hannah w.'s Comments
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Jan 14, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 46
hannah w. Jan 15, 2009, 9:06pm EST
Having a problem with what the rest of us consider standard "rules" is a disability when it is caused by having a different way of seeing the world. It is only not a disability when it is caused by a having a bad attitude.
You don't have to be non-functioning or unintelligent to have a disability. A disability is a condition which creates a potentially limiting challenge in the life of a person. In school, kids who have difficulty due to conditions which, in adulthood, would not keep them from getting jobs, are considered learning disabled. This term covers kids who are not in any way mentally deficient, but simply have a different way of learning, as in the case of one of my closest friends, who while in school was in both the LD classes and the gifted program.
Those of us who have a different way of thinking because our brains work differently than what is considered "normal" for society, regardless of the manner in which our brains are different, are considered in school settings to have a disability. Some are fortunate enough to not have their disability interfere with their ability to follow what others consider to be standard rules. Others with the same condition may be less fortunate.
I still say the teachers involved should be prosecuted for abuse. I am not so sure about saying the same of the cops... having grown up in a small farm-like community, I can see where they might have trusted the word of the teachers regarding the reasons behind the child's behavior. Having not been informed of her condition, and not being experts in childhood development, they would have no reason to suspect that there was anything going on there other than what they had been told.
Jan 14, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 24
hannah w. Jan 15, 2009, 8:30pm EST
Your pharmacist is the best human source of info on your meds. Your doc knows a lot, but he/she is an expert on his/her area of medicine. Your pharmacist is an expert on prescription drugs, and will know more about them than the doc.
It's important to get all your meds (if you are on more than 1) from the same pharmacy. Some medicines which don't have bad side effects by themselves can have devastating ones when combined with the wrong other medication. Also, always inform your pharmacist if you are taking any meds you got at another pharmacy, or are using any over-the-counter remedy or herbal remedy. Sometimes OTC or herbal remedies can duplicate, counteract, or otherwise interact badly with a prescription drug.
Ask if there is anything you need to avoid taking or eating while using a prescribed medication you are picking up for the first time. Some medications do come with dietary restrictions as they will interact badly with certain foods.
Also, if the pharmacist tells you to eat something or to drink a full glass of water with each dose of a drug you are taking, make sure you do... some drugs are rough on the digestion, which will be worse on an empty stomach, and others can be tough on the kidneys or liver, and the water helps cushion the blow.
If you do have a negative reaction to a medication, let your doctor know as soon as you can (and before you forget) so that he/she will know to avoid using that medicine to treat you again.
Dec 28, 2008 | rating: 9.4 | comments: 43
hannah w. Jan 15, 2009, 9:24am EST
CARIE (The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly) might be able to help you with the issue with your brother. It sounds like he has taken advantage of your mother pretty badly. If he's done something illegal, you may find advocacy and advice here.
Check out their site: http://www.carie.org
Jan 14, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 46
hannah w. Jan 15, 2009, 8:37am EST
If she were my kid, I wouldn't just sue, I'd be pressing abuse charges against the school staff members involved. These people beat up a handicapped kid!
It seems a lot of schools have good policies in place to help students with physical disabilities, and to help MR/DD students, but when the disability comes in the form of anything categorized as "mental illness" the kid gets treated as a "problem child" exhibiting bad behavior rather than a disabled person. This school needs to get the message that a kid with Aspberger's syndrome deserves the same kind of understanding, caring, and patience they are expected to offer a child in a wheelchair, a blind child, or a child who is learning disabled.
Jan 15, 2009 | comments: 38
hannah w. Jan 15, 2009, 7:39am EST
I believe celebrity deaths happen at about the same rate as the rest of the general population. Every year, there are bound to be at least a few celebrity deaths, just as there will also be a few deaths somewhere in your sphere of existence. There will be deaths due to natural causes, including old age, There will be accidental deaths, deaths due to illness, drug overdoses, and murders. These things will happen throughout the entire population, including among the famous.
Unless you live in a vacuum, you will probably attend at least one funeral this year, even though it may not be for a close family member. Most likely, the funeral you attend won't make the news, but every celebrity death gets reported, sometimes extensively, especially if the death is due to tragic circumstances such as an accident, a murder, a drug overdose, or an illness. Sometimes the death of a non-celebrity gets thrown in with the celebrity-death perception phenomenon, because that person is close to a celebrity (the deaths of Bill Cosby's son and John Travolta's son are examples of this) or the death was caused by a celebrity (as in the death of Anna Nicole Simpson). These were not famous people, but their deaths are famous, and may be contributing to the perception that celebrity deaths happen in clusters.
The media circus around celebrity deaths keeps them fresh in our minds longer that the deaths of those who are loosely connected to us but not famous. Chances are, after a celebrity death makes headlines, the next celebrity death to occur, even if it is months later, will be though of as happening "at around the same time" as the previous one.
Therefore, I think it is probably more of a perception on our part than a reality, and celebrity deaths have pretty much the same pattern of frequency and grouping as any other group.
Dec 31, 2008 | rating: 10 | comments: 38
hannah w. Jan 14, 2009, 11:21pm EST
I remember getting this in an email as part of a larger list... these are funny even reading them again later, LOL! Here is the whole list
Jan 12, 2009 | rating: 8.8 | comments: 55
hannah w. Jan 12, 2009, 2:50pm EST
Why is it that society is able to recognize and accept that there is a sense of loss and an emotional recovery needed when one has a body part amputated, and also when a miscarriage occurs (especially late term), yet I still hear pro-choice advocates deny that a similar sense of loss and need for emotional recovery would occur in an abortion patient?
All of my friends who have had abortions have demonstrated emotional distress and recovery, regardless of their individual reasons for having the procedure performed (which, among my friends, has varied from simple birth control to saving the mother's life) or the stage of pregnancy reached before the procedure was performed.
Jan 10, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 13
hannah w. Jan 10, 2009, 10:48pm EST
I wonder how the emergency broadcast system (for weather emergencies) is going to work after that?
Jan 5, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 92
hannah w. Jan 10, 2009, 10:43pm EST
"Who says litigation?" was snippy.
Your whole comment addressed mine as if I had responded to something you had not said, and you used all caps in places, which is also snippy.
Jan 9, 2009 | comments: 50
hannah w. Jan 9, 2009, 8:44pm EST
I'm not so worried about "the" button... since there's a whole room full of commanders and equipment involved, if "the" button gets pushed, it won't be one person's mistake. A whole bunch of idiots will have to make that decision together, LOL!

Anyway, since we are supposed to "think globally, act locally" and the subject is annihilation, I think I will go and annihilate some local cookies. I believe I have some in the kitchen. :P
Jan 9, 2009 | rating: 9.4 | comments: 24
hannah w. Jan 9, 2009, 8:18pm EST
The problem is that the law is too vague in a number of spots, and children's clothing and toy manufacturers, retailers, and second-hand retailers are not entirely sure which products are covered under the testing requirements. It appears that there are a number of products for which testing may be required despite containing no materials which might be contaminated with lead. There is a movement among people involved with the manufacture of children's goods to have the law revised so that it will be more clear and easy to follow, while also exempting items for which testing would be unnecessary, such as unprinted t-shirts made from 100% cotton and other natural fabrics, as wall as unpainted toys made with all-natural, non-metallic components such as beeswax, and untreated wood.
The intent behind the law (to protect children from lead poisoning) is good, but as long as it is so far-reaching that it might destroy the kind of small businesses which are often the safest places to buy children's goods, it is not a good law.
Dec 16, 2008 | rating: 10 | comments: 20
hannah w. Jan 9, 2009, 8:08pm EST
I almost forgot to mention be aware of possible drug allergies, too. My husband is allergic to both aspirin and ibuprofen. I am allergic to natural opiates, and am affected more than average by synthetic opiates (they knock me out). These reactions can be extremely uncomfortable (ibuprofen gives my hubby hives)... others can be deadly (penicillin sends me into anaphylactic shock). If you have serious symptoms after taking an OTC medication, seek emergency help right away.
Dec 16, 2008 | rating: 10 | comments: 20
hannah w. Jan 9, 2009, 7:43pm EST
The reason Ibuprofen is not off the market is that this particular side effect is not common. If it were, we would be hearing about it on the news. According to Wikipedia's article on ibuprofen (in the "Adverse Effects" section, "Ibuprofen appears to have the lowest incidence of gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of all the non-selective NSAIDs. However, this only holds true at lower doses of ibuprofen, so over-the-counter preparations of ibuprofen are generally labeled to advise a maximum daily dose of 1,200 mg"
In the "Human Toxicology" section of the same article, it says "Ibuprofen overdose has become common since it was licensed for over-the-counter use. There are many overdose experiences reported in the medical literature, although the frequency of life-threatening complications from ibuprofen overdose is low."
However, in some cases as is said in the MedlinePlus Drug Information article I found on Ibuprofen, "NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may cause ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the stomach or intestine." The article lists risk factors which may increase the likelihood of one suffering these side effects. The link to that article is at the bottom of this comment.

Adverse reactions are more likely to happen to a person with certain underlying health problems, or who is prescribed too much, takes too much, or takes ibuprofen with another medication for which there are contraindications. Also, it can be very dangerous to combine OTC remedies with herbal remedies without consulting a pharmacist. You could end up doubling up on anticoagulants or otherwise overdosing yourself in some way.

When taking any over-the-counter medication, either for the first time, or for the first time after a change in your health (such as becoming pregnant, suffering an injury, or being given a new diagnosis) always, always read the IMPORTANT WARNING section of the instructions, never take more than the recommended dosage, and do not let chronic pain go without a doctor visit. (It is one thing to be a "tough" person, quite another to be bullheaded.)

Also, Advil is Ibuprofen.

There is some good info on this subject at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682159.html including a list of the drug's possible side effects and a list of medications which are brand names of ibuprofen or which contain ibuprofen.
Dec 16, 2008 | rating: 9.9 | comments: 43
hannah w. Jan 9, 2009, 7:00pm EST
If your daughter likes chocolate milk, you might try what my doc had my mom do after I lost too much weight due to an extended illness as a child. Twice a day, I had a glass of milk with a supplement in it. We used Carnation Breakfast Drink, and it did help a lot. It does have sugar in it, but it also has the same kind of supplements you would find in cereal.
There are a lot of other ones on the market now, too, some of which have less sugar.

Kimber is right... it can be tough on a kid to be different. I grew up with bipolar disorder and I remember how frustrated it can be to be misunderstood or disliked by a teacher. It can also be a big self-esteem booster when you know your teacher does understand. It sounds like your daughter's teacher really wants to help, which is fortunate. She may be the best ally you have in your efforts to help your daughter. Best of luck to you and your daughter, and hopefully with the teacher's cooperation, you will find your daughter's best pathway through the education system. As she gets older, hopefully she will have many teachers and many other people in her life who are able to enjoy getting to know and work with the unique and interesting person she is sure to be. ^_^
Jan 9, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 24
hannah w. Jan 9, 2009, 6:00pm EST
That last bit was supposed to include, "though you are probably sick of hearing it" and not just "though"... guess my computer can't keep up with my fingers, LOL!
Jan 9, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 24
hannah w. Jan 9, 2009, 5:56pm EST
I haven't been sick in a long time, but I do still remember what works for me. I learned by accident, trying to slow the progress of a head and chest cold that hit me rather suddenly and quite hard on a Friday night. I didn't think I'd get rid of it with home remedies, but hoped they would slow it so that I could go to my doctor after the weekend was over instead of going to Urgent Care, from which I would walk out with a Zithromax pack which would kill my cold and my stomach with about the same speed.
I used a combination of remedies, some of which I learned from my grandmother, and some from my doctor.
I went out and bought zinc supplements & garlic pills and an expectorant (Guaifenesin).
Garlic has antibiotic properties and is secreted through the lungs (which is why it gives you bad breath) so it would be helpful in preventing a germ from settling in there. Zinc is used by the body in the strengthening of the immune system. The expectorant was to help get rid of the mucus so that the infection didn't spread.
I also drank a lot of hot drinks, including a regular dose (instructions on the box) of Traditional Medicinals Breathe Easy Tea.
The next part of this remedy is kind of gross, but it works, I swear!
You mix 1 teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of warm (not hot - about 105 degrees) water. Use a medicine dropper, while laying on your back, to drop a few drops into each side of your nose and sniff (if you can) or let it run for a minute. This is very uncomfortable, but it helps clear out the gunk and kill the germs. After about a minute, you can blow your nose. Do this 2 to 4 times per 24 hours, depending on the sensitivity of your nose and how well it gets rid of the gunk.
Do not do this next one right after the salt water treatment... it can be done in between, a few hours away from the salt water treatment. Put about 2 cups of water into a small pan or big coffee mug. Add about 10 peppermint altoids or 4 drops of peppermint oil, a half teaspoon of cloves, a teaspoon of lemon juice or a few drops of lemon oil, and if you have some, a pinch of dried rosemary. Heat the mixture until boiling. Lean over this (eyes closed so the steam does not irritate them) and breathe in the steam for up to 10 minutes. This will help dry up some of the gunk, fight the germs, and clear your head. This can be done 2 to 4 times per day like the salt treatment, but don't overdo it or you will irritate your sinuses.
Also, avoid watching or reading emotionally dramatic stuff right now (No Lifetime, television for women!) and instead go for stuff that tickles your funny bone. Tear-jerkers can suppress your immune system, while humor has been shown to stimulate it.
Finally, the most important 2 things you can do, though are the ones everyone will tell you: get lots of rest (your immune system works hardest when you are asleep) and drink lots of fluids to wash out the germs.
Hope this helps ^_^
Jan 5, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 92
hannah w. Jan 9, 2009, 3:43pm EST
Contacting an attorney does not affect anyone's actions except for your own. Doing so would not change anything about which rules are applied to whom at a school or any other institution. Whether or not you used the word litigation, you have no reason to get snippy about my response to your statement, as there was and still is every reason to view your comment as advocating taking legal action against the school.
Jan 8, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 18
hannah w. Jan 8, 2009, 8:35pm EST
LOL Cute... but now I'm hungry for chicken wings!
Jan 5, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 92
hannah w. Jan 8, 2009, 4:01pm EST
Melinda W, your statement "And if the school is refusing to accomodate you, they are violated federal and state law and you should contact an attorney..."

was the basis for my statements on litigation. That is what normally follows contacting an attorney in situations like this. Also, saying your are not talking about litigation isn't very convincing, when it's followed up with statements about shutting the school down. That would absolutely involve litigation.
Aug 15, 2006 | rating: 9.9 | comments: 59
hannah w. Jan 7, 2009, 8:51pm EST
I have a grease jar, and I do cook some things with bacon grease, but I have never had a cholesterol problem.
I also use olive oil for some things, and peanut oil for others.
I refuse to cook with anything that says "partially hydrogenated" on the bottle/can... I think that is more unhealthy than eating bacon grease with a spoon! (which I also don't do, LOL!)
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hannah w.
riverside, ohio
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