildlife biologist and dog expert based in Bozeman, Montana. “You throw it to get as much distance between you and the dog as possible, but she keeps coming back with the ball. By the 950th throw, you’re thinking, Why don’t they get rid of this dog?” All too often, their owners reach the same conclusion and leave their pet at a shelter.
Thanks to Parker and the team at Working Dogs for Conservation (WD4C), some of these dogs have found a new leash lease on life. They’re using their olfactory abilities and unstoppable drive in a wide variety of earth-friendly ways, working with human handlers to sniff out illegal poachers and smugglers, track endangered species, and spot destructive invasive plants and animals.
Chai is shown here with a trainer. After a dog learns to recognize a particular scent, the education isn’t over — their handler works with them regularly so they maintain their skills. These days, you can find this sweet German shepherd protecting wildlife in Zambia, along with her brother Earl.
Parker first considered using dogs in conservation when she worked on the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone Park and was asked how researchers could track wolves through their scat, or droppings. “I started thinking how best to detect their scat off a large landscape, and the idea came up for dogs,” she says. In 2o00, she cofounded WD4C to train and use canines in conservation work. Most of their dogs are adopted from shelters or from organizations or work settings where they didn’t quite fit in.
While it’s fair to say almost all dogs love toys, wildlife-detection dogs areobsessed with them. “They’ll do anything to chase a ball or a tug toy,” says Parker. If their preferred plaything is thrown far into the brush or buried in a massive pile of leaves, no worries — they won’t stop looking until they find it. No food, obstacle or distractions can deter them, and WD4C staff have turned this single-minded focus into a powerful incentive. Their canine friends are rewarded with their favorite toy every time they locate a desired wildlife-related scent, anything from elephant ivory and poachers’ guns in Zambia and trafficked snow leopards in Tajikistan to predatory Rosy wolf snails in Hawaii and invasive Argentine ants on California’s Santa Cruz Islands. The dogs are careful not to disturb or touch any specimens they pinpoint; it’s all about the toy.
Lily, a yellow Lab, is one of the group’s many sad-start-happy-ending stories. When the then-three-year-old came to the attention of WD4C trainers, she’d already bounced her way in and out of five different homes. She couldn’t sit still and she never, ever wanted to stop playing. Oh, and she was a bit of a whiner. Since joining WD4C in 2011, she has been trained to recognize a dozen different conservation-related scents and been deployed to track grizzly bears and sniff out the eggs, beetles and larvae of emerald ash borers, an insect that has killed millions of trees in the US and Canada.
Hilo was originally meant to be a guide dog for the blind, but when that didn’t work out, he found a place at WD4C. Here, he wears the standard orange vest that tells conservation dogs it’s time to get to work. Hilo helps detect quagga and zebra mussels on boats.
The three-dozen-strong WD4C pack also includes purebred working dogs who weren’t right for their intended occupations. Orbee, a border collie, had the enthusiasm and live-wire energy required of ranch dogs, but there was one problem: he had zero interest in herding sheep. He also barked a lot. Since joining WD4C in 2009, Orbee has had a globe-trotting career — he has spotted invasive quagga and zebra mussels on boats in Alberta and Montana, monitored the habitats of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox in California, and assisted scientists in northern Africa in counting up Cross River gorillas, the world’s rarest gorilla.
Jax is a Belgian malinois, a sturdy breed frequently used by the police and military. He was in training to serve with the US Army’s special unit, the Green Berets, until his handlers realized Jax doesn’t like to bite people — just toys. And, boy, does he loves toys; he’s even tried to climb trees to reach prized objects. Since 2017, Jax’s athleticism and high spirits have been used by the WD4C to perform tasks such as mapping the movements of bobcats in the western US.
Tule gets to roam the great outdoors for WD4C, using her keen nose — dogs have around 300 million olfactory receptors compared to humans’ 6 million — to track animals such as the endangered black-footed ferret in Wyoming.
“Different dogs have different strong suits,” says Parker. She and the WD4C team try to place their charges in environments that match their skillset, likes and dislikes. Unlike many dogs, Tule (above), a Belgian malinois who flunked out of a job with US Customs and Border Patrol, has absolutely no desire to chase small animals such as cats, squirrels and rabbits. This made her the perfect fit to help researchers monitor black-footed ferrets, which live in the same territory as a large, scampering prairie-dog population. The ferrets, once thought extinct in the US, were reintroduced in Wyoming in recent years. Tule alerts her handlers to the scent of live ferrets or their scat, information that allows state wildlife officials to map their distribution and see if the population is recovering. Without Tule and her pack, researchers would be forced to study the elusive creatures with cameras or live traps, undependable methods at best.
The dogs’ efforts have resulted in positive, substantial changes. The organization teamed up with the nonprofit Wildlife Conservation Society so their dogs could track the scat of four keystone carnivores (grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions and wolves) through the Centennial Mountains in Idaho and Montana. Five years of doggie data showed that all four species depended on the mountains to move between the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem and central Idaho wilderness areas. Thanks to this information, activists were able to stop construction of a housing development that would have interrupted their migratory pathway.
Tobias is a former stray who was found on the streets of Helena, Montana. He has searched for Argentine ants on California’s Santa Cruz Island, and now he spots invasive mussels on watercraft in and around Glacier National Park.
Some dogs are searching for animals and plants that are most wanted for the opposite reason: they’re invasive species proliferating where they don’t belong and driving out native flora and fauna. There’s the previously mentioned zebra and quagga mussels, which spread by clinging to boats and watercraft, and which clog water and sewage pipes, foul up power plants, and destroy good algae. Tobias (above) is a specialist in finding them. In one test, WD4C dogs identified 100 percent of the boats with mussels aboard (human screeners spotted 75 percent). The dogs did the job more quickly, and they could also detect the mussels’ microscopic larvae.
Former shelter dog Seamus (shown at the top of the post), a border collie, is an expert in searching out dyer’s woad on Mount Sentinel in Montana.Humans have tried to eradicate the invasive weed by spotting its flowers and pulling out plants by hand, but these attempts barely made a dent. By the time it’s found, it’s often already seeded (and a single plant can produce up to 10,000 seeds). Seamus’s keen nose, along with those of three canine colleagues, learned to sniff out woad before it flowered, a time when it’s extremely hard for human eyes to see. They also found root remnants left in the ground. At a recent checkup, just 19 of the invasive plants were found on the mountain. “It will be a complete extermination,” says Parker. “It’s just going to take a long time because we don’t know how long their seeds last in the soil.”
The dogs’ hunting grounds even extend into the water. Although prized in their native habitat, brook trout are an invasive species elsewhere; in some places in the Western US, they are pushing out the native cutthroat trout. WD4C was brought to Montana by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Geological Survey and the Turner Endangered Species Fund to see whether their animals could learn to sniff out live fish in moving water. Reports Parker, “This project confirmed what we long suspected: that dogs can detect and discriminate scents in water.”
Pepin can recognize 20 wildlife scents, including the scat of snow leopards, wolverines and cheetahs. In one cheetah study, he and another conservation dog located 27 scats in a 927-square-mile area. How many did humans find in the same territory? None.
Pepin (above), who worked on the brook trout project, is part of an ambitious charge to train the dogs to detect infectious diseases in animals.“He’s done the first of a lot of things for us, because he’s so game,” says Parker. Some wildlife carry brucellosis, a bacterial disease that is particularly harmful to cattle. It’s difficult to tell when animals are first infected because they typically don’t display symptoms, so in areas where the disease is prevalent, ranchers tend to keep livestock and wildlife as far away from each other as possible — severely limiting the territory and movement of both kinds of animals. The hope is that dogs could provide a fast, reliable way to identify infected herds. So far, Pepin has shown he can discriminate infected elk scat with higher and lower concentrations of the bacteria, and W4DC is eager to explore this use of dog power. “We have proof of concept,” says Parker. “I’d like to move that work forward.”
There are so many other unexplored capacities and environments where dogs could help, Parker believes. To that end, WD4C started a program in 2015 called Rescues 2the Rescue, which aims to help shelters around the world identify would-be detection dogs and place them with wildlife and conservation organizations. What kind of dogs are they looking for? Ones that are, uh, crazy.
To clarify that adjective, we’ll close by telling you about Wicket, a black Lab mix who retired from WD4C in 2017 at the top of her game, having detected 32 different wildlife scents in 18 states and seven countries. Wicket languished in a Montana shelter for six months, barking up a storm and scaring away potential owners, until WD4C cofounder Aimee Hurt found her there in 2005. When she went to adopt her, the shelter director said, “You don’t want that dog — that dog’s crazy!” To which Hurt replied, “I think she might be the right kind of crazy.”
I’ve struggled with Chronic Lyme, Fibromyalgia and Dementia for six years, every week it’s a follow-up or test for the latest ailment. I’ve made the decision to step off the Doctor Hamster Wheel in 2019.
I saw a Rheumatologist a two months ago, the clueless PA told me there wasn’t Lyme in Texas. REALLY? The doctor named a few possible illnesses and took my blood. The doctor’s visit was a bust but the lab work revealed my Calcium is high. Which can cause serious complications. She suggested to have my Parathyroid checked. WOW, something came out of the lab work, I have another ailment to deal with!
I saw the Endocrinologist, it was straight forward. A blood test, a scan at the hospital and possible surgery. We scheduled the scan immediately since it was effecting my heart. I fell down the stairs and banged myself up a good one. I landed a perfect 10! NO, I can’t lean my head back for two forty-five minute sessions. The test was rescheduled.
2019 is starting like the other six years, with a heart test scheduled, Parathyroid scan with possible surgery, test for Traumatic Brain Injury from the fall. There are few days left in 2018, I want to know who I am, how have I changed in that time. I developed Agoraphobia, haven’t driven in six years and have only seen the inside of doctor’s offices.
I took the first step for 2019, decided which test to cancel, bought two patterns for knitting and opening an Ebay store. Most importantly I get decide who I am, not remain another patient.
I can’t begin to say how much I appreciate your support, the comments and emails helped push me forward. The WordPress family means so much to me. I pray your year starts healthy as possible. I look forward to developing new friendships and reading and learning from your post.
Did you know there are rocks in your ears? If you’ve had a concussion and developed Vertigo chances are the rocks are off-balance. Sounded crazy but I was open to trying the treatment with an ENT doctor. He discovered it was my right ear having the problem.
The treatment was very simple but stomach turning. Luckily I didn’t need the pan my husband was holding. You sit in a chair similar to a dentist chair, he would lay me back then bring the chair up holding my neck. The first time was rough but as he continued the vertigo stopped. The worst part of the treatment was wearing a collar for two days 24 hours a day.
The vertigo has returned but not as bad. I go tomorrow for another treatment, it may be the last treatment or he has to do an addition treatment until the Vertigo is gone.
My wrist surgery went great and I’m using that hand more than other arm. Fracturing an Elbow might not sound like a big deal, you ‘re very wrong. The ER doctor said it could take four to six months to heal the elbow. My right arm is useless until it heals more, The fracture in my left orbital bone has caused little pain however surgery is still possible.
There were days before treatment my husband had to guide me around so I wouldn’t fall. Even crazier, two nights after the fall, I fell again and hit head in same spot, luckily it was on carpet and only aggravated my head and back.
While in the ER waiting to for x-rays, I was scared my neck was broken. I didn’t cry but had a long talk with God. I’m mending more each day and figure out ways to be productive with one arm.
Thank you for all the well wishes, you’ve lifted my spirits.
THURSDAY, Feb. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many of us make choices about whether to eat healthy or not-so-healthy foods based on whether we’re in a good or not-so-good mood.
When a bad mood strikes, we often tend to reach for junk food. And that can be a recipe for disaster when you’re trying to lose weight.
Here’s how to keep your emotions from ruining your diet resolve.
First, it helps to think about the future rather than just that moment. Refocus on the long-term health benefits of good nutrition, and remind yourself how much more important they are than any short-lived comfort from food.
Next, look for ways to brighten your mood that don’t involve eating at all. If you’re blue, call a diet buddy who knows how to motivate you. Or turn on a favorite movie. If you’re nervous or angry, release your emotions by working out to your favorite music mix or taking a short run.
Healthy lifestyle habits help insulate you from bad moods and the emotional eating that often follows. Boost your mood on a daily basis with regular exercise and with a few minutes of relaxation, like taking a warm bath, meditating, or reading a book.
Using a food journal can help you look for causes of a bad mood, like stress, and show patterns you can then take steps to change. For example, if giving a presentation at work always has you reaching for a candy bar, be prepared with a healthier snack, like a small container of nuts and dried fruits.
These positive steps will improve your outlook and, in turn, help you make good food choices and stick to your diet.
More information
Cornell University’s Food & Brand Lab has information to help you better understand how your mood can drive food choices, and how to overcome emotional eating.
Ashleyleia from MentalHealth@Home.wordpress tagged me for the TMI tag. So, here we go:
Q: What is your favorite show?
Blind Spot
Q: What is your favorite band?
Bad Company
Q: Something you really miss.
Peace
Q: Where do you go when you are sad?
Bed
Q: Have you ever been in a physical fight?
Yes, winning most.
Q: What is your favorite color?
Green
Q: Loud music or soft?
Always loud, Rock & Roll deserves loud music.
Q: Favorite actor.
Harrison Ford
Q: Do you have any fears? What are they?
Snakes & Spiders
Q: Meaning behind your blog name.
I have Treatment Resistant Bipolar Disorder. In dark times I looked for the light.
Q: Last time you said you loved someone.
Yesterday
Q: Last book you read.
The Panic Switch
Q: The book you are currently reading.
The Agoraphobia Workbook
Q: Last sport you played.
As a teen played softball & basketball. I sucked at both.
Q: Last song you sang.
Shooting Star by Bad Company
Q: Favorite food.
Spanish, Mexican, down home country cooking
Q: Place you want to visit.
Morocco, Jordan, Pennsylvania
Q: Favorite flavor of sweet.
Chocolate
Q: What instruments do you play?
None
Q: Favorite piece of jewelry.
Wedding band
Rather than calling out specific people to tag, I’m going to leave it up to my readers. If you’re interested in playing along, well then tag, you’re it!
Men and boys who have been sexually assaulted or abused face the same mental and physical effects as other survivors. Cultural stereotypes about men and how they portray masculinity can sometimes feel toxic to male survivors, adding additional challenges to their experience.
Recovering from sexual assault or abuse is a process that looks different for everyone, and it’s important to support a survivor, no matter their gender identity. Focusing on self-care after a sexual assault is a vital step toward recovery. Sexual assault can affect the physical and emotional health of a survivor, so it’s important to address both components of self-care. Should a victim choose to seek professional help, therapy can provide a space to openly discuss their thoughts and experiences.
One out of every 10 rape victims is male. It’s crucial to remind male survivors that they are not alone and share the services available to help them through their recovery.
Survivors can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4653) or visit online.rainn.org to be connected with local sexual assault service providers in their area. RAINN also partners with 1in6, an organization dedicated to helping men who survived unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood. If something happened to you, know that you are not alone and help is available. This Men’s Health Month—and all year round—join RAINN in supporting all survivors.
On my first business trip, I was 24 years old and clueless. The company was celebrating a milestone. Once we were bored, around 20 of us found a bar and settled in. This is the time for a stalker, large groups of people, and pick your target.
First, he sent me a dozen white roses every day. I was young and naive about stalking. I assumed he had money.
The cards started coming and he started asking me to come to Boston. The phone calls were coming more often. I didn’t know how a stalker reeled in their target.
After months of roses and cards, I gave in. Once in Boston, his lies were easy to see. The parents owned the house, he lived in a small house over the garage. My radar is up about but nothing else. There was a party at a friend’s house, let’s see how many are losers. The party was fun I talked about food, wine, and traveling. He paraded me around like a 100-lb piece of meat.
We had a selection of drugs, hash, cocaine, and some using a needle. I don’t use a needle period. I enjoyed the selection of smokes. We left heading for his house, he was high and driving. We arrive, had problems with the stairs, which were too high, and laughing ass off. I told him before arriving, that I would not sleep with him, ok no problem he says. We started doing a line of coke, no memory of how many lines, it didn’t matter
I was stoned. He tried to get to lay on the bed and he wouldn’t touch me. The other sleeping option was the couch, I chose the couch. His personality changed to anger. He begged me for what seemed like an hour. He finally gave up, leaving him to plan his next move.
I left my cell phone at home and used his phone to call Granny. BAD MOVE. We had lunch with his parents. They seemed normal, which was good, maybe the thoughts were a reaction from past experiences.
We went to the mall so he could buy me a leather jacket. WEIRD. Before leaving he takes me to a 5-star restaurant on the water. Then off to the airport, and listened to more lies.
The calls to my office and home were nonstop, leaving messages on my phone with his voice getting angrier, making threats. What can he do to me he’s in Boston. NAIVE.
The fear escalated over six years, always looking over my shoulder, and avoiding crowds. Years went by and I thought it was over, NOT, he wrote me a letter at my new address. Dating was worse, you have to tell them about this crazy person. One guy I dated had two boys, and afraid for them he would go to the car alone in case a bomb ignited.
It’s been 15 years and more traumatic memories. Now another Stalker has me in sight. I’m 53 not a kid anymore and I still get scared. I thought the Stalker had left me alone, there still watching, always there, letting me know.
I wrote in an earlier post about how I taunted the Stalker. Don’t take my lead and attack back, expressing your anger. Their anger can grow and aggression can escalate.
Don’t keep the secret to yourself, it’s a heavy load.
Don’t allow yourself to be bait, stalkers can take years grooming,
Dr Jemsek is an Infectious Disease Doctor who played a pivotal role identifying AIDS in N. Carolina. He is my hero and Lyme Doctor.
There are several treatment methods, every doctor is different. I’m on Antibiotic IV Therapy 5 days a week, and a Lactose Ringer when not on IV Therapy, close to 30 supplements, a Morphine Patch, two horrible liquid Rx’s, and close to 35-40 prescriptions.
YouTube is an awesome source for Lyme information.
My friend Michele from Putting My Feet in the Dirt nominated me for the beautiful Sunshine Award. Michelle’s Blog is a Christian-based Blog with a wide variety of posts on travel, children, and short stories. She is funny and serious when needed. Michelle is a great supporter of the WordPress community. Do yourself a favor and stop by to see what she’s up to.
Rules for participating. Have fun.
Thank the person who nominated you.
Answer the questions from the person who nominated you.
Nominate a few other bloggers.
Write the same amount of questions for the bloggers you nominated.
Notify the bloggers on their blogs.
Put the award button on your blog.
1. If a zombie apocalypse would happen right this very minute, are you going to tweet about it? But seriously, are you going to fight or run? Why?
I’m running. I don’t know what Zombie’s can do so I’ll get out of there.
2. How would you spend a million dollars?
Make a contribution to charities I support. Then get on an airplane and see the world.
3. What thing would you want to change yourself?
I cuss too much, it’s a bad habit I’ve had since childhood.
4. What’s your Chinese birth year sign? I’m best suited for breeding.
5. If you could invent something, what is that? why?
This is hard, there so many. Clean drinking water to prevent children from dying of preventable diseases. I have to add a far-fetched invention. Magic fairy dust to have all wars stopped and peace around the world. I can always wish.
6. A gift that you would love to receive on your birthday?
A ticket around the world first class by myself and a guide. Traveling alone is the best way To top the dream birthday, a new professional camera and gear. We can’t forget bug spray, tall very thick boots for snakes, and a gun to kill anything trying to take me down.
7. What is WordPress effect in your life and your message to me as your fellow blogger?
My life with WP is shaped by the people I meet. It’s great to meet people with similar interests to BS, and great writers to admire. I can reach out to people who are struggling and offer someone to talk to. My heart is filled with sunshine in many ways being in the WP family.
A message to fellow bloggers: Being rude to followers or responding to comments isn’t worth it. If you have a desire to grow your followers, thank each person for stopping by your site. Write for yourself, not for the number of followers.
The nominations have opened my mind and touched my soul. Congrats!
I wrote the post on 12/23/2009, and Gramps died a year later. Many people are finding themselves in a caregiver role. I’ll post several of my experiences as a caregiver. Breath.
As mentioned in an earlier post I care for my 92-year-old grandfather, I’ve been here for five weeks. Here are a few lessons I missed in the Caregiver 101 manual.
Ask the doctor what happens if the procedure does not work.
If a second procedure fails does not work, is there a third option.
What is the recovery time and what type of home health services are needed?
Is the surgery needed for a 92-year-old who is already dying?
Gramps went in for non-invasive surgery, but nothing prepared me for the outcome. I’ve been through many surgeries with my grandfather. The procedure had not been performed before however it was non-invasive. It actually sounded like the least complicated procedure to date. I forgot nothing is normal or non-invasive at 92 years old. We went from going home that afternoon, to having three surgeries over the next seven days. I made the mistake of thinking the procedure would go as they had in the past. Age makes all the difference, just five years at this stage in life can change everything.
I’m blessed to spend this time with my grandfather. We still have a long road ahead. It is very emotional and tests my patience. I’ve become the parent and he doesn’t like me telling him anything especially when to take his medicine. He has raised his voice more in the past month than in my lifetime. It’s hard to take it in stride. The stress has triggered my depression so I struggle to keep myself in check and take care of my grandfather.
FDA MedWatch – Codeine Cough-and-Cold Medicines in Children: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Evaluating Potential Risk of Serious Side Effects 07/01/2015
Codeine Cough-and-Cold Medicines in Children: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Evaluating Potential Risk of Serious Side Effects AUDIENCE: Family Practice, Pediatrics, Surgery, Patient
ISSUE: FDA is investigating the safety of using codeine-containing medicines to treat coughs and colds in children under 18 years because of the potential for serious side effects, including slowed or difficult breathing.
Children, especially those who already have breathing problems, may be more susceptible to these serious side effects. In 2013, FDA warned against using codeine in children who recently had surgery to remove their tonsils and/or adenoids.
In April 2015, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced that codeine must not be used to treat cough and cold in children under 12 years, and that codeine is not recommended in children and adolescents between 12 and 18 years who have breathing problems, including those with asthma and other chronic breathing problems.
FDA will continue to evaluate this safety issue and will consider the EMA recommendations. Final conclusions and recommendations will be communicated when the FDA review is complete.
BACKGROUND: Codeine is a specific type of narcotic medicine called an opioid that is used to treat mild to moderate pain and also to reduce coughing. It is usually combined with other medications in prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) cough-and-cold medicines.
RECOMMENDATION: Parents and caregivers who notice any signs of slow or shallow breathing, difficult or noisy breathing, confusion, or unusual sleepiness in their child should stop giving their child codeine and seek medical attention immediately by taking their child to the emergency room or calling 911. Parents and caregivers should always read the product label to find out if a medicine contains codeine and talk with their child’s health care professional or a pharmacist if they have any questions or concerns. Health care professionals should continue to follow the recommendations in the drug labels and use caution when prescribing or recommending codeine-containing cough-and-cold medicines to children.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
Complete and submit the report Online: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the Drug Safety Communication and previous MedWatch alerts, at:
I like Bucket List Friday, it jacks me up for the weekend. I can’t recall a time when adventure was not on my mind. Many years there wasn’t a dime to spare but dreaming was fun. I’m the thrill seeker who would travel half way around the world to bungee jump off the highest bridge. The ultimate scare you to death experience now marked off after two serious car wreaks. This my friend Jackie (curly hair) who lives in England. Our birthdays are close together and we enjoyed celebrating together. Jackie is a ski instructor back home, we spent a Christmas in Breckenridge, CO. Everyone was skiing, her kid didn’t use poles, she did Black Trails, they were having a blast. I fell getting off lift every time eating snow. Back to balloon adventure. We live in a large city with large cities around us, we lift off heading for the cow pastures in the distance. The sunset slowly went down giving a beautiful light display. We were landing and the wind picked up, turbulence is all. Before I know it we hit a tree and bounce up and over to another tree. I wasn’t scared of crashing, my interest was cow patties and cold champagne waiting. The mishap added to the adventure. You will find Ballooning in French country side on my list.
I would love to hear what you have on your Bucket List. Have a great weekend. XO Warrior
Four months ago I wrote the last Lyme Journal Entry. I thought my strength would allow me to blog through the illness. Then the 5-6 month point turned my life upside down and it’s been hell. I fired my Lyme doctor and not taking meds at this time. I know many are wondering why the hair photo? I was losing hair by the handful and showering was nearly impossible with longer hair. When you can’t stand, lift your arms or sit down without falling, showering is a problem. I planned a nice Army shave but David would not help. I grabbed the scissors and cut eight inches off. Feels great, looks like crap. Who cares?
I’m sure people have noticed my positive attitude is quickly sliding. The mounting problems are not all Lyme-related. My cat Truffles is dying, lack of communication from my doctor, getting so sick, and walking some days is extremely painful. Our bed was too hard so I moved to a couch months ago. I live on the couch now. Not bad for sleeping except all the animals want to go out, poke me in the back, and the cat wants to attack me. Even attempting to get enough sleep is impossible. With Chronic Lyme Disease sleep is your best friend and a key to survival.
Let me share some Lyme politics for newbies.
Most of the expert Lyme Literate Doctors, are not practicing. Several years ago doctors were watching people die using CDC standards, which state patients can only receive 2-4 weeks of antibiotics at most. The Lyme doctors who understood how the viruses worked knew 4 weeks was a joke. The doctors worked together helping each out calling in antibiotics for the other patients. I have Chronic Lyme, and it can take 1-3 years to get well. Medication is one of the many ways to heal. Getting enough sleep is number one after the meds., take supplements, gluten-free diet and eat foods to help your body heal. No Coffee and drink only electrolyte water.
There was a huge division among Lyme doctors when the CDC allowed several doctors to patent the virus. Makes no sense to me. For years patients were clueless of the division. Both sides fought hard with the CDC to prove their data, from the videos on YouTube it looks like the battle was lost before the presentations started. The expert Lyme Literate doctors were quite vocal and a witch hunt is what followed the meeting. Doctors appeared before the Medical Board and were not able to practice, some for up to a year. Several doctors lost their clinic and everything they owned trying to keep their patients alive. It is a complete mess the CDC let happen, needless to say, I’m pissed. Just a little more background info to burn into your brain.
Many Chronic Lyme patients become so sick they are not able to work. The first reality is you no longer have insurance and can not afford new insurance if you could buy. I’ve watched video after video on YouTube of people with good-paying jobs, racking up several thousand dollars in doctor bills and many having to file bankruptcy, losing everything. One video told of a couple who owed their parents $500,000. Lyme affects everyone in your family, friends, your health, and financial security.
It’s going on Spring in some parts but summer will be here quickly. I don’t want any of you or your family members to struggle with a virus that looks like a worm. The viruses travel through the blood until they can find a way to your major organs. Lyme likes to get cozy in the liver, kidney, heart, and brain. I have three tick-borne illnesses and Epstein Bar Virus. I have cognitive issues, my eyes constantly see things moving by my peripheral vision and balance are fleeting. I was in the bathroom two days ago about to reach for the medicine cabinet. I slammed into a wall hurting my writs and several fingers. If that wasn’t enough I slid down the wall falling on the toilet and hurt my leg. The doctors don’t know how much of your ability will come back if any. You have to keep fighting.
Why I fired my doctor. My husband and I formed an impression at the first appointment, not so good. I was desperate to start treatment and had no other options.
* I start a couple of drugs until the Lab work is back. At the follow-up appointment, the first words out of his mouth are you are in a great deal of pain. REALLY? His communication and organization skills are lacking. No pain meds were prescribed. He has to call someone in to bring him something several times during the appointment.
*I’m loaded down with over 50 pills to take a day plus 15-20 supplements and sleep all I can. The equation doesn’t work. I have gastro issues and the high-powered antibiotics made me nauseous all the time. I asked to have a PICC line in my arm to give my stomach a break. He did not plan to use a PICC line? Almost every patient gets a PICC line so they can fill you full of drugs and bypass your stomach. My wheels are turning. He had lab work for me to do, but I didn’t do it. He never asked about the Labs. He said my Lead levels were three times higher than normal, in the dangerous range. No follow-up test was ordered, it was like “So you know”. I’m scared, my brain is on overload, the test said current and ongoing exposure. I spent about two weeks looking for an answer. I looked at the top of the report one day, it wasn’t my report. Admin acted like no big deal. HIPPA laws are not new.
With the list of experts I start going down the list, ONE of the leading Lyme Literate Doctors still practices. The doctors called before the Medical Board and CDC. Now are full-time advocates/researchers. I phoned his office in DC and they are taking patients. When you have cognitive issues filling out 50 pages is crazy. I stayed up last night to get everything I could without waking my household. With God’s help, I will finish the paperwork tomorrow and get an appointment in the next month.
ILADS is the professional organization Lyme Literate doctors belong to. I saw the tab on site for ILADS Protocol on Lyme. I jumped for joy. Let’s hit them with our best shot. We have boxing gloves on and the truth will come out. The document was extensive for the different stages of Lyme or other tick-borne illnesses. I felt so happy that others may not have to suffer shortly. The document was well-researched by leading scientists, leading hospitals, and large populations of people. I cheered when I read research that outlined how the current system is incorrect, and they went all out. On the issues of insurance, extensive research with real patients exposed what the CDC is keeping from the public. If you want to learn more about Lyme, YouTube has so many videos, you might not have to go anywhere else. If you like the medical jargon go to the ILADS site.
A shout out to others who suffer from Lyme or tick-borne illness. I think of you, pray for you, and send good karma your way.
I had many adventures in my head and wrote my first Bucket List in 2015, it was invigorating to have it in writing yet I was struggling with Chronic Lyme and IV Therapy, my joy didn’t last until I went into remission years later.
A sincere thank you and a big hug for all the well wishes. I love hearing from you, you bring a smile on days when there are none. It will take a while but “I’ll Be Back”. XO Warrior
BUCKET LIST STARTED 2015
Tango Lessons
Visit Germany where my family lived before coming to America
Dive again, in 1999 I had panic attack and have not tackled fear
Enjoy Argentinian Wine Country
Be a RAINN Advocate Speaker for Child Abuse and Rape
Volunteer for RAINN to offer support to women while going thru Rape Kit process
Provide pastoral support as Ordained Minister with a focus on dying children and the elderly.
Swim with Manatees, Dolphins, and Sharks, Sharks only while in a cage.
Ride a Camel and Elephant in a native environment, treated ethically.
See every inch of Australia. Australia is several countries in one.
Hot air balloon ride through the French countryside.
Visit countries safe for American women traveling alone. To build confidence, I like to travel alone to foreign destinations. Germany, Istanbul, India, Dubai, and Alaska, that’s a good start.
Learn to rescue animals who coexist in our neighborhoods, like ducks, rabbits, owls, bobcats, and coyotes.
See fine Turkish rugs being made
See Silver Back Gorillas in Uganda
My organs save a life
I think seeing photos of past adventures will jack up my motivation.
Church of the Spilled Blood St. Petersburg, Russia
It’s interesting the events our mind suppresses or forgets. I have no problem or emotion talking about the physical and emotional abuse at the hands of my mother and step father. I have disassociated memories of sexual abuse by my father. I know it. My therapist and I have talked about it, she doesn’t push and knows if the door opens I’ll talk. What I will not do is force my mind and body to endure pain it’s not ready for. I have a good perspective on what I’ve survived and the methods our mind uses to deal with our deepest pain. I’m not sure if this particular memory was forgotten or suppressed. I had no emotion as my therapist was almost brought to tears.
I saw a story on the news about a 8-year-old girl tortured by her parents in some way. I don’t recall the circumstances. I always plan what I want to talk about but this day was different. I sat down and the memory of the little girl crossed my mind. I asked her if she had heard the story then adding my thoughts. I started to cry which I do easily for others in pain. As we talked about what type of parent would do that, a childhood memory flooded over me. The tears dried and it was if I was talking about someone else. When I was 8 years old I started having terrible side pains and daycare called my mother. She didn’t take off early and it was maybe 3 hours before she arrived. At that point I could barely walk and could not walk and breath. The supervisor thought I had an appendicitis attack and should get to the hospital right away. It was Halloween night and I didn’t want to miss out on the candy but pain was taking over my small body. My mother was angry for ruining things for my brother, nothing new about that. I guess we did not have insurance since the first hospital turned us away. We are talking early 1970’s. She drove to the county hospital and I waited on a bed until the people bleeding and dying received treatment. Halloween night is one of the busiest nights of the year with more shootings than normal. The emergency room was full and I was outside a mans curtain to wait my turn. During this time my mother left to take my brother to trick or treat. I didn’t realize until a nurse asked where she was. I said she talked to a nurse and went home. She was a big woman and I knew nobody gave her any shit. Asking why in the hell my mother would leave me there. My answer did not sit well with her, I knew a beating was in store for me. One thing to keep in mind is the county hospital is in the hood in one of the worst areas of Dallas. This is not a place an adult would feel comfortable let alone a child. I was on my side crying in pain and saw the man thru the curtain. He was an older man and he had what looked like wires coming out of several places on both arms. My eyes caught his, I ask does that hurt. He was a kind man saying not as bad as my pain did and then where was my mother. I told him how upset I was that my brother would not share his candy with me. He looked shocked my mother would leave me there. My mother eventually came back in the greatest of moods and was raising her voice at the big nurse. I was rooting for her to punch my mother if the mouth or grab her by the neck. I have no doubt it happened many times getting drunks under control.
The doctor didn’t think I needed surgery, just to stay overnight for observation. For a second I was glad until rolled to my room. The hospital was so overcrowded I hade to sleep in a baby bed. That is the last thing a kid (big girl) wants to hear. I cram myself in the bed and they pull the side up. It was so dark in there I thought I was alone until babies started crying. Which made it much worse for me. Not only did I have to sleep with my legs pulled up, babies are crying and my mother is home in her comfortable bed.
You would think at this point in the story I would feel some emotion but my mind switches back to the little girl. My mind turned a switch, my story was over, no big deal, that was my mother, that was my life. I couldn’t help but cry for the other girl. How can people do that to their children. As I’m talking to my therapist my story and pain never crosses my mind again. That was several years ago, it buried itself and popped back up last week.
This week fatigue had a hold on me. A task requiring little effort takes twice as long. The extra effort is difficult for my multi tasking mind. Waiting on test results added to the stress. The doctor is making me wait until Sept. 19th to discuss the results. He gave me a nugget yesterday. I have Lyme, the co-infection Epstein Barr Virus and low Folic Acid. Requiring 2 new RX’s, for a total of 39 pills per day and 3 shots per week. The doctor surprised me with the Folic Acid RX, the red blood cell count was low. My grandmother could put all meds and supplements in one hand, throw them in mouth and swallow at one time. I am the opposite, one pill at a time shoved to back of throat, taking meds is a task. I’m not my best while being in limbo. I can hear gramps telling me, if you learn to enjoy reading , it will teach you patience. Mostly true.
If you have Lyme Disease a great book is The Lyme Disease Solution. My doctor uses as a reference guide. It’s spells out the two schools of thought on Lyme treatment. What a Lyme Literate doctor means and why it’s important to seek this type of doctor. The life cycle of Lyme and why it’s difficult to diagnosis. The different paths doctors may take to heal you, this is very detailed down to the names of meds used. I like the pros and cons of each treatment, it allows you to work with doctor on which is best for you. Some doctors go far beyond a Gluten Free diet, which is outlined. Hopefully my doctor won’t fall into extreme category. There are recipes in the book, they sound great if you cook. I have lived on the same bars, granola snacks, yogurt and cereal. I like Suja drinks, cold pressed, no preservatives, no sugar, all fruit including berries with high levels of antioxidants. Taste great, is expense. My husband eats some Gluten Free snacks, in general we eat separate meals unless I feel like eating meat or eggs. I have not found it difficult to transitions, down the road may be a different story.
This week I’m focusing on the effects of Lyme Disease. Outlined below is not a pity party. I think if people see what everyday is like it will stick with them. If one person uses DEET and doesn’t get Lyme, I will dance to the music. Don’t forget to check pets including cats or any other outside/inside pets. This in the prime time of year for ticks.
The information on Epstein Barr Virus was taken from CDC site. After you get an EBV infection, the virus becomes latent (inactive) in your body. In some cases, the virus may reactivate. This does not always cause symptoms, but people with compromised immune systems are more likely to develop symptoms if EBV reactivates.
*The bedtime set by the doctor is 9:00 PM, I have not made the bedtime yet. I think 11:00 PM is the earliest.
*My husband has to be home for me to take a shower. That crazy shower chair has caused me to fall twice. It’s worse when I close my eyes, get disoriented.
*One of the probiotics is liquid form to mix in drink. I can’t recall a med ever smelling so rank. I can’t breath when taking a sip.
*I take 3-4 pain pills a day, one taken at night to help me sleep. As a sleeping aid it’s awesome, the brain fog when I wake up is not. It takes a good thirty minutes to join the world.
*The fatigue and I have a difficult relationship. I can’t vacuum my office or much else. I feel tremendous guilt for not contributing to the household work.
*The edema hung around this week, up to my shins. The skin gets so tight it hurts, bumping into something is painful.
*Neuropathy in my hands along with Lyme Arthritis makes my hands very sensitive. My fingernail or pen can barely brush a finger and it feels like a razor blade. Both have little strength, causing me to ask for help. :(
*I can’t tell you the last time I cooked or washed dishes, can’t stand that long. My husband has to do both.
*When I have a good weekend , I work on laundry instead of resting. Rest is hard, I feel totally lazy. :(
*The guilt and other emotions can strain a marriage. :(
*The unrelenting headaches can render you useless. All you can do is lay down, pray for sleep.
*I have ulcers in my mouth and nose, a side effect of one med. FUN!
*The amount of hair loss daily is depressing. Good thing I wear a ball cap most of time.
*Due to the level of inflammation in my body, infections pop up, this week it’s a bladder infection. So much fun!
*I stay positive even though I’m starting year five of being sick. A year spent on diagnosing Lyme. The remainder on heart issues. A lot of guilt builds up, it’s hard not to beat yourself up.
*In staying positive I think some new clothes are needed because I’m going to leave the house. It’s depressing to see the number of shirts with tags on them. In the big scheme I know I’m blessed.
*I have cut my hair for the past 8 months, good thing I watched my hair dresser. My hair is natural color with the grays out front. Why spend $125 on coloring and haircut when I don’t leave the house. Great use for ball cap.
*Reading lab results makes me crazy. I research every line, what does this mean, what is it connected to. I have worked hard not to play doctor this time. The time on internet is unproductive.
*A DNA test was performed. I didn’t know and a bit unsettling. I have gene mutations for two illnesses. I didn’t know what the gene mutations meant in detailed medical terms. WOW! Just seeing the number of doctors involved in verifying the result makes you blink. I did spend many hours learning about the mutations. I have to wait until appointment to see how the results impact Lyme or general health.
Being diaognosed with Chronic Lyme Disorder in 2014/2015 changed my life and my husbands forever. After 18 months of IV Antibiotic Treatments, I survived, and in remission at this time. Since the spirokettes remain in your body, your body can continue to decline whether in remission or not.
Over a 12 months of testing, my Neurologist has performed every test in her arsenal except a spinal. Every test she ran came back abnormal yet not able to pin down a diagnosis. She refered me to a Rheumatologist to start on the tread mill again. I started researching illnesses which included brain wave abnormalities to weed out my more common symptoms. There were the ones I expected, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis or other autoimmune disorder. I didn’t think the answer would come from the crazy searches by using the abnormal test results and symptoms in every combination possible, I thought I had the answer and I did.
More reasearch and what I found was alarming, not the illness alone, the politics and witch hunt taking place. The illness is Lyme or other tick borne illnesses. The CDC rates Texas as med-high concentration. The east coast is at epidemic levels with some articles stating we are facing epidemic levels across the country. I had a different idea for this post yet feel it’s critical to get this information out ASAP. When I learned of the divide in the medical community over Lyme, I shook my head. What is the controversy? The CDC establishes treatment standards for doctors and the standard Lyme test is based on 30-year-old information. What happens is you go to doctor for a Lyme test, it comes back negative. You then find out the test is 30% +/- correct. The CDC acknowledges the test has false positives yet the standard for testing hasn’t changed.
With a lack of confidence in the test, I wanted to see a Lyme Literate Doctor. This blew my mind, a current day Salem Witch Hunt is happening. On one side of the controversy are doctors who specialize in Lyme and tick borne illness. If a tick bite is not caught right away it grows in your system. Lyme looks like a long skinny curly worm. It bores thru your body damaging your organs or brain depending where it lands. The symptoms can move around your body as the virus spreads. Lyme is hard to kill, it can encapsulate itself in an invisible cocoon and is near impossible to see under microscope. The Lyme doctors take the approach, attack the virus aggressively for long periods of time to prevent a relapse. People who are very ill from Lyme can require years of antibiotics. Not only to kill the virus more importantly to save your life. Heres the rub, the CDC states 2 weeks of antibiotics will cure Lyme and doctors can prescribe an extra 2 weeks if needed.
Medical insurance companies only pay what the CDC approves and the CDC doen’t recognized Chronic Lyme Dieases nor in IV treatments. Some Lyme doctors are getting called before the Medical Review Board having their license taken away for a year. Insurance companies are cancelling people’s policy and they are left with 150k+ in out-of-pocket expenses. There are many patients who have to lose their house or get their loved one treatment.
There are two main thoughst on Lyme Dieases, doctors that do not believe in Chronic Lyme Dieases and the others that do and are treating patients. The CDC hasn’t changed their rules on insuring Lyme treatments but I don’t think doctors are not under as big of a microscope.
When I decided to see a Lyme Literate doctor it was a process. I called the association, they took info on where I lived and would call back. The next morning I received a call with a doctor’s name and phone number. I later found out the doctor I’m seeing was the first to lose his licenses for a year. I didn’t know if I should jump for joy or not.
I’m battling over 50 symptoms on any given day from a tick that is smaller than a sesame seed. When you’re doing tick checks on you and the kids, ticks are hard to see. Around 30% to 50% of people get a bull’s-eye rash. If you get the rash go to the doctor right away and ask for a Lyme panel test.
Please remember to check your scalp, they can hang out in your hair. A flashlight might help with this task. I’ll keep you up to date on how my appointment goes. I’m not worried about what, I need an answer to move on to the next hurdle. I will do a f/u post including more information about treatments.
PAYSON, Ariz. – Police said an 18-month-old boy is dead after being shot in the head by his 3-year-old brother, reports CBS affiliate KPHO.
The boys were at a neighbor’s apartment in Payson, Ariz., on Tuesday when they found a semi-automatic gun that belonged to the man they were visiting, according to the station. Police said the toddler’s 3-year-old brother picked up the weapon and pulled the trigger. Payson Police Chief Don Engler said officers found the boy’s mother carrying the wounded child in the parking lot outside the apartment after they received several 911 calls about a child with a head injury. The boy was pronounced dead after being rushed to Payson Regional Medical Center, KPHO reports.
“The apartment that this occurred in was a family friend of the mother and two children,” said Engler. “The children had slipped into another room unobserved by the mother and the 78-year-old occupant of the apartment,” Engler said, noting that the family had been visiting for about 10 to 15 minutes before the shooting. “Even though many of our young officers have children of their own, certainly it’s difficult for our officers in those circumstances.”
According to KPHO, police have not released the names of anyone involved in the incident. Suzy Tubbs, the director of Payson Community Kids, a nonprofit located across the street from the apartment, said the young mother often visited with her two sons. “I was always so impressed with a mom who wants to give back and help out…. [The boys] were really cute, playing on the playground, playing hard, getting dirty… typical little boys.”
This tore my heart out and left me pissed off with irresponsible gun owners. I’ve been around guns my entire life. My gramps kept a loaded shotgun by his side of the bed. When we were very young He took my brother and me to where the gun was and explained what the gun was for, what it could do, and how it could hurt somebody. He said don’t ever touch the gun, and we never touched the gun.
It’s time for accountability from people who leave a gun where a child can get access.
A semi-automatic????? Was this a drug house?
The person responsible for leaving the gun where the kids could reach it has blood on their hands. What happened to gun locks? Gun safes?
I’ve owned guns since I was fourteen, a shotgun, and two 38 Revolvers. When a child came to my house, I would unload guns, put on locks, and hide away. How could that adorable two-year-old even pull the trigger?
Have we become a society that no longer takes responsibility for our actions?
Parents need to parent their children and parent themselves. This doesn’t apply to all, JUST THE DUMBASSES RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEAD CHILD. Put them in jail as if they pulled the trigger. That will get attention, and people might think twice in the future.
I don’t have children, yet I’m human and compassionate. Too many children have died at the hands of a parent, family member, or while at a friend’s house. Stop this madness. It only takes a minute.
My name is Melissa Dohme. I am twenty-two years old and I live in Clearwater, Florida. On January 24, 2012, I found myself surrounded with family, covered in bandages, connected to machines, with tubes down my throat, praying and thanking God for saving my life. Hours before this moment I was lying alone in the road outside my home, covered in blood, taking what I thought would be my last breath. I had just been viciously attacked, beaten, and stabbed 32 times. How could this happen?
Looking back three years prior, I remember the exact moment I met this extremely charming, sweet, and funny guy named Robert Burton. When we started dating, everything was perfect, but as I prepared for my high school graduation, things began to change. Robert became extremely jealous, controlling, and short-tempered. I was going through verbal and emotional abuse throughout our two-year relationship without knowing it was abuse. The violence turned physical in the last few months, and by then I felt completely trapped. He would tell me if I was to leave or tell anyone about the abuse, he would kill me, my family, and himself. He began attempting suicide to scare me, but would stop and threaten me with weapons to prove he was serious.
One night, I had the opportunity, courage, and strength to run away and call the police–and finally, Robert was arrested for domestic battery. I felt my shackles of shame and fear release and I could safely end the relationship. After three months of peace and healing, Robert began calling me repeatedly in the middle of the night. He had one request–a hug. He was crying and said, “After all we have been through, I just need closure to move on after the terrible end to our relationship.” He promised to leave me alone forever if I just met him for a hug.
I ignored my intuition and walked outside. I was immediately ambushed. 19 stabs to my head, neck, and face; 13 stabs to my hands and arms in an attempt to defend myself. Two teens nearby heard me screaming, attempted to intervene, and called 911. I owe my life to these two angels. Once Robert believed he succeeded in taking my life, he drove away and attempted suicide. We were both saved that night, and thankfully, he is now serving a life sentence with no chance of parole.
When first responders arrived, I was alert enough to identify myself and him, despite hemorrhaging severely from cut arteries in my neck. I was airlifted to the hospital where I flat-lined four times, received twelve units of blood, suffered a stroke in my cerebellum, had a fractured skull, nose, and jaw with missing teeth, facial paralysis, stabbed larynx, and was severely beaten. It’s a miracle I am still alive today — even the doctors say so. I know God saved me, He couldn’t stop what happened but He did perfectly line up each individual after the attack who had a hand in saving my life.
I believe I was saved to tell my story. Through my faith I learned to accept, forgive, and move on. I realized I was given a voice for those who are too afraid to speak or no longer have the chance because their abuser succeeded in taking their life. I was saved to educate teenagers of the dangers of dating violence. When I was in high school, no one spoke about dating violence and if they had, I firmly believe I would have never gone through what I did. Following that horrific night, I felt the conviction to speak out, become an advocate, and create change. I now work as domestic violence advocate for a local non-profit organization, Hands Across the Bay, where and every day is a blessing.
——-
Melissa is a true hero. She turned the horrific events of that night to a mission to educate others. I would be proud to meet her and thank her. She will save someone’s life with her efforts. She is courageous, embodies strength and a passion to help. I would hug her for turning the pain into a positive and not living with a resentful heart. Melissa is a special person. Stories like Melissa’s keep my past pain in perspective reminding me how blessed I am.
lookingforthelight.blog 