“Choosing Hope: One Woman. Three Cancers,” is the story of how Munira Premji battled three advanced cancers: Stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Stage 3 multiple myeloma, and Stage 3 breast cancer. Written as a series of anecdotes from a blog the author started shortly after her first diagnosis, it tells an inspirational story about resilience, courage, and hope in the face of overwhelming odds. Choosing Hope captures the psychological, physical, and emotional trauma of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. It is easy to read and will have special appeal to recently diagnosed cancer patients, survivors and their families, to caregivers, and to many others facing health challenges.
Community News
Clean Eating Recipe
Butternut Squash Soup. Ingredients: 15 ml olive oil. 1 onion. 1 butternut squash. 2 celery stalks. 2 garlic cloves. 1 potato. 2 ml pepper. 1, 5 L vegetable broth. 250 ml cooking cream. Directions: Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and sauté onions for 4 minutes. Add squash, celery, garlic, potato, and pepper. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. In a blender, puree mixture into a smooth soup. Return soup to the saucepan and add cream. Reheat over low heat before serving. Stir in 1 tbsp (15 mL) finely grated ginger and 1 tsp (5 mL) hot pepper flakes for a warm, spicy kick.
Dreaming of a Post-COVID Vacation? Tips and Trends for Travelling with Hearing Loss.
Everyone is eagerly awaiting the chance to start travelling again as the possibility is looking brighter each week. A post-COVID vacation could come with stress for the average person, let alone someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.
People who deal with hearing loss have very different travel experiences than those with normal hearing whether its pre or post-COVID. It’s usually extremely stressful, agitating and difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.
So many destinations are becoming more inclusive to provide better accommodations for people with hearing loss so they can have a much more positive experience in their travels.
Australia provides an “Experience Australia in 8D Audio” video series that gives listeners the illusion of sound all around them in each particular scene. It provides people with hearing loss a vivid and immersive listening experience that is normally very uncommon for this community.
Other popular destinations with excellent opportunities for the hearing community are New York City, Disney World, cruises, Cairns and France. They all provide specialized tours, accommodations and services for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Here are a few tips in preparation for your trip:
Plan in advance
If you have a framework of what your travels will look like and set up accommodations, reservations, tours etc. to best suit your hearing loss, you can avoid dealing with communication issues during your trip.
Make the most of technology
Download relevant apps such as Maps, translation, transit and more. Any apps that can assist you during your travels can be extremely helpful.
Advocate for yourself
Don’t be afraid to tell people you have a hearing loss. Since hearing aids can be so discreet, most people wouldn’t know you are wearing one. Once people are aware, they can take steps to communicate with you effectively.
Pack extra supplies
Bring extra packs of batteries, cleaning supplies, cases and other important supplies to ensure that if a battery dies or a tube gets clogged, you can manage this on the go.
Before leaving contact your local NexGen Hearing clinic to order extra supplies.
Daily Routine Important for Seniors
People are afraid of the unknown. If an older adult is losing control over their physical abilities, independence, or cognitive abilities, their world gets filled with more and more unknowns. Establishing routine is extremely important for seniors. A daily routine offers a level of stability that individuals often enjoy, as it allows them to settle into a schedule they understand. Doing the same basic activities like eating, dressing, and bathing at the same time every day is known to improve sleep quality. A predictable routine also helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
With Grace and Ease
Welcome each day with grace and ease. Grace is the state we are in when we are doing nothing, just being who we are at our best. Not pushing or making it happen, instead allowing and in that which is ready to be received. Who we encounter and what we experience throughout the day is not always in our control, but how we approach and take it in is our choice. When we meet life with frustration and resentment, the energies boomerang back and a viscous circle incurs as the energies get trapped. When we raise our own internal vibration, shifting to meet that of grace and ease, it gives us hope, connects us to our humanity and makes us more generous and loving beings. Allowing life to run smoother, welcoming in small gifts of connection along the way.
AJ Pedal Wheelchair
Whether your mobility has been impacted by Parkinson’s, MS, a stroke, or knee or hip trouble, the AJ Pedal Wheelchair is designed to get you moving again. Like a bike, it’s powered by you – so you can reconnect with your body, rebuild muscle tone and improve your cardiovascular system. Designed to maneuver in tight spaces like narrow halls and doorways, the AJ rides easily into elevators, buildings and shopping centres. More robust than a wheelchair, the AJ allows you to pedal through parks, along sidewalks and even ride public transit. One-handed, dual hydraulic brakes allow you to stop quickly with just a gentle squeeze of the brake handle. The comfort-ride shock and pneumatic tires keep you comfortable and confidently in control. Each AJ is hand built in Victoria, BC, using the highest grade aluminum and other durable materials for a safe and sturdy ride.
Not Just for Style
Socks are a creative way to express your personality and style. You can even order socks with a picture of your dog on them. When choosing socks for appearance only you don’t get the many health benefits related to wearing the right socks. Socks with antibacterial properties help prevent odors and fight germs and fungus. Socks can also prevent foot pain by protecting feet from the environment and if you wear them to bed, can help you fall asleep more easily. Voxx socks not only keep your feet warm and clean smelly, but may also offer general pain relief, more energy and increased balance and stability.
Your Cool New Booze-Free Option
Taking a night off from drinking can now be a part of an exciting night out! Self-care can extend past sunset and socializing can boost your health and wellness game. When we consume beverages that are healthier for our body and mind, we feel more empowered and connected to our souls. We call this mindful consumption. Our Brü is soulfully curated for both flavour and functionality, creating a novel social experience. It’s time we remove outdated, stigmatized labels like alcoholic, recovery, disease and replace them with empowering words like alcohol-free, sober curious, and non-drinker, so people can feel proud about their accomplishment by choosing not to drink.
Wait 30 minutes before brushing after a meal
Did you know brushing your teeth immediately after acidic foods or drinks isn’t good for your teeth? Things that contain acid like orange juice, lemon or soda can erase your enamel, make your teeth sensitive and darken your teeth. Brushing too soon may damage enamel while it’s in its weakened state. Wait 30 minutes before brushing to help protect the enamel and rid your smile of bad bacteria. Flossing is just as important. It removes 40% of sticky bacteria and plaque hiding between your teeth.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
I feel as if my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor’s permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my pants on, the class was
The Nervous System
What is the first system to develop? What is the only system completely protected by bone? What is the only system connected to every other system, organ, gland, tissue and cell in your body? If you have not guessed it by now, it is your Nervous System. The Nervous System is made up of your brain, spinal cord and all your nerves that branch of the cord. It essentially directs and coordinates everything in your body. Information goes down to the body and information flows back up to the brain. It is of the utmost importance that this communication is free and clear of any interference for your Nervous System to do its job effectively. Remember this, nature needs no help, just no interference.
