The Collaborative Action Network Developing Opportunities (CAN DO)
Initiative is bringing Minnesotans together from a variety of perspectives
to formulate and take action to improve the lives of people with
disabilities. Minnesota has a strong history of supporting people
with disabilities but there is more that can be done. The intent
of the CAN DO effort is not to design a great, overarching plan but
to connect the many talented individuals and committed groups around
the state into a collaborative network of action. The initiative
is focused on creating and maintaining a network of people and organizations
with a CAN DO attitude who effectively work together to design, implement
and evaluate innovative support approaches that make a difference
in the lives of people with disabilities.
Here are some of CAN DO’s
goals: develop a summary of recommendations from multiple reports
and sources on disability services; focus on areas that people with
disabilities have identified as vitally important, such as community
membership and employment; host eight regional conferences to develop
local plans of action; and establish and maintain a network of information
and collaborative action. All are welcome to join the initiative,
but registration is recommended. Remaining conferences include Owatonna
(11/14), Marshall (11/19), St. Paul (11/26) and Duluth (11/29).
FFI:
Lois Bossert, 651-431-2430 or Lois.Bossert@state.mn.us
Source:
Minnesota Department of Human Services
MS Exhibit to Feature Range of Products
for People with Disabilities
More than 80 exhibitors showcasing
products and services for people with disabilities will be featured
at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter’s
Exhibit Hall on November 16 and 17.
The Exhibit Hall, held in conjunction with the Minnesota Chapter’s
MS Annual Convention, will highlight companies offering a wide range
of products and services including assistive devices, home modification
and remodeling, vehicle modification, adaptive technology, chore
services and more.
The event offers people with MS and other disabilities an opportunity
to learn more about products and services available to help improve
quality of life and promote independent living, speak with company
representatives and interact with various products firsthand.
For more information visit www.MSsociety.org or
call 612-335-7900 ![]()
Source: MN MS Society
Religion and Disability Should Mix,
Study Says
Research shows that spirituality is linked to positive physical
and mental health; however, most studies have focused on people with
life threatening diseases. A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia
shows that religion helps many individuals with disabilities adjust
to their impairments and gives new meaning to their lives.
According to the study, persons facing impending death may use religion
to help them accept their condition and prepare for death. However,
the study suggests that religion may be an equally, if not more important,
coping mechanism for persons with chronic disabilities such as traumatic
brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke and arthritis.
“Although many individuals with disabilities turn to religion
to help them deal with their situations, to date, religion is infrequently
discussed in rehabilitation settings and is rarely investigated in
rehabilitation research. To better meet the needs of persons with
disabilities, this needs to change,” said Brick Johnstone,
professor of health psychology in the MU School of Health Professions.
The study notes that few practical suggestions exist for how to
address religion in health care. Heath care providers should encourage
religious practices important to individuals, such as yoga, reading
of religious texts, or meditation. Students should be taught about
various religious beliefs and how they might be used to the patients’ advantage
in a rehabilitation setting.
Rehabilitation psychologists, counselors and chaplains should work
together to initiate forgiveness interventions. Patients who
were injured as the result of others actions may find easier recovery
if they can use their religious beliefs to work through emotions
surrounding the cause of the disability. ![]()
Source: News Bureau, U.
of Missouri-Columbia
Bacterial Infections on the Rise
According to the November Consumer Reports on Health, a dramatic
rise in bacterial infections has recently occurred because of both
consumer and medical negligence. Although most antibacterial infections
can be treated with at least one antibiotic, emerging problems exist.
These include the fact that nearly one in three pneumococci—the
bacteria responsible for many pneumonia—has become resistant
to penicillin, and one in ten is resistant to most antibiotics. Also,
few if any antibiotics work against a bacterium called Acinetobacter
baumannii, which has infected the wounds of many soldiers returning
home from Afghanistan, in some cases forcing doctors to amputate
infected limbs. Consumers have contributed to the growing crisis
by not taking antibiotics properly, or in some cases insisting that
their doctor prescribe antibiotics for viral infections, such as
the flu, even though antibiotics only work against bacterial infections.
In addition, a new CDC study
estimates that nearly 19,000 Americans died in 2005 from the Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), acquired mostly in hospitals. Reporting
that almost 95,000 people developed MRSA infections that year, the
findings underscore the need for hospitals to improve patient care,
most notably by improving their handwashing compliance rates, which
in separate studies have been revealed to be typically below 50 percent—far
too low for patient safety. In addition to self-accountability, Congress
is urged to require hospitals to begin public reporting of patient
infection rates. The CDC stated that hospital acquired infections
result in up to $27.5 billion in additional hospital-related
expenses annually. ![]()
Source: Consumer Reports
Health News
