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Frequeny Asked Questions
Q. How do I help people suffering from environmental sensitivities? A. Here are some practical suggestions for helping people with environmental sensitivities. l. Fluorescent or mercury/halogen lights are troublesome. They cause headaches, mental confusion and general weakness. If you have the old-fashioned lights, stay with them. If you are building or renovating, choose ordinary lighting. 2. Commercial cleaning products are usually potent chemicals that cause severe reactions in those who are susceptible. Alternative cleaners, such as vinegar, baking soda and borax, not only are healthier to people and the environment but are cheaper. 3. If you have problems with mould and mildew often it is because of moisture build up, improper heating and poor building structures. Natural cleaners can help to some extent. Perhaps you will have to bring in someone to test the air quality. If you are renovating, building an extension or a new building - consider these factors. 4. Carpets are often the worst culprits for causing physical problems. A new carpet takes ten years to gas off 200 chemicals. An old carpet gathers years of dust, regardless of cleaning. Dust mites and mould are detrimental. Even little mushrooms have been found underneath carpets. Think seriously before putting down carpets. Attractiveness, comfort and easier cleaning tasks are not worth the expense of taking them up and the suffering to those who react. If you have carpets, when they wear out, consider alternative flooring. 5. Going scent-free is the most important way of helping people who are suffering from Environmental Sensitivities. Blocking off an area of the building for those people may seem a logical solution, but this means that those people are unable to mingle - they feel isolated and perhaps unaccepted. We need to appeal to every person to stop wearing scented products. God gave us normal, healthy bodies, including our odors. Bathing can be done with scent-free soaps. We can use hypoallergenic shampoos. Even though a person cannot understand what happens to someone with these environmental sensitivity problems, one can accept that there are others who do get ill from perfumes, colognes, etcetera. 6. One of the simplest ways to clean indoor air is to open doors and windows, especially just prior to when people are to arrive. Chemicals from cleaners, perfumes, etcetera cling to the air for long periods of time. Bringing in fresh air and moving the old air out not only dilutes the potency of these chemicals but it also makes the air easier to breathe. Q. Do I tell my co-workers and/or boss about my illness? A. When I was working at a local community college I did not even think to tell anyone about my illness. There were two reasons for not telling anyone. I did not know what to tell them and the illness did not interfere with my work. However, as I progressed to losing one and one half to two days a week, was making weekly trips to a doctor several miles away and giving 20-40% of myself to my students, people started to notice. I eventually talked to my immediate supervisor about the guilt I felt at giving so little. She was very kind, saying my 20 - 40% was someone else's l00%. Looking back, I realized that I should have spoken up sooner. The employer has a right to know about an employee's limitations due to illness. Maybe changes and adjustments could have been made that would have helped me in carrying on. Maybe there were alternative ways of helping students I had not thought about. There may have been others struggling with illness that could relate. We could have supported each other. Perhaps my boss would have reminded me that I paid for sick benefits (LTD) and could apply for them. As it was I was too ill to apply, too ill to remember to apply and now it is too late to apply. Q. Why do we still have Food Banks? A. We still need Food Banks because people do not have enough money to cover their basic needs; gas, rent, heat, lights and phone, food. For example, Nova Scotia has a population of 950,000. The minimum wage is $7.60/hour. The average rent for a two bedroom apartment is $600-$800 and the price of gas fluctuates but even at the lowest price means people with fixed incomes or the working poor are forced to take monies allocated for groceries to get to doctors’ appointments or jobs. These problems alone force people to seek out Food Banks. We all have read or heard about the need for a decent minimum wage, a more realistic Social Service program, and the fact that ‘the rich get richer, the poor get poorer’. There are some practical ways the Provincial and Federal governments can use to assist people. There is more at stake than poor health due to limited nutritional foods. Living with insufficient income also means living with high levels of stress leading to inappropriate decision making because he cannot see any other alternative. It leads to malnutrition, isolation because people do not want neighbors and others to know the true circumstances; there is no money for social times. There is constant worry that leads to emotional breakdowns, so-called relief through alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc. Social Services’ clients only receive basic minimum amounts for necessities. A single person gets enough to rent a room. Social Services does not want a person to own a house or mobile home. A person who owns a home receives less than a person who rents a house. A couple will normally receive a bit more to help them rent an apartment or mobile home. They are lucky enough if the place isn’t a slum. Many are forced to live in places that are not suitable for habitation. I feel that the Provincial and Federal governments should provide low income housing. The client’s cheque can be deposited in the bank through direct deposit. The house expenses can be automatically deducted and the extra the client can use for necessities of life. Any house would have a history attached to ensure any repairs are completed before a new family moves in. Any damages to the house would be paid for by the client by automatic deduction from the client’s bank account. * Author’s Note: Harley suggests that suitable low income housing with automatic deductions for expenses and the recipients given enough to spend on the necessities of life would resolve several issues, i.e. fewer people needing the services of a FB. Social Services does not give any money to keep a car, pay insurance, etc. so if you have a vehicle you are forced to take money from the food budget and/or financial obligations. In other words, you are robbing Peter to pay Paul. Because of living on a fixed income you never get caught up but fall farther behind. It is often thought that people living on Social Assistance are lazy and don’t want to work. However, most people need a vehicle to get to a job, especially in rural Nova Scotia. Even if a person can find a job, even part time, Social Services will reclaim 70% of money earned. I feel Social Services should allow clients to earn a certain amount before deducting money from their monthly cheque. We would expect fewer clients if Social Services allowed people to earn a certain amount before reporting it. People only receive a small amount, $195.00 per month, to buy food, clothes, personal care products, and other necessities such as toilet paper. All needs are not met and therefore they have to resort to other resources, i.e. Food Banks. They have to co-pay for any medications required for treatment of illnesses/diseases. Although the amount is low, for a person on a fixed income, any amount is taken from monies needed for necessary goods. In some cases a provincial medical plan does not cover the drug and that leaves a person faced with deciding between paying the full price and sacrificing other needed items or not paying and suffering from the illness/disease. The Working Poor are those individuals who manage to find jobs, normally at minimum wage. They may be well educated but can not find jobs in their field. They may not have a good education and do not qualify for good paying jobs. They are given fewer hours than fulltime and therefore do not qualify for benefits. They can not earn enough money to provide for their basic needs. They come to the Food Banks at the times they are very short and need a helping hand. An example is during the winter months when heating their homes takes more of their income. Unfortunately, the FB receives fewer food and/or monetary donations in the months of January, February and March. There are times the FB cupboards are pretty bare but someone comes through and people’s needs are met with regards to emergency food supplies. We do not turn anyone away who needs food – especially children. There is also no uniformity with Breakfast and Lunch programs. Some schools have these programs in place, others don’t. These should be temporary solutions but like Food Banks and Feed Nova Scotia these programs are permanent fixtures in our society. If the minimum wage was increased, even to $10.00 per hour and Social Services gave a more realistic food allowance to its clients we would need no food banks and no Breakfast or Lunch programs. The disabled person also has a lack of money and is unable to take care of himself. The disabled often cannot work at a job or is working a job that does not pay enough to live on. Many disabled people are living on Social Assistance. The disabled person comes to the Food Bank for the same reason others do, he needs help with meeting his food requirements because his money is spent on bills and other necessities. The seasonal shifts of supply and demand, a shaky economy and less money after the Christmas holidays lead to greater numbers of people using Food Banks. Although the rebate on fuel is nice it isn’t much help for families. It’s a pebble compared with the ocean. Perhaps a way to eliminate the need for Food Banks is through the big stores, such as Sobeys and Super Store. These stores throw away day old food that is still good to eat. There are Community Liaisons at these stores who could set up a system so people could drop by and receive this day old food. The FB managers know their clients and could ensure those people received it. Two serious drawbacks would be the lack of confidentiality and opposition by paying customers. Q. What are some issues facing the Young (Teen-Adult) living with chronic illness? A. There are some similarities among all groups when it comes to dealing with chronic illness. Some similarities are physical symptoms: pain, severe fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, etc. There are, however, some very specific challenges facing the young person. The effects on sense of "self", peer pressure, achieving an education, work experience and establishing a family are some of the significant aspects of the young person's illness that generally don't effect other groups suffering from chronic illness. Sense of "Self": So what happens when the young person has a chronic illness? He/she has to change his sense of "self" again. Some young people who already suffer from low self-esteem shift from seeing themselves as able-bodied to seeing themselves as disabled. If this young person sees his/her "self" only as "chronically ill" rather than as a person who has a chronic illness there can be serious repercussions. He can get fearful about his future. If the parent has a chronic illness as well how the adult deals with it can affect how the young person deals with it. I know of one young person who fearing that he would end up as low functioning as his father tried to commit suicide. Peer Pressure: Peer pressure has great influence on young people. Even though young children struggle with peer pressure, the real impact hits the early teens to early twenties. These young people are struggling hard to establish independence getting out from the influence of parents, censorship of all authorities and establishing a sense of "self". The ironic thing about peer pressure is that the young may think they are independent when in actuality they are only exchanging one from of authority/guidelines for another. I am not saying this is true in all cases but it is in most. If a person's sense of "self" is being overly shaped by others that can affect how he handles his illness. Perhaps he will refuse to acknowledge the illness. In doing this he is not only getting the proper treatment but also risking getting worse and his body may not be able to get back a level of health desired or needed for functioning at a relatively normal state. As parents or other authority figures, you can minimize this by pointing out that looking out for one self is necessary if he wishes to regain health. Secondly, encouraging good relationships with other young people who have a compassionate, accepting way rather than critical and judgmental way can help a lot. Achieving an Education: The practical problems are manageable. For example, when a person cannot retain information he is reading may be hearing it read can help him remember. Maybe arrangements can be made so he does not have to climb stairs, carry his own books, etc. However, what can be done if the young person is so ill, so consumed by pain, so exhausted he cannot go to school/college? Perhaps taking time to focus totally on gaining some health is required. Maybe the use of home schooling, a tutor, correspondence courses through technology or mil need considering. I hope that he will not lose out totally on the opportunity in getting an education. Work Experience: It is extremely difficult getting a job placement if you are healthy. What if you are chronically ill? Maybe the young person has to change his goals. Although it takes a lot of courage to do this the young person needs to consider job placement focusing on disability. I hope that as more employers are educated, the work environment will be more accommodating for those who are chronically ill. Living on disability as a young person can be so demoralizing. It takes a certain type of personality, being surrounded by supportive people and a strong belief in self to move on in life when you are young and chronically ill. Q. Can you tell me something about pesticides? A. Here are some facts about Pesticides that I gleaned from research on the topic. It is by no means a comprehensive discussion on the topic. I hope it helps. I discovered some interesting facts while researching for this article. Instead of reproducing them here I am going to ask you, the reader, questions? These questions will bring out the information you need to understand the topic and avoid a long detailed discussion. (1) Did you know that pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) are found in our water, air and food? (2) Are you aware that pesticides are strongly connected to such medical problems as cancer, abnormal changes in reproductive organs in people and animals, neurological problems, environmental sensitivities, increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections, and flu like symptoms. (3) Did you know that radioative traced pesticides sprayed over England were discovered in Texas seven days later? (4) Most of us realize that cities spray parks, roadsides, etc, and farmers spray crops. However, did you consider that your favorite stores, restaurants, hotels, hospital cafeterias, some schools, many apartment buildings and nursing homes spray twice a year as a matter of routine? (5) Are you familiar with Agent Orange? A component, 2, 4-D of Agent Orange (a phenoxyacid herbicide) cause lucopenia (deficiency in white blood cells) and non - Hodgkin's Lymphoma? (6) Dioxins or PCBs, are considered the most toxic substances today. Did you know that the liver is the main target area for dioxins? (7) Malathion, diazanon, and carbonates are some of the organophosphate pesticides that constitute 40% of all pesticides used mainly in buildings. Are you aware that although they disappear from the system within 24 hours, they cause delayed neurotoxicity involving the cerebral cortex, brain stem, spinal cord peripheral nerves, muscles and eyes? (8) Ingested pesticides are often deposited in the fatty tissues and slowly released into the bloodstream and over the years contribute to autoimmune and degenerative disease. Did you know that the brain contains many layers of fatty tissue? So we know where a lot of these pesticides are stored. I could ask more questions but these few give you an idea of the dangers of pesticides to every living creature. There is one more question that needs an answer. What can you do about it all? Here are a few suggestions. - eat organic foods wherever possible - eat more vegetables, especially of the cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower family - buy local meat - drink low fat milk - do not store foods or heat foods in plastic containers - join a group that is actively trying to change the pesticide laws (Sources: Alive # 180, Plastic Pollution: PVC's Toxic Life Cycle, pg. 100; Alive # 175, The Plague of Pesticides, Josef Krop, M.D.,FAAEM, pgs. 16-17.; Alive # 163, Pesticide Drift: Invisible Violence, pg. 63. Organic Times, The Perfect Criminals, Dr. Fernando Moncayo, pg. 13.) Q. Do you know anything about Repetitive Strain Injuries? A. I came across this article in the LOSH info service newsletter, Spring, 2007. Although it is referring to Ontario students and workers the information is relevant regardless of place of residence. I changed the article to fit within the perimeters of my site. Other than that it is as it appears in the newsletter. Student Safety Did you know that in the year 2004, there were 4,772 young workers in Ontario between the ages of 15 and 24 that were injured so severely by strains and sprains that they required time off to recuperate? Did you know there is a way to reduce this number? The aid comes in the form of The Student Teaching Project, a not for profit organization which strives to empower young students and workers by offering these young people information on Health and Safety in their workplace. This information includes things like their rights and responsibilities, how to deal with employers, WHMIS, and information on Personal Protective Equipment. Even better, other highly trained young people teach this course to young students and workers. The information is conveyed to the audience in a fun, interactive way, while also communicating the priceless importance of the course for young workers' safety. The Student Teaching Project does their utmost to reduce the number of deaths and injuries to young workers in Ontario. Strains and sprains, mentioned above, are the most commonly reported injury to young people. The Student Teaching Project suggests that young people talk to their employer about rotating jobs instead of lifting heavy objects for hours on end, or taking regular breaks to reduce the strain. Always be sure to remember that no job is worth your health or even worse, your life. Some common symptoms of RSI are; loss of strength, loss of joint movement, decreased coordination occurring in the injured area, tenderness, swelling and pain, tingling and numbness. It is imperative that these symptoms are not ignored. Early treatment prevents recurrent problems and chronic pain. ( I received this from a friend. I do not know who wrote it. I rewrote parts of it to fit in here, concentrating on the medical research. However, a genogram is a great tool for counselors and others assisting people to move towards a better quality of wellness.) A. A genogram (pronounced: jen-uh-gram) chart is a method of graphically describing relationships between individuals. Primarily used by mental health experts, this diagram can help identify positive and negative influences surrounding an individual. This same diagram, using a simplified set of rules and images, can also be used to show medical history. The purpose of diagramming your medical history is to show what genetic traits may have been passed from one generation to the next. This provides a view of your own medical history that's easier to understand than the doctor's forms. Gathering The Data So, how can you chart your own family medical history? First, you need to gather the information. This is best done, I've found, through interviews. It is a more time consuming method than asking all of your relatives to fill out a form but you're more likely to get the answers this way. Forms bother people in a way that a nice lunch or afternoon chat does not. Be prepared to find out new things, some surprising and some unpleasant. Make notes or record the interview (but ask permission to record). Also, ask the people you can interview about those who have already died.Write down the person's name, birth date, and (if deceased) death date and cause of death. Calculate the person's age when they died and write that down. This will help later if you need to look at average age. You can also include their level of education (high school graduate, or not; college, etc.) and occupation or occupations. Some jobs can have a significant impact on a person's health; think of the difference between a coal miner and a farmer... Document the person's marital history... did Aunt Sue have children by different men? If so, you need to realize which of her children are affected by your common genes. Include the marriage and, if applicable, the date of divorce. Did the person serve in the military? If he or she served during a war they were probably exposed to less than ideal medical conditions. Viet Nam veterans, for example, have a higher probability of Hepatitis C. With a medical history you need to look at the siblings of your ancestor too. A genetic condition, such as Huntingdon's, may not show itself in your direct line but it could appear in your uncle's or great-aunt's lines. Look for chronic illness, heart disease, cancer, alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, depression or other mental health problems. Things to look for include: Alcoholism or drug abuse, Diabetes, Hypertension, Allergies, Down's syndrome, Hepatitis (or other liver problems), Arteriosclerosis, Dwarfism, Multiple sclerosis, Arthritis, Emphysema, Muscular dystrophy, Asthma, Epilepsy, Sickle-cell, Cancer (any kind), Heart disease, heart attack, Stroke, Cataracts, Hemophilia (or other blood disorders),Tay-Sachs, Cystic Fibrosis, Huntingdon's disease,Tuberculosis, etc. You should also get a medical dictionary especially for listing obsolete terms. When reading death certificates or listening to your relatives. look at the cause of death and any contributing factors. Interpreting the Data Don't be too focused on specific problems of one or two family members. The important part of a medical history is trends and probabilities. Did all of your father's people die of heart disease? When was the average onset? Is there a common thread? What's the likelihood that a problem was passed to the next generation? Creating a Chart First you need to decide whose medical history you want to draw. Each medical history genogram is usually limited to three (3) generations. This is due to size limitations on the page, readability, and because probability of a genetic trait occurring reduces with each successive generation. Second, draw the individual on the page following the basic rules: A male is drawn as a square, a female is drawn as a circle, and a triangle is used when the sex is not known. A"slash" is drawn through the shape (or you can write an "X" inside the shape) if the person is dead. Write down the person's medical vitals, etc. as shown below. Leave room to connect this person with others on the chart. Draw the first generation near the bottom of the page since previous generations will appear above this generation. Draw each of the person's siblings on either side of him/her in order of birth from left to right. Keep the shapes on the same level (or slightly below). Write in the basic vitals for each sibling. Third, draw the second generation (the parents of the group you just finished). The father is drawn to the left of the mother. A straight line is drawn between their shapes to indicate they are the ones who created the children shown already. Another line is drawn from the marriage line to each of the children. . Make sure you list the children in birth order (top to bottom or left to right), including miscarriages, infant deaths, etc. Fourth, draw the siblings of each parent. Fifth, draw the grandparents above the parents. Add in their siblings also. Now you have your medical history in chart form. Q. Clients I have seem to struggle with a number of emotional issues while filling in application forms for disability. What do I need to know to help them with this process? A. Here is an article to help the counselor understand the process the clients go through. More Than Questions: Being Aware of the Emotional Issues Associated with Applying for Disability Claims - Shirley Soleil Note: Canada Pension Disability and insurance companies applications differ in some aspects but the process is similar. I am discussing disability claims and not detailing the differences between the two. Filling in application forms for disability may seem like a straight forward precedure. However, there are many challenges that a person does not anticipate when he sits down, pencil in hand. Oftentimes people cannot understand the questions, do not understand the significance of answers, and are unaware of the emotional issues that require attention. A counselor can assist the client in gaining a better understanding of his feelings connected to the experience. Through awareness the client can gain some control over the process. The first emotional response to filling in these applications may occur when a person realizes he is not being heard/believed/validated. It is expected that the application will be accepted. The thinking is “I have paid into this for X number of years. I was told I can receive a disability pension if I am ill and cannot work. I am ill so I will receive benefits.” The feelings of disappointment, anger and betrayal are difficult to process. The rejection of the illness by those in authority, along with struggles of accepting the illness, as an individual and family unit, take a serious toll emotionally. This may lead to a lowered immune system and possibly trigger more physical problems. Understanding the definition of disability is important. The client knows he is no longer able to work because of his disbility. He, however, sees it in a different way from the doctor, government, and/or insurance company and they do not define disability in the same way. This may seem academic but it is not.The lack of knowledge concerning the differences in definition can cause delays in acceptance and/or outright rejection of pensions (and therefore leading to appeals). This can result in needless suffering on emotional and physical levels. The applicant is generally unaware of how long this process can take. The misjudment regarding length of time between applying and receiving pensions can lead to serious financial problems. People may have to adjust in ways that they were not able to foresee. Some have to sell homes, move in with other family members, relocate to another area, go to Community Services for assistance, or force themselves back to the workforce where they again suffer and eventuaully leave. Any of these experiences may cause damage to one’s emotional stability, weaken self esteem, challenge relationships, and most definitely leads to depression, even to thoughts of suicide. If a person is also applying for Long Term Disability the whole experience gets very complicated and leads to more stress. Please note that you should always check with your doctor before undertaking any type of treatment. |
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