July 26, 2010 by justjaydedotcom
After far too many negative/ranty posts (( hey don’t blame me, I write about what inspires me at the time and since most of our news is negative so are most of my posts ;)) I finally have a great positive one to write!
A new device for communication for the severely disabled has been invented. Unlike past inventions that were controlled by sucking, blowing, eye movement or blinking (which often patients can not do) this one is controlled by sniffing – which apparently many patients with severe disabilities can do! Slight changes in pressure produced by the soft palate along the roof of the mouth that controls airflow through the nose control the device, which detect even the slightest pressure changes!
Developed by scientists in Israel at the Weizmann Institute – the awesome sniffer device is being used by a few severely disabled people to control wheelchairs, surf the net, and write letters!
Some of the people in the trials have a pretty scary condition known as “locked-in syndrome” which in simple terms is when a patient is aware and awake but can NOT move or communicate due to complete paralysis of the body. There are two types – one where they can control their eyes and one where they can not. For those able to control their eyes the previous “eye” typer was fine and dandy but it is sure great to see a way for those who can not use that find a new way to break out of their stony silence and be able to communicate with doctors and loved ones.
To have a voice again, some after more than 18 years of locked-in silence would be the most amazing thing in the world.
It still takes 20 seconds to one minute to select one single letter of the alphabet – so it is still hard work but the fact that they can now communicate is so awe inspiring.
It goes to show you that as bad as our technology CAN be what with all the bad ass weapons and ways to kill each other using it – technology can ALSO free us in ways we could never even dream of.
I for one would love to know what the first words of these people were! I can imagine what MINE would be.
Score 1 for technology.
Score 1 for science.
Score 1 for awesomeness.
Just Sayin’
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Change, Feelings, geeky, Happy, health, Impressed, Raves, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
July 26, 2010 by justjaydedotcom
For those of you not in the know – The government of Canada has put a program in place in a few of the provinces called the “Self Exclusion Program”. What is that? Well – basically it is an agreement (voluntary) that people who “think they need a break from gambling” (( aka people who have a gambling addiction/problem )) can request. Said gamblers sign this agreement and basically the staff of the casinos are then responsible to babysit them and completely bar them entry of the establishment. In effect to stop them from spending money/gambling/losing money.
What a crock of horse shit this program is! First off that would be like having alcoholics sign an agreement that “excludes” them from bars. How the fuck would the bars keep track of all the idiots who have signed this form in expectation to be banned on sight from entering the bar?
When will we as humans, as adults… take responsibility for our OWN choices and actions?
Yip some people are predispositioned to addictions I admit that but ultimately they have the choice to START said addiction with their first drink, first hit off a pipe, or first chip played at a casino.
Going in and signing this form is admitting they have a problem and need help for it which is great, however the expectation of the form itself is just fucking stupid. Think of how many people sign this stupid form and then expect the casinos to all know who they are and bar them?
So recently in the news are cases where morons who have SIGNED this “agreement” are suing the casinos! Why? Well because they got in, gambled and lost. OR They got in, gambled, won and were denied payout and are throwing a fit. *rolls eyes*
Of course most people feel sorry for them “if they won, give them the money! It’s only right after how much they have lost there!” etc. Pshttttttt I say fuck off. If they chose to sign the agreement, then chose to IGNORE the agreement, then chose to BREACH the agreement – and they then lost money? TOUGH. They need to take responsibility for their OWN actions. It is NOT the job of everyone around an addict to keep the addict clean.
On the other hand if they win? Again – they BROKE the agreement, entered the casino and won. Payout very well SHOULD be denied otherwise what incentive is there to stop going in and playing aka feeding the addiction?
Go and loose? Sue because they let you in! Incentive for going is a possible payoff. Keep going.
Go and win? AWESOME! incentive to keep going and breaking your VOLUNTARY agreement not to be there.
If you have signed the agreement and you win and are denied OR lose all your money? Shut the hell up – go to gamblers anonymous. Seek help. Stop expecting to be coddled like a toddler.
Just sayin’
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bullshit, Opinion, Out of control, Rants, Stupidity, Thoughts, Wake up | Leave a Comment »
July 26, 2010 by justjaydedotcom
Alberta urged to cover cost of in vitro… say what?!
Over and over this headline screams at me in the morning news. Following an article and approval of funding in Quebec for coverage of in vitro fertilization (Which costs about $15,000) per attempted implant. Or $32 million for one year of “coverage” – or $64 million by 2014.
As of August 5, 2010 – the approved coverage pays for THREE in-vitro fertilization attempts per woman as well as any and all medically related costs.
Now here are my thoughts on the issue….
Every day people are dying because they can not afford to treat their illnesses. Every day people are dying because the government can’t afford to cover treatment for their illnesses. Every day people are dying because the government refuses to cover treatment for their illnesses. Every day people are suffering, struggling to survive, to make it through another day. Every day families must say good bye to their mothers, fathers, sister, brothers, spouses because treatment can not be afforded.
In a world where we have uncounted numbers of babies and children who are available for adoption, who are unwanted, unloved and suffering. Is it really fucking NECESSARY to fund IVF? Really?
Yea, I get that they want a baby all their very own but come the fuck ON! That money could be used to save the lives of those already here on this earth suffering and dying. That money could go to making adoption services better so more children who are suffering could be adopted by loving homes and families.
To be really blunt, it pisses me OFF.
We should absolutely NOT be funding this!
IVF will not save lives – it will simply add more new lives to this world that can not afford to be cared for by our medical system because it is bankrupt. Makes sense, eh?
If you can AFFORD IVF – by all means go for it :) I wish you luck and hope you have your much wanted baby but if you can NOT afford it? Don’t expect to be given the coverage to try and get pregnant. You are a drain on our already bleeding Medicare. People are dying every day due to lack of affordable care… Sit down, think about it.
Just sayin’
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Angry, Annoyed, Bullshit, Change, Feelings, health, Opinion, Rants, Sad, Stupidity, Thoughts, Wake up | Leave a Comment »
July 26, 2010 by justjaydedotcom
After ranting about “young drunk drivers” (and drunk drivers of all ages but again we will focus on the young ones as that is what I rant about most and what todays blog is about ) Ontario has laid down a new law that I consider to be AWESOME!
As of August 1st anyone pulled over in Ontario under the age of 21 with ANY alcohol in their system will be bitch slapped. Loss of license for 24 hours – 30 days as well as a possible fine up to $500.00! Not only that but if they break this law 3 times? Their license is then canceled.
I think it is about fucking time that the government looks at implementing stricter laws regarding young drunk driving. In the age of automatic entitlement that these kids are growing up in, it gives them a small taste of consequences and hopefully inspires them to change BEFORE they take a life (or more) with their immature and stupid decision to drink and drive.
Good for you Govt of Ontario! May the rest of the provinces follow suit one day very soon!
Just sayin’
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Change, Feelings, Happy, Impressed, Justice, Opinion, Raves, Thoughts | Leave a Comment »
July 22, 2010 by justjaydedotcom
I am one of those people who tries like hell to avoid celebrity gossip because I feel for the most part people are catty as fuck about celebs – they feel it is their given right to say anything and everything about celebs like they somehow own them because they choose to put themselves out there in the eye of the public.
Normally I sit on my hands, or tell people they are being catty bitches – especially when they judge the way someone looks – as if they are somehow a supermodel fucking prize who has every right to look down on everyone else, rather than the loser sitting at home spewing hate and jealousy over the internet waves.
Today though – I will be joining the masses. No, I will not be bagging on someone for how they look but rather bagging on the justice system and how bullshit it is. You have probably guessed by now how “celebrity” comes into play on this one? Yes… Lindsay Lohan is technically part of the topic (( she is the example I will be using )) though there are countless other celebs that this applies to.
Lindsay Lohan has been in the news non stop about her substance abuse issues and sensibility (or lack thereof). She was recently sentenced to serve time in a “special” jail where they often hold celebs. I don’t consider the jail to REALLY be a jail – as it goes it is pretty cushy, she is segregated from the masses who would love to give her the REAL jail experience ;) etc and so forth.
Today it was announced that Lindsay’s “time” in jail has been DRASTICALLY slashed from a few months down to a mere 13 days. Why? Over crowding.
Ironically there are “special jails” that celebs can “choose” to go to instead – the catch is that they need to PAY to stay there. Part of me screams “OVER CROWDING MY ASS, the judge should FORCE them to PAY THEIR OWN FUCKING INCARCERATION FEES! and send them to the other jails”, but then my brain says “why the fuck bother, it isn’t REAL jail it is basically a spa with jumpsuits. What’s the point? They wont LEARN anything”.
No matter how you cut and dry it celebs get special treatment in “jail”. Lindsay Lohan was able to thwart the rules of “weekend only” visitations and have her mother visit her on Wednesday for well over an hour! How is this teaching her anything? How is this fair to the other non celeb inmates?
Lindsay is also allowed to have Ambien and Aderall while in prison – what is the point? I thought half of the point to her serving time was for her to dry out. Drugs are drugs…
Basically what this and most celeb “prison sentences” have taught us – is celebs don’t REALLY serve time. Special treatment, privileges and protections are awarded to them and nothing is taught to them about “corrective behavior” which is the point of prison.
Might as well be at a spa.
Just Sayin’
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Annoyed, Bullshit, Change, Feelings, Justice, Thoughts, Wake up | 4 Comments »
