ATTENTION MOMS AND DADS
What factors encouraged really smart kids to become, well, really smart--besides their natural ability and all? CNN today explores this:
"Parents should encourage their children to ask questions like "why" and "what if," rather than stifling those inquiries, Carson said. "When they explore the environment, if they're rewarded for that, that encourages that behavior and they're more likely to do that in the future," she said. Jolisa, one of two students to have earned straight A's at her school every quarter, has an inexhaustible love of reading; without prodding, she will read books faster than her parents can afford to buy new ones. But they also join in -- right now, she and her mother are reading "Outcasts United," about a refugee soccer team, together....Parents should observe and cheer on their children, but should not be attached to outcomes, said said Robyn McKay, a psychologist and creativity researcher at Arizona State University. Some kids will rebel and drop an activity if they believe their parents have too many expectations about it. "My advice to parents who have a child who does have that passionate interest is to roll with it, to be curious and interested about the child's interest and to do some research to find teachers and lessons and activities that support your child's talent," she said."
Read the whole thing...
FOOTBALL PICKS:
I was only 3-5 last week. Ugh!
COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
Oklahoma at Missouri. My pick: TIGERS. There just seems to be something in the air. #1 teams are in danger these days. And I haven't come across anyone who sees Oklahoma as a true powerhouse. They're still too young and inexperienced; and here, they're on the road.
Wisconsin at Iowa. My pick: HAWKEYES. The Badgers just won a huge game. But now they have to go on the road, AND it's tough to maintain focus after knocking off the #1 team, AND they play a tough opponent in Iowa. Go with the Hawks...
Nebraska at Oklahoma State. My pick: HUSKERS. Sure, it seems an easy pick--Okie State is riding high, Nebraska just suffered a stunning loss, so OSU should be in the driver's seat, right? But remember this--Nebraska's defense remains very, very good. And good defense wins games. Hint: Oklahoma State's defense is not very good at all.
NFL PICKS:
Atlanta 4 over Cincinnati. My pick: FALCONS. Because the Bengals have been so, so inconsistent and mistake-prone.
New Orleans 14 over Cleveland. My pick: SAINTS. Usually I don't pick a 14 point fave to cover. That's too many points. But in this case I have the sense the Saints are getting it together (see their dismantling of Tampa Bay on the road last week) and the Browns must again start rookie QB Colt McCoy.
San Francisco 3 over Carolina. My pick: 49ERS. They finally got their first win under their belt. The Niners defense is playing well. And Carolina remains in turmoil...so 3 points shouldn't be too hard for San Fran to cover.
San Diego 3 over New England. My pick: CHARGERS. I've heard a lot of Patriots talk this week--people suggesting the smart bet here is on the Pats. I wonder. Yes, they snuck out a win last week. But New England still have defensive issues, especially with that secondary. And the Chargers are at home, they still have a very capable offense able to exploit Patriot defensive weaknesses, and frankly, you've got to believe San Diego has too much talent to continue struggling as they have. Go with the Fighting Norvs.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
STARING DOWN THE STARING ISSUE
Dear Abby's column today has words that will interest those with Moebius Syndrome or those with other kinds of physical and facial issues--words, that is, from readers, which originally arose from someone writing in complaining that her special-needs child received unwanted stares in public. Read on:
"My daughter, "Kate," is also stared at in public. I, too, used to bristle at the unwanted attention, until I began to open up and talk with people. I found most of them to be compassionate and merely curious. Sometimes seeing Kate triggered their memory of a loved one who was affected by a similar challenge. As often as I can, I take the time to do mini "public service announcements" and chat with folks who linger, look or approach. It's a great way to build a bridge between disabled individuals, who have much to teach, and the non-disabled, who have much to learn. Kate is 16 now, beautiful inside and out. Please tell "Boiling Mad" that time heals some of the rawness of a fresh diagnosis, and if she'll try to find the best in others, she'll usually be right."....[and another reader said this:]"I'm one of those folks who "stare" at others. By no means is there ever a bad intent. I'm a people-watcher. I love watching people communicate in different ways, like signing. Whether someone is in a wheelchair or has a visible disability, I value each and every person. Maybe "Boiling Mad" doesn't understand that many of us are willing to reach out, lend a hand or just be friendly."
So those are some different perspectives, along with some wise words to keep in mind. Though I must say that, at the same time, some staring can be...and is...hostile. Certainly not all staring is meant to be so. But sometimes it is, and usually those of us with Moebius or other differences are pretty good at sensing it. Don't automatically assume everyone's out to get you. But if you get a strong negative feel from someone else's staring or other actions, don't automatically doubt yourself, either. Go with your gut.
IT SHOWS ON YOUR FACE--REALLY, IT DOES
As of course everyone with Moebius Syndrome knows, some things don't "show" very well on our faces--smiles, frowns, the like. But there are some things that WILL show, even on us. I remember when I was in college, for example, and I had tough semesters with really hard final exams. During finals week, it seemed like I'd more often than not get a bit of an acne breakout on my face. I thought it was just due to lack of sleep. Not so, as Judith Newman of msnbc.com notes today:
"I’ve been engaged several times, and each time my skin realized the marriage was a bad idea before I did. I know this because, when it came time to plan the wedding, I would break out in hives. Red splotches the size of half-dollars all over my arms, chest, and stomach. Attractive! The man I eventually married is impossible; still, I knew he was The One when contemplating a life with him did not necessitate massive doses of Benadryl. I am hardly alone in having skin that reacts, sometimes dramatically, to significant life events. It happens to most of us: At certain points in our lives, stress, hormones, lifestyle, or all three can play a role in how the skin looks and behaves. “No question: Many life changes are manifested through the skin,” says Ranella Hirsch, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Boston University School of Medicine.
Dear Abby's column today has words that will interest those with Moebius Syndrome or those with other kinds of physical and facial issues--words, that is, from readers, which originally arose from someone writing in complaining that her special-needs child received unwanted stares in public. Read on:
"My daughter, "Kate," is also stared at in public. I, too, used to bristle at the unwanted attention, until I began to open up and talk with people. I found most of them to be compassionate and merely curious. Sometimes seeing Kate triggered their memory of a loved one who was affected by a similar challenge. As often as I can, I take the time to do mini "public service announcements" and chat with folks who linger, look or approach. It's a great way to build a bridge between disabled individuals, who have much to teach, and the non-disabled, who have much to learn. Kate is 16 now, beautiful inside and out. Please tell "Boiling Mad" that time heals some of the rawness of a fresh diagnosis, and if she'll try to find the best in others, she'll usually be right."....[and another reader said this:]"I'm one of those folks who "stare" at others. By no means is there ever a bad intent. I'm a people-watcher. I love watching people communicate in different ways, like signing. Whether someone is in a wheelchair or has a visible disability, I value each and every person. Maybe "Boiling Mad" doesn't understand that many of us are willing to reach out, lend a hand or just be friendly."
So those are some different perspectives, along with some wise words to keep in mind. Though I must say that, at the same time, some staring can be...and is...hostile. Certainly not all staring is meant to be so. But sometimes it is, and usually those of us with Moebius or other differences are pretty good at sensing it. Don't automatically assume everyone's out to get you. But if you get a strong negative feel from someone else's staring or other actions, don't automatically doubt yourself, either. Go with your gut.
IT SHOWS ON YOUR FACE--REALLY, IT DOES
As of course everyone with Moebius Syndrome knows, some things don't "show" very well on our faces--smiles, frowns, the like. But there are some things that WILL show, even on us. I remember when I was in college, for example, and I had tough semesters with really hard final exams. During finals week, it seemed like I'd more often than not get a bit of an acne breakout on my face. I thought it was just due to lack of sleep. Not so, as Judith Newman of msnbc.com notes today:
"I’ve been engaged several times, and each time my skin realized the marriage was a bad idea before I did. I know this because, when it came time to plan the wedding, I would break out in hives. Red splotches the size of half-dollars all over my arms, chest, and stomach. Attractive! The man I eventually married is impossible; still, I knew he was The One when contemplating a life with him did not necessitate massive doses of Benadryl. I am hardly alone in having skin that reacts, sometimes dramatically, to significant life events. It happens to most of us: At certain points in our lives, stress, hormones, lifestyle, or all three can play a role in how the skin looks and behaves. “No question: Many life changes are manifested through the skin,” says Ranella Hirsch, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Boston University School of Medicine.
Sometimes the big life event — a new job, marriage, graduation, pregnancy, and so forth — exacerbates a preexisting genetic condition: You can’t get psoriasis from throwing a gargantuan wedding, but if you’re prone to it, this is when it may flare up. Other times, says Hirsch, the milestone causes new problems to arise. What you can do is be prepared to deal with whatever your skin — and life — throws your way."
"A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much
knowledge that is idle." -Kahlil Gibran
knowledge that is idle." -Kahlil Gibran
Friday, August 27, 2010
WE ARE THE FACE OF DIVERSITY:
You know, one point I've been wanting to make to the world for a while now is this one...and I want to explain it very carefully. Maybe I'll write it as a letter to the world. That might work. Here goes:
Dear World:
So, so many of your inhabitants out there talk a lot about "diversity." They say that diversity is good and important. They say that it helps us learn more, that it makes us more educated. They argue that knowing about other peoples, other cultures, and other points of view is good for us. That it adds to our knowledge and to our understanding.
And you know what? In many ways, many of the world's peeps are very much right about this. It is important that we know as much as we can about our world and all the people in it.
But there is one thing that troubles me, world. So often when your inhabitants speak of diversity, they just mean racial diversity and/or ethnic diversity. They are discussing people of different skin colors and of different races and belonging to different ethnicities. And yes, that is part of diversity. But that is not all of it.
For we--we people with Moebius Syndrome, we people with a facial and/or physical difference--we are part of "diversity", too. You want diversity? We go through experiences that are very unique to us, from having to endure hostile stars to curious stares, from having to overcome physical difficulties that stand in our way to overcoming prejudice and discrimination--people assuming we are retarded or mentally handicapped when, of course, we're not. We are different, too. We are part of American and world "diversity", too. Yet I have this feeling that many in America and the world, when they think of diversity, don't think of persons like us.
They should. That needs to change. And actually we with Moebius, we with a facial difference, we can be a small part of that change. You parents of children with Moebius Syndrome, tell your children's teachers: "Listen, you want to teach about diversity? You should. And my child is one example of it." You people with Moebius Syndrome or with a facial difference who go out looking for a job, if it's a firm or an entity that touts its diversity, then tell the person interviewing you: "I would add greatly to the talent and to the diversity of your staff."
Let's make it clear: "diversity" does have something to do--of course!--with racial and ethnic diversity. But it's not only about that. It's also about people like us. And we have a lot to offer you, world...
You know, one point I've been wanting to make to the world for a while now is this one...and I want to explain it very carefully. Maybe I'll write it as a letter to the world. That might work. Here goes:
Dear World:
So, so many of your inhabitants out there talk a lot about "diversity." They say that diversity is good and important. They say that it helps us learn more, that it makes us more educated. They argue that knowing about other peoples, other cultures, and other points of view is good for us. That it adds to our knowledge and to our understanding.
And you know what? In many ways, many of the world's peeps are very much right about this. It is important that we know as much as we can about our world and all the people in it.
But there is one thing that troubles me, world. So often when your inhabitants speak of diversity, they just mean racial diversity and/or ethnic diversity. They are discussing people of different skin colors and of different races and belonging to different ethnicities. And yes, that is part of diversity. But that is not all of it.
For we--we people with Moebius Syndrome, we people with a facial and/or physical difference--we are part of "diversity", too. You want diversity? We go through experiences that are very unique to us, from having to endure hostile stars to curious stares, from having to overcome physical difficulties that stand in our way to overcoming prejudice and discrimination--people assuming we are retarded or mentally handicapped when, of course, we're not. We are different, too. We are part of American and world "diversity", too. Yet I have this feeling that many in America and the world, when they think of diversity, don't think of persons like us.
They should. That needs to change. And actually we with Moebius, we with a facial difference, we can be a small part of that change. You parents of children with Moebius Syndrome, tell your children's teachers: "Listen, you want to teach about diversity? You should. And my child is one example of it." You people with Moebius Syndrome or with a facial difference who go out looking for a job, if it's a firm or an entity that touts its diversity, then tell the person interviewing you: "I would add greatly to the talent and to the diversity of your staff."
Let's make it clear: "diversity" does have something to do--of course!--with racial and ethnic diversity. But it's not only about that. It's also about people like us. And we have a lot to offer you, world...
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