What It Means To Be Gaby: Change Your Attitude and Change The World 1

 

People describe the world in different ways. Some say it is corrupt and others say is amazing. Like everyone else I have had my good days and my bad days, but to me the world seems to have not changed very much. People sometimes say there are not that many good people in this world anymore, and I find that to be false.

Although it may seem the world is going to hell at times, all humanity is not lost. There are still good people in this world, however, the media tends to focus on the corruption and greed. Sure it is important to know the bad that goes on in the world, but what does it do for the people if they feel that they are helpless and cannot contribute. That is why I made my blog. To inform people of the bad things in this world but to also show them the good that is being done to make change.

My first two years in high school I lost faith in people. All of my closest friends had turned their backs on me and changed into someone else. I remained the same. I still made it a point to stand out from the crowd, but something within me changed. I was never happy and closed off to those people who reminded me of my friends or acted like the people they had left me for. I became very close-minded and only allowed myself to hang out with certain people.

It was not until I ran into an old friend of mine and realized that deep down they were still the kind-hearted person they used to be that I became open to accepting other people from a wide-variety of backgrounds.

Once I was not only able to see the real issues in the world, but I was also able to see the good in people around me. The world no longer seemed like a helpless place and my faith in humanity had been restored. It inspired me to become a better person.

People try to blame society for the world’s problems, but we are society, every single one of us. The problems of the world should not only fall on the shoulders of our leaders, but all of us. If our leaders are not making the changes we want to see then we must rise together and find a way that we can help to solve the world’s problems.

When I say problems that does not mean your own personal issues such as; opposing gay marriage, oppressing people’s religious freedoms, or the whole marijuana dispute. No, I am talking about serious issues. Things like world hunger, homelessness, the unfair education system, the treatment of our veterans, the rights the disabled have to receive certain service, and healthcare.

People oftentimes get blindsided by things that unimportant and in no way affect their lives, but still upsets them regardless. But when it comes to picking and choosing our battles we must not be selfish and attack something that in no affects our lives, we should focus on the big picture and tackle issues that affect us all.   

Change the attitude you have about the people around you. See them as humans and not as targets for judgment and prejudice. Tolerate and accept who they are. You do not have to like them but you have no right to treat them any differently from any other people. Once you do this you may look at the world ahead and see the issues at hand a lot more clearly. At that point you can begin the journey towards change.

What It Means to Be Gaby: Introduction

I am who I am and if you do not like it then that is okay. As long as others are nice to me I will be nice to them.

Who am I? Well world, my name is Gaby. Below are just some things people find interesting about me or I find is important about me.

At times people say I act like I am 30 or they may question me about my age because I am acting like a kid. I am 19.

I do not drink because I do not feel that it is necessary for me to act crazy or have fun. Just give me a bunch of sugar and deprive me of sleep and I will be the craziest and funniest person you have ever met. Plus, I would like to be my friends safety net. Since some of my friends do drink I want them to know that if they ever need me to drive them home safely that I can do that. It is something I promised I would do after my cousin died because of a drunk driver.

I believe in God and respect others different beliefs. If someone is an atheist I do not try to push God on them. When somebody lecture me about how their religion is right and my belief is wrong, I will listen and respectfully say okay then drop it.

I am never on the hunt for love or shoot down somebody just because they do not look a certain way. If you ask me out on a date there is a good chance I will say yes, only if I am single of course. I look at the first date as the time to get to know someone because although they may not look a certain way does not mean they are not a right fit. Everyone deserves a chance. I do not hunt people down. If I find someone interesting I will think realistically about the chance that they will like me back and if I think its possible I go for it. Yes, I have the guts to ask somebody out.

If I get married and my special someone wants kids I would prefer adopting. I feel that this world is overpopulated and that if I am going to raise a kid I want to raise a kid who does not have a family and needs one. This will only happen if I find someone and they want kids. If that does not happen my mom will have dogs for grandchildren.

I love to smile at people who dislike me and treat them with kindness. Yes, I find it funny when I annoy them but I also hope to change the way they feel about me because most of the time people will dislike me for the dumbest reasons. This one girl in high school did not like me because I was a faster runner than her.

I admire my mom and all moms who raise children with disabilities and do everything they possibly can to be sure that their children have the same opportunities as everyone else and get the help they need.

I have recently discovered that I dislike labels. I used to consider myself democrat but now I am independent. I used to be Catholic but now I just tell people I believe in God. People used to know me as the girl who listened to punk and now I pretty much listen to everything.

I guess I have come to realize that labels are just ways to categorize people but I am fairly open to different possibilities, people, and experiences.

 I was not always open-minded. At one point I could not hang out with certain people because they did things that I did not like, but I came to realize that people will live the way they want and even if I do not agree with it I can respect it.

Well, anyways that is a little about me. I am a kind person and am open to listening to others about their dilemmas. All I want in life is to have a positive influence on the people I come across in my life. Recently I was able to come to terms with my Gabyness and am ready to face the world and help others. Hence the name of my blog.

Hello world, my name is Gaby.

Memorial Day

Many people see Memorial Day as the start of summer, the time to barbeque, or visit the beach. It is their way of celebrating their freedom as Americans.

For those who know someone in the service or have lost someone in the service, this day is personal to them. Not everyone seems to remember the meaning behind Memorial Day. It is not only about our freedom, it is about the people who have made it possible and have fought to protect it.

As you have your celebrations on Memorial Day take the time to appreciate those who gave their service to this country. Do not be blinded by the fun celebrations or the Memorial Day Sales. Just take a few minutes to think about their bravery, watch films based on their courage, lay flowers at their grave sites, visiting veterans to thank them, or offering emotional support to those families who have lost a loved one. Anything you do, big or small, to show your respect is good. This does not mean you should ignore the sales that the stores are having or the parties going on. Just do not forget the meaning behind this day. Gives thanks and enjoy your freedom.

The Lizzie Project

Lizzie Velasquez was once known as "the world's ugliest woman", but after her speech on TED talk in December 2013, she became known as an inspiration to many. Now Velasquez is using her own experiences of bullying to reach out an even-wider audience by putting together a documentary about her story.

She was born with a rare disease that made it impossible for her to gain weight. Never in her life has she weighed more than 64 pounds, and is completely blind in one eye. Not only did she have to deal with the physical struggles of her disease, but on top of that she also had to deal with the emotional pain of being bullied. Still, she found a way to look beyond all of that and decided to do something good for humanity despite the way people treated her.

Velasquez wants to act as a protector for those who are being bullied and have a hard time believing that things will get better. As someone who has a disease that caused people to label her the "ugliest" woman, she knows that everyone has the opportunity to overcome their demons and be something great. What people say is not as important as how you handle it.

As of right now she is working on raising money for the film through a Kickstarter campaign. The goal is to raise $180,000 and as of right now there has been $123,000 raised. The campaign will end on May 31, and the trailer for the documentary can be seen at TheLizzieProject.com

It was at age 17, that Velasquez's life changed when she came across a YouTube video that claimed she was the ugliest woman. She recalls reading a comment that said, "Do the world a favor and put a gun to your head". It was at that very moment she decided to be happy and view her disease as a blessing. Instead of being pitiful she wanted to improve her self-esteem and inspire others who face the same problem.The comments she read gave her the motivation and drive she need to write three self-help books and actually talk about the struggles she has faced in life. Since then she has gained thousands of followers on her social network sites.

Her story serves as a lesson to all that as long as we are able to love and accept who we are the rest will fall into place. We must be able to overlook what others think and not have it in our heads that we should be a certain way. There is no other person to be but who we already are. We must accept the bodies we were given. In a book I read called: "If Life is a Game , These are the Rules", it was said that once we are able to accept our appearance our confidence will overpower the way we look not only in our own eyes but in the eyes of others.

I look forward to watching the documentary and hope that Velasquez's story will be able to capture the attention of a large audience and help to change their perception on life for the better. It is important that everybody knows that they can make their lives better. It is not just going to happen, they have to work on their confidence and be accepting of who they are. Once they do that they will be able to see their full potential and  achieve greatness.

Isla Vista's Tragedy

 

Elliot Oliver Robertson Rodger took the lives of innocent people because he was frustrated about being a virgin.

YouTube videos posted by Rodger the previous week to the Isla Vista shooting showed a sweet and gentle soul. Truth was he was a twisted and delusional man planning to torment those women who refused his advances.

On Friday May 23, Rodger went out on a shooting spree he had planned out as revenge against women. Rodger wrote a densely detailed manifesto outlining his gruesome plans to kill and the reason he gave for his actions was the belief that women hated him.

The document Rodger wrote explaining his plans was titled "My Twisted World: The Story of Elliot Rodger". This document records every insult and humiliation the he claimed to have suffered "at the hands of humanity, particularly women".

 "All I ever wanted was to fit in and live a happy life amongst humanity, but I was cast out and rejected, forced to endure an existence of loneliness and insignificance, all because the females of the human species were incapable of seeing the value in me," he says in the manuscript.

He blamed women for making him feel that he was alone and claimed that the way they treated him created hatred within him. Not only did he feel that no woman would ever love him, but he was also obsessed with the fact that many had refused to have sex with him. Being 22-years-old and a virgin was something that very much frustrated Rodgers and contributed to his hatred toward women.

Rodger had planned to behead his roommates and kill his stepmother and brother before going around UC Santa Barbara to shoot at people and stab them. He was specifically looking to kill good looking people and any couples he came across at a house party that was being thrown.

In his shooting rampage he killed six people near Santa Barbara, California. Three victims were found at Rodger's residence and two women had been shot outside the Alpha Phi sorority house at the university. After his rampage it has been reported that Rodger by taking two tranquilizers and shooting himself in the head with two guns in his black BMW.

"I moved to Isla Vista with the goal of losing my virginity and attaining the life I desire," the document says. "If I am unable to have it, I will destroy it."

Rodger destroyed the lives of many. His actions took the lives of six people and broke the hearts of many. Veronika Weiss age 19, a UCSB student from Westlake. She was bright, athletic and outgoing. Many looked up to her and said that she had the characteristics of a leader.  Katherine Breann Cooper age 22. She was said to be a sweet girl. She was,"A self-proclaimed princess," her friend Courtney said. "I know that she has her crown on in heaven." Christopher Martinez age 20. He was described as a great guy and his death took its toll on his father who spoke of the incident the day after on behalf of his son and all of the victim and their families.

Richard Martinez, Christopher's father,lashed out at politicians and the National Rifle Assn. for refusing to support more restrictive gun control measures.   “They talk about gun rights. What about Chris’ right to live? When will this insanity stop?" Martinez said. "When will enough people say, 'Stop this madness.' We do not have to live like this. Too many people have died. We should say to ourselves, 'not one more.'"

Lisa Hopper, a 19-year-old student at UCSB, saw Christopher after he had been shot. She knew Christopher and tried to administer CPR but her state of shock made it difficult to do so. She was upset that she could not save Christopher and cried when she had stated that he was dead.

The incident is upsetting and heartbreaking. This kind of thing has happened several times before and it seems that once everyone is starting to get over one incident another one happens. It is ongoing and like Richard Martinez, I feel it is due to the lack of gun control. People claim that they have the right to bear arms, but these incidents prove that having that right proves to be too much for some. The weapons themselves are not the problem, but the hands the fall into. Some may think that having weapons means having power, but that is not true. Power is having access to weapons and not using them to hurt others even though we know we can.

As of right now our country has faced far too many incidents proving that the people do not have the power and ability to put aside their weapons and deal with their problems in a peaceful manner. Having the "right" to bear arms may be in the constitution but that does not mean that it should be a guaranteed right to all. Not everyone should be able to purchase a gun, because not everyone can handle the responsibility that comes with it. People may want to have guns to protect themselves, but if we made restrictions then their would be less of need to have them. Sure if you truly want to use it for protection you should be granted that privilege, but we need to be able to find a way to only allow access to those who can handle it. Check their mental health, historical background, family history, and whatever else that may be crucial in assuring that those who have guns will not use them to harm others. People may be upset about the long process but it is better to assure people the right to live then allow them the right to have weapon that kills.

Rodger obviously had problems, and some had been well aware of them. His own father had admitted to police after the incident that he truly believed his son would do something so horrific. If his own father had known his son had problems then why not help him? How is it that Rodger had access to guns? Surely if whoever had allowed him access to the weapons had known Rodger's history this would not have happened.

Rodger was lost in his hatred and felt alone. That does not justify his actions, but it does explain why he did what he did which is important. It is something that we should learn from. Because if we ever come across someone who discusses how they are in a state of despair and have no desire to live, we should recognize the possible outcomes. Even if the worst possible outcome is a massacre, dealing with the issue is better than ignoring it.

To all of those who lost someone in the Isla Vista, just know that none of the victims deserved to die. You may ask yourself why Veronika? Why Katherine? Or why Christopher? But there is no answer. It was just something unfortunate that happened. Even if there was a reason as to why they specifically were victims, that would not help make it better. Focus on the good things they brought into your lives and be grateful to have known them. It is hard to lose someone, especially when it happens unexpectedly. The best thing to do is to carry on their memory by pursuing to do good in the world as they had.

The Everyday Heroes

What makes someone a hero? Well, there are many things that make someone a hero. This week the Huffington Post reminds us that there are people who put their lives on the line because they believe it is their duty to protect the people around them. These heroes are firefighters, police officers, military men and women, paramedics, emergency dispatchers and so on.

These brave men and women put the lives of others before their own. They are able to look past their own beliefs to help a diverse spectrum of people. Whether an injured victim is good or bad, they find that everyone deserves a second chance. If a criminal is well-known and well-liked a true hero is able to see past that in order to bring justice.

Firefighters put their health at risk every time they approach a burning building. Police officers must be able to seek out a suspect using evidence and not personal judgments. Those in the military fight for their country and although not all people may understand the direction the government decides to go in they should respect those who do what they think is best for our country and are willing to die doing it. Paramedics rush to the scene of a dreaded accident or incident and must be able to make decisions in a split second. The observations and choices they make can mean life or death. Emergency dispatchers must detach from their emotions in order to help someone without breaking down themselves.

Photographer Brandon Cawood, honors these everyday heroes in his "Not All Wear Capes" photo series. Cawood worked with Creative Arts Guild to turn his photo series into a calendar and all of the money made through selling the calendars was used for a scholarship. Along with the money made selling the calendars, there were also donations made and together a total of $6,000 was raised for a scholarship program that provided art classes for underprivileged children.

"I felt like it was a way I could kind of pay my respects to the people in my community that do these things day in and day out," Cawood said when he explained what inspired his project.

Even though it is their job to protect and save people, they did not have to go down that path. All the people who risk it all for others deserve respect. They may not have superpowers but their selflessness and courage are perhaps the greatest powers of all.

If you see one of these brave men and women, show them that you appreciate all that they do. Even something as simple as a smile will let them know that their services are appreciated.

To see the photographs taken by Cawood for the "Not All Wear Capes" project click on the link below:
http://brandoncawood.4ormat.com/not-all-wear-capes

Autistic Boy Stands Up To His Bullies

 

Imagine being autistic and knowing your autism is the reason you are being bullied. You may not even be aware of the fact that you have autism but you know that you are what others consider "different". Does being different give others the right to bully you? No. It does not. So what can you do about it? Well, you can stand up for yourself and embrace what it is that makes you different.

During an exercise that included speaking out, a boy named Jake with autism, took the opportunity to let his bullies know that there was more to him than they knew.

 "I think you guys see me as a big target," Jake said. "You guys are always leaving me out of stuff ... never paying attention to me or anything I say."

Jake acknowledged that his peers purposely left him out of activities and by confronting them was able to make them realize that what they were doing was wrong. He told them that he knew he was different but that did not mean that they had a right to treat him as if he did not belong.

Jake's courage was caught on film and used as a part of the Bully Project, a social campaign used to stop bullying.

After the film's release Jake told Upworthy:
"Bullying has had a big impact on my life, but since the movie I’ve made a lot of friends ... For other kids with autism, if you're getting bullied, try and tell them to stop and not give a reaction -- if that doesn’t work, go to an adult. It might seem hard 'cause we can’t handle stress as well as other kids, but you will get through it and you’ll be awesome -- actually you already are!"

As someone who has a younger brother with autism I hope that my brother can stand up for himself or at least have someone stand beside him if others act ignorant and mistreat him. I know that kids at school are not always the nicest and I just pray that Christian knows that those who bully are just mean. I do not want him to ever think that his differences are the problem, because they are not. The problem is the ignorance of those who pick on others just because they are different or do not act a certain way.

I know that bullying will never stop, which is why I believe that it is crucially important to teach children courage so that they may be able to handle it if the situation were to arise. Like Jake, people should be able to confront their bullies. If that does not work then the best thing to do is rise above by treating your bullies with kindness and to just continue being the awesome person that you are. Showing your bullies that their actions do not affect you will eventually lead them to give up.

To see Jake's speech click on the link below:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/05/16/boy-with-autism-boldly-stands-up-to-bullies-and-its-all-captured-on-video/

Happy Animals Club

At the age of 9, Ken has made his own shelter for stray animals. Ken lives in the Philippines and around his home he sees many stray animals wandering around in the streets. Although he offered the animals food it was heartbreaking for him to see that many people in his neighborhood killed these animals.

Ken wanted to do more for the animals. He wanted to raise money and establish a no-kill shelter. By posting pictures of the animals he had been helping on a website for what he called, "The Happy Animals Club", Ken was able to sign a one-year lease for a 10,000 square feet of land to build the shelter on. Although enough money was raised to build the shelter Ken will need more donations so that he may continue to create a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter for stray animals and hopes to have it running soon.

Message from Ken:
"Please help me develop the animal shelter by volunteering, holding seminars at your school or company, or donating funds for dog food and veterinary care. Happy Animals Club is a non-profit organization registered in the Philippines. Happy Animals Club is autonomous and independently managed by me with help from volunteers (currently my dad, he complains that he is an 'involunteer'). Happy Animals Club is not affiliated with anyone or any organization that supports euthanizing stray dogs."

To donate click on the link below:
 http://www.happyanimalsclub.org/

Using Art to Help the Homeless

Willie Baronet is using his artwork to raise awareness of selfless acts and good deeds. He drew inspiration from seeing the homeless on the streets begging for food or change and seeing people who will purposely walk around them or simply have the strength to ignore a person in dire need.

Baronet admits that he used to be one of those people that would walk around a homeless person to avoid their glance or pretend to be extremely busy. Eventually the guilt of his poor actions caught up with him. He used try to justify his actions by telling himself that providing a homeless person with money was not a good idea because he would never know whether they actually used it for food or if they wasted it on drugs/alcohol. He came to realize that whether or not the money he would give to them was used for food did not matter, what really mattered is that he did his part. If he did his part then what happened next was out of his hands, but at least he had provided them with the opportunity to get what they needed.

In 1993, Baronet decided to take on a project to make up for the years he spent in ignorance and was going to make an attempt to inspire others to take action.

Baronet would approach the homeless and ask if he could buy their sign, most of those who he approached were quick to agree to the offer. They were grateful that they could sell their signs but were also curious as to why some random stranger would want to buy their sign. When asked Baronet would tell them it was for an art project, but he himself was not very sure what kind of artwork he could put together with all the signs.

Some of the people he came across became emotional when making the exchange, because they poured their heart out on the sign. Some had written out the situation they were in, others cried when they came to realize how their sign had long been ignored and then suddenly a man came in offering to buy it.

One woman Baronet will forever forget had her sign made by her husband who died. His name was written on the back of her sign and when she sold it she could not help but break down crying.

"I became aware that they each had a reason they were on the streets," Baronet said. "Human beings trying to get through their lives, dealing with adversity, looking for love, safety, connection. Just like you or me."

Baronet had spent over a decade trying to figure out what kind of artwork he would do with the signs. He painted on them, drew on them, covered his apartment walls with them, but he was never satisfied with the result. As he continued to collect signs he went on a trip to South Africa for grad school to pursue an MFA in Arts and Technology with the hopes of discovering what kind of artwork he was supposed to be making.

When he mentioned to his professors what he had been doing they encouraged him to continue to explore it as the basis for a possible body of work. After more years of exploring Baronet had his first solo art show in fall of 2009 . His work consisted of digital prints, homeless signs mounted on mirrors, one sign suspended from the ceiling in the center of the room, many signs were spread out across the floor, and a video with the signs he collected over the years that dissolved from one to another with the soundtrack of a car moving through traffic.

A homeless man was hired by Baronet to walk around the gallery holding a sign and talk to the guests.

After the art show he came up with a project he called "We Are All Homeless". Baronet stood at a key intersection in central Dallas and handed out cards to drivers that directed them to the project's website to get more information and find links to homeless shelters in the area.

As of today Baronet continues to use his artwork to make a stand for the homeless and encourages people to get in touch with their morals and not overlook the people on the streets asking for their help. He is planning on taking a trip from Seattle to New York to collect signs and connect with homeless people in 24 different cities.

Check out Baronet's blog to learn more about his project and see how you can join him in taking a stand for the homeless:
http://weareallhomeless.blogspot.com/

Everybody Live, Like It's The Last Day You Will Ever Live

Former quarterback of Buffalo Bills, Jim Kelly, has been battling oral cancer. Since the beginning of April Kelly has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments that are supposed to help shrink the small tumors that are spreading in his head.

Being surrounded by his family on Mother's Day, Kelly only asked to share a dance with his wife. Although he  was very weak from the treatment he wanted to show the appreciation he had for his wife after all that they had been through in the course of their marriage. The two lost their son Hunter in 1997 who died of Krabbe disease at the age of 8. And now his wife is by his side as he struggles in his battle for cancer.

The tender moment they shared as they danced in the hospital room serves as a reminder that even the smallest things such as dancing with a loved one, can be truly meaningful.

We need to cherish even the smallest moments we share with another person because we never know if that will be the last moment we have with them. Having cancer, Kelly knows that every second he has with his family and friends is crucially important. I am not sure if he would have the same mentality if he did not have cancer, but what I can say is that many of us do not realize the importance of the present until we face death.

Many of us are scared to even think of death which is understandable, but we should at least think that everything is temporary. By thinking about everything as being temporary we will be able to embrace all that is around us and live in the moment without necessarily thinking of death constantly. Just consider the possibility of change. Say that you are going to your favorite store or amusement park. Just imagine that it will be closing down and that is the last time you will ever be able to enjoy it.

Change is inevitable. Those like Kelly who are forced to face it come to accept it, but what we all need to understand is that we are always staring down death. In a way those who know that there is a possibility that they may die soon are blessed, because at least they can tie loose ends in the given amount of time they have. Some are not so lucky though. They leave the world unexpectedly.

I personally have dealt with both scenarios. My grandma died of ovarian cancer. We knew she was going to die before she did so nothing was left unsaid. Every moment we shared with her as she neared the end was truly cherished and engraved into our hearts as warm sweet memories.

My cousin Anthony died two years ago. He was 23-years-old, killed in a car accident. Nobody saw it coming and I wish that I could have said goodbye to him. The last moment I shared with him was not the best. I cannot even remember it very well. Looking back at it I wish that I would have talked to him more and shared a good laugh. But I took his visit for granted figuring I would see him another time. But I never saw him again.

My point is we should follow Kelly's example and dance as if it is our last dance. Never leave angry and always say what you need to say because you may not have another chance to say it. I know it is hard to always live in the moment and that we have our bad days, but even in the darkest of times we can enjoy the smallest hint of light. And it never hurts to tell someone you love them when you part ways. Even if you are mad at them you can just say, "I may be mad at you right now, but that doesn't mean I don't love you." Because you never want to live with the regret of leaving on bad terms. Always leave on terms that you can live with.

First Day: Post 5

Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH) has provided health care for residents of Whittier First Day since nurse-practitioner, Judith Stockman, started it in 2004. When she began providing the services she worked in a small room until the California Endowment gave First Day a start-up grant.

The clinic is not only there for the residents, it is open to all of homeless living in the streets. By presenting the services to people that struggle to receive even the most basic health care, First Day helps to reduce the health care costs that are caused by those who would go to the emergency room since they would not have anywhere else to go. It also helps to keep people from going untreated and becoming a chronic illness that could possibly spread throughout the community.

In 2009, a report done by PIH indicated that 96% of the patients that sought treatment at the clinic had improved their health status. The clinic to this date is just as successful in providing routine care, preventive care, and effective chronic disease management that help to improve the health of among residents and other clients.

The hospital helps support First Day in multiple ways. It has a “Fast Track” to First Day is a project that ensures that patients at PIH can be discharged and establish residency once they are in good health. A $27,000 grant from PIH has enabled First Day to provide families a tri-plex in which they may stay for two years while they work to live a self-sufficient life away from the streets. A PIH Dietetic Intern talks to residents about the importance of eating nutritional meals and how to eat healthy while on a budget. PIH provides clothing vouchers to the residents so that they may have access to clothing that is appropriate for a job interview.

The collaboration of PIH and First Day has been proven to be successful and beneficial to all of those in the community. The two do not only help the homeless with their help, but also provide them with the strength to rebuild their lives.

People Apparently Cannot Handle Seeing Two Men Kiss

There was a negative response amongst people in the world of social media regarding the kiss Michael Sam shared with his boyfriend when discovering he had been drafted by St. Louis Rams. As the first openly gay NFL football player, people should have seen this coming. If a straight man had been drafted he would have kissed his girl. So the fact that people cannot believe he would do that on television is ridiculous. He happens to prefer the company of a man and that is not a crime. You cannot help who you fall in love with. Those who found his kiss disgraceful and disgusting are behaving as a bunch of fan girls. By that I mean that their reaction is that of someone who disapproves of someone else's relationship and has the guts to discriminate against it without a reason other than the couple does not meet their own standards, not necessarily taking into consideration how the couple themselves feel about each other.

I myself have disapproved of people that I have seen my friends with but I always had a reason. Either their significant other was a cheater, disrespectful, controlling, etc. Never have I just looked at a couple and immediately thought that they should not be together. Whether it be a same-sex couple, a couple with one person being more attractive than the other, or an interracial couple. As long as they are happy with each other I have no reason to judge or hate.

As for the kiss displayed by Michael Sam, I am proud of him for showing no shame and being proud of who he is and who he loves. I found the kiss very sweet because I could see how happy they were and how much they cared for one another. Had they been full on making out then I would have been uncomfortable, but I feel that way about both same-sex couples and heterosexual couples. A sweet and simple kiss between two people, gay or straight is something I always find heartwarming. It is usually the simple kisses that show how much two people truly care about each other.

So for all of those who found the kiss disturbing, get over it. It is not the end of the world. And to those who were upset that kids witnessed the kiss, keep in mind that kids see worse things than an act of affection. Nowadays more kids are exposed to violence, porn, and drugs. How is it that many of the parents shielding their children's eyes from watching two men kiss are the same parents that allow a eight-year-old to play Grand Theft Auto? Teaching children to discriminate against others because of who they love, instead of teaching them to respect others despite their differences is simply unacceptable. Instead of shielding your child's eyes explain to them that people fall in love with someone for who they are and not what gender they are.

Hating on same-sex couples is perhaps one of the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. The time people take to make it a point to say that they find same-sex couples unacceptable should be invested in something that they can actually do something about like world hunger, animal cruelty, and global warming. You know, the things that actually matter. If you cannot stand same-sex relationships then my advice for you is to never be in one.

Man Does Not Let His Disability Get In The Way of His Dream

Many people dream of singing in a stadium full of people. Some work hard to make that happen and others are not confident that they have the voice to do so. Michael Mullin, a 38-year-old Red Sox fan. dreamed of singing the national anthem in the stadium of his favorite baseball team.

Despite his struggles with Down Syndrome he was determined to make his dream come true and not allow his disability interfere with his lifetime goal. For ten years he sang the anthem fir a minor league team, and spent four years lobbying the Red Sox for a chance to sing at Fenway.

On his journey Mullins received the support of the Michael Linsow Respite Center in Hoplinton, Mass., which is where Mullins lives.

When his dream finally came true he was not the slightest bit nervous. Instead he was filled with complete excitement as he made his way on to the field to do what he had worked ten years for.

Singing the anthem itself was not Mullins only wish. He also wanted to raise awareness for adults with disabilities, and prove that having a disability does not have to prevent you from doing things you wants. It may take longer for you to make things happen than other people but when it finally does happen it is worth all of the hard work.

Having a disability does not mean that you are not capable to do the things others do. A disability is an obstacle but like all obstacles, there is a way to get through it. Everybody has their obstacles and whether it is having a disability, being homeless, or being discriminated against, nothing can prevent you from doing what you love unless you allow it to do so.

#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

 

April 15, heavily armed terrorists stormed a boarding school filled with high school girls in northern Nigeria. Several hundred girls were herded into vehicles and then vanished.

 

The extremist behind the kidnappings are a group called Boko Haram, whose name in the Hausa language means "Western education is a sin".

 

These girls were brave in seeking an education. Schools in the area were closed in March to protect them from terror attacks. When the school was reopened for the girls to take their finals Boko Haram took advantage of the opportunity and raided the school. These young girls ranging from ages 15 to 18 were expected to move on to become teachers, doctors, lawyers.

 

Now they are being auctioned off to become "wives" of militants. And what has the Nigerian government done? Nothing.

 

About 50 girls were able to escape but 276 girls are still missing.“We are now asking for world power countries to intervene,” the father of a missing 18-year-old girl, Ayesha, said. Parents of the missing girls are now relying on the United States and the United Nations to help them get their daughters back.

 

"While there has been a major international search for the missing people on Malaysian flight MH370, and nonstop news coverage, there has been no meaningful search for the even greater number of missing schoolgirls" columnist Nicholas Kristof stated in the New York Times.

 

 As of this moment it is unknown whether or not China, Great Britain, or France will take any action. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington will "do everything possible" to support the Nigerian government return the girls to their homes. It has been reported that this moment the Pentagon has not received a request for military help, but that if they do receive a request help would most likely come in the form of law enforcement or FBI help.

 

These girls are in danger just because they wanted an education. Not many of us in the United States think about how lucky we are to receive an education. Yes, there are flaws in our education system but at least it is open to all of us. Hearing about incidents like this makes me think about all the people I have seen taking their education for granted. People literally die trying to get an education. So when you are procrastinating on your school work or are annoyed by your teacher's harsh grading system, think about these 276 Nigerian girls who risked it all for an education.

 

Claudia Silva Ferreira, Victim of Police Brutality in Brazil

Family and friends at Ferreira's funeral.

This past semester I have learned about the issues of racism and police brutality in Brazil. Today we talked about a woman that was brutally killed by military police. So, what did this woman do to get killed? Nothing. The fact that she was black was reason enough for the police to kill her. For a country that claims that they are NOT racist, this incident and the recent violence stirred up by the World Cup definitely contradicts that claim.  

March 16, 2014:
During a military police operation Claudia Silva Ferreira was shot in the neck and back in the Morro da Congonha slum in the north of Rio de Janiero. Ferreira did not die at that moment but what police did next would lead to her slow painful death.

Once the police ended their gunfight with alleged drug traffickers they threw Ferreira in the trunk of their car to take her to the hospital. Most would think to put her in the backseat, but they obviously were to careless to do so. They did not even have the heart to close the trunk.

Friends and neighbors of Ferreira attempted to stop the police from taking her away but they fired warning shots to get them to back away. Once the crowd dispersed they took off with the trunk open.

On Intendente Magalhaes highway her body rolled out of the trunk and hung on by a piece of clothing. Her body was dragged 250 meters and although drivers an pedestrians tried to tell the police they did not seem to care.   

The police officers who were responsible for Ferreira's death were reported to be Sub-lieutenant Adir Serrano Machado, Sub-lieutenant Rodney Miguel Archanjo, and Sergeant Alex Sandro da Silva Alves. The next day they were arrested.


March 20, 2014
The police officers that were placed under arrest were arrested due to claims that Ferreria may have been dead before being thrown in the trunk. According to prosecutor Paulo Roberto Cunha, ”If she [Silva Ferreira] presented vital signs, there would be the crime of bodily harm. But, if she was dead [when placed in the trunk], they did not commit any crime.”

According to Journalist Monica Waldvogel reported that Sub-lieutenant Adir Serrano has been involved in the death of about 63 people. Sub-lieutenant Rodney Archango is responsible for six deaths.

Thais Lima, Ferreira's daughter, said that the police officers laughed while putting her mom's body in the car.


Writer Christen Smith posted an article on The Feminist Wire about Ferreira's death describing the incident as follows:

"As black women, ours is often the flesh that the state uses to fertilize the nation; consolidate its power. On the pretenses of public safety, they invade our neighborhoods and our homes, pull us out and kill us, spilling our blood into the pavement. I am tired of them dragging us limp and lifeless through the streets on alleged missions to save us. They grind us into the road oblivious to our life's worth and impervious to the unspeakable pain that they inflict on our children, our partners, and the loved ones we leave behind. Violence against black women is a global, communal, generational violence. As a black woman I am painfully aware that anywhere and almost everywhere I go I am a target for white supremacist heteropatriarchy, and it is often the state that exacts this violence. Our bodies are always marked as violable. Yet oftentimes in our discussions of state violence, we neglect to account for the fact that black women are always the intended targets of anti-black state terror, even when the ones who are killed are black men."

Smith also claims that she believes that the class race, and gender factored into the killing of Ferreira. To read the rest of Smith's article go to: http://powderroom.jezebel.com/claudia-ferreira-and-the-apathy-towards-black-and-brown-1571876830/1571879699/+nappyheadflo

 

Do I believe that women with brown and black skin are still discriminated against not just in Brazil but all across the world? Yes. I myself have experienced the feeling of being looked down upon for the color of my skin, and I live in California. I am also expected to like certain things or do certain things that women are "supposed" to. But it could be a lot worse. At least I can shrug off what others think of me, and do not have to worry about being beaten down for being who I am.

 

If you think you are being judged harshly for the color of your skin or gender in and live in a first world country, try to imagine what it is like for women of colored skin in third world countries. Many of us take for granted how far our country has come.

 

 

 

 

 

Date Who You Want, Not Who Society Wants You To

Today I read a post written by Cece Olisa about being a woman with a man that is skinnier than her. She talked about how people consider her very "lucky" for being with him and admits that the hardest thing for her being in a "mixed weight" relationships was other people and their opinions. Although nobody has directly told her she does not deserve to be with him she knows they are implying it in the sugar coated comments they make.

People should stop being so shallow. It is not all about looks. I myself fall for someone because of their personality. Yes, I do find some people attractive but that will quickly dissolve if I find out they are not compatible to me. Plus I find that obsessing about looks is a waste.

Looks fade. If you are hoping to find the love of your life I suggest that you open your heart to who someone is rather than get stuck on how someone looks. Society may show us all these "perfect" looking couples on television, but do their looks alone make them a perfect couple? Well first off, there is no such thing as a perfect couple. Second, all couples have their flaws but what really matters is their happiness and ability to put up with each other no matter how hard things may get.

You should never feel ashamed of who you are with or feel insecure. And definitely do not just be with somebody because that person is who people think meets your standards. Love is love. If you feel a connection with somebody do not deny it because you may regret it in the end.

Well that is my take on Olisa's post. If you are interested in reading her story go to http://www.refinery29.com/relationship-weight-issues?utm_source=huffpostwomen&utm_medium=syndication

First Day: Post 4

First Day made it a point to include counseling as a part of their services and that is something that has truly helped many residents to be able to put their lives back together.  With the investment in alleviating homelessness by Kaiser Permanente Foundation, First Day residents are able to receive counseling at no charge with those of the Intercommunity Counseling Center (ICC). "People who come here have a host of issues from dealing with childhood abuse to depression and feelings of grief and loss, so this is a way to effectively bring counseling to them," First Day Executive Director Ted Knoll told the Whittier Daily News.

The ICC works with non-profits like First Day and by doing so the two help each other. First Day receives people with experience to help their residents and the ICC has doctoral psychology students gain experience in their field of work and build skills.

"The training sites for psychology students have been drying up, so pairing up with First Day and other nonprofits in Whittier for our internship program seemed like a good fit," Dr. Rebecca Eberle-Romberger, executive director of Intercommunity, told Whittier Daily News.

First Day was the first nonprofit ICC worked with when it started the internship program. ICC provides private sessions with residents and once every week a counselor will come in the evening to share informal conversations with the residents. The program has proved to be successful in helping residents not only to overcome their homelessness, but to deal with the issues that led them to become homeless.

Together the Intercommunity Counseling Center and Whittier First Day work to create a mentally healthy community and believe that providing these services is a basic right that all people deserve to have.

Woman Agrees to Donate a Kidney to Save a Toddler

 

Christy Harding came across a Facebook page created for a 2-year-old who has a rare genetic disorder that affects kidneys. Harding wanted to help in anyway she could and reached out to the children's hospital where the toddler was being treated to see if she could help with anything.

 

She was told that the girl, Arianna Moore, was in need of a kidney. Even though Moore was all the way in Minnesota and Harding herself was a complete stranger living in Florida, she volunteered to donate one of her kidneys to the little girl. And it must have been fate because Harding was a match. 

 

When asked why she made the decision to donate one of her kidneys Harding explained that she had a 2 year-old daughter and knew that if her daughter were in need of a kidney that she would hope that someone would try to save her.

Shortly after her birth, Moore was diagnosed with diffuse mesangial sclerosis. Since then she has undergone dialysis about ten hours, every day, for the past two years. Her kidneys failed when she was seven weeks old but none of her blood relatives were a match and they could not find a donor  willing to help. 

 

Moore's family turned to social media with the hopes of finding someone willing to help their daughter and that is how Harding was able to come in contact with them.

 

On top of donating her kidney Harding has set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money for Moore's family to go to Disneyland in Orlando, Florida. The goal is to raise $12,000 and in just one day the page received about $1,000 worth of donations.

 

Many of us probably cannot believe that a complete stranger would do this for a family she will not meet until Monday, but there are people like Harding in this world. It is rare but they do exist.

 

 If you ever feel compelled to do something from the kindness of your heart do it. I know we cannot all be like Harding but we should be our best and do what we can.  

 

Strangers Take the Time to Save a Life

Lauryn Lax in the center wearing blue.

At a YMCA in Nashville, Tennessee members working out at the gym were concerned about Lauryn Lax's appearance. She was dangerously thin and they knew that she was anorexic. People who saw Lax could not help but feel as if they had to do something. Most people would have turned and looked the other way but these people could not just ignore the problem at hand.

First they secretly contacted Lax's parents who confirmed she was anorexic and had been since the ago of 10. They told the people from the YMCA that they had tried treatment several times and there was just no use. At that point you would think that the YMCA members would just let things be, but instead they plotted their own intervention. They feared that she would one day not be there because they did not take the time to help her.

One day when Lax was going to go do her workout when the YMCA members surrounded her car. They told her that they were taking her to the hospital. Lax protested against them and started to cry.

Even though these people barely knew her they told her that they were not going to give up on her, and she was lucky they didn't. If they had given up on her she would have died. Not long after they brought her to Vanderbilt Medical Center, her heart was beginning to fail. Doctors almost had to insert a pacemaker.

Thanks to the YMCA members she survived and made the decision to seek treatment. Three years later Lax is 36 pounds heavier and is a healthy, new person.

Today, Lax graduated with a doctorate in occupational therapy. She plans to devote her life to helping others with eating disorders and is thankful to those who stopped to help her instead of looking the other way.

This just goes to show how we can make a difference by choosing to do something instead of ignoring the people who need our help. People need to work together because if they work alone they will feel alone. This world does not have to an "every man for himself" ordeal. Instead we can work hand in hand and make this world a better place. 

It does not take much to help somebody. Even the smallest things can make a difference. All in all an act of kindness can go a long way. It can even save a life.

Little Girl Selling Mother's Day Cards to Raise Money for Cancer Research

While going through chemotherapy 3-year-old Aubrey Castro has been painting and coloring Mother's Day cards to raise money for pediatric cancer research, so that she can help kids who are battling cancer just like her.

After Aubrey's family discovered that the government only allocates 3.8 percent of funding to pediatric cancer research, they decided to raise money on their own by making Mother's Day cards. The family has sold 1,500 cards and for Mother's Day their goal is to sell 2,014 cards. Even if they do not meet their goal Mother's Day they plan to continue selling holiday cards all year round for $5 on St. Baldrick's Foundation's website and Etsy store, which is managed by a friend of the family's.

Even when Aubrey was on steroids sick at home she painted. She is still undergoing chemotherapy and hopes to be done by July 2015.

Vanessa Castro, Aubrey's mom plans to take part in St. Baldrick's "Mommas Shave for the Brave" were mothers of children fighting cancer will shave their heads to show their love and support for their brave fighters. Their are 46 mothers in total taking part in this event and according to St. Baldrick's Foundation that is to represent the 46 children in the U.S. each weekday.

Aubrey loves to make these cards because she knows that they are going to a good cause. She even takes part in assembling them with her mom. Aubrey has worked hard making these cards and it is not like she made ten or fifteen cards. No, she has made thousands and the least we can do is help her reach her goal by donating $5.

Buy your mom something that will help children like Aubrey in the fight against cancer.

Contestant on "Wheel of Fortune" Captures The Hearts of Many

The television game show "Wheel of Fortune" had a contestant that inspired the audience. Trent Girone is a 21-year-old living in Peoria, Arizona. He is a huge fan of the show and was the first contestant with disabilities to compete on the show.

Girone has had nine brain surgeries and has Asperger's and Tourette's syndromes. And although he did not win the game he became a Twitter trend as people cheered him on and admired his strength by tweeting #TeamTrent making him a viral sensation.

Since the age of two Girone has been a huge fan of the game show. After his appearance on the show Girone wrote on his blog, "I love the show and wanted to be a part of its history. I thought I would do a great job solving puzzles."

Girone went through the shows reruns to study the game. And even though he had lost he had the best time of his life. He even gave some advice to future contestants on his blog, saying, "... relax and have a good time. It is a lot of fun, whether you win big or not. That is my number one guarantee."

                                

The Air Quality of Los Angeles

Despite improvements made to over the past several decades Los Angeles is still contributing vast amounts of smog into the air. The America Lung Association announced that Los Angeles has the worst air quality. It violates the health standard for the ozone for 122 days a year.

What does it mean to the people living in Los Angeles? Well, it means that the city that they live in is endangering their health. Although the air is not as dangerous as it was 15 years ago. One-third of ozone levels have been reduced and fine particle pollution has dropped by half of it was. Still the pollution inflames lungs, aggravates asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and is very harmful to children. The pollution has also been linked to cancer, lung and heart disease, and many other health problems.

How is it that with all these effort to reduce the air pollution Los Angeles still has such poor air quality? Well due to climate change the warmer temperatures increase the risk for ozone pollution. The California Air Pollution Control Officers' Association states the climate change will increase smog formation and lead to more wildfires in the region.

The Clean Air Act has proven to be successful in reducing pollution in Los Angeles. In order for the Clean Air Act to continue to do protect the health of the people in Los Angeles Congress must allow it to do so by ensuring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the states have adequate funding to monitor and protect the nation from air pollution and the new threats brought on by climate change.

People can help fight against pollution as well. I know that many people think that the small things they do such as throwing a piece of trash on the ground or taking long showers are not a big deal, but when thousands of others are doing the same thing it becomes a problem. It is time that people monitor their actions and start treating the environment we live in with respect. We cannot rely the fate of our world in the hands of someone else. This issue requires a nationwide effort. Even the smallest changes help.

We need to take responsibility for our actions or else we will end up suffering harsh consequences. Earth is our home and it is up to us to determine what happens to it.