I'm kinda annoyed right now. I was searching around on www.cancer.ca, Canadian Cancer Society, to see if the support group they had requested more information on (one that I created recently for young adults in Nova Scotia with any form of cancer) was posted yet. While searching I came across Canadian Cancer Statistics 2011... There's practically nothing about young adults! They talk about 0-19 and 50+. I found brief, very minor mentions of "those under age 50", one sentence about breast cancer occurrence, and a couple about 30-39. I makes me angry that they would post all this information on 50+ (practically the entire paper), but barely refer to anyone between 19-49. I guess I shouldn't act so surprised, at the YACC conference in November 2011 this type of exclusion was brought up, but I thought that as it is a growing concern, and with all the social workers that I contacted about the new support group being so thrilled at the start of a group "that is greatly needed", that we would have had more than a quick half sentence and a sprinkling of statistics. Young adults may not have the highest numbers in some areas but I think it's our right to know the percentages and statistics that studies find of our specific ages. I'm going to guess that they never bothered to define our age group or collect information on it to actually use to calculate in the numbers for their other statistics.
Well... I guess that's going to be the next mission after I get this support group going at full steam.../rant.. for now...
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Quiet on the Eastern front
Hello all, sorry for being a bit distant for the past few weeks. There's been a lot to do on this side of the screen. Back appointments (I really wish they'd find something to help that already >_<), getting things squared away with the upcoming reconstruction (yeah!), and of course, just life having it's fun with me lol.
I do hope that everyone is enjoying their January 2012. I know a lot of people have started sites and Facebook pages to encourage Mattel to actually commission a Cancer Barbie, I've been connected to "help support by clicking like" by many groups. I see the picture of the Disney Princesses bald circulating a lot lately, as well. I'm glad people are trying to take a stand in what they believe in. I am disheartened by those that seem to feel the need to argue all of these efforts and even though I respect the fact that they are fully in their rights to voice their opinion, I guess I prefer the "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" approach. Especially with things as sensitive as terminal illnesses.
What I'd like to say to all those that are pushing for the toy industry to help make change, start looking inward first. There's one song by Michael Jackson that will always get my heart, and that's Man in the Mirror. It's very true. If you think that girls feel unpretty (great song by TLC, too!) because they have lost their hair and figure because of their cancer and other illnesses, please start by teaching your daughters, neices, cousins, friends, family that it is okay to not look like the models, the actresses, and the popstars to be beautiful. Show them that the beauty is the things that make us all different. Beauty is what makes you smile from your heart, not your image. We are all beautiful.
I do hope that everyone is enjoying their January 2012. I know a lot of people have started sites and Facebook pages to encourage Mattel to actually commission a Cancer Barbie, I've been connected to "help support by clicking like" by many groups. I see the picture of the Disney Princesses bald circulating a lot lately, as well. I'm glad people are trying to take a stand in what they believe in. I am disheartened by those that seem to feel the need to argue all of these efforts and even though I respect the fact that they are fully in their rights to voice their opinion, I guess I prefer the "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" approach. Especially with things as sensitive as terminal illnesses.
What I'd like to say to all those that are pushing for the toy industry to help make change, start looking inward first. There's one song by Michael Jackson that will always get my heart, and that's Man in the Mirror. It's very true. If you think that girls feel unpretty (great song by TLC, too!) because they have lost their hair and figure because of their cancer and other illnesses, please start by teaching your daughters, neices, cousins, friends, family that it is okay to not look like the models, the actresses, and the popstars to be beautiful. Show them that the beauty is the things that make us all different. Beauty is what makes you smile from your heart, not your image. We are all beautiful.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Forgiveness?
With all the buzz of resolutions in the air, the broken ones, the unattainable ones, the too simple/easy ones, and the realistic ones, I find that the talk coming from most is about what people are giving up this year. Or at least trying to give up. I finally made a resolution. First year in I don't know how long that I really made one that I meant as something to be resolved in the coming calendar year. But I'm starting to wonder if I should have made one more...
I've been no stranger to trials and tribulations. From issues as a child: family troubles, bullying, isolation, to adult matters: betrayals, health, and financial issues, I've had my share of problems to deal with. One thing is, I keep going back, in my mind, wishing I had had the insight to avoid the distress and predicaments that could have circumvented. As much as I hear and try to believe that none of it was my fault, and there was nothing I could have done about it, I find it difficult to accept that. I need to, though. There were signs, there were feelings, and I did not know how to react to them. I was blinded by hope and trust that should not have been so freely given, but that is how I am. If you put yourself out there, there are lots of people that would like to take advantage of that. My soul was mortally wounded by two people in my life, I will forever have those scars.
So what is the point I'm trying to make? I was thinking that I should have resolved to give something, I'm wondering if I should have made a resolution to try to forgive. Not just try to find it in my heart and soul to forgive those that so openly hurt and decimated my trust, but to forgive myself for not reacting quick enough to avoid the wounds they brought me. Forgive myself for being so capable of being blinded to what the person truly was.
Perhaps its better to not be a resolution. New Years resolutions have a stigmata of being broken 95% of the time. Maybe this is something I should actually just try to make part of my life. It will not happen over night, that's for sure. But maybe in a couple years, or if I'm lucky, several months. There's no simple "flick a switch" to make my mindset adjust to what I'm trying to achieve, but I think if I can come to terms with my frailty in blind trust, I can start down the path I'm trying to travel on. All I can do is admit I need to do it, and start to do something about it.
I've been no stranger to trials and tribulations. From issues as a child: family troubles, bullying, isolation, to adult matters: betrayals, health, and financial issues, I've had my share of problems to deal with. One thing is, I keep going back, in my mind, wishing I had had the insight to avoid the distress and predicaments that could have circumvented. As much as I hear and try to believe that none of it was my fault, and there was nothing I could have done about it, I find it difficult to accept that. I need to, though. There were signs, there were feelings, and I did not know how to react to them. I was blinded by hope and trust that should not have been so freely given, but that is how I am. If you put yourself out there, there are lots of people that would like to take advantage of that. My soul was mortally wounded by two people in my life, I will forever have those scars.
So what is the point I'm trying to make? I was thinking that I should have resolved to give something, I'm wondering if I should have made a resolution to try to forgive. Not just try to find it in my heart and soul to forgive those that so openly hurt and decimated my trust, but to forgive myself for not reacting quick enough to avoid the wounds they brought me. Forgive myself for being so capable of being blinded to what the person truly was.
Perhaps its better to not be a resolution. New Years resolutions have a stigmata of being broken 95% of the time. Maybe this is something I should actually just try to make part of my life. It will not happen over night, that's for sure. But maybe in a couple years, or if I'm lucky, several months. There's no simple "flick a switch" to make my mindset adjust to what I'm trying to achieve, but I think if I can come to terms with my frailty in blind trust, I can start down the path I'm trying to travel on. All I can do is admit I need to do it, and start to do something about it.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Cancer Barbie Concept
Here's a pic a friend sent me of someone's concept of the Mattel Cancer Barbie that should be created:
Friday, 6 January 2012
Retreat Yourself 2012 East and West
Spots are filling up, make sure you don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with other young adults dealing with cancer! Apply today!!
CLICK HERE
This is for Young Adult Cancer Canada's special program called Retreat Yourself. You get to actually meet other young adults, discuss issues you are facing, and connect with a group that will support you no matter what.
CLICK HERE
This is for Young Adult Cancer Canada's special program called Retreat Yourself. You get to actually meet other young adults, discuss issues you are facing, and connect with a group that will support you no matter what.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
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