Fantasy Football, Pink Cleats and Breast Cancer Awareness

I am what is known as a fantasy football rookie. In the private league in which I participate, one of my best drafts was DeAngelo Williams, who played for the Tigers of the University of Memphis. The article below appeared in the New York Times and was written by Judy Battista. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NFL players will be wearing pink gloves, sweatbands and the like. Williams, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, had the idea of adding pink cleats.

Of course, the Panthers have a bye this weekend, so I must figure out a replacement player for DeAngelo. Any suggestions?

Pink Cleats to Show Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

CaringBridge – Helping loved ones stay in touch during difficult times.

I stumbled onto this website last night. I had heard of it when a family friend was very ill, but I wanted to share it with my blog visitors. CaringBridge offers free websites to people who are sick and need a way to communicate with family and friends. This allows a primary caregiver to update everyone on the progress or status of the person for which they are caring. It also allows a single place where family and friends can communicate back. When my family was communicating with someone through CaringBridge, it was a wonderful service for everyone involved.

Care for Caregivers

A visitor to my blog asked me about caring for caregivers. This article posted by my friends at HopeandHealing.org is titled “Care for Your Caregiver.” I think it is the kind of article nurses and other medical professionals could give to their patients in long-term care as a way to advocate for the family member or friend who is their primary caregiver.

If you have a special article or advice to offer caregivers or those in their care, I hope you will comment here and link to the article so others may learn. Peace, Butch

Swine Flu

With the nation being brought to alert about Swine Flu, I wanted to share with my readers the website from the Centers for Disease Control which gives numerous links to additional information and prevention tips. Congregations are wonderful places to disseminate reliable health information. As public spaces, congregations must also be mindful of ways to minimize the potential spread of diseases such as Swine Flu.

You should also check out my more recent post on churches responding to swine flu.

The Season of Resurrection

An Earth Day Reflection

The editors of hopeandhealing.org have posted a reflection I have written for Earth Day that suggests that one way to honor this day is to consider those members of your congregation who live with asthma. I hope you enjoy this reflection and find it helpful.

The Season of Resurrection

A Prayer for the Easter Season

I have written an Easter Prayer for ministries of health and wholeness that was inspired by the Psalms of the Easter season lectionary. You can find it at http://www.hopeandhealing.org.

Millard Fuller Dies, Founder of Habitat for Humanity

I was saddened to learn of the death of Millard Fuller on Tuesday, February 3. There is no question in my mind that substandard housing among the poverty-stricken is a health issue. Millard Fuller challenged people of faith to provide everyone a decent home and eliminate poverty housing. Our world is forever healthier because of this great man’s vision.

To learn more about Millard Fuller:

From the Fuller Center for Housing

From Koinonia Parters

From Habitat for Humanity

The Theology of the Hammer

Home Care Workers Have Fewer Rights

It surprised me to learn that home care workers are not afforded the same legal protections as most other workers in this country. Home care workers are exempt from overtime pay and often earn less than the minimum wage. Jobs in this field are plentiful, but the wages are often very low. If nothing else, people seeking home care for a loved one should understand this issue so that more informed decisions can be made. I have posted a few links below in case you would like to learn more.

A New York Times Editorial from January 28, 2009

A USA Today article from 2007 on a Supreme Court Ruling

A blog of the Direct Care Alliance on this topic

An Epiphany Meditation

I offered this meditation titled Happy Meals and Magi to the staff of the Church Health Center on Wednesday.

An Article on Obesity Surgery

A very few of you reading this blog know that I had gastric bypass surgery in 2001. People have strong opinions about this surgery, often quite negative, but I am glad that this article points out the life-changing benefits of this drastic intervention.

Obesity Article at MSNBC.com