Since this blog is supposed to coincide with my Women's Studies course and the International Womens Media Foundation, this week we will be discussing a topic that fits perfectly into the subject of Women's health. I believe that many health problems that affect women aren't discussed openly or researched nearly enough. Drugs to treat ailments are usually only experimented and dosed for men and their needs (See Viagra, Flomax, and Rogaine.) Since November is Bladder Health Month, I would like to discuss and describe a health problem that millions of women live with, many of which go undiagnosed. Men are suseptable to it too, but many more women have it, including me.
Its name is Intersticial Cystytis. It is a chronic irritation of or complete lack of the lining of the kidney, bladder, and urethral system. There is no cure and its cause is unknown. It is suspected to be autoimune, but it may also be hereditary, allergies, etc. It feels like the worst UTI you have ever had and also includes pelvic floor dysfunction, constant urination (60 times per day),burning,vuvodynia, bladder spasms, razor sharp pain, bladder ulcers, painful intercourse, and back pain. The disease is more prevelent in those with endometriosis, migraines, irritable bowel syndrom, and fibromyalgia.
The condition truly is excrusiating and often compared to that of stage 4 cancer. One's quality of life is greatly compromised. Eating, drinking, using the bathroom, sex, money (medical costs and missed work), working, exersicing, stress, and sitting for long periods of time make IC worse. So, as you see, it is very difficult to live a fulfilling life with IC. According to the IC help network, "Millions suffer in silence." I try to educate as many people as possible about the condition so Women can know that they aren't crazy. It's amazing how pain not only affects the body, but the mind as well.
Diagnosing IC is complicated and painful in and of itself. The test requires a cystoscapy, where they insert a camera into your urethra and into your bladder to look for Hunners Ulcers. They also cathiterize you and put potassium into your bladder. If it is extremely painful (it will be if there is a damaged lining) than one is presumed to have IC. IC patients visit an average of five doctors before receiving a diagnosis. I would like to be a part of changing this.
In addition to the pain, IC is an extremely expensive disease to have. There is only one FDA approved medication for IC, Elmiron, and it is still patented. It also takes six months to one year to work and makes your hair fall out. Most of the other medication used to treat IC include antidepressants(not a disease of the mind, it's physiological), bladder tighteners (bad for pelvic floor dysfuntion and stresses the muscles) or are meant for men (Flomax, a prostate medication) and not FDA approved for IC or for use in women. The last resorts for treatment include lidocaine bladder instillations, narcotics, nerve blocks, and bladder surgery (usually ineffective.)
Ok, so where is the good news. Well, all of last year I flared and was on all sorts of medication including pain pills, pyridium, and Flomax. One day, a women stopped me in my Urologist's office. We were both there for bladder instillations. She sat me down and told me about how she has lived with IC for over 15 years. I started crying. I had lived with it for four and had been in constant pain for most of it. She told me about the IC diet. From that day on, my life changed. How could no one have told me about this earlier. I followed the diet and started at a chiropracter. I passed on her knowledge to other IC'ers and found that the more I talked about it, the more I found others like me. Everyone seemed to have a tip or trick that helped. I found a physical therapist, a support group, a mentor, and a Urogynecologist in addition to my Urologist. My life changed. I flare only two to four times a month instead of four to five times a day. I know that there is pain in the future for me, but I also know that there will be a way out. That is a start.
The lesson: If women felt free or were encouraged to talk about their health, how much more would we know? I hope this post helps women to talk about the stuff that pains them, even if it is uncomfortable or embarrasing. Now, I talk about my bladder as if it is my friend, well my frenemy at least and laugh at the crazy things it does sometimes. I embrace the name my boyfriend gave me, "The Urinator" and laugh until the pain subsides.
If you or someone you know are suffering from a painful bladder sydrome or just want to learn more, please visit the following links.
IC At A Glance Fact Sheet
http://www.ichelp.org/Portals/0/pdf/InterstitialCystitisAt-a-Glance.pdf
Interstitial Cystitis Association Help Network
phone: 1-800-HELP ICA
web: http://www.ichelp.org
IC Art
www.art4ic.com
"You Don't Have to Live With Cystitis" (The book that changed my life)
The PBS film Interstitial Cystisis: Private Pain
Glamour magazine's article on Painful Intercourse
http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/2008/11/better-sex-for-women?printable=true
US News and World Report Article
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/11/15/many-ignore-symptoms-of-bladder-trouble.htm
The blog is mainly about endometriosis but also about associated conditions, including IC. http://www.endendoat.blogspot.com
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ethos What?
Ethics in Blogging
What makes someone qualified to blog or do they even need to be?
In today's society, anyone who puts anything out there is an expert. We see "consultants" on T.V. and in print and blindly and automatically give them third party credibility. We assume they are an expert on the subject on which they are speaking about.
I, in no way, am an expert. I am a student who is studying for Public Relations and Women's studies and thus has a vested interest on how messages make it to the general public.
I wanted this to be my first post, but the elections came first. So, here is my personal code of ethics followed by The Bloggers Code of Ethics for which I will try to adhere. Also, I am attaching a link to a Daily Show clip on the subject of "experts" within the media. Enjoy and keep this in mind when receiving media messages.
Jennifer Laker's Ethics to Live By
1. Love yourself first: You can't love another fully until you love yourself. Love yourself first. Love yourself the most. Parenthood is the only exception. It's like when you're on an airplane and they tell yu to put the oxygen mask on yourself before you can help others.
2. Teach others how to treat you: It's human nature for people to get away with what they can. Some people will treat you however you let them. Be open and vocal with your physical and emotional boundaries so that others may be aware of them and respect them before they cross them. Fight if you must to make them known.
3. Relationships must be mutually beneficial: This includes friends, family, co-workers, and employers. If someone doesn't have intelligence, wisdom, healthy companionship, true love, humor, or support to offer, question yourself why they are in your life.
4. Understanding and respect are not symbiotic: It is condescending to seek understanding of someone or their situation in order to respect it. Rather, seek acceptance. Trying to understand another's life experiences, frame of reference, and innermost feelings is futile.
5. Seek acceptance of The Gray: Don't divide the world into those like yourself and "the others." It's not black and white, male and female, gay and straight, able-bodied and disabled. We live, and have lived, for some time in The Gray and it will only benefit us to learn about the abyss that lies beyond the black and white.
6. Don't pay for the B's in life: Be the best, stay the hungriest, stay passionate, and seek to know all that you can. If you don't, someone else willl. I always say, "I get A's because I don't pay for the B's." Remember, a B is fabulous if you tried your best.
7. Travel as much as possible: There's a big world outh there and life is short. Be an explorer. Indulge your senses. See, smell, feel, hear, touch, and taste (my personal favorite) as many parts of the earth as you can.
8. Treat EVERYONE as you would your Grandma: Some people are feeble on the inside. This covers the almighty "Treat others as they treat you." Disclaimer: if they treat you badly, refer to rule three.
9. Learn how to debate: Enjoy actively partaking in a heated game of discussion. Your goal is to inform others of how you feel while learning how they feel. Do not push your beliefs on others. Go into it with an open mind, you may just learn something.
10. Never say Never: As they say, two things are true, death and taxes. Accept that everything else can and probably will change. Don't close yourself off to all of life's possibilities. On the note, these rules are subject to change and probably will as I advance through life and all it has to offer.
A BLOGGERS' CODE OF ETHICS
Be Honest and Fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Bloggers should:
• Never plagiarize. • Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability. • Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context. • Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations. • Never publish information they know is inaccurate -- and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it's in doubt. • Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context. • Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
Minimize Harm
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect. Bloggers should: • Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects. • Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief. • Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance. • Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy. • Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity. Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
Be Accountable Bloggers should: • Admit mistakes and correct them promptly. • Explain each Weblog's mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers' conduct. • Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas. • Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers. • Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors. • Expose unethical practices of other bloggers. • Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
What makes someone qualified to blog or do they even need to be?
In today's society, anyone who puts anything out there is an expert. We see "consultants" on T.V. and in print and blindly and automatically give them third party credibility. We assume they are an expert on the subject on which they are speaking about.
I, in no way, am an expert. I am a student who is studying for Public Relations and Women's studies and thus has a vested interest on how messages make it to the general public.
I wanted this to be my first post, but the elections came first. So, here is my personal code of ethics followed by The Bloggers Code of Ethics for which I will try to adhere. Also, I am attaching a link to a Daily Show clip on the subject of "experts" within the media. Enjoy and keep this in mind when receiving media messages.
Jennifer Laker's Ethics to Live By
1. Love yourself first: You can't love another fully until you love yourself. Love yourself first. Love yourself the most. Parenthood is the only exception. It's like when you're on an airplane and they tell yu to put the oxygen mask on yourself before you can help others.
2. Teach others how to treat you: It's human nature for people to get away with what they can. Some people will treat you however you let them. Be open and vocal with your physical and emotional boundaries so that others may be aware of them and respect them before they cross them. Fight if you must to make them known.
3. Relationships must be mutually beneficial: This includes friends, family, co-workers, and employers. If someone doesn't have intelligence, wisdom, healthy companionship, true love, humor, or support to offer, question yourself why they are in your life.
4. Understanding and respect are not symbiotic: It is condescending to seek understanding of someone or their situation in order to respect it. Rather, seek acceptance. Trying to understand another's life experiences, frame of reference, and innermost feelings is futile.
5. Seek acceptance of The Gray: Don't divide the world into those like yourself and "the others." It's not black and white, male and female, gay and straight, able-bodied and disabled. We live, and have lived, for some time in The Gray and it will only benefit us to learn about the abyss that lies beyond the black and white.
6. Don't pay for the B's in life: Be the best, stay the hungriest, stay passionate, and seek to know all that you can. If you don't, someone else willl. I always say, "I get A's because I don't pay for the B's." Remember, a B is fabulous if you tried your best.
7. Travel as much as possible: There's a big world outh there and life is short. Be an explorer. Indulge your senses. See, smell, feel, hear, touch, and taste (my personal favorite) as many parts of the earth as you can.
8. Treat EVERYONE as you would your Grandma: Some people are feeble on the inside. This covers the almighty "Treat others as they treat you." Disclaimer: if they treat you badly, refer to rule three.
9. Learn how to debate: Enjoy actively partaking in a heated game of discussion. Your goal is to inform others of how you feel while learning how they feel. Do not push your beliefs on others. Go into it with an open mind, you may just learn something.
10. Never say Never: As they say, two things are true, death and taxes. Accept that everything else can and probably will change. Don't close yourself off to all of life's possibilities. On the note, these rules are subject to change and probably will as I advance through life and all it has to offer.
A BLOGGERS' CODE OF ETHICS
Be Honest and Fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Bloggers should:
• Never plagiarize. • Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability. • Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context. • Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations. • Never publish information they know is inaccurate -- and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it's in doubt. • Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context. • Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
Minimize Harm
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect. Bloggers should: • Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects. • Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief. • Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance. • Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy. • Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity. Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
Be Accountable Bloggers should: • Admit mistakes and correct them promptly. • Explain each Weblog's mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers' conduct. • Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas. • Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers. • Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors. • Expose unethical practices of other bloggers. • Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Mama-Loshen Is Born
Welcome to Mama-loshen!
I have started this blog as a Service Learning project for my Women's Studies class at the University of Central Florida. The purpose of this blog is to marry my studies in Advertising, Public and Media Relations with what I am learning about Feminism. My goal is to write about the stories that effect Women throughout the world that may never get out via mainstream media.
Now to this blogs name. I looked for a personal tie towards women and the spoken word. Lets see, I'm loud, I love to talk, I am Jewish, and I often refer to myself as mama. This led me to a work my mother uses often. Mamaloshen. In literal terms it means "mother tounge," but it can also refer to "the mother language aka. Yiddish" or the Jewish oral tradition. Either way I felt it fit rather perfectly.
I want this blog to feel cozy and comfortable.There may be the occassional curse word, but it will always be warrented and I will do my very best to be as respectful and PC as possible. I want others to comment as they see fit and to feel free to be as open as they would like to be. I would also encourage any readers to feel free to disagree or challenge. That provides us all with the chance to debate and learn.
Now, lets get down to business.
I would have liked to have started out with the blogger's code of ethics along with my personal code of ethics, but on election eve, there are more pressing topics at hand. My goal was to have posted my blog regarding the Florida election ballot much earlier, but it took a lot of research and I didn't want to half ass it. This is important stuff. Anyway, I researched the Florida ballot and tried to give a little guide to what it all means and how it will effect women, minorities, and the GLBT community. The following is just my humble opinion and yes, this blog consists of my personal feelings, so I cannot say it isn't biased.
President: I am sure you all know who's running. I personally feel that if you are concerned about womens rights, abortion, gay rights, education, foreign policy, and the environment, you should probably vote for Obama.
The next part of the ballot is for party affiliated congress members, state attorneys, senators. I am sure you know how to research a candidate.
The ammendments are the tricky part. Enter Lobbyists. According to my Public Relations proffessor, Lobbyists -research and provide info to elected officials
-write proposed legislation
-sork with staff in forming statements
-are VERY well paid for what they do
-are very influential in the scheme of things bc they know the system
-this is very dangerous for those of us who don't know legal jargon
So, since private interest groups often sponsor ammendments and paid lobbyists write then push them onto the ballot, this can all get a lil confusing. Here is my take on ammendments 1,2,3,4,6, and 8. Please refer to www.ocfelections.com for a full break-down.
1. Asks if we should delete provisions from allowing foreigners and illegal aliens to own property.
This is an ancient law and only a few other states still have it on the books. I don't think it is a threat to our economy in the slightest. I am voting No.
2. The Florida Marriage Protection Ammendment. This is the one everyone has heard about. It's straight up bigotry. I find it curious that there is already a Gay marriage ban on the books and that this ammendment is sponsored by a private marriage protection group. I am vehemently voting NO.
3. This is for not increasing taxes on homes that have been made more energy efficient or more hurricane resistant. Hello, lets not deter people from making their homes safer and better for all of us. Voting Yes.
4. This is for a tax break for owners who pledge not to build on "environmentally sensative" land. Voting Yes.
6. This allows waterfront property to be assessed for taxes at current value, not potential value. For example, a fishing dock won't get the same taxes as a 5star beachfront hotel. Sounds fair to me. Voting Yes.
8. This one is the trickiest. This ammendment seems to ask "Should counties have the ability to let their voters decide if they want to impose a sales tax to support community colleges?" Sounds fair right? Wrong. After talking with a teacher of mine and doing further research, I learned that if the decision to tax falls onto the community, the state may not have to fund community colleges. Considering that they fund 53% of them now, prices would skyrocket to go to schools such as Valencia and Seminole community colleges. I have also been informed that all the community colleges in the state are against it. Good job lobbyists, you had me fooled. Voting No.
Anyway, good luck at the poles tomorrow. Exercise your right tomorrow for millions have fought for it.
I have started this blog as a Service Learning project for my Women's Studies class at the University of Central Florida. The purpose of this blog is to marry my studies in Advertising, Public and Media Relations with what I am learning about Feminism. My goal is to write about the stories that effect Women throughout the world that may never get out via mainstream media.
Now to this blogs name. I looked for a personal tie towards women and the spoken word. Lets see, I'm loud, I love to talk, I am Jewish, and I often refer to myself as mama. This led me to a work my mother uses often. Mamaloshen. In literal terms it means "mother tounge," but it can also refer to "the mother language aka. Yiddish" or the Jewish oral tradition. Either way I felt it fit rather perfectly.
I want this blog to feel cozy and comfortable.There may be the occassional curse word, but it will always be warrented and I will do my very best to be as respectful and PC as possible. I want others to comment as they see fit and to feel free to be as open as they would like to be. I would also encourage any readers to feel free to disagree or challenge. That provides us all with the chance to debate and learn.
Now, lets get down to business.
I would have liked to have started out with the blogger's code of ethics along with my personal code of ethics, but on election eve, there are more pressing topics at hand. My goal was to have posted my blog regarding the Florida election ballot much earlier, but it took a lot of research and I didn't want to half ass it. This is important stuff. Anyway, I researched the Florida ballot and tried to give a little guide to what it all means and how it will effect women, minorities, and the GLBT community. The following is just my humble opinion and yes, this blog consists of my personal feelings, so I cannot say it isn't biased.
President: I am sure you all know who's running. I personally feel that if you are concerned about womens rights, abortion, gay rights, education, foreign policy, and the environment, you should probably vote for Obama.
The next part of the ballot is for party affiliated congress members, state attorneys, senators. I am sure you know how to research a candidate.
The ammendments are the tricky part. Enter Lobbyists. According to my Public Relations proffessor, Lobbyists -research and provide info to elected officials
-write proposed legislation
-sork with staff in forming statements
-are VERY well paid for what they do
-are very influential in the scheme of things bc they know the system
-this is very dangerous for those of us who don't know legal jargon
So, since private interest groups often sponsor ammendments and paid lobbyists write then push them onto the ballot, this can all get a lil confusing. Here is my take on ammendments 1,2,3,4,6, and 8. Please refer to www.ocfelections.com for a full break-down.
1. Asks if we should delete provisions from allowing foreigners and illegal aliens to own property.
This is an ancient law and only a few other states still have it on the books. I don't think it is a threat to our economy in the slightest. I am voting No.
2. The Florida Marriage Protection Ammendment. This is the one everyone has heard about. It's straight up bigotry. I find it curious that there is already a Gay marriage ban on the books and that this ammendment is sponsored by a private marriage protection group. I am vehemently voting NO.
3. This is for not increasing taxes on homes that have been made more energy efficient or more hurricane resistant. Hello, lets not deter people from making their homes safer and better for all of us. Voting Yes.
4. This is for a tax break for owners who pledge not to build on "environmentally sensative" land. Voting Yes.
6. This allows waterfront property to be assessed for taxes at current value, not potential value. For example, a fishing dock won't get the same taxes as a 5star beachfront hotel. Sounds fair to me. Voting Yes.
8. This one is the trickiest. This ammendment seems to ask "Should counties have the ability to let their voters decide if they want to impose a sales tax to support community colleges?" Sounds fair right? Wrong. After talking with a teacher of mine and doing further research, I learned that if the decision to tax falls onto the community, the state may not have to fund community colleges. Considering that they fund 53% of them now, prices would skyrocket to go to schools such as Valencia and Seminole community colleges. I have also been informed that all the community colleges in the state are against it. Good job lobbyists, you had me fooled. Voting No.
Anyway, good luck at the poles tomorrow. Exercise your right tomorrow for millions have fought for it.
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