Depression - Staying Positive in a Depressing State!

Millions of Canadians suffer from depression. I've had my own fair share of depressed states over the last couple of years, but through determination, sticktuitiveness and finding morale boosting motivators, I've been able to overcome some downward spiralling battles. You too can benefit from the motivators all around you by following these simple steps to completing one positive day at a time.

"Young women aged 15–24 years, were 1.5 times as likely as young men to report fair or poor mental health.

Young men 15–24 years of age were less likely than men in all other age groups to report fair or poor mental health."

"The variation among women across age groups was less than among men."

Source: "The Face of Mental Illness Ontario (2006)"

Canada Blood Clot Awareness - Facebook Page

I've just created a new Facebook page which is dedicated to helping individuals like yourself to prevent blood clots from forming. A blood clot is extremely dangerous which can lead to strokes, or even death. Please feel free to connect with this new group, post questions and share the link with your friends to help spread the word out.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians suffer from blood clots every year, no one is truly safe, not even children. Our youth use technology to help their lives, but laziness is a silent killer!

Visit: http://www.facebook.com/BloodDisorderNetwork

Twitter: http://Twitter.com/CanadaBloodClot


Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,
Martin R. Lemieux
Editor & Author

A Mother's Interview - Me, My Kids & AUTISM

Creating this interview really hit home for me. Owen, a child with autism is about my son's age and is the son of a dear friend whom I've known for years. Owen's mother, Liz has gone through many uphill battles dealing  with her son's condition while trying to balance life at home, a dream for better education and raising her two children on her own.

This is her personal story about what she has gone through to get this far...

Owen - Autism doesn't even cross his mind!

Liz thank you so much for sharing your story with my readers, it means a great deal to me personally as a friend and a father! Your strength is unparalleled and your courage is inspiring, please never change either. I hope that readers will have a better understanding of what it takes to not only raise a child, but to deal with autism as well.

Liz: "No, thank you for allowing me to tell my story! If this just helps one person to not feel so alone with their struggles, well that’s all I could ask for. Regardless of who our children are or what battles they must endure, they are our children and we love them and fight for them just as much as any other parent would.  We all play the hand we’re dealt with the best ways we can. Life situations like these are made easier by having family and friends like you for support!"

AbilityFilms.ca - Feature Videos that Inspire!

Andy Moore, owner of AbilityFilms.ca is a true inspiration to many individuals within the Greater Hamilton Community. Andy was born with Cerebral Palsy, which is a disability that affects the nervous system and brain functions. Individuals with Cerebral Palsy typically have problems with; movement, speaking, learning, seeing and thinking. Andy has conquered his disability by helping others.

Andy's father, Mike Moore - the president of the HCBA (Hamilton Challenger Baseball Association) has always led by example and has shown Andy what it takes to help individuals with needs. With that knowledge, Andy has dedicated his time and efforts on AbilityFilms.ca, which is a special media production company focusing on featuring videos for special needs organizations.

Hydrogel Helps Grow New, Scar-Free Skin

This is a very interesting development in skin care for burn victims and ulcer victims like myself. Studies show that this new "Hydrogel" can actually grow new skin, even produce hair follicles. For those of you who suffer from ulcers, this development is a huge step forward to wound care treatment. I am really excited to see what new advances comes from this product.

An article from the Johns Hopkins University shows promising results in testing with mice.


Here's the published press release published at the Johns Hopkins University...

Anyone Can Get A Blood Clot - Daily Preventative Measures!

A blood clot or DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is a very serious matter that we as humans underestimate. There are many ways individuals can get a blood clot and there's an equal amount of risks that come with having an artery stoppage, including death. A great deal of young individuals have died suddenly because they failed to realize the huge risks of a clotted blood vessel. Bellow I will outline preventative measures you can take to minimize the risks of getting a clot within blood vessels throughout the body.

DVT's Kill - No One is Safe!

Studies have shown that the lack of movement for a long period of time, increases the chances of getting a DVT. You might not know it, but you may be at risk from some of your non-active daily habits. DVT's can affect anyone young or old. Older people are more at risk since they tend to move less frequently, but that doesn't mean that someone who is only 20 years of age - that cannot get a blood clot just the same.

A Painful Interview – A Focus on the Mental & Physical Pain!

The interview you're about to read goes in depth into the realism of dealing with the physical and mental stresses of back pain. Not knowing where the pain comes from, the life of Renee can be described as; routine, structured, calculated and sometimes assisted, but her physical illness comes with many hidden surprises and twists from day to day.

Renee, I want to thank you for sharing your life with my readers, it really means a great deal to me. Your outlook on life will help a great deal of people to understand their own mental stresses and that they're not alone while going through those painful feelings!

Renee: “You're very welcome Martin, I just hope my life can assist others, especially if it helps a person to understand that their mind can sometimes play tricks on them, and also to help people understand that it’s important to find a release in any way shape or form.”

Home Care Services are Essential to Some - My Comment within the Hamilton Spectator

My comment was published within the Hamilton Spectator once again! My article outlined the governments need to cut health care budgets for hospitals in Ontario, which will allow the government to relocate the 24.7 million dollars for home care services. Although hospitals could use a boost in budgets, many people across Canada who suffer from illnesses and diseases depend on these home care services for a variety of reasons. Read my entire post or re-read the original article published in the Spec.com.

Chronic Diseases - Types of Chronic Illnesses

There are many types of chronic illnesses that one can have within their lifetime. Studies show that 1 in 5 Canadians suffer from some form of chronic disease. The risks increase the older you get. This journal is here to help those individuals understand the risks involved with chronic illnesses. Below you'll find a full list of health conditions anyone can get at any time.


Angina
Angina  (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is chest pain which caused due to restriction in blood vessels that fail to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

Arthritis
Is a condition that affect joints from the tissue surrounding the joints preventing normal movement and inflicting pain to the individual with arthritis. A person can have mild or chronic arthritis limiting ones ability to perform every day tasks.

Asthma
Asthma is a chronic illness which affects children and adults. No one is ammune to this condition which can affect a person at any time of their life. Asthma is known as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and wheezing. A person can have an asthma attack from exerting too much energy at one given time, preventing a persons ability to breath properly.

Phase I, II, III Completed!

Dear Readers,

All three phases outlining my battles over 15 years is finally completed! Other branching-journals will come later on, but for now I will focus on creating the interviews given to others with chronic illnesses. Please feel free to check out my ongoing battles and triumphs.

Phase I - Blood Clots & Rare Conditions
Phase II - Rare Vascular Conditions
Phase III - Dealing with Chronic Mental Stresses

Thank you to all for your continuing support!

Editor & Author,
Martin R. Lemieux

Some health-care myths debunked

Contributor: Stephen Skyvington
Source: The Hamilton Spectator

Preview: "And although you could have fit my knowledge about health care into a small syringe when I first started at the OMA, I feel uniquely qualified to comment on our health-care system thanks to the ringside seat I’ve occupied during the past 15-plus years — first with the OMA and since 2001, working with a number of health-care organizations and businesses as owner of my own public relations firm."

Phase II Completed!

Dear Readers,

Once you've completed the journey of reading "Phase I" of my conditions, I invite you to embark on "Phase II" of my extensive conditions that have plague me for a long time.

Warning: For those of you with a weak stomach, please be careful while browsing through Phase II, it's not for the faint of heart.

If you wish to read Phase II - My Chronic Illnesses, please click on the link to the right, or click here >

This is just the beginning of what's to come within this journal! I have five families already lined up to take an interview. Soon you will be able to learn personally what's it like to parent a child with autism and also learn the battles individuals go through with mental illnesses. These stories will be very personal and 100% real.

Thank you for taking the time.
Martin

Phase I Completed!

Dear readers,

I've been working on an extensive recollection of the trials and tribulations that I've had to go through within our health care system that outlines in detail all of the rare conditions, diseases and birth defects in my life.

Phase I - My Chronic Illness is Completed!

Phase I is now complete and you can read the entire story from the link to the right, or by clicking here >

Thank you for visiting.
Martin

Nurses are Essential to Chronic Health for Long Term Healing

Yesterday, I was published in the Hamilton Spectator about the need for nurses to have more integrated responsibilites which would allow them to deal with chronic illnesses and other ailments on a more personal level. Below is the article that was published on the topic and afterwards I've posted the comment I made which was published in the Spectator just days later.

Welcome to My Chronic Illness Journal!

Hi everyone,

Yes, this marks the very 1st blog within my new "Chronic Illness" blog. In the near future you will see a multitude of topics go up very fast since I love to write and have many friends willing to share their stories.