GCB Digest GCB Digest Fall 2007 (Text Version)
The GCB Digest
A publication of the
Georgia Council of the Blind,
An affiliate of the
American Council of the Blind
An organization promoting a hand up, not a hand out!
FALL, 2007
President: Alice Ritchhart
125 Willow Pond Way
Brunswick, GA 31525
912-261-9833, Toll Free: 877-667-6815
E-Mail: alice.ritchhart@comcast.net
Editor: Ann Sims, 3361 Whitney Avenue
Hapeville, GA 30354, 404-767-1792
E-Mail, teacherann@bellsouth.net
Assistant Editor: Jerrie Ricks, 1307 Chester Place
McDonough, GA 30252, 770-898-9036;
E-Mail, jerrie_ricks@bellsouth.net
GCB Webmaster: Steven Longmire
Sunbright Consulting at info@sunbright.biz
www.georgiacounciloftheblind.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President’s Message: by Alice Ritchhart---------------3
GCB State ConventionHighlights: by Robin Oliver
and Linda Cox ----------------------------------------------- 5
Black and White Ball Fundraiser Report:
by Valerie Thomas ----------------------------------------- 8
YAP Report: by Patricia Cox ---------------------------- 9
Helen Keller: by Adam Malyala ----------------------- 11
From the LIONS Den: by Marsha Farrow ------ 14
From the Internet: --------------------------------------- 19
Announcements: ----------------------------------------- 28
Articles for the next issue of The GCB Digest should be submitted no later than December 10, 2007. Remember, if you have a change of address, phone number, email or format preference, please send that change to the GCB treasurer, Linda Cox, at 770-972-2231, or email, lindabcox@hotmail.com.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Team Work for GCB
By Alice Ritchhart
Many of us just attended our 51st annual convention. At this convention we experienced many new things. First, we held our convention a week earlier than in the past. Secondly, on Friday we held a couple of training workshops. The first of these involved giving members the opportunity to receive instruction in grant writing. The second workshop explored the mentoring of youth through the individual education plan. Also for the first time we held a Black Tie fundraiser during our banquet to help raise funds for our organization’s many objectives. During the banquet we were honored to hear from Michael Hingson, a survivor of the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9-11. His topic was about team work and how important it was to trust his dog and for everyone trying to escape the building to work together in order to survive.
Listening to Michael’s presentation caused me to reflect on the Georgia Council of the Blind and the future of our organization. We currently remain the largest consumer organization for the blind in the state, and all the new endeavors we have taken on this year are to make sure that we continue to grow and maintain this status.
Change is never easy but often necessary if one wants to survive. Trying new things will help us to reach many more individuals in the state who are blind and visually impaired. Engaging in new experiences may or may not work but at least we can view them as educational experiences. Learning is like change—it’s part of the growth process.
The final ingredient to growth is the team work. It takes each individual member, each affiliate, and old and new members working together to help nourish the Georgia Council of the Blind to be the recognized authority for individuals who are blind and visually impaired in Georgia.
With most of our members being on a fixed income and the fact that transportation continues to be a major issue for all of us, it’s difficult for some members to take part in organizational activities in person. However, there are many ways for each member and affiliate to be part of the team and to help us achieve our mission. I believe each individual has something he/she can contribute to GCB and that each should be willing to share these talents with us. As president, I have tried to encourage everyone to take part in what happens within our organization, and I have tried to make it clear that it is up to all of us, not just a few, to combine our efforts in shaping and reaching our objectives for GCB. Someone once said to me that there is no “I” in team, and this statement says it all. So I hope to hear from each and every one of you to let me know what role you would like to take as part of the team in helping the Georgia Council of the Blind to continue to “team up” and grow even larger as the recognized consumer group in Georgia.
2007 GCB State Convention Highlights
By Robin Oliver and Linda Cox
The 2007 GCB state convention held in Duluth at the Marriott at Gwinnett Place hotel, opened on Thursday with registration and field trips. Later that evening, we enjoyed a reception and then ended the night with the auction which raised over $500 for the scholarship fund. Thank you to Carle Cox, our auctioneer.
Many on Thursday enjoyed a field trip to the Georgia Aquarium. It included being able to touch stingrays, hammer head sharks and star fish.
Friday's sessions were informative and helpful and the information can be used at the chapter level. The two meetings were on grant writing and mentoring. In the grant writing workshop, members learned from Pat Johnson how to collect pertinent information and write grants. In the mentoring workshop led by NFB of Georgia president, Anil Lewis, and assisted by Ms. Thelma Godwin, GCB members learned about all that is involved in the IEP process and were encouraged to become involved in the mentoring program with the elementary and high school children who are blind and visually impaired.
Following these sessions was the awards luncheon with speaker, Dick Edwards, a volunteer with GARRS. Chapter presidents awarded loving cups and certificates of appreciation to their members.
That afternoon, there was a tour to GARRS (Georgia Radio Reading Service). Thank you to Phil Jones, April Kline and GARRS staff and volunteers for the wonderful visit to your office. It was fascinating to observe the process of how it all comes together. We enjoyed a stop at the famous Mary Mac's Tea Room on the way back to Duluth.
On Friday night, the annual talent show was held. Someone set off the fire alarm during the first performance, and we were asked to evacuate the hotel. That brought on a little excitement, but no fire erupted. We stayed in the parking lot for about an hour. After some delay, the show went on. Never a dull moment at a GCB convention! Phil Jones decided not to have one winner this year because the talent was all so amazing and everyone enjoyed all of the performers.
We had the LIONS Breakfast on Saturday morning and then a session on civil disobedience and one about Medicare Part D presented by Laurie Graffo. Braille readers were impressed to receive braille copies of the handout.
The next session was one of the highlights of the convention presenting the YAPPERS. There were four participants this year, and all speeches were interesting and welll presented. There will be further details regarding the YAPPERS in an article in this issue by Patricia Cox who coordinated this year’s Youth Activity Program.
After lunch, the general business meeting was in session. Among some of the business covered was next year’s convention. It was finally decided to change the time of the state convention to the first full weekend in November and to hold it on Friday through Sunday. Plans are being made to try and hold the convention in Columbus. The final details will be discussed and voted on at the October 20th GCB board meeting.
The banquet and Black and White Ball was held Saturday night. Thank you to Keith Morris, Anne Martin and Vicki Ganger for the musical entertainment prior to our dinner. Three awards were presented: The Gerald Pye Community Service Award was given to Mr. Bob McGary of the Greater Hall County Chapter, the Rhoda W. Walker Award was given to Mrs. Jerrie Ricks of the East Georgia Chapter, and the President’s Diamond Award was given to Ms. Valerie Thomas of the Savannah Chapter. Stephens County chapter members awarded five scholarships this year. We thank them for their dedication to this program. The art auction raised over $1200.00. Valerie Thomas and Marsha Farrow coordinated all of the art. Kay McGill described the art at the auction. Thank you to everyone who helped with this new fund raiser. Valerie Thomas will give further details in the next article about the banquet speaker and fundraiser.
Sunday morning was the devotion and memorial service remembering Eugene Crawford of the South Metro Chapter and June Trice of the Macon Chapter.
Because so many board members had already gone home, the closing board meeting was held via conference call the following week. Georgia Blind LION, Bill Holley, was sworn in as its new president; the upcoming fundraiser on October 6 was discussed; and it was decided to hold the October board meeting on its regular time, Saturday, October 20.
Thank you to everyone that attended the convention this year. Your support was greatly appreciated. Even though the attendance was low, the ones that did attend had a fantastic time. We had over 15 exhibitors this year; thank you for taking the time to share your products with us.
Listed below are people who were very helpful with this year’s convention, and we hope we do not leave anyone out.
Alice Ritchhart, Charles Stubblefield, Beverly Brooks, Delores Rutenber, Marsha Farrow, Patricia Cox, Anne Martin, Cora Camp, Valerie Thomas, Holly Harris, Vicki Ganger, Kay McGill, Josh Grenevitch, Betsy Grenevitch, Debbie Williams, Kim Carmichael, Melvin Turner, Phil Jones, Barbara Brooks, Carle Cox, Janet Hardin, Keith Morris, Kathy Morris, and Judy Presley and the awards committee
Black And White Ball Fundraiser
By Valerie Thomas
Fundraiser Chair
During GCB’s 51st state convention, its first annual Black and White Ball fundraiser was held on Saturday, July 28th from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The first half of the ball consisted of the art preview, dinner, and guest speaker, Michael Hingson. Mr. Hingson and his guide dog, Rosselle, escaped the World Trade Center attack on September 11th. His topic for the evening was Trust and Teamwork, Keys to Survival.
The second half of the evening consisted of the awards banquet and the first annual art auction fundraiser. The auction was hosted by comedian Tommy Futch from Laughing Matters and audio described by Kay McGill. I would like to thank both of them for their time and assistance during the auction.
I would also like to thank everyone that worked hard putting together a successful fundraiser. We were able to raise $1,235 for GCB’s general fund.
YAP Report
By Patricia Cox
The Youth Awareness Program (YAP) held at this year’s convention was a remarkable success. In total, we had 4 youth who had never been to any events with the GCB. The YAPPERS were Brandon Williams, Jessica Wilson, James Howard, and Adam Malyala. We also had some help from some earlier YAPPERS. Holly Harris, who came to both the 2005 and 2006 conventions, helped out as a chaperone along with Charles Stubblefield. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both of our chaperones for their hard work and dedication.
We began by meeting and getting to know each other in the hotel at 1:00 PM on Thursday. It turned out that some of our YAPPERS knew each other from STARS and the Georgia Academy for the Blind. We then proceeded to attend the welcome reception and the auction. It became a regular occurrence to start chanting Marsha Farrow’s name when she would buy an item. The YAPPERS were also given $10.00 worth of GCB dollars to spend. These dollars were made to imitate the size, shape, and color of real money, but GCB dollars featured Alice Ritchhart’s name.
On Friday, the YAPPERS attended Anil Lewis’s speech about IEP and mentoring, awards luncheon, and the GARRS tour. At GARRS, the YAPPERS were given the opportunity to be on the other side of the microphone and record a small sample segment of text. For many of the YAPPERS, this experience was one of the highlights of the convention.
We also found time to peruse the exhibit hall at the convention where the YAPPERS saw new technology. Brandon Williams, for example, was completely fascinated by the NFB Kurzweil reader.
One of the other highlights of the convention for our YAPPERS was the fire alarm in the middle of the talent show. Jessica Wilson spent half of the evening in the hospitality room telling stories about fires.
On Saturday, it came down to our annual YAP Speak Off. The topic this year was “Vision of the Past and Present”. Everyone worked hard on their speeches and they were enjoyable to hear. The winner was Adam Malyala. His speech was on Helen Keller and as part of his prize, it is published in this issue of the Digest. I hope you enjoy it. Adam also received $100.00.
Helen Keller
By Adam Malyala
Has one ever wondered about the life of Helen Keller? Not only was she blind but also deaf. She has been through a great deal in her life and overcame many challenges and accomplished many of her dreams. She has also inspired many people and events. These are from literature to politics to media. She has also helped raise many funds for many organizations such as The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). She has helped inspire many other people with disabilities go to college and survive their life.
Helen Adams Keller was born on July 27, 1880 at an estate called Ivy Green in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Her father, Captain Arthur H. Keller, was a former officer of the Confederate Army while her mother, Kate Adams Keller, is a cousin of Robert E. Lee. As many people may not know, Helen Keller was not born blind or deaf. At about nineteen months of age she is believed to have come down with a sickness which doctors described as "an acute congestion of the stomach and the brain," which could have been scarlet fever or meningitis. The illness did not last very long, but it left her deaf and blind. Helen soon developed temper tantrums making it hard to deal with her. Her parents hired Anne Sullivan to work with Helen as her personal teacher. This was hard for both Anne and Helen because Anne had very little sight and no experience, and Helen wouldn’t cooperate. Eventually, Helen and Anne developed a close bond, and Helen learned to finger spell. As an adult, she learned English, French, German, Greek, and Latin through reading braille. She also wrote a total of twelve novels in her life. She was the first deaf and blind person to graduate from college.
On June 1, 1968, She died peacefully in her sleep in Arcan Ridge. Her funeral took place in Washington, D.C.; she was buried next to her beloved teacher, Anne Sullivan.
As one might know, Helen Keller is famous for many things. For example she was a suffragist, pacifist, and supported birth control. In 1915, she founded Helen Keller International, a non-profit organization for preventing blindness. Helen Keller met every U.S. President from Grover Cleveland to Lyndon B. Johnson and was friends with many famous figures including Alexander Graham Bell, Charlie Chaplin and Mark Twain. She was a member of the socialist party and was renowned for her views about disability rights. Keller made trips to 39 countries around the world and gave lectures about disabilities. She helped introduce the Akita dog from Japan to the U.S. As mentioned before, Keller wrote many books and articles in her life. Two of them include Light in my Darkness and her autobiography, The Story of My Life. Keller devoted much of her life to the AFB helping raise many funds.
On September 14, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Helen Keller the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the United States' highest two civilian honors. Portrayals of Helen Keller have been shown around the world. For example, in 2005, a Hindu movie, Black, portrayed Keller’s life. Another example includes Helen Keller’s life being taught in many Japanese schools. People have also thought of her here in the USA. The movie, Deliverance and play, The Miracle Worker have been made to remember and honor her.
Helen Keller has also inspired me in many ways. First of all, when I lived in New York, I used to go to a camp called Helen Keller for the Blind. We learned about her and what she did. I especially like her charisma. Not everyone has the spunk and courage to battle through challenges in life. When I think of her, I am inspired which makes me put my foot forward in life. Overall, she is beyond a great example when it comes to not giving up and trying your best.
Helen Keller, born and raised in an estate, was spoiled and hard to control, especially after she went blind and deaf. Though it was hard working with her, it was not impossible to teach her to communicate. Once she saw the environment around her, she wanted to make a difference, and she did. She has touched many people’s hearts and inspired people to get through the hard parts of life. Just think, if Helen Keller was here today, things might have been a lot different for her. With today’s technology, she might have been able to fulfill her ultimate dream: learning to speak.
From the LIONS Den
By Marsha Farrow
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a letter written by Marsha Farrow to the LIONS Club nominating two of our outstanding GCB members for the Anne Sullivan award which is given each year at the LIONS state convention.
Anne Sullivan Award Nomination
LION George Jackson
4007 Carolina Trail
Statesboro, Georgia
Dear LION Jackson:
On behalf of the Trion LIONS Club in District 18-A, I am very privileged to submit in nomination the names of Editha and Roger Jones for the highly distinguished Anne Sullivan Award. Editha and Roger Jones reside in Trion, Georgia. Although they are not members of our LIONS Club, they truly deserve recognition for their devotion to three adopted daughters who are visually and hearing impaired. Mrs. Jones shared her thoughts on being nominated for the Award with the following quote:
“I have never heard of this award, but you are naming my long time childhood hero. I use to study about Anne Sullivan and say I was going to be a teacher like her when I grew up. I am not sure what I meant by that as a child, but learning how to be committed, stubborn, and full of high expectations for my students sure has stuck with me.“
Mr. Roger F Jones is an appraiser for the Chattooga County tax assessor’s office and the assistant Chattooga County library computer technician. Mrs. Editha K Jones is an in-home child care provider with an inclusion preschool program. She has stayed active and faced the challenge of multiple sclerosis for the past 13 years.
After giving birth to three healthy children, Roger and Editha felt the strong calling to provide a loving home for children with severe disabilities. Three daughters have been adopted from India. The Jones family has allowed newspaper coverage for their daughters’ arrivals to give the community the opportunity to have a part in the celebrations.
The first daughter who was adopted is Priya Marie Jones who turned seven in December and was adopted at 17 months through the WACAP India Family Finders Program in Seattle, Washington. Her name means beloved, bitterly wanted child and gift of God. She is blind in one eye and has 85% hearing loss in both ears with corrected facial deformities. She attends a regular classroom and reads above level for her age.
The second adopted daughter is Saundarya Michelle Jones who was seven in April and joined the family just before her third birthday. She also went through the WACAP India Family Finders Program. She is lovingly called Adora, and her name means a beloved, beautiful, gift of God. She is blind and has developmental delays. She is a good skater and can sing almost every song in the church hymnal from memory.
The third daughter who was also adopted from the WACAP India Family Finders Program is Amulya Makaily Jones who turned four on December 25th and came home in May of last year. The family calls her Mula and she is considered their priceless Christmas angel. Her name means a priceless, beautiful, beloved, Gift of God. Her unformed eyelids do not open so she is totally blind with other facial deformities and a clubbed foot. She has possible hearing loss and severe developmental delays. She is the best climber and her smile makes her mother’s day!
The youngest of the birth children of Roger and Editha is Nathan D. Jones, an honor student. He is 19 and still lives at home. He is going to college full time and working a 40-hour-a-week job. The middle son is Jason D. Jones, 23, and lives away from home. The eldest child, a daughter, is Christin K. Dawson and she is 27. She is soon to deliver baby number four. She and her husband, Mike, are great supporters and the parents of Roger and Editha’s grandchildren, Seth W. Dawson, age six; Laurana K. Dawson, age four; and Naomi K. Dawson, age two. Editha keeps her grandchildren during the week while their parents work. Editha said, “We are having fun raising our children together!”
The Trion LIONS Club believes that the Jones family has demonstrated unselfish devotion by their loving service to their adopted daughters, birth children, and grandchildren. Their outstanding example of charity has impacted our community in many positive ways. Moreover, the adoption of special needs children has increased awareness of youngsters who are vision and hearing impaired. The Jones family has two of the three blind children in the entire Chattooga County school system. The Jones girls are involved in community and recreational activities with other children, including nondisabled children.
Adora uses her cane for independent travel in the public school and is treated well by her peers. Roger and Editha meet a lot of people at the Chamlee Skate Club where all three of the girls participate in skating. Mula is learning how to skate with beginner skates and her walker. Adora looks like any other child as she skates around the rink. Onlookers who have not met Adora before watching her skate cannot pick out which child is blind. Editha said, “I think we have helped educate and remove some fears that people have toward children and adults who are blind and disabled.” Editha added that she felt most people that are around her children have learned to see past the disability and appreciate each child for who she is.
Editha and her adopted daughters attend the Chattooga County Chapter of the Georgia Council of the Blind and gave a braille presentation at the last Christmas meeting. Representative Barbra Reese attended this Christmas meeting and later received a Christmas card brailled by Adora. Ms. Reese said she would frame the braille card and hang it in her office in the Georgia Legislative Building. Adora responded, “Everybody can see braille now.”
The Trion LIONS Club proudly supports the Jones family nomination and strongly believes they have truly exemplified the perseverance and love of Helen Keller’s beloved teacher, Anne Sullivan. Much like Anne Sullivan, Roger and Editha have accepted tremendous responsibility to be the catalysts of hope for their daughters. No doubt, Roger and Editha are rewarded each time they see a smiling face from a little girl that would be isolated in an orphanage if not for their willingness to provide a home, education, community involvement, and most of all the love of family!
Thank you for considering this nomination. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 706-857-2968.
Respectfully submitted,
LION Marsha Farrow
Trion LIONS Club
The Jones family did not win the Anne Sullivan Award from the Cherry Blossom LIONS Club, but I certainly believe they deserved it and hope the winner was really outstanding!
LIONS and GCB Blind LIONS can be of benefit in promoting the issues of individuals and families effected by vision loss. Many LIONS Clubs have moved away from supporting individuals who are blind, hence, GCB Blind LIONS can be a vehicle to return LIONISM to the promise made to Helen Keller.
The Blind LIONS met during the GCB state convention in Duluth. Bob Robinson, Chair of the Past District Governor Association, and Ken Thurmond, Past District Governor of 18D, were the speakers at the LIONS breakfast on Saturday, July 28.
Our new GCB President of Blind LIONS, Bill Holley, wants anyone interested in becoming a GCB Blind LION to contact him for more information.
Bill Holley, 185 Weatherly Woods Dr.
Winterville, GA 30683
cell: 770-540-3558; work: 706-549-1020
home: 706-552-0521; email:
kermitholley@msn.com
FROM THE INTERNET:
Stop Pain Without Drugs. How to Be Healthier than a 20-Year-Old -- Even if You're 82!
Are You Sabotaging Your Success?
Did you know that the cure to some of the most common aches and pains is even closer than your medicine cabinet?
Donna Finando, author of the Trigger Point Self-Care Manual for Pain-Free Movement (Inner Traditions) tells how simple do-it-yourself trigger-point therapy can help you fix what hurts -- all by yourself.
On the other hand, you may be your own worst enemy at work says Mark Goulston, MD, psychiatrist and author of Get Out of Your own Way at Work ... and Help Others Do the Same (Putnam). Even those with the best intentions may inadvertently shoot themselves in the foot through behaviors such as "people pleasing" or the "inability to delegate." He outlines the most common ways you can turn yourself from helpless to hero.
Stop Pain Without Drugs
Donna Finando
over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers temporarily ease aches and pains, but these medications do not address the root cause of the problem. In a surprising number of cases, muscular tightness is responsible for common types of pain.
Here's what happens: When any one of the more than 200 muscles in your body suffers from overuse or an injury, it can develop a trigger point -- a tiny knot in which a strand of the muscle becomes constricted, making the muscle stiff and weak. Left untreated, this condition can persist for years, causing pain to recur repeatedly. Fortunately, you can relieve this type of pain with a simple technique known as trigger-point therapy. It involves locating the associated trigger points and compressing them for 20 to 30 seconds several times a day. Press only hard enough to feel the tightness of the muscle and the soreness of the trigger point. Stretches for each condition (as shown) also should be repeated several times daily.
Helpful: Whenever possible, also apply 20 minutes of moist heat once or twice a day to the affected muscle. Moist heat brings blood and body fluids to the muscle, increasing circulation. (Moist heating pads by Cara, Sunbeam or Thermophore can be purchased at most drugstores for $20 to $50.)
If you've worked on your muscles for several days and felt little or no relief, check with your doctor to make sure there is no other source of pain, such as arthritis.
Conditions are often caused by trigger points. How to treat them...
STIFF NECK
Stiff neck frequently occurs after sleeping with your head turned all the way to one side, or as a result of holding a phone between your ear and shoulder. The condition is often due to a trigger point in the levator scapulae muscle, which runs from the inner edge of the shoulder blade to the neck.
To find the trigger point: Reach the hand that is on your pain-free side over to touch your shoulder on the painful side. Locate the inside edge of the shoulder blade, then move your hand a bit closer to your spine, feeling for a hard band the size of a pencil running up toward your neck. While bending your neck toward your pain-free side, use your fingers to locate a tender spot along this band, then press it for 20 to 30 seconds.
Helpful stretch:
Turn your chin 30 degrees away from the affected side, then drop your chin down slightly toward your chest. Hold for a slow count of 20.
HIP, BUTTOCK AND LEG PAIN
Pain in the hips, buttocks or legs is often diagnosed as sciatica (pain in your back that radiates into your buttocks and legs) when it actually may be caused by trigger points in the muscles of the back and buttocks. One of these muscles, the gluteus medius, lies midway between the top of your pelvis and the top of your thighbone.
To find the trigger point: Lie on the floor on your pain-free side with your knees slightly bent, and use your fingers to massage your hip under the top of your pelvis and down toward the top of your thighbone. If trigger points are present, you'll feel taut bands and tender spots. Once you've located a tender spot, roll onto your painful side and place a tennis ball between this spot and the floor. Then let your weight press the ball into the tender area for 20 to 30 seconds.
Helpful stretch:
Stand facing a wall with your arms raised and the backs of your hands pressed against your forehead. Cross your pain-free leg in front of your other leg. Bend the knee of your rear leg into the back of your pain-free leg while shifting your weight onto your painful hip. This should create a stretch between your pelvis and the top of your thighbone. Hold for a slow count of 20.
CALF PAIN
If you're experiencing pain or soreness in your calf or the back of your knee, it may be caused by trigger points in the gastrocnemius muscle (the large muscle that gives the calf its characteristic shape).
To find the trigger point: Sit in a chair and place the sole of the foot of your affected leg on a footstool or coffee table in front of you. Place one hand on the outer side of this leg and the other on the inner side of this leg -- in both cases, just above the ankle. Run your fingers along your Achilles tendon (the large tendon at the back of your heel) and work your way to the middle of the calf, feeling for tender spots. Continue upward, toward the back of the knee. When you find a tender spot, compress it with your fingers for 20 to 30 seconds.
Helpful stretch:
While standing about 12 inches from a wall, facing the wall, place your hands on the wall at chest level. Keeping your feet hip-width apart and the toes of both feet facing the wall, move your painful leg 18 inches behind the other leg. Bend your front knee, keeping your rear leg straight. Your weight should remain on the front leg. Hold for a slow count of 20.
TENNIS ELBOW
Inflammation of the tendon on the outside of the elbow, known as "tennis elbow," can cause sharp pain down the back of the forearm into the wrist, making it hard to grip objects. However, sometimes the condition may not be an inflammation but a result of trigger points in the extensor muscles of the hand and fingers, which can be caused by repeated or forceful gripping, such as when holding a tennis racket -- or even a coffee cup.
To find the trigger point: Rest the elbow and forearm of your sore arm on a table, with your palm facing up. Use your opposite hand to feel along the muscle on the outside (thumb side) of your elbow crease, then follow this muscle down toward your hand. When you find a tender spot, press down and hold for 20 to 30 seconds.
Helpful stretch:
Sit on a chair, and keeping your elbow straight, place the back of the hand on the affected arm flat on the seat beside you, palm up, feeling a stretch in your forearm. Hold for a slow count of 20.
Bottom Line/Health interviewed Donna Finando, a Roslyn Heights, New York-based licensed acupuncturist (LAc) and massage therapist (LMT). She is the author of the Trigger Point Self-Care Manual for Pain Free Movement
(Inner Traditions).
HOW TO BE HEALTHIER THAN A 20-YEAR-OLD --EVEN IF YOU'RE 82!
Imagine making a simple shift in your everyday life so that virtually every measure of your health would not only improve, but would surpass the health standards of someone decades younger!
This is not science fiction. It is reality based on a landmark health study. Test subjects, ages 35 to 82, who made this dietary shift had total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels comparable to the lowest 10% of the population. Their HDL (good) cholesterol levels were in the 85th to 90th percentile for middle-aged men. And their triglyceride levels were lower than 95% of Americans who are in their 20’s!
But that's not all! Blood pressure in this group averaged 110/60. Furthermore, blood glucose and insulin levels were amazingly healthy, too. Read on...
Are You Sabotaging Your Success?
Mark Goulston, MD
University of California, Los Angeles
You can be smart, work hard and still not get ahead in business. Why? A personality trait or bad habit could be holding you back. Common career-sabotaging behaviors ...
Procrastination. Many procrastinators don't believe that they have a problem. Sure, they put off work, but they always get it done ahead of the deadline with a last-minute flurry of activity. What these procrastinators don't realize is that work done at the last minute tends to be sloppy, adds to workplace stress and often is regarded by bosses as a sign of poor planning.
Find a coworker or friend who also struggles with procrastination (or some other troublesome workplace habit), and hold each other accountable. Or ask a friend or relative to help you. If you can't find a procrastination partner, picture the person whose advice you value the most telling you to "just do it."
Defensiveness. Some people think they must confront every criticism aimed at them in order to protect their stature in the eyes of others. Such people often imagine slights where none exists. Their knee-jerk defensiveness comes off as insecure and makes co-workers and employers uncomfortable.
To deal with criticism without defensiveness, say to your critic, "What is your advice on what I should do differently next time?" This will spread the responsibility between the two of you.
People pleasing. If you're forever assisting coworkers with their assignments, you'll have less time for your own work. If you never tell underlings what they're doing wrong, they'll never improve and their careers -- and yours -- could suffer.
People pleasers must continually remind themselves that being respected often means saying no. If you do so gracefully, you won't be disliked for it.
Example: Include an explanation and a compromise solution when you say no.
"I've got too much on my plate to help you with your research this week, but I could review your findings next week if you like."
Inability to delegate. Climbing the corporate ladder means taking on more responsibility. It also means handing off more responsibility. Delegation can be a problem for executives who believe that they can't trust anyone's judgment but their own. Those who can't delegate don't have time to do everything, and their careers stall.
Fear of new things. Workforce veterans sometimes think it's too late for them to learn new technologies or skills. These people even might think that the way they have always done things is the only way. The business world is built on change, and those who can't keep up are considered inflexible and behind the times. Fortunately, most of us are much better able to learn new things than we think.
Example: I put off using a PalmPilot (a handheld electronic organizer) for years, certain that I wouldn't be able to figure it out. When I finally gave one a try, I got the hang of it in 15 minutes. I felt a new sense of mastery and wondered about other simple things that I might have avoided learning.
Being unprepared. One of the fastest ways to sabotage a career is to be seen as the person who holds up the works. The modern office is highly interdependent -- if you don't do your part, your coworkers might not be able to do theirs. Even valid excuses ring hollow when everyone else has to overcome their own hurdles to get their work done.
Staying in your comfort zone. Sometimes we don't push ourselves to move ahead because it seems easier to stay where we are. But staying in a job that offers limited opportunity for advancement is likely to sabotage a career. Visualize yourself in the job that you want, then work backward through the specific steps to get there.
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Mark Goulston, MD, a psychiatrist and corporate consultant in Santa Monica, California. He is assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at University of California, Los Angeles. He is author of the forthcoming Get Out of Your Own Way at Work... and Help Others Do the Same (Putnam).
www.markgoulston.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS
On Saturday, October 6, 2006 GCB will hold its first annual fall festival which will be co-sponsored by Therapeutic Recreation Division of Rockdale County Parks and Recreation. The festival will be from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will be held at Maxell Park, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers, GA 30094. You may purchase 20 tickets for $8.00 and 30 tickets for $10.00. A few of the activities will be a beep baseball game, duck game, ring toss, fishing pond, braille activities, cake walk, dunking booth, and much more. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, pop corn, and soft drinks. Our goal for the fundraiser is to educate the public and raise $2,000.00. We hope all members of GCB chapters and special interest groups will be involved in this event. For more information please contact Valerie Thomas at 770-561-6218.
The history/current affairs committee is looking for any articles or photos of any GCB member or GCB event. Please send what you can to Valerie Thomas at 1030 Shawnee Street, Apartment G4, Savannah, GA 31419.
To continue the fundraising project from the art auction, there are several items GCB received for which GCB members may make silent bids. Items and their minimum bids are listed below:
Perkins Brailler, $200
American Printing House Tape Recorder, $50
Talking Typewriter Coronmatic Coronet XL, $100
Video Magnifier Spectrum Junior, no minimum bid; and
Two round-trip Tickets to use anywhere AirTran goes in the United States, $200
Winners will be announced at our GCB board meeting in October. If you want to make a bid, or learn more about these items, please contact Marsha Farrow at 706-857-2968, or via email at
marshafarrow@alltel.net, or you may mail your bid toMarsha Farrow, 102 North Elizabeth Street, Summerville, GA 30747. Thanks!
Just a reminder to all chapter and special interest group presidents: Most elections will have taken place by the time the next issue of this magazine will be sent out. It would be helpful if you would send the editors your slate of officers and any news of your group. Please send to Editor, Ann Sims, email, teacherann@bellsouth.net, phone, 404-767-1792; and assistant editor, Jerrie Ricks, email, jerrie_ricks@bellsouth.net, phone, 770-898-9036. This information will also be listed on our Website.
The next GCB board meeting will be held at the Center for the Visually Impaired, 739 W. Peachtree Street, Atlanta, on Saturday, October 20, from 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Board members, please come or send a representative from your chapter or special interest group. Please remember to bring your chapter or special interest group’s $20.00 to pay for the prizes at the October Fest. If you have questions or need further information about the meeting, please contact Alice Ritchhart at 912-261-9833, Toll Free: 877-667-6815, or E-Mail: alice.ritchhart@comcast.net.
At the GCB state convention, one amendment to the Constitution was added to and adopted and is inserted below.
From the GCB CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE V., Officers, Directors and appointees, Section V. Board of Directors, we added:
If additional board meetings are necessary, the president of GCB or not fewer than three (3) board members of GCB may call a special meeting of the board of directors with due notice being given. Two-thirds (2/3) of the board must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business at any board meeting.
The editors would like to thank all who contributed and assisted with this issue of The GCB Digest and welcome D.J. and Betsy Grenevitch aboard who helped with the address labels and mailings.