Technical problems

Happy Friday everyone,
As you can see, I am having technical problems with the blog. Probably operator error! My Thursday post disappeared and then the food post appeared twice! Oh, well, that just proves I am ready for the weekend!

I hope y'all have a restful weekend. Stay cool and enjoy the extra day!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Healthy foods

Subject: Article from Fox News Health 2013 08 28

7 healing foods to keep in your kitchen. Keeping a home well-stocked with healing foods will not only help keep you healthy, but can also boost your immunity if you start feeling under the weather. For optimal health, try adding these seven delicious foods that are well known for their healing properties and should be a regular part of a healthy diet. Blueberries This super fruit is known for its high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The powerful berry has also been linked to slowing the aging process, reducing the risk of diabetes, lowering cholesterol and even improving urinary health and vision. Pesticides are easily absorbed by blueberries so buy organic to ensure you reap all the benefits without any exposure to chemicals. Wild salmon and fatty fish Fatty fish are an excellent source of heart-healthy protein, as well as being low in calories and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are known to help with the prevention of inflammation, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's, and also improve cardiovascular health. Choosing wild varieties of fish helps will help you avoid any contaminants. Coconut oil This incredibly healthy fat is made up of lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid which all contain antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties that help boost the immune system and fight disease. It has also been found to be beneficial for improving digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and microbial stomach bugs. Besides the dietary benefits, coconut oil is also wonderful to use on the skin as a healing lotion for dry skin, eczema, cuts and scrapes, wrinkles and even diaper rash and dandruff. Broccoli This humble green vegetable is full of vitamins A, B6, K and folic acid, and is a rich source of calcium and potassium. What makes broccoli stand out among green vegetables are its phytochemicals indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane, which are known as powerful cancer preventers and are an important part of a woman's diet to maintain healthy breast tissue. Spices Having a full spice cabinet can simultaneously liven up your meals and provide powerful healing benefits. Cinnamon has been shown to be effective in lowering cholesterol and can help stabilize blood sugar, making it an ideal addition to high-carbohydrate foods. Ginger supports digestive health and can help reduce inflammation, as can turmeric. Turmeric may also reduce the risk of cancer and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Homemade bone broth This delicious staple is an excellent source of minerals including calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and its high collagen content helps maintain healthy joints as well as strong hair, skin and nails. Broth is also very high in the amino acids proline and glycine, which are important for maintaining healthy connective tissue. It can easily be incorporated into soups, sauces, casseroles or even sipped on its own - especially when you're sick, to give your immune system a boost. Fermented foods and drinks These delicious healing foods help introduce helpful probiotics to the gut. Adding probiotics to the diet has been found to reduce the risk of cancer, boost immunity, improve bowel health, and regulate digestion. The improved digestion that comes with a healthier gut means that more of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals from other foods are also better absorbed. Greek yogurts, aged cheeses, sauerkraut and kimchi are all beneficial fermented foods, as are the drinks kombucha and kefir. Jacqueline Banks is a certified holistic health counselor and busy mother. Her focus is on helping other busy moms in all stages of motherhood keep themselves and their little ones healthy and happy. She uses natural and organic solutions to solve individual health problems and promote clean living. Check out her website atwww.jbholistic.com . 

Healthy foods

Subject: Article from Fox News Health 2013 08 28

7 healing foods to keep in your kitchen. Keeping a home well-stocked with healing foods will not only help keep you healthy, but can also boost your immunity if you start feeling under the weather. For optimal health, try adding these seven delicious foods that are well known for their healing properties and should be a regular part of a healthy diet. Blueberries This super fruit is known for its high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The powerful berry has also been linked to slowing the aging process, reducing the risk of diabetes, lowering cholesterol and even improving urinary health and vision. Pesticides are easily absorbed by blueberries so buy organic to ensure you reap all the benefits without any exposure to chemicals. Wild salmon and fatty fish Fatty fish are an excellent source of heart-healthy protein, as well as being low in calories and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are known to help with the prevention of inflammation, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's, and also improve cardiovascular health. Choosing wild varieties of fish helps will help you avoid any contaminants. Coconut oil This incredibly healthy fat is made up of lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid which all contain antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties that help boost the immune system and fight disease. It has also been found to be beneficial for improving digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and microbial stomach bugs. Besides the dietary benefits, coconut oil is also wonderful to use on the skin as a healing lotion for dry skin, eczema, cuts and scrapes, wrinkles and even diaper rash and dandruff. Broccoli This humble green vegetable is full of vitamins A, B6, K and folic acid, and is a rich source of calcium and potassium. What makes broccoli stand out among green vegetables are its phytochemicals indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane, which are known as powerful cancer preventers and are an important part of a woman's diet to maintain healthy breast tissue. Spices Having a full spice cabinet can simultaneously liven up your meals and provide powerful healing benefits. Cinnamon has been shown to be effective in lowering cholesterol and can help stabilize blood sugar, making it an ideal addition to high-carbohydrate foods. Ginger supports digestive health and can help reduce inflammation, as can turmeric. Turmeric may also reduce the risk of cancer and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Homemade bone broth This delicious staple is an excellent source of minerals including calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and its high collagen content helps maintain healthy joints as well as strong hair, skin and nails. Broth is also very high in the amino acids proline and glycine, which are important for maintaining healthy connective tissue. It can easily be incorporated into soups, sauces, casseroles or even sipped on its own - especially when you're sick, to give your immune system a boost. Fermented foods and drinks These delicious healing foods help introduce helpful probiotics to the gut. Adding probiotics to the diet has been found to reduce the risk of cancer, boost immunity, improve bowel health, and regulate digestion. The improved digestion that comes with a healthier gut means that more of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals from other foods are also better absorbed. Greek yogurts, aged cheeses, sauerkraut and kimchi are all beneficial fermented foods, as are the drinks kombucha and kefir. Jacqueline Banks is a certified holistic health counselor and busy mother. Her focus is on helping other busy moms in all stages of motherhood keep themselves and their little ones healthy and happy. She uses natural and organic solutions to solve individual health problems and promote clean living. Check out her website atwww.jbholistic.com . 

MSU visit update

Thanks to all of you, the MSU visit is over and was a great experience! We served a lot more people than our state contract requires (brownie points to WSB!) and most are happy according to the survey! Thanks for your support. A special shout out to Krystal who keeps all my paperwork in order and my hide out of trouble....

We were delighted to hear we are doing more than some states and different than others! The evaluators shared some good ideas which I promptly noted and will incorporate into our activities.
We will have some changes but change can be good!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Center in September for iPad training.
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

AppleVis article

Subject: Article from Matilda Ziegler Feature Writer 2013 08 26

Alena Roberts - Learning About Accessible Apps for IOS and the Mac on Applevis.com The built-in apps that come with the iPhone and Mac are very useful, but it's the hundreds of thousands of other apps that you can get that are the driving force behind people using Apple products. One downside though is that many of the apps that are available are not accessible with Voiceover. So then the question becomes, how do I find out which apps are voiceover friendly and which are not? Simple, visit the Applevis website, and you will likely find an app that fits your needs, and if you don't you have the option to ask other users if they have suggestions. www.applevis.com is a user generated website that is dedicated to informing IOS and Mac users about apps that are accessible with Voiceover. The website offers information about apps in multiple formats. The sections of the website include: Apps, Forum, Blog, Podcasts, Guides, App Deals, and Accessory Guides. Having all these options means that visitors can learn not only about whether an app is accessible, but they may also find a blog post or podcast that gives information on how to use the app. Browsing the apps that have been posted to the website can be done in multiple ways. One of the most common is to browse by category. Once you've chosen a category, you then have the option of filtering your results based on a number of criteria. You may for instance want to only see apps that are free. You also may only want to see apps that have been marked as fully accessible with Voiceover. Having these filters will reduce the number of apps that you have to look through and hopefully point you toward an app that you will choose to download. Another good way to learn about apps that are useful to the blind, is to browse through the list of apps that have been specifically designed for people who are blind or low vision. The benefit of the website being user generated is that most of the apps have been tested before they are posted to the website. Anyone who has an Applevis account can submit apps, post to the forum, add user guides for apps, and much more. The more users, the more content, and the more apps that the blind will know about. 

Toasty Tuesday

Greetings everyone,
I hope your week is off to a great start. We are partially thru the MSU audit. So far, so good! A special thanks to Johnye and Bob for their hospitality and kind words. We also toured John and Suzanne's lovely home and visited with them.

The weather remains very hot. Stay cool and hydrated.

Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Weekend wrap

The weekend was too short! For some reason I never have enough waking hours. I will  be extremely busy for the next few hours with the Mississippi State visitors so pardon me if I am not back until Tuesday evening. Keep your fingers crossed I found all the scraps I write on.....I really need a portable secretary!
Lots of you are calling to say you visited with the survey calls, thanks for the help, support and sweet comments.
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Saturday sunshine

Hello everyone,
It is a beautiful Saturday! A few clients, trip to the vet, laundry and the day is almost over. English bulldogs are beautiful animals but they are high maintenance! Now her Highness, Miss Daisy, has a food allergy! Her special diet will cost more than my food for the week. I may have to take on another job for dog maintenance!
Several of you have had calls from Mississippi State staff. Thanks to those who have visited with them. The audit team will be here on Monday and Tuesday so I am beginning to stress.
Hope everyone has a restful weekend.
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

TGIF

Happy, Happy Friday!
I am doing my happy dance!!! Friday is my favorite day! Can you tell I love Friday's? I probably look  like one of those cartoon characters today......

The weather continues to be hot and humid so be sure you are drinking water. It seems early for ragweed but apparently it is coming on in full force. Inside may be the best solution this weekend.

I will be seeing clients tomorrow and preparing for the Mississippi State visit on Monday and Tuesday. Time to look for those tidbits of paper......

Hope each of you have a great day!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Allergy season info

Subject: Article from Fox News Lifestyle 2013 08 22

8 steps to an allergy-proof home. With hay fever season just around the corner, many allergy sufferers are going to be looking for relief. If you'd like to avoid the itchy eyes and runny noses, here are eight tips to keep allergens out of your house this fall. Pull Up the Carpets Allergens like pollen are heavier than air, so they sink pretty quickly once they get into your home. Carpets can become a trap for these allergens, which get released back into the air when you walk by or vacuum. To cut back on itchy eyes and runny noses, it's a good idea to replace carpets with hardwood floors or linoleum, which will allow you to scrub the spores away much more easily. Clean Those Drapes Like carpets, drapes are also a magnet for allergens. If your drapes are machine-washable, make sure to give them a rinse on a regular basis. Or better yet, ditch them altogether and replace them with blinds or shades. Keep Mold in Check Mold growth in the home isn't only disgusting, it's also a common allergen that can leave you sneezing and wheezing. Mold loves dark, damp climates and you might be aiding this allergen if you've allowed wetness to build up in the home. Some common mold breeding grounds include basements, bathrooms, and the areas beneath sinks, where leaks can allow mold to grow. If you live in a hot, humid climate, you could also consider running a dehumidifier during the summer months, setting it to keep the humidity under 60 percent. Beware Recycled Air While you might thinking turning on the range hood or bathroom fan will help clear the air, many of these common indoor fans are set up to simply recycle the indoor air and have little effect. Check if you ventilation systems are actually exhausting air outside your home. If not, you might consider hiring a contractor to hook your range hood and bathroom fan up to your home's ventilation system. Get Rid of Rotten Air Purifiers Many allergy suffers turn to air purifiers to help keep allergens in check. The problem is that not all purifiers are created equally. Many use coarse, inefficient filters that cause bad air to circulate around the home. So before you invest in one, make sure it uses HEPA filters, which are capable of capturing 99.97 percent of particles in the air. Additionally, many air purifiers are air ionizers, which means they create ozone - a substance that can trigger allergy symptoms in many people. If you have one of these air purifiers, toss it and buy a new one. Clean Your Ventilation System Many fall allergies are made worse when people turn the heat on for the first time in months. Clogged air filters and dust in the system is sent coursing through your home, aggravating your already awful hay fever. To prevent this, make sure that you regularly clean or replace the air filters in their ventilation system, a job that should be done every three months or so. Clean Your Bedroom A mattress teaming with dust mites can leave you sniffling and sneezing through the night. You probably spend more time in the bedroom than in any other room in the house, so making sure it is clean and free of allergens is essential. Start by steam cleaning your mattress to rid it of nasty mites. Then cover it with a mattress cover designed to separate you from allergens like mites. Clear Up Clutter It's difficult to dust around a cluttered home, and the more nooks, crannies and crevices you have around the home, the more spaces you've provided for allergens to gather. Clear your home of clutter and dust regularly. Pay extra attention to areas under beds and couches, which often go overlooked.

Wednesday wooooohoooooo!

Happy Hump Day!
Why are Thursday and Friday so much easier than Monday and Tuesday? When you solve this let me know. I had lots of blind calls today, I think y'all were just on vacation yesterday! If any of you are using a iPod--not an iPad--for anything other than music, please give me a call. I don't have an iPod and we have a colleague who needs help. This is a teamwork opportunity!

Children were super sweet today, we sorted fruit loop cereal....did you know 100 fruit loops will make a dandy and edible necklace? The rave of fashion wear in Room 21!

Have a great day and be kind to others!
Dr. Janet

Tuesday tidbits

Hi all,
It was the second day of school and I am really having a hard time adjusting to the drive and getting back into the routine! My mother reminded me that I have enjoyed over 50 first days of school. That hurt! Now I don't know if I am depressed or old!!

It was a quiet day in the blind community so that was good. Hopefully it means everyone is healthy and able to maintain their independence. Spoke briefly with Sandy last evening, Sounds like she has been hard at work planning the 2014 ACB convention.

Stay cool!
Dr. Janet

Monday madness

Hi everyone,
It was very chaotic start to the school year as usual. Children do fine! parents have withdrawal symptoms, some just slow and toss and others cry and beg for class changes before the first bell! One thing about it, the day goes fast and you are covered in hugs and worse by the end of the day!

We have a long list of clients for both iPad trainings. If you haven't called Krystal, please do so. We will start wait listing this week. Reminder, MSU is calling clients and will be here next week for their audit. Pray I can find all those scraps of paper I have each of you sign while we play!

Kitchen tip: I wanted a smoothie but didn't need the amount the recipe creates so I improvised and it worked! I used one banana, one cup of yogurt and about five of the full sized frozen strawberries. Made one glass and was just right! Last week I discovered if you use the yogurt and no ice, it will store in the frig for a couple of days.   My money saving tip of the day!

Have a great evening And a better tomorrow.
Dr. Janet

Ms. Rowena's brother and sister in law sent the sweetest email today about the blog! Thanks for the pick me up....sometimes I get discouraged so it is great to hear positive comments!

USA Today article

Gray charges — those sneaky, unwanted, and unexpected charges that show up on your credit card — represent big business and an even bigger headache for unsuspecting consumers who don't always spot them.

It's estimated that one in three Americans are hit with credit card charges for things they never wanted or meant to sign up for — and while it might just be ten dollars here and there, it adds up to an average of $215 a year.

Here's what you can do to avoid these gray charges:

1. Curb your app attacks. There's a new gray charge culprit in town — supposedly free downloadable apps. They may be "free" when you press the "get it now" button, but sometimes there's a catch, such as fine print that says that by downloading the "free" app, you agree to a free-turned-paid subscription to a magazine, game or newsletter. Read the fine print.

2. Stay out front. It's also smart to make a note to yourself to cancel any trial of a service before your account is converted to a paid one. The more information you provide upfront, including a debit or credit card information, the more likely it is that whatever you've opted into won't be free at a later date unless you remember to cancel it. Put it on your calendar.

3. Scrutinize your billing statement. Be sure to read your billing statement every month and in detail, so you can catch any add-on charges. Research has shown most consumers rarely inspect their bills. According to BillGuard, only one in 10 perform a line-by-line audit.

4. Watch out for cost creep. Cost creep is a gradual price increase on your bill each month, often under the consumer's radar. The best way to avoid cost creep is to carefully inspect your credit card statements and compare them with the previous month's bill to look for any increases in recurring charges.

5. Look out for zombie charges.According to Daily Finance, zombie charges are charges that are deducted from your account after you've cancelled the service, while the company "processes the request."

6. Dispute dubious charges. If you do find a gray charge on your credit card statement, contact your credit card issuer and dispute the charge. By law, the credit card company has to respond to you.

Weekend update

Hello everyone,
Hope you are having a great weekend with cooler weather. As usual, I have stayed very busy playing nurse and getting ready for school. Hopefully I will be on a better schedule and back i. My normal blogging routine! I am having a devil of a time remembering to post in between nursing duties!
Hubby is making slow progress but seems to be moving forward. W had a set back last week but forward ho!
I visited with Margaret and Sandy, I am glad several of you attended Adeline's service. Toni called today and she is bringing a guest to iPad training. Meeting new friends is always fun. Mark those calendars and let Krsytal know if you plan to attend.
Have a great week!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Famous faces

MONDAY, Aug. 12 (HealthDay News) — What do Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, John F. Kennedy and Oprah Winfrey all have in common? Widespread fame. And now new research suggests that middle-aged Americans who fail to recognize or name them and their like may suffer from a specific type of early onset dementia.

Called primary progressive aphasia, this particular form of dementia tends to initially strike men and women between the ages of 40 and 65. It is principally known for disrupting language skills, making it difficult for patients to understand or find the right words when trying to articulate their thoughts.

With that in mind, investigators believe they have devised a simple, cheap and easy-to-administer screening test that can accurately unearth evidence of the disease based on a patient's inability to verbally identify photos of well-known faces.

"Although several [other] tests assess knowledge of famous faces, many contain stimuli unfamiliar to younger individuals who are seeking neurologic treatment for early dementia," said study author Tamar Gefen, a clinical psychology doctoral candidate at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in Chicago.

"[Our] test includes images of faces, like Oprah, that are appropriate for a younger generation," Gefen said. "And [ours is] the first study to look at face identification difficulties in a particular group of individuals with primary progressive aphasia, a disease that strikes early and destroys slowly a person's ability to communicate, speak, understand and write."

Gefen and her colleagues discussed their observations in the Aug. 13 issue of the journal Neurology.

To test the potential of photo recognition as a dementia screening tool, the authors focused on 30 patients (60 percent of whom were female) already diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, as well as 27 healthy patients.

On average, study participants were roughly 62 years old. All were asked to look at a series of 20 black-and-white images downloaded from the Internet. All depicted so-called cultural icons, including Lucille Ball, Princess Diana, Martin Luther King Jr., Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali. About half of the images were of people who are still alive. About two-thirds were of men, and about a quarter were of black celebrities.

Participants were first asked to try to provide the full name of the person in each image. Partial credit was given for offering just the first or last name. If no part of the name could be recalled, participants were instead asked to offer some form of detailed and relevant description concerning the celebrated person at hand.

At the same time, MRI brain scans were taken of everyone in the study in the hopes of mapping brain irregularities linked to primary progressive aphasia.

The result: Those who were healthy fared much better overall than those with primary progressive aphasia.

Whereas 93 percent of the healthy group was able to successfully put a name to a famous face, the same was true of just 46 percent of the primary progressive aphasia patients.

And although 97 percent of the healthy group was able to recognize or describe the icons on view, the same was true of just 79 percent of the dementia group.

What's more, brain scan analyses revealed that those who had difficulty with name recall were more likely to have experienced brain-tissue loss in the left temporal lobe region of their brains, while those with difficulties in face recognition had suffered brain loss on both sides of the same region.

"We hope," Gefen said, "that this tool can be incorporated into a battery of tests to be used for younger patients who specifically complain of difficulties naming a person's face."

Catherine Roe, an instructor in neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis, took a cautious view of the findings.

"To help us know how to use this test as a screening tool," Roe said, "more research needs to be done to figure out whether this test distinguishes all people with dementia from people without dementia or whether it distinguishes only people with one particular type of early-onset dementia from people without dementia."

Cheryl Grady, a senior scientist with the Rotman Research Institute at the Baycrest Center in Toronto, seconded the need for follow-up work. But she nonetheless described the work as "intriguing" and praised "the updating of such a test for middle-aged adults."

"[But] I would say that a lot more studies need to use this test before we will know how sensitive it is or whether it is more sensitive to early disease than other fairly sensitive tests," Grady said.

In research, the more true positive results a test produces, the more "sensitive" the test is considered.

UFOs

Mysterious 'UFO' over Kentucky explained. Google, it is cheekily said, knows everything even, apparently, the origin of an unidentified flying object. On Oct. 16, 2012, residents of Pike County, Ky., looked high in the sky to find a strange sight. Amateur astronomer Allen Epling described it to a local reporter as looking "like two fluorescent bulbs, side by side, parallel, shining very brightly. It would get so bright they would seem to merge, and you could see it very clearly with the naked eye," Epling said. Then, it would dim down almost invisible ... It wasn't anything I recognized. Definitely not an airplane, and I've never seen a helicopter that looked like that. Epling wasn't the only one who noticed; police in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee got phone calls from concerned citizens. Calls were made to nearby airports, but government officials could shed no light on it. The unidentified flying object , estimated to have reached an altitude of 60,000 feet, remained more or less stationary for hours, suggesting that it was tethered to the ground somehow, or hovering under its own power. [ 7 Things Most Often Mistaken for UFOs ] And now, the origin of the bright bulbs has been found. Explanations and speculations Alien spacecraft were, of course, suspected. The most likely explanation a balloon of some sort was floated, but led to further mystery and shadowy speculation. What entity placed it there, and what was its purpose? Was it spying on unwitting Americans? Or was it sampling or even creating so-called "chemtrails," those lines in the sky that resemble normal airplane contrails but are suspected of being anything from extraterrestrial signals to mind-control experiments to weather-controlling machinery? Many thought top-secret chemical agents were involved, which raises the question of what possible purpose the chemtrails would serve. As Bob Carroll notes in his book "The Skeptic's Dictionary" (Wiley, 2003), "Any biological or chemical agents released at 25,000 feet or above would be absolutely impossible to control, making any measurement of effects on the ground nearly impossible ... Such an exercise would be pointless, unless you just wanted to pollute the atmosphere. Besides that, the fact that the U.S. government didn't know or, depending on your point of view, claimed not to know what the object was simply fueled the speculation. Obviously, whatever was that big and high up in the sky was not put there by a hobbyist, and if no one at the Air Force or Pentagon truly knew what it was, perhaps a private company, or maybe even a foreign power, was behind it. The reports and news faded away, but the mysterious object hung like a question mark in the sky. Secret revealed Now, an article in Wired magazine has revealed the secret behind the mysterious craft: a Google-financed tech endeavor code-named Project Loon. The people in Pike County were witnessing a test of Project Loon, a breathtakingly ambitious plan to bring the Internet to a huge swath of as-yet-unconnected humanity via thousands of solar-powered, high-pressure balloons floating some 60,000 feet above Earth," wrote Wired's Steven Levy. The balloon stayed aloft for 11 days before reaching Canada, Levy reports . The Project Loon balloons, while providing fodder for UFO websites and conspiracy theorists , travel "on the edge of space, designed to connect people in rural and remote areas, help fill coverage gaps and bring people back online after disasters," according to the project's website. The solar-powered balloons would circle the planet, floating in rings about 12 miles (19 kilometers) above Earth in the stratosphere (about twice the altitude at which commercial airplanes fly). People connect to the balloon network using a special Internet antenna attached to their building. The signal bounces from balloon to balloon, then to the global Internet back on Earth," the website reads. The result? Low-cost Internet access . So the mysterious UFO was, indeed, the result of a technologically advanced civilization, but it seems that civilization comes in peace and is here to help us or at least provide affordable Wi-Fi to rural populations. Copyright 2013 LiveScience , a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 

Google glass update

Increasing Independence with Google Glass Smart phones are great, but if Google has their way, everyone will be wearing their mobile technology. Last year they unveiled Google Glass, and now thousands of developers and people who have signed up to be explorers are testing out the new device. Some developers are working on making the technology useable for the blind, and for one explorer, Google Glass has become a path back to independence. Tammie Van Sant was driving home from a camping trip when she was hit by another vehicle. She survived the crash, but was left paralyzed from the chest down. Since the accident, she has found it very challenging to do many things on her own. When she found out that Google was looking for people to test out Google Glass, she decided to apply to be an explorer. Since many of the features of Google Glass can be activated by voice command and head movement, it is a great option for people who have mobility challenges. Now for the first time since her accident, Tammie can answer the phone, read and respond to texts, and navigate around town independently. Her story is not the only way that Google Glass is impacting the lives of people with disabilities. A team of researchers is also exploring ways to make the device usable by the blind. The two apps that are being developed would provide object recognition and verbal descriptions of the user's surroundings. To read Tammie's story and watch a video of her using Google Glass visit this link: http://mashable.com/2013/08/07/google-glass-disabled

Running behind....

School has begun and I am really running behind. I realized about 2 p.m. That I forgot to post this morning. Please forgive me and I will try to do better. Until hubby is better, I may need to post at night for the next day. Thanks to Johnye we have articles for the next few days. When you read the post, please scroll to be sure you catch all the new postings.

Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Congratulations to Bob and Johnye

Everyone,
I had a great evening celebrating a milestone anniversary with Bob and Johnye! They celebrated 40 years of togetherness today surrounded by a great group of friends. It is always a pleasure to see folks who tough it out together--forever!

I know some of you spent the day on a less festive note by saying your goodbyes to Adeline. The circle of life is hard to understand at times but we must be comforted by the fact she had a long, full and worthwhile life.  Rest in peace Adeline! The Arkansas blind community is better off because of your contributions.

Life is short-smile and enjoy the journey!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Saturdays's Smoothies

Peach Cobbler Smootie

2 cups frozen peaches or canned peaches
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups almond milk

Berry Vanilla Smoothies
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 cup strawberries
3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
1 cup vanilla yogurt

Note: these smoothies do not require ice. Just blend the listed ingredients. Enjoy!

Saturday update

We had a great time yesterday! I am still tired and laughing! We have an amazing group of folks who gather for sharing, fellowship and food! They are very supportive of each other and newly blind adults. Ms. Rowena just can't believe what a good time we have. Any of you who talks to Sam on a regular basis,  be sure to ask him about toothpaste! He brought down the house during my bathroom lecture. So much for my teaching skills! I hope John, Curtis and James along with their wives and friends will join us again next time. It is always fun to meet and make new friends!

Ms. Helen introduced us to two more flavors of smoothies! JOHNYE is still waiting for one with peanut butter. That means we have to have Healthy Habits 3 in a few weeks!

It was really good to see Les and Sarah. Folks, it takes dedication to visit WSB on two walkers and make it to the auditorium. I really appreciate their efforts. Another shout out to Lonnie and Dorothy for bringing folks who need a ride. That is such a tremendous help and I often forget to mention that I appreciate all Lonnie does.

Phyllis, Erma and Sherry we are glad you could attend.  As always, Tim just brightens any room and helps keep Sam in line!
Again, thanks to all who come out and made it a great day. Erma, there will be a pop quiz next time!
Until tomorrow keep smiling,
Dr. Janet

Margaret honors a friend

When I think of Adeline, I think also of her husband, Chester, because they worked together so well on everything.  There were all those dinner parties at their house with crowds of friends filling every room except the bed rooms.  There were all those trips to the National meetings of the American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention where we shared lunch together in their hotel room for the Arkansas caucus.  Then there were the times when they had their friends and ours, Bill and Erline Bauer, over to help Chester study the Sunday School lesson he was to teach the next Sunday.  Of course, this event included a serving of Adeline’s freshly baked pie together with cups of coffee.  When Adeline and Chester were able to participate in the Arkansas School for the Blind Alumni Association, they seemed to make everything run smoothly, and they really had a concern for the students at the school.  Their lives were filled with church activities, the ASB Alumni Association, the American Council of the Blind, Adeline’s job at the Hearing and Speech Clinic at the State Health Department, and Chester’s work in the Business Enterprise Program for the Division of Services for the Blind.  

Adeline and Chester were almost like parents to Travis and me and like grandparents to our children, Holly and Sterling.  ​We know Adeline and Chester are in a much better place, but we do miss them, and we will remember them the rest of our lives.  

Saturday, August 10

Can't wait to see my friends today! We have lots of good food and fun planned at WSB! I will post later to bring envy one up to date on our event.
Dr. Janet

Adeline Holden's passing

Margaret has notified  me that Ms. Adeline has passed. Most of you remember her and her husband for their tireless work and efforts with our blind community. Services will be Monday at 2 p.m. At Antioch Baptist in Little Rock. For those who are local, we are trying to get a van together to attend the service. If you are interested, please call Krystal at 501-664-7100. At this time, the plan is for the van to leave WSB. You will need to arrange Links to the Center.

Hubby update: last night was HORRID! Yes, in all capital letters!! It was more like a three stooges event....nurse broke the light, maintenance in and out all night with bright lights and equipment, a family fighting in the hall....on and on.....it will be nice to get home to peace and quiet! The hospital is no place for sick people!!

Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Tidbit from Johnye

John Christie - New Device Opens the World to the Visually Impaired For the past few weeks, the Carroll Centre for the Blind has been testing a new technology in their summer enrichment Program. With this new technology, visually impaired people will be able to recognize faces, identify colors and navigate their surroundings using wireless technology. This device is known as the Visus Visual Assist System manufactured by Visus Technology, Inc. This device is a hands-free assistive aide that can make your smart phone smarter. This device will help the visually impaired be more integrated into the classroom and society. On the day of the student's graduation, the students not only demonstrated the music function of the device but also demonstrated the color recognition program by coordinating their wardrobe. In addition, the students also found the object recognition part of the program helpful. With this part of the program they could identify the ketchup from the mustard. The students were having a great time with the device as they were holding their phone's camera up to their T-shirt to identify the color. Dr. McCormac said that this device could change the lives of the visually impaired. He also said that the word Visus means the power of sight. That's what we are giving to the visually impaired. The students tried the device on the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphones, provided by Samsung, using the Verizon 4G LTE network. Being familiar with smartphones, they found the Visus platform to be easy to get used to. Brian Charlson, Director of Technology, said that even though the device doesn't restore vision, it can help the visually impaired with color identification, facial recognition and the reading of print all around us. He also stated that to do all this and much more in a single solution is truly unique. While the students were the first to try out this device, it would have wide appeal with the newly blind and the elder blind. According to the president of the Carroll Centre, Joseph F. Abely, more than 60 percent of the blind population is over 60. He believes that they would love to have this technology in their hands. This device will surely open the world to the Visually Impaired because the device can do so much. It is truly amazing and exciting what technology can do. We can only wonder what the future will bring..

Wednesday, August 7

Sorry I am late with the post. Hubby had a rough night but seems to be on the mend. JOHNYE found me a couple of interesting articles so I will make an additional post for that information, thanks, JOHNYE!

See you on Saturday!

Update on Hubby

The surgery is over and required more than previously thought. Looks like it will be a long, slow recovery but he survived so I am thankful. Thanks for your prayers, calls, emails and concern. It means a lot to me.

We will meet on Saturday so be sure you contact Krystal for transportation.
Janet

Tuesday, August 6

Well, I am spending my day at Baptist. Surgery is underway or will be shortly. It sounds really gruesome so I won't bore you with gore for your morning coffee break but......
I will give an update after I speak with the doctor. Praying for a successful day!
Janet

Monday minute

Good morning all,
Happy Monday! Looks like we are going to have a humid day! True August weather. If you have to be outside, please drink plenty of water.

I just heard Dr. Paint talking about migraines, he says if you have migraines, stay in the air conditioning! For each five degree rise in temperature your migraine activity will increase seven percent. Also, thunderstorms tend to activate migraine activity. I had not heard  that! Learn something everyday!

If you have not called Krystal or sent me an email, please do so. We are filling up fast for Saturday. Don't miss your opportunity to join the fun!

On a personal note, hubby will have surgery tomorrow morning so keep us in your prayers. All surgery is scary but anything heart related is really dangerous!

Stay safe and cool!
Until tomorrow,
Dr. Janet

Friday finally

Friday has arrived and I have a busy weekend planned. I hope each of you grab some rest and meet me back here on Monday. We are preparing the pick up schedule for Mr. Earl. Sign up early!
Dr. Janet

Mimi is playing with Jack today

Ok, I admit it, I cannot do two things at one time with a four year old in the house! I completely forgot to update the blog this morning. However, I am sure all the grandparents will forgive me. The rest of you just don't know what you are missing!

Mr. Earl will be driving on Saturday the 10th. Get your reservation in early. Call Krystal.

Off to collect more hugs,
Dr. Janet