And so the lies begin!

I really don't care what the country's "best scientists" say. Breast self-exams saved my mother's life---so, isn't saving one life worth it? Seriously!!!

This has EVERYTHING to do withe the "timing" no matter what they all say. Yes, I have my "tin cup" on---but give me a break! This is all about giving insurance companies an excuse to NOT pay for early intervention and screening. This is all about medical rationing. PLEASE...spare me the rhetoric. I'm not stupid! What, I have to get genetically tested (via Dr. Nancy S. on The Today Show) in order to PROVE I'm at high risk? I DON'T think so! THIS is the problem with the world today people. Requiring genetic testing so it can be used to discriminate is NOT a good idea. I'd rather "waste" money on screenings---than lose a family member because of the lack there of.

What's next? Should we start refusing PKU heel tests for newborns cause the "numbers" are so low of those actually diagnosed with PKU? Or how about we stop testing children's hearing and vision? Seriously!!!!! Preventative screenings occur for a REASON---and the numbers shouldn't have to be "so unbelievably" high in order to justify the cost of them.

What a bunch of bull!!!

This Kansas......

There's no place like home.....yesterday as I drove home after being gone just for a short time, this was what I thought. Funny, the movie was on TV last night as well.

When I first decided to move out here, I was asked by some lady (I think it was at a store or a bank) "Kansas? Why would you want to move there?" (With an attitude full of the perception that hotter than hot, and then freezing snowy cold UT was the epitome of living perfection?) So, I told her the truth. That I was coming here for school.



Before I moved out here I became a huge fan of the Sarah Plain and Tall Series done by Hallmark. Which is where the line "This Kansas...." comes from. And, that is now how I think I really have no idea how all of it happened. When I attended USU I constantly was homesick for the SL Valley. All I wanted in the world was "home". Logan never ever felt like home. Ever. Thus, why I say I "put up" with Logan for 4 years. But, after only being in KS for a few short weeks, "This Kansas...." became that home I had never had. I always thought WJ was the only place I could consider home. And then, I moved out here. And now, this is FAR and away more "home" than WJ.



It's all as odd as can be. This is nothing, nothing I've ever expected in life. And now that I have to find a "new home"---it blows me away how much I have fallen in love with KS. The beautiful plains. The roaming hills. The cities, the downtowns, the sunflowers, the waving grain, the awesome falls, the crazy weather, the parks. I love the midwestern attitude. The gratefullness for farmers. The diversity (yes, I know, KS and diversity?)--and the majority of the people!

Sure, KS has high and low points--as every place on the planet does. I've discovered myself here in ways I never even imagined. I never knew that driving through rural KS could bring me such peace. I would never in my life describe myself as a "prairie" girl until moving here. I NEVER thought that exploring small towns would be more fun than other activities. I never ever thought I'd feel the way I do today. I NEVER thought I'd understand exactly how Sarah (in Sarah Plain and Tall felt). This Kansas...this beautiful, amazing, remarkable state is so much more than it is ever given credit for. Perhaps, if anything else, that's why I've fallen in love with this state. For I think I can understand how that feels.....

So, in honor of this amazing state:

Right here, Right now....

Kay--I'm a couple days late. But, it's been crazy!

But, had to mention something in celebration of freedom! In celebration of the power of people when they choose something right! In celebration of watching the world wake up from history change, in moments!!! Watching the words of a prophet, and millions of prayers peacefully come true!

TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!!!

I was hoping to embed the famous awesome song, titling this post, but nay--copyright law is more important.

So, here's the link. Click and enjoy---but come back, cause I have something else to share!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOyWY6GB3EQ

Saw the news report on this. I love G l e n n C l o s e---but this hits VERY close to home--incredibly close---in more than one way---so right here are right now---let's get rid of the stigma. Stigma is evil, it's horrible, and it permeates everyone's lives and families (and those who work with people) who have a disability or mental illness. It's time--beyond time. Right here, and right now---learn about it, realize it happens in many many families--most likely yours. And good, correct, appropriate treatment (both medical and psychological), and appropriate TREATMENT by others is the key!!! It's time!

Thank you G l e n n!!!!



And, here's the link: http://bringchange2mind.org/

Confidence....

So, I woke up today with a scene from this marvelous movie in my mind:



When I drove across the country to move to KS this song constantly ran through my head. It was comforting. Wonderful! Made me feel very blessed.

Then, this morning I woke up, and the scene stuck in my head was when Maria pulls the door bell--and the butler opens the door, and Maria says "Well, here I am Capt. Von Trapp", and the butler in his formidible and patronizing way says "And I'm only the lowly butler, froiline (sp?)"---and Maria, says "Oh, well....."


Um...so what does that mean? Maybe just that I'm facing formidible (yet usually very helpful) butlers right now---and my confidence is waning.....a lot.

"Oh help!!!!!!!!!!!"

40 Years

So, Sesame Street is 40.

Yep--40.

That makes me old too---cause it's only 8 years older than me.

Love Sesame street. But, I must say this. My vote is for the older version. The version I watched every day from uummmmm---the late 70's to the mid 80's.

I plan on buying THOSE DVD's for my kiddo's someday--and having them watch those. Cause I kind of feel like now it's a little dummy---downed, WAY too much Elmo, not enough Twiddle-bugs, and WAY too many famous people trying to be cool on Sesame street (plus, I must admit, I don't like some of the famous people they've put on Sesame street--so why would I want my kiddos watching that?) I find it funny that the old DVD's got a warning on them. I think they should put a warning on the new shows "Warning: really liberal famous people wandering through the streets, trying to get your children to think everything they do, even though you may not agree".

Although, thank you Emily K. and Sesame Street for the integration. For having your son and Mitchell and so many others with disabilities on Sesame Street (for the first time) in the early 70's. Thank you for showing the world that your kiddos are smart, and of great worth---and should be intergrated and included fully on the "street"!!!! Thank you!

Oh--and my favorites? Snuffleupagus and Cookie Monster---and he should be eating cookies. All those nutrition freak people forcing carrots on the dude need to back away from the blue man!!!!

Happy 40th!!!

Another falacy....

Okay...another one I discovered today:

So, I grew up in UT--lived there for 29 years. People. My parents and there parents have lived there even longer. And, although I've never had a "drink" my entire life (I know, shocker---I've never had to wake up puking my guts out cause of what I drank the night before---or pay for a D U I---ya, my life is hard--yes, I'm being sarcastic).

BUT--I know for a fact that if you walk into any restaurant in most any part of UT (except perhaps one tiny tiny town somewhere---but I think even they have changed this) you CAN get a drink.

The state is not a "dry" state--and other than about the first 3-5 years of the pioneers living in the state, it hasn't been a dry state (and heck, that was before they Church was as reinforcing the Word of Wisdom yet--so who knows).

SO--yet another falacy. No worries--if you go to SLC, you can get a drink.

And, I'm certainly not reinforcing, nor promoting drinking. I just get annoyed when people pass on that lie. Oh, and no, plural marriage is not legal either---nor practiced by the church (no, I'm not one of many wives---I'm not even one of one wife!) Although, I must say that I find it truly hilarious that the one religion that was completely and totally discriminated against because of the definition of marriage, is the one being attacked constantly by now fighting for that definition of marriage that it was forced to only have. ya--what is that called--irony of ironies?

Only allowing comments as long as they're nice (and not debating, or degrading). Although, I must say that I"ve found it entertaining how the "traffic" has picked up since my last post. So funny!

Couple Recent Falacies.....

So, in the last week or so, I've had to deal with some falacies. Ahhh..the joy (and I'm probably not spelling that right.

First, recently was told that all "Mormons" keep their children with disabilities at home, always--and only care for them there. Just like the Amish.

Okay---first off....this "falacy" is completely and utterly untrue. Second of all, the group these people are really thinking of are the FLDS people (yes, that one from Texas). And no, they ARE NOT Mormon. They may claim the name, but they are not.

Mormons are actually ONLY members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Anyone else claiming that name, or the name of "Mormon" are, well, not.

And, no, Mormons do not all care only for their children with disabilities at home. We are not related to the Duggars (although, I'm not against the Duggars), or other groups of people. Some LDS people may choose to keep a child or family member with a disability at home, but most (and I've worked with quite a few) send their kids with disabilities to public schools, receive state funded respite care, have their children in group homes, and many also embrace more progressive forms of independence and options for their families and children. I personally, fully support those families.

Second Falacy:

Kay--this one may have oodles of people "up in arms" right now. But, there are only 2 genders people. Sorry--there are only 2. Yes, a baby can be born (rarely) with the "makings" of both. From what research I've read, usually parents can watch the babies for the first 1-3 years, and eventually it's the child will display (through their behavior) which gender they are (the research I've read actually states this usually "shows through" within the first year). These circumstances are difficult, and I know of some others that are too. But, even if someone chooses a "different" one, changes what they currently are physically, etc. There are still only 2 genders (in other words, other than those rare circumstances, physically, there are only 2).

So, I go with the physical realities there.

Well--that was fun. I'll leave comments up as long as no one tries to debate.