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Celebrate all heroes this Memorial Day

5/26/2017

 
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For generations, young men have gone off to war to protect the “women and children,” to protect their family and friends and to protect their homes, knowing full well what was at stake. That for many, they would not return home. Many women are now a part of the tragedy of war.
 
This type of dedication and commitment can be found all around us, but have we lost the real meaning of what this act means? The Bible states that there is no greater love than for someone to lay down their life for their friends.
 
One of my heroes and mentors, John L. Behan, was the celebrated first recruit from Paris Island in 1967. He was a standout athlete from Montauk, NY and had a promising future ahead of him and the epitome of a “Marine!” He came back from Vietnam in 1968 missing both of his legs and many other severe, life-threatening injuries. I'm sure many people felt sorry for him or thought that somehow it would limit him in his future.
 
Instead, John became an Olympian and an NYS Assemblyman and head of the NYS Veterans Affairs under President Reagan, a well-respected leader in his community and a national hero. And yet, when you speak to John and men like him, they talk about the guys that didn't make it home.
 
I have talked with many members of the military, Policemen, and Firemen, and most seem to have that one thing in common, those that are living, speak about the ones they lost. The real heroes are the ones that showed the ultimate in love and sacrifice by laying down their lives for us: to protect our freedom and our way of life. Most don't like to be referred to as “heroes,” they typically say they were just doing their job and look to their fallen brothers and sisters as “heroes.”
 
The “Military Industrial Complex,” has provided us many great things, like the Internet, lasers and drones and new technologies. It has also cost us hundreds of thousands of lives. Today, modern warfare enables us to have fewer men and women on the “front lines” risking their lives; while there are still so many of our young men and women coming home with serious injuries or not at all. Over 5,000 young men and women, heroes, have sacrificed their lives since 9-11-01.
 
“War” and warfare have changed. When the “enemy” knows that you can send unmanned drones from miles away and bomb you and they have nobody to shoot at; and when you can send hundreds of missiles from hundreds of miles away, it changes engagement. With a change in modern warfare, the “enemy” has changed their tactics and has put innocent women and children on the front lines. They know they can't win or even compete with the power of the US Military, so they have now chosen to do the unthinkable and just attack civilians.
 
The terror attack in Manchester, England is only the most recent example of a new battle strategy. If they can't win in a traditional theater of combat, then change it.
 
This now places women and children in danger, but it also improves our military presence. Those trained to be soldiers and fight in combat now have to be on our streets. Police and Firefighters that are not trained in military tactics must now become better trained and more prepared for these type of cowardly attacks on our civilians.
 
While I don't like the overuse of the word, “hero,” many of these Police and Firefighters and first responders that are civilians that signed on to protect their communities and go home at night to their families, have unfairly been placed in “combat” and “military zones,” far too often.
 
On Memorial Day, I ask that we thank those men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice and have shown the ultimate love by laying down their lives for us, and also pray for those that put themselves in harms way, both near and far to protect us, keep us safe and rescue us in our time of need.
 
God Bless America - #MemorialDay #MotivateAmerica #MotivationMonday
 
Kevin L. McCrudden wrote this article. Kevin is an international author and speaker and President & CEO of Motivate America, Inc. He writes a weekly column on Mondays, “Motivation Mondays©” and has a weekly Podcast / Radio Show on Sundays with thought leaders and motivational speakers, “Motivate America with Kevin L. McCrudden.” Contact him through social media or his website for speaking engagements, www.KevinMcCrudden.com

Arthritis Awareness - Did you know?

5/23/2017

 
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim arthritis is a leading cause of disability in the U.S. It can affect working-age adults, seniors, and even children. There are over hundred different types of arthritis and related diseases, with the most common being osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), fibromyalgia and gout.
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Unfortunately, since arthritis is often not identified as a severe/chronic condition such as heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease, many people who suffer from this disease go without the proper diagnosis, treatment and care they need. Seek the opinion of a healthcare professional and physician, if you experience the following warning signs:
 
•    Pain in the joints, ankle, back, fingers, hands, muscles, neck, or wrist
•    Flare-ups, limping, physical deformity, redness, or stiff neck
•    Decreased range of motion or muscle weakness
•    Joint stiffness, tenderness, or swelling
•    Bumps or bony outgrowth on fingers or toes
•    Sharp and intermittent pain
•    Pain that occurs while sitting
•    Whole body fatigue
 
To help address the issue of under-diagnosis, Arthritis Awareness Month was created and observed in May here in the U.S. The goal of observance is to raise awareness for how those with arthritis are living well and acknowledge everyday victories. Those living with arthritis are encouraged to share their story with colleagues, friends, and family and loved ones to better understand the disease and how it affects patients.
 
One important key to managing the pain is to get moving and stay active. Arthritis patients should walk 30 minutes each day. Does this sound like too much for you? Then, start with ten minutes a day and increase your time, as you’re able. Keeping your body moving on a regular basis increases strength and flexibility, reduces joint pain, and helps combat fatigue.
 
If it sounds overwhelming to start exercising with already stiff and sore joints, don’t get dissuaded. There are many people around the world living full and happy lives even with arthritis. Take some time and read a few success stories on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. There are lots of people that have found ways to manage their disease and the related pain. You may get a few ideas for your life, and will hopefully feel more optimistic. Keep in mind; there are many treatments available that can help ease the pain. Such as: stretching, massage, acupuncture, physical exercise, weight loss, Tai chi, yoga, heat and cold compress, medication, surgery, joint replacement.
 
Start a conversation with your general practitioner for advice, but if you’re not getting the results you want, ask for a referral to a specialist. Depending on your situation, you may need to seek the advice of an orthopedic surgeon, rheumatologist, physical therapist, etc.


This blog is brought to you by the Team at Meliora! Let us explore the wellness platform 'plan of action' that’s right for your company; we will assist with each step of building the concept to implementation; we work hands-on to find solutions.

Put our imagination, passion, innovation and creation to work for your company today - Call Bill Johnston at 817-546-2953 or via email at wjohnston@melioratech.com ​

We Help You Engage Your Employees - Meliora - In Pursuit of Better

When it comes to a stroke, you have to act FAST

5/16/2017

 
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According to stroke.org, nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke each year, and someone dies from a stroke every four minutes. A stroke is a lack of blood flow to the brain caused by a clot or rupture of a blood vessel resulting in sudden brain damage. Fortunately, knowing the signs of stroke, how to prevent it, and how to help others around you, just might save a life. May is Stroke Awareness Month, so please educate yourself on the symptoms and raise awareness.
 
Strokes can happen to anyone, at any time, at any age. During National Stroke Awareness Month you are encouraged to learn stroke symptoms and what to do if you spot them. Up to 80% of strokes can are preventable – when symptoms are recognized quickly, and the person receives immediate medical care.
 
Common stroke symptoms:
•      Abrupt numbness - especially on one side of the body or weakness of face, arm or leg
•      Trouble speaking, confusion, or understanding
•      Unexpected trouble seeing in one or both eyes
•      Loss of balance, coordination, trouble walking and dizziness
•      Severe headache with no known cause
 
If you see someone experiencing any of these symptoms, or if you are experiencing them yourself, call 911 immediately. Per the stroke.org website, appropriate treatment is more effective if given quickly; a simple way to help remember the symptoms of stroke is to act FAST with the Face, Arms, Speech Test:
•     F = FACE: Ask the person to smile
Do both sides of the face move equally? - Normal
Or does one side of the face not move at all? - Abnormal
•     A = ARM: Ask the person to raise both arms
Do both arms move equally? - Normal 
Or does one arm drift downward compared to the other? - Abnormal
•     S = SPEECH: Ask the person to speak a simple sentence
Does the person use words with no slurring? - Normal 
Do they slur their speech? Use wrong words or cannot speak at all? – Abnormal
•     T = TIME: Call 911
Every minute makes a difference; if you observe any of these symptoms,
            Call 911 immediately

As mentioned, many strokes are preventable if you pay attention to pre-existing medical conditions and control lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. The National Stroke Association recommends the following stroke prevention guidelines.
 
•    Know your blood pressure
•    Find out if you have atrial fibrillation – a type of irregular heartbeat
•    If you smoke, stop
•    If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
•    Find out if you have high cholesterol
•    If you have diabetes, follow you doctor’s recommendation carefully to control your diabetes
•    Incorporate physical activity that you enjoy into your daily routine
•    Enjoy a low-sodium (salt) and low-fat diet
•    Ask your healthcare professional if you have circulation problems
 
Some patients of stroke make a full recovery while others suffer from long-term effects in various degrees; several types of treatments available to improve their wellness post-stroke. It’s important to stay active after a stroke, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and recreational therapy.
 
This blog is brought to you by the Team at Meliora! Let us explore the wellness platform 'plan of action' that’s right for your company; we will assist with each step of building the concept to implementation; we work hands-on to find solutions.

Put our imagination, passion, innovation and creation to work for your company today - Call Bill Johnston at 817-546-2953 or via email at wjohnston@melioratech.com ​

We Help You Engage Your Employees - Meliora - In Pursuit of Better

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