Mind Body and Soul
InSpirit
August 2013 Health and Wellness Magazine July 2013
Spiritual Healing
It's when we start working together that the real healing takes place... it's when we start spilling our sweat, and not our blood. David Hume
The information and reference materials contained in Inspirit Magazine are intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is not to be used for treatment purposes, but rather for discussion with the patient's own physician. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care. The information contained herein is neither intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate or best care for any given health issue, nor is it intended to be used as a substitute for the independent judgment of a physician for any given health issue. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this magazine is for general information purposes only.
LOTS OF DIFFERENT EMOTIONS ARE GOING AROUND BECAUSE OF THE TRAVON MARTIN / GEORGE ZIMMERMAN CASE AND VERDICT. MANY ARE ANGRY AND MANY FEEL LET DOWN BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHILE OTHERS ARE REJOICING AND FEEL THAT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WORKED FOR THEM. WAS ZIMMERMAN A VIGALANTE, A WANT TO BE COP? OR WAS HE A GOOD CITIZEN DOING HIS JOB? WAS TRAYVON A CRIMINAL, UP TO NO GOOD? OR WAS HE A 17 YEAR OLD YOUNG MAN FINDING HIS WAY IN SOCIETY AND A VICTIM OF SOCIAL / RACIAL PROFILING? GOD MAY BE THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS THE TRUE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS BUT REGARDLESS THE WHOLE SITUATION HAS LEFT MANY WITH SCARS AND ISSUES THAT HAS TO BE DEALT WITH, MANY WITH EMOTIONS THAT HAVE TO BE CONTROLLED OR HEALED. I BELIEVE THE TRUE QUESTION IS WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE...A QUESTION THAT HAS BEEN ASKED BEFORE AND SEEMINGLY WILL CONTINUE TO BE ASKED.....WHERE DO WE GO FROME HERE..PERSONALLY, AS A FAMILY, AS A COMMUNITY AND AS A PART OF SOCIETY. IN THIS ISSUE OF INSPIRIT MAGAZINE, WE WILL LOOK AT THE TRAYVON MARTIN / GEORGE ZIMMERMAN SITUATION...NOT TO BLAME OR TO POINT FINGERS BUT HOPEFULLY AS A MEANS OF MOVING FORWARD. SOMETHINGS YOU READ YOU MAY AGREE WITH AND SOMETHINGS YOU MAY NOT. WHAT IT IS , IS WHAT IT IS. WE GAVE THE IMVU A CHANCE TO VOICE SOME OF THEIR REACTIONS TO THE VERDICT AND HOW IT EFFECTED THEM...SOME OF THE RESPONSES WILL BE SHARED IN THE UPCOMING PAGES. NO MATTER HOW YOU WERE AFFECTED BY IT ALL, TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT SELF AND BE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU. EMOTIONAL GROWTH BEGINS WITH RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR IT. SOCIETY WILL NOT CHANGE UNTIL THOSE IN IT BEGIN TO CHANGE. MrsChancesKaVaciea
http://www.last.fm/music/CeCe+Winans/Songs+Of+Emotional+Healing
Shooting of Trayvon Martin From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Shooting of Trayvon Martin Map of Sanford, Florida Date February 26, 2012 Time 7:09 PM EST (start) 7:16 PM (gunshot on 911 call) 7:17 PM (police car arrives) 7:30 PM (Martin declared dead) Location The Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Florida, U.S. (See aerial views of points of interest.) Coordinates 28.79295째N 81.32965째WCoordinates: 28.79295째N 81.32965째W Participants George Zimmerman (shooter) Deaths Trayvon Martin Injuries Fractured nose, lacerations to the back of the head. (Zimmerman) Charges Second-degree murder Verdict Not guilty The fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman took place on the night of February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida, United States. Martin was a 17-year-old African American high school student. George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old mixed-race Hispanic, was the neighborhood watch coordinator for the gated community where Martin was temporarily staying and where the shooting took place. Following an earlier call from Zimmerman, police arrived within two minutes of a gunshot during a scuffle, in which Zimmerman had fatally shot Martin. Zimmerman was taken into custody, treated for head injuries, then questioned for five hours. The police chief said that Zimmerman was released for lack of evidence and lack of legal grounds for arrest, and that Zimmerman had a right to defend himself with lethal force. However, six weeks later, amidst what some have described as a "media circus" atmosphere with some misleading reporting, Zimmerman was charged with murder by a special prosecutor appointed by Governor Rick Scott. Zimmerman's trial began on June 10, 2013, in Sanford. On July 13, 2013, a jury acquitted him of second-degree murder and of manslaughter charges.
Trayvon Martin Trayvon Martin in an undated photo Born Trayvon Benjamin Martin February 5, 1995 Florida, U.S. Died February 26, 2012 (aged 17) Sanford, Florida, U.S. Cause of death Single gunshot fired at intermediate range (1–18 inches) Ethnicity African American Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight 158 pounds (72 kg) Trayvon Benjamin Martin (February 5, 1995 – February 26, 2012) was the son of Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, who were divorced in 1999. He was a junior at Dr. Michael M. Krop High School and lived with his mother and older brother in Miami Gardens, Florida. Trayvon's English teacher, Michelle Kypriss, described him as an A and B student who majored in cheerfulness. On the day Martin was fatally shot, he and his father were visiting his father's fiancée and her son at her townhome in The Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, a multi-ethnic gated community, where the shooting occurred. Martin had visited his father's fiancée at Twin Lakes several times. Martin had been suspended from school at the time of his death. He had been suspended twice before. One suspension was for tardiness and truancy. Another suspension in October 2011 was for graffiti, when Martin was observed by a security camera in a restricted area of the school marking up a door with "W.T.F." When he was later searched by a Miami-Dade School Police Department officer, looking for the graffiti marker, the officer found a dozen pieces of women's jewelry and a watch in his backpack, which Martin said a friend had given to him. A screwdriver was also found, which was described by the school police investigator as a burglary tool. The jewelry was impounded and given to the police. Martin's third suspension involved a marijuana pipe and an empty bag containing marijuana residue. Martin was not charged with any crime related to these incidents and did not have a juvenile record. Judge Debra Nelson ruled that the defense could have access to Martin's records, including the details of the suspensions, as well as access to Martin's social media sites, but ruled that none of the information would be admissible as evidence during the trial unless it could be shown to be relevant.
George Zimmerman George Zimmerman mugshot Born George Michael Zimmerman October 5, 1983 (age 29) Manassas, Virginia Ethnicity Hispanic Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) Weight 185 pounds (84 kg)Criminal charge Second-degree murder Criminal status Not guilty George Michael Zimmerman was born on October 5, 1983, in Manassas, Virginia, and is the son of Gladys (née Mesa) Zimmerman, who was born in Peru, and Robert Zimmerman, Sr., a retired Virginia magistrate. He was raised as a Catholic, in a family that his father has described as "multiracial"; his father is a White American of German descent and his mother is Peruvian with some black ancestry through her Afro-Peruvian maternal grandfather. Zimmerman's voter registration record lists him as Hispanic and a registered Democrat. Zimmerman's height is reportedly 5′ 7″ (1.70 m); and his weight is recorded as being 185 lb (84 kg) on his Seminole County Sheriff's Office Inmate Booking Information dated April 11, 2012, the date of his arrest. Zimmerman's height is shown as 5′8″ (1.73 m); and his weight at 200 lb (91 kg) on the Sanford Police Department Offense Report for February 26, 2012, the night of the shooting. At the time of the shooting, Zimmerman was employed as an insurance underwriter and was in his final semester at Seminole State College for an associate degree in Criminal Justice. In one of his interviews with police he stated his goal was to become a judge. In early 2011, Zimmerman participated in a citizen forum at the Sanford City Hall, to protest the beating of a black homeless man by the son of a white Sanford police officer. During the meeting, Zimmerman called the behavior of officers on duty "disgusting" and detailed officers napping while on duty and refusing to take on difficult assignments. Zimmerman and his wife moved to The Retreat at Twin Lakes in 2009. In 2005, at the age of 21, Zimmerman was charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, after shoving an officer while a friend of Zimmerman's was being questioned about underage drinking. The charges were reduced, then dropped when Zimmerman entered a pre-trial diversion program. Also in 2005, Zimmerman's ex-fiancée filed a restraining order against him, alleging domestic violence. Zimmerman requested a reciprocal restraining order. Both orders were granted. The incidents were raised by prosecutors at Zimmerman's initial bond hearing. The judge described the incidents as "run of the mill" and "somewhat mild" and rejected the prosecution's claim that the incidents demonstrated that Zimmerman was violent or a threat to the community.
Sanford Police Department Bill Lee had been chief of the Sanford Police Department for ten months when the shooting occurred. Prior to Lee becoming chief, the department had been accused of protecting relatives of police officers involved in violent incidents with blacks, and the Martin case increased distrust between the police and Sanford's black community. On March 22, Chief Lee temporarily stepped down from his position because of public criticism over his handling of the Trayvon Martin shooting. In April, the Sanford City Commission refused to accept Lee's resignation and stated that "Lee's spotless record showed there needed to be further review to determine if he failed in his duties." Lee was fired on June 20, 2012 by Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte.[48] Lee responded by saying "I continue to stand by the work performed by the Sanford Police Department in this tragic shooting, which has been plagued by misrepresentations and false statements for interests other than justice."[49] On June 26, 2012, the lead investigator of the case, Christopher Serino, was transferred out of the Sanford Police Department's investigative unit and reassigned to the patrol division at his own request. [50] Serino said he felt pressured by several of his fellow police officers to press charges on Zimmerman when he believed there was not enough evidence to do so, and that one of the officers pressuring him was a friend of Martin's father.[51] In September 2012, Orlando TV station WFTV released a leaked memo in which interim police chief Richard Myers blamed the police department spokesperson, Sgt. David Morgenstern, for having mishandled the Travyon Martin case and removed him from his spokesperson position.[52]
Background of the shooting The Retreat at Twin Lakes, north entrance The Retreat at Twin Lakes is a 260-unit gated townhome community in Sanford, Florida. The population in the development, at the time of the shooting, was about 49% non-Hispanic white, 23% Hispanic (of any race), 20% black, and 5% Asian, according to Census figures. Both George Zimmerman and Tracy Martin’s fiancée were renting homes in the development when the shooting occurred. At the time of the shooting, Martin had been staying with his father’s fiancee at The Retreat. From January 1, 2011 through February 26, 2012, police were called to The Retreat at Twin Lakes 402 times. Crimes committed at The Retreat in the year prior to Martin’s death had included eight burglaries, nine thefts, and one shooting. Twin Lakes residents said there were dozens of reports of attempted break-ins, which had created an atmosphere of fear in their neighborhood. In September 2011, the Twin Lakes residents held an organizational meeting to create a neighborhood watch program. Zimmerman was selected by neighbors as the program’s coordinator, according to Wendy Dorival, Neighborhood Watch organizer for the Sanford Police Department. During the six months leading up to the February 26, 2012 shooting, Zimmerman called the non-emergency police telephone line seven times.[64]On five of those calls Zimmerman reported suspicious looking men in the area, but never offered the men’s race without first being asked by the dispatcher. Three weeks prior to the shooting, on February 2, Zimmerman called police to report a young man peering into the windows of an empty Twin Lakes home. Zimmerman was told a police car was on the way and he waited for their arrival. By the time police arrived, the suspect had fled. On February 6, workers witnessed two young black men lingering in the yard of a Twin Lakes resident around the same time her home was burgled. A new laptop and some gold jewelry were stolen. The next day police discovered the stolen laptop in the backpack of a young black man, which led to his arrest. Zimmerman identified this young man as the same person he had spotted peering into windows on February 2.[32] Zimmerman had been licensed to carry a firearm since November 2009. In response to Zimmerman’s multiple reports regarding a loose pit bull in the Twin Lakes neighborhood, a Seminole County Animal Services officer advised Zimmerman to “get a gun”, according to a friend, rather than rely on pepper spray to fend off the pit bull, which on one occasion had cornered his wife.[32] Although neighborhood watch volunteers are not encouraged to carry weapons, Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee acknowledged that Zimmerman had a legal right to carry his firearm on the night of the shooting.
Shooting and investigation Main article: Timeline of the shooting of Trayvon Martin On the evening of February 26, 2012, Zimmerman observed Martin as he returned to the Twin Lakes housing community after having walked to a nearby convenience store.[66] At the time, Zimmerman was driving through the neighborhood on a personal errand. Zimmerman call to police MENU0:00 7:09:34 PM, February 26, 2012 Problems playing this file? See media help. At approximately 7:09 PM, Zimmerman called the Sanford police non-emergency number to report what he considered a suspicious person in the Twin Lakes community. Zimmerman stated, “We’ve had some break-ins in my neighborhood, and there’s a real suspicious guy.” He described an unknown male “just walking around looking about” in the rain and said, “This guy looks like he is up to no good or he is on drugs or something.” Zimmerman reported that the person had his hand in his waistband and was walking around looking at homes. On the recording, Zimmerman is heard saying, “these assholes, they always get away.” About two minutes into the call, Zimmerman said, “he’s running”. The dispatcher asked, “He’s running? Which way is he running?” Noises on the tape at this point have been interpreted by some media outlets as the sound of a car door chime, possibly indicating Zimmerman opened his car door. Zimmerman followed Martin, eventually losing sight of him. The dispatcher asked Zimmerman if he was following him. When Zimmerman answered, “yeah”, the dispatcher said, “We don’t need you to do that.” Zimmerman responded, “Okay.” Zimmerman asked that police call him upon their arrival so he could provide his location. Zimmerman ended the call at 7:15 p.m. After Zimmerman ended his call with police, a violent encounter took place between Martin and Zimmerman, which ended when Zimmerman fatally shot Martin 70 yards (64 m) from the rear door of the townhouse where Martin was staying.
Sanford Police investigation Police Officer Timothy Smith arrived at the scene at approximately 7:17 PM. He reported finding Zimmerman standing near Martin, who was lying face down in the grass and unresponsive. At that time, Zimmerman stated to Smith that he had shot Martin and was still armed. Smith handcuffed Zimmerman and removed his weapon from him. Smith observed that Zimmerman’s back was wet and covered with grass and he was bleeding from the nose and the back of his head. Ricardo Ayala, the second officer to arrive that night, noticed Officer Smith had Zimmerman in custody, then observed Martin lying face down in the grass and attempted to get a response from him. At this time, Sgt. Anthony Raimondo arrived and together with Ayala began CPR. Paramedics from Sanford Fire and Rescue arrived and continued CPR, finally declaring Martin dead at 7:30 PM. Other officers who had arrived by this time secured the area and made contact with neighbors in the area and obtained statements from witnesses at the scene. The officers, who believed Zimmerman proceeded solely on foot before the attack, did not seize Zimmerman’s vehicle until after his wife had moved it. Zimmerman was treated and released by paramedics while still at the scene of the incident. After placing Zimmerman in his police vehicle, Officer Smith heard Zimmerman say, “I was yelling for someone to help me, but no one would help me.” Zimmerman was then transported to the Sanford Police Department where he was questioned by investigators for approximately five hours. The police determined that Zimmerman yelled for help at least 14 times in a 38 second span. The question of who was calling for help has been disputed since then by others and remains inconclusive. Martin’s body was taken to the morgue, where he was tagged as a John Doe as he was not carrying any identification. Martin’s father, Tracy Martin, called to file a Missing Persons report early on February 27 and police officers arrived at his fiancée’s condo with photographs of his dead son about 9:20 am. Zimmerman was handcuffed at the scene of the shooting and taken to the Sanford police station for questioning, arriving there at 7:52 p.m. according to a police video. His gun, a black Kel-Tec PF-9 9mm semiautomatic pistol, taken from him by Officer Smith at the scene, was placed into evidence. Zimmerman was interviewed by Investigator D. Singleton and by Detective Chris Serino on the night of the shooting. He also underwent voice stress analysis, a type of lie detector test, on the night of the shooting. Crime Scene Tech D. Smith photographed his injuries and hands and collected gun shot residue. Zimmerman’s clothes were taken as evidence after his wife arrived with a change of clothes. The day after the shooting, Zimmerman performed a videotaped reenactment of the incident for police.
Zimmerman was not given a drug or alcohol test. Peter Bella, a retired Chicago Police forensic investigator, told The Washington Times, “Except for DUIs, police cannot test suspects for drugs or alcohol, unless the accused demands or consents to it, or they get a warrant”. The police did not suspect that Zimmerman was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and he was never asked to take such a test. The Martin family alleged that Seminole County Attorney Wolfinger met personally with Sanford Chief Lee on the night of the shooting and instructed Lee not to make an arrest. Based on their accusation, the Martin family requested that the Justice Department investigate the State prosecutor’s office. Wolfinger responded that the accusations were “outright lies” and denied that any such meeting or communication took place. Wolfinger’s office reported that the Sanford police consulted with Kelly Jo Hines, the prosecutor on call the night of the shooting, but it has not been disclosed what was talked about. On March 12, 2012, Police Chief Lee turned the investigation over to the State Attorney’s office for review. Lee said there was not enough evidence to arrest Zimmerman. “In this case Mr. Zimmerman has made the statement of self-defense,” Lee said. “Until we can establish probable cause to dispute that, we don’t have the grounds to arrest him.” In response to criticisms of the investigation, Lee responded that “We are taking a beating over this” and defended the investigation. “This is all very unsettling. I’m sure if George Zimmerman had the opportunity to relive Sunday, February 26, he’d probably do things differently. I’m sure Trayvon would, too.” On March 13, 2012, Chris Serino sent a capias request to the state’s attorney recommending charges of negligent manslaughter against Zimmerman, though Serino maintains he did not believe they had the evidence to support those charges and that manslaughter was only included in the capias in order for the prosecutor’s office to continue with their own investigation. The capias states, “the encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was ultimately avoidable by Zimmerman, if Zimmerman had remained in his vehicle and waited the arrival of law enforcement or conversely if he had identified himself to Martin as a concerned citizen and initiated dialog in an effort to dispel each party’s concern”. “There is no indication that Trayvon Martin was involved in any criminal activity at the time of the encounter.” The State Attorney’s office initially determined there was insufficient evidence to charge Zimmerman and did not file charges based on the capias request. On March 16, Serino told the Orlando Sentinel that his investigation had turned up no reliable evidence that cast doubt on Zimmerman’s account, that he had acted in self-defense. “The best evidence we have is the testimony of George Zimmerman, and he says the decedent was the primary aggressor in the whole event, everything I have is adding up to what he says.”
George Zimmerman's account of events On the advice of his legal counsel, Zimmerman did not speak to the media after the shooting. The statements he gave to police investigators were publicly released on June 21, 2012, when Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, published his written and recorded statements on Zimmerman's legal defense web site. Prior to the release of the statements, the only publicly available information about Zimmerman's version of the incident came from interviews with some of his family members and friends and from leaks to the news media by sources inside the investigation, and his recorded phone call to 9-1-1. Zimmerman maintained his public silence until he was interviewed by Sean Hannity of Fox News on July 18, 2012. According to early news reports on the incident, on the night of the shooting, and afterwards, Zimmerman described in detail for investigators what took place. Zimmerman said he was driving to the grocery store when he spotted Trayvon Martin walking through the neighborhood. Zimmerman's father said that, while his son was not on duty that night as Neighborhood Watch captain, there had been many break-ins and he thought it suspicious that someone he didn't recognize was walking behind the town homes instead of on the street or the sidewalk. Zimmerman therefore called a non-emergency police line to report Martin's behavior and summon police. During the call, Zimmerman told the dispatcher that Martin was "coming to check me out." A source to the Orlando Sentinel said in May that Zimmerman told investigators that at one point Martin circled his vehicle, and he rolled up his window to avoid a confrontation. After telling the police dispatcher that Martin "ran", Zimmerman left his vehicle to determine his location and ascertain in which direction Martin had fled. The dispatcher asked if Zimmerman was following Martin, and Zimmerman replied "Yeah." Then the dispatcher said, "OK, we don't need you to do that." Zimmerman replied with "OK" and stated that Martin got away. After a discussion about where Zimmerman would meet police, the call ended, and Zimmerman told investigators he was returning to his vehicle when Martin approached him from his left rear and confronted him. According to Zimmerman, Martin then punched him in the face, knocking him down, and began beating his head against the sidewalk. Zimmerman said he called out for help while being beaten, and at one point Martin covered his mouth to muffle the screams. According to Zimmerman's father, during the struggle while Martin was on top of Zimmerman, Martin saw the gun his son was carrying and said something to the effect of "You're gonna die now" or "You're gonna die tonight" and continued to beat Zimmerman. Zimmerman and Martin struggled over the gun, and Zimmerman shot Martin once in the chest at close range. Zimmerman told police he shot Martin in self-defense. On June 21, 2012, Zimmerman's attorneys released audiotapes of several interviews he had with police shortly after the shooting. Also included were Zimmerman's written statement of February 26, 2012, and video recordings of his reenactment of the incident and a voice stress test that he passed.
In the interviews, Zimmerman says he took note of Martin because he was near a home that he had previously called police about. He also said "he was just walking casually, not like he was trying to get out of the rain," and he felt "something was off" about Martin. Zimmerman said he left his truck to find a street sign so he would be able to tell the police dispatcher where he was. He told investigators that he was not following Martin but was "just going in the same direction he was" to find an address, but admitted that he had also left his truck to try to see in which direction Martin had gone. The altercation began, he said, when Martin suddenly appeared while Zimmerman was walking back to his vehicle. He described Martin at different points in the interviews as appearing "out of nowhere", "from the darkness", and as "jump[ing] out of the bushes". Zimmerman said that Martin asked, "You got a f*** problem, homie?" Zimmerman replied no, then Martin said "You got a problem now" and punched Zimmerman. As they struggled on the ground, Zimmerman on his back with Martin on top of him, Zimmerman yelled for help "probably 50 times". Martin told him to "Shut the f** up," as he hit him in the face and pounded his head on a concrete sidewalk. When Zimmerman tried to move off the concrete, Martin saw his gun and said "You're going to die tonight motherf***!" Martin grabbed for the gun, but Zimmerman grabbed it first. He said after firing his weapon at Martin, he was not sure at first that he had hit him, so he got on top of him in order to subdue him. Bystanders and police arrived shortly after Martin was shot. Police reports state Zimmerman "appeared to have a broken and a bloody nose and swelling of his face." Zimmerman was offered three chances to be taken to the hospital, but Zimmerman declined each time, according to police reports released by the prosecution. ABC News reported that a medical report compiled by the family physician of George Zimmerman showed that, following the altercation with Martin, Zimmerman was diagnosed with a closed fracture of his nose, two black eyes, lacerations to the back of his head, a minor back injury, and bruising in his upper lip and cheek. In the course of Zimmerman's recorded interviews, Detective Chris Serino questioned aspects of Zimmerman's account, such as Zimmerman's statement that he didn't know the name of a street in the Twin Lakes community where he had lived for three years. Zimmerman said in response that he had a bad memory and takes medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Investigators also questioned the extent of his injuries and why he didn't identify himself to Martin as a Neighborhood Watch coordinator. Zimmerman said he didn't want to confront Martin. On June 26, 2012, the prosecution released the results of a voice stress test performed on George Zimmerman the day after the shooting. A voice stress test is a type of test used to measure deceptive or psychological stress in the human voice in response to questions. Zimmerman was asked, "Did you confront the guy you shot?", to which Zimmerman answered, "No." Zimmerman was asked, "Were you in fear for your life, when you shot the guy?", to which Zimmerman answered, "Yes." The examiner concluded that Zimmerman "told substantially the complete truth" in the examination, and Zimmerman was classified as "No Deception Indicated (NDI)" according to the report. During a bond hearing on April 20, 2012, Investigator Dale Gilbreath testified under oath that he did not know whether Zimmerman or Martin started the fight and that there is no evidence to contradict Zimmerman's claim that he was walking back to his vehicle when Martin confronted him. Gilbreath, however, questioned Zimmerman's statement that Martin was slamming his head against the sidewalk just before he shot the teenager, saying it was "not consistent with the evidence we found." Gilbreath was one of two investigators who attested to the facts stated in the probable cause affidavit.
UNFORTUNATELY, TRAYVON MARTIN COULD NOT GIVE HIS ACCOUNT OF EVENTS..........
Court proceedings and verdict Main article: State of Florida v. George Zimmerman
On April 11, 2012, Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder in Martin's death. The trial began on June 24, 2013, and was presented to the jury for deliberations on July 12. The defendant was found not guilty the following day. READ MORE ON THE INVESTIGATION AND AFTERMATH http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Trayvon_Martin#George_Zimmerman
YOUR RESPONSES HOW HAS THE GEORGE ZIMMERMAN VERDICT AFFECTED The verdict made me sick to my stomach. I cried instantly because a piece of me knew that he would get off easily. However, I thought he would at least be charged with Manslaughter. But NOT GUILTY! That really took a toll on me to the fact where I couldn’t sleep last night. I feel so sorry for Trayvon’s family most importantly his mother because I can only imagine what she’s going through. I’m a mother of two myself and if this were to happen to any of my kids honestly i wouldn’t know what to do. Racism is and will always be alive. Case in point my real life husband was recently involved in a car accident and the lady he accidently hit was a white woman. He stepped out of his vehicle to see if the lady was okay but the officer’s on the scene instructed him to not come near her as if he were a criminal. He was then instructed to return to his vehicle. During the remainder of the hour they were still on the scene none of the white officer’s came to check on my husband to see if he was okay. They stayed with her the whole time. This happened in a predominantly white neighborhood where my husband works. I expect for nothing to change. It hasn’t thus far and never will. When i’m long gone my children’s children will still face this issue. Racial profiling is real! It seems to me as if everything Dr Martin Luther King preached, teached , march and tried to instill in us all were in vain. Because years later nothing has really changed
lliBeautyll It’s unfortunate the media made another circus from a high-profile case, and it’s disheartening so many in society convicted Mr Zimmerman of being guilty before he even went to trial. How soon people forget that O.J. Simpson was acquitted in his murder trial when there was 300% more evidence weighed against him. I refer to the murder trial of O.J. not to diminish the significance of the Zimmerman trial, and the heart wrenching devastation of a young child losing his life, but as a reminder to some that whether they like the final outcome of any trial, our prevailing Justice System is in place to give such people their day in court. And yes, most understand that the American Justice System has been bankrupt for quite some time. Now because of the media circus, and rampant gossip this man Zimmerman will probably have to go into hiding - now that so many have made this a Racial issue he’ll be ostracized from society. And the saddest part is the very people claiming to be Christians will be a part of such nonsense - though they would be wise to understand that Christ taught to LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, and not ridicule victim or defendant if one feels an injustice has been done. It’s also unfortunate the media manipulates the public via race-baiting in every major crime story, which lends many to become emotionally dissociative to even ascertain true justice..True Justice has nothing to do with race.
Booky3
S TO THE QESTION: D YOU AND HOW DO YOU THINK IT WILL EFFECT SOCIETY?? The Zimmerman case has Effected me immensely Exspecially sense I have children as well ,one thing for sure I do not want this case to effect my life to were im evoking hate myself.It brings about mix feelings i also feel case sets us back like 10 yrs as African Americans instead of inflicking hate why not let God be the judge I notice many people were affected so much so that they could not sleep which tells me we are connected and all kinda want the world to be a better place.It can affect society by saying senseless killing is ok and that being judge by the color of your skin will have no consequences
MrsZelleBlessLyfe Have watched this case from the time of The murder of Trayvon Martin. I am not surprised at all by the verdict. The state of Florida has in place a law which will makes it easy for the lives of many more blacks to be Taken. Florida never intended to bring the case to trial. Once ordered to bring charges The state Presented a case which could only result in a not guilty verdict. The prosecution did absolutely nothing but ensure that Zimmerman would walk free, under the pretense of prosecuting the case. Non prepared witnesses, which only helped the Defense insure victory. The state brought forth charges that they knew they could not prove nor intended to prove. The verdict was no surprise, Just another example of Americam Justice, unjust and convienent for a select few.
sugbegood I Watched The Trial The Last Day From 9 a.m. Till 10 that night It made me sick to my stomach felt like I was going to die and Was so Fired Up. Florida is gonna go crazy now because this has happened, someone who volunteered themselve as a neighborhood watch and end up killing someone. How are you jus going to volunteer yourself as something and then KILL A INNOCENT Boy coming from the store with skittles and a Arizonia drink. It makes me sick why would you do something like this and be free to WALK. MICHAEL VICK HAD DOG FIGHT AND HE SERVED TWO YEARS IN JAIL, SO You Saying a dog is perfect than a HUMAN. Zimmerman will always have this over his head because you can’t take it back It’s Just To Late. This is not the end of this the state of Florida is going to FIGHT FOR JUSTICE UNTIL THE VERY END. NO Matter What in The End God Has The Last and Final Judgement Day.
LilSouljaTS
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I followed the George Zimmerman trial extensively from its inception. At the end, I felt his verdict would certainly be a a manslaughter charge, and I was stunned when he received a not-guilty verdict. I was deeply affected, and empathized with Trayvon Martin’s parents, as I have been in a similar situation where my brother was killed, (long story) by a police officer who stalked him via a patrol car. Why? My brother defended the rights of non-black kids at a swimming pool days after leaving a northern city and visiting a southern city for a public swim. His crime? My brother suggested to the police officer at a public swimming pool to stop tazing children, as it appeared that the young, not completely-trained-yet-police officer - was doing it simply for fun. The outcome: my now deceased mother, sued the city and won. So again, the not guilty verdict for Zimmerman was disheartening. I watched other shows that followed the Zimmerman’s case, in an effort to learn what happened. What I gathered from all of the commentaries and analysis that I heard was that the case of which the jury weighed in regarding Zimmerman’s fate, centered heavily on a second-degree murder charge or manslaughter. Neither stance were presented well according to an excerpt from a CNN news article, of which I have included the following quote and a link: [www.cnn.com] and the excerpt is below:
“....As legal analysts noted in the months leading up to the testimony, so many people made it so clear they saw the killing in substantially different ways. To one side, Zimmerman was at worst an overzealous citizen just trying to make sure his neighborhood was safe. To the other, he was a gun-toting predator, hunting, harassing and provoking a fatal fight with an innocent teen. To one side, Martin was little more than a child returning home after getting a snack. To the other, he was a hulking young man who could have gone inside, talked with Zimmerman or called the police, but instead decided to attack with his fists and paid with his life.” So in my opinion, it appeared that the jury had a difficult time discerning the two sides mentioned above, as to which side was factual without a shadow of a doubt. However, I do feel that if the case was presented differently and the jury was polled and asked if they felt Zimmerman racially profiled young Martin.... (Hits break while I type.) Let me throw out the race card as the court did and type the following: if the jury was polled and asked if they felt Zimmerman criminally profiled Martin, then I am certain, without a doubt, I would not have been as disturbed as I was in hearing the verdict in this case, and the Casey Anthony case about killing her little girl. Nonetheless, I am sure Zimmerman’s life, although quite different from the Martin’s will never be the same. For him, I feel he will never experience freedom as we know it, and he has perhaps become as a prisoner in his own mind, out of the fear of being hunted by others whom also may be overzealous in seeing a different outcome to Zimmerman’s pursuit of happiness.
MsCocoXTC
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Trayvon Martin's mother calls for repeal of 'stand your ground' laws The mother of slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin and a prominent black lawyers' organization are keeping up the pressure for repeal of "stand your ground" self-defense laws. Sybrina Fulton joined the call Monday with top officials of the National Bar Association, which is holding its annual convention in Miami Beach. Fulton says she believes neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman got away with murder when he shot Martin in Sanford last year. Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder earlier this month. He claimed he was acting in self-defense when he shot Martin because the unarmed 17-year-old attacked him. Many critics have said they believe Zimmerman profiled Martin because he was black. Florida lawmakers say it is unlikely the state's "stand your ground" law will be repealed. Federal officials are reviewing whether to charge Zimmerman with violating Martin's civil rights. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/29/trayvon-martin-parents-to-hold-news-conference/
Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” Law and Self-Defense As criminal defense attorneys that regularly handles Crimes of Violence and Firearms and Weapons Offenses, we are frequently asked to explain and/or provide guidance on Florida's relatively-new "Stand Your Ground" law. Florida's "Stand Your Ground" self-defense law hit the books in 2005. It immediately drew national attention and created lots of headlines and controversy. On one hand, some people feared that Florida's new law would "turn back the clock" to the days of the Wild West. On the other hand, gun advocate groups and other supporters viewed the law as an expansion of one's right to use deadly force, anywhere, anytime, when they feel threatened or believe that violence is imminent. Florida Law Prior to the Enactment of the "Stand Your Ground" Law Prior to Stand Your Ground, a person could use only non-deadly force to defend against the imminent use of unlawful non-deadly force. Deadly force was authorized only to defend against imminent deadly force or great bodily harm, or the commission of a forcible felony. Unless the person was in his home or workplace, he had a "duty to retreat" prior to using deadly force. In one's home, the "Castle Doctrine" provided that the person had no duty to retreat prior to using deadly force against an intruder. However, he still needed the reasonable belief that deadly force was necessary to defend against deadly force, great bodily harm, or the commission of a forcible felony. Florida Law After the Enactment of the "Stand Your Ground" Law The "Stand Your Ground" Law introduced two (2) conclusive presumptions that favor a criminal defendant who is making a self-defense claim: In passing the "Stand Your Ground" Law, the Florida Legislature expressed its intent that no person should be "required to needlessly retreat in the face of intrusion or attack." The "Stand Your Ground" Law effectively expands the "Castle Doctrine" by expanding what is meant by the concept of one's "castle" to include any place where a person is lawfully entitled to be. Florida's "Stand Your Ground" Law now provides immunity from prosecution, as opposed to an affirmative defense that you would need to assert in Trial (after being arrested and charged by the State of Florida).
The presumption that the defendant had a reasonable fear that deadly force was necessary; and The presumption that the intruder intended to commit an unlawful act involving force or violence. These two presumptions protect the defender from both civil and criminal prosecution for unlawful use of deadly or non-deadly force in self-defense. In addition, the defender/gun owner has no duty to retreat, regardless of where he is attacked, so long as he is in a place where he is lawfully entitled to be when the danger occurs.
In passing the "Stand Your Ground" Law, the Florida Legislature expressed its intent that no person should be "required to needlessly retreat in the face of intrusion or attack." The "Stand Your Ground" Law effectively expands the "Castle Doctrine" by expanding what is meant by the concept of one's "castle" to include any place where a person is lawfully entitled to be. Florida's "Stand Your Ground" Law now provides immunity from prosecution, as opposed to an affirmative defense that you would need to assert in Trial (after being arrested and charged by the State of Florida). Florida's "Stand Your Ground" Law A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity, and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
http://www.blakedorstenlaw.com/lawyer-attorney-1687102.html
Florida lawmakers agree to hearings on 'Stand Your Ground' law (Reuters) - Florida lawmakers will hold hearings this fall on the state's "Stand Your Ground" self-defense law, which has become a lightning rod for criticism following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin. The announcement on Friday by Will Weatherford, the speaker of Florida's House of Representatives, marked the biggest concession yet by the state's Republican leaders to protesters' demands for a top-tobottom review of the law, which allows people in fear of serious injury to use deadly force to defend themselves rather than retreat. Since Zimmerman's acquittal on July 13, Martin's grieving parents, backed by African-American civic leaders, celebrities, students and political figures, including President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, have all said the Stand Your Ground law needs to be re-examined. Weatherford, in an opinion column published in the Tampa Tribune, said he had asked Representative Matt Gaetz, a fellow Republican who chairs the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, to lead the hearings. Weatherford did not set a date for the hearings or say how long they would last. "Across Florida, representatives are receiving calls, letters, visits and emails from constituents with diverse opinions on 'Stand Your Ground,'" Weatherford said. "Passions are high, but every person has the right to express their views on this matter of great importance."
"It's a critical step," said Phillip Agnew, who heads a group of young demonstrators calling themselves the Dream Defenders who have staged a nearly month-long sit-in outside Governor Rick Scott's office in a bid to change the law. "We're excited about having an open debate," he told Reuters. Advocates of the law, the first of its kind in the country and now copied in more than 20 other states, say violent crime has fallen since it was enacted. But critics see the self-defense law as emblematic of racial bias and unequal justice in America, since some studies have shown that defense claims made under the law are far more likely to be successful when the victim is black. Two of the six jurors in the Zimmerman case have said the Stand Your Ground law left them with no option but to acquit him. "Our evaluation of its (the law's) effectiveness should be guided by objective information, not by political expediency," Weatherford wrote. "Does the law keep the innocent safer? Is it being applied fairly? Are there ways we can make this law clearer and more understandable?" he asked. Most U.S. voters support the "Stand Your Ground" laws, although the question of whether to retreat or use deadly force in self defense divides Americans along gender, racial and political lines, a national Quinnipiac University poll found on Friday. The poll found that a strong majority of white voters and men support the laws, while black voters generally oppose them and women are almost evenly divided. (Reporting by Tom Brown; additional reporting by Bill Cotterell editing by Jackie Frank)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/03/us-usa-florida-law-idUSBRE97201220130803
Herbal Alternatives Depression And Stress Home Remedies We all go through periods of depression and stress. Maybe it’s because of the weather-you know, a change of season. Or for women, it could be “that time of month.” Of course, pressures at the office don’t help, nor do tense relationships or problems at home. Then there are additives in foods and side effects from medications that can cause chemical imbalances that may lead to depression and stress. Common Causes of Depression Inheritance Changes in brain structures or brain function Pessimistic attitude Stress (home, work or school) Major diseases ( cancer , heart attack etc.) Hormonal disorders Relationship problems Financial problems Menstrual cycle changes Menopause Bereavement CAUTION: For cases of deep depression, extreme stress and/or chronic fatigue, we suggest you seek professional assistance to help pinpoint the cause and recommend treatment. Whatever the reason, valid or not, when you’re going through a bad time and you reach the point where you say to yourself, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired!” -then you’re on the road to recovery. Basic Solutions If you are really ready to help yourself, you might start by cutting down on your sugar intake. Excessive sugar can help cause depression, nervous anxiety and spurts of energy followed by extreme fatigue. Caffeine products (such as coffee, non-herbal tea, cola, chocolate and some medications), cigarettes and alcoholic beverages may also contribute to nervous anxiety, depression and highs and lows of energy. Take them out of your life. They’re taking the life out of you.
Natural home remedies Lying down, in a dark room, maybe getting a 1/2 hour of sleep,will always make you feel better. Add a handful of fresh Rose petals to a cup of boiling water. Add sugar and drink as and when a feeling of depression sets in. Boil some seeds of cardamom in water with tea. It will give a very pleasing aroma to the tea. Dietary Remedies Have a pizza with lots of oregano. If you don’t have the oregano, forget the pizza. In fact, forget the pizza and just have the oregano. Oregano may ease that depressed, heavyhearted feeling. If you have a juicer, whip up half a glass of watercress and half a glass of spinach. Throw in some carrots to make the juice sweeter. Then, bottoms up and spirits up. Eat two ripe bananas a day to chase the blues away. Bananas contain the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which are believed to help prevent depression. Other Mood Lifters
While running a warm bath, prepare a cup of chamomile tea. Add the used tea bag to the bath, along with a new one. If you use loose chamomile, wrap the herb in cheesecloth before putting it in the tub to avoid messy cleanup. Once the bath is ready, take a pen and paper along with your cup of tea and relax in the tub. Make a list of a dozen wishes as you sip your tea. Be careful.. the things you wish for may come true. To lighten a heavy heart, drink saffron tea and/or thyme tea that has been sweetened with honey. (Incidentally, “thyme” was originally called “wild time” because it was thought to be an aphrodisiac.). Sniffing citrus essential oils every hour you’re awake may help you get out of a funk. You can buy lemon or orange oil at a health food store. Do not take the essential oils internally. If you have a citrus fruit in your kitchen, you can use a cardboard cutter to carefully make slits the peel and squeeze it so that the volatile seeps out. Then take a whiff hourly. Cheer yourself up by wearing rose colors-pinks and scarlets. The orange family of colors are also picker-uppers. Making love can help people overcome feelings of depression-unless, of course, they have no one to make love to and thats they’re depressed. If you’re mildly depressed, simply change your physiology and your emotions will follow suit. In other words, do the physical things you do when you’re happy-and you’ll feel happy. Smile! Laugh! Jump up and down! Sing! Dance! Get dressed up! If you’re not willing to go along with this suggestion, then you’re not willing to let go of your depression. There’s nothing wrong with staying in a funk for a brief period. . .as long as. you understand that it is your choice. Dietary Stress Relievers Juices seem to be calming to the nerves. Throughout the day, sip apple, pineapple, prune, grape or cherry juice. Make Sure the juice has no added sugar or preservatives and drink it at room temperature, not chilled Chop a large onion into very small tidbits and add a tablespoon of honey. Eat half the mixture with lunch and the other half with dinner. Onions contain prostaglandin, which is reported to have a stress-relieving effect.
A Berry Good Idea If strawberries are in season, eat a few as a dessert after each meal (without the cream and sugar). You may feel a difference (you won’t be as edgy), and you may see a difference (they’ll make your teeth whiter). Acupressure away the pressure of the day by getting a firm grip on your ankle. Using your thumb and third finger, place one just below the inside of the anklebone, and the other finger on the indentation directly below your outer anklebone. Keep steady pressure on the spot as you count down from 100 to one, slowly (taking between one and two minutes in all). Peppermint tea has a wonderful way of relaxing the system and relieving moodiness. Drink it warm and strong. Seeing Green...and Blue If you are on edge, high-strung and, generally speaking, a nervous wreck, surround yourself with calming colors. Green has a harmonizing effect, since it’s the color of nature. Earth colors should make you feel better. Wear quiet blues and gentle grays. Color helps more than we realize. Sage tea can help relieve the jitters. Steep a sage tea bag or 1 teaspoon of sage in 1 cup of warm water for five minutes. Strain and drink three cups a day. Bonus: Sage tea also helps sharpen one’s memory and brain power. There’s a reason why Epsom salt, an ancient natural healer, is still popular-it works! Pour 2 cups of Epsom salt into a warm-water bath. Set aside a half-hour for pure relaxation in the tub-no interruptions-just 30 minutes of stress-free fantasizing. Phtheasy for You to Say According to European folklore, celery helps you forget your troubles from a broken heart and soothes your nerves at the same time. It’s probably the phthalide in celery, which is known to have sedative properties. Nervous Tics From time to time I get a tic around my eye. I feel like I’m winking at everyone. The tic-off switch that works like magic for me is vitamin B6-200 mg. CAUTION: Do not take more than 300 mg of B6 a day. Higher doses can be toxic. A nervous tic may also be your body’s way of telling you that you need more calcium or magnesium-or both. A good supplement can help you get the 1,500 mg of calcium and 750 mg of magnesium you need daily.
http://www.herbal-home-remedies.org/remedies/depression-stress.htm
AWARENESS: LUPUS What is Lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, the heart, and lungs. Under normal function, the immune system makes proteins called antibodies in order to protect and fight against antigens such as viruses and bacteria. Lupus makes the immune system unable to differentiate between antigens and healthy tissue. This leads the immune system to direct antibodies against the healthy tissue - not just antigens - causing swelling, pain, and tissue damage. (* An antigen is a substance capable of inducing a specific immune response.)
What are the different types of lupus? photo © St Thomas’ Lupus Trust Several different kinds of lupus have been identified, but the type that we refer to simply as lupus is known as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. Other types include discoid (cutaneous), drug-induced, and neonatal. Patients with discoid lupus have a version of the disease that is limited to the skin. It is characterized by a rash that appears on the face, neck, and scalp, and it does not affect internal organs. Less than 10% of patients with discoid lupus progress into the systemic form of the disease, but there is no way to predict or prevent the path of the disease. SLE is more severe than discoid lupus because it can affect any of the body’s organs or organ systems. Some people may present inflammation or other problems with only skin and joints, while other SLE sufferers will see joints, lungs, kidneys, blood, and/or the heart affected. This type of lupus is also often characterized by periods of flare (when the disease is active) and periods of remission (when the disease is dormant). photo © St Thomas’ Lupus Trust Drug-induced lupus is caused by a reaction with certain prescription drugs and causes symptoms very similar to SLE. The drugs most commonly associated with this form of lupus are a hypertension medication called hydralazine and a heart arrhythmia medication called procainamide, but there are some 400 other drugs that can also cause the condition. Drug-induced lupus is known to subside after the patient stops taking the triggering medication. A rare condition, neonatal lupus occurs when a mother passes autoantibodies to a fetus. The unborn and newborn child can have skin rashes and other complications with the heart and blood. Usually a rash appears but eventually fades within the first six months of the child’s life.
Who is affected by lupus? According to the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), 1.5 to 2 million Americans have some form of lupus. The prevalence is about 40 cases per 100,000 persons among Northern Europeans and 200 per 100,000 persons among African-Americans. Although the disease affects both males and females, women are diagnosed 9 times more often than men, usually between the ages of 15 and 45. African-American women suffer from more severe symptoms and a higher mortality rate. Other risk factors include exposure to sunlight, certain prescription medications, infection with Epstein-Barr virus, and exposure to certain chemicals.
What causes lupus? Although doctors are do not know exactly what causes lupus and other autoimmune diseases, most believe that lupus results from both genetic and environmental stimuli. Since lupus is known to occur within families, doctors believe that it is possible to inherit a genetic predisposition to lupus. There are no known genes, however, that directly cause the illness. It is probable that having an inherited predisposition for lupus makes the disease more likely only after coming into contact with some environmental trigger. The higher number of lupus cases in females than in males may indicate that the disease can be triggered by certain hormones. Physicians believe that hormones such as estrogen regulate the progression of the disease because symptoms tend to flare before menstrual periods and/or during pregnancy. Certain environmental factors have been known to cause lupus symptoms. These include: Extreme stress Exposure to ultraviolet light, usually from sunlight Smoking Some medications and antibiotics, especially those in the sulfa and penicillin groups Some infections, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), parvovirus (such as fifth disease), hepatitis C infections, and the EpsteinBarr virus (in children) Chemical exposure to compounds such as trichloroethylene in well water and dust CONTN’D
What are the symptoms of lupus? Since no two cases of lupus are exactly alike, there is a wide range of symptoms that are known to affect many parts of the body. Sometimes symptoms develop slowly or appear suddenly; they can be mild, severe, temporary, or permanent. Most people with lupus experience symptoms in only a few organs, but more serious cases can lead to problems with kidneys, the heart, the lungs, blood, or the nervous system. Lupus episodes, or flares, are usually noted by a worsening of some of the following symptoms: Achy joints (arthralgia), arthritis, and swollen joints, especially in wrists, small joints of the hands, elbows, knees, and ankles Swelling of the hands and feet due to kidney problems Fever of more than 100 degrees F (38 degrees C) Prolonged or extreme fatigue Skin lesions or rashes, especially on the arms, hands, face, neck, or back Butterfly-shaped rash (malar rash) across the cheeks and nose Anemia (oxygen carrying deficiency of red blood cells) Pain in the chest on deep breathing or shortness of breath Sun or light sensitivity (photosensitivity) Hair loss or alopecia Abnormal blood clotting problems Raynaud’s phenomenon: fingers turn white and/or blue or red in the cold Seizures Mouth or nose ulcers Weight loss or gain Dry eyes Easy bruising Anxiety, depression, headaches, and memory loss
Lupus can also lead to complications in several areas of the body. These include: Kidneys - serious kidney damage is a primary cause of death for lupus sufferers. Central nervous system - lupus can cause headaches, dizziness, memory problems, seizures, and behavioral changes. Blood and vessels - lupus causes an increased risk of anemia, bleeding, blood clotting, and vessel inflammation Lungs - noninfectious pneumonia and difficulty breathing due to inflammation of the chest cavity are more likely with lupus Heart - heart muscle and artery inflammation are more likely with the disease, and lupus increases the chances of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. Infection - lupus treatments tend to depress the immune system making your body more vulnerable to infection. Cancer - lupus increases the risk of cancer, especially of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lung cancer, and liver cancer Bone tissue death - a lower blood supply to bone tissue leads to tiny breaks and eventual death of bone. This is most common in the hip bone. Pregnancy - lupus increases the risk of miscarriage, hypertension during pregnancy, and preterm birth.
CONT’D
How is lupus treated? There is currently no cure for lupus, nor has there been a new drug to treat the disease in the last 50 years, although there are a number of new drugs currently being researched or in clinical trials. However, early diagnosis and proper medical treatment can significantly help control the disease and its symptoms. Treating lupus effectively consists of minimizing symptoms, reducing inflammation and pain, helping maintain normal function, and preventing serious complications. Since the disease affects each person differently, treatments are usually tailored to the specific problems that arise in each person. Medications and dosages will also vary depending on the severity of the disease. When lupus presents with mild or moderate symptoms, the following medications are commonly used in treatment: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, naproxen sodium (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Common side effects of NSAIDs include stomach bleeding and an increased risk of heart problems. Antimalarial drugs such as Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). There is no known relationship between lupus and malaria, but malaria medicines have been useful in treating lupus symptoms and haven prevented flares of the disease. Side effects include vision problems and muscle weakness. Corticosteroids to counter inflammation. Serious long-term side effects include weight gain, easy bruising, osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, and increased risk of infection. The risk of osteoporosis can be reduced by taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. When lupus presents with severe or aggressive symptoms, the following treatments are commonly used: High-dose corticosteroids. These may be taken intravenously or orally to control dangerous signs or symptoms of lupus. However, serious side effects have been observed such as infections, mood swings, hypertension and osteoporosis. Doctors tend to administer the lowest dose possible that will control symptoms, reducing the dosage over time. Immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and azathioprine (Imuran). These drugs suppress the immune system and may be helpful in serious lupus cases. They also carry a risk of serious side effects such as an increased risk of infection, liver damage, infertility and an increased risk of cancer.
Living with lupus Although there is no cure for lupus, there are several measures that patients can take to cope with the disease. Sun care - Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 that can block both UVA and IVB rays. Diet - Eat a nutritious and well-balanced diet with limited sugar and salt intake if on corticosteroids. There is some evidence that fish has anti-inflammatory properties, but alfalfa sprouts may increase inflammation. Pain management - Apply moist heat to painful joints or soak in a hot tub or Jacuzzi. Exercise - Low-impact walking, swimming, aerobics, and bicycling may help prevent muscle atrophy and lower the risk of osteoporosis. Rehabilitation - Physical, occupational, and vocational therapists can help you to strengthen muscles, exercise, lower stress, recommend assistive devices, train for a job that does not exacerbate symptoms Don’t smoke. Quit if you are a smoker. Climate - Changes in pressure can exacerbate symptoms. Try to live somewhere with minimal changes in climate and pressure. Fatigue - Control fatigue by remaining active and resting for an appropriate amount of time. Relationships - Maintain good relationships with the physicians that are helping you to manage lupus. Keep appointments, be honest, take medicines, and respect their time. Pregnancy - Keep aware and consult with a doctor about risks associated with pregnancy for you and your child. Cognitive function - A psychologist or cognitive therapists may be helpful if lupus leads to cognitive dysfunction or memory loss.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/lupus/
3 Things Happy People Do differently 1. Use Every Habit And Life Experience “Everyone and everything around you is your teacher.” ~ Ken Keyes When it comes to being happy, knowing how to use every habit and life experience (either positive or negative) as a learning tool — and choosing to learn from them — you expand your consciousness and open yourself up to new levels of awareness, success, and happiness. 2. Maintain a Positive Outlook as You Learn from Mistakes “The only time you fail is when you fall down and stay down.” ~ Stephen Richards Every mistake you make is progress. Why??? Because mistakes hold within them potent seeds that have the potential to teach us lessons. Important lessons that can powerfully transform our lives for the better. The key comes from our ability to concentrate on the positive while actively looking for the learning (aka, “silver lining”) in every situation. This means understanding that life will test you… That life will put obstacles in your way… And that life will intentionally try to trip you up. If you allow negativity to get the best of you, you will never be able to achieve what you want in life and you will remain stuck. Happy and successful people know this. Happy people also know that having a positive outlook towards life will lead them to greatness. 3. Stay Focused on Small Wins “Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more.” ~ Louis L’Amour Lastly, focus on small wins. Starting small and making tiny changes is a lot easier then trying to make a big change all at once. Having and developing a small wins approach to life is super effective in lessening the tension, anxiety, and frustration brought on by overwhelm. Emotions like worry and stress fog up our ability to see probable solutions.
http://liveandcreateyourlife.com/3-things-happy-people-do-differently/
http://www.imvu.com/rooms/asea-health-wellness-center http://www.imvu.com/groups/group/ASEA%2BHealth%2B%252538%2BWellness%2BRL%2BRegime/ Email Address::
aseasxm@yahoo.com
How to Heal By Forgiving By braniac
Overcoming hurt When someone hurt you, it is not easy to forgive them. You may feel that if you forgive them, you are allowing them to hurt you again. Forgiveness is not for the one who hurt you. By learning how to forgive, you will free yourself of the pain and bitterness. Forgiveness is good for the body as well as the soul. It may take time, to forgive, but you can start by taking, baby steps. Sometimes the person that hurt you, don’t even feel any guilt and is living happily, while you are literally, killing yourself with stress. Find someone who you trust, such as a counselor or a close friend, and tell them how you feel. By doing this you are preparing yourself for selfhealing. You don’t have to confront the person who hurt you, to forgive them. You can forgive them without ever seeing them. You deserve to be free of pain and anger, although that person may not deserve to be forgiven. By forgiving someone, it doesn’t mean that you will forget what they did to you. This experience should teach you how to prevent future hurts and not to hurt others. You are maybe asking yourself, “How do i know when i have forgiven someone.” When you can laugh at the things that once hurt, when you laugh more at little things, when you allow yourself to start trusting again and connected with others. Most importantly, when you can stare the person, in the face and don’t even feel an ounce of resentment, you may only feel pity for that person, for being so mean. Look forward to the future, embrace life and let go of the pain that was inflicted upon you. To forgive someone is a powerful thing, you will have inner peace, therefore you will be walking around with a permanent smile on your face.
Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_4472425_heal-by-forgiving.html#ixzz2auLqkrmh
The Reci
Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Shells PREPARATION
INGREDIENTS 1 15 ounce container ricotta cheese 1 10 ounce package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and well drainedsee savings 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 4 ounces) 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheesesee savings 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 18 jumbo shell-shaped pasta, cooked and drained 1 24 ounce jar PregoÂŽ Chunky Garden Combination Italian Sauce
1. Stir the ricotta cheese, broccoli, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and black pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into each shell. 2. Spread 1 cup of the sauce in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch shallow baking dish. Place the filled shells on the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese. 3. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 25 minutes or until it’s hot and bubbling. Tip: 1. To save time: Thaw the broccoli in the microwave
http://www.recipe.com/broccoli-and-cheese-stuffed-shells/
ipe Box
Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas with Ranchero Sauce Ingredients
2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded 2 cups water 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 cup chopped yellow onion 5 garlic cloves, sliced 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups organic vegetable broth 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano 2 tablespoons no-salt-added tomato paste 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice $ 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 2 cups (8 ounces) preshredded reduced-fat 4-cheese Mexican-blend cheese, divided 3 thinly sliced green onions, divided Cooking spray 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas 6 tablespoons light sour cream
Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 400째. 2. Combine chiles and 2 cups water in a saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Drain chiles in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. 3. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add onion; saute 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium; add garlic and salt. Cook 5 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Add broth and next 3 ingredients (through cumin); cook 8 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. 4. Pour onion mixture into a blender; add chiles and reserved liquid. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in lid. Blend until smooth; stir in lime juice and red pepper. 5. Combine the beans, 1 cup cheese, and half the green onions in a bowl. Spread 1/2 cup sauce in the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon 3 tablespoons bean mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-side down, in prepared dish. Pour remaining sauce over filled tortillas. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 400째 for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with remaining green onions; serve with sour cream.
Nutritional Information Amount per serving (serving = 2 enchiladas and 1 tbs of sour cream) Calories: 302 Fat: 12.9g Saturated fat: 5.3g
Monounsaturated fat: 3.9g
Polyunsaturated fat: 1.3g Protein: 17.3g Carbohydrate: 36.1g Fiber: 6.4g Cholesterol: 32mg Iron: 1.7mg Sodium: 574mg Calcium: 426mg
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/black-bean-cheese-enchiladas-50400000115829/
Preparation
INGREDIENTS 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flatleaf parsley 1 ounce fresh Parmesan cheese, shaved (about 1/4 cup)
Penne with Herbs, Tomatoes, and Peas
1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Add peas during last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain. 2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add garlic; cook 4 minutes or until garlic begins to brown, stirring occasionally. Increase heat to medium-high. Add tomatoes to pan; cook 1 minute. Add pasta mixture, salt, and pepper to pan; cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally. Stir in basil and parsley. Sprinkle with cheese.
Nutritional Information Amount per serving (1 1/2 cups) Calories: 381 Fat: 13.4g Saturated fat: 2.9g Monounsaturated fat: 8g Polyunsaturated fat: 1.3g Protein: 13.7g Carbohydrate: 53.3g Fiber: 4.9g Cholesterol: 6mg Iron: 3.1mg Sodium: 396mg Calcium: 126mg http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/penne-herbs-tomatoes-peas-50400000128125/
Vegetarian “Southernstyle� Collard Greens
Ingredients
Preparation
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 1/2 large onion, chopped 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 pound collard greens, chopped 3 cups vegetable stock 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped Salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and butter. Saute the onions until slightly softened, about 2 minutes, then add the red pepper flakes and garlic, cook another minute. Add collard greens and cook another minute. Add the vegetable stock, cover and bring to a simmer. Cook until greens are tender, about 40 minutes. Add tomatoes and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Per Serving (based on a 4-serving yield): Calories: 122; Total Fat: 7 grams; Saturated Fat: 2 grams; Protein: 4 grams; Total carbohydrates: 14 grams; Sugar: 5 grams; Fiber: 5 grams; Cholesterol: 8 milligrams; Sodium: 859 milligrams http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cooking-for-real/vegetarian-southern-style-collard-greens-recipe/index.html
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Add a Daily Dose of Nuts and Chocolate Nuts and seeds are good sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which is associated with less cognitive decline as you age. Dark chocolate also has other powerful antioxidant properties. And it contains natural stimulants like caffeine, which can enhance focus and concentration. Enjoy up to an ounce a day of nuts and dark chocolate to provide all the benefits you need without excess calories, fat, or sugar. Fish Really is Brain Food A protein source associated with a great brain boost is fish -- rich in omega 3 fatty acids, essential for brain function and development. These healthy fats have amazing brain power: higher dietary omega 3 fatty acids are linked to lower dementia and stroke risks; slower mental decline; and may play a vital role in enhancing memory, especially as we get older. For brain and heart health, eat two servings of fish weekly.
elp You Concentrate Add Avocados and Whole Grains Every organ in the body depends on blood flow, especially the heart and brain. Eating a diet high in whole grains and fruits like avocados can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower bad cholesterol. This reduces your risk of plaque buildup and enhances blood flow, offering a simple, tasty way to fire up brain cells. Whole grains, like popcorn and whole wheat, also contribute dietary fiber and vitamin E. Though avocados have fat, it's the good-foryou, monounsaturated fat that contributes to healthy blood flow. Blueberries Are Super Nutritious Research in animals shows that blueberries may help protect the brain from the damage caused by free radicals and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Studies also show that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning and muscle function of aging rats, making them mentally equivalent to much younger rats.
Get Ready for a Big Day Want to power up your ability to concentrate? Start with a meal of 100% fruit juice, a whole grain bagel with salmon, and a cup of coffee. In addition to eating a well-balanced meal, experts also advise: Get a good night's sleep. Stay hydrated. Exercise to help sharpen thinking. Meditate to clear thinking and relax.
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/slideshow-brain-foods-that-help-you-concentrate
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