Anyone who thinks these ANs benign,
Has gotta be outta their mind!
Your doc says "Be glad it's not cancer,
but for you, well, I just got no answer!"
I like the idea of a reverse AN conference--where we sit up there on the dais like the gods and goddesses we are and answer their questions!
Actually the ANA will be posting an online survey about "life after AN treatment" on the website in an attempt to gather information on quality of life issues and do some actual published research on the subject, not much of whci has been done in the US.
Brendalu--I did my time in the pokey for 4 days in May of 71 in DC along with 18,000 other "kids". Capt Deb in the brig for something other than drunk and disorderly. Imagine!
Be Well and Sail On,
Capt Deb 8)
Phyl,
Reading your venting from last night…
Probably the most thankless volunteer job I ever undertook was that of a city “commissioner�. Many were primarily there as they had a "self-interest" and there was much cronyism taking place. At least your town has a commission to actually address accessibility (or lack there of) of people with disabilities in your town. When I came home from surgery I was 'temporary' disabled (SSD :-\ ok ok is permanent) and got a handicapped parking permit … I had to deal with a walker, handicapped parking (or lack of) for my caregiver to park her car in, heavy doors that have no automation and I was instructed not to push or lift over 5 lbs due to CSF leaks post surgery. I had this fleeting ;D moment that I should contact “the mayor� and suggest a “Commission on Disability Issues� (gasp) then I remembered how thankless the job was in the last commission I served on… and I decided against it. Boards and commissions are always full of politics. I have decided to not “shop local� anymore and head to a city that has good civic planning for people with disabilities to do my consumerism and shopping for provisions. (This is what capitalism is about – let the customer feedback and demand drive the market here… LOL.) Ironically, this is the town closet to me, that I was a commissioner for, has more people in assisted living facilities (mainly seniors) per capita than any other place in Oregon State. No one wants to shop here and they take their dollars elsewhere. (Businesses that are not accessible to people with disabilities are shooting themselves in the foot as the baby boomers age ;) - I say!) I doubt very little here will change until the mayor (and his counselors) himself becomes disabled and tries to get-a-round town. Maybe then the issues may resolve. My hero mayor is this man back in Canada.
The Sam Sulliven story – in brief
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Sullivan
His official mayor bio
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/councillors/sullivan/#bio
He would give our town a big fat “F� for accessibility. Perhaps I should write to him and suggest he rub off on our mayor… here in the USA.
Remember boards and commissions will always have politics and self-fulfilling people there- (always have an always will). I suggest you head to the local library and take out this children’s book
(I am not promoting Amazon.com – it is just they allow you to view the cover of a book and a sample pages in between)
Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair by Patricia Polacco
http://www.amazon.com/Aunt-Great-Triple-Creek-Affair/dp/0399229434
She an artist and writer with a disability (dyslexia) who also created this book
Thank You, Mr. Falker
http://www.amazon.com/Thank-You-Falker-Patricia-Polacco/dp/0399231668
Marvel in the fact that the future generation of voters (i.e. those polite, grateful, courteous little trick-or-treaters you enjoyed last night) will be the upcoming voters… and they are being read to (by parents and volunteers) these sorts of books mentioned above.
“Thank you Phyl!�
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I have read what your post and you are appreciated. Read back a few of your old posts – you will see that you are liked and appreciated. Dwell on the positive… not the negative.
Is your cup half full or half empty?
The co –worker that left you (and customers) in a state of confusion is now your EX- coworker (i.e. you don’t have to deal with that person again) ;D ;)
The co-worker that has extreme health issues is still with you :) … and says these great mantra’s
“Loving heart.... clear mind.... healthy body... peaceful soul.... blessings one and all�
You got to “keep moving forward�. Know that your efforts are appreciated – just not always expressed by others.
Here is a big ole Mother Canadian Bear Hug coming to you all the way from Oregon State.
Speaking of bears and bear-hugs…I suggest these other great kids’ books … given your feelings and the time of year…
The Berenstain Bears and Count your Blessings
http://www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-Count-Their-Blessings/dp/067987707X
The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners
http://www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-Forget-Their-Manners/dp/0394873335/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-6575588-4925539?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193929028&sr=1-2
The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin
http://www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-Prize-Pumpkin-First/dp/0679908471/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6575588-4925539?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193929102&sr=1-1
The Berenstain Bears and Too much Pressure
http://www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-Pressure-Fi
rst-Books/dp/0679836713/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-6575588-4925539?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193929167&sr=1-2
Even though my youngest is almost past the picture book stage I plan to hang onto these books for a while. I just pulled these out and stuck them on the coffee table for my post Halloween grouchy trick or treaters to read.
Another goodie is (I always pull out the day after Halloween)
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food
http://www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-Much-First-Books/dp/0394872177/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6575588-4925539?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193929218&sr=1-1
… maybe do some volunteer time at you local library. There are so many kids out there that aren’t read enough to. They are always so appreciative when someone will take the time to read them a story to.
Keep moving forward! Thanksgiving is just around the corner… a time to count your blessings…
Cheers,
4
P.S. Now come on Phyl ::) – how much Halloween candy did you really nibble last night? My youngest came home rather sick and grumpy. She has yet to make the correlation between the consumption of treats and her upset tummy, last night… and the anti-climax that Halloween is now another whole year away and her sad feelings this morning. My eldest too is deflated about having to put away her Pirate costume … and vented. (my teen rolls her eyes so much I think they might just fall out ::)) I hope Capt Deb gets over her "brain-wreck" soon- we need a leader in a good pirates party… to lift the ole spirits of the sailors aboard the AN ship (even the spirits of those who get drunk just walking in the wind.) Arby Dar! Remember the eve of “all Hallows day� in the pagan tradition was to get rid of the evil spirits. Don’t let them get to you… today is supposed to be all saints day. Think of the good people…
Think of good thoughts...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
P.P.S The best and most productive venting I have seen all year is this dynamo lady… I hope it has you laughing too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM
Phyl,
What can I say...we appreciate you so much... many times and to many people you have been a life line..... so
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Margaret