MS Maze

What manner of horror is lurking on your toilet seat?

You might think you are doing your family a favor when you scrub the seat with strong cleansers that are made with harsh chemicals. You are killing germs, right? Yes, but you are also putting those harsh chemicals against very sensitive skin. Think about it.

Let’s go one step further. Look beyond the cleaners you use for the toilet seat and take a peek under the kitchen sink, in the utility closet, or the basement. How many cleaning products do you have… made with how many different potentially toxic chemicals? Have you read the ingredients? Your home, and the products you use to keep it clean and seemingly fresh could actually be making you sick.

Read this post in its entirety:

What is Lurking on Your Toilet Seat… And Beyond

Photo: CC BY 2.0 Creative Commons Flicker Photos/lonelycamera

On Writing

The writing world bids a fond farewell to author J.D. Salinger, who died on January 28 at the age of 91. Not a fan of the spotlight, he lived most of his life in seclusion, but will be forever revered for his 1951 classic novel “The Catcher in the Rye.”

“Life can’t ever really defeat a writer who is in love with writing, for life itself is a writer’s lover until death — fascinating, cruel, lavish, warm, cold, treacherous, constant.” ~Edna Ferber, A Kind of Magic, 1963

Around the Web this Week

From my wonderful and talented husband comes this brief but brilliant post: Heading for Third

If you’ve just recently been diagnosed with MS, waste no time in putting yourself in the driver’s seat: Multiple Sclerosis for Newbies

It is never a convenient time for a multiple sclerosis relapse, but unless you are willing to call it a day and give up, you’ve got do all you can to stay in the game. Fashionable Canes on the Front Lines

Do pharmaceutical gifts to doctors improve patient care… or is the relationship just a bit too cozy for comfort? States Cracking Down on Big Pharma Gifts to Docs

The scam artists are at it again… before you fork over your hard-earned dollars to help the victims of the tragic earthquake in Haiti, make sure you’re not about to play the fool. Haiti Earthquake Relief: Is it a Scam?

What is Lurking on your Toilet Seat… and Beyond? Certain types of toilet seats, and how you clean them, could be making you sick… really!

On Women on the Verge: Life with Chronic Illness: Who to tell… when… and how much

New Site in Town

Everyone dreams. Crossing the boundaries of nations, cultures, age, gender, race, class, and religious affiliation, dreaming is a fundamental human experience — and yet we know relatively little about it! As dreaming is an experience that is so easy to relate to, a dream archive not only provides entertainment, but also becomes endlessly valuable to the studies of sociology, psychology, linguistics, and anthropology. ButIWasDreaming.com, the brainchild of an enterprising young grad student, is in its infancy, but as it grows will act as a global archive for dreams.

Read More
Care2 Healthy & Green Living with MS
Care2 Reform Health Policy

Connect: Facebook – LinkedIn – Twitter

Contact: writer@webcampone.com

WebCamp One, LLC: Full-service website design, management, and development company with clients throughout the USA and Canada. Expert in standards compliant website design. From website management to freelance writing, we’ve got the web covered. Visit: WebCamp One on Facebook.

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The scam artists are at it again… before you fork over your hard-earned dollars to help the victims of the tragic earthquake in Haiti, make sure you’re not about to play the fool.

The World Trade Center attacks, the Asian tsunami, and hurricane Katrina all spawned countless scams designed to trick kind-hearted people into parting with their money, and Haiti’s devastation serves their purposes very well.

Please give, but don’t let your sincere desire to help people in need get in the way of common sense

Read this post in its entirety:

Haiti Earthquake Relief: Is it a Scam?

Photo: CC BY 2.0 Creative Commons Flicker Photos/oneras

Do pharmaceutical gifts to doctors improve patient care… or is the relationship just a bit too cozy for comfort? Are they helping doctors to gain important information about available prescription medications, or attempting to influence them into prescribing high-cost drugs for the wrong reasons?

Almost two-thirds of Americans currently use medicines, 49 percent of those being prescription drugs and 30 percent over-the-counter, and 32 million Americans take three or more medications daily.

With billions of dollars at stake every year, pharmaceutical companies, physicians, and state legislators have differing views… as do patients.

Read this post in its entirety:

States Cracking Down on Big Pharma Gifts to Docs

Photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/755991

When you first learn that you have multiple sclerosis, you will likely experience a range of emotion from relief to fear. Then come the questions.

One of the first might be “What is my prognosis — what is a typical case of MS like?” The hard answer is that prognosis is all but impossible, but along with that uncertainty comes hope. Undoubtedly, you will hear horror stories about MS as well as uplifting stories about people living strong, healthy lives. The fact is, life with MS is unpredictable. That’s about all one can predict about it.

The trick is…

Read this post in its entirety:

Multiple Sclerosis for Newbies

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1008265

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.

Under the ADA, a person with a disability is defined as one who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. If you believe you meet that criteria, it is important to familiarize yourself with the ADA and understand your rights under the law.

What follows is a brief description of some these important protections as well as links for further information and support should you need assistance…

Read this post in its entirety:

Guide to Rights under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/871694

What does freelance writing have to do with professional wrestling? At first glance, it would seem like an odd comparison. The truth is, someone very close to me is working toward a career in professional wrestling, and I have often noted the similarities between his career goals and mine.

We are both working toward a long shot dream, one with no clear path to success and where the meaning of success is in the eye of the beholder, a dream that sees more failures than successes and makes people wonder just what the heck is wrong with you. We are both focused and determined (read that as stubborn) and are progressing nicely.

In my daily visit to FreelanceWritingGigs.com, I recently came across an article titled 6 Things Freelance Writers Can Learn from Professional Wrestlers. You can only imagine my surprise and delight that someone else had the same train of thought, but writer Jodee Redmond took the concept much further than that. Take a look at her article and, like me, you’ll find you can learn a thing or two from professional wrestlers.

Weekly Roundup:

Recently, I quite tentatively posted brief snippets about my latest MS relapse on Facebook and Twitter. The somewhat surprising results became the basis for this article: Sharing a Life Altered by Multiple Sclerosis

They are the most vulnerable among us, completely dependent on us for care, safety, and food. They are our infants and young children and we owe them at least that much. If there is valid concern over the safety of their food supply, it is incumbent upon us to act in their best interests. Protect our Young: Get BPA Out of the Food Supply

If health care reform dies, don’t blame it on Massachusetts: It is NOT GUILTY of Killing Health Care Reform

If you are disabled, it is important that you understand your rights under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Guide to Rights under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Women on the Verge ran a previously published book review: Building a Home with My Husband

New Site in Town:

Everyone dreams. Crossing the boundaries of nations, cultures, age, gender, race, class, and religious affiliation, dreaming is a fundamental human experience — and yet we know relatively little about it! As dreaming is an experience that is so easy to relate to, a dream archive not only provides entertainment, but also becomes endlessly valuable to the studies of sociology, psychology, linguistics, and anthropology. ButIWasDreaming.com, the brainchild of an enterprising young grad student, is in its infancy, but as it grows will act as a global archive for dreams.

Read more:

Care2 Healthy & Green Living with MS

Care2 Reform Health Policy

Connect: Facebook – LinkedIn – Twitter

Contact: writer@webcampone.com

WebCamp One, LLC: Full-service website design, management, and development company with clients throughout the USA and Canada. Expert in standards compliant website design. From website management to freelance writing, we’ve got the web covered. Visit: WebCamp One on Facebook.

AnnPietrangelo.com

If health care reform dies, don’t blame it on Massachusetts.

For the anti-reform crowd to point to this election as evidence that voters don’t want health care reform is ludicrous. Everybody will look for a scapegoat, but should health care reform die, there is more than enough blame to go around without pinning it on a single seat in a single election in a single state. It is obvious that if any health care reform passes, it will be a far cry from the comprehensive overhaul that we need. For that, blame it on…

Read this post in its entirety:

Massachusetts Not Guilty of Killing Health Care Reform

Photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/952313

They are the most vulnerable among us, completely dependent on us for care, safety, and food. They are our infants and young children and we owe them at least that much. If there is valid concern over the safety of their food supply, it is incumbent upon us to act in their best interests.

Consumer advocates have been sounding alarm bells for years about the possible health risks of Bisphenol A, otherwise known as BPA, commonly found in plastic food containers, baby bottles, and in the lining of metal food and beverage cans, including those containing baby formula.

Read this post in its entirety:

Protect our Young: Get BPA Out of the Food Supply

Photo: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

One of the most frustrating aspects of life with chronic illness is the constant state of flux. It is true of all types of multiple sclerosis, and relapsing/remitting MS certainly lives up to the name.

The fact that many of these on-again off-again symptoms are invisible to observers makes it a particularly difficult series of emotional adjustments, especially if you are prone to worry about what other people think.

It’s hard to be taken seriously when people see you looking the very picture of health one day and claiming to be the opposite the next. It probably doesn’t help their perceptions when we go to great lengths to hide the truth.

We hear a lot about…

Read this post in its entirety:

Sharing a Life Altered by Multiple Sclerosis

Photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/733600

Elder abuse is a growing concern these days, as awareness about the physical, emotional and financial abuse of elders has steadily increased since the 1970’s. Many cases of elder abuse go unreported every year, as some aged individuals are either embarrassed by or in denial of the abuse they are experiencing. For this reason, it is imperative that society as a whole begins to look out for our elders and watch for signs that abuse is taking place behind closed doors. The best way to effectively keep a watchful eye on our elder population is to educate ourselves on the signs and symptoms of elder abuse, as it relates to both the perpetrators and the victims of the crime.

Perpetrators

Research shows that the highest statistically proven perpetrator population in almost all elder abuse cases is found in Caucasian males, ages 41 through 59. The one exception to this rule is in cases of neglect, where Caucasian females were slightly more represented than males (according to the National Elder Abuse Incidence Study). While there are many good caregivers that fit this target perpetrator profile and many abusive caregivers that fall outside of this profile, you would be wise to keep an extra eye on caregivers that fit this description.

In addition, you would be wise to watch out for signs that caregivers (whether they be family members of the aged or hired staff at treatment facilities) are struggling with any obvious addictions, which would make them more likely to take advantage of elders in order to feed their habit.

Victims

When the aged are experiencing abuse behind closed doors, many will exhibit the classic symptoms of withdrawal, moodiness or self harm. It should be noted that the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that elders are experiencing abuse, as people sometimes exhibit these behaviours due to fears associated with growing old. However, these symptoms should serve as red flags for concerned friends of the elderly and should prompt a deeper examination of the quality of care they are receiving. Check their medical alert bracelets for pre-existing conditions.

In addition, if you have an aged family member that has recently entered into a new romantic relationship, you should take a closer look to ensure that they are not falling prey to a “sweetheart scam”. Predators sometimes target lonely, aging populations in order to earn their trust and then steal large amounts of money and possessions from them. While genuine romantic relationships can certainly begin for elders late in life, be sure to look out for your elders by getting to know their love interests on a deeper level in order to ensure that their motives for romance are pure.

This is a “sponsored post.” The company who wrote and sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to post it. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It’s a Super Bowl milestone! 2010 marks the first time that fans will be able to order up kosher hot dogs, grilled salami sliders, and knoblewurst (a garlic laden hot dog).

It’s about time — airlines have been doing it for decades. IsraelNationalNews.com reports that Kosher Sports Inc. (KSI), a New York-based kosher concessions provider, has signed a contract to provide kosher food to this year’s Pro Bowl and Super Bowl games.

Better pass the mustard, because come game time, excited and hungry fans will make history as they start lining up for kosher hot dogs.

Read this post in its entirety:

Going Kosher at the Super Bowl

Photo: Creative Commons CC BY 2.0 via Ms. Tharpe

The FTC’s new rules for blog disclosures have a lot of bloggers scratching their heads and wondering just how it applies to them. Michael Hyatt offers concise explanation and suggested disclaimers in his article Five Ways to Comply with the New FTC Guidelines for Bloggers. As someone who occasionally posts book reviews and receives compensation for posts and/or links on my personal blog, I now have a disclaimer template that makes sense. If you blog, it’s a must read.

I wrote an article this week that contained a minor grammatical error, one likely to be missed by most readers. A sharp-eyed former reporter caught it and sent me a private email, writing that she always appreciated getting a similar heads up, especially if there’s still a chance to get it corrected. Now she could have left a comment on the already published piece, but her intention was to help, not embarrass. I must say, I was surprised and impressed. I will definitely spread the good karma and extend the same courtesy to other writers when the opportunity presents itself. Thank you, kind stranger.

Writing around the web this week:

People with MS do not think or act more alike than any other segment of the population. We are a diverse and complex group of individuals and despite all we have in common, our experiences with MS are uniquely our own. One thing we all can benefit from is mutual support. MS = Multiple Sclerosis + Mutual Support.

Are you having trouble losing weight? Do you have a drinking problem? If you are drinking soda on a daily basis, the answer to both questions is probably yes. That’s why I followed up last week’s hot topic Self-Serve Soda Fountains: Serving up Fecal Bacteria with Can’t Lose Weight? Soda’s Dirty Little Secret.

The true horror of the situation in Haiti and the lasting impact on health will play itself out over years, not weeks or months. Now is the time for the people of the world to unite and make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering, but this is not going to be one of those one-time fix it and forget it events. The extended consequences of this disaster are unimaginable. Long-Term Health Problems Facing Haiti After Earthquake.

It’s a Super Bowl milestone! 2010 marks the first time that fans will be able to order up kosher hot dogs, grilled salami sliders, and knoblewurst (a garlic laden hot dog). Going Kosher at the Super Bowl!

An article previously published on Care2 was re-run on Women on the Verge: The Art of Inclusive Language.

Thanks for dropping by!

Read more:

Care2 Healthy & Green Living with MS

Care2 Reform Health Policy

Connect: Facebook – LinkedIn – Twitter

Contact: writer@webcampone.com

WebCamp One, LLC: Full-service website design, management, and development company with clients throughout the USA and Canada. Expert in standards compliant website design. From website management to freelance writing, we’ve got the web covered. Visit: WebCamp One on Facebook.

Visit: AnnPietrangelo.com

While the desperate people of Haiti await assistance, multi-national relief efforts must overcome a mind-boggling logistical nightmare caused by demolished transportation and communications systems.

Buildings and infrastructure in Port-au-Prince suffered extensive damage and basic services like water and electricity are almost non-existent. One of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, Haiti already had severely limited resources before the quake caused large-scale damage to existing infrastructure, hospitals, and other health facilities. Caring for the victims of the quake is an overwhelming task, one that will continue into the foreseeable future.

Now is the time for the people of the world to unite and make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering, but this is not going to be one of those one-time fix it and forget it events. The extended consequences of this disaster are unimaginable.

If you would like to donate to the people of Haiti…

Read this post in its entirety:

Long-Term Health Problems Facing Haiti After Earthquake

Photo: Creative Commons CC BY 2.0 via UNDP Global

Make TheHeart.org Your One Stop Medical Resource Shop

The creation of online medical services like WebMD and HealthLine has led to the creation of many more specific sites tailored to certain aspects of health and good living. One such site is TheHeart.org. The objective of this website is to provide the best information regarding cardiology and heart health to its viewers. While it offers information accessible to most readers, its articles are backed up largely by studies and papers from renowned and peer-reviewed institutions. The website has been online for over ten years and as such has become very professional and refined in its focus, thus offering extremely useful information for those who have an interest in cardiology.

TheHeart.org employs professional writers for its articles and is thus not a “blog” in the traditional sense. They read more like those of a magazine or academic publication than most websites, giving them a firm and professional feel. This is a welcome choice, considering the seriousness of the content. The main focus of the website is to provide information regarding the latest research and development in the field of cardiology, which is broken up into articles. These articles generally summarize reports from academic journals or more traditional news sources, they keep readers up to date on new developments in heart medications like cangrelor or warfarin, and are about five hundred to two thousand words long. As these articles are updated several times per day, it is possible for visitors to always find the latest information. Some articles are even updated repeatedly over time to correct information or commentary, which helps ensure that they remain useful and relevant even over time.

The high level of professionalism and care demonstrated by TheHeart.org makes it extremely useful to academics and researchers in addition to the general public. As only peer-reviewed studies are used, the information posted on the site has the highest degree of accuracy that can be expected. The articles contain proper references and information, making the website a good initial source for those conducting research for a paper or presentation. The site is in fact geared toward health care professionals, and while the jargon and writing of the articles is accessible to most readers, it is certainly not light reading for the casual audience.

TheHeart.org is currently part of the WebMD network and requires a free subscription in order to post comments and view specific articles. This subscription runs out after thirty days, and must be replaced by a free subscription in order to view more articles. Fortunately, WebMD members can use their existing account in order to log in. The website is also partnered with a number of medical and academic institutions in order to provide free membership. Thus, TheHeart.org is ideally tailored for medical professionals and enthusiasts who are willing to invest in a membership in exchange for the most up to date and accurate information regarding cardiology today.

This is a “sponsored post.” The company who wrote and sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to post it. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”