Season Four: Episode Six

New mothers who are overly concerned about being the “perfect parent” may be more at risk for postpartum depression, says LiveScience.com. Researchers at York University in Canada surveyed 100 first-time mothers and found a much higher rate of postpartum depression among women who hoped to live up to the expectation that they’d be perfect parents. The link between postpartum depression and perfectionism was strongest among women who’d never admitted they were scared or overwhelmed, and always acted as if everything was fine. “This tendency to put on this front usually means that people don’t tell other people when they’re doing badly,” says psychologist Gordon Flett. “It’s important or new mothers and fathers to just realize, ‘Hey, you haven’t got a lot of experience with this, you don’t need to be perfect, just do your best”

Courtesy of: The Week- July 23rd

Season Four: Episode Five

Using Google or other Internet search engines may help older people starve off dementia and cognitive decline, scientists say. UCLA researchers asked volunteers, ranging in age from 55 to 78, to spend an hour a day using Google to search for information about a range of subjects. Many had never used the Internet before. After two weeks, brain scan revealed increased blood flow in regions involved in decision-making and short-term memory. The results validate the notion that seeking out new ideas and interests helps to keep the brain stimulated and healthy. “Becoming involved in new things and keeping your brain active are all hallmarks of activities that would tend to preserve your cognitive skills” neuroscientist Susan Bookheimer tells National Geographic News. “And these are all things that search the Internet for new information really does.”

Courtesy of: The Week- November 13th

Season Four: Episode Three

Doodling during the morning staff meeting may seem like rude, says LiveScience, but it’s actually a great way to keep your mind on task. Researchers have found that doodling during a boring talk can boost the listener’s memory of what was said. British researchers forced a group of men and women to listen to a long voice mail message about a party invite. Half the group was given pen and paper and a license to doodle; the other half was told to sit quietly. Later, the doodlers were able to recall an average of 7.5 pieces of information from the message. The non-doodlers remembered only 5.8 pieces. Researchers believe that doodling keeps the mind concentrated by allowing it to wander just enough. “If someone is doing a boring task, like listening to a dull telephone conversation, they may start to day dream,” says psychology professor Jackie Andrade. “A simple task, like doodling, may be sufficient to stop daydreaming without affecting performance on the main task”

Courtesy of: The Week- March 20

Season Four: Episode Two

Stroke patients who’ve lost their speech can be taught to speak again- by singing, reports The Wall Street Journal. Strokes can damage part of the brain’s left hemisphere that enables us to speak. But neurologists at Harvard found a way to rewire stroke victims’ brains by teaching them to sing what they want to say. Singing engages the brain’s right hemisphere instead of the left. Employing a technique called melodic intonation therapy, the research team trained nonspeaking patients to put their words to rhythms and melodies, while monitoring their brain activity through an imaging device. In a matter of minutes, one patient who for years had only been about to grunt was able to say, in a singsong voice, “I am thirsty.” Over several months, the patients learn to convert their singsong talking into normal speech. The therapy has the potential to help the estimated 60,000 patients in the U.S. left speechless by a stroke every year

Courtesy: The Week- March 12th

Season Four: Episode One

If you want to impress a would-be-employer, try printing off your resume on heavier paper. That’s one conclusion from a series of experiments by MIT psychologists documenting how human feelings are altered by tactile input. In one experiment, volunteers were asked to interview job candidates; the volunteers who were given a heavy clipboard to hold viewed applicants as more serious than those who help a lighter clipboard. Similarly, when subjects were asked to envision bargaining with a car dealer, those who sat in hard wooden chairs were less likely to haggle than those sitting in comfortable chairs. The research builds on studies that have found links between touch and emotions, and helps explain the development of such metaphors as having a “rough” day or making a “weighty” decision. “These metaphors reflect a real connection between our physical and mental understanding o the world”, study author Joshua Ackerman tells Discovery News

Courtesy of: The Week- July 16th

ExceptionalFamilyTV.com Launches Second Season of Webisodes Oct. 15

Arvada, Colo. (Thurs., Oct. 14, 2010) – Exceptional Family TV – the first web video series for and about families raising children with special needs – is premiering its second season on Friday, October 15 at ExceptionalFamilyTV.com.

Each Friday, a new short video will take viewers inside the lives of families affected by developmental and intellectual disabilities. In addition to telling the stories of families around the country, episodes will explore therapies and tackle topics that include parental disagreements, balancing between life and therapies and communicating needs to friends and family members.

The series is the brainchild of Nathan Charlan whose three-year-old son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in 2007. After receiving the diagnosis, Charlan suddenly found it difficult to relate to friends and family members who had no experience with the emotional, social and financial issues he was facing. To find other parents going through similar experiences, Charlan turned to the Web where he created a blog and used his professional background in video production to document his emotional experience in short YouTube clips. The relationships he formed through the blog encouraged him to co-found ExceptionalFamily.com in order to give special needs families around the world a centralized place to connect.

Together with his wife Renee and son Zachary, Charlan interviews families affected by developmental and intellectual disabilities and edits their stories into five to ten-minute videos that are often deeply inspiring. The first season began in April with the story of Jack, a nine-year-old child with autism whose life was transformed when his mother put a video camera in his hands. Other season one episodes, which are archived on the site, include an interview with the Kemps whose daughter received stem-cell treatment for septo-optic dysplasia syndrome in China and a Skype conversation with Australian mother Meagan Cross who has taken great measures to advance the availability of information and research funding for Angelman’s Syndrome in her country.

Throughout the first season, Nathan and Renee received hundreds of comments from parents, family members and professionals who have been positively affected by the videos. Since launching, the Exceptional Family TV web site has grown to include multiple blogs written by parents, discussion boards and a Facebook Page where parents from around the world frequently weigh in on a variety of topics.

To view the 20-part season one series and to catch new episodes from season two please visit ExceptionalFamilyTV.com

Stave Off Cancer Naturally

“One review found that moderate activity, such as brisk walking 3 hours a week, reduced breast and colon cancer deaths by about 50%.” For the entire transcript, please click the link below:

http://www.prevention.com/medicalbreakthroughs2009/list/1.shtml

Study: Youth now have more mental health issues

“A new study has found that five times as many high school and college students are dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues as youth of the same age who were studied in the Great Depression era.”

http://health.yahoo.com/news/ap/us_stressed_out_students.html

Lead, Tobacco Exposure Linked to ADHD

“Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke and childhood exposure to lead are linked to increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, a new study shows.”

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20091123/lead-tobacco-exposure-linked-to-adhd

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/124/6/e1054

Aging population prompts rise in disabilities, says federal report

“An aging population and growing awareness mean the number of people living with disabilities is on the rise in Canada, says a newly released report.”

http://www.canadaeast.com/news/article/902843

Stand Up For Yourself! Six Quick Self-Advocacy Tips:

http://www.cpaont.org/faq/self-advocacy/stand-up-for-yourself-six-quick-self-advocacy-tips

Chief Public Health Officer Identifies Children’s Mental Health As Area for Concern

“The report said international data suggests more than 15% of children may be experiencing symptoms of a mental disorder, yet more than one in three parents would be embarrassed to admit their child has a mental illness.”

http://www.cmha.bc.ca/enews/enewsnov09.html#C1

Medical journal retracts study linking autism to vaccine

“The medical journal The Lancet on Tuesday retracted a controversial 1998 paper that linked the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism.”

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/02/lancet.retraction.autism/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada releases the federal disability report, Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities 2009

“Overall rates of inclusion and educational attainment increased between 2001 and 2006, with the majority of people with disabilities obtaining a high school diploma. Education rates also increased by 12.3% since 2001, with 74.6% of working-age adults with disabilities obtaining a high school diploma or higher educational certification.”

http://www.nationtalk.ca/modules/news/article.php?storyid=26370

Coping and problem-solving skills asset to managing SMEs

Daryl-Lynn Carlson, Financial Post Published: Friday, November 21, 2008

Sunny Gervan, of Design Revolution, has learned to manage her disability and forge a successful professional career.Brett Gundlock/National Post

More avenues are opening up for people with health challenges and physical disabilities to launch their own business. This is especially important as the term “disability” grows to include conditions that aren’t physically obvious, ranging from environmental sensitivities to chronic pain, learning challenges, behavioural disorders or even clinical depression.

Yet, there is a growing awareness that such individuals are more than capable of running their own business and in many cases, are better able to manage their condition when in charge of their own schedules and work commitments.

Sunny Gervan has quadrupled her client list within one year of launching an architectural renovation and restoration company, Design Revolution.

Having learned the business under the tutelage of her father, designer Mac Gervan in Kingston, Ont., Ms. Gervan had to relocate to Toronto to access health programs unavailable in that city.

She describes her condition only as a “hidden disability” that is episodic in nature and requires her to carefully manage her workload. To empower herself in the business world, she enlisted in programs funded by the federal and provincial governments, including a business incubator that caters to entrepreneurs with disabilities run by the Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC).

“I learned how to organize, prioritize and be disciplined,” says Ms. Gervan, whose clients run the gamut from individual homeowners to contractors. They retain her expertise in a project management capacity, which requires her to liaise with government agencies and facilitate requisite permits and specifications.

She says the one-on-one coaching she received from the program’s business advisors was particularly beneficial. “They showed me ways I could make contingency plans to get through what are normal ups and downs for most people, but for me would be a little more exaggerated in terms of fatigue or the ability to get through a day. There are things that come up on a regular basis that I need to carefully manage. At the same time, I want to work because it makes me feel good,” she says.

“Because I’m aware of my health challenges and I’m very careful with my energy and my health, I’ve structured my business with safeguards and partnerships that create a solid foundation for my business and its growth.”

Ms. Gervan suggests people with disabilities are even more capable of surmounting challenges as they live with them daily. “Coming to the table with a disability or larger challenges, I come with coping skills and problem-solving capabilities and I know how and when to use them,” she says. “I have confidence that obstacles can be overcome.”

Rondon Rollocks worked as an events planner when he decided he wanted to be his own boss. Diagnosed with dyslexia, he turned to the JVS Learning Disabilities Centre along with the TBDC to strengthen his management skills before launching his own events company” Think.Event.Solutions!”

He says because his condition is hidden and he’s able to communicate well, “when I do ask for help people don’t necessarily believe I need it. It’s very difficult to explain to people what you’re going through when you’re doing better than most.”

Mr. Rollocks says the programs he used have helped him learn how to subcontract out tasks such as report writing, freeing him to facilitate business. He has helped plan premier events such as the Toronto Film Festival. “Now I can tell people that I’m dyslexic because it doesn’t matter,” Mr. Rollocks says.

“When people know you have an invisible disability sometimes they look for it when it isn’t there. If you don’t understand something it’s ‘oh that’s because you’re dyslexic.’ But no, it’s because you didn’t explain that properly.”

Carol Van Wyck became an advisor to the TBDC after visual and hearing impairments ended her successful belt and handbag manufacturing enterprise. She first launched a consultancy, RightReps, before being retained by the TBDC.

“It wasn’t until I arrived on my first day and was introduced as an advisor with disabilities that I realized that I had never considered myself to be disabled,” she says.

She also says individuals with physical challenges can often be more successful in business. “People who have to manage a disability are good managers and I think it prepares them even more to be a good entrepreneur.”

Katherine Roos, community programs manager at the TBDC, points to Statistics Canada figures that show the employment of people with disabilities has made some gains since 2001, rising to 53.5% in 2006 from 49.3%. She contends many of those people are starting their own businesses.

Resources across the country include: the Western Economic Diversification Program’s Entrepreneurs with Disabilities; the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network in Nova Scotia and Service Canada’s Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program along with various provincial initiatives.

As well, organizations including the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED), the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and various credit unions have programs to facilitate financing for disabled business owners.

Still, Ms. Roos says more needs to be done. “Entrepreneurs with disabilities have always started business with zero money, so they’re extremely entrepreneurial,” she says. “Self employment really is an ideal choice for people with disabilities but there needs to be financial resources dedicated to helping these entrepreneurs to level the playing field. We’re not talking about government handouts, but creating equal opportunities.”

© 2008 The National Post Company. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.

May 15, 2009

There are few vacation locations in Nova Scotia that boast 100% accessibility. Mersey River Chalets near Kejimkujik National Park boasts it has a site that is completely wheelchair accessible. The numerous visitors with no disabilities fail to notice the accessibility of the site. That was the way it was designed.

If you are looking for an accessible place to get away this summer, look no further than this wonderful location that includes a nature retreat. Located in the heart of the Annapolis Valley, Mersey River Chalets has been designed to provide a barrier free vacation experience although it is not just for persons who require a barrier free environment.

Yes, it is true that all of the chalets have ramps and are wheelchair accessible including roll in shower units. The site also encompasses an accessible boardwalk, common building including a restaurant, and their offices. Throw in a number of other exciting experiences that just happen to be accessible such as Teepee’s for an outdoor camping experience and a boat dock and you can see that this is a place worth visiting.

The site is on the beautiful Mersey River with its own rapids on site. The board walk follows the length of the rapids and joins all the buildings.

CPA Member Tim Atkins is located on the site and he would be pleased to assist you in finding that wonderful all season vacation that is right for you. For more information call: 1-877-667-2583 or email them at info@merseyriverchalets.com. Please go to www.merseyriverchalets.com

Thu Feb 12 2009, 7:10 PM

LONDON (Reuters) – Passive smoking appears to significantly raise a person’s risk of dementia and other forms of cognitive problems, British and U.S. researchers said on Friday.

Their report published in the British Medical Journal found a 44 percent increased risk for people exposed to high levels of second-hand smoke, and is the first large-scale study to show the association between the two.

“Our results suggest that inhaling other people’s smoke may damage the brain, impair cognitive functions such as memory, and make dementia more likely,” David Llewellyn of Britain’s University of Cambridge, who led the study, said in a statement.

Research has tied passive smoking to a range of conditions including lung cancer and heart disease. More than half of children worldwide are exposed to second-hand smoke in their homes, according to the World Health Organization.

Previous studies have also identified smoking as something that increases the chances of dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment but it was not as clear whether the same held true for second-hand smoke.

Llewellyn and colleagues examined saliva samples from nearly 5,000 non-smoking adults over the age of 50 using data from three separate British health surveys.

Then they tested the saliva for cotinine — a product of nicotine found in saliva for about 25 hours after exposure to second-hand smoke — to measure exposure to cigarettes.

Tests aimed at gauging brain function such as verbal memory and keeping track of time showed an association between exposure to second-hand smoke and cognitive impairment.

One possible explanation is that exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, conditions known to boost the odds of dementia and other cognitive problems, the researchers said.

“Given the ongoing international policy debate on exposure to second-hand smoke, this is a topic of major public health significance,” the researchers wrote.

(Reporting by Michael Kahn; Editing by Maggie Fox and Jon Boyle)

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 | 6:39 PM ET CBC News Girls and women who are heavy substance users face serious long-term health effects unique to women, a B.C.-based researcher told Yukon front-line workers Wednesday. Nancy Poole, a research associate with the B.C. Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, said it’s important that everyone — from transition home counsellors to physicians — understand how women’s bodies react differently than men’s when it comes to substance abuse.”They have more serious health impacts, like the development of alcohol-related diseases like cirrhosis or liver disease in general,” Poole told CBC News in an interview. Poole spoke to more than 80 front-line service providers with Yukon First Nations, transition homes, RCMP, government and other agencies at a Yukon government training workshop in Whitehorse, which runs through Thursday. Poole added that women and girls develop addictions more quickly “and they die more frequently from substance use problems than do men.” Even young girls who drink a lot are likely to develop osteoporosis, she said. As well, pregnant women should also consider the possible damage of substance abuse to their unborn baby, she added. “Girls and women are really often showered with messages from the media that are quite unhealthy, about being thin, and about using substances, etc.,” Poole said. “Very often they’re influenced to use both prescription drugs and drugs like methamphetamine or cocaine or stimulants of all kinds, even tobacco.” Poole said women are also more likely than men to have experienced violence in their lives. “Young girls are much more likely to experience early childhood abuse, and that shows up in later substance use problems,” she said. Poole said it is important for front-line workers to be comfortable telling women and girls that they cannot keep up with men who use alcohol and drugs. Poole said she hopes Yukon front-line workers attending this week’s workshop will become compassionate and non-judgmental with women and girls they are trying to help.