Insights, Blogs & News
Facing the Mountain of Loss: Losing My Health
One of the most difficult mountains I’ve faced in my life are those that deal with my health. The reason is because many of these challenges have been things that I have had little to no control over. I can try to mitigate some of the symptoms with medication, healthy eating and good lifestyle choices; however, as disciplined as I am and as hard as I try, sometimes this is not enough. For example, I discovered in 2009 that I had kidney failure. After a biopsy, I was put onto dialysis, as my kidney’s were barely functioning. The doctors could […]
Formaldehyde and Styrene
I used to avoid reading about dangerous substances. I didn’t like hearing about things that might do me harm. Now I gravitate to these articles. I love reading about toxicity. Our mold exposure turned me around. Truth is not easy to hear. But it’s freeing. Avoiding chemicals is impossible. Making wise choices is not. Last week the government added formaldehyde to their growing list of cancer-causing substances. According to the following Reuters article: The government on Friday added formaldehyde, a substance found in plastics and other commonly used products, to a list of known carcinogens and warned that the chemical […]
Pain and Social Security Disability Benefits
September is Pain Awareness Month Allsup offers free posters, explains how chronic pain is evaluated for SSDI benefits Belleville, Ill. – August 29, 2011 – Chronic pain affects an estimated 116 million American adults—more than the total affected by heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined, according to a recent Institute of Medicine report. Allsup, a nationwide Social Security disability representation company, helps thousands of people with chronic pain obtain their SSDI benefits each year. To salute those who persevere, Allsup is distributing free posters for Pain Awareness Month in September and explaining how chronic pain is evaluated in the Social […]
People with Disabilities are the Largest Minority Group in the US
Most people may not be not aware of the prevalence of those living with disabilities. In fact, there are probably more people living with disabilities in the United States than people realize. According to the Institute on Disability, “If people with disabilities were a formally recognized minority group, at 19% of the population, they would be the largest minority group in the United States.” ARTICLE RESOURCE: Institute on Disability. University of new Hampshire. Report Finds Significant Health Disparities for People with Disabilities. August 25, 2011
Study Finds Hazardous Chemicals Coming Out of Dryer Vents
Scented laundry products emit hazardous chemicals through dryer vents. The same University of Washington researcher who used chemical sleuthing to deduce what’s in fragranced consumer products now has turned her attention to the scented air wafting from household laundry vents. “This is an interesting source of pollution because emissions from dryer vents are essentially unregulated and unmonitored,” said lead author Anne Steinemann, a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering and of public affairs. “If they’re coming out of a smokestack or tail pipe, they’re regulated, but if they’re coming out of a dryer vent, they’re not.” The research builds on earlier work […]
Just Add it to the Bottomless List
“Just add it to the bottomless list.” Ever felt that way? As though the world and all its demands expects you to keep going until you’ve finished everything on your plate, so to speak. Including the Brussels sprouts. It’s an image that reminds me of long-ago decades growing up in Fargo, North Dakota. The dinnertime rule was we had to eat at least a biteful of every food on our plate, even if we knew we didn’t like it. Logic said our taste buds might change as we grew accustomed to it. The perennial battle of the Brussels sprouts absorbed […]