WHY ITS IMPORTANT TO BE GROUNDED

GROUNDING IS EXTREMELY NECESSARY

Being grounded gives keeps us stable physically and emotionally

It helps us realise we are on earth to fulfil a purpose albeit we are spirit in a human body. We chose our own challenges and experiences whilst we are here.

It keeps us strong and more able to fulfil these challenges

It's important whilst we are on earth and dealing with life we need to be on the same vibration

Those who work in the healing field it is essential that client's are kept grounded as you will do your clients a great dis service by leaving them in this state.

Some common symptoms of being ungrounded are:

• Dizziness
• A feeling of being spaced out
• A feeling of just not being here
• Day dreaming
• Nausea
• Palpitations
• Being forgetful
• Falling asleep in meditation
• Being unable to concentrate

Now these symptoms can be attributed to other physical causes but if you have had Reiki or some other type of energy healing and you are feeling spaced out for longer than half an hour you need to be grounded.

These are somethings you can do to help you become grounded

• Eating and drinking a glass of water for example
• Walking amongst trees sitting with your back against a tree helps you become more rooted grounded
• Gardening and working with the soil, some advocate walking barefoot on soil
• Carrying/wearing crystals such as haematite 
• Visualisation such as visualisation of tree roots.

Sometimes though with inexperienced practitioners and I am making reference to reiki here, they don't ground their clients fully, as a result the client is stuck in a form of limbo and many a time I've had to ground their clients. It is not a pleasant sensation being left in this state and this gives a wonderful and amazing therapy like Reiki a bad name. It is the Reiki practitioner's responsibility to ground their client's when the healing session is over.

Leaving a client ungrounded is irresponsible and leaves clients vulnerable to psychic attack for this reason too, the practitioner should have cleared the therapy room from negativity before and after each client

WHY DO WE NEED PSYCHIC PROTECTION?

Why do we need psychic protection? well overtime we think and create many thoughts, each becomes a thought form, it is in effect an energy. Think about how many thoughts you have in a day, thousands, some of those are positive and that is great, however some of those are negative and all those thoughts we send out into the cosmos. Now these thoughts being energy can become tangible and manifest. It is by the power of thought healers use for distant healing. Remember energy is power and it can be used for good or evil. We may not realise we are doing this but when you think negatively of someone that energy is going somewhere and its generally to the person concerned. These negative thoughts in time can attack and often the symptoms may be headaches, feeling low, lacking energy.

I'll give you another example how many of you have a friend who comes to visit and likes unburdening their worries and troubles on to you. They feel great for getting all their thoughts of their chest but it often renders you tired and exhausted. This is because they have left all their negative energy on to you.

So what can we do to prevent this? Well we can use the same process, thought, to protect ourselves from negative energy, psychic attack.

SIMPLE PROTECTION 

These are some of the simple methods below

Strengthening the Aura.

Cleansing with aroma, (any light scent will do that you like) first inhale the scent in cupped hands, then sweep over the body and down to the ground. It is possible to obtain special preparations for this, but any light scented perfume will do, and even better if you particularly like it! 

Cleansing the Chakra's also helps to protect. Imagine that you are surrounded by a bubble of light, and that nothing can penetrate it unless you wish it to! Extend this to family and especially CAR. In difficult situations, crystallize the outside of the bubble for extra protection! Use crystals for protection (double terminators & quartz)

Protective mirrors in bad attacks.

If you know what direction the harm is coming from, place a small mirror in your window facing that direction saying:-

"Mirror bright-mirror clear protect from harm all who bide here"

Instead of the bubble exercise you may use a hooded, floor length cloak or a shield decorated with a protective design of your choice. The shield idea is versatile as you can use a ‘mini shield’ over any area you feel vulnerable, such as your solar plexus.

If you shower in the morning visualise the water flowing through your energy field carrying away any negativity down the plughole with it. If you prefer a bath you may add sea or rock salt to the water- about a cupful- dissolve it well. Salt has long been renowned for its cleansing properties.

Visualise a shower of light running through your aura and dissolving any negativity.

Stay grounded. Visualise roots growing deep down into the Earth from the soles of your feet. Being ‘well grounded’ offers a great deal of protection. Practice your grounding visualisation every morning and whenever you feel ‘spacey’. Carry haematite or another grounding stone with you if necessary.

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CHOCOLATE IS GOOD FOR YOU

This article is from Yahoo and as a regular chocolate eater, I eat chocolate as its a rich source of iron as one ounce of plain chocolate contains enough iron to fulfill your daily requirements. It's also a good source of flavonoids, being very beneficial  the result of these cocoa's antioxidant chemicals  seem to prevent both cell damage and inflammation. German researchers gave 24 women a half-cup of special extra-flavonoid-enriched cocoa every day. After three months, the women's skin was moister, smoother, and less scaly and red when exposed to ultraviolet light. The researchers think the flavonoids, which absorb UV light, help protect and increase blood flow to the skin, improving its appearance.

Chocolate makes you skinnier

Reduced fat deposition per calories

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If you've been avoiding chocolate because it makes you fat, think again. The latest research has found that eating chocolate often can make you skinnier.

A study at the University of California, San Diego, found that eating certain types of chocolate is linked to better measurements of blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and cholesterol levels, and a lower body mass index.

The authors tested the hypothesis that modest, regular chocolate consumption might be calorie-neutral. In other words, the metabolic benefits of eating small chocolate portions might lead to reduced fat deposition per calories, offsetting the added calories.

The study surveyed 1,018 men and women in good health. They were asked how often they ate chocolate, answered a food frequency questionnaire, and were weighed.

Writing in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the authors said: "Adults who consumed chocolate more frequently had a lower BMI than those who consumed chocolate less often."

The size of the effect was modest but the effect was significant – larger than could be explained by chance, the authors wrote.

This was despite the fact that those who ate chocolate more often ate more calories, and did not exercise more.

Study leader Dr Beatrice Golomb said: "Our findings appear to add to a body of information suggesting that the composition of calories, not just the number of them, matters for determining their ultimate impact on weight.

"In the case of chocolate, this is good news – both for those who have a regular chocolate habit, and those who may wish to start one."

The authors said the findings merit a further randomised trial of chocolate for metabolic benefits in humans.

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AROMATHERAPY LIME ESSENTIAL OIL

One of my favourite essential oils is Lime it can help lift depression and lighten your mood when feeling blue also useful to fight cellulite and to tone the skin in general.

Oil properties

Lime oil has a sharp, citrus peel smell and is pale yellow to light olive in colour.

Extraction 

Lime oil can be extracted by expression or by distillation - the peel of the unripe skin by cold expression or the peel and /or the whole ripe fruit by steam distillation. Steam distilled Lime essential oil tends not to have a phototoxic effect on the skin.

Precautions

Non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising if the oil is obtained by steam extraction, yet the oil obtained from cold expression can cause photosensitivity in strong sunshine and can irritate the skin.

Therapeutic properties

The therapeutic properties of lime oil are antiseptic, antiviral, astringent, aperitif, bactericidal, disinfectant, febrifuge, haemostatic, restorative and tonic.

Therapeutic effects 

Lime oil is useful to cool fevers associated with colds, sore throats and flu and aids the immune system while easing coughs, bronchitis and sinusitis, as well as helping asthma. Lime oil can stimulate and refresh a tired mind and helps with depression.

It can be helpful for arthritis, rheumatism and poor circulation, as well as for obesity and cellulite and has an astringent and toning action to clear oily skin and acne, and also helps with herpes, insect bites and cuts.

Summary

Lime oil is beneficial to the immune system, easing infection in the respiratory tract and relieving pain in muscles and joints, while revitalising a tired mind and banishing the feeling of apathy, anxiety and depression.

• Burners and vaporisers
• In vapour therapy, lime oil can be used to lift depression and energise a tired mind, while easing breathing and assisting the digestion.
• Blended massage oil or in the bath
• Lime oil can be used as a massage oil or diluted in the bath, to help with painful muscles and joints, respiratory problems and cellulite, as well as when colds and flu strike.
• Cream or lotion
• When used in a cream or lotion, it is helpful to clear oily congested skin and is also often used to help fight cellulite and remove the cottage cheese effect from the skin.

Lime essential oil blends well with

Although most essential oils blend well with one another, Lime oil blends particularly well with neroli, lavender, clary sage and ylang-ylang. I also find it blends well with Benzoin

AROMATHERAPY ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that can be harmful if not used carefully. Implementing aromatherapy into your lifestyle shouldn't cause paranoia or undue worry. By treating essential oils as medicines and following the steps outlined below, you will be well on your way to safely enjoying the many benefits that aromatherapy can offer. 

These safety guidelines are not a complete safety reference for the proper use of essential oils. When in doubt, consult your physician and/or a qualified and trained aromatherapy practitioner. 

Essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. There are instances when experienced aromatherapy users and practitioners make exceptions to this precaution, but only once significant essential oil knowledge is gained should you ever attempt to apply an undiluted oil on the skin. Lavender and tea tree are listed by a large number of aromatherapy sources as being oils that can be used undiluted. Undiluted use of lavender and tea tree, however, should be avoided as severe sensitivity still could occur in some individuals. Again, the safest rule of thumb is to never use any essential oil undiluted.

Some oils can cause sensitization or allergic reactions in some individuals. When using a new oil for the first time, do a skin patch on a small area of skin. Place a small amount of the diluted essential oil (never use essential oils undiluted on the skin) on the inside of your elbow and apply a bandage. Wait 24 hours to see if there is any form of reaction. Even if a particular essential oil is not known to cause irritation, this step should not be ignored. Even if an oil does not irritate you, it still can irritate someone else. It is important that you always keep that in mind.

Essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy or by those with asthma, epilepsy, or with some other health conditions. If in doubt always consult a qualified practioner

Less IS More. When using essential oils, use the smallest amount of essential oils that will get the job done. If one drop will get the job done, for example, don't use two drops.

Not all essential oils are suitable for use in aromatherapy. Wormood, pennyroyal, onion, camphor, horseradish, wintergreen, rue, bitter almond and sassafras are some of the essential oils that should only be used by qualified aromatherapy practitioners, if ever at all.

Never let children use essential oils without the presence of an adult knowledgeable about their use. Most essential oils smell wonderful and many essential oils such as citrus oils can smell like they are safe to drink. Keep your essential oils away from children. Treat the oils like medicines that are poison in unknowing hands.

Essential oils should not be taken internally. Essential oils should only be taken internally after receiving a detailed consultation and prescription from a trained and qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Essential oils are flammable. Keep them out of the way of fire hazards.

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IS OBESITY BEING FUELLED BY GENDER BENDING CHEMICALS?

An interesting article in the Daily Mail.

Not for the first time I have come across this topic, certainly there has been talk of the use of plastic bottles. It's not a good idea to reuse those plastic bottles that contain water over and over again as there can be some leakage of the chemicals into water. It is much better to purchase a bottle specially designed for this purpose or use glass, it can be washed throughly in a dishwater or very hot soapy water or recycled. Too often too do we use packaged processed foods instead of fresh foods many too are reheated or cooked in a microwave in their plastic containers. I am not saying we should abandon heating or cooking food in a microwave but transferring into a glass or ceramic container is the better option. 

I do feel though that this is only a small part of the growing obesity epidemic, people are getting lazier, as the years go by there are more and more gagets to help us about the home and too many to encourage folk to sit on their growing butts so I don't believe we should put much blame on so called 'gender-bending chemicals'. 

Eating patterns begin in early childhood. Children are born with a sweet palate, this is natures way of helping the human race survive, food that is unripe or off is generally NOT sweet, so its up to the parents to educate their children in foods that are good for them. Children use their parents as a role model and if you have encouraged your baby and toddler to try a wide variety of foods and they see you eat the same, they will naturally want to copy you. Research has also shown that babies taste buds are influenced in the womb as the flavours of what the mother eats gets into the amniotic fluids, therefore babies are primed with what they will eat, likewise what the mother eats influences the flavour of breast milk. Conclusion parents you are responsible for your little persons's diet from birth to adulthood.

Another anomaly is babies won't starve themselves, when you introduce weaning, if you allow your toddler to dictate to you, you are simply kow towing to faddy eaters as they grow up.

If you have a balanced, diet containing, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and you get a moderate amount of exercise, and you don't need to have a gym membership either, I'm talking about walking and using the stairs rather than lift and not sitting down all day, you wont reach obese proportions.

We are all responsible for ourselves, its too easy to blame this that and the other for obesity. Think about the logic of it, with physics, it takes a set amount of fuel, fuel = food to propel a mass, mass = body across a given distance. The bigger the mass the more fuel its going to need to move it. In other words; the fatter the body more food has to be put into it to shift it, so in the obese they must be eating copious amounts of food just to sit and be awake never mind move around. Of course if you don't move around all this fuel you are putting into the body will be stored as fat and it becomes a vicious cycle. No one is to blame for your obesity bar yourself and people do forget what they consume in a day, the little nibbles here and there often aren't counted.

Before you make a change keep a strict diary of every morsel you consume, over a week, note everything, weigh everything, snacks, drinks, nibbles the lot and tot up the calories honestly, you just might see why and its not to do with plastics!

Obesity is being 'fuelled by gender-bending chemicals in toys and tin cans'

• The chemicals may also help trigger diabetes
• Calls to reduce exposure especially in pregnant women

Gender-bending chemicals in mobile phones, toys and sunglasses may be fuelling the obesity epidemic

Gender-bending chemicals in mobile phones, toys and sunglasses may be fuelling the obesity epidemic, a report warns today.

The chemicals – which are  unavoidable in the modern world – may also help trigger diabetes, the review of hundreds of individual pieces of research concluded.

Some are found in mobile phone cases and tin cans, others in shampoos and shower curtains.

The report’s authors called for urgent action to reduce exposure – particularly among pregnant women and those planning to start a family.

Some experts described the report as ‘alarming’, but others said the key to good health is in what we eat and drink.

The warning comes from a report commissioned by campaign group CHEM Trust.

It was put together by Spanish and South Korean researchers after they sifted through more than 240 studies on obesity, pollution and type 2 or adult-onset diabetes.

They concluded that the  evidence that chemicals can lead to weight gain in animals  is ‘compelling’.

Proof in humans is more limited but this is partly because of the ethical and practical difficulties of testing the theory on humans.

They added that the link between environmental chemicals and diabetes in people was first made more than 15 years ago and that the volume and strength of evidence has been ‘particularly persuasive’ since 2006.

Some of the chemicals are found in mobile phone cases and tin cans, others in shampoos and shower curtains

Many of the chemicals of concern mimic or interfere with the effect of hormones, leading to them being described as ‘gender-bending’.

Some of these hormones control appetite, while others affect the storage of fat.

Dr Tim Lobstein, of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, said: ‘People trying to lose weight will be undermined by these chemicals which they cannot see, cannot taste and do not know how to avoid.

‘This alarming report highlights the need for government action,’ he added.

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TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL, WONDROUS STUFF (AROMATHERAPY)

Funny how your intuition throws things up I had been discussing this recently so I've posted this as I found this by chance in the Daily Mail archives, but Tea Tree oil is something I am very passionate about being an Aromatherapist myself. There are only two essential oils that can be used neat on the skin one is Lavender the other is Tea Tree, however there are a few certain individuals who may be sensitive to neat Tea Tree. 

It makes me laugh that scientists have only discovered how wonderful this essential oil is, its use goes back centuries and was used by the native Aborigines in Australia as a cure oil. All essential oils are antiseptic but some are more potent than others and Tea Tree falls into this category. Many too are antifungal and I would say Lemongrass is more so but that cannot be used neat and not on the intimate tissues of the body where Tea Tree can however diluted of course (PLEASE READ MY SECTION ON HOLISTIC THERAPIES FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN THE USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS)

One particular brand I would recommend to have in your home for its effectiveness is: 

Australian Body Care http://www.australian-bodycare.co.uk/

The wonders of Tea Tree oil

Scientists believe that tea tree oil's remarkable properties are due to 100 different 'medicinal' chemical constituents.
Here we tell you why it makes an essential addition to your family medicine chest.
Bacterial Infections Mounting evidence suggests that tea tree oil may treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections such as the superbug MRSA better than orthodox antiseptic skin preparations.
Because of its multiple resistance to conventional antibiotics, MRSA can often flourish unchecked in wounds, causing problems with the healing process and, in the worst cases, blood poisoning, gangrene and even death.
Researchers at the University of Western Australia found that every MRSA strain they tested was killed by a 0.5 pc solution of the oil - a finding recently replicated in Britain by Giles Elsom, a microbiologist at the University of East London.
'We've found tea tree oil to be safe and effective in cases where conventional, more toxic, anti-microbial treatments have failed,' says Mr Elsom.
Thrush Tea tree oil is effective against the Candida albicans yeast that causes thrush. In a study published in the Journal Of Anti-Microbial Chemotherapy, a concentration as low as 0.25 pc killed 90 pc of Candida albicans samples grown in the laboratory.
Julia Lawless, author of Tea Tree Oil (Thorsons, £3.99), recommends treating thrush with a solution made by mixing 20 drops of tea tree oil in 100ml purified water.
For vaginal thrush, a tampon soaked in this solution should be inserted in the vagina, and changed every 24 hours.
For oral thrush, Lawless recommends diluting pure tea tree oil to 50 pc with water and dabbing this solution on the affected area with a cotton bud twice daily for three days.
Athlete's Foot Research shows that tea tree oil can also ease athlete's foot. In a study at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, New South Wales, tea tree oil was equally as effective as a standard anti-fungal treatment at relieving the scaling, inflammation, itching and burning caused by the infection. Julia Lawless recommends treating athlete's foot by applying neat oil to clean, dry toes.
Cuts and Grazes According to Professor Tom Riley of the University of Western Australia's Department of Microbiology, tea tree oil used at the right concentration is a good antiseptic and disinfectant for domestic use, and can be used for abrasions and cuts.
'The chemical composition of tea tree oil means it has the ability to penetrate the skin extremely well, which previous antiseptics and disinfectants have not done,' says Professor Riley. 'It also has some anaesthetic effects, which may help to stop it stinging.'
Julia Lawless suggests applying a few drops of neat tea tree oil to cleaned cuts and grazes before applying an adhesive plaster.
Acne Researchers compared the effects of a water-based gel containing 5 pc tea tree oil with a lotion providing the same concentration of benzoyl peroxide (a standard pharmaceutical treatment).
Clinical assessment and self-reporting of side-effects demonstrated that tea tree oil was not as fast-acting as benzoyl peroxide, but was equally successful at reducing the number of blackheads, whiteheads and acne spots after three months. Tea tree oil was also far better tolerated by facial skin.
Oral Hygiene Researchers at Zurich University have demonstrated that tea tree oil is highly active against the oral bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and conditions such as gingivitis, mouth ulcers and bad breath. Laboratory tests performed on volunteers by Thursday Plantation Laboratories, the world's first commercial plantation producers of tea tree oil, confirm these findings.
How safe is Tea Tree Oil? Robert Riedl, technical manager at Thursday Plantation Laboratories, says: 'Always buy oil from a reputable source. Brown bottles, which are designed to keep out sunlight, are best. 'But at the very least make sure that you keep the oil in a well-sealed glass container in a cool, dry place away from direct light.
'Sensitive skin may still react to the neat oil, but specially formulated shampoos, antiseptic creams, lozenges and soaps contain lower, but still effective, concentrations that are much less likely to irritate.
'To be effective, shampoo should provide 1pc to 2 pc tea tree oil, antiseptic skin creams at least 5 pc and soap around 2pc.'

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SOCIAL INTERACTION OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

An interesting article this one I found on Yahoo, I can't answer for what others think but before the researchers generalise, I think they need to research fully before the researchers make their judgements. Social Networking is a highly effective tool for marketing, in fact the vast majority of major companies as well as small traders etc and other media have a presence on Facebook. This is why I am there, as I can interact with potential clients both for the service I provide and as customers/readers of my books and I have both a private and a fan page. 

I have seen the type of personality they talk about though, they like to create drama for the sheer sake of it, so they can generate attention and say 'poor me'. They have also been known to state they may have cancer, or some other serious illness, I have come across this. Some like to be what I would describe Lord or Lady Bountiful! whereby they will foist their religious beliefs onto others and state they will pray for you, and constantly copy and paste religious messages on others pages, these types like the attention of being do gooders, though they are often the biggest hypocrites that walked the earth. Another trait is they paste on their status, "If you don't interact with me enough I will delete you off my page". Else they will state, "I'm house cleaning, if you want kept on my page say so", this is often the same type who post the religious messages. Is there any need to state this at all? if they have noticed that they dont have as many interactions from so called friends and its clear they are not likely too, there is nothing to stop them hitting the delete button without the song and dance about it. As I see it, if they have to state this publicly then it is a form of attention seeking. But before they do, they should remember interaction is a two way process and many lead very busy lives and don't always get the time to be socially as active as they would like.

ARTICLE BELOW FROM YAHOO

Researchers have established a direct link between the number of friends you have on Facebook and the degree to which you are a "socially disruptive" narcissist.

People who scored highly on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory questionnaire had more friends on Facebook, tagged themselves more often and updated their newsfeeds more regularly.

The research comes amid increasing evidence that young people are becoming increasingly narcissistic and obsessed with self image and shallow friendships.

The latest study, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, also found that narcissists responded more aggressively to derogatory comments made about them on the social networking site's public walls and changed their profile pictures more often.

A number of previous studies have linked narcissism with Facebook use, but this is some of the first evidence of a direct relationship between Facebook friends and the most "toxic" elements ofnarcissistic personality disorder.

Researchers at Western Illinois University studied the Facebook habits of 294 students, aged between 18 and 65, and measured two "socially disruptive" elements of narcissism - Grandiose Exhibitionism (GE) and Entitlement/Exploitativeness (EE).

GE includes "self-absorption, vanity, superiority, and exhibitionistic tendencies" and people who score high on this aspect of narcissism need to be constantly at the centre of attention.

They often say shocking things and inappropriately self-disclose because they cannot stand to be ignored or waste a chance of self-promotion.

The EE aspect includes "a sense of deserving respect and a willingness to manipulate and take advantage of others".

The research revealed that the higher someone scored on aspects of GE, the greater the number of friends they had on Facebook, with some amassing more than 800.

Those scoring highly on EE and GG were also more likely to accept friend requests from strangers and seek social support, but less likely to provide it, according to the research.

Carol Craig, a social scientist and chief executive of the Centre for Confidence and Well-being , said young people in Britain were becoming increasingly narcissistic and Facebook provided a platform for the disorder.

"The way that children are being educated is focusing more and more on the importance of self-esteem - on how you are seen in the eyes of others.

"This method of teaching has been imported from the US and is 'all about me'.

"Facebook provides a platform for people to self-promote by changing profile pictures and showing how many hundreds of friends you have. I know of some who have more than 1,000."

Dr Viv Vignoles, senior lecturer in social psychology at Sussex University, said there was "clear evidence" from studies in the US that college students were becoming increasingly narcissistic.

But he added: "Whether the same is true of non-college students or of young people in other countries, such as the UK, remains an open question, as far as I know.

"Without understanding the causes underlying the historical change in US college students, we do not know whether these causes are factors that are relatively specific to American culture... or whether they are factors that are more general, for example new technologies such as mobile phones and Facebook."

Dr Vignoles said the correlational nature of the latest study meant it was difficult to be certain whether individual differences in narcissism led to certain patterns of Facebook behaviour, whether patterns of Facebook behaviour led to individual differences in narcissism, or a bit of both.

Christopher Carpenter, who ran the study, said: "In general, the 'dark side' of Facebook requires more research in order to better understand Facebook's socially bene?cial and harmful aspects in order to enhance the former and curtail the latter.

"If Facebook is to be a place where people go to repair their damaged ego and seek social support, it is vitally important to discover the potentially negative communication one might ?nd on Facebook and the kinds of people likely to engage in them.

"Ideally, people will engage in pro-social Facebooking rather than anti-social me-booking."

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SHOULD PARENTS STOP THEIR VERY DISABLED CHILDREN FROM GROWING UP?

A very controversial article this one from the Daily Mail, it caught my attention as I can see both sides having experience of nursing and caring for the mentally disabled. 

I can see the side for the human rights issue but I can also see the pain and concern parents feel for their child, who I feel want to do their best for their child out of love and who want to make their daughter comfortable. It's hard enough for a normal healthy child going through puberty but at least they can understand what is going on in their bodies. Think on this though before you make a judgement on this, get some experience of looking after a teenage mentally disabled girl, who has no comprehension of menstruation, who cannot understand why she is in pain, who cannot understand why she is bleeding. Its hard enough trying to keep clothes on some mentally disabled patients, let alone deal with those who are suffering sexual desires brought about with hormones and letting them suffer the indignity of that plus having them then menstruating with no sanitary pads because they wont keep them on. I know this is shocking for some, but this is what can and does happen. I've experienced this in my career.

So before you condemn the parents for why they did this, see both sides.

Should parents stop their very disabled children from growing up? Father sparks debate about treatment that could spread to UK

At least a dozen families with severely disabled children have decided to put them through a controversial therapy to stop them growing into adults, according to reports.

Known as the 'Ashley treatment', it is named after a girl from Seattle who underwent a series of procedures between 2004 and 2006 to keep her in a child-like state.

Five years on her father is convinced the treatment has improved his daughter's life and says he knows of at least a dozen other parents who have followed a similar course.

Ashley, pictured on her parent's blog pillowangel.org, was given hormones to stunt her growth as well as a hysterectomy

However, disability rights campaigners say it is a violation of the disabled person's civil rights.

Ashley's father, who wishes to maintain the family's anonymity, told The Guardian: 'The Ashley treatment has made her far more likely to be comfortable, healthy and happy

'Given the limitations imposed by her medical condition, her life is as good as we can possibly make it.'

It is thought as many as 100 families from the U.S, Europe and beyond have carried out or are planning of carrying out similar medical therapies.

Ashley, now 15, has severe developmental disabilities and will always have an infant mental state. She cannot talk and must be fed by a tube but can respond to others by vocalising and smiling.

As she approached puberty her parents became worried about how they would cope with caring for her. They decided to embark on a drastic series of 'growth attenuation' treatments that would stop this process while also limiting her size.

She underwent estrogen therapy that limited her height - by 2010 she measured 4ft 4", which is about a foot shorter than an average 13-year-old girl.

She also underwent a hysterectomy and had both breast buds removed at Seattle Children's hospital.

Ashley's parents argue that the treatment improved her quality of life and saved her from much discomfort, such as from menstrual cramps. It also meant it was easier for them to help and handle her.

However, critics said that the treatment breached Ashley's human rights and doctors had thought more about the parents' needs than their daughter's.

Curt Decker, director of The National Disability Rights Network in the U.S, said his group will publish a report in April that will call on US Congress to ban growth attenuation treatment for disabled children.

'Parents have rationalised that this is an OK thing to do but it treats people as though they have no worth and that's a slippery slope,' he told The Guardian.

Mr Decker believes thousands of families are exploring the Ashley treatment.

'This is a violation of the civil rights of individuals and should be prohibited,' he said.

However, Ashley's father said this would deprive severely disabled children leaving treatment available only to the 'wealthy and powerful.'

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SHOULD SMOKERS PAY FOR THEIR HABIT?

The article below is from the Daily mail.  I am all for allowing Adults free choice on how to live their lives, providing it does not impinge on the lives of others. Frankly if people want to destroy their health so be it, BUT not if it affects the rest of us. This is the problem in the UK today how others look after their health DOES affect us all. OK they may well say I've paid my contributions to the state for the NHS but so has everybody and why should those who have taken sensible steps to look after themselves be pushed further down the que on waiting lists? whilst those who have puffed and coughed away, drank themselves into a stupor every weekend and stuffed and gorged themselves on copious amounts of fatty junk food be given priority. Something is not right here. As I said I am a great believer in the freedom of choice but the UK in particular doesn't have unlimited resources for  those who have no self respect. 

Wouldn't it be an idea if those who smoked, refused to get their weight down to an acceptable level, or drink in moderation to take out their own medical health insurance? After all we have all known for decades now, with smoking in particular, causes cancer, heart disease and ageing. Just think for once  whilst you cough up your phlegm in the morning you are taking resources from those innocent children and others who have developed cancer through no fault of their own!

Audrey Hepburn (right) lights up in Breakfast at Tiffany's, watched by George Peppard (left) and Martin Balsam (centre). The Royal College of Physicians wants 'unnecessary' brand images for tobacco removed from films and TV programmes

No smoke without fire: Cigarettes will cost one hundred million lives in UK unless current smokers quit

Royal College supports plain packaging for cigarettes on 50thanniversary of first smoking and health report
Cigarettes are 50% MORE affordable now than in 1965, they say

One hundred million years of life will be lost in the UK unless smokers give up their habit, experts are warning.

On the 50th anniversary of its first report on smoking and health, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) says more than a fifth of the population still smokes.

With smokers losing an average of 10 years of life each, a hundred million years of life will be lost, it says.

The body believes the cost of tobacco should be raised, claiming that cigarettes are 50 per cent more affordable now than they were in 1965, despite being heavily taxed.

But calls for more legislation have been criticised by a smokers' group, who say smokers are 'treated like lepers and vilified' for their habit.

Half of people who smoke are known to die from their habit.

The RCP published its first report on the issue in 1962 and has updated its findings for a one-day conference today.

More than six million people have died as a result of smoking since 1962 but at least 360,000 deaths have also been prevented owing to there being fewer smokers overall.

The RCP will today discuss ways to cut the number of smokers further, such as making cigarettes more expensive.

Real prices are undercut by discounting, small pack sizes and illegal supplies, it says.

The RCP wants 'unnecessary' brand images for tobacco removed from films and TV programmes watched by children and young people, and supports a move towards plain packaging for tobacco.

Furthermore, it wants the smoking ban extended to parks and other public areas, while saying children should be legally protected from smoke in cars and homes, and there should be mass media campaigns on the dangers of smoking.

Nine out of 10 smokers do not use the NHS to help them quit so the RCP wants to reach those people with better services.

Chair of the RCP tobacco advisory group, Professor John Britton, said: 'Smoking is still the biggest avoidable killer in the UK.

'Smokers smoke because of an addiction to nicotine that is usually established before adulthood.

'There is so much more that can and should be done to prevent the death, disease and human misery that smoking causes.

'Our Government needs to act at the highest level to tackle smoking head on, and eradicate it from our society and particularly our children's futures.'

RCP president Sir Richard Thompson said: 'This important conference marks another milestone in the RCP's efforts to reduce unnecessary deaths and disease from smoking.

'I hope that in another 50 years smoking, like slavery, will have passed into history.'

On the day the report was published Health Secretary Andrew Lansley told ITV Daybreak that there needed to be continued pressure to reduce the number of smokers.

Andrew Lansley said there needed to be continued pressure to reduce the number of smokers

'There are still about eight million people in this country who smoke, it is still the largest avoidable cause of death,' he said.

'Fifty years after the smoking and health report, I will be joining the RCP today again and we will be making clear that we need to continue the pressure to reduce the number of smokers.

'It is actually often about ensuring that we help those who want to give up smoking.'

SECOND-HAND SMOKE IS 'INVISIBLE KILLER'

A campaign showing the damaging effects of invisible second-hand smoke will be among a raft of measures introduced by the Government to cut the number of deaths.

More than 80 per cent of smoke cannot be seen but the campaign, to begin later this month, will feature TV, radio and newspaper adverts showing the fumes and how children can be exposed to them.

In a speech at the Royal College of Physicians, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley will say today that the Government will not stop its battle to cut the number of smokers.

Supermarkets will be forced to remove tobacco displays on April 6 and all other shops will have to end them in April 2015.

The Government will begin a consultation on whether to ban logos and introduce plain packaging for tobacco in the spring.

Mr Lansley said: 'There are no two ways about it - smoking kills. And our aim is simple - we must reduce rates of smoking.

'I remember when it was acceptable to smoke anywhere, at work, on trains and in planes.

'It’s easy to forget that wasn’t too long ago, and how far we have come. But we must do much more.

'More than eight million people continue to smoke despite stark data that shows it kills half of smokers and around 90% of lung cancer deaths in the UK are caused by smoking.'

Smoking on the London Underground was banned in 1984, tobacco advertising was prohibited in 2002 and smoking in pubs ended in 2007.

More than 80,000 people die from smoking diseases every year.

He added: 'We will be conducting a campaign to support people realising that second-hand smoke is not only something we need to get rid of in public places but it is something we need not to expose other people to in our own homes and cars as well.

'I am not proposing legislation to go into people's homes and cars and control what they do.

'But I do hope that people will respond to that campaign because actually we are getting a very good response to our stop smoking services.

'We have got the best stop smoking services locally in the world.'

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said: 'There has been a seismic shift in attitudes to smoking since the early 1960s when the majority of adults smoked.

'However, one in five Britons still smokes and around 200,000 children start smoking every year.

'Although a great deal has been achieved, more still needs to be done, particularly to stop children getting hooked.

'Putting tobacco products out of sight in shops will help but we also need to stop the marketing of tobacco via the packs.

'Plain packaging of tobacco products is the logical next step to put an end to tobacco marketing and we look forward to the forthcoming Government consultation on this issue.'

Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said: 'The authors of the first report on smoking and health were right to draw attention to the risks associated with smoking.

'Regrettably, since 1962 education has been replaced by coercion and smokers are now treated like lepers and vilified for their habit.

'Intolerance and scaremongering have replaced legitimate consumer information and common sense has given way to illiberal legislation designed to force people to give up a legal product.

'Adults have a right to make informed choices about smoking, eating and drinking.

'The 50th anniversary of the RCP report is an opportunity to remind politicians of their responsibilities in a liberal democratic society.'

Maggie Brown (Author)

Visit Amazon's Maggie Brown Page

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