%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |  My random thoughts and reactions to my everyday life. The voices like a forum. |
| I do not know quite what happened or when , but my hubby and I now qualify for seniors' discounts at some venues. This creates a quandary; in order to save money, but not face, we have to admit to our age. HMMMM..... We definitely do not consider ourselves to be old. In this day and age ,when people as a whole are living longer and healthier lives why are 'young seniors', those in their fifties, like moi, considered 'old'?? It's so true that age is just a perception! "Maturity" is very objective/subjective, and I object! Whew, a few years have skittered by since I composed this biography block. Those "fifties" are in the rear view mirror and they are distant, fond memories. Oh, I do not plan to stop writing any time soon. |
| Fun Fact Friday! On this day in 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic penicillin in the mold Penicillium notatum. Assuming there are governments in the world not corrupted by large pharmaceutical corporations, when do you think we'll see cures and/or better ways of living with life-threatening and chronic illness, diseases, and other afflictions? I honestly don't know when, or if we'll ever see a cure for many illnesses. Then again, this may well have been what people thought in the years preceding the discovery of penicillin. Some miracle discoveries occur when least expected. They can be flukes, or coincidences. Some are found to be more useful for an entirely different disease than the one intended. Research takes time, effort, and funding. Anything drug-related is heavily controlled by government agencies.. I imagine the red tape is mind-boggling. There is a strictly sanctioned protocol for the introduction of a new drug. I believe that most of this is for consumer protection. Even with all these policies in place,a potentially dangerous/deadly drug can be manufactured and released to the public. Yes, pharmaceutical companies are expecting to make profits, but consumers sometimes push for instant relief and cures. People are often impatient and looking for expediency. They do not think of long term effects, or adverse effects. One horrific drug, thalidomide, was prescribed to pregnant women experiencing morning sickness/nausea. It was touted as a miracle breakthrough. Doctors willingly offered it. Unfortunately, this drug caused serious birth defects. I'm not convinced that each and every illness/disease can be cured solely with drugs. Humans sometimes rely on the quick fix. They want convenience, no fuss, no muss. Some do not take an active role in helping themselves. Many do not change their lifestyles, or adopt more positive habits. I've known diabetics who will not eat a healthy diet, and they ignore obvious symptoms. I've known people who eat their allergy-trigger foods. There are smokers. There are recreational drug users. There are addicts. There are alcoholics. They all engage in risky behaviour. My sister, Laurie had Multiple Sclerosis. She never dreamt she'd be battling a crippling disease, and ultimately losing. All her efforts failed. No drugs, or lifestyle changes saved her. Sure, research exists. Yes, drugs are created, and tested. The trouble is that the medical community still does not understand this disease. At the moment, individual symptoms are treated with varying success. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
