It’s celebrating 20 years in our community and has seen more than 5,000 souls pass through the home, including my own father’s in 2007. He had lung cancer and was living at home, becoming increasingly ill. He came from a time where you don’t ask anything of anyone, including your own children, and managed for a long time on his own. However, it was getting more and more obvious that he couldn’t do it for much longer. My older sister, who worked in the community and knew a lot of people, managed to get him into the centre. He was so relieved. I remember he woke up one morning while there, and a nurse was standing over him. He looked up at her and said, “Oh, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.” He was happy there, in a place where he had his own room with a patio and a big bathroom. He had refused to go to the hospital, so this was so much better for him. Family and friends came to visit. After 3 days, my Dad passed away. He was at peace; no more suffering. He died a graceful death without beeps and wires and people screaming or running around in the hallways. It was a place of quiet and calm and it made the process easier for us too.

And so, many years later, my friends and I joined countless others and walked to raise money for this amazing place. Our team is called On The Wings of Angels. By 8:15 am we were warming up with others who were running, walking or riding bikes. There were children as young as 3 or 4 who walked and young men and women who were no doubt running for their loved ones, grandmas, grandpas, aunts or uncles. So many people have been touched by cancer and so many have had their lives turned upside down by the illness. But today in the crowd you could feel the love. There was, to me anyway, just this vibe, a very heart-warming presence. Perhaps it was the spirits of all those souls. They were with us. I hope my father was watching as the ladies and I started on our walk.

I didn’t finish the 10k but managed to do 5k, which was pretty good. And that included a hill! So I was happy I at least finished that. There were three of my friends who did the 10k and that was awesome! We managed to raise $3,700 of our $5,000 goal. Teresa Burnatowski was our star fundraiser and brought in $2,700, but we all worked at getting the cash in. And we all donated as well to this cause that is so dear to my heart and to so many other families. Helping to raise this money felt good! And maybe that, too, was what made this event so important. We all felt we were doing what we could to keep this organization running.

With my friends and family along with me, walking by my side, I could not be more grateful or happy! It brings such joy to be with those you love. Raising money for such a wonderful organization is just a bonus.

Photo Credit

Photo courtesy of Martha Farley – all rights reserved

Working as a lunch supervisor, as an example, is not an easy task and requires you to be patient, practical and innovative. And, you must have a wicked sense of humor. Imagine yourself going to work every day for one hour. You’re busy at home doing the things you do and then all of sudden you look at the clock and leap to your feet. Out the door you go, off to work, gathering all your paraphernalia, books, paper, markers, games and treats! Oh, the treats the children get from their lunch supervisors! You gather up your goodies, out of breath from trying to get all the things you tried to get done at home so your own children don’t feel neglected, and run to your class. The children swarm upon you like locusts. They, of course, have a million questions, and those questions come firing out of their mouths like machine-gun bursts. You dodge every ‘bullet’ with your smile and your calm demeanor as you hand out hot lunches and Band-Aids while breaking up arguments between the girls in the back row. You stop fights amongst the boys in the schoolyard. You blow whistles that the children often never hear as you tear your hair out because of some issue or another that is going on in your room.

Then there are bosses and peers you have to deal with, who may or may not be on the ball (another reason you tear your hair out). You organize events and find new and exciting ways to teach the children in your class those little life lessons that perhaps the teachers and parents don’t have time to teach anymore. You inspire young minds with stories and ideas and information that may not be on the curriculum. You work at starting newspapers, girls’ clubs, sports clubs and art clubs, giving the children opportunities to grow and find themselves in a freer, less restrictive setting.

You are a lunch supervisor and your job is rewarding. You are adored and I thank you for all of your hard work, for your dedication, for your love of children and how they feel in a place that is, after all, an institution. I thank you for making it more like home, a place where our children feel happy and safe. Where they’re free to discover, to inquire and to learn new things each day as you show up out of breath and panting, just making it ahead of the bell, ready to greet your class with a smile and hugs.

And what of our daycare educators? Those women who put in hour upon hour, morning, noon and night. The women who have the gift, like horse whisperers. Some of our daycare educators seem to have an almost spiritual connection, if you will, to the children. They know when something is wrong with a child. They sense things about the children in their care. They build strong and meaningful relationships with all of the children, and the children are attached and happy to have someone who cares about them. These educators work so hard and are never given their due. They spend countless hours with each of the children in daycare, working with them on projects, helping them with homework and teaching them new things. Our daycare educators see everything firsthand. They watch the children grow, starting in pre-kindergarten and up to that moment when they leave, spreading their wings and discovering new horizons. Along the way you can bet there were some very special daycare educators who were a part of that child’s life, who sat with them when their mom or dad were late during a snowstorm, reassuring them that the traffic must be very bad and that their parents would arrive soon. Educators who were brave enough and strong enough to stick to their guns and not give up on even the toughest child in the group, who managed to instill a sense of responsibility and real autonomy in that child. Who danced and sang and wore funny costumes, because if you can’t laugh at yourself then, well, you’re not going to be able to laugh at anything.

The daycares in our schools are places where ideas are born, where strangers become families and where our children receive constant care from seven in the morning until six at night. Without educators with real compassion and with real passion for this job, our children would be the ones who would lose. Fortunately, we do have very special people who work in our school daycares and I want to thank them for all of their hard work, for the hours they put in and for all of the extra hours they put in without asking for anything. They do what they do because they love it, because it’s rewarding and fun and because to them, each child in their care is special.

Photo Credit

Photo courtesy of Martha Farley – all rights reserved

Naloxone is the name of the medication but a common brand name of this medication is Narcan, which people may be more familiar with. Naloxone is also present in Suboxone, a medication that is commonly prescribed to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms. While naloxone does not affect withdrawal symptoms itself, it does make it difficult or even impossible to get high on opioids while naloxone is in someone’s system.

The way naloxone works is fairly simple and very effective at reversing opioid overdose and even opioid intoxication. This medication binds to the same receptors in the brain and body that opioids do. Unsurprisingly, these receptors are known as “opioid receptors” and while naloxone binds to them, it does not activate them in the same way that opioids do, thus it does not produce euphoric effects.

While opioids are known as opioid “agonists” since they stimulate these receptors, naloxone is known as an opioid receptor “antagonist.” Naloxone will bind to the same receptors as opioids, but it has a MUCH stronger binding affinity, or pull, for these receptors than any opioid drug does. This means that if opioids are present in the receptors when naloxone is used, it will literally displace the opioids and take their place, effectively neutralizing their effects for a time. This is only temporary, however, as naloxone has a much shorter half-life than most opioids.

Once naloxone is used, the opioids will be temporarily displaced from opioid receptors in the body, but since naloxone does not last as long as most opioids, they will outlast this medication and return to the receptors once the naloxone has been metabolized. In practice, this could cause someone to wake up from an overdose for a while, but as the naloxone wears off, they may relapse into unconsciousness. It is extremely important to seek medical help for someone who has recently used naloxone for an opioid overdose.

Thankfully, access to naloxone is increasing and improving. Not only access to the medication itself, but also to training courses and classes, so that someone knows exactly how and when to use this medication. If someone is experiencing an overdose and uses naloxone, it may well buy enough time for emergency medical help to arrive and save their life.

In addition to naloxone access improving, there have also been major legislative changes in the form of “Good Samaritan” laws that protect anyone who calls for emergency help in the event of an overdose. These laws vary from state to state, but in many states, a person who calls for medical help is protected from prosecution even if they are high themselves or have personal-use quantities of drugs on them. These laws remove many of the hurdles that made people second-guess calling the police or EMS when someone they were with was overdosing.

Before someone can use naloxone effectively, they need to know what they’re doing. Some helpful resources for naloxone training can be found at different government, medical, or community sites across the country. There are also some nationwide naloxone education resources that include naloxone training, where to find naloxone, and information about Good Samaritan laws in each state. Some of these resources include:

NEXT Distro: This national naloxone access site provides locations to find naloxone, information on Good Samaritan laws in each state, and a wide variety of ways to get involved in harm reduction and overdose prevention.

Get Naloxone Now: A naloxone education and access website, they provide online training classes for safe and effective naloxone use as well as places to find naloxone near you.

Narcan.com: A brand name of naloxone, Narcan is one of the most common forms of naloxone available. Their website provides information about how to get Narcan through insurance and how to get it without a prescription.

The number of overdoses in America is still on the rise, but thankfully more and more tools are becoming available for people to fight back. If we take responsibility and get educated, informed, and equipped for overdose prevention, each and every one of us can play a role in reducing the number of people that die each year from opioid overdoses. Addiction is a subtle foe, and it may be a friend or family member of yours that may live or die depending on a bystander being prepared to do what is necessary to save their life.

Photo Credit

Photo is by Myriams-Fotos on Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Mike Smeth

Mike Smeth is a purpose-driven entrepreneur that focuses his creative energy towards making trusted addiction recovery resources accessible to as many people as possible. Check out his personal website for more information about Mike and the causes he works to support.

Blog / Website: Mike Smeth

Picture this: a bright, beautiful day with people milling about outside a popular coffee and pastry shop. And like a scene straight out of Mr. Rogers neighborhood, kids are laughing, adults are lined up to order… while enjoying each other’s conversation. Almost a carnival atmosphere!

Scene One: After biking to the coffee shop, we were looking forward to a refreshing coffee and a tasty treat but found only one lonely table and chair available. This was to be expected especially on a public holiday, so my wife decided to line up and place our order with the hopes of me securing an extra chair, if one came available. I started checking with folks, but all chairs were being held for someone else.

Scene Two: I retreated to our table to plan my next move. Just then, I noticed two chairs sitting by themselves outside the back doors… hmmmm? After working at several retail outlets in my younger day, my first thought was they were there for staff breaks. But it also meant that, with this crazy crowd, management’s directive would be, “all hands-on deck”, now… break-time later. So, I “borrowed” one of the two staff chairs with the thought I would cheerfully give it up, if asked.

Scene Three: Just when I was congratulating myself on creating a scenario whereby everybody potentially wins, here comes two women including a mother pushing a baby stroller. Now, to me, this was a game changer. Was I prepared to enjoy a coffee while this mother is left standing? Nope. My mind went into overdrive. I could “borrow” the last staff chair and offer it to the mom – advising her we may be asked for them back. So, as mom tries to console her baby, I make my move – explain my whole crazy plan – she’s grateful.

Scene Four: About five minutes later my wife returns; I don’t bother her with details as I savor my coffee. Then a neighboring group of people, using about ten chairs and two tables got up to leave – distributing chairs to anyone who needed them. It reminded me of the biblical story of a man – the good Samaritan – who similarly offered help to a stranger. Their moves, on this chessboard of life, made it possible to have a happy ending. I returned the two staff chairs. Checkmate!

Scene Five: But then a man came over – another witness to all this – and wanted to know if I had asked the mother to hold her baby. What? Not me man – I just move chairs! Leaving, he told the mom that he was glad she ended with a chair. She just looked my way and smiled: a true Madonna.

I learned that nothing goes unnoticed. All is recorded in the hearts and minds of everyone. Kindness and caring? Anyone can do this. Where there’s a will…

That’s the way I figure it.

Photo Credit

Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

First published at fredparry.ca

Guest Author Bio
Fred Parry

Fred Parry lives in Southern Ontario. He is a lover of people and a collector of stories, music, wisdom, and grandchildren. His raison d’etre? “I’m one of those people who believe that if my work serves the common good, it will last; if not, it will die with me. As a freelancer – including ten years as a Torstar columnist – I still believe that’s true.” His book, ‘The Music In Me’ (2013) Friesen Press is also available via Indigo / Chapters.

Blog / Website: www.fredparry.ca

Johnson Street Bridge, Victoria, BC

With so much polarization and fear in the world – it’s time to embrace all the good work that’s being done by so many. We talk a lot about self-care, and that’s terrific, but is it enough? We need Community Care to Thrive! Exploring all the possibilities and sifting through what works and what doesn’t is not a simple task! Some cities are in crisis, higher crime rates, addictions, homelessness and mental health concerns have become common place. In some cases, this has reached tragic proportions. We can all make a difference and we must do our best to try harder – it’s time!

While we can’t deny there are Messy Cities amongst us there are ways to channel our ideas, share our resources and bridge existing gaps. I had the honour of working closely with several incredible leaders last year, Amanda Ng, a Health Planner with our Capital Regional District and Jade Yia, a Built Environment Consultant with Island Health. A 1-day workshop on Creating Healthy and Safe Communities was planned for last fall and was a great success: See the Final Report!

While the connection to health and our built environment is key, there are other promising initiatives that should also be carefully considered. There is no question that Arts and Culture play an important role in every city around the globe. The outcomes from successful projects are evident everywhere, you only need to look around. We love the fact that these success stories can touch and connect people in the public realm and do so beyond our wildest expectations. We recently partnered with the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network and the City of Victoria and planned two special events last summer and fall.

Sofa Surprise

Sofa Surprise brought people together and encouraged them to enjoy some unlikely spaces in beautiful, Victoria, BC. We met some fantastic people and had some incredible fun. You can see some of these initiatives by visiting our new YouTube Channel. Keep your eyes on Nanaimo too, I had the pleasure of meeting two incredible change makers there last year. Check out Humanity in Art.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s make a difference together.

Photo Credits

Photos by Steve Woolrich – All Rights Reserved

First published at Rethink Urban

Guest Author Bio
Steve Woolrich

For almost 30 years Steve Woolrich has established a reputation for excellence in his professional pursuits.  He studied Justice Administration, majoring in Police Science at Mount Royal University. Steve completed additional studies at Kean College, New Jersey and worked with the New York Police Department as part of his practicum during the summer of 1984.  His passion for youth drew him to working in corrections where he could have a dramatic impact while teaching life skills at a bootcamp in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Steve’s education, training and experience then led him into various corporate security roles and specialized security services in oil and gas, retail and armoured transport for almost two decades.  He was instrumental in developing creative strategies, policies and procedures focusing on life safety and asset protection before relocating to Victoria, BC in 2016.

Steve is considered a leading expert in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and is also trained in SafeGrowth®. He has been applying CPTED methodology in his work since 1999 and has a keen interest in social issues and community development throughout Canada and abroad.  His focus during the last few years has been on creating healthy and safe built environments. Steve supports Restorative Approaches, Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) and is a trained Peace Circle Facilitator.

Steve is a collaborator and is drawn to organizations and leaders that are actively engaged in their communities. He is a director with the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network, currently serving his 3rd term and striving to help create safe and compassionate streets in a city he now calls home. He specializes in developing positive strategies for Gang Reduction and Graffiti Abatement and has made a personal commitment to creating engaging urban spaces by initiating Street Piano initiatives that continue to inspire other cities to ‘pick up the tune.’ Steve is an avid supporter of Arts and Culture and continues to draw on his passion for creativity to enhance a wide-range of projects he undertakes.

To stop homelessness from going unheard, Simon Community, a leading homelessness charity from Northern Ireland found an unconventional approach to turn the attention towards the issue. During Homelessness Awareness Week between 29th November and 6th December, a series of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) films using sounds often experienced by people forced to sleep outside was released on the global stage with the help of prominent ASMR artists.

ASMR – The relaxing sound of rain

ASMR – The crunching sound of a plastic bag

Speaking about the concept of the campaign, Ciarán Corr, Communications Manager at Simon Community highlighted: “Winter is a key period for all homelessness charities as people’s empathy towards those without homes increases. Keen to have our voice heard during the season, we partnered with Ogilvy to think differently about homelessness and reach out to new audiences with a concept that challenges.”

A platform for homelessness

Using their social media platforms, YouTube celebrities such as WhisperRed ASMR, ASMR with Sasha, ASMR Soap Queen and many more rallied with the cause and urged their followers to consider homelessness from a different perspective. Their combined influence reached millions on the launch day, sending the message of homelessness loud and clear.

Corr further commented: “ASMR’s popularity has experienced an exponential growth of late, with the music of Billie Eilish and the endorsements of Jake Gyllenhaal, Gigi Hadid and Cardi B resulting in millions of online video views for a trend that has firmly cemented itself as part of popular culture. This Winter, Simon Community will deliver the charity’s message to an international stage by becoming part of this YouTube and social media phenomenon.”

Harnessing the power of ASMR

During Homelessness Awareness Week, the power of ASMR came to a different significance. While on most nights ASMR films are merely a popular sleep aid, on homelessness awareness week, they kept viewers awake with the disturbing truth about how the sounds used for relaxation can be the same sounds that keep homeless people awake at night. As ASMR videos are usually enjoyed from the comfort of homes, the series hopes to strike empathy towards those who don’t have a safe and secure place to sleep in. With this shocking contrast, the films help raise awareness about the dire circumstances of those experiencing homelessness and urges people to help them fight the issue in Northern Ireland where over an 18-month period, 205 people died while homeless.

Speaking about the awareness initiative, Jim Dennison, Chief Executive at Simon Community NI said: “After supporting the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s homelessness deaths project and discovering the number of victims in Northern Ireland, our charity has become committed to raising awareness on a local and global stage. I meet with clients on a regular basis who because of different circumstances have had to sleep outside, in their car or in derelict buildings and it has long-lasting impacts on a person’s mental and physical well-being. While homelessness spirals further out of control, our hope is that this innovative film series will use sound to make noise!”

Why we need to start listening

With homelessness set to be on the rise across the UK, initiatives become important in calling attention to the vulnerable in society and fighting homelessness.

Dennison further added: “Moving speedily into 2020, Northern Ireland faces the very real prospect of no functioning Stormont, MPs distracted by Leave Vs Remain arguments and no decisions being made on the continuation of Welfare Mitigation – a vital safety net for vulnerable people living on the breadline. On the horizon, we are predicting a rise in poverty with more people spiraling into homelessness, addictions and worsened mental health.”

To fight homelessness, please kindly share the films and help make noise for homelessness.

Photo Credit

Photo is a screen shot from the ASMR video  – The crunching sound of a plastic bag

Guest Author Bio
Jim Dennison

Jim Dennison has been Chief Executive of the Simon Community NI since January 2014. Prior to this, Jim was Head of Operations at the Chartered Institute of Housing – a professional membership body supporting those who work in housing and homelessness. He holds an Honours Degree in Politics from the Queen’s University of Belfast and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Regional and Local Development from the Dublin Institute of Technology. 

Looking back, I remember a handful of unrelated – but dedicated individuals – who, during times of trouble, helped me see the bigger picture.

As a 27-year-old, that still hadn’t found his calling, it was with growing elation, I applied (barely completing a two-hour general knowledge exam) and was accepted into the six-month training program of a “Fortune 100” corporation. However, the hard part followed.

• The typical person in my class was a recent university graduate; I’d been in the workforce for four years.
• They picked up on things and learned fast; I had nothing but questions.
• They seem brilliant; I felt stupid.

But, I had something they didn’t have – desperation! With a young family to support, this had to work.

Eventually, the time arrived. As the training centre’s clock ticked long into the evening, I tried to absorb the previous six months of learning for the morning’s final exam. Thoughts of failure engulfed me. Worry replaced sleep. Panic struck; I was lost. Still, I remembered president Lincoln confessing, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction I had nowhere else to go.” I prayed.

Just then, a man happened to walk in and casually asked how I was doing. That did it! I unloaded all my bleak prospects onto this poor chap. After patiently listening, he said, “You know, whenever I’m faced with a similar situation, I concentrate on the review questions… they’re there for a reason, right?”

Just then the clouds lifted… that’s it! With renewed heart, I took his advice and passed the exam – beginning a secure, financially thriving, 25-year career. All because someone cared.

It reminds me of the Starfish story, by Loren Eisley, about a man who was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy gently picking up starfish and throwing them back into the ocean, knowing they would otherwise die. The man explained to the boy that, with miles of beach and hundreds of stranded starfish, there was no way he could make a difference. After listening politely, the boy threw another starfish back into the sea, saying, “I made a difference with that one.”

So, what’s the commonality behind people like these? I learned it’s love – good people who are true to their calling.

“Away you go sailin’/ In a race among the ruins/
If you plan to face tomorrow/ Do it soon”
~ Race Among the Ruins by Gordon Lightfoot

You know, there are lots of things in this world that make people like me lose faith sometimes. I just don’t want to be the cause of it. If someone cared what I think about the “power of one”, I’d say be that difference and see how you feel.

Photo Credit

Photo by Gerd Altmann from pixabay

First published at Fred Parry

Guest Author Bio
Fred Parry

Fred Parry lives in Southern Ontario. He is a lover of people and a collector of stories, music, wisdom, and grandchildren. His newspaper column, Music in Me, can be found in ‘The New Hamburg Independent’ Metroland Media. His book, ‘The Music In Me’ (2013) Friesen Press is Available from Amazon and Indigo / Chapters.

Blog / Website: www.fredparry.ca

My husband came home two days ago with a very heavy heart. His SAE fraternity brother, Brian, had committed suicide. He was only fifty years old. “I feel guilty for not reaching out, I should have communicated more,” my husband sadly confessed. Brian’s untimely death forced us both to look deeper into our own lives and the conversations we have with others.

When I first met Brian twenty years ago, I was immediately charmed by his mischievous sense of humor and his infectious smile. I vividly recall him telling a story about the time he contended for the title of Mr. Arizona. We were enjoying straight whiskey on the rocks at our local watering hole. Although we were surrounded by a crowd of people, that didn’t stop Brian from proudly demonstrating his signature swan-like pose. Everyone present was laughing. Brian’s swagger and fun-loving personality made him stand out in a crowd.

Reflecting back, I wonder if we were seeing a person who had learned to disguise his difficulties behind a larger than life personality. Brian was someone who gave the impression that he had it all together. What was he feeling inside that made him want to end his life?

Acting like you feel one way when you really feel another is exhausting. I speak from my own experience. Growing up, I ached to be understood and accepted for who I was. But rather than reveal my true self – full of pain and imperfections – I became a personality that was not reflective of who I truly was. I would be overly energetic and entertaining. This performance distracted me from the negative environment around me and the private pain I was experiencing.

My hiding days are over. I no longer try to be all things to all people. I wish I could talk about that journey with Brian. I’d tell him how much lighter I feel, not pretending to have it all together. I’d tell him how sharing my pain with others no longer feels like a weakness, but has actually become a source of strength. I wonder if he would have felt comfortable enough to open up and share some of his struggles with me.

Recently, Anderson Cooper and Steven Colbert had an in-depth discussion about grief that touched on the countless tragedies both men have experienced in their lives. Their tears, honesty, and openness were refreshing. Colbert eloquently stated, “It’s a gift to exist and with existence comes suffering. There is no escaping that.” I forwarded the YouTube link to my husband and adult sons. Colbert’s comment had made me pause and ponder. Life is suffering, and that is exactly why I believe we all need to come together.

Just a couple months before Brian passed, I remember expressing to my husband that I was longing for deeper, more authentic conversations. But how do we start asking each other harder questions? No one wants to talk about inner darkness and demons at the dinner table, I get that. Yet in this ever-changing, difficult world we need a place to sort through our pain. We need to talk more about feeling through our hurt. We need more support. How I wish Brian and I could have swapped stories.

As I scroll through many superficial social media posts, I try to remind myself that no one’s life is picture-perfect despite what they might portray online or even in-person. These are counterfeit ways of showing up. No one wants to appear weak, so we hide our true emotions.

As we awkwardly dance together on this stage of life, I believe there needs to be more affirmation and applause. Recently, I have tried to ignore my natural urge to offer others advice and simply share my own vulnerability instead. I am in no position to preach or provide expert anything, but I do think we could all work on becoming better communicators.

None of us can escape suffering. It exists and affects us all. Why not allow ourselves and those around us to be more candid about emotional pain? When we stand in our truth, we give others permission to do the same. When we experience physical pain we go to the doctor, don’t we? Why should emotional pain be treated any differently?

So next time you are sipping coffee with a colleague or even sitting watching Netflix with your child, simply ask, “How are you doing? What was the best (or worst) part of your day?” Send an email or text to a friend you have not talked to in a long time. Let’s engage with each other more! In my experience, when I connect on a deeper level empathy emerges.

Photo Credit

Photo is courtesy of the author

First published at Prolific Preambles

Guest Author Bio
Shannon Hogan Cohen

There has always been a special place in my heart for storytelling. I write because there is so much to say and my two teenage boys’ tire of listening to me. I write for insight, the more written the more I learn about myself. My passion for life and learning drives my appetite for adventure. Interests include travelling and learning about different cultures. I am married to a man who joins me on this journey and encourages me to grow.

To read more of my writing, please visit my website Prolific Preambles.

Connect with me: LinkedIn

Note: Shannon has recently published a book entitled, “S.H.E. Share Heal Empower” … Collected Journeys – which unveils stories of women across all ages and cultures, who courageously reached within to overcome extraordinary obstacles – each chapter includes art by female artists worldwide.
Website: www.sharehealempower.com

Watch this video to learn more about Tyson King and Cully.

What does this have to do with a teenager with multiple neurological challenges? They both fight their own wars on the recovery path. One battle, created by military service fighting as a solider with the horrific experience of combat duty, left Tyson with post-traumatic stress disorder. The teenager’s battle field is the war with her atypical neurology system creating multiple life challenges impacting motor and communication skills.

Alex received a diagnosis of a severe language disorder as well as developmental coordination disorder (DCD) at the age of 6. She’s spent many years coping with her anxieties and challenges. Alex’s support to date has consisted of counsellors, speech therapists, occupational and physical therapy, and a supportive family. Now a High School student, with a kind and gentle nature and a great sense of humour, she has the ability to create stories and poetry and much more. But Alex continues her health war and struggles with confidence and self-doubt, especially in social situations. She wants to become independent and go on to higher education.

How could one help the other? Tyson has created VI K-9 Consulting and training, a school for service dogs. It’s possible for him to help Alex by educating a dog to enable Alex to continue onto her own higher education.

After reading story after story in Melissa Fay Greene’s book “The Underdogs – Children, Dogs and the Power of Unconditional Love”,  the stories in this book show how properly educated service dogs matched to the person in need, enables them to lead happier more productive lives. Dogs trained and attuned to their owners have given numerous children and adults who are differently abled: balance, friendship, and courage in the dark.

Tyson has discovered this first hand with Cully, Tyson’s four footed friend. Cully is an Australian shepherd who senses Tyson’s anxiety before it becomes a full blown traumatic event. When all is well Cully relaxes at Tyson’s feet but if something is up Cully supplies the distraction needed for Tyson to find the calm. This enables Tyson to manage his PTSD disorder.

In Alex’s case a service dog could enable her to manage her anxiety, as well as be an ice breaker in social situations.

Puppy

It is Alex’s hope and dream to follow in Tyson’s footsteps becoming an independent functioning member of our society. Alex’s next step is raising funds to educate a suitable service dog and herself as dog handler. You see, it’s not all on the dog. The owner has to work just as hard to care for and work with their dog counterpart. It’s a partnership.

Alex has proven to be a hard working individual through her perseverance and dedication with her schooling, and she will work just as hard with her service dog.

If you are willing to help Alex with the next step towards her journey to become an independent young woman moving forward to higher education please go here. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated and go directly towards service dog efforts.

Photo Credit

Puppy – via besthqwallpapers.com

Feature photo is pixabay creative commons

Hurricane Maria swept across the Caribbean from Sept. 16-30, making direct contact with Puerto Rico on Sept. 20. The storm knocked out power on the entire island, destroyed countless homes, and left residents without basic needs such as drinking water. For weeks, Puerto Ricans lived without being able to contact their family members.

The efforts by Miranda to bring attention to the crisis highlight the strong ties between the arts and humanities.

Get the Job Done

According to Eastern Kentucky University, social media — especially Twitter — is one of many important online tools in disaster recovery. Miranda, taking the devastation of the island personally due to his Puerto Rican roots and the fact that he has many family members that live there, has used and taken full advantage of social media. He took to Twitter and other platforms to use his voice to remind people that Puerto Ricans are American and that the United States has a responsibility to take care of its own people.

Due to his efforts and his widespread success as a Hispanic artist, Miranda received the President’s Merit Award at the Latin Grammys this year. The Latin Recording Academy president and CEO Gabriel Abaroa said that “Lin-Manuel’s urban and social poetry have provided strength and encouragement to every Latino motivated to get ahead. He has brought pride to our community by reminding us of the resilience and fortitude we demonstrate on a daily basis.”

As Miranda accepted the award, he dedicated the commendation to Puerto Rico and thanked everyone who helped provide disaster relief to the island. A couple days after he received the award, Miranda participated in the Unity March for Puerto Rico in Washington D.C. Demonstrators called for more aid from the White House for American citizens on the island.

In the Eye of a Hurricane

Most recently, Miranda announced his return to the leading role in the world-renowned musical Hamilton to support Puerto Rico. The musical features a diverse cast singing and rapping the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers. Hamilton became insanely popular, even earning Miranda a Pulitzer Prize.

Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton

Miranda, who wrote the music and lyrics for the musical, hopes that bringing Hamilton to the island will help attract tourists to it and help revive the tourism economy. More than that, Miranda wanted to convey once again to the people of the island that they are not alone, not forgotten, and that they will make a quick recovery from this disaster.

Almost Like Praying

Miranda helped Puerto Rico out of the eye of Hurricane Maria with the song It’s Almost Like Praying. The lyrics to the song list the municipalities of the American island to show that the people there are not forgotten. Miranda enlisted the help of over 20 Hispanic entertainers to participate in the song, some who also share Puerto Rican roots, like singer Luis Fonsi and actress Rita Moreno.

The title also highlights a recent controversy around the response to the latest disasters around the US. In these unfortunate events, many people respond by sending out their thoughts and prayers, and many people criticize that there is more than just praying that can be done to help. Miranda wanted to convey to the people of Puerto Rico that they would receive more than just prayers to help them through the devastation and that their fellow Americans would take action to help them through the period of survival and reconstruction.

The bilingual songwriter helped the island write its way out of the worst of Hurricane Maria with It’s Almost Like Praying. Not only did the song bring much-needed attention to the disaster-struck island, but all the profits of the song are to go to a charity founded by Miranda’s father, The Hispanic Federation’s UNIDOS Disaster Relief and Recovery Program to Help Puerto Rico. The Hispanic Federation reports that they have raised over $14 million in less than a month and attributes part of the success to Miranda.

The Pulitzer Prize winner remains determined to help Puerto Rico however he can and encourages others to do the same. Over a quarter of the island and over half of the neighboring Virgin Islands remain without power. Even simple solutions, like social media, can fuel the fire for revolutions. Progress is slow, but with the help of people like Miranda, our fellow citizens can recover from the calamity.

Photo Credits

Lin-Manuel Miranda – Wikimedia Creative Commons

Miranda in Hamilton – Wikimedia Creative Commons

Guest Author Bio
Geo Sique

Geo Sique is a writer from Boise, ID with a bachelor’s’ degrees in Communication and French and a background in journalism. When she’s not travelling outside Idaho, she loves rock climbing, hot springs, camping, and exploring the world around her.

Website: Georgette Siqueiros