Guest Post: Defying Gravity

The following is a guest post written by a good friend of mine from college, Marie C. Sakai. She drew her inspiration for 'Wings' from the song 'Defying Gravity.' Marie is an amazingly talented artist, writer, and above all else, a wonderful human being. She is an editor for All Things Healing and teaches art to children in Oregon. Check out her personal blog and her Facebook fan page. Her above illustration, "The Illumination of Energy," was published in the Fall 2010 edition of 'Touch Magazine.'

Wings

When will your wings dry my beloved? When will you fly the sky again across moon beams and pyramids and find yourself in love again with the world you came out of?

When will you soar the sky, take a quantum leap into the world farther than the eye can see and the ear can hear--farther than anything else my dear. How far will you go how far will you come? What is that you have been longing to undone and what is it you have been longing to do inside of me and you.

Where are those wings now? Furled and encumbered, I know it true. But don't worry my child, my love, My beloved you'll start happening too.

You may not be able to defy gravity yet, but you know that would be the perplexity of the whole thing definitely. You may not be able to justify what and why things happened to you--but I'm not interested in the why, I just want to know what your soul feels like when it soars that sky so blues, so augmented hue of greens, that you fly the sky far away that you go where you soul leads you to stay. I want to know what happens when you go--what happens when you know all the souls that go with you-are drying their wings too.

mcs

Head Trip Massager

This product is a must-have for anyone suffering from a chronic illness like dysautonomia. The Head Trip Massager, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, retails for a mere $9.99 and provides instant, hypnotic relaxation. It is like the best scalp massage you've ever had, instantly transporting you to a serene, calming paradise. My massage therapist had one and tried it on my scalp following a massage and it felt amazing. I then decided to purchase one myself and it is probably the best ten bucks I've ever spent.

The Head Trip is great because it is not electric or battery operated, you can take it anywhere, and it is inexpensive, lightweight and good quality. There are, however, still a few minor issues with this product. Beware: if you have long, thick hair like mine, even one use may tangle, tease, and knot your hair badly. So do not use it if you plan to go anywhere afterwards. Instead use it before bed to promote relaxation and restful sleep, or in the morning before you do your hair. Also, this product is inevitably more relaxing if someone else uses it on your scalp. Luckily, it is easy to use, does the work itself and requires minimal effort from the other person. Because this product promotes natural muscle relaxation, it may be good for people who suffer from headaches. It actually helps take the edge off my stubborn TMJ pain.

If you are a fan of this product, you may also like the Body Trip Massager, also available at Bed Bath & Beyond for $12.99. It is great for back and leg massages, encouraging better circulation and natural relaxation.

Why It Is Important To Obtain Your Medical Records

If you suffer from what most doctors consider a "rare" or unheard of medical condition, chances are, you have been to more than your fair share of doctors in order to get a valid diagnosis, and if you're lucky, maybe even get some treatment. And if your experience has been anything like mine, you may not even be able to remember exactly how many doctors you've been to. I've been to about 25 different practitioners in a three year period. Between a massage therapist I only visited once, to an acupuncturist I saw dozens of times, I know my medical history is floating around out there all over the place, and certainly not just confined to my PCP's office. The funny thing is, I have seen very few of my own medical records; which I admit is entirely my own fault. It is the patient's responsibility to request and collect them. Doctors don't typically offer them up unless you submit a formal request which often involves paying the doctor's office a fee for the copies. I still need to take the time to contact all these doctors offices and gather my records from each and every place I have been a patient at in the past few years. Be forewarned: gathering your medical records, even from just one office, can sometimes be a time-consuming and frustrating process. One where you may have to deal with incompetent office personnel and wait a ridiculous amount of time to receive your records. Be patient, but also be persistent: conduct frequent follow-up phone calls to ensure that your requests weren't forgotten and that your medical records are on their way. Arrange to pick them up by a certain date if possible, that way they are operating under a deadline instead of mailing them out at their own convenience. Once you receive your records, it is important to review them carefully. If you notice any gaps, missing records, untrue or incomplete information, be sure to file a complaint with your insurance company, medical board, and if necessary, contact a lawyer if there is evidence of slander or negligence in your files. This doesn't happen often, but if it does, it's important that you take the appropriate steps to correct the problem.

By now you may be wondering exactly why gathering your medical records is so very important. Other than satisfying your own curiosity, having your medical records on hand serves some very valuable purposes.

1) Lawsuits. Whether you are filing for one, or involved in one, the first thing most lawyers will request is your medical records--whether the case directly concerns your medical history or not. After my car accident, I had to release some of my medical records to lawyers for review. Therefore, it is beneficial to know what doctors are actually saying about you.

2) Provide Documentation for Disability. When applying for disability, your medical records will be under scrutiny to ensure that you are a deserving recipient and are actually unable to work. Your medical records will either help to support or refute your claim.

3) Track your own progression over time. You should know your own medical history like the back of your hand to save yourself from repeating unnecessary costly medical tests and to avoid potentially preventable medication allergies and reactions. It can also be beneficial to access your old blood work records and test results to see how things have improved or declined over time.

4) Protect your reputation as a patient. It may be important to know what your doctor really thinks of you. If he really thinks you are a hypochondriac but doesn't ever say it to your face, that information may be following you around from doctor to doctor for years to come via your medical files. Reading the doctor's comments is also a great way to get to know him better. Does he take thorough notes after each appointment, or only jot down a few key words each time? Generally, the more detailed notes, the better.

5) For tax write-off purposes. If you itemize deductions on your income tax, things like dental work and chiropractic care may be able to be written off at a small percentage. Talk to your accountant for more details.

Top 10 Cost-Cutting Tips for People with Chronic Illness

1) Cut your current cell phone bill in half by switching to a pre-paid plan like one of the Straight Talk Cell Phone Plans from Walmart. Pre-paid plans allow you to avoid all those pesky local and federal taxes while still getting quality service and reception (pre-paid providers use the same cell-phone towers the four major nationwide providers do) so your clarity and strength of signal shouldn't be sacrificed. Also, pre-paid plans offer a refreshing flexibility that standard contract plans don't: you can adjust your plan on a month-to-month basis to meet your talk/text/web needs. For instance, save more money during the months you don't plan on using your phone as much by opting for the $30 plan (1000 min, 1000 text, 1000 MB of web usage). Otherwise, enjoy unlimited everything without fear of overage fees for a clean $45 per month. For many people, an unlimited cell phone plan is sufficient and they choose to discontinue their land line phone service altogether and rely on their cell phone. However, if you still need a land line phone for emergency and local calls, contact your local phone company to determine if they offer a reduced rate for people with disabilities or low incomes. While you're at it, call your local city or county offices to find out if they participate in the utility tax refund program which qualifies eligible low income customers to be reimbursed for the amount of tax paid on utilities throughout the year--could be as much as a few hundred dollars by the end of the year depending on where you live.

2) Cut your cable bill significantly by switching to basic cable (sometimes as low as $10 a month for about 30 basic channels) and consider enrolling in Netflix for as little as $7.99 per month to enjoy unlimited streaming of new release DVDs and TV on DVD. Enjoy unlimited online streaming and DVD rentals delivered directly to your doorstep from Netflix for just $9.99 a month. Or, simply enjoy streaming thousands of your favorite programs from sites like hulu.com for free and at your convenience.

3) Cut your car insurance premium without sacrificing coverage by calling your agent to inform them that you are no longer commuting and have your policy switched to a "pleasure driving" policy. You may also qualify for the pleasure use rate if you live within a certain mileage radius of your job (varies depending on your insurance company). However, if you are no longer commuting to school or work, there is no need to pay the commuter rate anymore so be sure to let them know and you could potentially save hundreds of dollars per year.

4) Consider grocery delivery from Safeway.com, available in many communities nationwide. Where I live, it only costs $6 extra to have your groceries delivered right to your door. This not only saves gas and time, it can also save the headache of feeling woozy or sick while waiting in line at the store or carrying groceries in and out of the car. If you ask me, that's worth an extra $6 any day. Also consider participating in a local produce club like Local Harvest or Terra Organics that provides a box of fresh, seasonal organic produce to your door for as little as $20 per week. This option ensures that you will eat fresh, healthy foods and also provides some much needed variety, flavor and excitement in your diet. The selection varies weekly and takes the guesswork out of that inevitable, daunting question, "What do I feel like eating this week?" It enables you to try new, healthy, whole foods while supporting local farmers and the local economy. It also encourages you to attempt new recipes.

5) Take advantage of free shipping and coupon codes from online retailers. Online shopping also enables you to search for the best deals (which can often be tediously time and energy consuming) without ever leaving the couch in the comfort of your own home. Seize the opportunity to read product reviews from other customers gauging their satisfaction with the product before you purchase--one smart and surefire way to predict whether or not you will be happy with the product. That's one advantage conventional shopping doesn't offer. Most retailers offer a free shipping incentive if you purchase over a certain dollar amount, so make sure you prioritize and group items accordingly in order to qualify for free shipping.

6) Consignment stores offer quality new and gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories at nearly half of department store retail prices. The shopping experience at a consignment store is also much more pleasant and much less tiresome and overwhelming than at a department store or the mall. Think: small, cozy store brimming with unique boutique-like items and personalized attention from the store owner vs. long lines, either pushy or hard-to-find salespeople, and high prices. Many consignment stores will also consider trading items in their store for items you bring in, purchasing items from you outright for cash, or placing items on consignment until they are sold where you will then get anywhere between 40 and 60 percent of the profit.

7) For free or reduced-cost haircuts, manicures, pedicures, and facials, consider going to a local beauty school to reap the talents of beauty-industry newcomers. Don't be afraid, usually trainees are fully supervised by their instructors during the procedures, and if you are not satisfied with their work, someone else will step in and fix it to meet your specifications and you won't be out any money.

8) Save on prescription drugs through participating prescription drug discount programs like the ones offered by Rite Aid and Walgreens pharmacies. This is a great option if you find yourself without insurance or in need of a little extra assistance. Many states also have prescription assistance programs you can enroll in for free if you meet eligibility requirements.

9) Call your local Department of Social and Health Services office to check your eligibility for social programs if you haven't done so already. Even if you don't qualify for direct cash aid, you may still qualify for other valuable programs like food assistance or childcare, especially if you are already on disability. Also, keep in mind that if you owe debt due to medical bills, the state or the hospital itself may offer financial aid programs: sometimes all you have to do is inquire and simply tell them your situation and they will forgive a portion or sometimes even all of the bill without it adversely affecting your credit score.

10) If your physical health has deteriorated significantly and you find yourself struggling with basic tasks at home or in public, you may benefit from having a service dog around. Although they can be very expensive because of their years of extensive training, there are many programs out there offering low-to-no-cost service dogs to eligible candidates.

Verilux UVC Sanitizing Wands May Help People Achieve A Cleaner, Healthier New Year

Being a chemically sensitive individual and a germ-o-phobe certainly don't mix. Most germophobic people rely on stringent chemicals for cleaning. For me, that is simply not an option. I guess I should clarify, I am not a true, extremist germ-o-phobe, more like someone who just likes to keep a clean living space. I regularly attack dust mites by damp dusting and vacuum a few times a week to ensure that dust levels are low. Yet I still seem to suffer from annoying allergies and awaken each morning with a slightly stuffy nose on the good days. Last year I learned that I have a deviated septum (turns out that is a euphemism for a broken nose) that I acquired during my car accident 3 years ago. Since then, it has been hard to breathe easily, especially in other people's homes that may not be as clean or dust-free as mine.

I have been searching for a chemical-free cleaning solution for a long time and stumbled upon the Verilux UVC Sanitizing Wand on a blog. The blogger gave the product a glowing review which I now believe to be true. The wand comes in regular and travel size options, is battery-powered and utilizes the same UVC sanitizing technology that my toothbrush sanitizer does. It is 100% chemical free, odorless, and safe. It can be used to safely and efficiently sterilize any surface from counter tops to mattress tops. The only major drawback to the product is that it can take awhile to sanitize large surfaces like bedding if you are planning on sanitizing every square inch. The best thing about this product is its portability and the fact that you can take it with you when you travel to create a cleaner environment. Remember, killing all bacteria in your home isn't necessary so don't go overboard. However, this product can be particularly helpful during the cold and flu season. Any extra measure to avoid getting sick on top of dysautonomia is a good idea. Opt for the travel-size option since it offers the same technology at half the price and is more portable.