Just wanted to post this as I have been involved in the World Games for the Deaf in the past and this year the ladies are playing in the World Cup. Here are two videos regarding the team and their efforts. One of my good friends traveled as their ATC.
Here is the link their video after beating Germany in the second round:
http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2012/07/30/exp-point-deaf-soccer-team.cnn.html
here is the link after beating Russia in the finals:
http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2012/07/31/exp-point-deaf-world-cup-champions.cnn.html
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I Want to Go to School Here!
As we continue to try and 'figure out' how to deal with the obesity trends that have been affecting the US, I came across this pilot school in the UK that may have some of the answers. Chef Jamie Oliver has begun a school in which students learn traditional subjects, but in addition learn how to grow fresh vegetables and learn how to prepare and cook healthy meals.
Although the article does not outline how the pilot program outcomes are being measured, they are suggesting that the children enrolled in this program "helps support their wider learning, gives them vital life and vocational skills, and more importantly for us improves their health and ability to make better food choices". I would only assume that this program also instills a desire to take care of the environment and to help each other.
What a novel approach for a school to take. It seems to be getting down to the very basics, however, I believe that when one is involved at this level (actually growing and caring for 'the crop') one takes on a deeper responsibility. I think too, that when children are involved in the planning and preparing of meals in addition to being educated on healthy eating, they are much more motivated to have healthier eating habits. I would love to see the US take a leap and incorporate this into our schools!
Although the article does not outline how the pilot program outcomes are being measured, they are suggesting that the children enrolled in this program "helps support their wider learning, gives them vital life and vocational skills, and more importantly for us improves their health and ability to make better food choices". I would only assume that this program also instills a desire to take care of the environment and to help each other.
What a novel approach for a school to take. It seems to be getting down to the very basics, however, I believe that when one is involved at this level (actually growing and caring for 'the crop') one takes on a deeper responsibility. I think too, that when children are involved in the planning and preparing of meals in addition to being educated on healthy eating, they are much more motivated to have healthier eating habits. I would love to see the US take a leap and incorporate this into our schools!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Special Needs? He May Not Agree
As we are in the middle of the 2012 Summer Olympics, I thought it very appropriate that I write about a South African track and field athlete, Oscar Pistorius. He will be running in the 400 meter race. Nothing special, right? Well, what I haven't told you is that when Oscar was born, he was born without his fibulas. His parents had to make a very difficult choice, and they decided to have his lower legs amputated. Oscar uses 'blades', some call 'cheetah' legs while others may call 'cheater' legs. It is a very insightful read and makes me begin to think that, hmmm, Oscar doesn't see his lot in life as unlucky but rather as a blessed.
I post this article for a few reasons; 1) we need to recognize the definition of 'athlete' needs to be expanded within our framework; 2) we need to step out of our comfort zone and make contact with others who may be different than us; 3) we need to recognize there is a wealth of opportunity for us to provide health care to our expanded definition of 'athlete'; and 4) to recognize and understand that others can help us to learn and appreciate even the smallest things in life. After all, isn't that what life is about - enjoying the journey and not believing life to be a destination.
I hope you enjoy the read and below is a video of Oscar in action!
Not trying to promote Nike on this one, but pretty inspirational commercial below:
I post this article for a few reasons; 1) we need to recognize the definition of 'athlete' needs to be expanded within our framework; 2) we need to step out of our comfort zone and make contact with others who may be different than us; 3) we need to recognize there is a wealth of opportunity for us to provide health care to our expanded definition of 'athlete'; and 4) to recognize and understand that others can help us to learn and appreciate even the smallest things in life. After all, isn't that what life is about - enjoying the journey and not believing life to be a destination.
I hope you enjoy the read and below is a video of Oscar in action!
Not trying to promote Nike on this one, but pretty inspirational commercial below:
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Proposed Changes to FMLA
If you have followed my blog you know that I have written about the grieving process. In fact, I have a manuscript in the ATEJ, "Who Helps the Helper?" This post is a follow-up to my last posting that spoke of the shootings in Colorado.
This article I found, Father's Campaign: More Time off for Grieving Parents, identifies the need to evaluate and perhaps change the current FMLA - Family Medical Leave Act. Currently, a new parent is allowed three months off when they have a child. During this 'off' time, their job is guaranteed to be there when the three month period of time is up. However, the law does not cover time off in the event of a death of a child. We know from the literature on grief, that grieving is an actual process and one can move in and out of the process. There is no time limit to grief; and in fact, we find there are constant 'built-in' reminders to bring us back to remembering our loved one. For example; anniversaries - the day in which they died, their birthday, high school graduation, college graduation, etc. Perhaps it is hearing a song on the radio, seeing a movie, driving by a restaurant where you would eat. So many reminders that we may encounter.
As an athletic trainer you will somehow be involved with a patient or patients who have suffered the death of a loved one. I think we all need to remember that loss will effect each of us differently and that how one person seems to be 'handling' their grief could in fact be totally different than how another may be grieving. I also believe that we need to be patient with those who we provide care for as you, the athletic trainer, may in fact be the individual in which this person would like to confide in. Hence, you may be one of the individuals who can assist your patient processing grief by simply being supportive. I must however, add that we too, will need to take time for ourselves to heal, as grief touches all of us. We are not immune to grief even if we are not the individual who has suffered from the actual loss. Continue to also keep your health in mind as you assist others in their grief, and as the article eludes to, be supportive and understand that loss can take a lifetime to heal.
This article I found, Father's Campaign: More Time off for Grieving Parents, identifies the need to evaluate and perhaps change the current FMLA - Family Medical Leave Act. Currently, a new parent is allowed three months off when they have a child. During this 'off' time, their job is guaranteed to be there when the three month period of time is up. However, the law does not cover time off in the event of a death of a child. We know from the literature on grief, that grieving is an actual process and one can move in and out of the process. There is no time limit to grief; and in fact, we find there are constant 'built-in' reminders to bring us back to remembering our loved one. For example; anniversaries - the day in which they died, their birthday, high school graduation, college graduation, etc. Perhaps it is hearing a song on the radio, seeing a movie, driving by a restaurant where you would eat. So many reminders that we may encounter.
As an athletic trainer you will somehow be involved with a patient or patients who have suffered the death of a loved one. I think we all need to remember that loss will effect each of us differently and that how one person seems to be 'handling' their grief could in fact be totally different than how another may be grieving. I also believe that we need to be patient with those who we provide care for as you, the athletic trainer, may in fact be the individual in which this person would like to confide in. Hence, you may be one of the individuals who can assist your patient processing grief by simply being supportive. I must however, add that we too, will need to take time for ourselves to heal, as grief touches all of us. We are not immune to grief even if we are not the individual who has suffered from the actual loss. Continue to also keep your health in mind as you assist others in their grief, and as the article eludes to, be supportive and understand that loss can take a lifetime to heal.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Can This Be Real?
I simply cannot ignore the story that have been coming to light from Colorado - yet another case in which someone has taken it upon themselves to change the lives of others - either by taking their life, or changing how they will forever live.
As you read this story, I ask you to keep these individuals as well as their families in your thoughts. This shooting is so hard to take in and I wonder how might I have responded if I were in this same situation? My hope is that one day, we will not longer have these stories. Sadly, however, history has demonstrated that over and over again this will continue to occur. Violence crosses all nations, religious practices, socio-economic levels, all educational levels as well as all languages. As an athletic trainer, you may, unfortunately, be in a situation such as this, or may be helping people in the after-math of a tragedy. No educational program can prepare one for such an event, rather, we should all remember that we will provide treatment, care and friendship to many and for now I ask that you contemplate on what role you can have to ensure these types of stories never happen again.
As you read this story, I ask you to keep these individuals as well as their families in your thoughts. This shooting is so hard to take in and I wonder how might I have responded if I were in this same situation? My hope is that one day, we will not longer have these stories. Sadly, however, history has demonstrated that over and over again this will continue to occur. Violence crosses all nations, religious practices, socio-economic levels, all educational levels as well as all languages. As an athletic trainer, you may, unfortunately, be in a situation such as this, or may be helping people in the after-math of a tragedy. No educational program can prepare one for such an event, rather, we should all remember that we will provide treatment, care and friendship to many and for now I ask that you contemplate on what role you can have to ensure these types of stories never happen again.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Second Language Skills as an ATC
As we take a look at the patients who we come into contact with, we should be cognizant enough to know that diversity is all around us. This diversity includes: gender, values, socio-economic status, religious practices/beliefs, educational level, orientation, age, and language.
For this post, I would like to suggest the importance for a competent health care provider to consider learning another language in order to facilitate communication between patients and to perhaps build a more trusting relationship with patients. If I can, I would like each of us to just take a moment to think about what it must be like to be in a place where no one speaks the same language as you do. Perhaps some of you have actually traveled to another country and have felt a bit 'lost' in the conversation with the 'locals'. We do recognize, however, that we no longer need to travel to another country to be surrounded by individuals who speak a different language than we do, rather, we can find ourselves in our very own communities at a loss with understanding another person as we don't speak the same language.
How wonderful would it be if we could all learn a few key phrases so that we could openly communicate with someone. Even better, how might a patient feel when they realize their health care provider has taken the time to learn some of their language in order to talk with them. For me, I am very interested in keeping up with my sign language and I plan to offer a Medical Sign Language class this Spring for others who may be interested in learning more of this beautiful, visual language!
See if you can pick up some 'signs' from viewing the youtube video . . .
BTW - the reason he is sick - in case you missed it, he made a hamburger yesterday, took a bite and then opened the bun up and saw a green hamburger! Hmm . . . ecoli maybe? Food poisoning definitely!
For this post, I would like to suggest the importance for a competent health care provider to consider learning another language in order to facilitate communication between patients and to perhaps build a more trusting relationship with patients. If I can, I would like each of us to just take a moment to think about what it must be like to be in a place where no one speaks the same language as you do. Perhaps some of you have actually traveled to another country and have felt a bit 'lost' in the conversation with the 'locals'. We do recognize, however, that we no longer need to travel to another country to be surrounded by individuals who speak a different language than we do, rather, we can find ourselves in our very own communities at a loss with understanding another person as we don't speak the same language.
How wonderful would it be if we could all learn a few key phrases so that we could openly communicate with someone. Even better, how might a patient feel when they realize their health care provider has taken the time to learn some of their language in order to talk with them. For me, I am very interested in keeping up with my sign language and I plan to offer a Medical Sign Language class this Spring for others who may be interested in learning more of this beautiful, visual language!
See if you can pick up some 'signs' from viewing the youtube video . . .
BTW - the reason he is sick - in case you missed it, he made a hamburger yesterday, took a bite and then opened the bun up and saw a green hamburger! Hmm . . . ecoli maybe? Food poisoning definitely!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Thinking Outside the Box
For those of you who know me you are aware that my husband had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in July, 2011. Since then, he has had surgery and is currently being called 'cancer-free'. That being said, we know that he will constantly need to assessed to ensure he remains cancer-free.
His particular journey led me to re-evaluate some of our family practices with regard to eating and what we might be able to do in order to become more aware of the use of process foods with our nutritional practices. Through this process I came across a video in which a 15 year old student made for a school project regarding cancer and how we treat cancer in America. It is called The Beautiful Truth and is about 90 minutes in length. For me, the film was very informative as well as eye opening. I invite you to have a look at the movie and develop your own opinions.
His particular journey led me to re-evaluate some of our family practices with regard to eating and what we might be able to do in order to become more aware of the use of process foods with our nutritional practices. Through this process I came across a video in which a 15 year old student made for a school project regarding cancer and how we treat cancer in America. It is called The Beautiful Truth and is about 90 minutes in length. For me, the film was very informative as well as eye opening. I invite you to have a look at the movie and develop your own opinions.
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