Monday, October 17, 2005
CHANGE THE STREET NAME TO LITTLE JOHN LANE!!!!!!
You regular readers would remember a column I wrote months ago of visiting my old area in Glen Falls.
I was sad to learn of the many people who died in such a short period.
Well, it happen again!
I was very upset once I found out that John T. McMillan Jr died on August 31st at the age of 34.
I just couldn’t believe it!
He was known by the people in that area as Little John!
Who is little John you asked?
When I first moved to Glen Falls, I quickly learned that it was like a little village within the City Limit.
As any other little area, it had a little store.
It was an convenience store and he named it - Little John's Variety Store
I’ll never forget the time, I walked through his door. He said - May I help you Sir? Thank you for coming Sir! Have a good day Sir!
After a few visits, I asked John - What’s with all the Sir..Sir…Sir???
He reminded me that he needed me and I didn’t need him. To him public relation was the utmost importance.
Once the Government decided to remove all the VLT’S from the stores, I gave my sympathy to John saying that I felt sorry for him because he won’t be able to go to Florida every winter? The machines were located right in the back.
He quickly replied - I am very happy the machines are gone because you don’t know the abuse I went through from people shouting at me because they lost all their money. From now on, the people who visits this store will buy from me and not to play the machines.
I couldn’t fight that one. Mind you. John had lots of pride with his little store. He spent thousands of dollars paving his yard.
He had two little kids- Taylor, 4, and Maggie, 1.
He wasn’t keen on shoplifters or people hanging around outside his store. He was stern and that’s the way he was!
Little John was good with the little kids and they always enjoyed going to his store.
He wanted to change it in a family store and he succeeded.
But unfortunately he died at such a young age. Life isn’t fair sometime.
They say the good dies young? Well that statement sure goes with Little John’s sudden death.
I heard the citizens in that area will petition Common Council to change the name from Glenview Avenue to Little John Lane?
It would be a fine tribute to a man who affected so many in such a short period on this planet.
May God Bless Little John!!!!
Friday, February 10, 2006
GLENVIEW AVENUE CHANGE TO John T. McMillan Ave!!!
LET THEM EAT CAKE??? NOT REALLY!!!!
Only in New Brunswick that the Residence of the Lieutenant Governor.
Not far away are the building which the occupants are the Shelter and the Soup Kitchen.
All is not loss for these neighbors.
The Lieutenant Governor staff don’t say – Let them eat cake!
Often after a ceremony they would show up at the Kitchen with leftovers.
I remember on one occasion while at the Soup Kitchen. I took a bite and it was delicious!!!! I was told it came from the Lieutenant Governor.
Yes, there are indeed different classes of citizenship but good neighbors.
There’s no let them eat cake in this relationship!
WARNING URGED ON STIMULANTS LIKE RITALIN!!!
Someone email me this story but here in New Brunswick? Bernard Lord will continue the drugging and the killing of our children. He came out in the Irving's papers todays telling the Irving's reporter that he truly cares for the children < especially their health > What a bunch of crap!!!
Warning Urged on Stimulants Like Ritalin
By GARDINER HARRIS
Published: February 10, 2006
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Feb. 9 — Stimulants like Ritalin could have dangerous effects on the heart, and federal regulators should require manufacturers to provide written guides to patients and place prominent warnings on drug labels describing these risks, a federal advisory panel voted on Thursday.
Skip to next paragraph
Forum: Mental Health and Treatment
The panel's recommendation promises to intensify a long-running debate about whether the medicines are overused. Nearly four million patients take the drugs to treat attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity, and committee members said they wanted to slow explosive growth in the drugs' use.
The committee's action was unexpected. The Food and Drug Administration had convened the panel to help it determine how to research possible heart risks of the drugs. The agency had not asked the committee to address the drugs' labels, and agency officials seemed taken aback by the votes, saying they would not act on the committee's recommendations anytime soon.
"We don't think anything different needs to be done right now," Dr. Thomas Laughren, director of the Division of Psychiatry Products at the agency, said at a hastily arranged news conference after the meeting. "We think the labeling right now is adequate."
The committee voted unanimously to recommend patient guides, and it voted 8 to 7 to suggest that stimulant labels carry the most serious of the agency's drug-risk warnings — a "black box."
"I must say that I have grave concerns about the use of these drugs and grave concerns about the harm they may cause," said Dr. Steven Nissen, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic and a panel member.
The votes came after F.D.A. medical officers described reports of 25 sudden deaths among people taking stimulants — the deaths were mostly children — and a preliminary analysis of millions of health records that suggested stimulants might increase the risks of strokes and serious arrhythmias in children and adults. The reports of sudden deaths never exceeded one in a million for any stimulant drug, although the F.D.A. usually receives reports of only a fraction of drug problems.
The preliminary analysis suggested that the stimulants might increase heart risks more than twofold. Such an increase may not be significant in children, whose heart risks are low, but could cause concern in adults, panel members said.
One of the drugs, Ritalin, has been marketed since 1955, and dozens of studies have shown it to be safe and effective. But no studies have been of sufficient duration or included enough participants to evaluate stimulants' long-term effects on the heart.
But the drugs' soaring popularity and increasing use in adults, panel members said, mean that the F.D.A. should study them more closely and warn patients and doctors about the potential risks to the heart.
Arthur A. Levin, director of the Center for Medical Consumers in New York City and a member of the panel, said that patients assumed that stimulants were safe, but that that confidence was misplaced.
"For us to sit around and talk about it, and for us to not make a very strong warning about the uncertainty of these drugs and their possible risks, would be unethical," Mr. Levin said.
Dr. Thomas R. Fleming, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Washington and a panel member, said stimulants might be far more dangerous to the heart than Vioxx or Bextra, drugs that were withdrawn over the past two years because of their ill effects on the heart.
The committee was composed largely of drug-safety specialists. Next month, the F.D.A. will ask another committee, mostly pediatricians and psychiatrists, to weigh the same issues. Such clinicians tend to focus on drug benefits and oppose warnings that might scare patients.
The vote by the drug-safety panel reflects changing notions about what the drug agency should do in the face of uncertainty. For decades, it generally refused to warn doctors about theoretical medical risks, even when there were strong hints of danger. But the committee said such silence was a mistake, particularly when millions took the drugs.
Put yourself in our shoes," said Dr. Peter A. Gross of Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey and the panel's chairman. "Most of us see our role as protecting the public health. As often happens, the data we would like to see is not clear. In that setting, what we would like to see is a clearer warning."
Skip to next paragraph
Forum: Mental Health and Treatment
But top F.D.A. officials said warning patients about theoretical risks might scare many away from needed treatment. "I think it's important not to minimize the benefits of these drugs," Dr. Laughren said.
Representatives of Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Concerta, and Shire, the maker of Adderall, two stimulants, said they would work with the drug agency on any label changes.
Dr. Todd Gruber, an executive of Novartis, which makes Ritalin, has said that Novartis has found no evidence that the drug raises the risks of heart problems.
Stimulants are the most widely prescribed medicine for childhood behavioral problems. Data presented at the meeting suggest that about 2.5 million children and 1.5 million adults are taking them. More than 30 million prescriptions for the drugs are written annually.
Several F.D.A. medical officers addressed the committee, and each suggested that the risks could be significant. Dr. Kate Gelperin, a medical officer in the Office of Drug Safety at the agency, began her presentation by telling the committee, "This morning I'm going to tell you a little bit about why the F.D.A. is so worried about these issues."
Dr. Gelperin noted that stimulants had long been known to increase blood pressure and heart rates. Other studies have shown conclusively that increased blood pressure leads directly to increased deaths from heart problems, she said.
Dr. Andrew Mosholder, also a medical officer in the Office of Drug Safety, said he reviewed the chemical structures of stimulants, and he noted that these structures were similar to drugs like ephedrine that had proven heart risks.
Dr. David Graham, another medical officer in the drug safety office, described the agency's preliminary analysis of millions of medical records that suggested an increased risk of strokes and arrhythmias.
"The number of arrhythmia hospitalizations really struck us as surprising," Dr. Graham said. "Arrhythmia is believed to be the pathway for sudden unexplained death."
In an interview after his presentation, Dr. Graham said, "There's smoke. Does that represent a fire? We want to answer that question."
After hearing the presentations, most committee members decided they should do more than simply make suggestions for further research.
"I want to cause people's hands to tremble a little bit before they write that prescription," Dr. Nissen said.
Psychiatrists and psychologists who treat and study attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity were deeply divided over the decision.
"I'm not saying a warning would be baseless, but if we're not careful we're going to engage in a Chicken Little scenario in which we sensationalize what is a very, very low-probability event," said Dr. Russell Barkley, a research professor of psychiatry at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.
Others said that a black-box warning could prompt families to explore behavioral treatments as an alternative to drugs, which "would be a very good outcome for kids with A.D.H.D. and their families," said William Pelham, director of the Center for Children and Families at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
All agreed that parents of children on stimulants who have pre-existing heart conditions should consult their doctors.
IS THE GOVERNMENT BEHIND THIS STUDY????
I truly believe the Government is behind this study!
I always believed that once a person got angry? This would help the blood pumped through the heart.
But with this new study? This is not the case. If you get angry? It causes heart disease.
Is this just a way for the Government to calm people down???
Angry Young Men and Heart Disease
By Larry Axmaker, EdD, PhD
In a long-term study at Johns Hopkins university, young men with quick tempers and hostile feelings were shown to be significantly more likely than their less angry colleagues to have an early heart attack (before 55 years of age) or other cardiovascular disease. More than 1,000 young male medical school students and physicians were surveyed starting in 1948. They were followed and monitored from between 32 and 48 years.
Five Times More Likely!
Those young men who reported they expressed or even concealed anger, were irritable, or participated in gripe sessions were five times more likely to have an early heart attack (some as early as in their 40s) than their calmer counterparts. This was true regardless of family history of heart disease and other factors.
Why?
It is not known for sure how anger contributes to heart disease, but evidence points to stress-related release of hormones that can constrict blood vessels and force the heart to work harder to supply the body with enough blood. Regular measures of blood pressure and medical treatment for elevated blood pressure is an important step in reducing risk.
What Can You Do?
Researchers recommend professional help to manage anger. Anger management has been shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
Regular medical checkups, including close monitoring of blood pressure is important in preventing heart disease. Daily physical activity and a healthful diet are necessary for good health.
Don't let your temper determine your lifespan.
I always believed that once a person got angry? This would help the blood pumped through the heart.
But with this new study? This is not the case. If you get angry? It causes heart disease.
Is this just a way for the Government to calm people down???
Angry Young Men and Heart Disease
By Larry Axmaker, EdD, PhD
In a long-term study at Johns Hopkins university, young men with quick tempers and hostile feelings were shown to be significantly more likely than their less angry colleagues to have an early heart attack (before 55 years of age) or other cardiovascular disease. More than 1,000 young male medical school students and physicians were surveyed starting in 1948. They were followed and monitored from between 32 and 48 years.
Five Times More Likely!
Those young men who reported they expressed or even concealed anger, were irritable, or participated in gripe sessions were five times more likely to have an early heart attack (some as early as in their 40s) than their calmer counterparts. This was true regardless of family history of heart disease and other factors.
Why?
It is not known for sure how anger contributes to heart disease, but evidence points to stress-related release of hormones that can constrict blood vessels and force the heart to work harder to supply the body with enough blood. Regular measures of blood pressure and medical treatment for elevated blood pressure is an important step in reducing risk.
What Can You Do?
Researchers recommend professional help to manage anger. Anger management has been shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
Regular medical checkups, including close monitoring of blood pressure is important in preventing heart disease. Daily physical activity and a healthful diet are necessary for good health.
Don't let your temper determine your lifespan.
GOD'S TWO MINUTES!!!
FOR IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.
AS SOME OF YOUR OWN POETS HAVE SAID, "WE ARE
HIS OFFSPRING."
( ACTS 17:28 *NIV )
Dear Charles,
There are times when we may think we are not important to
God, after all there are tens of millions of Christians alive right
now. So how can just one person make a difference to our
Heavenly Father?
Well Charles, God knows you intimately for it is written;
INDEED, THE VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE ALL
NUMBERED. ( LUKE 12:7 ) After all God calls you His Child,
and even though you are just one in His Family of millions, He
knows you intimately!
Remember that He has said; "BEFORE I FORMED YOU
IN THE WOMB I KNEW YOU, BEFORE YOU WERE BORN
I SET YOU APART," ( JEREMIAH 1:5 ) and He even made
you in His own image did He not.
So always remember that He is very proud of you, and;
THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU, HE WILL TAKE
GREAT DELIGHT IN YOU; HE WILL QUIET YOU WITH HIS
LOVE, HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING.
( ZEPHANIAH 3:17 ) Therefore, may you feel blessed in
knowing that joy fills God's heart every time He thinks
about you, Charles! Amen.
With My Love & Prayers,
your servant Allen
[ Prayer Requests---Contact Us---Bible Study---*Donations* ]
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at: http://www.godsminute.org
Apostle Paul Ministries, P O Box 55996, Hayward, CA 94545
(c) Copyright 2006 by Apostle Paul Ministries
===================================================================
SO THE KING GAVE THE ORDER, AND THEY BROUGHT
DANIEL AND THREW HIM INTO THE LION'S DEN.*
( DANIEL 6:16 *NIV )
*The Aramaic word for "DEN" means pit, thus implying that
it was underground.
Dear Charles,
There are times that we may feel just like poor Daniel
did when he was thrown into the lion's den. However,
just like Daniel our faith will come to our rescue as well!
After all; HE WHO DWELLS IN THE SHELTER OF
THE MOST HIGH WILL REST IN THE SHADOW OF THE
ALMIGHTY. I WILL SAY OF THE LORD, HE IS MY
REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS, MY GOD IN WHOM I
TRUST. ( PSALM 91:1-2 ) Further God has said; "FEAR
NOT, FOR I HAVE REDEEMED YOU; I HAVE CALLED
YOU BY NAME; YOU ARE MINE." ( ISAIAH 43:1-2 )
God has also stated; "DO NOT FEAR, FOR I AM WITH
YOU; DO NOT BE DISMAYED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I
WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU; I WILL
UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND."
( ISAIAH 41:10 ) Therefore; "CALL UPON ME IN THE
DAY OF TROUBLE; I WILL DELIVER YOU, AND YOU
WILL HONOR ME." ( PSALM 50:15 )
So Charles, when you feel like Daniel always; TRUST IN
THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND LEAN NOT
ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS
ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR
PATHS STRAIGHT. ( PROVERBS 3:5-6 )
Now have a wonderful day Charles, knowing that you
are in good company with God by your side! Amen.
With My Love & Prayers,
Pastor Allen
[ Prayer Requests---Contact Us---Bible Study---*Donations* ]
[ Audio---Subscribe---Change of Address---Unsubscribe ]
at: http://www.godsminute.org
Apostle Paul Ministries, P O Box 55996, Hayward, CA 94545
(c) Copyright 2006 by Apostle Paul Ministries
CLOTHES FOR THE POOR AT THE SOUP KITCHEN!
This week, I walked in there and people were all gathered around these clothes.
From what I'm told? A man showed up with seven boxes full of clothes.
Lots of new clothes I guess and it didn't long for the poor people to grab the good stuff.
There's a lot of good hearted people out there.
THEY'RE BOARDING UP IN FREDERICTON!
I chatted with a young girl last week who told me that she slept in that little shelter over night and it was cold.
There's a little bed in there for the poor people who have nowhere to sleep.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
WELCOME TO NEW BRUNSWICK!!!
New logo for New Brunswick. It'll be ready in the spring. Just in time for the tourists season.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL FROM BERNARD LORD OFFICE TOLD CBC THAT CHARLES LEBLANC IS A LIAR???
I have been holding on to this story for weeks and I don’t know the reason?
Last month, Jacques Poitras did a little story on me and my blog.
I was a little nervous because I didn’t know how it would turned out? From the reaction I received on the streets? It turned out pretty good.
Jacques interviewed Denis Landry < MLA for Centre-Péninsule > he spoke pretty highly of my dedication for the issue of Ritalin.
I was surprised to hear Brad Green < Justice Minister > in the piece?
He wasn’t quite supportive of my tactics but he was fair.
They played a part that I said that before Bernard Lord was elected Premier he made a commitment to me that a study on Ritalin will be done.
Once the interview ended? I was happy but all that ended once the host added this comment - A spoke person from the Premier’s office flatly denies that Premier Bernard Lord made any commitment to Mr.Leblanc to study the issue of Ritalin.
I was very upset! Someone in the Premier’s office is calling me a liar??? In front of the whole Province???
They told the listening audience that I was a liar???? Sorry but all gloves are off and this is war!!!!
I began to hunt down everyone I knew from the Premier’s office who could have called me a liar.
While helping Tim Smith to get organize for his one day protest in front of the Legislature.
We walked in a alley and before entering? I told Tim – That’s Chisholm Pothier walking down the street?
Tim didn’t believe it was him but as the man on the streets in the Capital, I can spot these individual a mile away.
I set up my camera and BINGO I jumped on the sidewalk and sure enough it was Chisholm.
Once he saw the camera, he began to make a mad dash in a local restaurant.
It was too late! I got him but I wasn’t done with the part time bureaucrat yet.
I was very stern with him and he knew it. I might add that Tim also notice that I was angry.
Chisholm denied that he ever told the media that I was a liar!
Days later, I noticed another member of the Premier’s staff walking down Regent Street.
I set up my camera and turned but Tim Porter also spotted me and I am certain that the word spread in the office that Charles was on a rampage with his camera.
He quickly made a sudden stop with his friend.
I’m sure he said - What can I do to escape this nut with the camera?
So he began walking sideway and walked by me with out saying a word?
I said- Are you the guy who called me liar to New Brunswickers????
He was walking like he was doing a dance step sideway.
All he needed was a little top hat and he could have become a great dancer….lol… He kept on going without saying a word.
My next victim was a guy who’s always with the Premier and he’s a nice guy.
He’s a brayon from the Ednunston area.
I forgot his name because I always call him - Le Brayon.
I asked him the same question but gave the nice guy a choice?
Let me take a picture. Do you wish to do it the hard or easy way?
He choose the hard way and began walking away denying that he ever told CBC that I was a liar.
So? These are the only individuals that I know but then again? There’s many people working in the Premier’s office. Rodney Weston?
The list is long and I would love to know who called me a liar to the public?
These individuals I mentioned are not bad people.
They’re ok in my books.
But to call someone a liar is unacceptable!!!
The Premier did tell me in 1999 that he’ll do a study on Ritalin but once elected? He backed off the issue therefore he made the commitment that the drugging and the killing of our children will continue till October 15th, 2007!
Now? Who’s the true liar????
This is a story that was sent to me yesterday! There's more deaths and suicides in the States because of Ritalin. Here's the story!!!
Click here
target="_blank">Charles
Blog
SEAN O'SHAUGHNESSY WEBSITE IS BACK!!!
I just want to say thanks to all for the e-mail, asking me to bring back news_rumors?
It was very heartwarming and heart touching being truthful. This site is just all about trying to inform people as to what is happening, even though I'm no longer official media anymore.
If anyone has any Doubts about my dedication to community and Province in which I live, enclosed are a couple of documents which I have passed onto Charles for you to see.
My Body may be Disabled, but my Brain isn't, { However there are those who would Argue that :>) }
One document is when I was a past member of the RTNDA Retired member. { BTW- Sean is Irish Gaelic for John, which was my late Father's First Name.
And a letter from a former New Brunswick Premier for Community Concern.
Thanks to all & God Bless
Just click below for my website
target="_blank">Charles
Blog
CHARLES??? WHAT ABOUT HIDDEN DISABILITIES???
I received this email and I feel that it's a must read by the people who visits this site!!!
There has been a lot written about those who have ADHD and ADD but what about those who have hidden disabilities? Who will speak for these people?
They appear normal to those around them but upon closer inspection you can sense they are not.
My son, for example, started out with no signs of there being a problem with his thought process. He excelled in grade school.
It was not till he reach grade 5 that I began to notice a problem.
His grades started slipping and his teachers started to complain about his lack of attention in certain classes.
I tried explaining to his teachers that I felt that he has some form of learning problem and if there was a way he could be
tested.
I might as well beat my head against the wall for all the good
it did me.
The teachers felt that as his mother I was making excuses for
his behaviour.
When he was in grade six, during one of the parent teacher
meetings, I suggested, after listening to her complain about his acting up in class, that I attend school with him for the day.
She agreed as did all his other teachers.
So the next day I went to school with my son.
I watched him closely and although I did notice his lack of attention during some of his classes, I also noticed other students who were more disruptive as to behaviour than my son.
During lunch period, I pointed this out to his teacher and suggested that since my son seem to pay more attention when not
seated so close to certain students, she agreed to move him.
Now this did not correct the problem of his lack of attention during classes.
The one thing I did notice with my son and a few others in his class that when it came time to work on computers, the most inattentive child paid attention.
The battle between myself and my son's teachers continue right through to Grade 9, at which time my son became totally frustrated with school, by this time he had reached the age where I could no longer force him to attend school, he quietly left the education system.
The strange thing is none of the teachers noticed that he was no longer with them. No one called or sent letters to find out what happen to this child.
It was not till my son reached the age of 19 that what I had known all along was true.
He has ADD and another problem.
The name is one I can not remember let alone spell but I have been told how it works.
His mind does not process information like mine or anyone else. Most of us can multi task, remembering a list of things
that they need to do in a run of a normal day.
My son can not function that way. He can remember details of any movie or game he has played.
Starting from the beginning to the end. He notices things you and I may not but when it comes to something as simple as cooking Kraft dinner, he needs to be told step by step.
Most people know when they should shower, change their clothes
but my son needs to be told when to do these things. I am not exposing my son so he can be made fun of but to try to educate others about cases such as his.
To meet him, he looks like there is nothing wrong with him but
once you get to know him, you quickly realize that he is easily led.
Trust me I know that there are those out there that take advantage of people like him.
This is wrong but it happens everyday. Then we have those who need
someone to take care of them. They are not a menace to themselves or others but are in danger of being harm because of actions that others may find threatening.
Those who become frustrated easily and seem to need to be noticed right away. There is one such case of a person. He was getting messages at a certain place here in town. Yes, he get frustrated easily and when that happens he is hard to understand. Well now he has been told that he can not use this place to receive messages for one year.
His parents refuses to have anything to do with him.
Where he lives, the super is taking care of him, which is not a part of her job but she knows he needs someone to do it.
She has been trying to find help for him but every agency she has
called have all said the same thing. Sorry its not our department.
The Red Cross will do it, but for a price, and they then come in for two hours a day to clean.
What happens the rest of the time? Who will be there to make
sure this person is being taken care of. In the perfect world he would be in a special needs home.
You may asked why he is not in one?
The answer is simple enough. He ran away from two that he had been in. This should tell you something of how his mind works but due to this his name is now at the bottom of a very long list to get into such a place.
So, Charles, this is my question to you. You protested about the use of drugs for ADHD and brought it to the attention of the misuse of the drug Ritalin.(Forgive me if I misspell that).
Now how about getting something started about those who have hidden problems?
As well as the elderly in this province?
Did you know that if an elderly person wishes to remain in
their home it next to impossible to get them help so they can? To even reach help from meals on wheels, they must have access to what the person in question has in the bank?
Nursing homes are slowly becoming over crowed. With too few
workers to care for the residents. In some nursing homes, the residents are not allowed to smoke.
Can you imagine what it must be like for some of those who find themselves unable to remain in their own home and are place in
a nursing home?
To be in a strange place among strangers? The few apartments
that have gone up especial for seniors, you basically have to have a lot of money to live there.
So, what do you say, Charles, think something can be done to help these groups of people?
You said to write the article and you would do something with it.
Now here it is. I know it may sound a bit rambling in places but hey, it like after 3 am in the morning and I have had very little sleep but I have been putting off doing this for far too long.
Now I will wait and see if what I wrote appears in your bloq or not.
There has been a lot written about those who have ADHD and ADD but what about those who have hidden disabilities? Who will speak for these people?
They appear normal to those around them but upon closer inspection you can sense they are not.
My son, for example, started out with no signs of there being a problem with his thought process. He excelled in grade school.
It was not till he reach grade 5 that I began to notice a problem.
His grades started slipping and his teachers started to complain about his lack of attention in certain classes.
I tried explaining to his teachers that I felt that he has some form of learning problem and if there was a way he could be
tested.
I might as well beat my head against the wall for all the good
it did me.
The teachers felt that as his mother I was making excuses for
his behaviour.
When he was in grade six, during one of the parent teacher
meetings, I suggested, after listening to her complain about his acting up in class, that I attend school with him for the day.
She agreed as did all his other teachers.
So the next day I went to school with my son.
I watched him closely and although I did notice his lack of attention during some of his classes, I also noticed other students who were more disruptive as to behaviour than my son.
During lunch period, I pointed this out to his teacher and suggested that since my son seem to pay more attention when not
seated so close to certain students, she agreed to move him.
Now this did not correct the problem of his lack of attention during classes.
The one thing I did notice with my son and a few others in his class that when it came time to work on computers, the most inattentive child paid attention.
The battle between myself and my son's teachers continue right through to Grade 9, at which time my son became totally frustrated with school, by this time he had reached the age where I could no longer force him to attend school, he quietly left the education system.
The strange thing is none of the teachers noticed that he was no longer with them. No one called or sent letters to find out what happen to this child.
It was not till my son reached the age of 19 that what I had known all along was true.
He has ADD and another problem.
The name is one I can not remember let alone spell but I have been told how it works.
His mind does not process information like mine or anyone else. Most of us can multi task, remembering a list of things
that they need to do in a run of a normal day.
My son can not function that way. He can remember details of any movie or game he has played.
Starting from the beginning to the end. He notices things you and I may not but when it comes to something as simple as cooking Kraft dinner, he needs to be told step by step.
Most people know when they should shower, change their clothes
but my son needs to be told when to do these things. I am not exposing my son so he can be made fun of but to try to educate others about cases such as his.
To meet him, he looks like there is nothing wrong with him but
once you get to know him, you quickly realize that he is easily led.
Trust me I know that there are those out there that take advantage of people like him.
This is wrong but it happens everyday. Then we have those who need
someone to take care of them. They are not a menace to themselves or others but are in danger of being harm because of actions that others may find threatening.
Those who become frustrated easily and seem to need to be noticed right away. There is one such case of a person. He was getting messages at a certain place here in town. Yes, he get frustrated easily and when that happens he is hard to understand. Well now he has been told that he can not use this place to receive messages for one year.
His parents refuses to have anything to do with him.
Where he lives, the super is taking care of him, which is not a part of her job but she knows he needs someone to do it.
She has been trying to find help for him but every agency she has
called have all said the same thing. Sorry its not our department.
The Red Cross will do it, but for a price, and they then come in for two hours a day to clean.
What happens the rest of the time? Who will be there to make
sure this person is being taken care of. In the perfect world he would be in a special needs home.
You may asked why he is not in one?
The answer is simple enough. He ran away from two that he had been in. This should tell you something of how his mind works but due to this his name is now at the bottom of a very long list to get into such a place.
So, Charles, this is my question to you. You protested about the use of drugs for ADHD and brought it to the attention of the misuse of the drug Ritalin.(Forgive me if I misspell that).
Now how about getting something started about those who have hidden problems?
As well as the elderly in this province?
Did you know that if an elderly person wishes to remain in
their home it next to impossible to get them help so they can? To even reach help from meals on wheels, they must have access to what the person in question has in the bank?
Nursing homes are slowly becoming over crowed. With too few
workers to care for the residents. In some nursing homes, the residents are not allowed to smoke.
Can you imagine what it must be like for some of those who find themselves unable to remain in their own home and are place in
a nursing home?
To be in a strange place among strangers? The few apartments
that have gone up especial for seniors, you basically have to have a lot of money to live there.
So, what do you say, Charles, think something can be done to help these groups of people?
You said to write the article and you would do something with it.
Now here it is. I know it may sound a bit rambling in places but hey, it like after 3 am in the morning and I have had very little sleep but I have been putting off doing this for far too long.
Now I will wait and see if what I wrote appears in your bloq or not.
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