Moving

I've decided to move my blogs over to Quench Your Thirst With Alice Tea

I'll still be around since I am following a lot of you here.

Secrets My Pillow Keeps

my tears they flow

my tears they flow

my tears they flow

rolling rolling

down

and the liquid pain

stains

& deepens the shade of my pillow

it has tasted the essence

of my agony

time and time and time

before

yet remains the same

like an old friend

the one i can trust

to keep what is in

my Heart

a secret;

I will never tell

hush now

close your eyes

I will soak in

all that you wish to be rid of

so you can sleep

sleep sleep

a dreamless sleep

maybe tomorrow

maybe tomorrow

maybe tomorrow

you can share with me

joyful weepings

of freedom

freedom from sorrow

freedom from fear

freedom from all

that keeps your smile

sequestered

I wish this fabric possessed a voice

to tell you

throughout all these years

I've learned to decipher

those tears

I can see the Future

and what it holds

hush

close your eyes

and when you sleep

sleep

sleep the dreamless sleep

I can try to find a way

to whisper

to you

that one day

one day

one day

you will smile

no longer bound

and your tears will be

only a memory

only a memory

only a memory

stored safely away

within the woven threads

of me, your pillow

Original Poetry by Alice Tea

Ancient Memories

It was in another time and place

Because my heart remembers

Your soul as it first touched mine

Forever igniting the embers

Burning bright it sees the Future

To guide us back together to fulfill

Whatever was left unfinished

But do you remember me still?

Ponder upon its reflection

When you look into my eyes

Fall into me, fall into me

Perhaps then you will realize

You already know me

From ancient memories...

Original Poetry by Alice Tea

Wounds Run Deep

band aid smiles ripped off

revealing the flesh below

still raw and real

the wounds run deep

my mouth cannot voice

what my soul

longs to speak

tongue twisted and tied

bound by silent rules

written by the past

soul remains unconvinced

of that my mind believes

to be true

i confess to myself

i am not yet whole

or perhaps it is too much

to ask

accept me as i am

this vulnerable side

still too afraid

to say those words

i am but a coward

undecided

wavering

vacillating

wanting so much

asking for so little

will i let myself

experience the chance

to either fly or fall

is my strength

an illusion

can i afford to pay

the cost of the possibility

of a shattered heart

once again

Original Poetry by Alice Tea

Points To Ponder - 1

Saying something like, "You're pretty... for being handicapped" is just as odd as saying, "You're really nice... for a white girl".

Beauty, being nice, or any other adjective for that matter, is not inclusive to a specific group of people.

If A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words...

A visual view of my thoughts:

http://pinterest.com/auntiepoonchi/

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month

What is Spina Bifida?

Spina bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect and the most common Neural Tube Defect. It affects approximately one out of every 1,000 newborns in the United States.

Spina bifida results from the failure of the spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy. In severe cases, the spinal cord protrudes through the back and may be covered by skin or a thin membrane. Surgery to close a newborn's back is generally performed within 24 hours after birth to minimize the risk of infection and to preserve existing function in the spinal cord.

Because of the paralysis resulting from the damage to the spinal cord, people born with spina bifida may need surgeries and other extensive medical care. The condition can also cause bowel and bladder complications. A large percentage of children born with spina bifida also have hydrocephalus, the accumulation of fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus is controlled by a surgical procedure called "shunting" which relieves the fluid build up in the brain by redirecting it into the abdominal area. Most children born with spina bifida live well into adulthood as a result of today's sophisticated medical techniques.

Who is at higher risk?

Women who:

• have a child with spina bifida
• have spina bifida themselves
• have already had a pregnancy affected by any neural defect

are at greater risk of having a child affected by spina bifida or another neural tube defect. These women may need to get a prescription for folic acid before trying to become pregnant, so it's important to plan any future pregnancy. Please speak with your health care provider about folic acid.

Do children with Spina Bifida have learning problems?

Some children with spina bifida do experience learning problems. They may have difficulty with paying attention, expressing or understanding language, organizing, sequencing and grasping reading and math.

How can we help with those learning problems?

Early intervention can help considerably to prepare these children for school. Students should be in the least restrictive environment and their day to day activities should be as "normal" as possible. It often helps to have a psychological evaluation, which tests the child's intelligence, academic levels (reading, spelling, math etc.), and basic learning abilities (visual perception, receptive and expressive language skills).

What about the physical limitations?

Children with spina bifida need to learn mobility skills, and often with the use of crutches, braces, or wheelchairs can achieve more independence. Also, with new techniques children can become independent in managing their bowel and bladder problems. Physical disabilities like spina bifida can have profound effects on the child's emotional and social development. It is important that health care professionals, teachers, and parents understand the child's physical capabilities and limitations. To promote personal growth, they should encourage children (within the limits of safety and health) to be independent, to participate in activities with their non-disabled peers and to assume responsibility for their own care.

What are secondary conditions associated with SB?

Special attention is needed to identify and treat secondary disabilities. Due to the wide range of neurological damage and mobility impairment it can be difficult to identify some secondary disabilities. Attention should be focused on the psychological and social development of children and young adults with spina bifida. Many recent studies, including the SBAA's Adult Network Survey, clearly indicate the presence of emotional problems that result from factors such as low self-esteem and lack of social skills training. Examples of secondary conditions associated with spina bifida are latex allergy, tendinitis, obesity, skin breakdown, gastrointestinal disorders, learning disabilities, attaining and retaining mobility, depression, and social and sexual issues.

What is latex allergy?

Allergic responses to latex (rubber) products. Typical symptoms include watery eyes, wheezing, hives, rash, swelling, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis (a life threatening reaction). These responses can occur when items containing latex touch the skin, the mucous membranes (like the mouth, genitals, bladder or rectum), open areas or bloodstream (especially during surgery).

Who is allergic to latex?

While it is not known exactly how this allergy develops, anybody can develop a latex allergy. However, certain groups of individuals have been identified as having a greater risk of becoming latex allergic. Those at higher risk include people who are frequently exposed to latex, such as children and adults with spina bifida and health professionals. Research has shown that spina bifida patients have the potential to become allergic (to some degree) to latex. Anyone with a latex allergy should avoid exposure to all products that contain latex.

What are some common products that contain latex?

Catheters, elastic bandages, baby bottle nipples, pacifiers and balloons are just a few common products that contain latex. If you are in doubt about a specific product, check with its distributor or manufacturer.

Can anything be done to prevent Spina Bifida?

Birth defects can happen in any family. Many things can affect a pregnancy, including family genes and things women may come in contact with during pregnancy. Recent studies have shown that folic acid is one factor that may reduce the risk of having an NTD baby.

Taking folic acid cannot guarantee having a healthy baby, but it can help. Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Here's what you can do:

• Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) folic acid every day.This amount is also written as 0.4 milligrams (mg). All women should take this amount every day while not planning to become pregnant.
• If you have a child with spina bifida, have spina bifida yourself, or have had a history of pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect, and you are thinking about becoming pregnant, you need a higher dose of folic acid. You should take 4000 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid by prescription for 1 to 3 months before becoming pregnant.This amount is also written as 4.0 milligrams (mg). Taking this amount of folic acid by prescription may reduce the chance of a neural tube defect like spina bifida in future pregnancies. Please see your doctor. Do not take this extra folic acid by taking more multivitamins because too much of some of the other vitamins could harm you and your future baby.
• Plan your next pregnancy.Speak with your health care provider about your personal risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect. You may need to get a prescription for folic acid before you try to become pregnant.

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid, a common water-soluble B vitamin, is essential for the functioning of the human body. During periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy and fetal development, the body's requirement for this vitamin increases. Folic acid can be found in multivitamins, fortified breakfast cereals, dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, egg yolks, and some fruits and fruit juices. However, the average American diet does not supply the recommended level of folic acid.