As in the head of Homeland Security, the governor of Louisiana and the mayor of N’Orleans-good job, gentlemen.
After all the flub ups we saw with Katrina, it seems Gustav isn’t going to have more harm than necessary. The orchestration and evacuation of hundreds of thousands of citizens is nothing short of amazing. For all the bad deals Katrina brought along, this looks like it’ll turn out much, much better.
And the evacuation isn’t without some personal responsibility. Mayor Nagen and several N’Orleans officials held press conferences today talking about harsh, harsh penalties for looters, curfew breakers, etc. But, even more, all said that opportunity after opportunity has been handed to citizens. If you choose to snub your nose at the emergency evacuation measures, “You’re on your own.”
For all the complaining we all did about how poorly Katrina was handled, let’s get just as much buzz going for the incredible, seamless evacuation and preparation job that’s being done with Gustav.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day weekend, but somehow, it doesn’t feel like time to rest and recupe. With Hurricaine Gustav headed for the Gulf Coast, it feels like we should all be helping prep residents prepare-no one wants a Katrina Part II.
One thing I wasn’t aware of is FEMA’s E mail alert system. For those of us who live in hurricaine prone areas, this is extremely important. Citizens can go to the FEMA web site and sign up for E mail alerts keeping them updated on what’s going on with horrible weather. When the news is basically sensational editorializing, official word from FEMA may offer some comforting truth (who’d have thunk it?)
Throw in the fact it’s Labor Day weekend. This is notoriously one of the heaviest traffic weekends of the year AND known for excessive consumption of alcohol. Scary stuff.
Whether you’re in the path of Gustav or just a typical motorist who needs to watch the road especially hard this weekend, please, please stay safe.
One thing I wasn’t aware of is FEMA’s E mail alert system. For those of us who live in hurricaine prone areas, this is extremely important. Citizens can go to the FEMA web site and sign up for E mail alerts keeping them updated on what’s going on with horrible weather. When the news is basically sensational editorializing, official word from FEMA may offer some comforting truth (who’d have thunk it?)
Throw in the fact it’s Labor Day weekend. This is notoriously one of the heaviest traffic weekends of the year AND known for excessive consumption of alcohol. Scary stuff.
Whether you’re in the path of Gustav or just a typical motorist who needs to watch the road especially hard this weekend, please, please stay safe.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Me and Thomas Paine-Who Knew We Were So Close?
About 10 years ago, I finally understood the love of learning. Unfortunately, this wasn’t at the start of my college career, but rather, near the end. If I’d had that passion for education in the beginning, I’d be lots smarter now-and it’d have been easier on me, too.
Instead of spending years procrastinating and trying to duck and run from academics, I could have just embraced learning for the knowledge and power it gives. Alas, it’s certainly not the only thing from my past I’d change!
Well, better late than never! This is why (like now), when I’m writing, when I’m working, when I’m relaxing-almost always, there’s some talk radio, news programming or human interest media playing in the background. Why? Because there’s always something more I can learn. Heck, just glancing up right now to pay attention to the tube will give me plenty of info on the Democratic candidate for President.
Whether it’s current events, history, economic markets, literature or human relationships, I just love to learn. That’s all there is to it.
One of my favorite singer/songwriters, Todd Snyder, has a tune that starts like this:
“They say 3% of people use 5 too 6% of their brain. 97% use just 3% and the rest goes down the drain. I’ll never know just which I am but I’ll bet you my last dime, 97% think we’re 3% 100% of the time!”
And, strangely enough, Snyder’s numbers are right in line with most studies. The occasional Einstein-ish genius may be in that 5% range, but, man, I wanna be there, too! I never will be, but I’ll die trying!
In my endless quest for nerdity and self-induced geekiness, today I started reading the classic Thomas Paine work, “The Age of Reason.” Now, don’t think me too nerdly because just this morning, I completed “Slash” by Slash, the former Guns N Roses lead guitarist (hey, we’ve all gotta have our vices, right?)
Anyway, who knew, but Thomas Paine and I are on the same wavelength! Or, we would be if he weren’t 200 years dead. The book begins with a bunch of biographical info about Paine. And, if you read up on some not-so-famous aspects of Paine’s life in things like Paul Harvey’s “The Rest Of The Story”, you’ll learn all sorts of new things about the patriotic statesman. Stuff like, oh, his wife was insane and he kept her chained in the cellar. But, I digress…
Back to biographical info. Paine was a self educated man who, in a single sentence, sums up my views on learning and education:
“I seldom passed five minutes of my life, however circumstanced, in which I did not acquire some knowledge”
-Thomas Paine
I can’t quite claim to live up to Paine’s high standards, but I can darned sure try from now on!
Instead of spending years procrastinating and trying to duck and run from academics, I could have just embraced learning for the knowledge and power it gives. Alas, it’s certainly not the only thing from my past I’d change!
Well, better late than never! This is why (like now), when I’m writing, when I’m working, when I’m relaxing-almost always, there’s some talk radio, news programming or human interest media playing in the background. Why? Because there’s always something more I can learn. Heck, just glancing up right now to pay attention to the tube will give me plenty of info on the Democratic candidate for President.
Whether it’s current events, history, economic markets, literature or human relationships, I just love to learn. That’s all there is to it.
One of my favorite singer/songwriters, Todd Snyder, has a tune that starts like this:
“They say 3% of people use 5 too 6% of their brain. 97% use just 3% and the rest goes down the drain. I’ll never know just which I am but I’ll bet you my last dime, 97% think we’re 3% 100% of the time!”
And, strangely enough, Snyder’s numbers are right in line with most studies. The occasional Einstein-ish genius may be in that 5% range, but, man, I wanna be there, too! I never will be, but I’ll die trying!
In my endless quest for nerdity and self-induced geekiness, today I started reading the classic Thomas Paine work, “The Age of Reason.” Now, don’t think me too nerdly because just this morning, I completed “Slash” by Slash, the former Guns N Roses lead guitarist (hey, we’ve all gotta have our vices, right?)
Anyway, who knew, but Thomas Paine and I are on the same wavelength! Or, we would be if he weren’t 200 years dead. The book begins with a bunch of biographical info about Paine. And, if you read up on some not-so-famous aspects of Paine’s life in things like Paul Harvey’s “The Rest Of The Story”, you’ll learn all sorts of new things about the patriotic statesman. Stuff like, oh, his wife was insane and he kept her chained in the cellar. But, I digress…
Back to biographical info. Paine was a self educated man who, in a single sentence, sums up my views on learning and education:
“I seldom passed five minutes of my life, however circumstanced, in which I did not acquire some knowledge”
-Thomas Paine
I can’t quite claim to live up to Paine’s high standards, but I can darned sure try from now on!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Talkin' Smack
Making promises I can’t keep is something I do NOT do. The biggest reason is, well, I just don’t like to be embarrassed.
For a kid who grew up when Mike Tyson was at his fighting best, I always got a little tickled before a big Iron Mike fight. Tyson would inevitably talk a whole bunch of smack about how he’d pound his opponent into the ground. Big words, but when you’re the heavyweight champion of the world, you can say such things.
Meanwhile, his challenger would be saying the same sorta stuff! Now, I’m no mathematician, but if there are two guys fighting, one will win, one will lose. Therefore, one of these smack talkers will be right, one will be proven wrong. Simple as that. Then, the loser not only has to deal with the loss of the fight, but the embarrassment of having had his mouth write checks his ass can’t cash.
The last month or more, the nation (and especially those of us here in Orlando) have been watching the Casey Anthony case. Quick re-cap if you’re not familiar:
Casey is a 22 year old mom here in Orlando. Her two (now three) year old daughter, Caylee, was last seen by Casey’s father in mid-June. Casey was then estranged from her parents until mid-July when, under pressure, she admitted her daughter had been missing for a month. Casey never reported her daughter missing, never once lifted a finger to help the police and sat in jail on a child endangerment charge and refused to help the investigators. Do you smell murder?
Well, you might…literally. Today, forensic evidence came back saying Casey’s car did, at one point, have a dead body in the trunk. More evidence she killed her own daughter seems to come out by the minute. All the while, Casey stonewalls the police.
A bounty hunter who has some TV fame has inserted himself into this case. The bounty hunter’s nephew is a bail bondsman and, with a donation from the bounty hunter, Casey is now out on bail. Any idiot knows the bounty hunter is on the case for self promotion, yet for the last several weeks, he’s claimed that the little girl is alive-AND that he’ll find her.
And how does that claim jive with today’s forensic evidence? It doesn’t! So, said bounty hunter comes off looking like a loudmouth ninny who talks before he thinks.
I guess if you don’t mind embarrassment, then feel free to say whatever comes to mind, whenever it comes to mind. As for me, I’ll learn from the mistakes of bounty hunter Leonard Pidilla and wait for the evidence (forensic or not) before making too much of a judgement. Or, if the judgement is made, I’ll keep it to myself.
Who knew? Listening works better than talking! Now, if we could just get bounty hunters and boxers to believe it.
For a kid who grew up when Mike Tyson was at his fighting best, I always got a little tickled before a big Iron Mike fight. Tyson would inevitably talk a whole bunch of smack about how he’d pound his opponent into the ground. Big words, but when you’re the heavyweight champion of the world, you can say such things.
Meanwhile, his challenger would be saying the same sorta stuff! Now, I’m no mathematician, but if there are two guys fighting, one will win, one will lose. Therefore, one of these smack talkers will be right, one will be proven wrong. Simple as that. Then, the loser not only has to deal with the loss of the fight, but the embarrassment of having had his mouth write checks his ass can’t cash.
The last month or more, the nation (and especially those of us here in Orlando) have been watching the Casey Anthony case. Quick re-cap if you’re not familiar:
Casey is a 22 year old mom here in Orlando. Her two (now three) year old daughter, Caylee, was last seen by Casey’s father in mid-June. Casey was then estranged from her parents until mid-July when, under pressure, she admitted her daughter had been missing for a month. Casey never reported her daughter missing, never once lifted a finger to help the police and sat in jail on a child endangerment charge and refused to help the investigators. Do you smell murder?
Well, you might…literally. Today, forensic evidence came back saying Casey’s car did, at one point, have a dead body in the trunk. More evidence she killed her own daughter seems to come out by the minute. All the while, Casey stonewalls the police.
A bounty hunter who has some TV fame has inserted himself into this case. The bounty hunter’s nephew is a bail bondsman and, with a donation from the bounty hunter, Casey is now out on bail. Any idiot knows the bounty hunter is on the case for self promotion, yet for the last several weeks, he’s claimed that the little girl is alive-AND that he’ll find her.
And how does that claim jive with today’s forensic evidence? It doesn’t! So, said bounty hunter comes off looking like a loudmouth ninny who talks before he thinks.
I guess if you don’t mind embarrassment, then feel free to say whatever comes to mind, whenever it comes to mind. As for me, I’ll learn from the mistakes of bounty hunter Leonard Pidilla and wait for the evidence (forensic or not) before making too much of a judgement. Or, if the judgement is made, I’ll keep it to myself.
Who knew? Listening works better than talking! Now, if we could just get bounty hunters and boxers to believe it.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Notre Dame College
What does a college do to increase enrollment by 500% in just a few years? To find that answer, you'll have to study Notre Dame College in Cleveland, Ohio.
I was honored to speak at NDC last night for their Welcome Week activities and, let me tell ya, NDC people care. Yes, they care.
Whether it's the administration, the professors, faculty, staff - every one's enthusiasm and commitment trickle down into the culture of what is NDC. Brian Emerson, my client and now friend, was my contact guy for this event. As we drove from the airport to NDC campus, I learned about the way NDC had almost died out several years ago, but now has new life breathed into the institution.
The students were some of the most kind, generous and courteous I've worked with in a long, long while. I'd especially like to thank Brian for the opportunity, but even more for giving me the opportunity to touch some lives.
Two NDC students (who shall remain nameless for anonymity's sake) spoke with me afterward. Both these young ladies have been touched by tragedy due to some horrible car crashes in the past. Both were so willing to discuss their pain, their experiences and their hopes for the future - and that's not easy to do with a stranger like me. You two are the reason I do what I do - to be able to put a positive element into lives that might otherwise be tainted by tragedy. Thank you for sharing your journeys, ladies, and please let me know if there's anything at all I can do for you in the future.
Thanks, NDC, for giving me an awesome trip back to Cleveland!
Don't forget to sign up to be friends on Facebook and MySpace!
I was honored to speak at NDC last night for their Welcome Week activities and, let me tell ya, NDC people care. Yes, they care.
Whether it's the administration, the professors, faculty, staff - every one's enthusiasm and commitment trickle down into the culture of what is NDC. Brian Emerson, my client and now friend, was my contact guy for this event. As we drove from the airport to NDC campus, I learned about the way NDC had almost died out several years ago, but now has new life breathed into the institution.
The students were some of the most kind, generous and courteous I've worked with in a long, long while. I'd especially like to thank Brian for the opportunity, but even more for giving me the opportunity to touch some lives.
Two NDC students (who shall remain nameless for anonymity's sake) spoke with me afterward. Both these young ladies have been touched by tragedy due to some horrible car crashes in the past. Both were so willing to discuss their pain, their experiences and their hopes for the future - and that's not easy to do with a stranger like me. You two are the reason I do what I do - to be able to put a positive element into lives that might otherwise be tainted by tragedy. Thank you for sharing your journeys, ladies, and please let me know if there's anything at all I can do for you in the future.
Thanks, NDC, for giving me an awesome trip back to Cleveland!
Don't forget to sign up to be friends on Facebook and MySpace!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saint Leo University Community Day
Even through the conditions tropical storm Fay laid down, Saint Leo University's Community Day went off without a hitch! I was happy and honored to be the keynote speaker for Saint Leo faculty and staff, both from the main campus here in Florida, as well as the on-line programs around the country!
Thanks to Dr. Kirk, the president of Saint Leo, Father Michael and Father Stefan and Angela and everyone who made this such an awesome experience! Special thanks to David Persky for the opportunity to present, once again! I owe ya, Dave!
Saint Leo's core values of personal development, respect, excellence, etc. are so apparent in the faculty and staff-and I'm certain that carries over to the students, as well! Thank you, Saint Leo - I hope to be back in the not-so-distant future!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Fay, Fay Go Away!
Like a bad head cold, Tropical Storm Fay is still hanging around. Tuesday morning when I woke up, it was raining, just a good, soaking rain. No wind, nothing to be afraid of. Twenty minutes later, it was over. We kept an eye on the storm all day because, as you may have seen, Fay has been unpredictable. Tuesday around 6 p.m., the rains set in. Heavy, drenching rains with a moderate amount of wind. Nothing scary, just enough that’d make you want to stop driving and get out of the weather. At that time, Fay was heading west to east across the state and it was estimated she’d end up in the Atlantic where she’d turn into a hurricaine.
First things first, though, we had to get through the weather. Went to speak in Tampa yesterday and had moderate rains for the first half of the drive. On the way home, however, it rained the whole way. Now, I haven’t seen much of a forecast, but the rains are still coming (yes, still), the wind is as bad as it’s been and there’s water seeping in under the front doors. Certainly no flooding like you see on TV, but with all this rain, it’s gotta go somewhere.
Thus far, Fay hasn’t been a big deal. Keep your fingers crossed it’ll stay that way!
First things first, though, we had to get through the weather. Went to speak in Tampa yesterday and had moderate rains for the first half of the drive. On the way home, however, it rained the whole way. Now, I haven’t seen much of a forecast, but the rains are still coming (yes, still), the wind is as bad as it’s been and there’s water seeping in under the front doors. Certainly no flooding like you see on TV, but with all this rain, it’s gotta go somewhere.
Thus far, Fay hasn’t been a big deal. Keep your fingers crossed it’ll stay that way!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Preparing for Fay
Well, here we are. Right at the beginning of hurricane season and me, a mid-western boy, bracing for his first taste of a true blue ‘caine.
Like many people, I’m keeping an eye on the news and weather reports, trying to determine how bad it’ll get. Here in central Florida, we’ll be safe from a direct hit, but can (and probably will) get huge downpours and the flooding that’ll go along with it.
On Wednesday afternoon, I’m scheduled to be just outside of Tampa speaking at Saint Leo University. Right now, we’re keeping watch to see if Fay will swing out into the Gulf, or if she’ll come right up the middle of Florida from Miami or if it’ll hug the western shore and smack Tampa upside the head. Depending on what Fay does determines what I’ll be able to do. Saint Leo U is the emergency shelter for that side of the county and if Fay gets nasty, they’ll be using their resources to help displaced Floridians.
So, what do we do in prep? Several different things. First, we make sure all potential projectiles are inside. This means the grill, all lawn furniture, flower pots – anything that could be picked up by Mother Nature and hurled through a plate glass window. Let’s hope my neighbors do this, too! Second, we stock up on bottled water, propane, ice and non-perishable foods.
That’s the extent of what most folks are told who are in Fay’s path. Specifically here, we’ve got stacks of towels ready, heavy objects to set in front of doors and electronics away from windows. Plus, we have our “safe room”; a bathroom on the first level in the center of the house. No windows, extra towels and maybe, if we can fit it in there, a twin mattress to hide under (let’s hope things don’t get this bad.)
Provided we have power, I’ll be blogging and working all the while… but I’ll try to get some pics, too. And even with the potential danger and my fear of bad weather, it’s a little exciting! So, pics, blogs and stories coming at ya soon!
Like many people, I’m keeping an eye on the news and weather reports, trying to determine how bad it’ll get. Here in central Florida, we’ll be safe from a direct hit, but can (and probably will) get huge downpours and the flooding that’ll go along with it.
On Wednesday afternoon, I’m scheduled to be just outside of Tampa speaking at Saint Leo University. Right now, we’re keeping watch to see if Fay will swing out into the Gulf, or if she’ll come right up the middle of Florida from Miami or if it’ll hug the western shore and smack Tampa upside the head. Depending on what Fay does determines what I’ll be able to do. Saint Leo U is the emergency shelter for that side of the county and if Fay gets nasty, they’ll be using their resources to help displaced Floridians.
So, what do we do in prep? Several different things. First, we make sure all potential projectiles are inside. This means the grill, all lawn furniture, flower pots – anything that could be picked up by Mother Nature and hurled through a plate glass window. Let’s hope my neighbors do this, too! Second, we stock up on bottled water, propane, ice and non-perishable foods.
That’s the extent of what most folks are told who are in Fay’s path. Specifically here, we’ve got stacks of towels ready, heavy objects to set in front of doors and electronics away from windows. Plus, we have our “safe room”; a bathroom on the first level in the center of the house. No windows, extra towels and maybe, if we can fit it in there, a twin mattress to hide under (let’s hope things don’t get this bad.)
Provided we have power, I’ll be blogging and working all the while… but I’ll try to get some pics, too. And even with the potential danger and my fear of bad weather, it’s a little exciting! So, pics, blogs and stories coming at ya soon!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
UMKC Roo Camp
Wednesday, Aug. 13 found me in the greater Kansas City, MO area presenting for the University of Missouri-Kansas City. But not just any college program... no! This was Roo Camp!
What is Roo Camp, you ask? UMKC's mascot is the kangaroo, and this retreat is for a select group of UMKC freshman who have a strong desire to get the most out of their collegiate experience. Roo Camp immerses the UMKC freshman into acquaintance activities, discussions on college life and exposes them to experiences most freshmen don't get.
The helmsman of Roo Camp is Steve Terry-hands down, one of the most unique and motivated clients I've ever worked with. Steve, it was truly an honor to get to know you and work with you and the UMKC students. I hope to get back to KC for some more great experiences with folks who have such a true zeal for life!
While at Roo Camp, I also got to hook up with my good friend, Leah Atkinson. Leah and I have been buds for a dozen years and we were so fortunate she was able to officiate our wedding last year. Great students, great connections, great friends – what an awesome whirlwind trip!
Monday, August 11, 2008
How I Want To Die
Do you ever think about dying?
I’m sure you have. At least, I think most normal people do. But what do you think about? The actual moment of death? Your funeral? Who gets what when you’re gone? The afterlife and whether or not it even exists?
Last week, my wife sent me a random message via E mail. One line. Just, “Did you know they sell caskets at Costco?”
As a matter of fact, I did not know that! Don’t ask me how, but yes, you can purchase caskets wholesale. As of yet, we haven’t run into any casket displays while buying bales of 48 rolls of toilet paper, but if it happens, I’ll let ya know!
We were joking a few nights ago with my stepson, Jordan, about how you can buy caskets at Costco. With fun-poking glee he said, “Yippie! Let’s go get matching ones for you and Mom!”
Really, I want my post-death stuff to be done however it’s easiest for the people doing it. But ideally? I’d rather be cremated. My thinking is there’s too much ground being taken up by dead people already. Someday, we’ll be forced to plant corn and vegetables over the top of graves-land will just be that much at a premium. But, I digress…
This brought up a serious conversation about post-death plans. Throw in the fact I just upped my life insurance and this is another reason the next stage of life (er, after life) has been on my mind. Also, my stepson is 18 and starting his freshman year of college in just two weeks. It was during my freshman year of college when I came about as close to death as I hope to come for, oh, another 40 years or so. So, yeah, death…
This morning while I worked out, I cranked up Todd Snyder’s “East Nashville Skyline” which contains my fav Snyder song, “Play A Train Song.” When I got this album three years ago, I did (and still do) consider that “Train” is the best song of the decade…at least, in my humble opinion. It’s a tune about Todd’s buddy who’d recently died. The imagery Snyder paints of his friend is haunting, to say the least, but the last few lines of the tune are exactly, EXACTLY the way I want to die. And, they’re how I want people to react when the inevitable happens to yours truly. Try this on for size:
“In television blizzard light, we broke into his place
We found him cold there on the sofa, a little smile upon his face,
And though I tried with all of my sadness, somehow, I just could not weep,
For a man who looked, to me, like he died laughing in his sleep…”
Ya know, call me nonchalant about the whole thing. Death is going to happen. Duh. To me, to you, to everyone. I don’t care so much about me, but I do worry about the people I’ll leave behind. Still, gotta be zen since, unless I get a Ouija board, there’s no way I can help them.
But isn’t the best way to help people once you’re gone to plan in advance? To live a good, loving, fulfilled life? To create meaningful relationships that foster good in the world? Then, when you’re pushing up daisies, you can rest with the knowledge you did some good in this world-and that’s far more important than who gets what when you’re gone, isn’t it?
I’m sure you have. At least, I think most normal people do. But what do you think about? The actual moment of death? Your funeral? Who gets what when you’re gone? The afterlife and whether or not it even exists?
Last week, my wife sent me a random message via E mail. One line. Just, “Did you know they sell caskets at Costco?”
As a matter of fact, I did not know that! Don’t ask me how, but yes, you can purchase caskets wholesale. As of yet, we haven’t run into any casket displays while buying bales of 48 rolls of toilet paper, but if it happens, I’ll let ya know!
We were joking a few nights ago with my stepson, Jordan, about how you can buy caskets at Costco. With fun-poking glee he said, “Yippie! Let’s go get matching ones for you and Mom!”
Really, I want my post-death stuff to be done however it’s easiest for the people doing it. But ideally? I’d rather be cremated. My thinking is there’s too much ground being taken up by dead people already. Someday, we’ll be forced to plant corn and vegetables over the top of graves-land will just be that much at a premium. But, I digress…
This brought up a serious conversation about post-death plans. Throw in the fact I just upped my life insurance and this is another reason the next stage of life (er, after life) has been on my mind. Also, my stepson is 18 and starting his freshman year of college in just two weeks. It was during my freshman year of college when I came about as close to death as I hope to come for, oh, another 40 years or so. So, yeah, death…
This morning while I worked out, I cranked up Todd Snyder’s “East Nashville Skyline” which contains my fav Snyder song, “Play A Train Song.” When I got this album three years ago, I did (and still do) consider that “Train” is the best song of the decade…at least, in my humble opinion. It’s a tune about Todd’s buddy who’d recently died. The imagery Snyder paints of his friend is haunting, to say the least, but the last few lines of the tune are exactly, EXACTLY the way I want to die. And, they’re how I want people to react when the inevitable happens to yours truly. Try this on for size:
“In television blizzard light, we broke into his place
We found him cold there on the sofa, a little smile upon his face,
And though I tried with all of my sadness, somehow, I just could not weep,
For a man who looked, to me, like he died laughing in his sleep…”
Ya know, call me nonchalant about the whole thing. Death is going to happen. Duh. To me, to you, to everyone. I don’t care so much about me, but I do worry about the people I’ll leave behind. Still, gotta be zen since, unless I get a Ouija board, there’s no way I can help them.
But isn’t the best way to help people once you’re gone to plan in advance? To live a good, loving, fulfilled life? To create meaningful relationships that foster good in the world? Then, when you’re pushing up daisies, you can rest with the knowledge you did some good in this world-and that’s far more important than who gets what when you’re gone, isn’t it?
Friday, August 08, 2008
Great Article from The Seeing Eye Navigator mag
Healing Hounds
It is a warm spring afternoon in a San Diego dog park; a perfect day for a select company of humans and canines to enjoy the outdoors. A young, clean-cut
Marine straight out of central casting, one arm in a cast, assists a woman to a seat at the crowded picnic table. His brother-in-arms rests in the grass,
lazily scratching the upturned belly of a yellow Lab while he describes the expression of sheer ecstasy on the dog’s face to the Lab’s visually impaired
handler.
This is no ordinary puppy play date. These are not ordinary dogs, and these are far from ordinary people. All are participants in “Guide Dogs Day Out,”
a project sponsored by Paws that Heal, a program pairing off-duty dog guides (including three from The Seeing Eye) and their visually impaired handlers
with active-duty military personnel recovering from significant physical or emotional illnesses. This first-of-its-kind program, managed by Seeing Eye
graduate Anne Whittington, is a combination pet therapy, therapeutic outing, and social reintegration activity.
The program, which began in September 2005, may never have happened if not for a fateful encounter between Whittington’s Seeing Eye dog Karl and an injured
Marine. Whittington, a registered nurse originally from Cleveland, Ohio, lost her vision to a rare autoimmune condition. For the past seven years, she
has worked as a diabetes educator, translating medical orders and teaching healthy eating and healthy lifestyle skills to military personnel at the Naval
Medical Center/San Diego (NMCSD).
“Karl and I were on an elevator,” recalls Whittington. “This Marine with a very pronounced stutter asked if he could pet Karl.” Normally dog guides should
not be petted in harness, so whether it was the late hour or a feeling that something momentous was about to happen, Whittington relented. When the young
man began petting the yellow Labrador retriever, his stutter “turned off like a light switch. He started telling me about his military experience and asked
if Karl could visit him and his buddies on the medical hold ward.”
The hospital already had a traditional pet therapy program for in-patients, but not for patients on “medical hold,” individuals well enough to leave the
hospital but not well enough to return to their military units. They live in barracks on the hospital grounds.
Karl and Whittington began visiting these patients as schedules permitted. In return, they would visit Karl in Whittington’s office. “They would actually
ask the receptionist if Karl was in,” laughs Whittington.
With the backing of Navy and Marine chains of command, Whittington approached members of a local dog guide group about formalizing the visits with wounded
military personnel. Two months after Karl’s chance meeting, “Guide Dogs Day Out” became reality. For the patients, participation in the program is voluntary.
The first Thursday of each month finds this special group in a fenced-in park. Out of harness, the dogs, off-duty and not responsible for guiding their
visually impaired handlers, visit with the wounded warriors. The service members, mostly male and mostly Marines, whose injuries range from serious combat
wounds to broken bones sustained in state-side training accidents, help prepare and serve lunch.
For the patients, the benefits go far beyond an outing in the fresh air with friends. Some have sustained catastrophic injuries, necessitating limb amputation,
and they may rely on crutches or other mobility aids, making social interactions feel awkward. “The blind people could not stare at my crutches,” one Marine
told Whittington. And the dogs are more interested in pats received from an artificial hand rather than the how and why of its presence. This form of therapeutic
outing – with mentors who can understand the challenges of “fitting in” and accepting oneself in social settings – can advance the rehabilitation process
as much as any medical treatment might.
Even though the dogs are “off duty” during these outings, the same strict rules of dog guide etiquette are observed. The military personnel may not feed
or rough house with the dogs, and the dogs must remain under good control by their handlers at all times.
Seeing Eye graduates Linda Gwizdak and Scott Leason have volunteered since the program’s inception and also volunteer in an offshoot of the project called
Guide Dog Day Inside Out, a weekly session for in-patients in the Medical-Surgical Department and the Mental Health Unit.
Whittington looks for volunteers who are able to focus on the needs of others and interact well with virtual strangers. The dogs also need to fit this
profile. Dogs must pass a three-level interview process and so far, only Seeing Eye teams have passed this high threshold.
“My dog Jake and I were evaluated and interviewed without even knowing it,” Gwisdak laughs. “I am so proud to serve these men who are serving our country.
We have fun, and if they aren’t smiling when they come here, they are when we leave.”
Scott Leason brings an added dimension to Paws that Heal. A Navy veteran, Leason can relate on a certain level to what the wounded service members are
going through. “Many of them feel they have let their units down. I am able to share my journey as an active and happy person who happens to have a disability.
It’s a win/win situation for everybody.”
Since its inception, close to 100 med-hold patients have participated in Guide Dogs Day Out and approximately 200 in-ward patients have benefited from
Guide Dogs Day Inside.
“I am blown away by the changes we hear about in these guys,” says Leason. He recalls one of the most profound changes in a patient’s behavior was from
a patient who had not left his bed nor spoken a word during his three days in the hospital. Karl spent 11 minutes creeping closer and closer to the patient
and once he had spent three minutes a foot away from the man, the patient reached out to pet him and began talking. His recovery sped markedly following
that, and when discharged, he credited Paws that Heal as being instrumental in his healing.
But the volunteers who bring their dogs agree that they too have much to gain from the experience. “We are three blind people giving back,” says Gwizdak.
“A lot of people think blind people are on the taking end of things, but we are giving back to our community. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Whittington’s hope is that Paws that Heal will serve as a pilot program and soon will be imitated at other hospitals, both military and civilian.
But for now, the off-duty dog guides are content to relax in that San Diego park, nuzzling new friends, healing unseen wounds, and asking only for praise
or an ear scratch as their reward.
Editor’s Note: Since this article was written, Karl has retired from work as a Seeing Eye dog and spends his days in retirement watching over a small sporting
goods store in Florida. Jake retired to the home of a hairstylist in San Diego. Whittington returned to The Seeing Eye to train with her new dog, Scout,
and plans to introduce Scout to the Paws that Heal program as he adjusts to his new life in California.
It is a warm spring afternoon in a San Diego dog park; a perfect day for a select company of humans and canines to enjoy the outdoors. A young, clean-cut
Marine straight out of central casting, one arm in a cast, assists a woman to a seat at the crowded picnic table. His brother-in-arms rests in the grass,
lazily scratching the upturned belly of a yellow Lab while he describes the expression of sheer ecstasy on the dog’s face to the Lab’s visually impaired
handler.
This is no ordinary puppy play date. These are not ordinary dogs, and these are far from ordinary people. All are participants in “Guide Dogs Day Out,”
a project sponsored by Paws that Heal, a program pairing off-duty dog guides (including three from The Seeing Eye) and their visually impaired handlers
with active-duty military personnel recovering from significant physical or emotional illnesses. This first-of-its-kind program, managed by Seeing Eye
graduate Anne Whittington, is a combination pet therapy, therapeutic outing, and social reintegration activity.
The program, which began in September 2005, may never have happened if not for a fateful encounter between Whittington’s Seeing Eye dog Karl and an injured
Marine. Whittington, a registered nurse originally from Cleveland, Ohio, lost her vision to a rare autoimmune condition. For the past seven years, she
has worked as a diabetes educator, translating medical orders and teaching healthy eating and healthy lifestyle skills to military personnel at the Naval
Medical Center/San Diego (NMCSD).
“Karl and I were on an elevator,” recalls Whittington. “This Marine with a very pronounced stutter asked if he could pet Karl.” Normally dog guides should
not be petted in harness, so whether it was the late hour or a feeling that something momentous was about to happen, Whittington relented. When the young
man began petting the yellow Labrador retriever, his stutter “turned off like a light switch. He started telling me about his military experience and asked
if Karl could visit him and his buddies on the medical hold ward.”
The hospital already had a traditional pet therapy program for in-patients, but not for patients on “medical hold,” individuals well enough to leave the
hospital but not well enough to return to their military units. They live in barracks on the hospital grounds.
Karl and Whittington began visiting these patients as schedules permitted. In return, they would visit Karl in Whittington’s office. “They would actually
ask the receptionist if Karl was in,” laughs Whittington.
With the backing of Navy and Marine chains of command, Whittington approached members of a local dog guide group about formalizing the visits with wounded
military personnel. Two months after Karl’s chance meeting, “Guide Dogs Day Out” became reality. For the patients, participation in the program is voluntary.
The first Thursday of each month finds this special group in a fenced-in park. Out of harness, the dogs, off-duty and not responsible for guiding their
visually impaired handlers, visit with the wounded warriors. The service members, mostly male and mostly Marines, whose injuries range from serious combat
wounds to broken bones sustained in state-side training accidents, help prepare and serve lunch.
For the patients, the benefits go far beyond an outing in the fresh air with friends. Some have sustained catastrophic injuries, necessitating limb amputation,
and they may rely on crutches or other mobility aids, making social interactions feel awkward. “The blind people could not stare at my crutches,” one Marine
told Whittington. And the dogs are more interested in pats received from an artificial hand rather than the how and why of its presence. This form of therapeutic
outing – with mentors who can understand the challenges of “fitting in” and accepting oneself in social settings – can advance the rehabilitation process
as much as any medical treatment might.
Even though the dogs are “off duty” during these outings, the same strict rules of dog guide etiquette are observed. The military personnel may not feed
or rough house with the dogs, and the dogs must remain under good control by their handlers at all times.
Seeing Eye graduates Linda Gwizdak and Scott Leason have volunteered since the program’s inception and also volunteer in an offshoot of the project called
Guide Dog Day Inside Out, a weekly session for in-patients in the Medical-Surgical Department and the Mental Health Unit.
Whittington looks for volunteers who are able to focus on the needs of others and interact well with virtual strangers. The dogs also need to fit this
profile. Dogs must pass a three-level interview process and so far, only Seeing Eye teams have passed this high threshold.
“My dog Jake and I were evaluated and interviewed without even knowing it,” Gwisdak laughs. “I am so proud to serve these men who are serving our country.
We have fun, and if they aren’t smiling when they come here, they are when we leave.”
Scott Leason brings an added dimension to Paws that Heal. A Navy veteran, Leason can relate on a certain level to what the wounded service members are
going through. “Many of them feel they have let their units down. I am able to share my journey as an active and happy person who happens to have a disability.
It’s a win/win situation for everybody.”
Since its inception, close to 100 med-hold patients have participated in Guide Dogs Day Out and approximately 200 in-ward patients have benefited from
Guide Dogs Day Inside.
“I am blown away by the changes we hear about in these guys,” says Leason. He recalls one of the most profound changes in a patient’s behavior was from
a patient who had not left his bed nor spoken a word during his three days in the hospital. Karl spent 11 minutes creeping closer and closer to the patient
and once he had spent three minutes a foot away from the man, the patient reached out to pet him and began talking. His recovery sped markedly following
that, and when discharged, he credited Paws that Heal as being instrumental in his healing.
But the volunteers who bring their dogs agree that they too have much to gain from the experience. “We are three blind people giving back,” says Gwizdak.
“A lot of people think blind people are on the taking end of things, but we are giving back to our community. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Whittington’s hope is that Paws that Heal will serve as a pilot program and soon will be imitated at other hospitals, both military and civilian.
But for now, the off-duty dog guides are content to relax in that San Diego park, nuzzling new friends, healing unseen wounds, and asking only for praise
or an ear scratch as their reward.
Editor’s Note: Since this article was written, Karl has retired from work as a Seeing Eye dog and spends his days in retirement watching over a small sporting
goods store in Florida. Jake retired to the home of a hairstylist in San Diego. Whittington returned to The Seeing Eye to train with her new dog, Scout,
and plans to introduce Scout to the Paws that Heal program as he adjusts to his new life in California.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Impersonalized Service
This Monday, I woke up in the early hours feeling as though I’d swallowed a porcupine butt first.
Around noon, I could stand it no longer. Off to the doc in a box, I.E., one of those mini E.R. kinda places. There, I received about the most impersonal health care-ever.
When you go to any E.R., unless the condition is life threatening, it’s become all too well known that you might die of old age before being seen by a doc. Hence, the rise of these mini E.R.s and clinics designed to treat acute health issues. So, I knew we’d likely wait a while to see the doc, but I always like to know the monster I face. For me, time is a monster. Patience isn’t one of my strong suits.
I asked the secretary how long it might be to see the doc. “Three people ahead of you, so at least half an hour.” K, gotcha. That’s reasonable.
That 30 minutes turned into closer to 60. Still, no big deal-I’m sick, after all and I need the help. Then, I sat and sat and sat for at least another 30 (if not 45) minutes in the exam room. This is where things really got interesting!
When the doctor arrived, I was treated to such a lack of patient care that it created three chapters on what NOT to do for my next medical book. Here, I’ll only address one: facing the patient.
When the doctor was in the room, he sat with his back facing me, typing away on his laptop for the first several minutes. No introduction, no handshake, just straight to the work station with his face to the wall.
Then? His cell phone rang. And he excused himself to take the call. For the sake of everything holy, THIS was totally, TOTALLY unacceptable.
He returned a few moments later, sat down and started typing away again. He asked the stupid question, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how is your pain?” I’ll elaborate later (probably with an entire article or essay) on why this is so dumb. Finally, he got up to do the exam.
Granted, this is only a sore throat, maybe strep. He looked in my mouth for no more than three seconds, put his stethoscope on my back and chest for five seconds, pushed on my stomach for two seconds and we were done. End of story.
Health care has become so impersonal. Chalk it up to a multitude of things; including the possibility this doc was just having a bad day.
The thing I still can’t get past is facing away from me, the patient. How many of us would do business with someone who purposefully chooses not to look us in the eye? Even I, who doesn’t do the whole eye contact thing, am always cognizant to be sure I’m facing the person to whom I’m speaking. Just makes sense, doesn’t it? Why then would someone choose to turn away?
This just reinforces the cultural need to connect. It also reminds me, and hopefully you, how important it is to face the person you’re interacting with, speak with them verbally and be fully engaged in every form of communication. If not, it’s likely your conversational partner may end up feeling like I did: as though my presence wasn’t the least bit important.
Around noon, I could stand it no longer. Off to the doc in a box, I.E., one of those mini E.R. kinda places. There, I received about the most impersonal health care-ever.
When you go to any E.R., unless the condition is life threatening, it’s become all too well known that you might die of old age before being seen by a doc. Hence, the rise of these mini E.R.s and clinics designed to treat acute health issues. So, I knew we’d likely wait a while to see the doc, but I always like to know the monster I face. For me, time is a monster. Patience isn’t one of my strong suits.
I asked the secretary how long it might be to see the doc. “Three people ahead of you, so at least half an hour.” K, gotcha. That’s reasonable.
That 30 minutes turned into closer to 60. Still, no big deal-I’m sick, after all and I need the help. Then, I sat and sat and sat for at least another 30 (if not 45) minutes in the exam room. This is where things really got interesting!
When the doctor arrived, I was treated to such a lack of patient care that it created three chapters on what NOT to do for my next medical book. Here, I’ll only address one: facing the patient.
When the doctor was in the room, he sat with his back facing me, typing away on his laptop for the first several minutes. No introduction, no handshake, just straight to the work station with his face to the wall.
Then? His cell phone rang. And he excused himself to take the call. For the sake of everything holy, THIS was totally, TOTALLY unacceptable.
He returned a few moments later, sat down and started typing away again. He asked the stupid question, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how is your pain?” I’ll elaborate later (probably with an entire article or essay) on why this is so dumb. Finally, he got up to do the exam.
Granted, this is only a sore throat, maybe strep. He looked in my mouth for no more than three seconds, put his stethoscope on my back and chest for five seconds, pushed on my stomach for two seconds and we were done. End of story.
Health care has become so impersonal. Chalk it up to a multitude of things; including the possibility this doc was just having a bad day.
The thing I still can’t get past is facing away from me, the patient. How many of us would do business with someone who purposefully chooses not to look us in the eye? Even I, who doesn’t do the whole eye contact thing, am always cognizant to be sure I’m facing the person to whom I’m speaking. Just makes sense, doesn’t it? Why then would someone choose to turn away?
This just reinforces the cultural need to connect. It also reminds me, and hopefully you, how important it is to face the person you’re interacting with, speak with them verbally and be fully engaged in every form of communication. If not, it’s likely your conversational partner may end up feeling like I did: as though my presence wasn’t the least bit important.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Secrets, Screaming and Sylvia
Ya know, faithful reader, you’ll probably think I’m kinda a whack job. Or at least a flake. But here goes anyway…
My latest book has been “Secret Societies” by Sylvia Brown. You know Sylvia Brown, right? That narsty old gal who usually makes appearances on the Montel Williams Show, talking too audience members about their dead relatives and messages she (Sylvia) gets from her psychic guide, Francine.
So why would I be reading her book? A couple of reasons…
First, I’m a member of a couple of the different secret societies she discusses in the book(Freemasons, Shriners, Knights Templor.) Strangely enough, her information is well researched and accurate (way to go, Francine!) Second, while I’m no true believer, what little experience I’ve had with psychics is, well, uncanny and interesting in it’s accuracy. So, off I went to read!
Most secret societies have some sort of root in religion. Whether they’re orgs that date back hundreds (even thousands) of years, there seems to be a strong faith element. This is where the whole reason of the post for today comes in…
I read Sylvia’s part in a chapter tonight and these words struck me as undeniably true:
“I’ve always found that people secure in their belief systems don’t have to scream and criticize those who attack them. But those who are insecure in their faith always fight back…sometimes viciously.”
Folks, I have very, VERY strong opinions on faith. But that’s all they are-opinions. And faith is only faith. It’s not truth, it’s one’s own personal belief in something that cannot be proven. Hence, faith.
Yet, it seems (like Sylvia said) there is always a contingency of folks who scream the loudest. And these are the people who (I’m convinced) are actually pretty insecure in their faith and their very understanding of what they scream about. Ya know, the kind of people who’ll be on the offensive so they don’t have to be on the defensive. Sad. And illogical. And certainly no way to portray one’s belief system.
Who’d have thunk Sylvia Brown would give such good food for thought?
My latest book has been “Secret Societies” by Sylvia Brown. You know Sylvia Brown, right? That narsty old gal who usually makes appearances on the Montel Williams Show, talking too audience members about their dead relatives and messages she (Sylvia) gets from her psychic guide, Francine.
So why would I be reading her book? A couple of reasons…
First, I’m a member of a couple of the different secret societies she discusses in the book(Freemasons, Shriners, Knights Templor.) Strangely enough, her information is well researched and accurate (way to go, Francine!) Second, while I’m no true believer, what little experience I’ve had with psychics is, well, uncanny and interesting in it’s accuracy. So, off I went to read!
Most secret societies have some sort of root in religion. Whether they’re orgs that date back hundreds (even thousands) of years, there seems to be a strong faith element. This is where the whole reason of the post for today comes in…
I read Sylvia’s part in a chapter tonight and these words struck me as undeniably true:
“I’ve always found that people secure in their belief systems don’t have to scream and criticize those who attack them. But those who are insecure in their faith always fight back…sometimes viciously.”
Folks, I have very, VERY strong opinions on faith. But that’s all they are-opinions. And faith is only faith. It’s not truth, it’s one’s own personal belief in something that cannot be proven. Hence, faith.
Yet, it seems (like Sylvia said) there is always a contingency of folks who scream the loudest. And these are the people who (I’m convinced) are actually pretty insecure in their faith and their very understanding of what they scream about. Ya know, the kind of people who’ll be on the offensive so they don’t have to be on the defensive. Sad. And illogical. And certainly no way to portray one’s belief system.
Who’d have thunk Sylvia Brown would give such good food for thought?
Reaction
When I give a keynote lecture, almost invariably someone will say, “Man, I could never go through what you went through…”
Almost invariably I’ll reply, “You don’t know what you can go through until you have to go through it.”
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about this whole missing child, stonewalling young mother casey here in Orlando. If not, here’s the quick and dirty details…
A 22 year old mother, Casey, did not report her two year old, Kaley, missing for almost a month. Casey is now in jail, charged with obstruction of justice, but no one seems to believe little Kaley is still alive. The cops are treating the case as a homicide, not a missing person.
Casey, the mom, is in jail, but will not cooperate with law enforcement and investigators, constantly giving them stories about a babysitter who is, from everything we know, fictional.
Enter stage left Casey’s mother, Cindy. Cindy is one of the most self centered individuals I’ve ever heard interviewed on TV (and that's saying something). Instead of being concerned with finding her granddaughter, she’s instead chosen to use her time in the limelight to complain about how the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. has handled the case.
This is obviously the big story around Orlando-everyone is talking about it. I overheard a gentleman say, “Well, people keep complaining about how the grandmother is acting. But until you’ve been in that situation, you don’t really know what you’d do.”
Sound like anything you’ve heard before? You don’t know what you can go through until you have to go through it.
I totally, totally understand irrational, whack job reactions. I do. And people are forgiven for making things seem even more bizarre from initial reactions.
The thing is, the grandmother, Cindy, is saying this stuff a full two weeks after Kaley was reported missing. This is no longer a reaction, but exactly how this woman feels!
That’s the difference-reaction is temporary. Once reality has time to set in, THAT’s when the real truth comes out. And the truth here is (or so it seems) that Grandma Cindy is more concerned with her daughter’s incarceration than she is with working with law enforcement to find Kaley. Ridiculous.
We all are allowed to act badly at times. That’s what a reaction is. This, however, has proven itself to be NOT reaction, but reality.
Almost invariably I’ll reply, “You don’t know what you can go through until you have to go through it.”
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about this whole missing child, stonewalling young mother casey here in Orlando. If not, here’s the quick and dirty details…
A 22 year old mother, Casey, did not report her two year old, Kaley, missing for almost a month. Casey is now in jail, charged with obstruction of justice, but no one seems to believe little Kaley is still alive. The cops are treating the case as a homicide, not a missing person.
Casey, the mom, is in jail, but will not cooperate with law enforcement and investigators, constantly giving them stories about a babysitter who is, from everything we know, fictional.
Enter stage left Casey’s mother, Cindy. Cindy is one of the most self centered individuals I’ve ever heard interviewed on TV (and that's saying something). Instead of being concerned with finding her granddaughter, she’s instead chosen to use her time in the limelight to complain about how the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. has handled the case.
This is obviously the big story around Orlando-everyone is talking about it. I overheard a gentleman say, “Well, people keep complaining about how the grandmother is acting. But until you’ve been in that situation, you don’t really know what you’d do.”
Sound like anything you’ve heard before? You don’t know what you can go through until you have to go through it.
I totally, totally understand irrational, whack job reactions. I do. And people are forgiven for making things seem even more bizarre from initial reactions.
The thing is, the grandmother, Cindy, is saying this stuff a full two weeks after Kaley was reported missing. This is no longer a reaction, but exactly how this woman feels!
That’s the difference-reaction is temporary. Once reality has time to set in, THAT’s when the real truth comes out. And the truth here is (or so it seems) that Grandma Cindy is more concerned with her daughter’s incarceration than she is with working with law enforcement to find Kaley. Ridiculous.
We all are allowed to act badly at times. That’s what a reaction is. This, however, has proven itself to be NOT reaction, but reality.
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