In Search of the Human Spirit

Free Mental Health Care for Soldiers and their Families

2008-05-09T17:50:00.001-07:00

Free Mental Health for Returning Soldiers

Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan can now receive the mental health services they need for free. The Soldiers Project is a non-profit organization set up to provide mental health care to soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.

The group is made up of licensed mental health professionals who want to help fill the need. These people do this all on a volunteer basis. Services are provided in their private offices and are confidential.

With tens of thousands of soldiers coming home with PTSD and other emotional issues, the VA is unable to keep up with the influx of patients. The Soldiers Project hopes to fill the gap so that those needing help can get it regardless of their ability to pay or the backlog of applications at the VA.

According to the Soldiers Project website you are eligible for services if:
* Active duty uniformed service members who have served in OIF/OEF
* Members of activated Reserve/Guard military units with service in OIF/OEF
* Veterans of OEF/OIF
* Family members of the above including spouses, parents, grandparents, children, siblings, etc
* Other loved ones

Visit their website to find out how to apply for services: The Soldiers Project

Pack up your unwanted food for Saturday!

2008-05-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday is the Post Office's annual "Stamp Out Hunger" Day. Every May, postal carriers around the country pick up bags of food left by residents on their route.

You can participate by filling a bag with unused and sealed packages of pasta, juice, canned soup, cereal, canned vegetables, rice and other grains, and canned meats. Expired items and those in glass containers are prohibited. Then leave your bag by your mailbox before your normal pickup time on May 10th.

You can visit the website: http://helpstampouthunger.com to learn more. Contact your local Post Office to see if they are participating in the food drive.

Human Spirit Is Back

2008-05-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

My apologies to my readers for another break in the action. April was an incredibly trying month. I had my brother's 3 dogs (including 2 puppies) for a week. Then my own dog was sick for the second time in 3 months. She had a bladder infection and was throwing up for a week. I had to hand feed her for a couple of days. She's doing much better now, but I'm burnt to a crisp.

I am hoping that May will be a much better month.

Thanks for your patience and I hope you will continue to enjoy this blog.

Camels Bring Books to Kenyans

2008-03-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

In America, we take things like public libraries for granted. Don't have enough money to buy a book? Get out your library card and borrow one from your nearest library.

In many parts of the world, their are no local public libraries. People may never see books because they can't afford one and there's nowhere nearby to borrow one from. The Camel Book Drive hopes to bring books to parts of Kenya where they are not readily available.

The project was started by authors who wanted to fill the void. The project is now open to anyone who wants to donate. Books can be chosen from a list at Amazon.com. They accept books in English and Swahili. When they arrive and are sorted, they then are loaded onto camel mobile library and taken to whatever area is served.

A few thousand books have been donated since the project began. Every book sent is a gift. You can learn more about the project from theCamel Book Drive blog.

Wasted Backyard Fruit Serves the Community

2008-03-17T18:30:00.001-07:00

You've got a tree in your yard. It bears fruit. You eat as much as you can and then you get to the point where you hope you never have to eat anymore. What a waste!

That's what Natasha Boissier thought as she walked her neighborhood. She saw front yard littered with splattered fruit. Perfectly good fruit that folks were tired of. Fruit that rotted on limbs because no one picked it.

Bossier formed North Berkeley Harvest to solve the problem. Her group picks all that unwanted fruit. Then they donate it to homesless shelters, food banks, after school programs, and so forth. She has an agreement with the Chez Panisse Foundation, so some of the fruit ends up in school lunch programs.

A couple of weeks ago, Bossier set out with some volunteers. In just a couple of hours they collected about 150 pounds of fruit.

The group works mainly in the Oakland, Berkeley, and Contra Costa County. They provide a service to homeowners who don't have the time or inclinations to pick fruit, they keep the sidewalks clean of the unwanted messes, and they feed the poor. Just a couple of days a month but awhole lot of good gets done.

Happy (2nd) St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-17T18:17:00.001-07:00

Did you know that St. Patrick's Day fell on the 15th this year? The Catholic Church determines when this holy day falls. Because Easter is early this year, Holy Week and St. Patrick's Day have collided. Holy Monday happens to be March 17th this year. Such festivities as St. Patrick's Day are not allowed during Holy Week, so the day was moved back.

Some cities observed the holiday on Saturday. But, I'm taking no chances. I don't want to get pinched, so I wore green both days :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Don't forget to wear your green!

Project BudBurst Needs You!

2008-03-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

Climate change is a big issue these days. You may feel powerless to affect change. Project BudBurst wants to get you involved.

The national program is designed to get backyard gardeners in on collection research about native plants. The object is to have members nationwide who will record information about the trees and flowering plants in their region. The information collected will be used to note how changes in climate are affecting local environments.

The project was started in 2007. Information collected was entered into a database. Now they are ready for year two. Do you want to join the Project BudBurst community?

Here's the link for more information: Project BudBurst

Newborn Survives Fall off of Train

2008-03-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

This is really incredible! A pregnant woman gave birth prematurely in a bathroom on a train in India. Indian trains toilets empty directly on the tracks and the baby went right through the toilet and out onto the tracks! The mother passed out after delivery. When she recovered, she informed family who were also on the train what happened. Two hours later, the baby girl was found on the tracks and just fine.

Here's the story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080228/od_nm/india_toilet_dc;_ylt=Avxx50DioK0OQ3rRd.Awczus0NUE

The Lion and His Rescuer

2008-02-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

This is an old link, but it's well worth viewing! A woman rescued this lion and nursed it back to health. She then took it to the zoo so it could have a home.

She went back to visit and the lion was overjoyed to see her. Just look at the welcome she got:
http://www.telestereo.com/Archivos/video.html

Recycle Your Sneakers!

2008-02-21T22:52:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what you could do with all those old tennis shoes? Nike is one step ahead of you (no pun intended!) They've got a program that recycles old tennis shoes. The shoes are ground up into what is appropriately named "Nike Fill". The fill is used to make a variety of sports courts from tennis courts to playgrounds.

This is a world wide program and Nike takes just about any brand. There are a few restrictions.

So far, Nike Fill has been used in 250 courts.

See the website for details.

Needle Exchange Advocate Fights the Law

2008-02-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

Bill Day believes that the most important thing he can do is provide clean needles for drug users in Texas. Since Texas has no needle exchange program, he's stepped up to fill the void.

Day has been arrested because of it. He now faces one year in jail.

Day is 73. He is HIV+, too. He currently heads the Bexar Area Harm Reduction Coalition. The Coalition goes into the poor areas of San Antonio, Texas and hands out needles. This is an unsanctioned program which is why Day got in trouble.

Ten years ago, the US Surgeon General advocated for needle exchange programs. It's one way to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Although the other 49 states have a program, Texas does not.

Maria Shriver's Moment

2008-02-10T17:46:00.000-08:00

Did you happen to see Maria Shriver's endorsement of Presidential candidate, Barack Obama? I have seent it and it just kind of got to me. Not because she is supporting Obama, but because of the courage it took for her to stand up there and do what she felt she needed to do--especially after she said she would not endorse anyone just last week. She wasn't even invited to the event. Nor did the organizer know she was coming. She woke up Sunday thinking about it, made her choice after a discussion with her daughter. They went to a horse show and then she felt compelled to be there on stage. She didn't even change her clothes or put on makeup! That's how bad she felt the need to be there.

It struck me how women are coming into their own after so many years of struggle. Maybe for the first time the media and others care what women think. Suddenly, their opinion has become very important. We've got our first female Speaker of the House, a woman is Secretary of State, the second women sits on the Supreme Court, 73 women in the house and 16 women in the Senate, there are 8 female governors, and a woman is running for President.

It seems like a such a time of empowerment. No longer are women in the shadow of their husbands.They are standing up on their own and people are taking note. I saw that in 2004 only 49% of single women and 61% of married women voted. Let's hope many more women vote in 2008!

If you haven't seen it and would like to, here it is: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/03/maria-shriver-in-surprise_n_84648.html

Vote! Vote! Vote!

2008-02-04T17:45:00.000-08:00

The Presidential primary season is upon us. It's now your chance to get out and be heard. If you haven't registered, do it! And, don't forget to vote!

Teenager Build Electric Car

2008-02-01T17:53:00.002-08:00

What were you doing at 16 years old? Andrew Angelotti built his first electric pickup truck.

It was a 1988 Mazda. It cost him $6,000 to convert. His power comes from 20 flooded lead acid batteries and a 60 hp 9 inch electric motor. The truck gets up to 50 by miles per hour and can go 40 miles per charge.

With one vehicle under his belt, he's owned to the next project. It'll be a 1992 Toyota Tercel. He's hoping to use a larger motor so we can get up to 80 mph.

If a 16-year-old can do it, what's stopping the major manufacturers?

From the Taliban to Teaching

2008-02-01T17:51:00.001-08:00

Shavkat Ali was recruited by the Taliban 17 years old. His village in Pakistan was very poor. The Taliban seemed like a way to get out.

Ali trained in Chechnya. He was fighting in Afghanistan in 2001. Up until 9/11, he believed in the cause. Then the two Towers fell and Ali began to question the policies of the Taliban and their links to terrorism.

Ali came to the conclusion that the Koran did not support those ideals. He left the military battles behind and went into teaching.

He now believes education is the key to alleviating the social ills of this country. He focuses on providing a secular education to girls. He firmly believes that females are the future. According to Ali, "these people who are not going to school that's the basis of terrorism." Ali Bee Gees if you've educate one female, she will demand an education for her children. He is now part of the solution.

Educational Opportunities on the Internet

2008-02-01T17:48:00.000-08:00

Professors are reaching out to the Internet audience. Video lectures of university level courses are popping up all over the web. UC Berkeley has an agreement with Youtube. The former president of Harvard is an investor in Fora.tv -- a site with lectures and debates geared towards the scholar. There is also Big Think with lectures on a variety of topics from educators and prominent individuals.

In the future we may see more universities reaching out to those who might not otherwise benefit from their offerings. In the meantime, check out these web sites:

bigthink.com

FORA.tv

http://youtube.com/user/ucberkeley

First Power Soccer Championship

2008-01-16T13:30:00.000-08:00

In October, there was a special soccer championship. The game was between United States and France. It was the first ever Power Soccer World Cup held in Tokyo, Japan.

What is Power Soccer? It's soccer played in power wheelchairs. These are easy athletes, but all are disabled. All are wheelchair-bound.

The sport first started in France. It has yet to gain recognition as wheelchair sport. Who knows how many people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities will find inspiration just from this tournament?

Co-workers Become Mother and Son

2008-01-16T13:29:00.001-08:00

For months, Steve Flaig often greeted Christine Tallady at work. What a shock it was to find out Tallady was his birth mother.

The 22 your old always knew he was adopted. Early in his life, he wanted to find his first mother. When he turned 18, he gained access to his adoption records. Four years of searching brought them to the realization that he was spelling his birth mother sore name wrong. He began his search over.

When he corrected the error, he found a possibility living near where he worked. He couldn't believe it when he found out that they both work for Lowe's. He knew who she was, but took two months to get the nerve to approach her. He went to the adoption agency with his find. Employee made the call for him.

He has since sat down with his birth mother -- a conversation went on for 2 1/2 hours. The reunion continues each time they see each other at work.

Chris Haley Carries the Torch for Uncle Alex

2008-01-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

Alex Haley wrote a wonderful book Roots. It was probably the reason why many people began their family tree research. Although Haley has passed away, his research lives on in his nephew, Chris Haley.

Haley is 40 years old. He's the research director of the Legacy of Slavery Project worked works out of the Maryland State Archives. Haley decided to take a DNA test to see what else he can learn about his heritage be gone what his uncle had found out. The test confirmed that he had white heritage.

This is opened a whole new research avenue for the Haley family tree. He the plans to find out as much as possible about his new ancestry. With Uncle Alex only working on one branch of the family tree, Chris has a lot to discover.

Whole Foods Gives Away Food for Free

2008-01-08T13:28:00.000-08:00

On December 13 the computers crashed at the Whole Foods Market in West Hartford, Connecticut. The managers had to decide what to do. There were many customers in line a more milling around the store.

Assistant manager, Ted Donaghue, conferred with the other managers. They decided to give all customers their food for free while the computers were down. They lost about $4000 during that period, but it has probably earned them a whole lot of satisfied customers.

Manager, Kimberley Hall, took responsibility for the problem. She sought as Whole Foods mistake and decided not to make it a hassle for the customers.

Dog Maul Victim Turns 17

2008-01-03T00:57:00.000-08:00

In June of 2001, Shawn Jones was 10 years old. One day while riding his bike, he was attacked by three pit bulls.

He had the fight of his lying on the operating table. Doctors repaired damage to his head and upper body. Then he spent 11 months in the hospital and went through multiple reconstructive surgeries. After he was released, he had to go through intensive rehabilitation.

Jones faced emotional trauma as well as physical pain. His mother was unemployed and had trouble dealing with stress. Because of this she gave up custody and Jones went to live with an aunt.

His mother regretted her choice especially after she found out that her son had been sent to a boarding school in New York. She went to court and regain custody.

Today Jones is 17. He attends Mt. Diablo high school and lives in Concord, California. He is a brother and cousin also going to the same school. He plays football and wrestling. He has a 3.5 grade-point average.

Because Jones has had to struggle through his experience, he is become a mentor to other children who of the mauled. He talks to them at the same hospital that saved his life.

This quote from his coach, Tony Darone, sums up Jones's attitude:

"Athletically, he's really just like any other player. There's lot of fighting him, and he works hard. He doesn't feel sorry for yourself for what happened to him. He doesn't want to be catered to, he wants to be treated just like anybody else, and that's what we do.

Twins Reunited

2008-01-02T12:54:00.000-08:00

In the 1960s, a psychological study was undertaken on twins to determine the affects of nature versus nurture. Not much is known about the study except that the twins were separated as babies and that separation was permanent.

One set of twins from the experiment were reunited in 2007. Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein had not seen each other since they were babies. They were adopted by different couples and raised in different communities.

30 years later, Elyse decided to find her birth mother. Instead, she found a twin sister. The twins have written a book about the experience. They are also working to find out how their separation came about.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T17:19:00.000-08:00

I would like to wish all my readers a Happy 2008! May it be a prosperous, enjoyable year filled will whatever you want it to be.

I have to apologize for the lack of posts at the end of the year. I had so many things to do with the holidays that I didn't take time out for other things. It's difficult to juggle time and abilities when you live with a disability.

At any rate, I already have several posts in the works and hope to be blogging away very soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Impermanent Art

2007-11-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

Guido Daniele is a painter. He paints on bodies. He creates amazing graphics on torsos and beautiful animals on hands.

Daniele was born in 1950 in Milano, Italy. He studied in India. He first started out doing advertising illustrations. In 1990, he began body painting. Each hand creation takes a few hours. Imagine all that work only to be washed off later.

Check out some of his mindboggling creations: http://www.guidodaniele.com/bodypaint01.htm

Jindal is a First in the United States

2007-10-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

Louisiana held election this week. It has become the first state to elect an Indian American Governor. He's also the first non-White Governor in Louisiana since Reconstruction. His name is Piyushnaba "Bobby" Jindal.

Jindal was born in the US, but his parents were from India. He's the youngest Governor in the US right now at 36.He was a member of US House of Representatives.

He ran for Governor in Louisiana in 2004. However, he lost to Kathleen Blanco. Blanco, a Democrat, was pushed over the top with the votes of White Conservatives.

Things have changed in Louisiana since then. Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and ineptitude was seen from the Federal level on down. Blanco seemed ill prepared to handle the aftermath of the worst natural disaster on American soil.

Jindal ran on an anti-corruption platform. Although there were no specific charges, Louisiana has been stereotyped as a wheeling and dealing government for a long time. He also plans to make New Orleans and it's people a focal point of his administration.

It's great to see that Americans from a variety of backgrounds are making their way into Government. It's one step forward and two steps backward. But, we are making progress!