#is the only one allowed to be correct or compassionate or proactive.
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A lot of discussion lately about whether or not jason fans hallucinated a character who cares about his community (the ‘protects women and kids’ thing), but i think that’s doing us a disservice and frankly letting DC off the hook.
Its not unreasonable to dislike that DC consistently makes the kid with the poorest background the most violent and selfish. (And the second poorest, Steph, the most incompetent).
Its not wild to extrapolate that someone who was first characterised as being Too Upset About Rape Victims and later characterised as prepared to take action where others won’t, could be getting involved in that kind of work.
It’s not crazy fans being blind to canon when we don’t want the sole voice of reason on the subject of community support to be the benevolent billionaire.
It’s not delusional behaviour to make fanworks where the guy heavily implied to be a child victim of sexual assault takes on responsibility for other victims.
Is that what DC gave us? No, they didn’t bother to address it.
#jason todd#dc#red hood#batman#bruce wayne#if that upsets you then don’t worry!#there are a hundred years of comics#in which the billionaire with no skin in the game#is the only one allowed to be correct or compassionate or proactive.#why not go read those instead#and if you’re upset that fans don’t care enough about leslie or helena#dc doesn’t care about your characters either#i don’t know why you’re mad at us
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Phoenix Eye Care: Comprehensive and Emergency Eye Care in Arizona
At Arizona Eye Specialists, we pride ourselves on offering the highest standard of eye care to Phoenix and surrounding communities. Whether you need a routine eye exam, treatment for a complex condition, or emergency eye care, our team of dedicated professionals is here to help you maintain optimal vision and eye health. With cutting-edge technology and personalized care, we ensure that each patient receives the attention they deserve.
Why Quality Eye Care in Phoenix is Important
Your eyes are one of your most important assets, allowing you to experience the world with clarity and detail. At Arizona Eye Specialists, we believe in proactive care, where regular eye exams can help prevent long-term issues and detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. By addressing these issues early on, we not only protect your vision but also improve your overall quality of life.
Phoenix is home to a diverse population, and with the unique weather and environmental conditions, such as high UV exposure and dry climates, it is crucial to seek out quality eye care from experienced professionals. Our specialists understand the specific needs of Phoenix residents, and we are fully equipped to handle a wide range of eye health concerns.
Comprehensive Eye Exams: Your First Step to Eye Health
Regular eye exams are essential for detecting vision problems, but they also serve as an important window into your overall health. During your comprehensive eye exam, our experts will assess not only your vision but also check for conditions such as:
Cataracts: A common condition, especially in older adults, that can cloud the lens of the eye, leading to vision impairment.
Refractive Errors: This includes myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, all of which can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery.
Glaucoma: A serious condition that, if left untreated, can result in irreversible vision loss. Early detection through regular eye pressure tests is key.
Macular Degeneration: A leading cause of vision loss, especially among the elderly, this condition affects the central part of the retina, making it difficult to see fine details.
By regularly visiting Arizona Eye Specialists, you ensure that these conditions are detected early and managed effectively.
Emergency Eye Care in Phoenix
Emergencies can strike at any moment, and your eyes are no exception. Arizona Eye Specialists offers emergency eye care services to treat sudden issues such as:
Eye Injuries: From chemical exposure to blunt trauma, eye injuries can be painful and dangerous if not treated promptly. Our team is trained to handle a wide variety of eye trauma cases, ensuring that you receive the best care as quickly as possible.
Sudden Vision Loss: Any sudden loss of vision is considered a medical emergency and should be addressed immediately. Whether caused by retinal detachment, a stroke affecting the eye, or other urgent conditions, our specialists are prepared to diagnose and treat the issue swiftly.
Foreign Objects in the Eye: If something becomes lodged in your eye, it can cause severe irritation, damage, or even infection. Our emergency care team will safely remove any foreign objects and provide the necessary treatment to prevent further complications.
Flashes and Floaters: While these symptoms are sometimes harmless, they can also be a sign of a serious condition like retinal detachment. If you experience sudden flashes or a dramatic increase in floaters, it’s important to seek immediate care.
At Arizona Eye Specialists, our team is available to assist with these and other emergencies. We provide timely, compassionate care that prioritizes your safety and long-term vision health.
Specialized Treatments for Advanced Eye Conditions
In addition to routine and emergency care, we offer specialized treatments for a wide range of complex eye conditions. Our services include:
LASIK Surgery: A life-changing procedure for those who wish to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Our experienced surgeons use state-of-the-art technology to reshape the cornea and improve vision.
Cataract Surgery: For patients suffering from cataracts, our specialists provide advanced surgical options, including laser-assisted cataract surgery, which ensures precise, minimally invasive treatment with quicker recovery times.
Dry Eye Syndrome: Living in the Phoenix area can exacerbate dry eye symptoms due to the hot, arid climate. Our clinic offers effective treatments, including prescription medications and LipiFlow, a revolutionary procedure designed to provide long-term relief for chronic dry eye sufferers.
Diabetic Eye Care: Diabetes can have a profound impact on eye health, leading to conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. We offer specialized care tailored to the needs of diabetic patients, focusing on early detection and management to prevent vision loss.
State-of-the-Art Technology for Optimal Care
We invest in the latest advancements in eye care technology to ensure that our patients receive the highest standard of care. From optical coherence tomography (OCT) to digital retinal imaging, our diagnostic tools provide us with a detailed view of the eye’s structure, enabling early detection and precise treatment planning.
Our surgical center is equipped with cutting-edge lasers for procedures like LASIK and cataract surgery, ensuring that our patients benefit from the most advanced techniques available. We also utilize topography-guided lasers to correct vision imperfections, offering a more personalized treatment plan that leads to better outcomes.
Pediatric Eye Care in Phoenix
Children require specialized eye care, as their developing eyes are more susceptible to certain conditions. At Arizona Eye Specialists, we offer comprehensive pediatric eye exams that assess not only vision but also the overall development of the eye.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): If detected early, this condition can often be corrected with patching or vision therapy, allowing the weaker eye to strengthen.
Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Our pediatric specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating this condition, which can affect both vision and appearance.
Myopia Control: With the rising rates of nearsightedness among children, we offer innovative treatments such as orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and atropine therapy to slow the progression of myopia and protect long-term vision.
Choosing Arizona Eye Specialists: Your Partner in Vision Care
At Arizona Eye Specialists, our commitment to excellence extends beyond routine care. We take a personalized approach to every patient, ensuring that each individual receives a comprehensive evaluation and a tailored treatment plan. Our team of highly trained ophthalmologists, optometrists, and support staff work together to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Whether you’re seeking emergency eye care, a routine eye exam, or specialized treatment, we’re here to serve you with the highest level of professionalism and care. With multiple convenient locations in Phoenix and the surrounding areas, we make it easy for you to prioritize your eye health.
#phoenix eye care#emergency eye care phoenix#quality eye care#Phoenix eye doctors#Best Ophthalmologist in AZ
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The Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Adjustments: A Guide for Langley Residents
Living in Langley, a city known for its scenic beauty and vibrant community, you understand the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a busy professional, or a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, taking care of your physical health is paramount. Regular chiropractic adjustments are one of the most effective ways to ensure your body stays in peak condition. Realign Chiro & Physio is dedicated to helping Langley residents achieve optimal health and well-being through personalized chiropractic care.
What Are Chiropractic Adjustments?
Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulations, are techniques chiropractors use to correct misalignments in the spine. These misalignments, or subluxations, can interfere with the nervous system, leading to pain, discomfort, and reduced functionality. By applying controlled, sudden force to specific spinal joints, chiropractors can restore proper alignment, improve mobility, and alleviate pain.
Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Adjustments
· Pain Relief
Chiropractic care is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating various types of pain, including back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Regular adjustments can help reduce the frequency and intensity of these pains by addressing their root causes.
· Improved Mobility and Flexibility
Misalignments in the spine can restrict your range of motion and flexibility. Chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper joint function, allowing you to move more freely and comfortably. This is especially beneficial for athletes and active individuals in Langley who rely on their bodies for peak performance.
· Enhanced Nervous System Function
The spine plays a crucial role in the functioning of the nervous system. By ensuring your spine is properly aligned, chiropractic care can enhance the communication between your brain and the rest of your body. This can lead to improved overall health and a greater sense of well-being.
· Better Posture
Poor posture is a common issue, especially for those who spend long hours sitting at a desk or using electronic devices. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help correct postural imbalances, reducing the strain on your muscles and joints, and promoting better alignment.
· Stress Reduction
Physical discomfort and pain can contribute to increased stress levels. Chiropractic care not only alleviates pain but also promotes relaxation by improving the function of the nervous system. Many patients report feeling more relaxed and less stressed after their adjustments.
· Boosted Immune System
A well-functioning nervous system is essential for a strong immune system. Chiropractic adjustments help ensure your nervous system operates efficiently, which can, in turn, enhance your body’s ability to fight off illnesses and maintain overall health.
· Preventative Care
Regular chiropractic visits can help identify and address potential issues before they become serious problems. This proactive approach to health care can save you from experiencing more significant pain and discomfort down the line.
Why Choose Realign Chiro & Physio?
At Realign Chiro & Physio, we pride ourselves on providing top-notch chiropractic care tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient. Our team of experienced chiropractors is committed to helping Langley residents achieve their health goals through personalized treatment plans and compassionate care.
· Experienced Professionals: Our chiropractors are highly trained and experienced in a wide range of chiropractic techniques.
· Holistic Approach: We take a holistic approach to health, addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of your discomfort.
· State-of-the-Art Facility: Our clinic is equipped with the latest technology and equipment to provide the best possible care.
· Patient-Centered Care: We prioritize our patients’ well-being, ensuring each visit is comfortable and effective.
Conclusion
Regular chiropractic adjustments offer numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your quality of life. Whether you’re seeking pain relief, improved mobility, or better overall health, chiropractic care at Realign Chiro & Physio can help you achieve your goals. If you’re a Langley resident looking to take charge of your health, consider scheduling an appointment with us today. Your journey to better health starts with a well-aligned spine! For more information or to book an appointment, visit Realign Chiro & Physio today.
#physio#physiotherepist#physiotherapy#chiropractic care#chiropractor near me#chiropractic adjustment#rehabilitation#rehab centre
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Elderly Home Care Services: Enhancing Quality of Life
As our loved ones age, their care needs become more complex, requiring additional support and assistance. Elderly home care services provide a valuable solution to ensure the well-being and comfort of seniors in the familiar surroundings of their own homes. In this blog, we will explore the benefits and importance of elderly home care services, and how they contribute to enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
Personalized Care Plans: Elderly home care services offer personalized care plans tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Caregivers provide assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management, and meal preparation. This personalized approach ensures that seniors receive the specific level of care they require, promoting their independence and preserving their dignity.
Companionship and Emotional Support: Loneliness and social isolation can have a significant impact on the well-being of older adults. Elderly home care services provide companionship and emotional support to combat these challenges. Caregivers engage in meaningful conversations, participate in activities, and offer companionship to foster emotional well-being. This not only enhances mental health but also reduces the risk of cognitive decline and depression.
Safety and Fall Prevention: The home can present certain hazards for elderly individuals, increasing the risk of falls and accidents. Elderly home care services focus on creating a safe environment by identifying and mitigating potential risks. Caregivers assist with mobility, provide support during transfers, and implement safety measures such as removing obstacles and installing grab bars. This proactive approach reduces the risk of falls and ensures the overall safety of seniors.
Medication Management and Health Monitoring: Older adults often have complex medication regimens that require careful management. Elderly home care services provide assistance with medication administration, ensuring that medications are taken at the correct times and in the proper dosages. Caregivers also monitor vital signs, observe any changes in health conditions, and communicate with healthcare professionals to provide timely interventions when needed.
Flexibility and Independence: Elderly home care services offer flexibility in terms of scheduling and services. Caregivers can be arranged for a few hours a day or around the clock, depending on the needs of the senior. This flexibility allows for customized care plans and ensures that older adults receive the appropriate level of support while maintaining their independence and autonomy.
Conclusion:
Elderly home care services play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Personalized care, companionship, safety measures, and health monitoring contribute to improved well-being, mental health, and overall satisfaction. By choosing elderly home care services, seniors can age gracefully in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes while receiving the necessary support to live their lives to the fullest. The compassionate and dedicated caregivers in these services provide invaluable assistance, ensuring that our elderly loved ones receive the care and attention they deserve.
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From Infestation to Elimination: How Mice Control Services Ensure Pest-Free Living
It can be upsetting to find out that you have mice in your house. These tiny rodents can swiftly grow, inflicting harm to your family's health and damage to property. To preserve the safety and well-being of your home, it is crucial to obtain professional assistance from mice control services when you are dealing with a mice infestation. In this blog post, we'll explore how Mice control services Buffalo are essential for protecting your house and successfully getting rid of mouse infestations.
Thorough Inspection and Assessment: A comprehensive inspection and assessment of your property is the first step in professional mice control services. Every nook and cranny will be examined by skilled experts who will look for potential mouse entry ways, nesting locations, and supplies of food and water. They can create an individualized treatment plan thanks to this thorough evaluation.
Customized Treatment Plans: There is no one solution that works for all mouse infestations because each one is different. Customized Mice extermination Buffalo are used by mouse control services to address the unique requirements of your home. Professionals will use a variety of strategies, including traps, baits, exclusion techniques, and environmental adjustments, according on the results of the inspection, in order to properly deal with the infestation.
Safe and Humane Techniques: Professional mouse control services place a high priority on using risk-free and compassionate methods to get rid of mice. They use techniques that effectively eradicate rats while causing the least amount of harm to humans, pets, and other animals. These services concentrate on environmentally acceptable solutions rather than the indiscriminate use of dangerous chemicals.
Prevention and Exclusion Measures: Services for controlling mice go beyond only getting rid of the current infestation. In order to prevent mice from resurfacing, they also emphasize preventive measures. To stop more infestations, experts will locate and seal off potential access spots such cracks in walls, pipes, or vents. They might also offer advice on how to store things properly, keep things clean, and use landscaping to keep rodents away.
Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance: Mice control firms frequently provide continuing monitoring and maintenance programmers to guarantee long-term pest-free living. Technicians will be able to evaluate the treatment's success on a regular basis, make any necessary corrections, and quickly deal with any fresh evidence of mouse activity. This proactive strategy aids in the long-term maintenance of a mice-free environment.
Expert Knowledge and Experience: Expert technicians who have dealt with rodent infestations are used by mouse control services. These experts are familiar with the routines and behavior of mice, which allows them to use the best eradication techniques. Their knowledge guarantees the effective and complete removal of mice from your house.
Time and Cost Savings: While some people might try DIY mouse control, it frequently wastes time and money with little to no results. Mice exterminator Buffalo efficiently handle the infestation, saving you significant time and effort. Their knowledge, specialized tools, and focused strategy produce quicker, more efficient results, limiting future harm and associated health hazards.
Eco-Friendly Approach: Professional mouse control services priorities environmentally friendly methods to reduce their negative effects on the environment. They use methods that lessen their dependency on dangerous chemicals, choosing natural and environmentally friendly solutions whenever possible. The security of your family, pets, and the ecology is guaranteed by this eco-aware strategy.
Disease Prevention: Hantavirus, salmonellosis, and leptospirosis are just a few of the illnesses that mice are known to transmit. Services for controlling mice concentrate on stopping the spread of disease as well as getting rid of the infestation. These services dramatically lower the health hazards posed by rodents by eliminating mice and putting preventative measures in place.
Conclusion: Professional mouse control services are essential for assuring pest-free living from infestation to eradication. These services effectively eliminate mice infestations and offer long-term protection through thorough inspections, individualized treatment programmes, safe approaches, prevention measures, continuing monitoring, and expert expertise. Entrusting the task to knowledgeable professionals when dealing with a mice problem gives you peace of mind and enables you to live in a secure and mice-free environment.
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Augusta Lawyer
A Respected Firm Augusta Georgia Attorney
The key reason why we continue being the ideal solution involves our history in Augusta. We certainly have was able to assist 1000s of legal clients through the years and remain a respected name around. Be it developing a case, collecting evidence, or providing legal guidance, finding the right attorney on your side might be a real difference-maker. We will be delighted to offer a strong selection of options so that you can experience and select from. This guidance comes from taking the opportunity to understand what exactly you need after which advancing after that.
The point behind our lawyer and this team of legal professionals has to do with helping others. We never scrimp and we carry on and put our very best efforts behind helping our clients all the way. While challenges are going to arise throughout the legal process, clients are fully aware of they may depend upon what we`re doing and will carry on and maintain a wide open type of communication. This is what sets us apart and lets us become the ideal option for individuals who want to put together a viable accidental injury claim with the aid of a law office.
There is certainly nothing more essential than going with a genuine legal team with years of proven experience. In terms of accidental injuries claims, we understand how important it can be to understand just what the client is handling and anything they are hoping to have in the experience. Each situation is unique and that`s why we take time to hear what you have to say and what your vision is focused on. This info becomes the basis from where we build our case.
Integrity will be the name of the game and it`s something our company is proud to target. We appreciate how difficult it could be to decide on a law practice and then enable the legal team to aid out. it`s challenging to be aware what is right and what is wrong while not having to depend on a team of attorneys. That is why we carry on and help our clients recognize exactly what is transpiring and the way it is going to help them over the long term. This is about communication and showing a feeling of compassion for our own clients that is crucial in Augusta. Should you prefer a compassionate, proven team we are the top option in town.
At Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C, we are dedicated to providing client-friendly solutions and that is certainly something we don`t compromise on. Clients will want someone that is going to go ahead and take case by its horns and continue to push forward having a viable solution. This includes customizing each detail and building the way it is depending on just what the client requires. This can involve the sort of evidence that is utilized, the information that is relayed on the court of law, or the particular settlement that is certainly provided eventually. We take time to pour through all of these details with this clients and make sure they are content with the decisions that are made. This is what permits us to develop a meaningful relationship with this clients while they look to move forward with the personal injury claim.
Setting up claims similar to this isn`t simple and easy it`s essential to take into account your options as quickly as possible. Through the help of Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C, you are going to see most of these options appear with all the guidance of the seasoned attorney. The lawyer is going to really know what works and what doesn`t while allowing your case to go in the right direction.
Seamless Process
How does the method unfold when it is time to create a decision? Is it gonna be as straightforward as you would like so that it is? is the claim going to pass through and resulted in a settlement as fast as necessary? In many instances, it is not necessarily and which has a lot concerning the legal team with you. Are you working with somebody who has seen all of it and may learn how to adapt in the process or are you choosing someone that will wing it? At Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C, we do not scrimp therefore we know what is essential. And this is what permits us to create a wholesome strategy that is not merely going to incorporate precisely what the client needs and also exactly what the case demands within the long term. This can be the only method to start to see the types of results that will bring a smile to your face.
The advantage of working with our law office is knowing they will ensure the procedure is as smooth as you possibly can. This includes the original consultation, case building, and all things in between. Our company is always going to make the effort to make sure you have got a hands-off approach from the case building process.
Having feelings of commitment is a must in fact it is something we have been very proud of at Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C. We do not waste time providing solutions that are not going to cause a meaningful end or are not likely to sync with how the case should certainly be presented. We understand several things are going to help one client but aren`t going to do the job for other people. This really is a part of the process which is something we take quite seriously.
To make sure we are supplying the right degree of commitment and putting in hard yards, we still assess our work throughout the process. Including asking for feedback from your clients to discover the things that work and what requires improvement. This info is critical in ensuring you will be treated correctly and access a team that is certainly truly passionate about what it really does legally.
All accidental injury claims will be given respect and professionalism and that`s a guarantee. It`s something you are able to lean on being a client learning the team will almost certainly utilize all of its resources to get the job done.
One of the primary reasons this has become an illustrious legal team in the heart of Atlanta is related to its good track record record. We are not a new comer to the marketplace and possess spent years working on various fronts to assist our clients. This expertise is essential when it comes to case building, collecting evidence, and simply recognize when adjustments are needed. This is centered on developing a legal professional by your side that is going to treat you the correct way and is going to take the desired steps to offer serious results. Why go along with those who are likely to waste your time and effort or will not assist whenever necessary? We have been an all-on-one law practice that recognizes learning to make adjustments and give valid solutions for personal injury claims.
Whether it is filing the individual injury claim or looking for an appeal, we have now your back all the way. This is about making certain the outcome is at your favor and lets you relax knowing compensation is around the corner.
Our history is about earning the client`s trust and showing them our dedicated approach to accidental injuries cases.
Auto Accidental Injuries Law Firm In Augusta
Being proactive is a thing we carry on and emphasize at Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C because it`s what our clients demand. There is nothing worse than on both hands and hoping for the right lead to come through. This is simply not likely to get the job done and will often resulted in a situation in which the lawyer doesn`t do enough to help out. At Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C, our company is intent on our legal approach during these matters and all things are carried out in our power to create a strong case. This consists of using new-age methods that put us at the forefront of the legal industry. Having someone as professional and passionate as this is usually a game-changer when it is time and energy to fight for the legal rights. Why choose somebody that is just not happy to put in the hard yards?
As soon as we talk to you concerning the case, we will almost certainly start dealing with the relevant details. This consists of presenting a robust strategy that can help push the situation from the right direction and will almost certainly cause a favorable decision inside the court of law. Here is the beauty of selecting a team that is ready to be proactive.
What makes us one of several better legal teams in the industry? How come Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C the ultimate option for those who are seriously interested in investing in an individual injury claim?
Several reasons permit us to become the ultimate choice for individuals who need to see success. It`s not merely about having 350+ numerous years of collective experience but the capability to understand what our clients want. This is focused on showing feelings of compassion and working throughout the legal framework to guide clients towards a just verdict. There are going to be several steps in the process and simply the ideal legal professionals understand how to respond to each.
This emanates from experience and operating in Augusta. We have spent decades employed in Augusta which experience is something you can depend on from day 1.
We have been always putting in some time to build a network of resources in this particular a part of town and that is certainly what allows us to gain an edge over others. We are the most useful at whatever we do and it starts by knowing the legal system locally.
Building a Case: building can be a critical piece towards the legal puzzle in terms of filing an individual injury claim. Our Augusta personal injury attorneys have spent years analyzing what works and what does not because they build a large number of cases. We recognize just what the legal setup in Augusta demands and ways to put forward an instance that will gain traction. This can be essential and it is something we learn to pinpoint the moment the initial consultation occurs. Our company will quickly assess what the options are on the spot and definitely will shed light on every one since we undergo them. Here is the attractiveness of knowing you will be employing a knowledgeable law firm in Augusta, Georgia
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Your Daily Word Of Inclusiveness | Beatrix Eder Coaching
How to speak an inclusive language
Recently I conducted a brief poll on LinkedIn (https://lnkd.in/gTDaKPs) asking the professional community what they experience as their biggest challenge to implementing Inclusive Leadership.
First of all, I want to thank all the people who have taken a moment to participate and many of them continued the conversation in public comments and private messages.
Challenges to practicing Inclusive Leadership
The intention of the poll was to see the overall perception and get a sense of what makes it difficult for people to practice inclusiveness. Most people today are exposed to working with others across differences of gender, race, generation, language, culture, beliefs and personal orientations. Many of the multinational organizations are convinced that diversity is not just political correctness but a business imperative and many have defined concrete goals around diversity such as having more women in leadership positions, reviewing practices around hiring people from a more diverse pool of talent or decrease pay disparities.
The poll gave four options as main obstacles to implementing Inclusive Leadership:
No alignment with business strategy
Not embedded in daily actions
Lacking accountability
Recognizing subtle bias
Embedding inclusive practices in daily actions
The biggest difficulty appears to be around embedding inclusive practices in daily actions followed by recognizing subtle bias.
The reason for this is that among the well-meaning company policies and intentions of creating an inclusive workplace, there is little cohesion on how this should look in daily actions between employees. Taking a closer look, it becomes clear that most people have only a vague idea what inclusiveness means, how we can recognize it and how we experience it.
Having a clear definition around concepts shows what is truly important about the concept and allows for a common understanding by many people. Only when an organization is able to make a statement about the fundamental nature of “inclusiveness”, are they able to measure it, incentivize it and build it into the corporate culture at all hierarchical levels.
How can we expect people to practice something consistently if there are vague or different definitions of what they should be doing?
Inclusiveness: leverage the diversity of the group
Being inclusive means effectively working, communicating and building relationships with people across differences in regards to gender, generation, race, language, religion / beliefs, sexual orientation and abilities. Being inclusive means seeing these differences as valuable qualities of each individual’s identity and giving each individual the same opportunities. Inclusive leadership involves inviting different people, engaging everyone to participate, listening to their views and valuing the differences.
Inclusive leaders direct, guide and influence people in a more curious, collaborative, creative and compassionate way in order to leverage the diversity of the group and achieve a common goal with more creativity and effectiveness.
Diversity is the metric. Inclusion is the mechanism. Engagement is the feeling.
Practicing a few habits consciously, consistently and in a way that is observable to others makes you the inclusive leader that you are and aspire to be. As a general attitude, you can
proactively seek out others different from yourself,
learn about their perspectives with genuine curiosity
value differences and consider how each of these differences help finding better solutions.
Creating such an environment helps that people feel accepted, welcome, heard and valued - and this is the felt experience of inclusion. The result of this felt experience is engagement, which means that people are emotionally connected to the workplace and the coworkers. Engagement is what drives people to give their best and keeps them loyal to the company.
As with most things, being inclusive becomes easier with ongoing practice. For this, people need
Information to continuously educate themselves on notions around their cultural blueprint, their relationship to power / rank / privilege and competencies how these differences can be bridged in a way that is enriching
Awareness of themselves as individuals and as players in their social environment
Commitment to be deliberate in their choices and courageous in their actions.
Acts of micro-inclusion
If you want to bridge the gap between inclusion as rhetoric and concrete actions, you need to open your eyes and ears to situations where differences show up. Each one of us encounters these situations several times a day, so there are plenty of opportunities to practice. When you go about your day with an attitude of curiosity and compassion, observing situations not only from your own perspective but that of people different from you, you will recognize many occasions that wait for you to show up as the inclusive leader you already are and want to be perceived as.
We call these tiny acts of inclusiveness micro-inclusion. Micro-inclusions are the opposite of isolation: they are deliberate acts of connecting with our common humanity, remembering that each one of us has feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. It is the understanding that despite our individual and unique qualities, something connects us and that we all belong to a system that is beyond our individual projects and goals.
6 tips for practicing inclusive language
So what are concrete examples of practicing inclusiveness at work? How can you widen the circle and invite more people inside?
Let’s start with inclusive language. We speak all day and there are several scientific studies that show the impact of the language we use on our thoughts. Words are not just labels but they reveal our perspective. Words have power and they influence our actions – and over time our culture.
Here are 5 tips on how to consciously choose your words to help others feel accepted, welcome, heard and valued.
1) Gender-neutral language
It probably happened at least once or twice that you have addressed your team with “guys”, even though it was a mixed group with women, men and maybe even non-binary people. Using gendered language can exclude those people who do not identify as the gendered expression you have used. A better alternative is to say “Hey, team / everyone / friends / folks”.
2) Alternative pronouns
We tend to use “he /his” as generic pronouns which implicitly tells us that the person referred to is a male. In English, you can use “they / their” as singular generic pronoun to show that all people are included, independently of their gender or identity. Example: Instead of “Each employee is welcome to share his or her thoughts” you can say “Each employee is welcome to share their thoughts”.
3) Simple vocabulary and clear pronunciation when speaking with non-native speakers
When you are a native English speaker and you speak with people whose mother tongue is not English, remember to use common words and avoid idioms or your local slang. I still remember how difficult it was for me the first time I worked with an Australian manager: not only did I have real trouble understanding his accent; he also used words that I had no idea of what they meant. One day he gave me directions to go to a client and said that at a certain street I have to take a “chuck a uey”…. A what? As I learned, “chuck a uey” in Australian means a U-turn!
4) Be conscious about how you qualify people based on their gender
Often, people will attribute different adjectives when they describe the same behavior of a man or a woman. Common examples are being assertive (man) versus bossy (woman), passionate (man) versus hysterical (woman) or empathetic (man) vs emotional (woman), persuasive (man) vs argumentative (woman).
When you describe another person’s behavior or attitude –especially when you perceive it as negative - check in with yourself: Would you use the same word if it was the other gender?
5) Avoid stereotypes, even positive ones
Sometimes people think they are saying a compliment and forget that what they actually voice is a stereotype, generalizing a group of people.
Common examples:
“Women have a natural mothering instinct and are more caring”
“Asians are good at math and science”
“Gay people are generally more sensitive, open-minded and creative”
All these expressions paint a caricature of the person to whom we are referring. When you speak, check-in with yourself if the words you are using have an “all” or “no one” perspective.
6) Avoid words with a negative or passive meaning
Sometimes we use unconsciously words that describe another person as weak. Sometimes we use these expressions to show our compassion. And yet, it is more inclusive and respectful to use neutral or positive words.
Examples:
Instead of “X is suffering from [illness]” say “X has [illness]”
Saying that “X is fighting [illness]” implies that the illness is something that has to conquered and annihilated and people having a specific illness might hear an underlying opinion that they have the illness because they did not fight hard enough / were not strong enough.
Instead of “X was victim of an accident” say “X had an accident”
Use language to include and empower others
The language we speak will give cues about our perspectives and opinions and will influence our relationships with others. Furthermore, using an inclusive language shows our willingness to connect with others on a human level, understand their individual situation and feel for them.
Speaking an inclusive language is an ongoing journey with situations in which we will all make mistakes. As an inclusive leader, own your mistakes and commit to understanding how the background of another person shapes their experience and that we can have a very different interpretation of the same situation.
Will you consciously choose your words to include and empower others?
Will you use at least three times inclusive language at your workplace today?
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Homeless Encampment Booby Trapped
As officers were investigating a homeless camp near Warren Street in Wheeling, they discovered the trail leading to the area had been booby trapped with boards with rusty nails. The boards, according to Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, were place where people would walk, and one was rigged to swing a rusty-nail board toward a person head or torso. “It was the icing on the cake that really made us focus on what was going on inside some of these encampments,” the police chief said. “One of my detectives goes to an encampment while investigating a theft and discovers a booby trap. There were boards with a whole bunch of nails in them that were rigged to harm somebody. “The occupants of that camp claimed that the trap was set up for another homeless individual they didn’t want around, and who knows if that is true or not? It could be,” Schwertfeger said. “But you have Swank Construction in that area, and you have an officer trying to do his job that could have been injured by this. That’s unacceptable.” City Manager Bob Herron worked with members of the Wheeling’s Operations Department and the police chief to develop a protocol that involved the possible clearing of a homeless encampment. In other words, the only way one of the areas could be swept clean of the occupants was if Herron approved the recommendation. “We started working with the people at Project Hope as soon as the city manager gave his approval, and we were told the people were noticed more than two weeks ago,” he said. “The occupants were completely understanding, too, and they told the officers they didn’t want to be here but that they had fallen on hard times. But there was no animosity or anything like that.”
Terrific organizations like Street Moms and Project Hope have been working hard to help the city of Wheeling’s homeless population. This is one of the camps that was cleared.
Incriminating Evidence
During the past year, according to the police chief, both misdemeanors and felonies had been committed in close proximity to the shuttered makeshift shelters, and several individuals were wanted because state or federal warrants. That is not to mention, Schwertfeger explained, some of the items found at the cleared encampments likely were stolen from businesses and residents in the area. That includes a brush hog, a large piece of motorized machinery utilized for landscaping. “What the Wheeling Police Department and the city of Wheeling have done, and I hope will continue to do, is to correct a very bad situation when it comes to safety and crime. It was absolutely needed despite what the ACLU thinks or says,” Schwertfeger said. “Just to put this into perspective as far as what prompted the closing of some homeless encampments over a 12-month period of time concerning more that one camp. “We have had two malicious assaults, four overdoses, five fugitive arrests, and that means someone was wanted in another area of the country but were found to be here,” he explained. “There were four other warrant services for people from West Virginia who had a warrant our for their arrest. Also, there have been multiple domestic battery incidents as well as other battery incidents, and in the areas where these encampments are located, there have been over 50 burglaries and break-ins during that period of time. At one location, there were many vehicles that were broken into, and there have been so many shoplifting reports in those areas that there are too many to count.”
This warehouse is in the area where the homeless camps were cleared last week, and Chief Schwertfeger explained those pieces were found along the creek bank.
The ACLU Threat
Last week, the representatives of West Virginia’s ACLU chapter issued a grievance and a threat that if the city of Wheeling did not finance housing for those displaced from the removed homeless encampments, a lawsuit would be filed on behalf of those homeless individuals. In response, the city of Wheeling fully explained the proper protocol, and no such filing has taken place in Ohio County. “I don’t mind saying this because I really don’t believe the ACLU has any idea at all what reality is. The fact of the matter is that the camps that were closed the other day were on city of Wheeling property, and what type of culpability is there on the city for turning a blind eye to the kind of crimes that have been committed by the people occupying those areas? With that said, I am a very compassionate person and that’s why I am happy that our city has more than enough services to help these folks,” the chief said. “But we’re not going to sit idly by and allow this type of behavior to go on. “Not only did we find the keys to one of the vehicles owned by Swank that were broken into, but the most prevalent thing we find are needles all over the place just tossed on the ground,” Schwertfeger reported. “That makes it a very dangerous place for our officers and for the operations people who have to clean up these areas.”
A property owner discovered this camp inside a shelter emptied for the winter months.
Another Clearing Coming?
Schwertfeger currently is working with local and state officials for the W.Va. Division of Highways concerning a different encampment in the area of 20th Street. While the city owned the land where last week’s removed camped were situated, the Mountain State owns this area of concern. “Their actions are purely based on if criminal activity that can be connected to one of those encampments, and unfortunately that has been the case more than once,” Schwertfeger said. “Right now, we are working with the Division of Highways because a lot of crimes have taken place in the area of the Boury Lofts where bikes have been stolen, cars have been broken into inside the Intermodal garage, and there have been other crimes, too. “In these situations, we need to be aggressive so we can best protect the citizens of Wheeling, our property owners, and the people who come to the city to work during the week,” he continued. “We have to be proactive with removing those sorts of things. What took place last week was based on my recommendation, and I will continue to make them in these situations. My job is to keep the people of Wheeling safe and that’s what I plan to do.” Read the full article
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elsewhere on the internet speaking up, listening/learning, and #metoo
BETRAYED AT THE POLLS, EVANGELICALS OF COLOR AT A CROSSROADS (Deborah Jian Lee, April 2017 at Religion Dispatches)
“We’re at the part of the story where Jesus goes into the temple and flips over tables.” As a growing number of minorities redefine their associations, many have chosen to see white evangelical spaces as their “mission field,” but not their source of spiritual nourishment.These days, SueAnn Shiah just gets angry during church sermons. Still, the Taiwanese American congregant at a conservative, white church in Nashville, remains committed to serving on the church’s racial justice committee because she believes she can help dismantle racism within her community. She just goes elsewhere for spiritual development.One Sunday, she left the sanctuary mid-sermon, upset because her pastor was not addressing current injustices impacting vulnerable communities. She scrolled through Twitter, where most of her spiritual discussions have migrated. There she read some revelatory tweets about a friend’s Sunday school conversation about how the slaughtered lamb in the prodigal son parable represents the oppressed. “Someone else screws up and I’m the one who has to pay for it,” she recalls reading. It gave her a new perspective on the familiar passage and she thought, “Oh wow, I got more out of these three tweets than I did out of sitting in church for two hours.”
Why Big Neville Southall and his twitter account are an example to us all (Tristan Cross, Oct 2017, The Shortlist)
[H]e puts pay to the convenient, lazy and inadequate excuse that those ‘of a generation’ are unable to comprehend relatively new social concepts, and shouldn’t be expected to. Nobody expected Neville Southall to have an innate understanding of trans issues, but it speaks volumes of his character that, on encountering them, his natural impulse is to be inquisitive and compassionate, to recognise that the gap is in his own knowledge and to do all he can to amend this. How many others react incredulously to basic advances in political correctness, as if concepts of tolerance they weren’t previously aware of are an affront to them, contrived specifically to catch them out and frame them as bigots? It shouldn’t be the case, but Southall’s endeavours to rectify his ignorances set him streets ahead of his peers
...
Whenever I come across these things, I don’t think I have Neville’s appetite for curiosity - or openness to risk looking ‘a tit’ - as a default. I think I often read around these things, if only to spare myself the embarrassment of saying something that could be deemed offensive. In fact, that’s probably the main way I imbibe this stuff - witnessing others being called out, and being thankful it wasn’t me. That’s not really the point though, is it? Managing to prevent yourself being insensitive as self-protectionism isn’t the same as a sincere effort to understand and empathise with an experience you’d never considered before. As Nev shows, people aren’t trying to catch you out, and are more than happy to help if you demonstrate a good-faith readiness to learn.
An incomplete list of all the men in the media who have wronged me (Emily Reynolds, Oct 2017, Medium)
Someone we both know sends me an unsolicited picture of his penis, immediately following it up with a jaunty email introduction to someone capital-I Important. Whether or not the blatantly transactional element of this exchange was as clear to him as it was to me, there was an unmistakable subtext. If I allow things to happen to me — or more accurately, if I allow things to happen in my general direction, because it’s not really about “me” in any sense other than the fact I fit the mould of “young” and “woman shaped” — I will be somehow rewarded. I’m not expected to be proactive about anything; I’m not expected to send pictures of myself, I’m not expected to meet up with this man. It’s a test. All that’s required of me is passivity: I ignore the dick pic, or at least what the dick pic means, I say thank you for the introduction. I use it to further my career, we both pretend it was an act of selfless kindness, and I don’t let the general public know the man is a cheat or a creep.
This, according to Charlie, is wrong. Rather than passively accepting something that feels an awful lot like sexual harassment, I should apparently Do Something. Never mind that this person is older than me, and more well known. Never mind how well-connected he is in our industry, how effortlessly he could crush my career under his heel at any sign of dissent. The email introduction didn’t just say “this is a transaction that you have been forced to undertake”, it also said “I am giving you something; I can take something away too”.
But understanding this as I do — as many women who have been drawn into the orbits of older, more powerful men understand it — does not translate. Charlie calls me ‘cynical’ and ‘mercenary’ for taking the introduction and not immediately condemning the picture. I can’t express to him how impossible it would be to “call someone out”, can’t express how emotionally draining and potentially personally devastating it is to “call someone out”. He doesn’t understand this — as he doesn’t really understand his ex-girlfriend’s harassment, and never really will — because unlike me, he has nothing to lose. He’s much older than me, he has a career; a career so much less precarious than mine that he often considers just jacking it all in for a bit. He can do this because he has things I don’t yet have: a reputation, a name, money, experience. Yet somehow, with all of this, he thinks that by failing to stick it to the establishment I’m also failing as a feminist and as a woman. He doesn’t realise that despite his posturing and his endless mentions of female friends and how badly they’d been wronged by men, he has much more in common with my harasser than he does with the harassed.
“Mindfulness” and “Happiness” are a distraction. Shouldn’t we be speaking about Refuge? (Edwin Ng, Oct 2016, Buddhist Peace Fellowship)
In speaking of promise, encounter, relationality, and responsiveness, I am thus not just referring to Buddhist practice when I say “refuge.” Rather, I am speaking about the basic conditions of safety which allow every “you” and “I” and “it,” humans and nonhumans, to invite from one another — and gift to one another — mutual recognition, respect, care and concern.
... Proponents of a commercialized, individualistic and therapeutic approach to mindfulness rely on a reductive claim: that mindfulness is simply a universal quality of attention or way of being. Thus rebranded, mindfulness is sold in the spiritual marketplace as a tool for the pursuit of happiness, indivisible from the related hawking of ideas like resilience, innovation, productivity, and success.
But given the need to become responsive to the structural and systemic injustices and inequalities that may be glossed over by universalizing claims, I wonder if speaking about the promise of refuge instead might help us to pay attention more responsively and responsibly.
Take for instance Google’s popular mindfulness program. By all accounts, it has been very successful in helping employees manage stress and perform better at work. Mindfulness, we could say, is helping participants of the program find refuge and create a space of refuge for one another. But we have also seen that the systemic and structural workings of corporatism prevent Google from being responsive to the social problems it is implicated in, like gentrification. Thus, the promises it makes in the name of “mindfulness” and “happiness” remain inhospitable to the plight of those who are struggling to find refuge in affordable housing.
... there can be no refuge unless we entrust ourselves to the situational capacity for responsiveness: a promise which entangles the self with others and the world in response-ability.The promise of response-ability attends first to grief and loss and harm, not happiness.
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5.0 out of 5 stars On my good days, the sacrum holds and the up slips ...
5.0 out of 5 stars This exercise regimen is a godsend for EDS! This book is for you if:-like most of us, you have only been able to find physical therapists who were ineffective, made your joints more unstable or even severely injured you-you would like your money to go toward a compassionate physical therapist who believes EDSers and believes IN EDSers. You'll be proactively helping prevent the deterioration of your health, instead of relying on healthcare professionals who are either too dismissive or who give up and tell you you'll never be active again-your EDS is severe enough to limit your physical abilities in any way-you are in any amount of pain that you'd like reduceThis book was written by my physical therapist, Kevin Muldowney, who is one of the only PTs in the country to specialize in Ehlers-Danlos. (Seriously, EDSers drive in from out of state to see him.) Unlike physical therapists who give you a "cookie cutter" set of exercises designed for people with normal collagen, he became an expert at treating EDS bodies by systematically examining a substantial number of EDSers over long time periods, as he slowly added in exercises he developed specifically with EDS biomechanics in mind. He has an extremely high success rate of decreasing pain and disability in almost his EDS patients (most of whom I know personally). You can bring this book to any "manual physical therapist" in the country, and it will teach them exactly how to treat you. A lot of the pain reduction occurs slowly over time, but some strong, temporary relief happens immediately with the manual corrections of your subluxations that this book outlines (it's MUCH safer than chiropractors if your PT is well-trained). This is a long exercise regimen, but it builds slowly and works WITH you and your body. Itreally pays off in the long run--your joints will be more stable than they have been in years! Go to Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars the other support needed so that you have the best results, and of course I just received my copy of this book last night. I've scanned all of the book and read the chapters for the patient and I'm so impressed already. It gives so much more than I expected. Not just an exercise book but full support for anyone with EDS, including how to work with your therapist, the other support needed so that you have the best results, and of course, the exercises all laid out carefully and with full support.My only wish is that it was paperback. A bit heavy for me at this stage of health. And it would be nice to have it spiral bound. So I hope those are options for the next one. Go to Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars No more wheelchair for me!! I am one of those people who have driven out-of-state to see Kevin Muldowney. I was desperate for relief from the pain and shopping for a wheelchair when I stumbled across an online presentation he had given. It was the first spark of hope I had felt in a long time. Kevin was able to identify that I had a dislocated sacrum and bilateral upslips shortly after arriving for my first visit and was able to adjust it right then and there. I painfully limped in hanging on to my husband's arm and walked out on my own. It felt like a miracle because I had been walking around like that for over a year and none of the many medical professionals I had been to had any idea what to do. It really works!! If you have EDS and are looking for answers, I highly recommend his book. Go to Amazon
4.0 out of 5 stars A great resource - almost perfect I have had problems with joint pain / multiple dislocations and subluxations for years. I've been in PT mulitple times and it has never been particularly helpful - in fact, I usually wind up more injured than when I first started. About a year ago I had a doctor insist that I needed to go back to PT with the purpose of developing and implementing a full-body strengthening program. I begrudgingly went because he wouldn't drop it and lucked into seeing someone who understands connective tissue disorders and how to go about treating them. It has been life changing. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to work on a full body preventative strengthening program because we have been dealing with multiple injuries. I bought this book to see what I could do at home to augment what my PT is already having me do. It is a great book, and the only one of its kind (that I am aware of, at least). I do have some quibbles with it, though.Negative:* The author makes it clear in his introduction that you are to use this book with a physical therapist. He says this will take 2-3 visits a week for 6-12 months. I don't think this is practical for most people. My insurance pays for 20 PT visits a year. After that the cash pay price for my PT is $75 a visit. We can swing 1 visit a week paying cash because PT allows me to function. $225 a week for PT is not in our budget.* He is also adamant that you need to follow the protocol of progression of exercises exactly, without skipping around to address things that hurt NOW (chronic injuries). On some level I understand this reasoning because dealing with a long string of chronic and new injuries is what has prevented me from figuring out a whole body program with my PT. However, I don't think a rigid approach is practical.Read more › Go to Amazon
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When and how will federal authorities start systematically modifying federal sentencing and prison realities in response to COVID-19 outbreak?
I have previously already blogged here (March 3) and here (March 12) and here (March 13) on the potential impact of the coronavirus on prisons and jails, but it seems the world changes a few dozen times each day when it comes to this global pandemic. And now it is obvious that sentencings and prisons are already being impacted dramatically, with this Crime Report piece providing just some of the details. The piece is headlined "Corrections Authorities Eye Inmate Release, Halts in Visits, to Prevent Virus Spread," and here are excerpts:
Authorities have begun focusing on America’s overcrowded prisons and jails — environments where “social distancing” can be problematic — as critical danger points for the spread of Covid-19. Actual infections and fear of the coronavirus have begun to grind the scales of justice to a halt in pockets of the U.S. under states of emergency as judges and lawyers struggle to balance the constitutional rights of defendants against the concerns that the public institutions could unwittingly become contamination sites, CNN reports.
“The whole system is coming to a halt,” said New York City criminal defense lawyer Gerald Lefcourt. “I’m sure everybody is wait-and-see at the moment,” he added, saying he wouldn’t be surprised if prosecutors and defense lawyers seek to resolve cases outside of a trial, either through plea bargains or dropped cases....
In Ohio, dozens of inmates were released from jail sooner than expected to help reduce the population inside the Cuyahoga County jail, as a way to minimize potential virus outbreaks inside jails. The Ohio county judges held a rare court session to hear cases involving low-level, non-violent offenders on Saturday, according to Channel 11 News. Some 38 inmates were released from the Cuyahoga County jail after they appeared in court.
In Michigan’s Kent County, bond and sentence modifications are being discussed to allow some inmates to be released. “We are taking precautions, like everyone else, and making arrangements to deal with what is presented to us,” Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young told ABC 13.
And in Minnesota, the state’s public defender recommened that nonviolent offenders should be released from jail because of the threat of coronavirus. “I am no doctor, but I think it’s better for them to be on quarantine at home,” said Bill Ward told the Pioneer Press on Sunday. “The request is to treat them humanely.” Two jails in southern Minnesota have each had one inmate with a confirmed case of the disease, Ward said. Diseases from the common cold to the flu spread more quickly in prisons — so coronavirus poses a greater risk for inmates.
Efforts to limit the spread of disease in the nation’s corrections systems also included suspending or curtailing visits to prisoners.
This new New York Times commentary effectively details why many working in the criminal justice arena have been thinking about this issue for some time already. The extended piece should be read in full, and its full headline highlights the themes: "An Epicenter of the Pandemic Will Be Jails and Prisons, if Inaction Continues: The conditions inside, which are inhumane, are now a threat to any American with a jail in their county — that’s everyone." Here are passages:
In America’s jails and prisons, people share bathrooms, laundry and eating areas. The toilets in their cells rarely have lids. The toilet tank doubles as the sink for hand washing, tooth brushing and other hygiene. People bunked in the same cell — often as many as four — share these toilets and sinks. Meanwhile, hand sanitizer is not allowed in most prisons because of its alcohol content. Air circulation is nearly always poor. Windows rarely open; soap may only be available if you can pay for it from the commissary.
These deficiencies, inhumane in and of themselves, now represent a threat to anyone with a jail in their community — and there is a jail in every county in the United States. According to health experts, it is not a matter of if, but when, this virus breaks out in jails and prisons. People are constantly churning through jail and prison facilities, being ushered to court hearings, and then being released to their communities — nearly 11 million every year.
“We should recall that we have 5,000 jails and prisons full of people with high rates of health problems, and where health services are often inadequate and disconnected from the community systems directing the coronavirus response,” said Dr. Homer Venters, former chief medical officer of the New York City jail system. “Coronavirus in these settings will dramatically increase the epidemic curve, not flatten it, and disproportionately for people of color.”
Jails are particularly frightening in this pandemic because of their massive turnover. While over 600,000 people enter prison gates annually, there are about 612,000 people in jail on any given day. More than half of the people in jail are only in there for two to three days. In some communities, the county jail or prison is a major employer. Jail staff members are also notoriously underpaid, may not have paid sick leave and are more likely to live in apartments, in close and frequent contact with neighbors. They return home daily to aging parents, pregnant partners or family members with chronic conditions.
Our penal system should have received more comprehensive guidance and material support from the Department of Justice, far earlier in this crisis. Like much of the federal level response, it is falling short....
American officials can learn from the harrowing story of South Korea’s Daenam Hospital. In late February, South Korea had already reported more than 3,150 confirmed cases, and of these, 101 were from patients in the Daenam psychiatric ward. Seven of these patients have now died. All but two patients in the ward contracted Covid-19. The ward was put on lockdown, in an attempt to confine the spread of the virus. Instead, the lockdown issued was a death sentence to many inside....
Aging people who are released after serving long sentences have a recidivism rate close to zero. Governors and other public officials should consider a one-time review of all elderly or infirm people in prisons, providing immediate medical furloughs or compassionate release to as many of them as possible.
Though this NY Times commentary makes a pitch to "Governors and other public officials," I strongly believe criminal justice advocacy groups should be focusing advocacy now toward President Trump, Congress and federal judges. For starters, if the federal government leads with a strong proactive response, many states and localities are likely to follow suit. And it seems there are plenty executive branch tools already available under current law ranging from (mass) clemency relief for older and at-risk prisoners, to the Justice Department and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) recommending (mass) compassionate release or release to home confinement for older and at-risk folks or perhaps for everyone who has served, say, 75% of their prison time.
Congress can and should get involved ASAP by enacting emergency legislation that could, for example, give BOP discretion to release any and every prisoner that has been scored at low-risk under the FIRST STEP Act's new risk tools. Or, perhaps better yet, Congress could authorize the creation of a new "emergency agency" tasked with immediately devising the most effective and humane and just way to reduce the number of persons, in both the federal system and in state systems, now seemingly subject to having a jail or prison sentence turned into a possible death sentence by COVID-19.
Federal judges can and should be proactive here as well. In addition to re-calibrating their 3553(a) sentencing analysis given the ugly new reality of prison life, judges should sua sponte reconsider any and all past denied compassionate release motions because times surely have changed. I think every single federal prisons has an argument that the coronavirus has created ""extraordinary and compelling reasons" that warrant a sentence reduction, and I wonder if anyone has thoughts about seeking a national class action on behalf of all federal prisoners under the statutory provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A) in order to at least establish a baseline of eligibility for sentence modifications.
I could go on and on, and I likely will in some coming posts. But the title of this post asks "when and how" not "if" our normal rules will change because I sense some federal judges and prison officials are already working on COVID responses in various scattered ways -- in part because everyone realizes that it is essential for the health of federal prison workers, as well as for prisoners, for there to be smart efforts to reduce prison populations amidst this global pandemic. At some point, these scattered efforts will become a systematic plan, I sure hope that happens sooner rather than later.
Prior coronavirus posts:
Connecting realities of incarceration to the outbreak of coronavirus
Rounding up more coverage of the frightening intersection of incarceration and the coronavirus
Eager for stories and thoughts on the impact of the coronavirus on criminal justice, crime and punishment
from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8247011 https://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2020/03/when-and-how-will-federal-authorities-start-systematically-modifying-federal-sentencing-and-prison-r.html via http://www.rssmix.com/
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5.0 out of 5 stars On my good days, the sacrum holds and the up slips ...
5.0 out of 5 stars This exercise regimen is a godsend for EDS! This book is for you if:-like most of us, you have only been able to find physical therapists who were ineffective, made your joints more unstable or even severely injured you-you would like your money to go toward a compassionate physical therapist who believes EDSers and believes IN EDSers. You'll be proactively helping prevent the deterioration of your health, instead of relying on healthcare professionals who are either too dismissive or who give up and tell you you'll never be active again-your EDS is severe enough to limit your physical abilities in any way-you are in any amount of pain that you'd like reduceThis book was written by my physical therapist, Kevin Muldowney, who is one of the only PTs in the country to specialize in Ehlers-Danlos. (Seriously, EDSers drive in from out of state to see him.) Unlike physical therapists who give you a "cookie cutter" set of exercises designed for people with normal collagen, he became an expert at treating EDS bodies by systematically examining a substantial number of EDSers over long time periods, as he slowly added in exercises he developed specifically with EDS biomechanics in mind. He has an extremely high success rate of decreasing pain and disability in almost his EDS patients (most of whom I know personally). You can bring this book to any "manual physical therapist" in the country, and it will teach them exactly how to treat you. A lot of the pain reduction occurs slowly over time, but some strong, temporary relief happens immediately with the manual corrections of your subluxations that this book outlines (it's MUCH safer than chiropractors if your PT is well-trained). This is a long exercise regimen, but it builds slowly and works WITH you and your body. Itreally pays off in the long run--your joints will be more stable than they have been in years! Go to Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars the other support needed so that you have the best results, and of course I just received my copy of this book last night. I've scanned all of the book and read the chapters for the patient and I'm so impressed already. It gives so much more than I expected. Not just an exercise book but full support for anyone with EDS, including how to work with your therapist, the other support needed so that you have the best results, and of course, the exercises all laid out carefully and with full support.My only wish is that it was paperback. A bit heavy for me at this stage of health. And it would be nice to have it spiral bound. So I hope those are options for the next one. Go to Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars No more wheelchair for me!! I am one of those people who have driven out-of-state to see Kevin Muldowney. I was desperate for relief from the pain and shopping for a wheelchair when I stumbled across an online presentation he had given. It was the first spark of hope I had felt in a long time. Kevin was able to identify that I had a dislocated sacrum and bilateral upslips shortly after arriving for my first visit and was able to adjust it right then and there. I painfully limped in hanging on to my husband's arm and walked out on my own. It felt like a miracle because I had been walking around like that for over a year and none of the many medical professionals I had been to had any idea what to do. It really works!! If you have EDS and are looking for answers, I highly recommend his book. Go to Amazon
4.0 out of 5 stars A great resource - almost perfect I have had problems with joint pain / multiple dislocations and subluxations for years. I've been in PT mulitple times and it has never been particularly helpful - in fact, I usually wind up more injured than when I first started. About a year ago I had a doctor insist that I needed to go back to PT with the purpose of developing and implementing a full-body strengthening program. I begrudgingly went because he wouldn't drop it and lucked into seeing someone who understands connective tissue disorders and how to go about treating them. It has been life changing. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to work on a full body preventative strengthening program because we have been dealing with multiple injuries. I bought this book to see what I could do at home to augment what my PT is already having me do. It is a great book, and the only one of its kind (that I am aware of, at least). I do have some quibbles with it, though.Negative:* The author makes it clear in his introduction that you are to use this book with a physical therapist. He says this will take 2-3 visits a week for 6-12 months. I don't think this is practical for most people. My insurance pays for 20 PT visits a year. After that the cash pay price for my PT is $75 a visit. We can swing 1 visit a week paying cash because PT allows me to function. $225 a week for PT is not in our budget.* He is also adamant that you need to follow the protocol of progression of exercises exactly, without skipping around to address things that hurt NOW (chronic injuries). On some level I understand this reasoning because dealing with a long string of chronic and new injuries is what has prevented me from figuring out a whole body program with my PT. However, I don't think a rigid approach is practical.Read more › Go to Amazon
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