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Have you ever heard of the VPC?

The Violence Policy Center was formed in 1988 by individuals from a group of long-time, prominent anti-gun activists.

Based out of Washington, D.C., and operating as a "think tank" that researches gun issues and lobbies Congress, the stated purpose of this organization is to end private firearms ownership in the United States.

They think you don't need a gun, and that the police will protect you.

Back in the mid-'90s, during the time of the Great Satan (as a gun owner, you remember Bill Clinton, right?), the VPC produced an infomercial that ran on late night TV.

I caught it one night, and was stunned. I don't remember a lot of the commercial, but one statement burned itself into my mind:

"Ten children a day die from gun violence in the United States."

I absolutely cringed when I heard that. I knew it wasn't true, but I also knew the sound bite would be picked up by the national media and it would become rote knowledge - urban legend - massaged facts.

I had no idea how much I missed the mark on that call.

Ann Landers and Dear Abby, the twins against guns, picked up the statement and started running it in their thousands of columns across the U.S. Before you could say "misinformation," the figure was accepted knowledge, as if it had been inscribed in the King James version of the Holy Bible.

It's simply not true.

A look at the math will throw the whole statement into doubt: If 10 children a day die from gun violence in the U.S., that's 3,650 kids every year.

If 3,650 kids died from gun violence every year, we would all know lots of people who had lost kids to guns. Exponentially, the numbers would grow into horrifying totals that would surpass death totals from the worst wars this nation has survived.

Obviously, the statement is untrue. Or rather, as with most statistics, they have been "massaged" to make them come out the way the VPC wants them.

But we have at our fingertips yet another of those massive government studies - the National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 58, No. 19, May 20, 2010.

The government collects statistics on everything you can imagine, and in this case we have the figures from 2007. I believe the figures for 2009 have now been published, but this was the latest information I had at the time of writing this column, so we will use these figures.

Let's not consider anything else in this massive report, except Table 10 that covers the number of 2007 deaths in the United States from 113 selected causes by age.

According to this study, accidental discharge of firearms accounted for a total of 65 deaths of children 14 years of age and under in 2007.

That's in the entire United States, with an approximate population of 3 million.

Accidental drowning and submersions accounted for 739 deaths of children 14 years of age and under in 2007.

There were a total of 53 suicides by firearms in the child population (14 years of age and under) in the U.S. in 2007.

Finally, the total number of children murdered (homicides) with firearms in the U.S. in 2007 was 264. That's children 14 years of age, and under.

When you add all accidental shootings, suicides by gun and homicides, the total number of children lost to gun violence in the U.S. in 2007 was 382.

That's a far cry less than the numbers lost in accidental drownings - statistically, a swimming pool is a far greater danger to the life of a child than a gun in the home.

Hey... it's your government that compiled these statistics.

Read them and understand what the Violence Policy Center is trying to do by making such low statistics (in a nation of 300 million people) into a national scourge - through use of a sound bite that is a patent lie.

In other words, the VPC inflated the actual death rates from 382 to 3,650 - an increase of more than 90 percent.

So, you ask in outrage, how do they do that? How do they get away with making such brazen, outlandish lies and not be taken to task for them?

How, you ask, can even the notoriously anti-gun national media take such blatant lies and promote them until everyone accepts their figures as rote and fact?

In fact, the VPC is not lying to you, me, or the media.

Remember that statement earlier about massaged statistics?

Consider the age groups.

The federal government, along with reporting agencies such as the National Safety Council and the National Center for Health Statistics, considers a child as being 14 years of age and under.

The Violence Policy Center compiled their figures from the same database - except they count everyone as a child under the age of 21.

And when you review the statistics, you note that after the age of 16, the death totals begin taking quantum leaps due to youth, gang and street violence.

And remember, it is not the problem it is played up to be - always accept statistical compilations with a jaundiced eye until you can review the parameters under which they were gathered.

The death of any child, by any means, is a horrific thing to consider - but the death of children by firearms in the U.S. is a manufactured scourge - a sound bite that took on a life of its own, and is repeated to this day by pontificating talking heads in the media and ivy-covered halls when they really don't know what they are talking about.

While the death of any child is a tragedy, the scare tactics of kids and guns is a manufactured epidemic designed to horrify - and mobilize - anti-gun emotions in frightened parents unaware of the real facts.

Not that we are making light of teaching gun safety to kids: It is an important part of growing up. They should be cautiously aware of the dangers of guns, running into the streets without looking and leaving swimming pool gates unlocked - carelessness invites tragedy.

I urge you to get a free copy of the NRA's Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program for kids by simply logging onto www.nra.org and searching "Eddie Eagle."

The NRA will send one copy of this award-winning cartoon and coloring book program to you - and you will be amazed at how well kids respond to it.

By simple sing-song rhyme and rhythm, Eddie Eagle promotes one message:

"If you find a gun, stop. Don't touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult!"

Get the program and teach your kids gun safety.

Don't do foolish and careless things like leaving loaded guns where curious little minds and hands can get them.

Practice reasonable safety precautions, and give your kids the gift of a sport (shooting) that will improve and enrich their minds and lifestyles for the rest of their lives.

They will then teach their children, and our sport will be furthered and enjoyed the way it should be for generations into the future.


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Crappie fishing on Lake Marion was slowed a bit by the recent extreme cold weather, but as usual, some fishermen figured out how to catch them. Typical for early March, some big crappie are being caught in shallow water in the upper end of the lake.

Matthew Outlaw of St. Matthews fishes the upper end of Lake Marion consistently and, despite the water temperature plummeting, he has recently developed a strong pattern for big fish.

“The fish are in a good shallow-water pattern now, and despite the cold weather and dropping water temperatures we’re catching some big crappie consistently in water less than 5 feet deep,” Outlaw said. “The key is working slow and having plenty of patience to find the fish. When we get on them, we’re catching some slabs.”

Outlaw parlayed his strong pattern into a major victory last weekend, winning the Crappie Masters Santee Cooper crappie tournament, a national qualifying event. Fishing with partner Wesley Phibbs, Outllaw caught a limit that averaged nearly 2 pounds per fish.

“The pattern we’re on is one where we were fishing in the Stump Hole area of Lake Marion, but back in the woods,” Outlaw said. “We’re tight-lining in the thick clusters of cypress trees, and the presentation has been very slow. The best thing about it is, we’re catching a lot of quality fish. The action is not fast-paced because of the dropping water temperatures, but the big fish are there and will bite.”

Outlaw said he was slow-trolling in and around the heavy cover of the cypress trees using his Hummingbird graph to help spot underwater cover and fish.

“I’m fishing multiple 16-foot B ‘n’ M poles and a ¼-ounce Rockport Rattler jighead with white and chartreuse Midsouth tube jigs, said Outlaw, who fished 10-pound Vicious line because of the heavy cover around the cypress trees. “I’m maneuvering the boat in about 5 feet of water but the lures are actually catching the crappie slightly shallower, in water ranging from 2 to 4 ½ feet deep. There’s plenty of crappie in the shallows right now; the fish are not on an aggressive bite as they normally are at this time of year because of the cold, but that’s changing now.

“By staying patient and working plenty of cover in that pattern, big fish can be caught in good numbers,” Outlaw said. “Since last weekend, the water has begun to warm, and the bite should even improve quickly to where it would normally be during early to mid-March. I look for this fishing to get really strong over the next couple of weeks with warming water.”

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AR MasterSingers Scholarship

The Arkansas Master'Singers have been collecting funds to establish the Master'Singers Memorial Scholarship for a number of years.  This scholarship is designed to support students who are preparing for some type of vocational ministry through music.  The scholarship is named in memory of deceased members of the Arkansas Master'Singers.  The principal funds, which serve as a foundation for the scholarship, are received in the form of freewill offerings at concerts presented annually by The Arkansas Master'Singers.

 To request a scholarship packet, please callt 800.838.2272 ext. 5121

The guidelines for this scholarship are as follows:

1.  General Information
     a.  The applications will be reviewed and scholarship awards determined by a Scholarship Committee comprised of members of The Master'Singers officers and ABSC Executive Board music staff, in consultation with the staff of the Arkansas Baptist Foundation.
     b.  The scholarship award will be $2,000, paid in a lump sum directly to the school indicated by the person chosen to receive the scholarship, and designated for that student's use.
     c.  No person will be eligible to participate on the Scholarship Committee in the selection process whose relative or student is involved in the scholarship application process.

2.  Requirements of Applicants
     a.  Applicants must be an active member of a congregation cooperating with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, or orginally from an Arkansas Baptist congregation but now actively involved in a Southern Baptist congregation in another state and cooperating with state and national SBC entities.
     b.  Applicants must submit the completed application form and personal statement on or before June for the coming academic school year.
     c.  Three Recommendation Questionnaires must be completed and returned to the ABSC Leadership & Worship Team office, one each from: a staff member from the applicant's local congregation, a music teacher familiar with the applicant, and a lay person from the applicant's local congregation.  Matters for consideration include the applicant's Christian commitment (including an affirmation of the applicant's likely contribution to the ministry of music), character, commitment to completing an education, and worthiness for use of scholarship funds designed to assist a student preparing for a ministry career.  (Recommender should return the Questionnaire directly to the ABSC Leadership & Worship Team, not to the applicant, by June)
     d.  Applicants must be at least a senior in high school for eligibility.

3.  Criteria for Awarding the Scholarship
     a.  Commitment to some type of vocational ministry through music.
     b.  Past and current contributions to and participation in a local church music ministry.
     c.  Scholastic record - first consideration given to students with a 2.5 or higher GPA (4.0 scale).
     d.  Current enrollment or anticipated fall enrollment as a college, university or seminary student seeking a degree in music or church music (theology degree with church music emphsasis is acceptable).
     e.  Written recommendations of church staff, music teacher and lay person.
     f.  Financial need - given consideration in balance with the other criteria.

4.  Process of the Scholarship Committee
     a.  Notice of the scholarship will be given tot he members of The Arkansas Master'Singers, the church music departments at OBU and WBC, and to the public through an announcement in the Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine in April of each year.
     b.  The Committee will meet after June and name a recipient by July 31
     c.  The Scholarship Committee may choose to interview applicants as needed.

5.  Factors not specifically covered in this description of the Process and Guidelines may be dteremined and acted upon by a majority vote of the Scholarship Committee.  In the absence of a qualified applicant, the Scholarship Committee is not required to award a scholarship.  The decision of the Scholarship Committee are final.


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Carpenters Work After East Coast Earthquake

by Hank
(New York )

I have been on the east coast all my life and I have never experienced a earthquake before it was truly scary I want to talk about what carpenters are doing and will be doing to ensure that this is a swift transition form weird to back to normal.

When a earthquake occurs carpenters are one of the many trades that will help pick up the pieces and lend their services to their fellow man and brethren. When an earthquake occurs carpenters and engineers will inspect building for cracks and damage. Being that the east coast does receive earthquakes the buildings are not built to stand a earthquake.

I was doing a scaffolding job in New York and the earthquake occurred while I was on the scaffold. I was a few stories high and I was building the scaffold I was scared and I went home for the day after the incident occurred. The next morning we had to inspect all of the scaffolding in the area which actually took all day.

I was happy that no one got hurt and I am not anticipating on another earthquake. The next time that something like this happens will be to soon. It has thrown the projection time for completion off on the carpentry job that I am on, and it was the most stressful day that have received in a long time.

I encourage all carpenters to inspect all scaffolds carefully if you see something wrong fix it or report it. Mr. Jereme Green I love your website keep up the good work kid, and your reward will be great. Thanks for giving carpenters a voice through your website I have been following your rss blog for two years and you are getting better as time goes by.

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Invitation 6.


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(NAPSI)—From health care to civil rights, from abortion to marriage, the Supreme Court and its nine appointed members affect every major area of American life. Now, an insightful new book by best-selling author and Senior U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart explains just why that happened. The book shows the evolution of the Court’s vastly expanded interpretation of law and illustrates the power of judicial review to make sweeping, often unforeseen changes in American society, decades Safter decisions are handed down.

Told through seven pivotal cases, it weaves the historical narrative into the legal basis for each decision and examines the far-reaching effects. Stewart explores such intriguing issues as the Court’s role in sanctioning racism, why a nation founded by devout men and women banned religion from the public arena, and why justices can raise taxes, manage school districts and generally work their will.

Each chapter presents an easy-to-read brief on the case and explains what the decisions mean and how the Court ruling, often a 5−4 split, had long-term impact. For example, in Lochner v. New York, a widely accepted turn-of-the-20th-century New York State law limited excessive overtime for bakery workers. That law was overturned by the Court based on the due process clause of the Constitution. The very same precedents, Stewart points out, were used by the Court 70 years later and expanded to a new right to privacy in Roe v. Wade, making abortion legal in the nation.

A thought-provoking and easily accessible read, “Supreme Power: 7 Pivotal Supreme Court Decisions That Had a Major Impact on America” (Shadow Mountain) also examines how the Court became so supreme and unexpectedly influential in American society and considers whether this was the intent of our Founding Fathers.

In an endorsement of the book, Jason Chaffetz said, “As a former congressman and Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I saw again and again how the balance of power has been tilted much too far toward the judicial. This important book addresses the imbalance with powerful examples that are easily understood and very informative. Everyone should read it.”

With such issues as voting rights, free speech, religious freedom, immigration, taxes and search-and-seizure coming before the Court, the ideas the book provides can be more important to understand than ever.

You can find it where books are sold, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and online at www.shadowmountain.com.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)


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Cartoon 360 2019 Pitch your animated transmedia project
28 – 30 May 18
Lille (France)

Pitching event for animated transmedia projects: develop your animation project into a transmedia brand
The next step after Cartoon Forum and Cartoon Movie!

- Find out more about the event in our toolbox -

CARTOON 360 is a new pitching event where producers will be able to pitch their transmedia animation project in front of 25 experts from various digital universes.

The 2 1/2 day-event will focus on 2 parts:

  • Pitching sessions of transmedia projects, including an interactive discussion with the panel of 25 experts
  • Keynotes on the digital market

- Download the catalogue of the 2018 event -

"It is an exciting moment
for any content producer
as there have never been
so many distribution prospects.
However, reaching eyeballs
may be quite a journey."

Pitched project: CATAPULTEERS

Our essential partners

  • Media

 In collaboration with

  • Logo 3D Wire

  • TBI

Cartoon is sponsored by:

Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles


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Wynn Las Vegas Releases 'American Idol' Predictions - Sunday 26th of March 2006

LAS VEGAS – Never mind March Madness. Forget about the mid-term elections. All eyes and bets are on the Fox reality show "American Idol" to generate the most intense competition of the year, according to John Avello, director of race & sports operations for Wynn Las Vegas (Nasdaq: WYNN).

Avello, whose purview normally covers all on-site sports bets and nationwide horse racing for the Las Vegas Strip venue, has assessed all "Idol" contestants since the launch of the show. He has a near perfect record, pegging advance #1 rankings to winners Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and Carrie Underwood weeks before their crowning.

As of today, Avello has given open odds to win the 2006 season of "Idol"as follows:

#11 Kevin: 100/1

#10 Bucky: 35/1

#9 Taylor: 25/1

#8 Kellie: 15/1

#7 Elliott: 12/1

#6 Paris: 10/1

#5 Katharine: 8/1

#4 Lisa: 6/1

#3 Ace: 5/1

#2 Mandisa: 9/2

and the best bet to win the fifth season of "American Idol":

#1 Chris: 4/1

"This competition is all about the voters at home, but they're not necessarily voting based on talent," says Avello, who has also supplemented his sports focus with other entertainment odds-making including the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys. Avello will update his "American Idol" odds each week until the series finale on May 24.

Other news from around the same time

European Lottery Guild Supports Betfair-Paypal Deal - Sunday 26th of March 2006

European Lottery Guild, an independent lottery subscription service in operation since 1990, ann....

Gateway Casinos Profit Up - Sunday 26th of March 2006

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Gateway Casinos Income Fund (TSX:GCI.UN) says its fourth-quarter ....

AlamoPoker.com Offers $5 Million Prize Pool - Sunday 26th of March 2006

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – AlamoPoker.com The Home of Texas Hold 'Em continues to reward its custom....

Niagara Casino Security Votes for Strike - Saturday 25th of March 2006

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario – - Security staff at one of Ontario'slargest casinos have voted 92 per c....

Blackpool Supporters Dismiss Report - Saturday 25th of March 2006

UNITED KINGDOM – As reported by the UK Stage: "Supporters of Blackpool's bid to host the UK's on....

GCA Renews Fort McDowell Casino Contract - Saturday 25th of March 2006

LAS VEGAS Fort McDowell Casino in Fountain Hills, Ariz., has signed multi-year agreements to ext....

Indiana Casinos Cut More Jobs - Saturday 25th of March 2006

INDIANA – As reported by the Indiana Post-Tribune: "About 350 employees of the two Majestic Star ....

Great Canadian Gaming Reports Loss - Saturday 25th of March 2006

CANADA – As reported by the CBC News: "Great Canadian Gaming Corp. warned shareholders Monday tha....

Kentucky Gaming Amendment's Fate Unclear - Saturday 25th of March 2006

FRANKFORT, Kentucky – As reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader: "House Speaker Jody Richards de....

NEC Proposal Gets Local Approval - Saturday 25th of March 2006

UNITED KINGDOM As reported by 24Dash News: "A bid by the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham....


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Oberes Schloss in Siegen

While the two surviving branches of the House of Nassau have been calling the Netherlands and Luxembourg their respective homes for decades and centuries now, their roots are located in an area which comprises of parts of today's German states of Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Oberes Schloss in Siegen is witness to this rich history. It was here - not exactly the castle but an adjacent building - where Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens was born after his family had to flee the Spanish Netherlands for religious reasons and moved to Cologne where his father started an affair with Anna of Saxony, wife of Willem I of Orange, which he was imprisoned for in nearby Dillenburg and later placed under house arrest in Siegen.

The Oberes Schloss, a medieval fortified hilltop castle, was firstly mentioned in 1259. There are, however, other documents which indicate that the castle had already existed in 1224 when Archbishop Engelbert I of Cologne and Count Heinrich II of Nassau, father of the two founders of the main branches of the House of Nassau, divided the town of Siegen among them. Estimations believe that the castle was built around the year 1200.
For the first few centuries, the castle was co-owned by the counts of Nassau and the archbishops of Cologne. The buildings facing the south were occupied by the Nassaus while the north-west facing buildings were owned by the archbishops. The Bischofshaus (bishop's house) was built around 1500 and the original Grafenhaus (count's house) was firstly mentioned in 1343 while today's building one the same site was erected around 1700. Over the years, the influence of the archbishop's decreased steadily and they eventually lost ownership of the castle. After Johann VI of Nassau-Dillenburg died in 1606, his county of Nassau-Dillenburg was divided among his five surviving sons and the third son Johann (VII) received the lands surrounding Siegen. That same year, the Schloss became the main residence of the Siegen branch of the Nassau family.

When Johann VII died in 1628, Nassau-Siegen was divided between his two sons, Johann VIII who had converted to Catholicism and Johann Moritz who remained a Protestant. The castle on the top of the Siegberg hill remained with the Catholic son, the Protestant one built another castle on the foot of the mountain. Around 1700, the hilltop castle became known as the Oberes Schloss (upper castle) while the one below was called Unteres Schloss (lower castle) - very creative, eh?! The Oberes Schloss remained in the hands of the Catholic line until 1743 when they died out in male line after the Protestant line had already done so in 1722. All the Siegen possession were subsequently inherited by the Nassau-Dietz branch which today is better known as the House of Orange-Nassau.

The Rheinbundakte, the 1806 treaty creating the Confederation of the Rhine, mediatised Nassau-Siegen and placed it under the sovereignty of the newly created Grand Duchy of Berg. Two years later, Prince Willem VI of Orange-Nassau lost his remaining German possessions due to his opposition to Napoleon only to regain his territories after the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. Two years later, he ceded his German possession to Prussia to gain their support for the creation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands of which he eventually became King Willem I.
In 1888, the state of Prussia sold the castle, which had been used by different administrative bodies since the end of the Nassau-Siegen branch, to the town of Siegen. The Siegerlandmuseum, a regional history museum, was opened in 1905. As a result of its changing history in the past 200 years, the Oberes Schloss is still open to the public though it isn't your typical former noble residence anymore. Instead a museum featuring all kinds of local history including a few paintings by Peter Paul Rubens can be found within its walls.

In case you decide that the museum isn't worth visiting, still make sure to make the way up the hill to the Oberes Schloss if you should ever visit Siegen as it has quite a lovely park surrounding it, which usually full of people whenever the weather is good, and offers great views over the Sieg valley.

Good to know:
The Oberes Schloss is home to the Siegerlandmuseum, a museum about local history also featuring a historical portrait collection of members of the Nassau family. The museum if open every day except Monday between 10am and 5pm. Between April and October the surrounding park is open between 8am and 9:30pm while it already closes at 6pm from November till March.

Currently popular posts...

Rebuilding Destroyed Castles: New Purposes for Old Buildings

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Festung Hohensalzburg


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Cat Alkire Photography | Indiana Chicago Wedding Photographer

Meet the Photographers

Ludy Favorites-0065.jpg

Welcome! We are so excited you are here and so happy that you and your new hubby-to- be are engaged and planning the wedding of your dreams! CONGRATULATIONS!!

We are Cat and Miles, a husband and wife photography team and we have been photographing weddings since 2010. We have been married since 2016, have a cat, a dog and our greatest accomplishment ever, our little girl named Grey, born January 2018! We are suckers for love and enjoy capturing our brides and grooms unique love stories through our lenses. And we hope that by the end of your experience with us we can grab a coffee (or beer!) because we feel like friends when the wedding day is over!

We know that there are so many options for brides, from the flowers to the cake and to all those little details - which can be so tough to navigate! Our goal as wedding photographers is to not only provide you with the best wedding day experience and timeless images, but to also help provide you with the knowledge we have of vendors, timelines and everything in between.

We want to give you the complete peace of mind that we will be there to capture all those special moments on your wedding day as well as all of the little details (which we love) as little as they may seem.  Wedding days FLY by and after the I do's are said, the cake is eaten, and the dancing is over, all you will have left are the photographs to look back on.  We want to make sure that our photos are family heirlooms that can be passed down to generations of family.

We hope to capture your incredible love and would love to hear from you!! Contact us here!


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stolen bike what to do
watch video
What if you didn’t have to do Anything? caveotrac, the GPS anti-theft device that is peace of mind for you, and a new era of anti-theft technology for your bike.

caveotrac  is the invisible , lightweight, bike gps tracker with super stealth anti-theft capabilities ( motion sensor, powercell and smart antenna). The highly sensitive accelerometer keeps track of “wanted and unwanted” movement, combined with SMS alerting, giving you hi-tech location tracking capabilities.

  • caveotrac is a micro-sized tracking chip complimented with smart antenna and power cell capabilities that is built into your bike frame, making it hard to detect for thieves (more tamper proof).
  • caveotrac's smart design makes it fit many bikes without altering the design of your bike
  • caveotrac serves as a unique identifier for your bike as the device is smartly matched with your bike and your profile
  • caveotrac has powerful 2-way communications capabilities, connected to a mobile app that tracks your bike in real-time and enables you to precisely locate it and notify police
  • featuring an easy-to-use interface and some great features, you can have confidence you are getting great quality and robust functionality
  1. Q: Can caveotrac fit into any bike?
    A: At present caveotrac can be fitted to carbon framed bikes with bottle holder screws. We are working on antenna solutions for metal framed bikes.
  2. Q: Where can I buy it?
    A: Initial orders via the caveotrac website will be directed to collect their order from the specified Local Bike shop.

    Future purchases take place directly from Retail Bike shops or Retail Bike Distributors partners.
  3. Q: Who can install it?
    A: Retail Bike shops or Bike Distributor partners
  4. Q: How does it get installed?
    A : Through a process that certified Bike mechanics can perform without impacting the bike structure, design or function.
  5. Q: Can a thief get it out of the frame once installed?
    A: Not easily. Caveotrac is the most ‘tamper proof’ solution currently available. As the device is invisible from the outside, a thief would have significant difficulty finding and removing the anti-theft device.
  6. Q: How do you charge it?
    A: It uses magnetic charging technology that can easily be charged from any USB outlet. We are working to incorporate wireless charging.
  7. Q: How long does a fully charged power cell last?
    A: It depends on usage 'style'. In Sleep mode / normal up to 4 months and in Active tracking mode when tracking thief up to 7 days.
  8. Q: Are there any ongoing monthly charges and if so, what are they?
    A: Internet subscription cost for data and communications service. Caveotrac comes with an active SIM card for internet connection. The Internet subscription cost model will start with a fee of approximately $5.00 per month, payable as annual or quarterly payments.
  9. Q: How do I pay for the Internet subscription?
    A: When activating caveotrac on your mobile app, you will be asked to enter payment method and frequency. No additional contracts required.
  10. Q: In which countries is caveotrac available?
    A: Canada to start followed by international expansion soon.
Pre-order your caveotrac now from the first limited  "Made-In-Canada” production run. Place your orders by Sept 15th to secure your device from this special shipment.

We will keep you posted on the progress of the delivery date and will only charge your credit card once goods has been received. Pre-orders will be facilitated through our accredited pre-order handling partner with all relevant security controls in place.


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Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams

Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams -- Image credits

IAUC 8957: V2671 Oph; COMET C/2007 W1 (BOATTINI); C/2008 G5, C/2008 G6

The following International Astronomical Union Circular may be linked-to from your own Web pages, but must not otherwise be redistributed (see these notes on the conditions under which circulars are made available on our WWW site).

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IAUC number

                                                  Circular No. 8957
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
Mailstop 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
IAUSUBS@CFA.HARVARD.EDU or FAX 617-495-7231 (subscriptions)
URL http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/cbat.html  ISSN 0081-0304
Phone 617-495-7440/7244/7444 (for emergency use only)

     R. J. Rudy, D. K. Lynch, R. W. Russell, and A. M. Gilbert, The
Aerospace Corporation; and C. E. Woodward, University of Minnesota,
report 0.8- to 5.5-micron spectroscopy of V2671 Oph on June 14 UT,
obtained as above.  V2671 Oph (Nova Oph 2008 No. 2; cf. IAUC 8951)
is an "Fe II"-type nova with comparatively narrow lines of FWHM =
1200 km/s.  It is at a very low stage of excitation, showing
exceptionally bright lines of neutral carbon and strong emissison
from the Ca II infrared triplet.  The O I lines are also strong and
indicate a large interstellar reddening of E(B-V) = 2.0.  Weak,
first-overtone emission from carbon monoxide beginning at 2.29
microns is present.  No emission from dust is yet evident in the
spectrum, but the presence of molecular gas suggests that its
formation is imminent.

     A. J. Lovell, Agnes Scott College; and E. S. Howell, Arecibo
Observatory, report detection of 18-cm OH lines in comet C/2007 W1
with the 100-m Green Bank Telescope.  Hyperfine ratios of lines at
1667, 1665, 1612, and 1720 MHz are 8.6:4.8:1.1:1.  Production rates
log Q(OH) are as follows:  June 13.75 UT, 28.20; 14.79, 28.21;
15.78, 28.27.  Mapping at 8' scale suggests that collisional
quenching is present in the inner 20000 km of the coma.  Line
shapes are consistent with parent (water) outflow velocity of 0.78
     Visual total-magnitude estimates (cf. IAUC 8951) by R. Salvo,
Montevideo, Uruguay (7x50 binoculars):  June 8.95 UT, 5.6; 10.93,
5.5; 12.91, 5.5; 30.35, 6.0.

COMETS C/2008 G5 AND C/2008 G6 (SOHO)
     Further to IAUC 8956, additional apparent comets have been
found on SOHO website images.  C/2008 G5 (a Kreutz sungrazer) was
very diffuse, very faint (mag 8), and elongated.  C/2008 G6, which
was small and stellar in appearance (mag about 7.5), was suggested
by R. Kracht to be a return of the Kracht-group presumed-comet
C/2002 S11 (cf. IAUC 7991), and an orbit by B. G. Marsden on MPEC
2008-L29 links the two apparitions with an orbital period of about
5.54 yr.

 Comet        2008 UT       R.A.(2000)Decl.   Inst.  F    MPEC
 C/2008 G5    Apr. 10.018    1 24.4  + 7 12   C2     MU   2008-L29
 C/2008 G6         12.921    1 31.5  + 9 25   C2     BZ   2008-L29

                      (C) Copyright 2008 CBAT
2008 July 3                    (8957)            Daniel W. E. Green

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Educational Advocacy Series: Part Four

CCAKidsBlog.org is pleased to announce that Paula Guzzo, CCA Board Member and Past Chair, is writing a series in October dealing with Educational Advocacy. This post is Part Four in our October Series. Please also check out Part OnePart Two, and Part Three.

Paula, Bob, Aaron and Scott on a
Celebration Cruise for Scott's Graduation

While working numerous years as an InSource Regional Program Specialist, Sycamore Services Transition Coordinator, and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) Special Education Department Coordinator of Parent Supports, and later--EVSC Family Engagement Coordinator at the alternative school, my focus was on helping parents to become A) informed and B) equal participants in their child’s educational process.  A previous entry discussed informed. This one focuses on equal. One of the best recommendations I ever received or gave was to write and present a Parent Report. This suggestion came in 1994 from fellow a Hoosier advocate, Pat Howey (www.pathowey.com), as Bob and I were preparing for our son, Scott, to be have his placement changed from a segregated classroom for students with multiple disabilities to a general education setting at our neighborhood school. After Pat noted that everyone except the parent typically presents a report at case conferences, we were convinced to prepare our own Parent Report.
With Pat’s guidance and the help of a dear friend who was also writing parent reports for her children, Bob and I wrote our first Parent Report for that very important case conference which included 19 people and lasted 11 hours over 2 days. We continued to prepare and present a Parent Report at all of Scott’s conferences. At my encouragement, numerous parents have prepared a Parent Report for their own child. The time needed to prepare the first report can seem daunting. Future years’ Parent Reports will be much easier as the initial report can simply be updated. The report will serve as a history of your child’s progress. The presentation of a Parent Report will also aid in developing clear, measurable, and observable Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) Goals and objectives based on your child’s strengths and challenges.

Scott Performing in Godspell in 2002
Parent Report
Why? How do you prepare? What is included?

Parents are important:
  • Parents are generally the only permanency throughout a child’s entire life
  • Schools only provide services until a student is 22

School Personnel Should Value a Parent Report:
  • Parents provide a wealth of information
  • Parents know more about their child than anyone else
  • Parents know the child’s abilities in a variety of settings, not just school
  • Parents were the child’s first teacher
  • Parents are more efficient in conferences if a report is prepared
  • Parents and school can better focus on the child’s needs
  • Parents take an active role in their child’s education

What is a Parent Report?
  • It expresses the parents’ knowledge, understanding, concerns, hopes, dreams, and intents for the child’s future
  • It is direct and to the point
  • It gives school personnel a document with information they would not easily have otherwise
  • It is always written. Then, you should verbally present it at the case conference committee meeting along with school personnel who present their reports. Written copies should be handed out and included in the committee report. NOTE: It can be productive to provide the report to the conference coordinator for distribution in advance of the conference.

Prepare for the Parent Report (NOTE: This section relies heavily on good record keeping—the topic of my next blog entry)
  • Gather notes from previous meetings
  • Gather your child’s previous IEPs
  • Gather reports from service providers
  • Gather report cards, school reports, evaluations & assessments, and test scores
  • Gather medical information (diagnosis, vision, hearing, speech, mobility, diet, therapies, genetic testing, diseases, allergies, heat intolerance, personal care)
  • Gather information about your child’s activities other than school (Scouts, church, youth leagues, etc.)
  • Think about your and your child’s hopes and dreams for school and beyond

What are Your Child’s Present Levels of Performance in Every Area of Their Life?
  • Home
  • Community
  • Leisure and recreation
  • Academics
  • Daily living activities
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Social and emotional levels

What are Your Child’s Strengths?
  • Academic
  • Social/emotional
  • Verbal and written communication abilities
  • Athletic abilities
  • Likes/dislikes
  • Personality
  • Leisure/recreational
  • Fine/gross motor skills
  • Daily living skills
  • Unique skills

What are Your Child’s Challenges?
  • Academic
  • Social/emotional
  • Verbal and written communication abilities
  • Athletic abilities
  • Likes/dislikes
  • Personality
  • Leisure/recreational
  • Fine/gross motor skills
  • Daily living skills
  • Unique skills

What Supports Are Needed to Help Your Child Overcome Challenges (to “level the playing field” for the disability)? Including your thoughts about supports in your Parent Report will let school personnel know of your expectations.

 §Modifications/Adaptations (adjustment to an assignment or a test that changes the standard or what the test or assignment is supposed to measure)

/Adaptations examples:
§  Manipulatives
§  Alternatives such as posters instead of written reports
§  Assignments that are “chunked”
§  Assignments that are shortened
§  Use of a computer
§  Use of a calculator
§  Voice activated or touch software
§  Braille instruction
§  Enlarged type
§  Textbooks on tape
§  Adaptive or adapted physical education

 § Accommodations (allows a student to complete the same assignment or test as other students, but with a change in the timing, formatting, setting, scheduling, response and/or presentation without significantly altering what the test or assignment measures)

§  Written or oral instructions
§  Study sheets
§  Note taker or scribe
§  Text books that are highlighted
§  Textbooks on tape
§  Frequent breaks
§  Dictate answers
§  Extended time for assignments
§  Extended time for testing
§  Oral testing
§  No timed tests

  • Assistive Technology
Assistive technology examples:
§  Writing instruments
§  Communication boards
§  Communication devices
§  Computers
§  Word processors

  • Related Services
Related Services examples:
§  Therapies (OT, PT, Speech, Music, etc.)
§  Paraprofessional/Aide (part time or full time)
§  Transportation (special equipment, ramps, short route)
§  Transition services (vocational, aptitude, and ability assessments)
§  Counseling (for the student, other students, or parents)
§  Administration of medicines

Scott & Paula at Scott's HS Prom.
(Mom was a chaperon!)

There will be one final post in the series, so please check back next week.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Thoughtful Thursday: My Mantras

“Meditation is the ultimate mobile device; you can use it anywhere, anytime, unobtrusively.”
-Sharon Salzberg

I am guilty of a bad habit: a lot of negative self-talking. My younger self tried diligently to manage every possible outcome of a situation before it happened. I was constantly afraid that my friends would be embarrassed by me, my coworkers/boss would be disappointed with me, or I would just look stupid when I attempted ... anything really, from taking a turn bowling to asking a cute guy to share his class notes.

To get over these anxieties and negative thought patterns, I've read a lot about meditation and “Being present in the moment.” Being present helps me perform better in meetings and interviews, it allows me to stick to my principles in difficult situations, and it calms my mind when life gets overwhelming.

However, meditation is definitely something one must learn and practice. I’m still a novice, but I have claimed a few mantras that help me return to the present when I find myself languishing in the past or nail-biting the future.

Erica’s Top Four Mantras
  1. Time Will Pass. I have several iterations of this mantra, but I have found this phrase to be comforting whenever I'm "stuck" in a situation. I particularly like to use this mantra when I'm feeling regretful or embarrassed. I get in plank position (also great for core strength!) and repeat "time will pass." Taking even 3 minutes to slow down and focus reminds me that every situation is temporary and meditating prevents me from putting a negative thought reel on replay.
  2. Feelings are just feelings. I had a great counselor once share this with me: she said, “So what if you feel crappy? It’s just a feeling. Feel it, acknowledge it, but realize this feeling is an emotion, made up of chemical responses and thought patterns.” What you decide to do in a situation should not be based on a feeling, because feelings come and go. When I have a feeling that is overwhelming and halting my progress, I sit in dignity* and repeat “Feelings are just feelings.” Pretty soon, I don’t feel the same – I feel calmer, slightly more in control, and even a little hopeful. (Remember I said this took a year to practice? Just trust the process and keep trying.)
  3. Abide with me. This mantra is actually a hymn my Mom used to sing to me when I had to wear a dental device that required nightly tightening. It hurt quite badly and I would be very upset when it was time for the crank. My mom would have me lay on my bed and close my eyes. She would softly sing the song and rub my hand. I still remember the peace that came over me in those moments. Now, when I am in intense pain that can't be avoided, I lay out flat or in child’s pose, and I repeat the mantra in my head. I love the word abide when dealing with pain. With pain, you can't just will it away; you are forced to abide in it. This song reminds me of the people who are with me in spirit: from my family all the way to my ancestors who never had the luxury of medication, climate-controlled bedrooms, and a post-surgery Coca-Cola.
  4. Show Up, Be Tough. I feel a twinge of guilt admitting this, knowing what my CCA little brothers and sisters go through on a daily basis, yet it's true: I freak out a little when I have to get an IV. Once the blasted needle is in and taped up, I'm fine, but right before or during the sticking part I sometimes usually faint. Oy. Last week I had to have an IV, so I decided to try my meditation skills to prevent myself from fainting. I chose "Show up, be tough," because showing up means being in the moment. I didn't want to let my brain check out and faint as a defense mechanism -- I wanted to be in my body and acknowledge the care being given. Be tough means just that and I channeled my younger CCA sibs and their natural-born toughness to get through it. I also played a couple of calming songs on my iPhone and my nurse shared that she does this too during dental procedures. Full disclosure, when she flushed the IV, I did almost faint (ick, that taste and smell) but through meditation I stayed present and avoided passing out. I consider this a huge success and you are free to chuckle at my wimpiness. :)

So, those are a few mantras that work for me. Think about ones that may work in your life and here's another blog post about mantras with even more suggestions. I encourage you to begin incorporating meditation into your wellness care. I can honestly say I knew about the benefits of meditation before I started practicing, but after just a year of practice I have found that meditation is a wonderful tool for medical patients.

Namaste, y’all.

*Sitting in dignity is a pose where you sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor, back straight with shoulders relaxed, with your hands flat on your lap. Your eyes should be closed, but you should look straight ahead. Try to feel your muscles relaxing all the way from your head to your feet, as you breathe in compassion and breathe out fear, anxiety, and negativity.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Educational Advocacy Series: Part Three

CCAKidsBlog.org is pleased to announce that Paula Guzzo, CCA Board Member and Past Chair, is writing a series in October dealing with Educational Advocacy. This post is Part Three in our October Series.
Please also check out Part One and Part Two.

Parent Participation in the Special Education Process

Paula, Scott, Aaron and President Clinton at the signing
of IDEA on June 4, 1997. Scott played "For He's A Jolly
Good Fellow" on his Liberator communication device
for the President Clinton.
Bob and I felt that we had to learn special education acronyms, procedures, and laws to adequately advocate for Scott. We recommend that strategy for all parents of children who receive special education services. Once you are informed, you will be more confident when you are preparing for and attending case conference meetings. You will most likely know more about the laws than some of the school employees in attendance. Special education department administrators typically know and understand the laws and appreciate when parents do also.

This entry has two parts. If you don’t care to read about Special Education Process Rights, skip them and go to Suggestions for a Smoother Case Conference Committee Meeting.

Special Education Process Rights
The Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) gives parents and their children with a disability the following rights for participation in the educational process:
  • A Free Appropriate Public Education for Your Child. Free means at no cost to you. Appropriate means meeting your child’s unique educational needs.
  • Have your child educated in the least restrictive environment possible. Every effort should be made to develop an educational program that provides your child with the services and supports needed in order to be taught alongside children who do not have disabilities.  Start with the position that your child belongs in ‘regular’ classes, and only allow special “pull-out” classes if the school and you agree to it.
  • Request an evaluation at any time you think your child needs special education services or related services. The request should be written and dated. Keep a copy for your records. Give it to one of the following school employees: teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, building principals or other administrators.
  • Be notified in the language you normally use whenever the school wants to: 1. Evaluate your child, 2. Change your child's educational placement, or 3. Refuse your request for an evaluation or a change in placement.
  • Informed Consent. Informed consent means you understand and agree in writing to the evaluation and educational program decisions for your child. Your consent is voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time.
  • Obtain an independent evaluation if you disagree with the school's evaluation.
  • Request a reevaluation if you think your child's present educational placement is no longer appropriate.
  • Have your child tested in the language they know best.
  • Review all of your child's school records. Give school personnel a dated, written request. Keep a copy for your records. You may also request copies of any part of the records, but the school might charge you a reasonable fee for the copies.
  • Request that information in your child’s records be changed if you feel that it is inaccurate, misleading or violates the privacy or other rights of your child.  Give the dated, written request to school personnel. Keep a copy for your records.
  • Request a hearing if the school refuses your request to change or remove the questionable information in your child's records. If you’d rather, you may file a complaint with your state’s Division of Special Education.
  • Be fully informed by the school of all rights that are provided to you under the law.  Ask school personnel to tell you of your rights.
  • Participate in the development of your child's individualized education program (IEP), or individualized family service plan (IFSP) if in preschool. The school must make every possible effort to notify you of the IEP or IFSP meeting and then arrange it at a time and place that is convenient for you and school personnel.
  • Participate in all IEP or IFSP team decisions, including placement.
  • Request an IEP or IFSP meeting at any time during the school year.  It is advisable for you to make this request in writing and keep a copy for your records.
  • Be kept informed about your child's progress at least as often as parents of children who do not have disabilities.
  • File a complaint with your state’s Division of Special Education if the school has violated federal or state laws that apply to special education programs.
  • Voluntary mediation or a due process hearing to resolve differences with the school that cannot be resolved through case conference committee meetings. Put your request in writing, date it, and keep a copy.

Suggestions for a Smoother
Case Conference Committee Meeting

  • Ask for all anticipated proposals or changes to be shared with you before the conference. You don’t want surprises in the conference clouding your thinking. Receiving the information at least 3 days in advance is recommended.
  • Ask for your child’s progress-to-date information and goal achievements to be provided in advance (at least 3 days in advance is recommended). Reviewing this information before the conference will help it go faster. It also gives you the opportunity to get your questions / comments ready.
  • Ask for all test results to be shared and explained in advance (at least 3 days before the conference). This will help the conference go faster. You don’t want surprises in the conference. This will give you the opportunity to gather facts and be better prepared for decision making in the conference.
  • Prepare a Parent Report about your child to present at the conference. My next blog entry will be devoted to preparing the Parent Report. Give a copy to the conference coordinator for distribution to conference participants in advance of the conference. Since you’re asking for all school personnel’s reports in advance, give them the same courtesy.
  • Go into the conference knowing that you are an equal partner with school personnel. Share in decision-making. Remember that everyone in the conference is supposed to be on the same side—that of the child!
  • Before the conference, give school personnel a written list of topics you want to discuss so they can be put on the agenda.
  • If you have obtained an independent educational evaluation on your child, share the results with school personnel in advance.
  • Invite a friend, family member or advocate who is knowledgeable about your child to attend the conference with you.
  • At the beginning of the conference, ask how much time has been set aside for it.
  • If you have concerns during the conference, state them. Expect school personnel to take them seriously.
  • Ask questions about anything you don’t understand. You will be respected for speaking up.
  • Take notes. This will help you stay focused on what’s being said. They will come in handy when the written IEP is received.
  • If you like something, express your appreciation.
  • Do not sign the written IEP until it is completed and you’ve had the opportunity to read through it, compare it to your notes, and ensure that it accurately contains all information that you expected it to contain based on decisions made at the conference.

Resources: For training opportunities, contact the Parent Training and Information Center in your state.  This link to the Wrightslaw Directory of Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRC) has a listing by state. http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/ptis.htm
Stay tuned for Paula's next post!

Wrightslaw (www.wrightslaw.com) provides accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Media Monday: Owen & Nathan Anderson

Three-year-old Nathan Anderson is living with a craniofacial disorder and his story has inspired his 7-year-old brother, Owen, to raise thousands of dollars.

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Three-year-old Nathan Anderson is living with Craniofacial disorder and his story has inspired his 7-year-old brother to raise thousands of dollars.

Nathan was born with Treacher Collins syndrome. His father, Dave Anderson, explains how that has resulted in his Craniofacial disorder and hearing loss.

"The bones in the face don't grow as fast as other bones, so his jaw was really small, he had to have a surgery on that when he was 11 days old. He will continue to have to have surgeries on his jaw because the bones will not grow," said Dave.

In Nathan's short life he already has undergone seven surgeries. His adversity has inspired his big brother Owen.

"We saw this video about this older brother who helped his brother finish bike races, so I wanted to do something, too. And this is what I ended up doing," said Owen.

Owen personally called Stevi B's -- his favorite restaurant -- to coordinate a fundraiser. He also called the school superintendent to get permission to pass out flyers. Between online donations and the restaurant fundraiser, Owen has raised more than $5,000 for the Children's Craniofacial Association. It's an impressing feat for a 7-year-old boy.

"Sometimes they'll whisper to their mom and dads, and sometimes they will point at him," said Owen.
"As parents we understand that 5-year-olds and 6-year-olds aren't going to ask in the most kind way, but the questions are so important because from that brings awareness," said Dave.

Owen is making great strides at raising awareness and funds in honor of his baby brother, who is very thankful.

"Thanks Owen!" said Nathan.

If you are interested in donating to the Children's Craniofacial Association, click here.

Original Story can be found on Click On Detroit and Fox 17 West Michigan.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Educational Advocacy Series: Part Two

CCAKidsBlog.org is pleased to announce that Paula Guzzo, CCA Board Member and Past Chair, is writing a series in October dealing with Educational Advocacy. This post is Part Two in our October Series. You can read Part One here.

Scott’s Journey, Part Two: "Get it in Writing!"

In response to comments to last week’s entry about Scott’s first five school years: Scott’s placement in a segregated setting is what was considered “best practice” at that time. It’s refreshing to hear that people are surprised. We hope that the educational best practice of inclusion is now taken for granted.

Moving to the second part of Scott’s Journey. . .Scott was bussed across Evansville for five years to the class for children with multiple disabilities in a public school. His teacher understood that we wanted Scott educated with children in a general education (inclusive) setting. She found a first grade teacher who let Scott and an assistant come to her class for reading class. Other teachers let them attend reading, art, and music classes during subsequent years in that school--the result of “agreements.” Scott learned and made educational progress in that setting.

Scott's 1st day at Highland Elementary, our neighborhood
school. August 29, 1994.
During those early school years, Bob and I interviewed adults with disabilities throughout the country about their education, and we asked how they believed Scott should be educated. Everyone recommended an inclusive setting. These interviews contributed to our mission for Scott’s case conference committee that year and from that time forward: general education class in his neighborhood school with appropriate aids and supports.

When it was time for Scott’s brother, Aaron, to enter kindergarten, we wanted both boys educated in the same school—our neighborhood school. Another parent (of twin girls with CP) and I met with our neighborhood school principal sharing our mission and further stating that we believed special education services could be provided in any school. He agreed and said he would welcome Scott and the twins.

Bob and I discovered that students with multiple disabilities were being successfully educated in inclusive settings in other school districts. We talked with their parents to see what attributed to those successes. We spent hours documenting Scott’s strengths and needs in all areas of his life. We wrote a ‘parent report’ to be presented at the conference. (A future blog entry will be solely dedicated to the parent report.) We wrote out the general education teacher’s role, the teacher of record’s (TOR) role, the resource room teacher’s role, and the necessary requirements of an aide to provide educational support and personal care to Scott.

Once word got out about our mission for Scott, a few other parents of children with disabilities called saying that’s what they wanted, too. So, at spring conferences in 1994, families worked with our school corporation to move five children with disabilities from segregated classrooms into inclusive classrooms. Scott was the only one classified as “multiply disabled.” Even though Scott was 10, we decided that he should be in a third grade class since he was ready for the third grade reading curriculum. More importantly, we’d been advised that 8-year-olds would be more accepting (compared to 10 year-old fifth graders) to a student with multiple disabilities.

Eleven hours of conferences with 19 people sharing and receiving information about Scott achieved the mission that he would transfer to his neighborhood school, be educated in a general education classroom, receive pull-out resource supports, and have the services of a dedicated classroom aide. We celebrated. . .until the written IEP was received. It did not include these three main points!

Scott and his classroom assistant, Karen Maxey.
(We’d previously learned the hard way that Scott’s rights weren't protected if “agreements” weren't written in the IEP. Years earlier we had an unwritten agreement that Scott would have increased speech services. He received those services; but, during that year the TOR took maternity leave, the speech therapist took medical leave, and the principal resigned. Bob and I were the only ones left who’d been in on the original agreement. The new TOR, speech therapist, and principal were obligated to provide the lesser services that were written. We had to conference again to get the increased services written in the IEP. . .a delay which could have been prevented if only it had been written when agreed upon!)

So, we wrote a letter to the Case Conference Coordinator explaining that we would sign the IEP only after the above three points of our mission were included. She apologized and explained that this was new to the school corporation. She corrected the IEP. We signed the IEP, and we never looked back.

Worth noting: I advise parents to NEVER EVER sign a blank IEP. One wouldn't sign a blank check, and one surely should NOT sign a blank IEP! Always read through the completed document and ensure that everything that was agreed to in the meeting is included in the IEP. If the IEP needs correcting before being signed, document the issues in an email or letter to the school and wait for the document to be corrected before signing it.

Our neighborhood elementary school principal hired an assistant. She worked with Scott from third grade until he exited the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation 10 years later. She was with him in all classes, at elementary band concerts, at middle/high school choir concerts, and at high school play rehearsals and performances. She went on field trips and work experiences. She was crucial to Scott’s success as were the attitudes of the many administrators, teachers, staff, and therapists who were a part of Scott’s journey.

High School Graduation! May 2004.

Scott remained in a general education setting until he graduated in 2004.

We now know there are benefits to inclusion that we did not anticipate. Some of Scott’s classmates have shared that Scott impacted their lives: some chose medically related careers because of him; some are teachers who are not afraid to have a differently-abled child in their class; some are parents of children with special needs who have said that they were better prepared for their own journey because of Scott; some are in jobs where they have opportunities to hire workers and are willing to select people with disabilities because of their classroom memories Scott.

Please do not read this and feel sorry for Scott or us. Instead, celebrate the victories and know that one person / one family can and does make a difference.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Media Monday: Scott Guzzo

Evansville man encourages students to "choose kind," build friendships with those who are different

Students take lesson to heart after reading 'Wonder'
By John Martin
Thursday, October 10, 2013
EVANSVILLE — Scott Guzzo’s list of physical deformities is lengthy, but he told Highland Elementary School pupilsThursday being different is easier with a can-do spirit and with family and friends who cherish him for who he is.
“It’s hard to blend in when you were born to stand out,” the 30-year-old said. His words came from an iTouch device. It’s the only way that Guzzo, who has a rare condition called Crane-Heise Syndrome, can speak clearly.
“Don’t be afraid to be friends with someone who looks different,” Guzzo said later.
It’s a lesson that Highland fourth-graders in Tina Thatch’s and Merna Peden’s classrooms are taking to heart. They recently read “Wonder,” a 2012 children’s novel about a child with a facial deformity, how the child deals with it and how other children react.
The book by R.J. Palacio reached No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list. Its message is summed up in the phrase “choose kind,” and Highland pupils were clearly moved by the story.
“I’ve never seen kids react to a book the way they did to ‘Wonder,’” Thatch said. “It’s life-changing.”
Guzzo’s visit on Thursday followed up on the book. He seemed as excited to see Highland pupils as they were to see him. Guzzo attended Highland and Thompkins Middle School before graduating from Central High School in 2004. He proudly wears his class ring on his left hand. “Go, Bears,” he told the Highland pupils, eliciting a laugh.
Paula Guzzo, Scott’s mother, said Scott is the only person in the world with Crane-Heise Syndrome; at one time, there were as many as 11. In addition to facial deformities and inability to speak, Guzzo does not see or hear well. He is fed through a feeding tube, and he requires continuous care. He has a curved spine and pressure on his brain. His heart and kidney functions, though, are in good shape.
While Guzzo was a student in Evansville many years ago, peers and even some of their parents had questions and concerns, Paula Guzzo said. But those dissipated, and friendships were formed. During Highland’s talent show one year, Guzzo and a friend did a karate demonstration. Highland pupils on Thursday were shown images of Guzzo with friends at Central’s prom and other events.
Guzzo today takes pride in his volunteer work at Central Library, where he sorts compact discs that have been returned by library patrons, and at the Ford Center, where he scans tickets. He’ll be doing that Saturday night before the Rascal Flatts concert, one of his favorite groups.
Guzzo enjoys movies and music, and he has a close relationship with 25-year-old Aaron Guzzo, a screenwriter living in Los Angeles, who he affectionately called “my little brother.”
Despite the distance, they speak regularly by phone and do video chats.
“He’s a party looking for a place to happen,” Paula Guzzo said of Scott.
Highland pupils listened intently as Paula Guzzo and her husband Bob talked about their son and the message behind “Wonder.” The 57 fourth-graders gathered around Guzzo when the presentation was over to say hello and share fist bumps, Guzzo’s favorite greeting.
Fourth-grader Claudia Emig said “Wonder” was “a really touching book, and it made you realize being different isn’t always easy, and you should always treat people like everyone else.”
Claudia and classmate Gavin Kelley also talked about how much they enjoyed Thursday’s classroom visit.
“It was awesome,” Gavin said. “I was telling my friend it was a really cool. We were like, ‘We don’t want to go home today.’”

More information:
Paula Guzzo is on the National Board of Directors for the National Craniofacial Association, and she just began a series of blogs about her son. The website is www.ccakidsblog.org
The Children’s Craniofacial Association Wonder Page is www.ccakids.com/wonder.html
This link is to CCA’s anti-bullying video, in which Guzzo appears: vimeo.com/49959214
Wonder-related Links, Blogs, Resources for teachers: www.ccakids.com/wonder-links.html

This story originally appeared in the Evansville Courier & Press on October 10, 2013.


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Yet, with all its advantages, the new Missal was published as if it were a work put together by professors, not a phase in a continual growth process. Such a thing never happened before. It is absolutely contrary to the laws of liturgical growth, and it has resulted in the nonsensical notion that Trent and Pius V had “produced” a Missal four hundred years ago.
— Josef Cardinal Ratzinger (1986)

“Sacred Hymns” • Interview with Fr. George Rutler (February 2018)
published 5 February 2018 by Corpus Christi Watershed

EADERS WILL ENJOY this interview with Fr. George Rutler, author of Stories of Hymns: The History Behind 100 of Christianity’s Greatest Hymns. Fr. Rutler was interviewed over the telephone by the president of Corpus Christi Watershed. The topic of conversation was not limited to hymns:

When speaking about how to solve the liturgical crisis, Fr. Rutler said: “I like that old saying: God so loved the world that He did not send a committee; He sent His Son. My experience has been that the less people know what they’re doing, the more meetings they have.” He talks about Aristotle and the concept of beauty. When talking about the patience needed to improve music at the average parish, he said: “We must avoid what the English call ‘ghastly good taste’—being overly fussy and focused on aesthetics in an unhealthy way.” Regarding some of the ways the religious texts were changed for political reasons after the Council: “These are art forms; it would be like putting a moustache on the Mona Lisa.” A very important section is when Fr. Rutler talks about singing hymns and the life of virtue.

Before being published by EWTN in 2016, this book was published as Brightest and Best: Stories of Hymns (Ignatius, 1998). Here are some reviews from the 1998 release:

“Father Rutler here considers nearly 100 hymns of fine artistic and theological quality, giving interesting information about the texts, the music, and the composers. With hymns assuming so large a role in today’s worship, Fr. Rutler proposes to enrich both the selection and the understanding of an ancient form that still has a great deal of life in it.”
—Msgr. Richard Schuler
Former Editor, Sacred Music

“Father Rutler’s ecumenical selection of hymns and his illuminating comments on the history of each are a great restorative to the liturgical devastation of the past decades. As usual, Father Rutler not only entertains, but instructs.”
—Robert R. Reilly
Music Critic, Crisis Magazine

“This is a classy book with the hymns and the marvelous scholarly annotations by the inimitable Father Rutler. Indispensable to every library.”
—William F. Buckley, Jr.
Harpsichordist and Founder of National Review


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Article Comment

Loss pushes MSU to brink of elimination

Matthew Stevens

STARKVILLE -- Like it or not, the Mississippi State University baseball team has one more game left at Dudy Noble Field this season.

A 5-2 loss to the University of Central Arkansas on Sunday night forced an elimination game at 7:05 tonight that will end the season for one program and put the other two victories away from the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

Twelve errors in the past five games, including eight in two games against UCA in the NCAA Starkville Regional, have contributed to the top-seeded Bulldogs' inability to close out their first home regional since 2003.

"At the end of the game I guess we were pressing a little bit," MSU junior second baseman Brett Pirtle said. "We will just have to put it behind us, and we will be fine."

After listening to Pirtle and senior third baseman Sam Frost talk about the team's mental difficulties for nearly 10 minutes, MSU coach John Cohen couldn't hold his tongue.

"I don't see that at all," Cohen said when asked if his players were nervous or pressing Sunday. "When you have 0.4 seconds to think on a 90 mph fastball, you're probably not thinking ahead. You're probably thinking to get your barrel in the right spot. I think our kids had a bad night."

The Starkville Regional is one of five of the 16 regionals still in action. Top-seeded University of North Carolina and second-seeded Vanderbilt University also will try to avoid elimination at home against Florida Atlantic University and Georgia Tech University, respectively.

Cohen has seen been in this situation. Cohen was a member of MSU teams in 1987-89 that failed to advance out of the NCAA Mideast and South Regionals at Dudy Noble Field. A loss tonight would mark a similar end to the 1989 season in which MSU defeated Western Carolina University and Nicholls State University before losing two of three games to the University of North Carolina.

After a four-error performance Sunday night, which included two by shortstop Adam Frazier a week after he was named to the Southeastern Conference's All-Defensive team, Cohen expressed confidence about MSU's ability to rebound.

"I guess 63 games, in which we won 45 of them," Cohen said. "That should give us a little confidence."

MSU has lost in the regionals four times (1983, 1989, 1991, and 1992) after it won its first two games. Those regionals involved six-team formats. In the current four-team format, MSU has never lost a regional after it won the first two games.

MSU, which will be the home team tonight, will face an opponent that has three victories in five games against it this season.

"They have a really good game plan," Cohen said. "They do a nice job with the strike zone, and a big part of the game when you play a team like this is what is the strike zone like on that particular day. Every day a strike zone is different. Whoever locks on to that strike zone first usually has a better day offensively."

In front of a crowd of 10,226 hoping to see MSU (45-18) advance to the program's fifth Super Regional, MSU hit too many fly balls.

"I probably won't put my head on the pillow tonight, but if I do, I'll be thinking about our at-bats because I'm remembering three fly balls that went to the track," Cohen said.

MSU, which has struggled to get quality starting pitching performances in the past two months, didn't name a starting pitcher. Sophomore left-hander Jacob Lindgren (4-3, 4.18 ERA) is one possibility, but he has failed to pitch more than two innings in three of his past five starts. Lindgren failed to get a victory in the final six weeks of the regular season after serving as the team's starting pitcher on Sundays in SEC play.

Cohen and MSU pitching coach Butch Thompson have avoided throwing a left-hander against UCA's right-handed lineup. MSU may have no choice, unless it wants to start junior right-hander Ben Bracewell (1-1, 1.61). Bracewell walked two and allowed two hits without retiring a batter in his only start of the season (19 games), a 3-1 loss to the University of Arkansas on March 31 in Fayetteville, Ark. He threw a career-best five innings in a 7-6 victory against the University of Mississippi on May 12.

When asked about his team's starting pitcher, Cohen named relievers Jonathan Holder, Chad Girodo, Bracewell, and C.T. Bradford.

"I believe in our pitching depth, and if we ram it in the strike zone and make plays behind him, then we should be OK," Cohen said.

After back-to-back complete-game efforts from starting pitchers, UCA coach Allen Gum will try to piece together a pitching strategy that helps UCA (42-21), which is in its first NCAA tournament, earn its ninth-consecutive victory in elimination games.

"They are hard-nosed tough guys, and we are going to fight the fight and finish the course," Gum said. "They love playing baseball, and they are, quite frankly, fighting to continue the opportunity of playing together on this team."

In a game where everybody in the bullpen will be available, Gum said all of his pitchers want the baseball to help the team continue a historic season.

"Maybe coach Gunn will give me the baseball again before this thing is over," UCA freshman Connor Gilmore said after he tossed a four-hit shutout Sunday afternoon. "Maybe this is just adrenaline talking, but I'm ready to pitch if needed again. I'm feeling great."

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Jacqueline Anne Becker

Jacqueline Anne Becker

107, High Street
TQ95SN Totnes
United Kingdom
Phone: 44(0)1803867747 50.43088,-3.69121840000003,13

I have been practising as a homeopath since I qualified from the London College of Homeopathy in 1991 . After twenty eight years of teaching in primary and special needs education I moved to Totnes in South Devon and focused solely on my homeopathy practice here and in Clapham, London and teaching adults homeopathy. I have always had an interest in mental health and have been learning recent about the Perfect Child method of family work. I have run outreach clinics for carers in Devon and I am a trustee of the charity Homeopathy Action Trust since 1995. I have also pursued my own self development including the


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Calm Down and Wake Up! Brand New Beginners Series at Wake Up Yoga West

Walking into a yoga class for the first time can be an intimidating experience. You may feel you’re not flexible enough, not strong enough, or not calm enough to make it through an entire class. This series has been created just for YOU! An embracing environment awaits in which you can engage your mind and body in a study of yourself, discovering breath and movement in a non-competitive and nurturing environment. You will be introduced to the 8-limbed path of Yoga, and we will focus on breath and movement. The series will be progressive, layering one class on top of the next, so that your experience and understanding of yoga continues to deepen. At the end of the series, you will feel empowered to attend any class at Wake Up Yoga with confidence, armed with appropriate variations to protect yourself from injury and get the most out of the class.

Upon completion of the series, students receive a 10% discount on first class card!

Teacher: Monica Kriso

Location: 4916 Baltimore Ave

8 consecutive Thursday nights, 7:45 - 9:15 p.m. January 19th - March 8th

Contribution: $108 for the 8-week series

Pre-registration is required.

Please call the studio at 215-235-1228,

or enroll online at

Sorry, no refunds or make-up classes.


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Saturday, 23 April 2016

FEATURE: Marriage umpires

The problems are seemingly more complex compared to marriages of the previous generation. Parents often cannot relate to issues faced by today's couples and are not in a position to help them, says Ameeta Sanghavi Shah, a Mumbai-based psychotherapist. Perhaps this is why psychiatrists and psychologists have seen almost a 300 per cent rise in the number of cases seeking marriage counselling in the past 3-4 years.
Read the complete story on India Today


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Home » Regions » Global News » QuintilesIMS, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Lilly, Merck KGaA, Pfizer partner

QuintilesIMS, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Lilly, Merck KGaA, Pfizer partner

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

QuintilesIMS will lead a collaborative initiative involving founding partners Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Merck KGaA and Pfizer, which aims to provide clearer and more proactive insight into how anti-cancer treatments are used in a real-world setting across key European markets.

Currently, there are major information gaps and inconsistencies in knowledge about the real-world use of oncology products across Europe. Additional information about how oncology products are actually used, for which types of patients, with what sequences and combinations of therapies, and in which indications, is particularly important to help improve oncology patient care.

Treatment use information is typically based on historical data, thereby providing a view of the past, not a view of current practice. This new initiative is intended to provide more timely, consistent and comprehensive data resources that could be used to provide further insight for healthcare systems to make better informed decisions on patient care in the future. Importantly, substantial steps have been taken to obtain these insights while respecting individual privacy.

Looking for more news, check out the new FREE CenterWatch Weekly!

The new FREE CenterWatch Weekly is your source of critical news, emerging trends, and business issues around everything in the rapidly changing clinical research marketplace. Check out our new CWWeekly page! Sign up today for your free email newsletter, update your bookmarks and check us out regularly! We look forward to bringing you the best news and information about clinical research in 2018!


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The Horse Breaker

Host: Lake Nash Station
Written by Luke Chaplain – Horsebreaker/Bronc Rider, Lake Nash Station.

G’day Central Station patrons! Good to be having a yarn with you all.

My name is Luke Chaplain, and I am originally from a cattle station North West of Cloncurry.

After graduating from high school I spent two years working on Boomarra Station (also North West of Cloncurry) owned by The North Australian Pastoral Company. Since then I’ve spent various other stints working on properties up north. I have however been getting my fix of urban activity from living in Melbourne for the past year. My main priority being based down South has been taking on the Victorian rodeo circuit and studying at the Australian Stunt Academy.

2.1 copyLuke bronc-riding.

I’ve decided blokes in Melbourne can be a little bit precious for my liking, so I recently headed back up North to where the men drink real beer that even contains carbs!

I’m very grateful to Fred and Sarah Hughes, managers of Lake Nash Station for throwing some horse breaking my way. Before arriving to Lake Nash I spent three weeks on Tierawoomba Station, owned by Hughes Pastoral Company, working closely with horse breaker Peter Moffat. It was fantastic to spend time with Pete and gain such valuable knowledge. Together we handled sixteen horses and broke in eight. One of the best tips I picked up from Pete is to ensure a low stress and calm environment when working with horses and to take your time. You want to work with the horse, not against it.

I went on to break in 12 horses at Lake Nash. All have potential and with more work and experience, they should turn out to be solid working horses used for mustering cattle. I will use this opportunity too to give a quick shout out to Fred – thanks bud for giving me some good practice for the National Rodeo Finals at Warwick this month. The stallion (father) of all the breakers, ‘Sovereign,’ has a slight reputation for breeding horses with a bit of buck in them! I didn’t hit the dirt but went close on several occasions!

2.2 copyLuke handling one of the young unbroken horses at Lake Nash.

Anyway, I loved the time I got to spend up North again. There’s a kind of magic about the bush you can’t explain . . . and it’s not just because of Veda’s (the Lake Nash cook’s) corn beef fritters . . . although they make every horse more worthwhile! If you’ve never ventured up to the outback, you’re missing out on life . . . and quite frankly, it’s very un-Australian of you!

2.3 copyBrood mares and foals to be broken in two years’ time.


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Global demand for hydrogen is foreseen to reach 50 Million tons by 2025 mainly used in industry and transport. It is predicted to grow by 3,5% per year. Today most hydrogen is produced from fossil resources. For hydrogen to become a climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, it is necessary to ensure minimal impact on natural resources in the whole life cycle. It is expected that 50-60% of all hydrogen for the growing market of transportation will originate from renewable or low-carbon sources by 2030.

Advantages of the first GO scheme for Premium Hydrogen:

• EU-wide transferability of Premium Hydrogen;

• EU-wide consumption of Premium Hydrogen;

• Transparency & consumer empowerment;

• Improving the business case and

• Creating market pull for Premium Hydrogen.

 Benefits of an EU-wide Guarantee of Origin for Green Hydrogen

Advantages of Green H2 GO


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Mocs Volleyball Wins Regular Season Finale Over Citadel

Saturday, October 28, 2017
 The Chattanooga Mocs volleyball team held off a strong Citadel rally to claim their first five set (25-21, 25-22, 25-27, 22-25, 15-11) victory of the season during Senior Day in Maclellan Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
The Mocs improve to 13-13 overall and 6-6 in the SoCon following the win. The Citadel falls to 8-22, 2-11 in conference action.
Chattanooga seemed to be in control after earning set wins in the first and second sets to take a 2-0 lead into the break, and also holding two match point opportunities in the third.
The Citadel fought off both points and notched set wins in the third and fourth to push it to a fifth.
UTC trailed 8-4 in the fifth at the switch and ended the match on an 11-3 run to take a 15-11 set win and a 3-2 match win. The Mocs were 0-5 entering the match in decisive set matches this season.
Chattanooga attacked at a .268 percentage as a team, the second-highest mark all season (Oct. 7 vs. Mercer). Four different Mocs finished with double-digit kills. Ally Ford led the way with 19 (.295) while Dani Szczepanski followed with 14 (.333) and Emily Plumlee and Miranda Elpers finished with 13 (.357) and 12 (.151), respectively.
The pair of veteran setters in Lauren Greenspoon and Madison Bergren shined on their 'Senior Day'. Greenspoon finished with a match-high 30 assists while Bergren followed with 29.
Defensively, the Mocs won the dig battle 77 to 72 and out-blocked the opposition 11.0 to 9.0. Elpers paced the defense with 18 digs to complete a double-double while Greenspoon and Megan Kaufman added 13 and 12 digs, respectively. Plumlee totaled a match-high 7.0 blocks, doing so on her birthday.
Chattanooga heads to Macon, Ga., and Birmingham, Ala., next weekend for matches against Mercer and Samford. Friday's match against Mercer and Saturday's match at Samford are slated for 6 p.m.

FOOTBALL     VOLLEYBALL     WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Ooltewah at Soddy Daisy Rhea Co. at Red Bank McMinn Co. at Cleveland   THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Baylor at St. Cecelia CCS at Notre Dame East Ridge at Central Soddy Daisy at Walker Valley Sale Creek at Lookout Valley Collegedale Academy at Boyd-Buchanan ... (click for more)

Chattanooga Roller Girls Back For 4th Home Bout Of 2018 Season

Watch the Chattanooga Roller Girls on Saturday for the fourth home doubleheader of the 2018 season. The doors to the Chattanooga Convention Center open at 4 p.m. and the Chattanooga B-team, the B-Railers, kick off the fun at 5 p.m. with a bout against the Spartanburg Deadly Dolls. The Chattanooga All-Stars take on the Muscogee Roller Girls at 7 p.m.  This doubleheader is ... (click for more)

Mother Of 15-Year-Old Killed By His Father Said McElrath Had Been Acting "Manic"

The mother of a 15-year-old boy who was killed by his father said Michael McElrath had been acting "manic" in the days leading up to the tragic incident in Hixson on Aug. 18. Judge Alex McVeigh bound a charge of criminal homicide against McElrath, a former jail officer, to the Grand Jury. He is charged in the death of Dylan McElrath, who was a sophomore at Hixson High School. ... (click for more)

UT Board Considering Randy Boyd As Interim UT President

Randy Boyd, who was among the Republican finalists for the governor nomination, is being considered as interim president at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Joe DiPietro this week announced that Nov. 21 will be his last day on the job. The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees are to meet next week and consider the Boyd appointment. Mr. Boyd, a UT alumnus, would ... (click for more)

Arming Teachers With Guns Will Be Too Dangerous - And Response (3)

Arming teachers with guns in the classroom, as Bill Lee proposes, would be the single most dangerous thing to happen to students in Tennessee history. Students and teachers in close proximity to loaded firearms daily? Across this state, in middle schools alone, there are probably hundreds of student/teacher conflicts a day. What if a student got hold of gun in a struggle with ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: Who Is This ‘New Voice’?

It’s easy for me to say that I either know, or know about, almost every person running in November for the state legislature. Yet when I describe Lemon Williams as the most exciting of the bunch, that’s because he's the only guy I had never heard of when he picked up his qualifying papers. He just turned out the best political aspirant I have had a conversation with in the last ... (click for more)


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Lawn care 101

Tim Bolen was with celebrity gardener Carson Arthur, who we love to check in with this time of the year to provide a few helpful tips or hacks as they are called for keeping our outdoor space all pretty. Today, it’s been about how to get a lawn all the neighbours will be jealous of.

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About Idis Managed Access (MA)

Idis Managed Access, part of Clinigen Group plc, is the global leader in providing ethical worldwide access to the most innovative medicines on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotech companies, helping to address unmet patient need. Our Managed Access Programs provide ethical and regulatory-compliant solutions for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, delivering a fast and efficient response to patient demand outside of traditional access routes.

How We Help Physicians and Patients

Idis MA provides access to medicines through global frameworks referred to as Managed Access Programs (MAPs). A number of different terms are used around the world to describe these programs including “expanded access”, “named patient supply”, “temporary authorization for use”, “compassionate use”, and “early access”. These access programs address the demand for medicines which are otherwise not accessible to patients. Some of the situations where Idis MA can help facilitate access are when medicines:

  • Are still in clinical development and have yet to be approved.
  • May never be approved, but still have medicinal value for a very small population (for example, some rare disease drugs).
  • Are approved in one country, but not another.
  • Have been discontinued in a particular market.
  • Are an alternative to a drug discontinued globally.
  • The decision to treat a patient as part of an MAP is based on the clinical judgement of their physician, and is applicable where there is a genuine unmet medical need and no alternative treatments are available.

    Examples of the active Managed Access Programs that Idis MA is currently running can be found on the Access Programs page.

    Why Idis Managed Access?

    Unsurpassed Experience
    For 30 years we have been trusted by leading biopharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers worldwide to enable early access to more innovative medicines, in more countries, for more patients than anyone else. In 2016 alone, Idis Managed Access ran 108 active programs providing access to over 238,000 units of medicine for patients in need around the world.

    Service Excellence
    All of our services are backed by a global team of over 500 patient access experts, a level of specialized expertise that cannot be found anywhere else. Idis MA team combines global regulatory expertise with local market knowledge to provide ethical and compliant patient access to medicines across the globe, at any time, however complex the requirements.

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    As a trusted resource for navigating the evolving global early access landscape, we have been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for improving access to investigational medicines across the world.

    Global Reach
    Our global footprint extends to supply 130 countries worldwide and our growing global supply chain network and distribution infrastructure enables us to address patient access needs anywhere in the world.

    Stories of Hope and Survival

    Patient Stories

    For first-hand examples of patients that Idis MA has helped, click the videos links below or visit the I did this with Idis MA website.

    Sara, a patient in India, tells the story of how she accessed a life-saving medicine through Idis MA:

    The story of a mother's struggle to find the medicine her daughter needs to survive:

    If you are a healthcare professional and would like more information on how to obtain a medicine for your patient, please contact Idis Managed Access using the details provided: Europe, North America, Rest of World.

    If you are pharmaceutical or biotechnology company and would like more information on Managed Access Programs, please contact:


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July 31, 2012

Just a little housekeeping today...

First up,
Jia's nursery was featured on Apartment Therapy today!
Check it out here!
You can see her original room post here.

My man got back safely this past Sunday from his mission trip to Poland.
He was there for 9 days helping with a basketball camp for kids.
 Yes. 9 days. Without my husband. Ouch.
I realized it was the longest amount of time we've been apart
since we got married.
And now we have 3 kids. Funny how that worked out. ;)

Here are a couple of instagrams taken while he was gone...
I took my sister to a wedding as my date. :)
And we ate a lot of cupcakes.
 I chilled with my baby girl.
Gave Jetty dessert cause he ate all his dinner.
 Took care of a nosebleed.
(Actually my mom did. I helped by instagraming it.)
 Yelled at Jett to get out of the pool.
...and this is how he looked at me.
 I priced crack spackle for Jia.
 And finally Sunday rolled around and I was on my way to the airport!
I survived!

And the biggest news of the day...
We're moving!
To a house!
More details to come but in the mean time we're living with my parents.
Its actually kind of a blast.
Stay tuned!

amy said...

wahoo!!! moving to a house! so exciting! i cannot wait to see what you do with it!

Jami Nato said...

dude. that nursery is the freaking cutest.
so are you. and all your kids. and you're moving. are you pinteresting like crazy?

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