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Oh, I think daily health

jhonsmith — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:31:38 -0500

Oh, I think daily health hindrance drag the U.S. has got to symbolize on of the prime four issues since the voter manifesto. It's seemly eerie what happens to people.

A organization of rabble believe suggested healthcare over our poles apart universal activism clock in to. So, my inquire into is: how fulfill we make active a difference in health care worldwide? I actually think it could be a great issue, because there are so many components to it, and it seems like there would be lots of ways to take action. Hospitals in Mexico

Mothers Act

blocker771 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:05:48 -0500

Mother’s Act advocates get very shrill and angry at anyone who questions their advocacy and especially they get very shrill, angry and THREATENING towards anyone who presents the truth of what this bill is really all about, which they refuse to look at or discuss. The most repugnant aspect of this bill is how psychiatric interests work so hard to smoothly misrepresent the unnatural (drugging of pregnant mothers) as natural or okay when prior to psychotropic drugs, mothers were always counselled by traditional Western medical authorities not to take any drugs or as little as possible. How the authority of traditional doctors was usurped by nonmedical quasi medical(?) authorities would make an interesting investigation. Also, Mother’s Bill advocates are strangely silent about the birth defects that have been linked to these drugs and existing litigation against drug companies for compensation for the death, damage and disability to newborns linked to these drugs. The other point about the Mother’s Bill is that it is ironically named for a psychiatric victim and the legislation provides for millions of pregnant women to be able receive without their informed consent the damaging treatment that the woman named for this bill unfortunately was victimized by receiving without her informed consent.

Breaking the Silence on Childhood Sexual Assault

Keith Smith — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:18:32 -0500

I was abducted, beaten and raped by a stranger. It wasn’t a neighbor, a coach, a relative, a family friend or teacher. It was a recidivist pedophile predator who spent time in prison for previous sex crimes; an animal hunting for victims in the quiet, bucolic, suburban neighborhoods of Lincoln, Rhode Island.

I was able to identify the guy and the car he was driving. Although he was arrested that night and indicted a few months later, he never went to trial. His trial never took place because he was brutally beaten to death in Providence before his court date. 34 years later, no one has ever been charged with the crime.

In the time between the night of my assault and the night he was murdered, I lived in fear. I was afraid he was still around town. Afraid he was looking for me. Afraid he would track me down and kill me. The fear didn’t go away when he was murdered. Although he was no longer a threat, the simple life and innocence of a 14-year-old boy was gone forever. Carefree childhood thoughts replaced with the unrelenting realization that my world wasn’t a safe place. My peace shattered by a horrific criminal act of sexual violence.

Over the past 34 years, I’ve been haunted by horrible, recurring memories of what he did to me. He visits me in my sleep. There have been dreams–nightmares actually–dozens of them, sweat inducing, yelling-in-my-sleep nightmares filled with images and emotions as real as they were when it actually happened. It doesn’t get easier over time. Long dead, he still visits me, silently sneaking up from out of nowhere when I least expect it. From the grave, he sits by my side on the couch every time the evening news reports a child abduction or sex crime. I don’t watch America’s Most Wanted or Law and Order SVU, because the stories are a catalyst, triggering long suppressed emotions, feelings, memories, fear and horror. Real life horror stories rip painful suppressed memories out from where they hide, from that recessed place in my brain that stores dark, dangerous, horrible memories. It happened when William Bonin confessed to abducting, raping and murdering 14 boys in California; when Jesse Timmendequas raped and murdered Megan Kanka in New Jersey; when Ben Ownby, missing for four days, and Shawn Hornbeck, missing for four years, were recovered in Missouri.

Despite what happened that night and the constant reminders that continue to haunt me years later, I wouldn’t change what happened. The animal that attacked me was a serial predator, a violent pedophile trolling my neighborhood in Lincoln, Rhode Island looking for young boys. He beat me, raped me, and I stayed alive. I lived to see him arrested, indicted and murdered. It might not have turned out this way if he had grabbed one of my friends or another kid from my neighborhood. Perhaps he’d still be alive. Perhaps there would be dozens of more victims and perhaps he would have progressed to the point of silencing his victims by murdering them.

Out of fear, shame and guilt, I’ve been silent for over three decades, not sharing with anyone the story of what happened to me. No more. The silence has to end. The fear, the shame, the guilt have to go. It’s time to stop keeping this secret from the people closest to me, people I care about, people I love, my long-time friends and my family. It’s time to speak out to raise public awareness of male sexual assault, to let other victims know that they’re not alone and to help victims of rape and violent crime understand that the emotion, fear and memories that may still haunt them are not uncommon to those of us who have shared a similar experience.

For those who suffer in silence, I hope my story brings some strength, comfort, peace and hope.

My novel, Men in My Town, is based on these actual events.

Men in My Town is available now at Amazon.com

I'm so sorry that this

Thorne — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:08:12 -0500

I'm so sorry that this article hasn't gotten more attention. It was the only one that came up when I searched for "Earth Month" here at Blogher. Sadly, my child is all grown... hehe (empty nester here), or I could utilize your great links. Keep doing what you're doing (even when it feels like whispering into the wind!)

"I don’t at all like knowing what people say of me behind my back. It makes one far too conceited." - Oscar Wilde

http://thornesworld.com

is giving birth the only aspect of child rearing with risk?

Icha — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:26:44 -0600

It seems strange to point this out, but does the argument against homebirth ever substitute other things for birthplace to test its logic? For example, has anyone ever thought about requiring all parents to buy volvos and prohibit them from buying, say, a mazda sports car because an infant (and its parents) would be far safer in a volvo if they are involved in a crash? Or how about the carseat itself? Not all carseats are equal, some are much safer than others. Should parents be required to buy only the absolute safest car seat? Of course not, no one ever even considers these things, even though car crash fatalities are a leading cause of death for children and adults. These are things we are allowed to decide for ourselves based on many factors, including basic freedoms of freedom from unwarrented government surveillance and interference.

I believe that homebirths are the safest option for some people, myself included. Safety statistics aside, does society apply the same readiness to legislate to behaviors that don't have to do with women's bodies and reproductive capacity? It doesn't...the minute a woman's reproductive capacity is concerned, we (this society) think we have the right to make all sorts of laws governing what she can and can't do. Most other behaviors are left up to choice. This is not about what option is safest. It's about who gets to make reproductive choices for women: professoinal organizations, the courts, the state, other interested parties, or the woman herself.

I'm sorry you've been

Amy Gates — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:16:21 -0600

I'm sorry you've been battling depression for so long. Is there anything in particular that's worked for you that might help out others as well?

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Amy
Crunchy Domestic Goddess
BlogHers Act contributing editor

"We need to value ourselves.

Amy Gates — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:14:16 -0600

Thank you for your comment. You said, "We need to value ourselves. And make the time for ourselves."

I think this definitely holds true for all moms, but it is easier said than done. Balance is something I strive for constantly.

Amy
Crunchy Domestic Goddess
BlogHers Act contributing editor

Working Mom

claudia60 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:49:47 -0600

I'm a full-time, working mom and I've been battling depression since the birth of my second daughter ('97). Even though I do believe that my depression is due to my hormonal problems, my working status has played a role in it. Since 1997, I've worked full-time, part-time (for a year) and occasionally (for 3 years). Being a mom and wife are stressful roles, but a job definitely adds to the stress. First, there is the guilt that you cannot always participate at school-related functions, or that you can't invite your kids' friends after school because you work. Then, there is the fact that there is someone (boss/customer/client) who needs your time or deliverables within a certain time frame. My happiest time was probably working part-time because I was doing interesting work, earning money, and enjoyed extra time with my girls.

Scheduling Issues

rebellious thinker — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 06:27:23 -0600

Working moms are vaunted for our scheduling prowess. It's so much easier to take care of everyone else and everything else than ourselves. At some point we need to realize that if the engine needs help, it's better to fix it than wait for it to breakdown. I guess when we stop lauding ourselves about how much working moms can do (and all moms in fact), then maybe we can give ourselves a ME breather. How many moms go to the doctor when they're sick? We usually take care of ourselves with tea. It doesn't work for flu just like ti doesn't work for depression. We need to value ourselves. And make the time for ourselves.

Laura, www.RebelliousThoughtsofaWoman.com

Pretty amazing

jodimichelle — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:28:24 -0600

I just read about this in Christiane Northrop's book "Mother-Daughter Wisdom" and at first thought, what!? But the more I read about it, it actually made sense to me. Birth is supposed to an experience for the mother, and the child, of unity - yea, it hurts - and the way labor and birth has become in the US is so "medical". I don't know, it's very interesting. It's amazing what our bodies were made to do, and left to do it we might actually find that we can do so many more things we're talked out of every single day.

um, yeah

court_n2000 — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:08:15 -0600

You know how, sometimes, you poo on the table when you give birth? Well, you don't talk about that now do you? If I had been one of these gals I sooo would not tell a soul.

I agree

Amy Gates — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:37:31 -0600

"I think an alternative voice in the current birth climate is sorely
needed. Because even if your birth isn't ecstatic, it doesn't mean
that it will necessarily be horrifying or painful or something to be
afraid of."

Exactly! :) Thanks for your comment.

Amy
Crunchy Domestic Goddess
BlogHers Act contributing editor

I will be watching 20/20

AmberS — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:03:40 -0600

I will definitely be watching that 20/20 special. I am interested in seeing the film, too, but it doesn't look like there will be showings in my area.

I think birth is such an intense experience that it really runs the gamut. Thinking back, I felt really good after my first birth - I just remember a total rush after the baby came out. I was amazed that I did it, I felt pretty powerful. With my second, it was so fast that I just couldn't get my head around it. Instead of being relieved and happy I was overwhelmed and not ready. Which I felt bad about, because why shouldn't I be thrilled with a fast and easy birth?

I am glad, though, to see films like this one and "The Business of Being Born" getting widespread publicity and recognition. I think an alternative voice in the current birth climate is sorely needed. Because even if your birth isn't ecstatic, it doesn't mean that it will necessarily be horrifying or painful or something to be afraid of.

~ Amber

www.strocel.com

breastfeeding

sharilfunk — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:27:21 -0600

There are MANY more things that need to be brought up such as Childhood Cancer Research which gets the lowest amount of research funds yet. I am PRO-NURSING all the way, but there is a line to be drawn here. I call this ridiculous. I breastfed all three of my children for over a year and guess what? Two of them had chronic ear infections and no one smokes, etc in the home. As far as Necrotizing Enterocolitis: my preemie had that in his 2nd week of life and all he received was breastmilk. Childhood cancer takes lives. Breastfeeding does not.

Misleading Title: Obama breastfeeding?

gringainteguz — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:59:52 -0600

Sorry I was taken back a bit by the title, especially as it appeared in shortened form in the table on the home page. I realize you are advocating for an important issue, but the title gave me another impression entirely. Obama Breastfeeding Priority?

I know I will make you howl with indignation. Sorry. But I am empathatic actually. I live in Honduras where breastfeeding is traditionally and currently an important part of the culture. It is celebrated, and it is never hidden away. Breastfeeding in public is often looked upon a as a joyous and celebratory thing. So hope all goes well with your campaign. Just watch your bylines.

Laurie,

laurieishere.blogspot.com