Bad Press and Bad Politics

“There’s no such thing as bad publicity”…or so the saying goes. Publicity of any kind tends to make an impression. Then, whether the press was good or bad, the person in question is, at least, remembered.

There’s some truth to this. But I don’t buy it across the board. Here’s why…

I’ve been receiving voice mails on my house phone. I have a house phone only because it’s free with the cable and internet. So, it rings, I don’t answer. And then I get voice mail from every yahoo trying to get me to consolidate credit card debt, refinance my house, etc.

Here in the midst of the political season, I have politicians (a.k.a. yahoos) leaving voice mails. Today’s was from a certain yahoo I hear from at least a couple times per week. Tonight, his “advertisement” went a little something like this…

“I’m (insert yahoo’s name) and I’m looking out for the best interest of all Americans. The Democratically controlled House is trying to use your tax dollars to bail out corporations and give golden parachutes to the speculators…again, this is with your money.”

Now, that’s really intellectually dishonest. I’m not an economist. Chances are, neither are you. I’ve done my best to study this mess and it seems like there are just too many greedy bastards out there who’ve gotten us in this mess. I don’t know if it’s all speculators, if it’s all CEOs, if it’s Joe Average mortgage broker, if it’s bankers…I think there’s PLENTY of blame to go around.

I do, however, know enough about the market and the American economy to say, without a doubt, this particular yahoo has an agenda. He is not looking out for the best interest of me, nor any other American. If he’s looking out for anyone, it’s himself (duh, he’s a politician). With comments that are so biased and contrived to cause average folks to be panic-stricken, yeah, he’s got an agenda.

Even if this guy spoke the truth about everything, I don’t like hearing him on my voice mail. And I definitely don’t like it when he’s re-constructing the truth to fit his agenda.

So, in this case, there IS such a thing as bad press…and when I walk into the voting booth on Nov. 4 (and if you’re any kind of American, you’ll be in one, too), I will remember his name. And then I’ll pull the lever for the other candidate.

Engel's Ensights

I often get feedback from readers after sending out my monthly Engel’s Ensights newsletter. This one, though, stood out so much for the lesson it teaches!

Debe Hoffman is the sister of my favorite nurse, Barb, who stars in both “After This…” And “The Other End Of The Stethoscope.” As you’ll read, Debe has three kids nearly identical in age to my three stepkids. She, however, has had these kids from the point of conception where I got the privilege of step fathering just a year ago.

Anyway, Debe has given me little insights along the way about raising kids – especially as they transition out of teenagehood (is that a word? Is now!) into adulthood. Here’s a story she shared with me yesterday…. my comments follow.

***
Just as I had completed reading your Engel’s Ensights newsletter for September, the phone rang. it was the oldest (22 years old) now calling from school. He was so excited about a seminar that he had just left and wanted to share. He was one of only 10 seniors to be selected to spend 8 hours with some "guru" consultant on how to write a resume for both work and graduate school purposes.

He was able to capture some one on one time with the gentlemen after the session. Although this guy is paid by the hour and had fulfilled his obligations for the day, he stopped and talked to Nate for a few minutes about some individual input. Nate knew there was another appointment the guy (sorry forgot his name - Nate did tell me) needed to get to and he was running late, so Nate indicated that he didn't mind talking with him as he walked to his next appointment to allow the man to be on time. The guy stopped packing up his stuff and looked at Nathan and said, my investment in your future is what I am here to assist with – that is my mission and you deserve more than a winded conversation. He talked to Nate for about 5 minutes and made arrangements for them to get together before the final seminar and never lost eye contact. After that was taken care of the guy asked for the quickest way to get across the campus and Nate showed him out and on his way, saving the guy the 5 minutes he spent with Nate in the walk to the next appointment.

Nate ran into another student on his way to his next destination, and he was now running late himself. She stopped and asked about the seminar, she was not one of the lucky ones to get selected to attend. She wants to go to Law school and is really concerned about doing all the right things etc. Nate started to ask her to walk with him to class and he would give her some feedback on the seminar. But he remembered what the consultant had just done for him. So he stopped and made arrangements to meet her later. She was parked nearby and offered him a ride to his next destination and he arrived early.

It isn't always the book learning that sticks, it's the application of knowing how to live and live with a full heart and a comforted soul.

***
Debe, you couldn’t be more right! And the way to live with a full heart and comforted soul comes from the relationships we cultivate throughout life. Nate also got such an important lesson from this guru – when you’re speaking with someone, be fully engaged with him/her. It’s respectful and shows that person they are truly important and worth the investment. Truer words could not be spoken than what the guru said to Nate. Every adult who invests in the lives of tomorrow’s generation should take note!

Project HOPE

If you’ve read “After This…”, you may remember one of my BFFs from college, Hilary. She and Dasher were the best of friends during my first few years of college and now, even a decade later, she’s still one of my best friends.

Hilary is now a pediatrician in Boise, Idaho and doing some exciting work. Earlier this week, she left for a month long tour to Haiti through Project HOPE.

Project HOPE is a non-for-profit organization which promotes health and wellness in economically deprived areas around the world. Hilary has done several of these types of medical missions and the fact she does “extra” work like this (on top of her clinical career in Boise) makes me all the more proud to call her my friend!

You can learn more about Project HOPE and the fine work they do at:

www.ProjectHope.org

Some Well Deserved Gratitude

Over the weekend, I was randomly flipping channels looking for some news that was NOT about the political race. No dice. Gov. Palin was giving a speech in Florida and it seemed like most of the news channels were carrying it. So, thought I’d give her a listen for a couple minutes.

Not long after landing on this channel, Gov. Palin asked all the veterans to stand. The audience then erupted into applause, everyone excitedly showing support and gratitude to those who’ve served our country.

When Marvelyne and I were on a cruise a few weeks ago, a similar thing happened. The after dinner entertainment one evening was a version of the Newlywed Game. Three couples took the stage; one married for only a few days, one for 40 years, one for 63 years. The eldest of the couples were just the best…

The host went to each couple and asked how they’d met. The husband of the 63 year marriage said, “Well, we went on a date, I went to the war and when I came back, she was still single…so, I married her!”

No prompting, no invitation of applause, no leading the audience…as soon as he said he went to the war, the entire audience stood and applauded. Made me kinda misty to see so much support for this old fella and his military friends.

I always say my three biggest heros include teachers, nurses and soldiers. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one. After that despicable behavior of our country towards Vietnam vets in the 60s and 70s, it’s great to see we’re all now on board for giving our vets some well-deserved gratitude-no matter our political leanings.

HOSPITAL Workers Axed for Snapping Photos of Patients, Uploading to MySpace

Props to the UNM hospital for such swift and decisive action. Even if the patients in the photos cannot be identified, just to know one's arm, leg, torso, etc. is in a pic unknowingly posted to someone's MySpace profile is just disturbing.

Sadly enough, this incident, even if isolated, gives a bad impression of the hospital. Given a choice, will patients want to be treated at a hospital with this history? Maybe, maybe not-but by the hospital taking immediate action, it lessens the chances of this type of occurrence happening again.

*****
HOSPITAL Workers Axed for Snapping Photos of Patients, Uploading to MySpace
Monday, September 22, 2008

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Two University of New Mexico Hospital employees have been fired for using their cell phone cameras to take photos of patients receiving treatment and then posting the images to a social networking Web site.

Director of Public Affairs Sam Giammo said Sunday the photos — mainly close-ups of injuries being treated in the Albuquerque hospital's emergency room over the past few months — were posted on an employee's private MySpace page.

Giammo said he's never heard of a similar incident at the University of New Mexico Hospital or any other hospital.

A few other hospital employees were disciplined and the investigation is ongoing, he said.
UNMH values patient privacy "very, very highly and we will do everything we can to protect them," Giammo said. "We just won't tolerate unprofessional actions by any of our staff. We just won't stand for that."

The photos were discovered after a hospital supervisor received an anonymous tip about them Tuesday and launched an investigation.

Hospital managers personally oversaw the removal of the photos from the Web site and from the employees' cell phones, Giammo said.

"We have to rely on the people telling us that they don't have any others," he said.
The patients in the photos could not be notified that their pictures had been taken because their faces and personal identifying features had been removed from the photos, Giammo said.
Giammo said the MySpace page could only be accessed by the employee's online friends, not the general public.

Giammo said the employees who were fired violated a hospital policy that bans the use of cell phone cameras in patient areas. The other employees were disciplined for not bringing the photos to the attention of managers, he said.

The hospital is treating the matter as an employment issue and law enforcement has not been involved, Giammo said.

The use of cell phone cameras in hospitals have caused breaches of patient privacy or concern about such violations in California, Arizona and South Dakota in recent years.

"Florida Society of Medical Assistants"

Thanks to the FSMA for the opportunity to present at the state conference on Sat., Sept. 20!

Thank all of you for being such a warm and receptive audience AND for your commitment to excellence in customer service AND patient care.

Special thanks to Mary Morris for being such a great client and helping arrange the event!

The Way Things Ought To Be

When I was in high school, Rush Limbaugh released his first book, “The Way Things Ought To Be.” He was a controversial figure of the time, but being 16 and uninterested in political stuff, I wasn’t about to read that when there was plenty of good info in Rolling Stone!

Well, a few weeks ago, I had an experience. And that experience mirrors the title of Limbaugh’s book.

We were staying the night at a Microtel near the Philly Airport. Ever stayed in a Microtel? They’re about half the size of a normal hotel room and are pretty stripped down. Like, don’t expect a closet with a complimentary iron and a hair dryer. But if you just need a place to rest for a few hours, no problem.

We pulled into the Microtel around 10 p.m. and had to be out on an 8 a.m. flight. All I wanted was sleep and more sleep. The guest services attendant at the front desk was, based on his thick accent, probably an immigrant.

Every so often, I have an issue with an establishment wanting to bar me from entering based on Carson. Almost always, the person raising a fuss is not an American born citizen. I have empathy here, not anger. I am always, ALWAYS in favor of people bettering themselves and their lot in life. To immigrate to a new country, learn a new language and deal with all the unknowns of such a life change (all for the purpose of self improvement) is impressive. If someone has made this transition, I cannot possibly expect them to know our American A.D.A. laws. Yet, this guy did!

He saw Carson and I walk into the lobby and started towards us, already raising a fuss. “Great,” I thought, “I get to educate someone when I’m already exhausted.” However, when he saw Carson’s harness, he stopped, looked surprised and went back to his post behind the desk. After we’d done all the transactions, he asked, “May I see your dog’s identification card?” Absolutely!

Every service dog owner should carry an identification card for his/her dog. The I.D. should state the dog’s name, the dog’s service and school and (hopefully) a quick summation of the A.D.A. as it relates to working animals.

I pulled Carson’s I.D. out of my wallet, handed it across the counter and smiled inwardly. “This is the way things ought to be!” I thought.

I do not expect everyone in the world to know the Americans with Disabilities Act. I don’t really even expect all Americans to know the laws! But this hotel clerk certainly did-and that’s how things ought to be.

Teleconference Network Of Texas

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Yesterday was a first for yours truly. I was the guest presenter for a teleconference arranged by the Teleconference Network of Texas out of UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. We had a group of nutritionists from across the country hooked into the bridge and, based on some of the feedback via E mail, it went well! For the guy who’s real interactive with the audience, giving a program without human feedback was a challenge, but it went really well!

Special thanks to B.J. Brown in San Antonio for being such a great host and moderator! I’d include some pictures, but since this was over the phone, you don’t really want to see me sitting on my couch in a grubby old tee shirt and khaki shorts, do ya?!

Do The Knight Thing!

A few years ago, I was a keynote speaker at the University of Central Florida. Whenever I speak at a university, I immediately become a fan of that school! So, if it’s a Saturday afternoon in October and I’m flipping around the TV, if I come across a game played at a college/university where I’ve spoken, BAM! I’m rooting for that team!

Who knew that when I spoke at UCF, I’d someday end up living about three miles from campus! Being in such close proximity, I throw my support behind the Knights whenever I can! And now that I’m in talks with the UCF athletic dept. about doing another program there later this fall, it’s even more incentive to cheer for the home team!

I was just looking around UCF’s home page and stumbled upon something exciting: “Do The Knight Thing!”

This campaign is designed to show sportsmanship, respect for the opponent and loyalty to UCF. And man, how many other schools could use something like this!

It’s sorta sad how often times school spirit turns into opposing school disrespect. The evolution from cheering for the home team has sometimes turned into jeering the opposing team. That’s not sportsmanship and really makes the hecklers look stupid. Nothing makes a worse showing than a rude fan ruining the game for everyone.

Props to the hometown UCF teams for making strides in athletics and competition!

If you’d like to learn more, check out:

www.DoTheKnightThing.com

Choices like "Clockwork"

If you’ve never read or seen, “A Clockwork Orange”, you may want to be cautious. I first read the 1962 Anthony Burgess novel about 10 years ago, but thought after a decade, it was time to re-acquaint with some old droogs(Clockwork slang for “friends.”)

In this novel, Alex (the anti-hero) is an ultra violent hoodlum who wanders the streets of a futuristic city where, the reader is led to believe, the world has “advanced” into a state of anarchy. Severe beatings, thieving, rape, and murder are commonplace for Alex and his gang, all of which are set to the tune of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in the 1971 movie based on the novel.

Alex is finally caught by the police and sentenced to prison. While there, he’s the center of an aversion therapy experiment to cure him of his violent nature. Alex is strapped down, eyes splayed open while horrific and violent images are flashed on a screen before him. Right before the movie begins, he’s pumped full of drugs to induce nausea. Hence, anything he thinks of as violent following the therapy will bring on the sicky feeling.

That’s about where I am in the book, but more than anything, I wanted to share this quote from one of Alex’s doctors. Alex is cringing and suffering during the therapy and his tormentor says:

“You have no cause to grumble, boy. You made your choice and all this is a consequence of your choice. Whatever now ensues is what you, yourself, have chosen.”

Upon first read, this is a pretty accurate summation of life in general. We are all the products of our decisions, but some of us are the products of the decisions of others. Had not someone made an irresponsible choice a decade and a half ago, you wouldn’t be reading the words on your screen right now. Still, our choices lead to our ultimate fulfillment and happiness. Or, in the case of Alex, the punishment our choices bring upon us.

Disabled Musicians Take Note

One of my favorite time killers is surfing through craigslist.org. Lately, I’ve been slacking off on playing guitar, so I broke out the six string this evening and ran through a few tunes. One thing I’ve been severely disappointed in is how, since relocating to FL, I’ve let my music be replaced by other stuff. Music has always been a big part of my life, and playing gigs the last few years in The Lou was a real joy.

So, I’d like to get that aspect of life back in order. Jumped on CL, looked through the musicians section and saw a post about a disabled musician. In a nutshell, this guy is a lead guitarist who was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident two years ago. Dude claims he can make a guitar scream and I don’t doubt him. He wrote a lot about how he’s tried to get into a band, but to no avail and how he wonders if any band would ever want a paralyzed musician playing alongside them.

Most every response to this guy was positive and encouraging. One even suggested he stop by a music store in town which employs a bass player who has a similar disability. CL musicians are usually pretty ruthless to one another, mainly because it seems like they feel there are only a few openings for rockers and they’ve gotta talk smack on the other peeps or they’ll get the positions. So, to read encouraging responses like these was pretty cool!

Of course, there was the obligatory jerk. One jackleg had to throw out the typical idiot response. Something like, “Sorry dude, but you’re right. Audiences are looking for action on stage. If you can’t move around, no band is going to want you.”

Right. Like rock bands are known for their choreography. R & B? Yes. Pop? Yes. Boy bands? Yes. Motown? Yes. Rock? Nah.

Speaking as a guy who picked up an instrument four years after becoming disabled, I know the stigma around disability is sometimes overwhelming. I also know that if this guy is still at a pretty fragile stage emotionally, some dumb comment from a buffoon telling him audiences want action is a tough thing to swallow. When you’re in that sensitive of a state, one negative, discouraging comment can easily tip the scales from 1000 positive comments. For this player, I hate that.

What do we learn from all this? That sometimes people need encouragement, not poo pooing. Actually, people ALWAYS need encouragement, not poo pooing, but especially when it took such guts to put himself out there.

I hope this guy, and any other musicians with disabilities, will tune out the naysayers and continue to play. Rock on!

DeSales University, September 3

Third year in a row and they just keep getting better! Thank you to the freshmen (and more!) class of DeSales University in Center Valley, PA for a fantastic Character U experience! We had a blast! The standing room only crowd was an absolute delight and, despite Carson having a little pukey spell halfway through my program, the POD’s were rockin the house!

Character U is one of the most exciting and outstanding freshman programs in the Nation. DeSales does and amazing job of offering students the tools and motivation needed to get the most from the college experience – start to finish!

Extra, EXTRA special thanks go to Dr. Greg Amore, Wendy Krisak and Chad Surface for hiring and re-hiring me and giving me the opportunity to work with new groups of wonderful DeSales students!

You guys are awesome to work with (and to hang out with too!!) Thanks Greg for giving us the tour of the Amore Vineyards – we enjoyed our time with you so much – and we cherish the souvenirs! Friends, if you're ever in the Lehigh Valley in PA, be sure to stop by The Amore Vineyards and Farm and meet the crew – it's an experience you won't forget!

Florida Civitan Convention

Thanks to the Florida Civitan Convention for inviting me to keynote on Saturday, Sept. 13!

Civitan (if you're not familiar), is a civic organization with a strong emphasis in providing assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities. And a more quality group you cannot find! Business, civic and faith-based leaders all compose this organization with a really special mission!

Thanks to Jean Smith, the Florida Civitan Governor, and also to Dr. David Persky for promoting my services to yet another group!

Pics include me with Abigail Persky (Dr. Persky's daughter and one of my coolest friends from Academy at the Lakes). Thanks girl!

Dude! It's Been 2 Weeks Since I Last Blogged!

Really? Two weeks since I last blogged?

For a guy who promises himself to try to blog every day, this is totally, TOTALLY unacceptable. But, allow me to ‘splain…

Sept. 3 found me on a 6 a.m. flight to Philly (see DeSales University blog post that’ll be up on Sunday)

Then? To the motherland, St. Louis, for a few doc appointments, my best friend (and best man’s) 30th birthday bash and finally some time with my family. Carson got to hang with my parents because, the next morning, Marvelyne and I were on a flight back to Orlando and headed out on a four day cruise. I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve had a vacation (other than our honeymoon last summer)…is that pathetic or what? Hurricaine Ike played with us a little, but we still got the cruise in and, of course, four days equals 20 pounds when it comes to cruising! Landed back in port yesterday morning, then I hopped on a plane to The Lou to retrieve the retriever. Back to Orlando late last night and then to Tampa for the Florida Civitan Convention today. Whew! So, needless to say, I’ve been a-runnin’!

Stories and blog posts to come from all these adventures, but I didn’t want another minute to pass without getting something up. And, hey, if this is all just too boring…at least you know I’m not dead!

A Grand's Worth of Service

Every so often, the media finds a story that does not involve blood and carnage and controversy. That’s the case with a recent story out of Illinois…

A waitress at an Illinois restaurant received a $1000 tip from an anonymous patron. The waitress, a single mom of a 12 year old, says she’ll use the money to send her child on a trip to Washington D.C. with school.

How cool is that? The absolute bbest kind of chairity is anonymous. Hands down, it’s giving for the point of giving. Not for accolades, not for tax write-offs, not for making good impressions on people around them. It’s giving for the sole purpose of helping.

I love how the Salvation Army gets Rolex watches, diamond earrings and antique gold coins placed in the buckets. Every donation is important and appreciated, but when it’s a sizeable donation just out of the goodness of the giver’s heart, it makes it even more special.

The waitress in question was asked by a reporter, “Did you give them $1000 service? Or is this the way you treat all your customers?” She said, “This was the way I treat everyone I serve.”

Lesson learned-do the right thing, treat everyone the same (that is, impeccably) and maybe, just maybe there’ll be a $1K tip waiting for you, too! And thanks to the media for putting the whole “if it bleeds, it leads” thing on the back burner for a day or two.