tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57014306957304025432024-02-20T18:58:33.364-06:00My Thoughts on Life and Other Thingsses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-55792089878127666312017-02-25T19:27:00.002-06:002017-02-25T19:27:55.558-06:00Open Letter to Republicans <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Dear Republicans,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">My name is Susan Spann. I am 38 years old now. My life started as a pre-existing condition. If not for my mom’s service in the military, I would have likely been uninsured most of my life. But when I aged out of ChampVA coverage under her in college, it was the craziest scariest expensive time of my life so far not counting the years 2003-2014. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In 2003, Blue Cross Blue Shield opened what they called a special open enrollment plan open to anyone not employed and insured through an employer. By the time that plan ended in 2014, the premiums for just me were $298 per month with an out of pocket that was around $10,000 per year. There was never any way that I, as an individual, would have ever been able to meet such an outrageous out of pocket unless ALL of my expenses were calculated. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The problem with that plan? It was never insurance. It did not cover preventive care services. It was essentially only a catastrophic plan. And while it covered some surgeries I ended up needing, it was never enough. Because preventive care was not covered, I had to use the ER a lot. And I couldn’t afford that. Which meant I had to apply for charity care a lot. Which drove up the costs for the insured. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I voted for John McCain in 2008. Why? Because he proposed doing the ACA. I was disappointed when Mr. Obama won that election, but ecstatic when he picked up the ACA. With its passage, the first effects were felt: no more worrying about hitting a lifetime cap. I should have never worried about that, but at the age of 32 when it passed in 2010, face it, by that point, I had a growing list of what are now considered PECs. With its passage, I no longer had to worry that if I got sick again the next day (immune deficiencies do that) that I would be dropped in the middle of treatment or care. And with its passage, I looked forward to the next big step: I was going to get proper insurance for once because I would not be denied like I would have been had I applied for the individual plan BCBS rolled out in 2008. I was tired of being that underinsured person who needed charity care to pick up the majority of my tab or faced bankruptcy just for needing care. Thankfully, this year, my credit history should be wiped clean of that lingering medical debt that could never be collected because of consumer protections that prohibited debt collection agencies from doing some crazy illegal stuff. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Fast forward to today. We have since had the following issues arise:</span></div>
<ol>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">CVID is my new diagnosis. And after a recent hospitalization for IV antibiotics due to numerous drug allergies because I had a triple infection, my doctor has now built the case for me to receive IVIG. This is answered prayer because with this treatment on the horizon, I might get well enough to return to the workforce part time.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Mast cell disease: suspect probable smoldering systemic mastocytosis. Treatment at present with cromolyn oral ($1000+ per month without insurance and I only have $735 in resources and my mom only has just enough for the house payment and utilities, barely enough for medicine for me from her veteran’s benefits). </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Autism diagnosis finally.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Congenital rubella syndrome.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Agent orange baby - first generation. Who knows what that entails exactly. This goes to the VA.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Ulcerative colitis and diverticulosis with diverticulitis flares and colon perforation (the chief reason for the recent hospitalization.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Hypothyroidism, feminine issues that may require surgery, mitral valve prolapse syndrome, ADHD, colon polyps, etc. </span></li>
</ol>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">At my age, I should not have to worry about losing access to healthcare I need that can restore some quality of life for me, that can restore the hope that I will get to return to the workforce again even if it is just part time. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Having real insurance for the first time in my life has meant less out of pocket expenditures which has allowed us to do something I would have never been able to do before and that is look into moving again as an adult to a state where the air quality is such that my whole entire immune system resets and my allergies are less aggravated. Having real insurance for the first time in my life has meant that we can pursue proper diagnosis with an out of state specialist. And it has meant only having charity care assigned at ONE facility for expenses not covered by both BCBS and Medicaid. But we have been able to utilize more primary care and clinics than hospitals. Since having proper insurance afforded to me on the individual market outside of the exchange through BCBS, I have only ever needed two hospital level visits outside of a colonoscopy/endoscopy and that has been for an out patient surgery and the most recent triple infection treatment. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Republicans, to the extent that I have received any respectful communication from any of you on other matters, you seem like you could be reasonable people. So prove to me that you are in fact reasonable and work with us here. We need assurance that we will not lose insurance coverage during the time of which our country utilizes insurance to have proper access to healthcare. The most obvious solution to our problems in this country is not a repeal of the ACA. It is universal care. And I think our country could afford a hybrid version of that where we all pay maybe $50 into the pool and all get care we need. Some will need more while others will need less, but no one should have to worry about losing access to care or going bankrupt for needing care. You claim to be pro-life. So why would you take away access to care for anyone needing it? I want our country to have more negotiation power to bring down the costs of medicines (Auvi-Q and epipen have literally committed the price gouge and the Auvi-Q gouge is of epic proportions from $300 to $4500 charged to insurance companies!). I want our country to have more negotiation power to bring down the costs of healthcare itself. And I want our citizens to have more power between them and their doctors to decide what’s best for their care. If we had universal care, I would not have needed to wait until a hospital visit occurred to get IVIG treatment. My doctors would have been able to try it out with me sooner to see if it would work so that we would have a definitive game plan now and I would be back in the workforce already. But insurance said no. Because I am too borderline and it’s a subclass deficiency with frequent infections. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Did you know that off the exchange, we have a minimum of 180 million people who benefit from protections provided by the ACA? Counting those on the exchanges, we have 200 million people (all of Clinton’s voters and all of Trump’s voters plus even those who did not vote at all) who benefit from the ACA. Many don’t realize it because they have never bothered to look at the benefits they do have. They just parrot what they have heard from fake news. But that is a substantial number of people that would be hurt if you repeal the ACA right now and don’t replace it with something equally as good or better. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">What provisions do we get?</span></div>
<ol>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Lab tests</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Diagnostic imaging services</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Colonoscopies</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Women’s care and men’s care equally</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Birth control is covered (it doesn’t need to be free, it just needs to be covered)</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Preventive care services including vaccinations </span></li>
</ol>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">And I even have dental insurance now as well (I was told I did not qualify before the ACA). </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">So please slow your rollers on the ACA ideology your party has adopted and take a good long look at my picture. I was on track to become a college professor before my health sidelined me. Now I have aspirations to become the first known autistic president of the country, but will settle for working for Disney or for a library if they will accept me while working on a book on the side. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sincerely yours,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Susan Spann</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Avenir Next'; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9px;">
<br /></div>
ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-80697239358188868542016-06-05T11:21:00.000-05:002016-06-05T11:21:41.295-05:00A Very Open Letter to the Disqus Bully "AutismDadd"<a href="https://disqus.com/by/disqus_1yIOCerOfc/">https://disqus.com/by/disqus_1yIOCerOfc/</a><br />
<br />
You must think you are something special by trolling a two month old post and its comments and bullying an autistic. But get this, you are not special and you are a troll and a bully.<br />
<br />
You attacked me by saying that I cannot be autistic and that the diagnosis that I do have is "rubbish."<br />
<br />
Well, no. YOU are the rubbish. Not my diagnosis.<br />
<br />
Here is the official report:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS-2)
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<img alt="page2image1016" height="0.719971" src="file:///page2image1016" width="200.640000" />
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;"><colgroup><col style="width: 36.693960%;"></col><col style="width: 20.163767%;"></col><col style="width: 23.029683%;"></col><col style="width: 20.112590%;"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.480041pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.480003pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.479981pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Subscale
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.480041pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.479981pt;">
<img alt="page2image3328" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image3328" width="0.479981" />
<img alt="page2image3488" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image3488" width="94.559980" />
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Raw Score
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.480041pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.479981pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">Standard Score
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.480041pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.479981pt;">
<img alt="page2image6400" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image6400" width="0.479981" />
<img alt="page2image6560" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image6560" width="94.319981" />
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-weight: 700;">%ile
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.480041pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.480003pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.480041pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Stereotyped Behaviors
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.480041pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.480041pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">15
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.480041pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.480041pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">8
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.480041pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.480041pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">25
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.479981pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.480003pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.480041pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Communication
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.479981pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.480041pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">10
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.479981pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.480041pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">6
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.479981pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.480041pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">9
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.479981pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.480003pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.479981pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Social Interaction
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.479981pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.479981pt;">
<img alt="page2image18472" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image18472" width="0.479981" />
<img alt="page2image18632" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image18632" width="94.559980" />
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">30
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<img alt="page2image19824" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image19824" width="0.479981" />
<img alt="page2image20144" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image20144" width="0.479981" />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.479981pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.479981pt;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">13
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-bottom-width: 0.479981pt; border-left-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-left-width: 0.479981pt; border-right-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-right-width: 0.479981pt; border-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 0.000000%); border-top-width: 0.479981pt;">
<img alt="page2image21368" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image21368" width="0.479981" />
<img alt="page2image21528" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image21528" width="94.319981" />
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">84
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<img alt="page2image22720" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image22720" width="0.479981" />
<img alt="page2image23040" height="0.479981" src="file:///page2image23040" width="0.479981" />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Autism Index: 94 (35 %ile) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Probability of Autism: Very Likely
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">On the GARS-2, Susan was in the highest possible category for the probability of
having Autism. This is consistent with the observed behaviors, and her difficulties with
work and social interactions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Diagnosis is therefore:<br />
</span><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">299.0 Autistic Disorder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">I cannot make that up. So if you still wish to bully me, let it be hereby known that you will be brought down by the justice system. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times;">Also, readers, if you wish to report AutismDadd, feel free to go to his profile at the above link and do so. Any help would be appreciated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times;">Never let anyone try to invalidate who you are and always be yourself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-5063215511723410202016-05-29T14:14:00.001-05:002016-05-29T14:14:55.712-05:00My Story and An Open Letter to the Bully Calling Himself "AutismDadd"First, my story so far, and this will not be all of my story because I am working on a book. I have had the opportunity to share more of my story and experiences in the past few weeks as another disabling medical condition that is life threatening in nature was discovered through some testing that is nowhere near over yet.<br />
<br />
Whenever appropriate, I do share my story. So that hopefully others will learn from it. It happened over here: <a href="http://www.pbs.org/pov/blog/docsoup/2016/04/andrew-wakefield-vaxxed-documentary-autism/">http://www.pbs.org/pov/blog/docsoup/2016/04/andrew-wakefield-vaxxed-documentary-autism/</a>. While I will give props to the author of the blog post for having the bravado to attend a controversy bogus film and then write a review about it, I wish that the film would quit being shown. It is dangerous at best and further perpetrates the myth that autism is damaged at worst.<br />
<br />
My own story is that I was born with congenital rubella syndrome. My mom was exposed in early term when she was pregnant with me. Early enough that I somehow survived despite the fact that she had a very complicated pregnancy in the months that followed the exposure. As for the woman who exposed her? She lost her baby shortly after birth.<br />
<br />
Congenital rubella syndrome is often lifelong with clinical manifestations that can occur later in life. I am just fortunate to have lived despite the exposure.<br />
<br />
Mom always knew something was different about me. Always. Long before the first vaccine was given. Mom, like me, was diagnosed autistic late in life. She was diagnosed after me. Her autism is level one - mild. My autism is level two-three moderate-severe.<br />
<br />
But what is autism you may say? Because you're so smart and you can communicate. Yes, I am smart, and yes, I can communicate. But that's not autism. Although I did have clinically significant speech delays and do have trouble with functional communication. Autism varies from person to person, hence the reason it is a spectrum disorder. It impacts social skills, imaginative play, and can be comorbid with sensory processing disorder which can lead to a lot of meltdowns.<br />
<br />
Here's the response to AutismDadd who had the audacity to try to invalidate my diagnosis today (two months after I shared my story with the writer of that post linked above):<br />
<br />
AutismDadd, first you cannot spell. So what right do you have to try to invalidate anyone? You're not a psychologist. Only psychologists are allowed to diagnose. Only medical doctors are allowed to diagnose. As long as stupid people like you exist, autistics will never have acceptance in society. Acceptance. Acceptance means that autistics like me are accepted as the people we are and allowed to attend church and school and be gainfully employed as long as they are physically able. They are not judged for being different or told to stop their fidgets or to be something they simply cannot be. AutismDadd, I am clearly a threat to you somehow because I clearly don't fit in your little preconceived box of what autism should be. And that's good because it means all the hard work my mom put into me getting therapy paid off. It means that those who invested in me had a return on their investment because I don't fit your ideas. And that's wonderful. I am clearly also more intelligent than you will ever be. Because I don't insist on trying to bully and invalidate people or their diagnoses. And I definitely have a lot more compassion than you ever will. But maybe that's because I am sick and tired of idiots like you who think they have the right to try to invalidate people. Am I sensitive? Yes, but it's because of idiots like you who falsely judge people and try to invalidate them that I am now an advocate for those same people and a self-advocate. I may not get paid for my work in advocacy, but I love what I do. Because hopefully, one day, there will no longer be idiots like you trying to invalidate people or their diagnoses. Oh, and you have been flagged and reported to Disqus using their form, something I wish Facebook had when reporting. I looked further into your comments. You're always an idiot and a jerk from what I could tell. And guess what? After this, I am done with you. Period. So say what you want, but you get no sympathy from me because I don't have time for that crap.<br />
<br />
Anyway, like I said, I am not sharing too much of my story beyond this on here because I am trying to work on a book. And here's something I do know. If AutismDadd tries to come at me on my blog, I can ban him.<br />
<br />
If nothing else, I hope more people learn from my experience and learn how to better advocate for autistics and autism acceptance.ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-12974515979972470122015-07-19T15:01:00.001-05:002015-07-19T15:01:27.027-05:00Why I Refuse to Use "People First" Language1. It is insulting. It makes it sound like our disabilities are diseases when they are not. I have asthma. Yes, it is a disease. Of the lungs. But I am asthmatic. I have autism. Although a processing disorder, it is not a disease. I am autistic. <div><br></div><div>2. It is degrading. People first language feels degrading because the people who insist that we use it are belittling us for using identity-first language.</div><div><br></div><div>3. It strips away my identity. Again, it makes our disabikities sound like a disease. It doesn't recognize that many of us have accepted our disabilities as part of who we are. I have autism, but I AM autistic. I identify my autism as an ingrained part of what makes me WHO I am; therefore, I identify as autistic. The Deaf identifies themselves as a culture. When you insist on calling the deaf "people who are deaf," you steal their cultural identification. They are Deaf, deaf, or deaf people. I am hard of hearing or a hard of hearing person. </div><div><br></div><div>4. It is clunky. Just as it says. People first language uses too many words. This is worse than our cultures. </div><div><br></div><div>5. It is awkward. Refer back to number 4.</div><div><br></div><div>6. It is not being used by those who actually have disabilities. If you ask most of us who actually have these disabilities and have found our way of communications, we will all tell you first hand that "people-first" language, though originally well-meaning, is the most offensive language we have ever encountered. We will often correct you and tell you what we want to be called and it is usually always identity-first language. He is autistic. She is deaf or she is a deaf person. He is a cancer patient. She is an ADHDer. Do you call an artist a person who has artistic abilities or a teacher a person who teachers or a musician a person who has musical gifting? No? Then stop trying to do it to us in the disability community. We don't need that.</div>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-34219153762083303232015-02-28T15:35:00.001-06:002015-02-28T15:35:22.017-06:00This Blogger Will Not Be ThreatenedAs I was checking on another blog, I found a threat posted to this blog because I blew the whistle about some nasty things that I have observed continuance of. Thank goodness, Facebook has finally allowed people to block pages. It was past time since one can no longer see page administrators. I marked the threat as spam so it could be deleted. I will not be threatened by anyway for anything when it comes to journalistic integrity and reporting the truth on any blog that I write. Anyone who threatens me will be considered a spammer and a threat to the principles of freedom of speech and expression. ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-5079744239555490702014-03-04T18:25:00.001-06:002014-03-05T23:07:59.129-06:00FACEBOOK IS BREAKING ITS OWN RULESIt is time that I take serious action about something. And I have just done a level three escalation about the situation to my local authorities.<div><br></div><div>First, I am going to explain something.</div><div><br></div><div>Healthcare.gov has a Facebook page. When it first began, the administrators were very diligent. People seeking information could go there. People who managed to have success with the website could share their stories there. Everything was going well. </div><div><br></div><div>UNTIL some of the so-called "conservatives" began harassing and bullying these people. Yes, you read that right. Harassing and bullying. </div><div><br></div><div>Now what do you do if you are being harassed and bullied? You block the person right? </div><div><br></div><div>So that has been happening. </div><div><br></div><div>Only problem - these people that are being blocked are turning around creating FAKE pages so they can't be blocked, and their pages are being created with one purpose: HARASS and BULLY. </div><div><br></div><div>It is a violation of the Facebook Terms of Service. They know it and they don't care. It is illegal. They know it and they don't care. </div><div><br></div><div>Report the page. Facebook does nothing. </div><div><br></div><div>Report the comments. Facebook might ban the person behind the page for 12 hours and then the COWARD behind the FAKE page is right back at it.</div><div><br></div><div>And it is TARGETED.</div><div><br></div><div>Here are some of the page names:</div><div><br></div><div>Society for the Real - comments on just about everything and is the one that warranted the escalated report today due to the fact that guess what, I wasn't even on the Healthcare.gov page today except to like the story they posted about an individual who was saved from bankruptcy because she got insurance his year. And when I looked at it again, I found that he had high jacked a post that was made in a group and reported over there. I will provide the photo evidence. The post asked how it was even legal for them to be doing what they are doing when what they are doing is in clear violation of the Facebook Terms of Service.</div><div><br></div><div>Other FAKE pages that have been set up for the sole purpose of bullying and harassing include:</div><div><br></div><div>Tea for America</div><div>Truth Seekers</div><div>Women Against Obamacare</div><div>Demorrhoid Freakfest</div><div>Hoolio Mastigo, M.D.</div><div>Big Girl Panties</div><div>Not voting for Monica Lewinsky ex boyfriend's wife</div><div>The Well-Armed American</div><div>Affordable Health Insurance</div><div>Hairy Reid</div><div>Reality Check</div><div>Mrs Darcy</div><div>I Love My Country, Don't Trust My Government</div><div>Tabatha Travares - resurrected herself as a page after being blocked as a person - still harassing me</div><div>Non ACA Compliant - using the same exact language as Society for the Real</div><div>Blondes United - Suspect this was created by the THREE Anna Blondes</div><div>Society for the prevention of liberal lunacy (absolute lunacy itself)</div><div><br></div><div>There are many others as well. I challenge anyone to go on the Healthcare.gov page and see what these "conservatives" are doing and then seriously ask themselves why on earth would anyone with a brain or compassion ever vote conservative again after all of that bullying and harassing going on?</div><div><br></div><div>Blocked people from that page include THREE profiles under Anna Blonde, Leigh Lajaunie Wilkerson, Shelby Mustang, Daisy Apple, Marianne Ashton, Kane Roberts, John C. Kirsch, Malika Holmes, Peggy Politics, Andy Doyle, Mary C Michaels Ceo, Greg Romane, Barb Schaub, Valarie Murphy, Jessica Neveton, Kathie Church, Happy Ascanbee, Pamela Weishuhn, Tim Sanders</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckJYokHOnCX465DbHJp3P1Dese3IIy6PUcgrme70sXq_ugoaKxhfmfdqTJKKvhBLHbStnKQPCGUnhlPKP0LzETIxSmCWlExRWtSosHpmEFoGGMGakVAk0GZDy8AIth9W3XnVN-_IXdGaj/s640/blogger-image--2055590506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckJYokHOnCX465DbHJp3P1Dese3IIy6PUcgrme70sXq_ugoaKxhfmfdqTJKKvhBLHbStnKQPCGUnhlPKP0LzETIxSmCWlExRWtSosHpmEFoGGMGakVAk0GZDy8AIth9W3XnVN-_IXdGaj/s640/blogger-image--2055590506.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJImB2laEHOeCqf_siO8_5lx1hOST26qyDU1aNBqQfVSm_-6VvddFGUMzRJ4-dO2y7OfgM95f2DPrMWwjqrnhfDhQLVWFHxDdzdXzbmIdZY0EXh6cJQDkiY6vJT4GbRNwXo9x0gExE_Ilm/s640/blogger-image--187922055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJImB2laEHOeCqf_siO8_5lx1hOST26qyDU1aNBqQfVSm_-6VvddFGUMzRJ4-dO2y7OfgM95f2DPrMWwjqrnhfDhQLVWFHxDdzdXzbmIdZY0EXh6cJQDkiY6vJT4GbRNwXo9x0gExE_Ilm/s640/blogger-image--187922055.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q5Y7AI0vsrTsOhGBhMDUAwEDR87bv2eV2IFnAHbLnr1AAcsgFX_-OCXxPAfIvLNB0CYiMNW82INF3sWKFFYRaOx9lOgavAHc4FK_iUlEnI2_FJ3AFxr0B6EQpbnBcGZAfpbdPKSVBn6B/s640/blogger-image--2140933440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q5Y7AI0vsrTsOhGBhMDUAwEDR87bv2eV2IFnAHbLnr1AAcsgFX_-OCXxPAfIvLNB0CYiMNW82INF3sWKFFYRaOx9lOgavAHc4FK_iUlEnI2_FJ3AFxr0B6EQpbnBcGZAfpbdPKSVBn6B/s640/blogger-image--2140933440.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nxuI0qxgjz1ETm_i-ysBEVJKGKz-qyNPj310baskiDntnrMu7kMVEtrNeZQ-TmdWLV2NhPeSGAnavpH6czo5uurpLInd1Wm3f_uWFhDtOPTEEYyjPYlqzblnLy6yba8JRtLBg5JpqrYD/s640/blogger-image-595723583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nxuI0qxgjz1ETm_i-ysBEVJKGKz-qyNPj310baskiDntnrMu7kMVEtrNeZQ-TmdWLV2NhPeSGAnavpH6czo5uurpLInd1Wm3f_uWFhDtOPTEEYyjPYlqzblnLy6yba8JRtLBg5JpqrYD/s640/blogger-image-595723583.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jFAUYcTGuOUXYCj0fq8IRjnSv-hwiFeW6XDjmivSUb686TmsNuTuVj0Crr8QjrSSfq5PzJ8yCbEphUGSG4S3RJ9UAu4LoAqR7OO6GTPs0075Qqlmj8JnlwM1vxVr69KIaouCllH0ZYFD/s640/blogger-image--1514364931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jFAUYcTGuOUXYCj0fq8IRjnSv-hwiFeW6XDjmivSUb686TmsNuTuVj0Crr8QjrSSfq5PzJ8yCbEphUGSG4S3RJ9UAu4LoAqR7OO6GTPs0075Qqlmj8JnlwM1vxVr69KIaouCllH0ZYFD/s640/blogger-image--1514364931.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T3ImaMJbo1ewkhadaovFlFRiWn_jxXZ9-93MER7sb9DhjLeNI0h-rnnqdS_ebDBQ4MmcI_q1Th4No9EfZXdmJc-HWct2dcH1iK7UfzjDmymarWAFtmYl_7vOqS8X9YlZWZ669pikeeJv/s640/blogger-image--1738104403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T3ImaMJbo1ewkhadaovFlFRiWn_jxXZ9-93MER7sb9DhjLeNI0h-rnnqdS_ebDBQ4MmcI_q1Th4No9EfZXdmJc-HWct2dcH1iK7UfzjDmymarWAFtmYl_7vOqS8X9YlZWZ669pikeeJv/s640/blogger-image--1738104403.jpg"></a></div>That bottom comment is the proof. Sorry but if you got blocked, it was because someone felt they were harassed by you. This new page form has already harassed me when I wasn't even active! </div>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-48692031261659570542012-08-22T16:31:00.000-05:002012-08-22T16:31:04.706-05:00Coming to TermsOh my word! The last several months have been a whirlwind for me! You see, I learned I have autism spectrum disorder, more specifically Asperger's or high-functioning autism. And I still have a lot to learn! As do those around me. Acceptance. Awareness. Education. Understanding. Inclusion. Those are the words that I am challenged with right now. Social skills. Something that is challenging. Communication. Something to be improved in some ways more than others. That's all I really have to say right now. ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-35203130349611165032011-10-16T15:56:00.000-05:002011-10-16T15:56:35.376-05:00Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Line<img alt="" src="http://img.bzzagent.com/image/burts.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=8693751420&Campaign=6466804197&Uid=1218221&token=206564b1306f6ba61eceb2096e134929" /><br />
<br />
I received a BzzKit of two full size products in the new Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Line - a cleanser and a moisturizer. It is one of the perks of being a BzzAgent.<br />
<br />
I had high expectations of the products since I already use Burt's Bees and have a passion for their products. Being that I have sensitive skin, it was even more of a plus for me.<br />
<br />
I tried it out and I loved that the products did not further irritate my already red and inflamed skin. I do plan to buy more of it in the future and spread the word about them as well.ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-23190005183532899292011-09-19T13:15:00.001-05:002011-09-19T13:15:15.330-05:00Apparently Ping needs to add Google+. And here I thought Blogger was behind....ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-57203455288255115452011-03-21T13:40:00.001-05:002011-03-21T13:47:02.018-05:00Upcoming EventIf you are interested in perhaps one of the biggest FREE events (outside of Alabaster's CityFest in June) in the Birmingham area, come to StadiumFest Saturday, April 2, 2011. The event will be held at Spain Park High School and will have a children's play area. Christian group Casting Crowns and Christian artist TobyMac are the headliners along with several local "celebrities," like Rick and "Bubba," Kevin Derryberry and James Spann the weatherman from ABC 33/40. By the way, they would like as many volunteers as they can get, so consider contacting them about volunteering your time before, during or after the AWESOME music as well as enjoying the FREE event. It's really NOT too often that I get THIS excited over upcoming events, but this one merits the excitement. And if you do come, look for me over in the children's area where I will be volunteering before going to see TobyMac whose music has been an inspiration and an encouragement since I got diagnosed with my immune deficiency almost a year ago. And in case you're wondering who TobyMac is, most of the more mature people may recall the Christian group DCTalk. I will post more information and links in the days to come when I can access a computer, but for now, consider this a preview until after I see my primary medical doctor about some rather intense upper right quadrant pain that needs prayers.ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-61304342904161848702011-03-16T12:21:00.001-05:002011-03-16T12:21:32.917-05:00My Review of Netgear Wireless-N 300 Router w/ DSL Modem<div class="hreview"><div class="item"><p><a href="http://staples.com/Netgear-Wireless-N-300-Router-w-DSL-Modem/product_865920">Originally submitted at Staples</a></p><div><img src="http://images.powerreviews.com/images_products/07/50/9487090_100.jpg" class="photo" align="left" style="margin: 0 0.5em 0 0"><p style="margin-top:0">Wireless-N provides higher speed and better range than your old DSL equipment ReadySHAREUSB port provides fast and easy access for sharing an external USB storage device Push 'N' Connect securely connects devices at the touch of a button Built-in ADSL2+ modem for use with DSL Broadband (t... </p></div><a href="http://www.staples.com/Netgear-Wireless-N-300-Router-w-DSL-Modem/product_865920" style="display: none;" class="url fn"><span class="fn">Netgear Wireless-N 300 Router w/ DSL Modem</span></a></div><br clear="left"><p><strong class="summary">Speed enhancing device!</strong></p><div>By <strong>SES</strong> from <strong>Birmingham, AL</strong> on <strong><abbr title="2011316T1200-0800" class="dtreviewed" style="border: none; text-decoration: none;">3/16/2011</abbr></strong></div><p><div style="margin: 0.5em 0; height: 15px; width: 83px; background-image: url(http://images.powerreviews.com/images_merchants/stars/10224_stars_small.gif); background-position: 0px -180px;" class="prStars prStarsSmall"> </div></p><div style="display: none"><span class="rating">5</span>out of 5</div><p><strong>Pros: </strong>Fast, Secure Connection, Reliable connection, Fast Connection Speed</p><p><strong>Cons: </strong>Difficult To Setup</p><p><strong>Best Uses: </strong>Home network</p><p><strong>Describe Yourself: </strong>High bandwidth user</p><p><strong>Primary use: </strong>Personal</p><p style="margin-top:1em" class="description">It actually sped up my home connection!</p><p style="margin-top:0.5em">(<a href="http://www.powerreviews.com/legal/terms_of_use.html" rel="license">legalese</a>)</p></div>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-31577741350981247082010-08-23T22:37:00.000-05:002010-08-23T22:37:23.950-05:00The Twelve "-ions"I don't really like teasers. They always give you a taste of something but leave you wanting more. You know what a teaser is. If not, think along the lines of movie trailers and previews. But I'm going to build into a teaser and leave everyone reading this post wanting more.<br />
<br />
Conversion, Diversion, Perversion, Reversion, Aversion, Insertion, Immersion, Incursion, Emersion, Dispersion, Assertion, Recursion.<br />
<br />
Whatever on earth can these twelve "-ion" words have in common?<br />
<br />
Well, they're all part of what Pastor Bob Flayhart calls "<a href="http://www.bobflayhart.com/2010/08/what-exactly-is-gospel-pipeline.html">The Gospel Pipeline</a>!" And as he has pointed out, it could be seen as a sort of a 12 Step program for the Christian life. He even has a diagram of this pipeline over on his blog at: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.bobflayhart.com/2010/08/gospel-pipeline-graphic-takes-shape.html">http://www.bobflayhart.com/2010/08/gospel-pipeline-graphic-takes-shape.html</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">Now, if your interest has been piqued and you live in the Birmingham, Ala. area and want to learn more about the twelve "-ions," come join us over at <a href="http://www.oakmountainchurch.org/">Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church</a> as we all venture "further up and further in" and learn some important truths about grace living. From the way it is looking, this sermon series may take us through a whole semester, but that is perfectly okay as it is an excellent and important lesson for everyone.</span></span></span>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-69070642495197417972010-06-21T21:06:00.003-05:002010-06-21T21:36:32.451-05:00Familylicious Build-a-Bear Giveaway<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><a href="http://ht.ly/21h98"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://ht.ly/21h98</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is the link for a really awesome giveaway over on Familylicious. They are giving away a Build-a-Bear Zoorific animal. </span></span><a href="http://www.buildabear.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.buildabear.com/</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is a really great place that often offers customers specials throughout the year just for being on their mailing list. With an assortment of animals you can make, outfits and accessories you can choose from, each animal can take on a life of its own. Having spent three sessions making an animal and ordered through the telephone and website, this company generally has some of the best customer service I have ever seen. And each animal now comes with an online code so you can bring it to life on their Buildabearville site. </span></span></span>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-44436885852420184322010-06-04T21:05:00.000-05:002010-06-04T21:05:21.634-05:00The Wait Is Over...I Have a DiagnosisSo after 3 and a half months of waiting, the results came from the immunologist. I have mixed feelings since my particular case has no cure, no real treatment. But I also know what I'm dealing with and my doctors will be able to work with it easier. My primary diagnosis is Mannose-binding lectin protein deficiency, also known as MBL. Not a lot is known about the condition. I only ask that whoever reads this pray for a cure or at least a treatment to be found in my lifetime and that if not that I continue to learn to accept things as they are and face it bravely.ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-59790346250896393622010-06-04T20:58:00.001-05:002010-06-04T20:59:39.309-05:00Grits cover of U2's "With or Without You"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: small;">See the stone set in your eyes<br />
See the thorn twist in your side<br />
I wait for you<br />
<br />
Sleight of hand and twist of fate<br />
On a bed of nails she makes me wait<br />
And I wait without you<br />
<br />
With or without you<br />
With or without you<br />
<br />
Through the storm we reach the shore<br />
You give it all but I want more<br />
And Im waiting for you<br />
<br />
With or without you<br />
With or without you<br />
I cant live<br />
With or without you<br />
<br />
And you give yourself away<br />
And you give yourself away<br />
And you give<br />
And you give<br />
And you give yourself away<br />
<br />
My hands are tied<br />
My body bruised, shes got me with<br />
Nothing to win and<br />
Nothing left to lose<br />
<br />
And you give yourself away<br />
And you give yourself away<br />
And you give<br />
And you give<br />
And you give yourself away<br />
<br />
With or without you<br />
With or without you<br />
I cant live<br />
With or without you<br />
<br />
With or without you<br />
With or without you<br />
I cant live<br />
With or without you<br />
With or without you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lyrics obtained through </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.justsomelyrics.com/677297/Grits-(Featuring-Jadyn-Maria)-With-Or-Without-You-Lyrics">http://www.justsomelyrics.com/677297/Grits-(Featuring-Jadyn-Maria)-With-Or-Without-You-Lyrics</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">Jesus, I wait for You. I wait for Your comfort. I wait for </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">Your return. I wait for You. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-17594505329471624712010-06-04T20:53:00.002-05:002010-06-04T20:53:58.243-05:00God Gave Me...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">God gave me His Son.<br />
<br />
God gave me His love.<br />
<br />
God gave me His grace.<br />
<br />
God gave me His forgiveness.<br />
<br />
God gave me His mercy.<br />
<br />
God gave me His compassion.<br />
<br />
God gave me courage.<br />
<br />
God gave me a brain.<br />
<br />
God gave me strength.<br />
<br />
God gave me gifts and talents that although many may possess is still unique in its own.<br />
<br />
God gave me life.<br />
<br />
God gave me friends.<br />
<br />
God gave me my dog and my cat.<br />
<br />
God gave me my wonderful medical team.<br />
<br />
God gave me my church.<br />
<br />
God gave me laughter and giggles galore.<br />
<br />
God gave me peace.<br />
<br />
God gave me me!<br />
<br />
What have I given to God to deserve all of these things?</span>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-61493596875373463192010-06-04T20:52:00.006-05:002010-06-07T19:59:32.498-05:00The Dance of God<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The story behind this is that Tuesday, I was helping with VBS decorations at the church and had just taken a break to go find my music director to ask him a question. Only when I got to where his office would be I learned he was not in at that moment. So I was heading back down the hall with the windows and noticed it had just started raining. Upon arriving back in the church lobby where we were working on the decorations, I announced that I had to do something, that my momma wouldn't let me do it, but that I just had to. When asked what it was, I announced, I just feel like I have to take my socks off and go run in that rain. Everyone said, well do it. So I did. I got into that parking lot at the church and just started dancing in the rain, arms lifted up, and I looked toward Heaven and just let God wash away my fears and my worries. I am no longer afraid of having a rare, incurable disease. I am no longer afraid to serve God in whatever way that will be. And thus begins the dance of God. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The Dance of God</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">All it takes is one heart, one mind, one soul, one life. All it takes is one breath, one hope, one prayer. All it takes is one small child, one new believer, one young life. All it takes is that to really know and experience the dance of God. The dance of God is not necessarily about the steps, the motions, the choreography because the dance of God is whatever is in the heart. It starts in the heart, moves through the veins, the arteries, the muscles, the brain. The next thing you know, the feet start moving, the arms start moving, the body starts moving. There doesn't have to be music because the music is in your heart. An onlooker may think it crazy, but you don't care. All you know is you have to dance, dance, dance. Dance like you don't care because you don't. All you care about is praising God, worshipping God. For the small things, for the large things. For the beautiful things, for the not so beautiful things. For all of creation. For all of mankind. And that is the dance of God. -Written by SES, 2 June 2010 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; white-space: normal;"></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The little girl climbs on the daddy's feet for a father-daughter dance. There doesn't have to be music. The music is in the heart. I'm climbing on God's feet and I'm hanging on for the dance and for the ride. God's song in my heart is the music of the dance. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Psalm 149:3 </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b>Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Be Glorified" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">By Chris Tomlin </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your love has captured me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your grace has set me free </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your life the air I breathe </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your love has captured me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your grace has set me free </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your life the air I breathe </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>You set my feet to dancing </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>You set my heart on fire</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the presence of a thousand kings you are my one desire </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stand before you now </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">With trembling hands lifted high </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your love has captured me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your grace has set me free </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your life the air I breathe </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh yeah </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You set my feet to dancing </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You set my heart on fire </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the presence of a thousand kings </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You are my one desire </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stand before you now </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">With trembling hands lifted high </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified in me </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You set my feet to dancing </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You set my heart on fire </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the presence of a thousand kings </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You are my one desire </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>I stand before you now </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>With trembling hands lifted high</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be glorified </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M-32Z4-o2ogt5tbMkE_citZxCYBTNNh9Aivv5uLuw4hBiV9OBDjJS8HLIdBDvXUIKm-RhNFMWFNYf0ywymRkoCui6oksVZoOIS3BQPUVZfHA5JStrfxeIjGxWtmMETrC91Z7zHXkb9ct/s1600/The+Dance+of+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M-32Z4-o2ogt5tbMkE_citZxCYBTNNh9Aivv5uLuw4hBiV9OBDjJS8HLIdBDvXUIKm-RhNFMWFNYf0ywymRkoCui6oksVZoOIS3BQPUVZfHA5JStrfxeIjGxWtmMETrC91Z7zHXkb9ct/s320/The+Dance+of+God.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMp4GmDUtkVk4MIEa9S8H1TtR9OF4QOmN7j7Pt2czShSYgqcRotNIQQRkRTOGuxPw2cTuCB9ncWKY-m5NwXcDtt90p6Y4AxTOdQym3l6QxbSpgXX6ZSLdGDHpe1waTynII2jkI0SisgOny/s1600/The+Dance+of+God+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMp4GmDUtkVk4MIEa9S8H1TtR9OF4QOmN7j7Pt2czShSYgqcRotNIQQRkRTOGuxPw2cTuCB9ncWKY-m5NwXcDtt90p6Y4AxTOdQym3l6QxbSpgXX6ZSLdGDHpe1waTynII2jkI0SisgOny/s320/The+Dance+of+God+2.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-64931997407201592242010-05-13T11:16:00.001-05:002010-05-13T11:18:32.740-05:00Gluten Free at Church<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes, it takes little and sometimes it takes a lot, but as they say, faith as small as a mustard seed can move some mighty big mountains. Okay, so I'm not 100% quoting that verse from the Bible, but you get my point, right? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, I'd mentioned the possibility of it last year, but after I had an asthma attack the last time I ate a McDonald's cheeseburger, made with of course a wheat bun, I noticed that some mountains moved at my church in Birmingham, Alabama area. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.oakmountainchurch.org/">Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church</a> now joins the ranks of a cluster of churches who are making the move to provide a gluten free alternative to the traditional communion cracker they usually use so people who have celiac disease, gluten intolerance and wheat allergy can still participate in its monthly communion service. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although there may not be a percentage yet as to how many people are benefitting from this option, it is a sign of the changing times and the growing acceptance of people who have issues with gluten and wheat. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It also shows that they have compassion for a growing population of people who cannot tolerate gluten and wheat. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, I wonder what it would take for them to become a peanut free zone for those who have asthma attacks just from smelling peanuts? </span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-36766794268880297462010-05-04T03:25:00.000-05:002010-05-04T03:25:13.966-05:00Baby Bix Shower Event<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.babybix.com/blog/2010/04/25/giveaway-baby-shower-event-babybjorn-organic-baby-sitter-balance/">http://www.babybix.com/blog/2010/04/25/giveaway-baby-shower-event-babybjorn-organic-baby-sitter-balance/</a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;">Baby Bix is also in the middle of running a Shower Event with tons of great baby prizes!</span></span>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-77583796933921122532010-05-04T03:05:00.002-05:002010-05-04T03:05:52.545-05:00Baby Bix Snikiddy Giveaway<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.babybix.com/blog/2010/05/03/giveaway-snikiddy-gift-basket-free-full-size-sample/comment-page-1/#comment-37999">http://www.babybix.com/blog/2010/05/03/giveaway-snikiddy-gift-basket-free-full-size-sample/comment-page-1/#comment-37999</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;">There is a great giveaway of Snikkidy products on the site. </span></span>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-25429726051839914732010-04-23T23:55:00.000-05:002010-04-23T23:55:17.874-05:00Kerrygold Aged CheddarAlthough not the Dubliner, <a href="http://www.kerrygold.com/usa/product.php">Kerrygold</a> Aged Cheddar comes in a close second. It isn't like regular cheddar which has a tendency to bite. It tasted light, nutty, and sweet.ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-33702317317380513372010-04-23T14:35:00.002-05:002010-04-25T20:57:09.722-05:005 gumSo I heard about this free sample offer from <a href="http://www.ilovefreethings.com/">I Love Free Things</a> on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ILoveFreeThings#!/ILoveFreeThings?v=wall">Facebook</a>. I thought, well, who can resist something that's free.<br />
<br />
Well, I'm going to try to be nice about this, but I have tried my fruit flavored <a href="http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/5-gum.aspx">5</a> gum, and I'm not thrilled with it.<br />
<br />
It's supposed to be sugar free. Don't get me wrong, some sugar free items taste great and you don't even miss the sugar, but this gum was not one of those.<br />
<br />
No, for me, this gum tasted TOO sweet. And it until the flavor is all chewed out that the taste improves.<br />
<br />
Well, I'm definitely not going to be buying this gum. That's for sure.ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-5420423498944706022010-04-10T12:07:00.000-05:002010-04-10T12:07:53.623-05:00Some Idiots in the World<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So there is this jerkwad idiot on YouTube who insists that anyone who uses modified sign language systems - often called Manually Coded English - that conceptually are just as accurate as ASL in terms of the signs only using exact English word order instead of inverted grammar are somehow inferior to everyone else. This is simply not true. According to every class I have ever taken on sign language and manual communication, it is just as acceptable for a hearing person, hard-of-hearing person, or even Deaf person to use a modified sign system. Matter of fact, most people whose first language is English do! I use a modified sign system with my Deaf dog. I use a modified sign system with songs. According to any interpreter and Deaf person I've ever met, this is perfectly acceptable. They understand just as easily and often switch to the modified sign system when they know someone is just a beginner in their language. Heck, just the fact the person is making the effort to communicate with them alone is often appreciated. But I have seen Deaf people with their interpreters in public and they use modified sign systems more often than straight ASL. Honestly, I believe the only place anyone would see straight ASL being used is in the Deaf community in a place where very few hearing people would be found. Are people who use modified sign systems somehow inferior to those who use straight ASL? Heck no! People who use modified sign systems are no more inferior to those using straight ASL than blind people are to sighted people. And blind people are not inferior to sighted people. Yes, I use a modified sign system in my own personal life and in my worship. And I will continue to do so when I lose the last of my hearing. There is nothing wrong with it. It is perfectly acceptable. And it is because sign language is my fourth language, not my first language. For more information about Manually Coded English and its comparison to ASL, check out this article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manually_Coded_English">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manually_Coded_English </a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manually_Coded_English"></a> It may be more than you care to know, but it may answer some questions. By the way, I had to write this in defense of the fact that yes, my poster with the sign language alphabet has on its backside The Pledge of Allegiance and yes, it's in exact English word order, but it is the same signs conceptually as ASL. So, my point is who cares whether a person uses straight ASL or some other modified sign system, they are all just as accurate and correct, just like a Southerner and a Northerner who each have different dialects are just as accurate and correct.</span></span></span>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-52916385494569132482010-03-22T18:15:00.000-05:002010-03-22T18:15:16.891-05:00Immune Deficiency Foundation Reminds Everyone That Some People Are Zebras in the Medical Field<div class="main"> <div class="snap_preview"><a href="http://www.primaryimmune.org/zebra/images/img_zebra_logo.jpg">http://www.primaryimmune.org/zebra/images/img_zebra_logo.jpg</a><br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_109" style="width: 308px;"><a href="http://ses31.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_zebra_logo.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-109" height="300" src="http://ses31.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_zebra_logo.jpg?w=298&h=300" title="Zebra Logo" width="298" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text">Think Zebras!</div></div>Visit them at <a href="http://www.primaryimmune.org/idf.asp">http://www.primaryimmune.org/idf.asp</a> for more information.<br />
</div></div>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701430695730402543.post-79066159973542271872010-03-09T22:07:00.000-06:002010-03-09T22:07:11.413-06:00AAAAI - ELEMENTS of Allergy & Asthma<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.aaaai.org/patients/elements/2010/03/">AAAAI - ELEMENTS of Allergy & Asthma</a></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.aaaai.org/patients/gallery/immunodeficiency.asp">http://www.aaaai.org/patients/gallery/immunodeficiency.asp</a></span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;">Great overview on immune deficiency.</span></span></div></div>ses1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/08597052057677036003noreply@blogger.com0