I’m A Canary Who Wants to Fly

19 07 2010

From the 18th into the 20th century, coal miners took caged canaries into the coal mine.  If the canary became distressed or died, it was a warning signal for the men to evacuate due to the air being contaminated by toxic gases or fumes.  I’m not supportive of any animal being put in harm’s way, but I realize this was their survival technique to save lives.

Dr. Abell has referred to me as “The Canary in the Coal Mine,” but in today’s world I’m “The Canary in the Electronic Age.”  Scientific research shows that electronic devices, wired and wireless, are affecting everyone’s body.  Some people “feel” it via headaches, nausea, lack of concentration or disoriented thoughts.  Others don’t feel a thing, but their cells are being affected by the Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) and Frequencies (EMF) whether they realize it or not.  Some cell phones show problems by getting hot.  I’m one of the “feelers” in a drastic fashion.  I can stop breathing, fall down, pass out, be immobilized and unable to move any part of my body, be in great pain, be disoriented, and more.  “I’m the canary!”  The federal government sets radiation safety limits, but due to my extreme sensitivities from my traumatic brain injury (TBI), I still suffer.  

A few years ago we operated more like “Little House on the Prairie” in the house here.  No lights, telephone, computer, televison, washer/dryer, stove, oven, microwave, etc. were used due to my brain/body struggles with electricity.  Only the kitchen and garage refrigerator and one bathroom night light were in use.  Most electrical devices were unplugged due to phantom electricity emitting even though the device was turned off.   

As I began to heal via the Brain Protocol, slowly my brain could handle all of the electronic devices in the home beginning to operate more.  (Although no cordless or cell phones are allowed.)  On most electronic devices mentioned above are BIOPRO Universal Chips which help to block the EMFs.  The BIOPRO Universal Chip, validated by Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, is one of the reasons I can operate on the computer.    

I do go out into public some, so obviously I’ve healed enough to encounter cell phones, etc. around me some.  However, by the time I return home, my brain is tired and does not cope with them.  At the end of May, I had a setback due to a cell phone accidentally being in the house and receiving an incoming call.  It left me weakened, susceptible to more “hits,” as I call them, from other electronic devices.  With 10 hits, I’ve struggled to think clearly, my pain increased, my legs struggle to be under me.  I’ve needed people to make my meals, do my laundry, etc. – all tasks I have taken great pride in handling myself now for over a year. It has required some living the “Little House on the Prairie” life again.  This past week I have been doing better, am active on the computer more, and I successfully ventured out into the “electronic world” in public. 

When in public, I keep a watchful eye.  I often veer away from electronic devices that cause me physical stress.  This includes people texting or talking on their cell, using cameras, employees scanning inventory on shelves, checkers using a hand-held laser device to scan prices at the check-out counters.  Even though “creative solutions” must be used to be out in public, it’s a great pleasure for me and great evidence of my healing on the Brain Protocol thus far to be out in public around people, to see many colors, to listen to sounds, to relearn how to operate in the world, and to feel a part of this world.

I’m not functioning at the level I was at before the end of May, but I will be as I wait patiently and follow the medical directives from my doctor.  Experience on the Brain Protocol, plus the use of other brain supplements from my regimen, have taught me that I will return to my previous functions prior to the setback when my brain/body is ready. We are continuing to find other solutions to help with my EMF difficulties, so there is hope.

Here are some facts that may interest you…

Spanish Scientists discovered that a cell phone call lasting two minutes can alter the natural electrical activity of a child’s brain for up to one hour afterwards.  (Source:  Spanish Neuro Diagnostic Research Institute) 

EMF is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen under standards established by the World Health Organization’s Agency for Cancer Research.  The chemicals DDT and lead are also Group 2B carcinogens.  (Source:  National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences) 

People can suffer nausea, headaches, and muscle pain when exposed to EMF waves from mobile phones, electricity pylons, and computer screens.  (Source:  Health Protection Agency, Britain)

Wondering about your cell phone’s radiation and simple ways you can protect yourself?  Check your Cell Phone’s Radiation Limit by visiting Environmental Working Group at http://www.ewg.org/cellphone-radiation. 

To learn more about BIOPRO Technology visit http://www.bioprotechnology.com/Company.aspx.

 

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The Miracle of My Special Buddy

4 05 2010
  

Windsor B. & Me (Click to enlarge.)

Sir Windsor B. Derby, A.K.A. “Windsor B.” for “Windsor Buddy,” has been with me for six weeks.  I’m frequently asked, “How’s Windsor doing?”  I’m not sure if he’s my sidekick or I’m his, but he’s pretty special!  I’d like to share some of our special moments, the miracles I see with him being in my life!   

Windsor, Heather, and I met and started to train together on a Friday.  Windsor cried on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday when the trainer, Heather, left the home.  None of us were surprised knowing he’d experience mourning.  His whole life was changing and we were prepared to love him through it.  However, on Monday, the day Heather had to return to Kansas, we were NOT prepared for Windsor’s reaction.  (Yes, the training was fast.  However, I have past experience with dogs, my horse therapy provided recall/learning experience, Heather trained me – via phone, pictures, & videos, I watched videos/researched via the wonderful asset of the internet for over a year, and I will continue to train with a SD trainer here.)

On Monday, prior to Heather leaving, we trained at a local store.  With Windsor at my side, we all walked outside to hug and say our “goodbyes.”  Windsor watched Heather walk away and get into her vehicle.  Once she was out of view, he turned around with an “I’m ready” attitude.  It was a shocking moment!  His turn towards me held so much communication.  He picked up his “mantle” – “I’m Sir Windsor B. Derby!  I’m yours now.  I understand this is what I’ve been training to do.  I’m your service dog and I’m here to help you.”  There was no more mourning, no crying.  From that moment, he has been glued to me, alert to helping, working to understand my language, giving love, providing laughter, and wanting to help in any way possible.

Sir Windsor Provides Mobility & Medical Alert Assistance

Medical Alert Assistance:  Our third week together, I realized “The Windsor Look.”  “The Windsor Look” is a medical alert.  It’s a very serious, deep, and mature look on his face just prior to an episode starting.  “The Windsor Look” allows me to prepare and be aware.  I do not have seizures.  I have episodes.  My body shakes hard like a seizure.  I’m alert to my surroundings, but am unresponsive, uncommunicative.  There is no physical evidence to having a seizure.  Some episodes are long and strong, causing me to feel dazed and lethargic.  Others are mild and short, and once completed I’m able to carry on with my activity.  Episodes occur intermittently everyday.  Many service dogs receive specialized training to provide medical alert assistance.  Windsor, amazingly, is doing many of the skills due to his inner instincts.  Although he has not begun this specialized training, he already alerts me.  Without directive, he even stops playing with his toys – and he LOVES those!  He waits quietly, calmly at my feet or lies next to me on the bed for hours and hours, refusing to leave me, and refusing to eat.  He also provides pressure, a “grounding technique” many medical alert dogs are trained to do – again a specialty not yet trained to do.  It’s a miracle…

Mobility and Medical Alert Assistance:  In our fourth week together, we went to Trader Joe’s, a specialty food store which is a  love of mine, but is highly brain-stimulating.  Due to my brain issues, I’ve only been four times since 2005.  While pushing the cart, Windsor is to walk along the side of me.  He suddenly cut across the front of me, making his body parallel to the cart’s handle, blocking me from moving forward.  Obviously, I was forced to stop with a 75 lb. pup blocking me – “The Windsor Block.”  Within a brief moment, I fell.  Falling is a typical occurence for me due to my brain injury.  Windsor then proceeded to follow his mobility training by going “Down,” waiting for me to “Brace” on him, and “Stand(ing)” as I regained my balance.  I thought, “Hmmm…did he know I was going to fall?  Was he trying to alert me?”  It didn’t take long to know that the answer was, “YES!”  as I fell four more times in the store.  Prior to each fall he body-blocked me.  Again this is a technique service dogs are specially trained to do.  Windsor has not yet received this training, but was being planned in the future.  It is amazing that he’s already doing this…now if only his handler (that’s ME!) would LISTEN to him and stop trying to make him go back to my left or right.  Within the service dog world, it’s called “Intelligent Disobedience.”  (Ex:  A guide dog is given the command to go “Left,” but ignores it and goes “Right” because he sees danger.  The handler must respect the dog’s “Intelligent Disobedience.”)  I must respect his “Intelligent Disobedience,” his communicating to me, his ignoring my command.  He can decipher a chemical that is alerting him to my falling.  He’s doing what is right by blocking me, so that I’m aware and don’t get hurt. 

The bowling picture above and the video below was taken on our first Monday, about 20 minutes after Heather left.  You can witness Windsor B.’s attentive nature to me.  Windsor does quickly assist me when I fall, even without a spoken command, but at bowling I didn’t want his help.  Bowling is a favorite pastime and a physical/brain therapy for me – coordinating eye/hand/arm movements, working with noise distractions – from music, bowling balls, pins, people.  It’s shows some of my ongoing progress with noises, my eyes, physical movements, and at interacting with people while focusing on an activity.  By the way, I’ve only gotten a few SPARES in 9 months!…and Windsor had just turned 9 months when we met.  So, I think a SPARE is a great way to celebrate!!!  (I got a STRIKE that day too – my 2nd in 9 months!) 


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Hearts Bursting with Pride

25 01 2010

Donation Update:  As of January 25, $4,100 has been donated towards Windsor’s total cost of $7,000 which includes his purchase, training, service dog equipment, and medical.  He arrives here in March 2010.  Thank you everyone for your help!

 


Today Windsor took his first “Public Access Test” for proper public behaviors and the performance of certain skills/tasks required for his service dog certification.  The proctor and the other trainers testing were completely amazed and impressed by this little guy who just turned 7 months yesterday.  They had never seen a 7 month old greatly exceed the expectations of the test.  One of the goals is to see how the dog responds to stressful situations in public.  Because Windsor was scoring the highest possible scores across the board, the proctor “upped the ante” of stress on him.

Below, are 3 EXAMPLES from the test.  I hope you enjoyed the  MOVIE of Windsor I was able to create from past photos and videos.  It is my first ever!  The movie is a GREAT piece of evidence that my brain continues to heal while on the Brain Protocol, even while experiencing some “bumps in the road” with my photosensitivity from PTVS (Post Trauma Vision Syndrome) this week.  Music is still a struggle for me to listen to, especially all instrumental, but I was able to concentrate and enjoy finding orchestration that matched, fit the mood.

  1. Normally, while in a restaurant full of good smells, the dog is tested with SMALL bits of food (i.e. a few pieces of hot dog, popcorn, chicken, etc.) thrown around him for a few minutes (5 minutes).  They are to “Leave it” without any sniffing, licking, or showing curiosity about the food.  With Windsor, the proctor pulled out BOWLS, mounds of food and placed these items, including a WHOLE hot dog, chicken nuggets, etc. around him for 20-25 minutes.  She also placed some on his PAW which he refrained from investigating.  It was a “Piece of Cake” for Windsor!
  2. Service animals must not be startled by or fearful of loud, sudden noises.  The proctor, who typically walks behind the trainer and testing dog, drops items or makes sudden, surprising noises.  With Windsor, the proctor made it harder by SLAMMING together skillets, baking sheets, etc.  No problem!
  3. Windsor passed 99%, scoring the highest scores possible on all requirements but the “stranger approach.”  Strangers – men, women, and children – are asked to do a variety of things, such as, step on their tail, reach out and pet, etc.  Heather was asked to drop the leash and walk 20 feet away.  Six feet is the norm.  Windsor was calm with the strangers and remained in the down position, but his bottom wiggled.  Unfortunately, no wiggly bottom is allowed.  Windsor’s exception to the “norm” was when a child was asked to SKIP over his back.  Although Windsor LOVES children, he didn’t get up to play and he didn’t flinch with the distraction.

    4. There are many who love Windsor and who are INCREDIBLY PROUD of him today!  It was a 2 HOUR TEST, again, longer than usual.  There are tears from our hearts bursting with pride!  He passed 99% of the test.  That is even more remarkable given his young age.  He has to work on the behaviors during the “stranger approach.”  There is no doubt Windsor will soon pass the “Public Access Test.”  Therefore, because he does qualify, Windsor’s service dog ID tags are on the way and he is officially part of the US Service Dog Registry.  This allows Windsor to be protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), along with me.  Thank you Heather and thank you Windsor for working so hard to help me!


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