Disability News Disability Newsletter

Disabled World Community Newsletter - June 1- 2009 - Episode 1

Disabled World Community Newsletter June 1, 2009.

Reactive Arthritis - Definition, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
By Thomas C. Weiss

Defining Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis which affects a person's eyes, urethra, skin and joints. The disease presents as either acute or chronic, with periods of sudden remission or recurrences. Reactive arthritis affects different organs in a persons body, with differing symptoms that may appear at different times. The joint inflammation associated with the disease is referred to as, 'reactive arthritis,' because it is believed to involve an immune system response that is, 'reacting,' to the presence of bacterial infections in the person's gastrointestinal, urinary, or genital systems. Certain persons have immune systems that are, 'primed,' to react abnormally when these areas of their body are exposed to specific bacteria, leading their immune system to react with spontaneous inflammation of their joints and eyes. A doctor may be puzzled by these reactions because the infection itself is gone at the time the inflammation or arthritis occurs.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/health/autoimmunediseases/reactive-arthritis.php

U.S. Paralympic 2009 Amazing Awards
By U.S. Paralympics

U.S. Paralympics, a Division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, presented its annual “Amazing Awards” to key contributors in the national Paralympic movement at the 2009 Developing Amazing Leaders Paralympic Conference, April 17-20.

“The amazing awards are for our amazing partners who work tirelessly, in communities across the country, to help build the Paralympic movement,” said Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, USOC. “Their commitment and support has helped thousands of athletes achieve success both on and off the field of play.”

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/sports/paralympics/paralympic-amazing-awards.php

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Heart Failure
By European Society of Cardiology

Although heart failure is a chronic condition, acute exacerbations are frequent and occur with serious complications; patients with heart failure and their families can help improve prognosis in acute events if they are taught to recognise the tell-tale signs of worsening condition and seek immediate medical help.

"Any delayed recognition of these signs is associated with an increased rate of hospitalisation and complications, including mortality," says Professor Ferenc Follath from the University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/health/cardiovascular/heart-failure.php

What is Prosthetic Parity?
By Rhonda Turner, PhD

Parity is a buzzword meaning, 'on par with' or 'equal to'. Legislative Parity is the attempt through either the State or Federal legislative process, to seek equalization.
One of the most appropriate and logical applications of legislative parity is in Heath Care, specifically health insurance coverage. Legislative parity in health care means to pass legislation that equalizes insurance benefits.

So, again, what is prosthetic parity? It is state or federal legislation requiring insurance companies to pay for prosthetic devices on par with federal programs, payment rules and regulations. Federal Program could be Medicare, Medicaid, or programs such as the Federal Employee insurance held by Congress and other government employees.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/prostheses/prosthetic-parity.php

AMS Vans Heads to California for Ability Expo
By AMS Vans

AMS Vans, Inc. representatives are participating in the annual Abilities Expo in California to promote their service to people with disabilities. By offering affordable mobility options AMS Vans allows people to enhance their quality of life.

Attending expos is just one way AMS Vans branches out to customers. As an online company, they are using social media and web traffic to attract business.

Representatives from AMS Vans, Inc. are in sunny California to participate in the Abilities Expo: the Nation's leading event for the disabilities market. Representatives from the Norcross, Ga. company will be in Anaheim May 29 through May 31 to meet with members of the disability community to discuss their line of wheelchair accessible vehicles. In 2008, the Expo welcomed 6,500 attendees.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/transport/private/ams-vans-expo.php

On Safari in a Wheelchair: Inclusive Tourism in KwaZulu Natal
By Scott Rains, The Rolling Rains Report

I travel a lot - more than most other quadriplegics that I know. Even so, when I first look up at the sky on every trip to the southern hemisphere I am temporarily disoriented.
It's not like I am a celestial navigator. I couldn't find my way home from the corner pub by looking at the stars even if all I had to drink was Stones Ginger Beer. Set me sailing out on the ocean at night by the stars - well, I've never been sailing at night so I'm not certain - but I image you would never hear from me until I drifted up on a forsaken beach somewhere.

So I kept the shades closed on the 15 hour flight from the east coast of the US to Johannesburg and I didn't see the night sky until I was safely tucked away in a wheelchair-accessible hut at Hilltop Camp inside Hlulue Game Reserve - but that's jumping too far ahead in the story.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/travel/africa/wheelchair-safari.php


Meet Disabled World Community Member Milay4tree!
Milay4tree was born with a physical disability in Baguio City, Philippines, and is currently pursuing undergraduate research studies in Okinawa, Japan with a focus on the conditions of persons with disabilities in South East Asia. Milay4tree previously worked with a Philippine inter-government team to come up with a comprehensive programme in order to address transnational crimes in the Philippines. Milay4tree is interested in discovering herbal plants as alternative medicine among villagers in the Philippines, and has a deep passion for reading, writing, learning, and sharing of knowledge. Milay4tree aspires to write a book of poetry as well, and enjoys swimming, volunteering, and community development. You can visit Milay4tree's profile at: http://community.disabled-world.com/milay4tree


Meet Disabled World Community Member DimpledRomantic!
DimpledRomantic's real name is Mathew, and he is is 28 years old. Mathew lives in San Jose, California and was diagnosed with Duschenne Muscular Dystrophy at age 7. He enjoys life, going to Sharks hockey games, concerts, and movies. Mathew likes to travel and listening to his iPod; he also enjoys, 'chilling,' on his deck, people watching, surfing the web, playing online games, Netflix, and watching football games. When it comes to movies, Mathew enjoys a variety of genres; he likes action, comedy, romance, thrillers, sci-fi, fiction, and true story movies. He enjoys rock and roll music too! Among the things that Mathew does not like are guns, violence, prejudice, discrimination, and racism. You can visit Mathew's profile at: http://community.disabled-world.com/dimpledromantic


Radio Bug - Disability Internet Radio
By Thomas C. Weiss

Radio Bug presents music, resources, and subjects of interest to both persons with disabilities and nondisabled persons through Internet broadcasting and their website located at: http://www.radiobug.net/index.html. The DJ's for Radio Bug give visitors a variety of forms entertainment and information, as well as conducting interviews. There are valuable sources of information related to disability organizations available through three different categories on the site. Opportunity for relaxation through gaming and chat is available so that people can enjoy themselves through the website while listening to some absolutely magnificent music via their favorite media player software.

Starting in September of 2008, the Radio Bug Internet station has been highlighting both subjects of interest and resources of information for people with disabilities.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/communication/community/radio-bug.php

Marijuana rivals mainstream drugs for HIV/AIDS symptoms
By SAGE Publications UK

Those in the United States living with HIV/AIDS are more likely to use marijuana than those in Kenya, South Africa or Puerto Rica to alleviate their symptoms, according to a new study published in Clinical Nursing Research, published by SAGE.

Those who did use marijuana rate it as effective as prescribed or over the counter (OTC) medicines for the majority of common symptoms, once again raising the issue that therapeutic marijuana use merits further study and consideration among policy makers.
A significant percentage of those with HIV/AIDS use marijuana as a symptom management approach for anxiety, depression, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea, and peripheral neuropathy.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/medical/pharmaceutical/marijuana/marijuana-hiv-aids.php

Definition of Sensory Integration
By April Merrilee, MA, OTR

The field of Sensory Integration exists as both a theory of neurological function and the process of the human body and mind interacting with the environment.

Sensory Integration was first identified by Dr. A. Jean Ayres, an Occupational Therapist who noticed children struggling with functional tasks who did not fit into specific categories of disability commonly used in the 1960 - 1970'.

These children did not have clear cut diagnoses, but were obviously having difficulty with work behavior, self-care and recreational activities. She saw the challenges as neurologically based and developed the term "Sensory Integrative Dysfunction" to describe the problems faced by children whose brains do not consistently receive, process or respond to sensory input with adaptive, functional behaviors.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/definitions/sensory-integration.php

VA Web Site Helps College Counselors Aid Veterans
By Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a new Web site to strengthen the connection between college and university mental health professionals and the Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts now studying on their campuses.

“Many of our newest Veterans are beginning their post-service lives by furthering their educations,” said Dr. Gerald M. Cross, VA’s acting under secretary for health. “This initiative is designed to ensure that colleges and universities are able to assist with any special mental health needs they may have.”

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/news/veterans/va-website.php

Excessive Cola Consumption can Lead to Super-sized Muscle Problems
By Wiley-Blackwell

Doctors have issued a warning about excessive cola consumption after noticing an increase in the number of patients suffering from muscle problems, according to the June issue of IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice.

"We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before and a number of health issues have already been identified including tooth problems, bone demineralisation and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes" says Dr Moses Elisaf from the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Ioannina, Greece.

"Evidence is increasing to suggest that excessive cola consumption can also lead to hypokalaemia, in which the blood potassium levels fall, causing an adverse effect on vital muscle functions."

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/cola-muscles.php

LDA's 2012 Cultural Fund Boosts Training in Theatre, Media and Design
By London Development Agency

Young Londoners and disabled people are being given the opportunity to develop their skills in the creative industries thanks to funding from the London Development Agency (LDA).

Under the first phase of its new 2012 London Cultural Skills Fund, the £1.2 million programme will enable four art organisations in the capital to put on courses in theatre production, media and design.

The fund, managed by Arts Council England, will support strong community-based skills, training and employment support projects so that more Londoners can participate in the Cultural Olympiad and other arts related activities in the run up to 2012.

READ MORE...http://www.disabled-world.com/entertainment/lda-2012.php

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