Blog # 9

        Who are the real heroes’ today?  People want to believe a person who is living the everyday hero lifestyle is the person we need. I disagree; I believe the one act can change a person’s life in a second. The hero does not need recognition or the glamour; it might be nice for a little while but not necessary. Real heroes do the” act” of heroism without thought just reaction. I am inspired to say the real hero is the person who commits the act, instead of the person who portrays the knight in shining armor. I have two examples of heroes of my time or at least my kind of heroes.

      Perfect example of a hero is Capt. Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, not everyone knows him but he is the captain that brought the plane down on the Hudson River. The accident was all over the news stations. Yes I know it was his job and the protocol, but he reacted and that saved all the lives on US Airways flight 1549. When they interviewed Capt. Sully his first words were Thank you but I could not have done it without his first Officer and the crew on board. He didn’t want the fame all for himself; he spoke about the crew being heroes and the phenomenal job of rescue. I was amazed by the humbleness of this person and thought to myself “wow” he’s a real hero. Capt. Sully did later on use his new publicly for a great cause. Capt. Sully worked on commercials with St. Jude’s children hospital and did charity work that raised money for the terminally ill cancer patients.

         Silent hero’s is the kind of phrase I am looking for when hearing about Michael Cawley. Michael was a firefighter that died at the world trade center. His story was one of many in the Daily News the following months after 9/11. Michael worked the night before covering for a co-worker and was relieved early the last day which was the infamous 9/11. The call came in about the attacks and got right back on the truck because he knew his best friend was there.  Unfortunately Michael lost his life beside his best friends and died doing the job he loved. I know his story is similar to most of the 9/11 stories heard today, but it hit home knowing he wasn’t supposed to be there. He went anyway, determined to make sure he saved his best friend and many more lives. It just goes to show you that acts are not motivated by fame and fortune. Their motivation runs a little deeper and I appreciate the humanity that’s left in this world.

      In my conclusion intent to “help” or a good deed should be genuine and there is no need for the circus show afterwards. Everyone should be reminded that not every good deed is shown on the news either. My personal favor quote is “Know in your heart what good things you do and just pray they outweigh the bad”.  

Blog # 8 Revised CATW Practice 1

          In music therapy the new wave compared to traditional medicine? In this article which was adapted from “How and Why Is Music A Good Tool” by Elizabeth Scott. The author expresses benefits from music therapy are seen producing a positive result, physically and mentally to a variety of patients, with a variety of diagnoses. The health care industry is recognizing music therapy and is expanding quickly. Different techniques are being researched, and have shown how the brain reacts to this new therapy. I agree with the author and the article on that there are benefits of music therapy.

       Research has proven the positive effects it has on people, also similar research how breathing and heart rates are impacted by music. You do not have to be sick to feel the effect. I personally love to put on music while cleaning. It calms me when am stuck in traffic, it helps me focus working out.It gets me motivated in many ways.

       The benefits are natural; patients who are already on medication and need to try something new and different. On the website cancercare.org, Cancer patients are being exposed to radiation, chemo and other harsh therapies. Patient’s bodies are deteriorating from all the unnatural therapies, so researchers on the site are introducing less invasive therapies.  Music therapy is one of them; it is able to help them produce natural effects that will be beneficial to patients in the long run. This process heals the patient physically and mentally. Music therapy is noted for decreasing stress, depression, anxiety and many other ailments.

      Children also benefit from this new therapy; brainwaves are affected and prove to show difference in behavioral patterns. Children become more alert and think quicker are only some of the benefits. Children need different stimulants other than drugs, whether it prescribed or recreational. In an article from Parents magazine, I read how more and more children are prescribed drugs to fight the battle of ADHD and anxiety. Why not try Music therapy, Instead of the easy way out. Children have more anxiety issues today due to peer pressure, bullying and other factors. I watch news every day and have seen an increase of young teen suicides. Music therapy would benefit today’s youth in more ways than anyone knows.

      Knowledge and education on alternative therapies is the new age. We need more researches and experiments done to prove that our bodies and minds can provide natural healing processes. I believe Music therapy is just the beginning to integrative medicines.

Blog # 7

Do I act differently with others around? Carol Travis wrote the article “In Groups We Shrink”. The passage is about changes in people’s behaviors and actions in groups compared to people by themselves. Also doctors have another underlying cause called “Diffusion of Responsibility” or “Social Loafing” for an example of a person’s laid back behavior of “Oh someone is going to take care of it” I agree with the idea of diffusion of responsibility or social loafing stated in this article.

I have experienced numerous times when diffusion of responsibility has played out. One day I had gone to work earlier than usual and proceeded to down to the locker rooms. I was approached by employees with their concern about another employee who wasn’t feeling well. I first asked did anyone tell the manager on duty, their response was they did but she wants to go home so she is waiting for you to take care of it. I was appalled by that statement, but before I could confront her I checked up on the employee. Fortunately for him I stepped in, the employee had first signs of a heart attack. While all this is going on the manger on duty got dressed and left. This is just one situation amongst the many.

Diffusion of responsibility is typical heard or read in the news.  I read an article in the New York post in 2010 about a homeless man coming to aid of a woman who being attacked. The homeless was stabbed and left their in a pool of blood and 25 people walked passed him before action was taken. Shocked that this actually happened, I was so upset but unfortunately it happens. Social loafing is a similar concept as well; people are just plain lazy and figure someone else will figure it out.

None the less perfect example is the report about Luisa Brown. Watching channel 7 in 2008, a picture of this 7 year-old girl was shown. Little Brown was beaten to death by her step father all because she ate his yogurt. Family suspected abuse but did nothing and figured her mother would sort it out. The sad part is she had a social worker who claims she did not see anything. Both parents were charged but it was too late for Luisa Brown. Only if someone stepped on time, this little girl would be alive today. Just like the staged situation in the article about the woman with the broken ankle.

All these situations are brought to life in the news, articles, and workplace and even at home. Everyone has a choice to help or not but responding would prevent a lot of tragedies.

Blog 6: CATW practice 1

          In this article which was adapted from “How and Why Is Music A Good Tool” by Elizabeth Scott. The author expresses benefits from music therapy are seen producing a positive result, physically and mentally to a variety of patients, with a variety of diagnoses. The health care industry is recognizing music therapy and is expanding quickly. Different techniques are being researched, and have shown how the brain reacts to this new therapy. Also similar research how breathing and heart rates are impacted by music.

        In music therapy the new wave compared to traditional medicine? I agree with the author and the article on the benefits of music. Research has proven the positive effects it has on people. You do not have to be sick to feel the effect. I personally love to put on music while my daily activities are performed. It calms me when am stuck in traffic, it helps me focus working out.

       The benefits are natural; patients are all ready on medication and why not try something new and different. Cancer patients are being exposed to radiation, chemo and other harsh therapies. Their bodies deteriorating from all the unnatural therapies. Music therapy is able to help them produce natural effects that will be beneficial to patients in the long run. My mother listens to music on the way to chemo and it puts her in a better mood and she is much calmer.

       Music alone brings the family together without even noticing it. My mother will sing to her grandchildren and they will start change their moods. They’ll dance with her and sing. Children also benefit from this new therapy, brainwaves are effected and proves to show difference in behavioral patterns, more alert and quick thinking are some of the benefits. Children today need different stimulants other than drugs, whether it prescribed or recreational.

     Knowledge and education on alternative therapies is the new age. We need more researches and experiments done to prove that our bodies and minds can provide natural healing processes.

Blog # 5

        I am second generation American – Montenegrin former Yugoslavia. When the war started in Yugoslavia, we assumed it would never affect the towns where my parents came from but it did. Remembering how people were so tight knitted and close just gave me a false sense of security. Even though I wasn’t there, we had roots there, Family, homes and friends. The war which Bosnians, Serbs and Croatians were involved in, I felt had nothing to do with two small villages in Montenegro but it did.

        We grew all anxious of what was going on, American news reports were short and not informative at all. When USA had decided to go in try to help, I thought WOW what an amazing country. I felt proud and loved that my parents choose to come to America and raise their family. I felt everything was going to be ok, until reports starting coming out Yugoslavia of genocide and how Muslim men had to fight on the Serbian side killing their own brothers, Uncles and cousins etc. It was another holocaust and I was still not accepting the information that was presented. Until I had family staying with us from the refugee camps and they told me stories and showed me pictures.

        I couldn’t believe that the place that I felt that everyone was free, no matter what religion what background you came back from we were family. I heard tales on eastern European woman were taking over jobs in the bars but paid no mind to them, just I figured their going to where the money is. Families here and all over the world send money to the families that couldn’t get out. Movies, documentaries started coming out and I broke.  Solid reports came out that UN peacekeepers were aiding or turning a blind eye to human trafficking, little girls form Russian or where ever they could get them. But over half over men were killed, so who were they bringing them in for? All to mask the corruption in the former Yugoslavia, I thought the American peacekeepers were going over to help not to cause more hectic. My world was turned upside down and looked at the world differently. Well to conclude my essay I watch BBC and overseas new reports now and try to see the real truth of what going on in this world. I also talk to people and ask questions.

        I am questioning the beliefs on religions right now, I feel it’s all an organization or a way of trying to get people to take sides. I always have been open and respectful to others religion and willing to learn about them. I found out a lot of the text in everyone’s Quran, Bible and Torahis alike. I found a balance but