Social Security

Sharing an important email

Once again, thank you Bruce

A woman dies at age 65 before collecting one benefit check.  She and her employer paid into the system for almost 50 years and she collected NOTHING!

Keep in mind all the working people that die every year who were paying into the system and got nothing!

And these governmental morons mismanaged the money and stole from the system, so that it's now going broke.

BEAUTIFUL! And they have the audacity to call today's seniors "vultures" in an attempt to cover their ineptitude. DISGRACEFUL!

The real reason for renaming our Social Security payments is so the government can claim that
All those social security recipients are receiving entitlements thus putting them in the same case as welfare, food stamp recipients.

THIS IS WORTH THE FEW MINUTES IT TAKES TO READ AND DIGEST!

F.Y.I.  By changing the name of SS contributions it gives them a means to refute this program in the future.

It's free money for the government to spend under this guise.

The Social Security check is now (or soon will be) referred to as a *Federal Benefit Payment*?

I'll be part of the one percent to forward this. I am forwarding it because it touches a nerve in me, and I hope it will in you.

Please keep passing it on until everyone in our country has read it.

The government is now referring to our Social Security checks as a "Federal Benefit Payment."

This isn't a benefit. It is our money paid out of our earned income!  Not only did we all contribute to Social Security but our employers did too. It totaled 15% of our income before taxes.

(This should be enough for you to forward this message, If not read on.)

If you averaged $30K per year over your working life, that's close to $180,000 invested in Social Security.

If you calculate the future value of your monthly investment in social security ($375/month, including both you and your employers contributions) at a meager 1% interest rate compounded monthly, after 40 years of working you'd have more than $1.3+ million dollars saved!

This is your personal investment. Upon retirement, if you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $39,318 per year, or $3,277 per month.

That's almost three times more than today's average Social Security benefit of $1,230 per month, according to the Social Security Administration. (Google it – it's a fact). And your retirement fund would last more than 33 years (until you're 98 if you retire at age 65)! I can only imagine how much better most average-income people could live in retirement if our government had just invested our money in low-risk interest-earning accounts.

Instead, the folks in Washington pulled off a bigger *Ponzi scheme* than Bernie Madoff ever did. (Lyndon Johnson)

They took our money and used it elsewhere. They forgot (oh yes, they knew) that it was OUR money they were taking.  They didn't have a referendum to ask us if we wanted to lend the money to them.  And they didn't pay interest on the debt they assumed. And recently they've told us that the money won't support us for very much longer. (Isn't it funny that they NEVER say this about welfare payments?)

But is it our fault they misused our investments?  And now, to add insult to injury, they're calling it a *benefit*, as if we never worked to earn every penny of it.

Just because they borrowed the money, doesn't mean that our investments were a charity!

Let's take a stand. We have earned our right to Social Security and Medicare. Demand that our legislators bring some sense into our government.

Find a way to keep Social Security and Medicare going for the sake of that 92% of our population who need it.

Then call it what it is:

Our Earned Retirement Income.

99% of people won't forward this.

Will you?

No Means No!

By Nurse Diane

I have never lived in a big city; have always lived in small towns, kinda like the song in Cheers, where everybody knows your name.  Places like that are almost free from the crimes you see in the big cities, but they do occasionally happen.  That is why, several years ago, the whole community was shaken to the core when an elderly woman and her female roommate were found attacked in their home.

The victim, a woman in her late 60's was my Sunday school teacher at church.  She was the type of person who would do anything to help someone in need.  They lived in an older part of town in a suspect neighborhood.  She was coming home from Sunday night church.  As she entered her home, her 80-year-old roommate was they’re waiting for her.  Before she had time to set down her belongings, there was a knock at the door.  She went to see who was there, a young man asking for something, and she invited him in.

•  A stranger - into her home at night,
• He attacked her, raped her there near the door, then attacked the other woman in her wheelchair, then went about tearing up the place looking for drug money. 
• When he couldn't find any, he raped the woman again, and then left.

News of this attack spread quickly, even without the Internet, and the community rallied together to find the suspect and punish him severely.  My teacher was hospitalized, and the women were no longer able to share living accommodations, and both moved in with family members.

It was so horrific that this kind of attack happened to the elderly ladies, however, it could have been easily avoided had the door remained locked, and the person was asked to leave the premises.

The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the United States. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.  In 2009, President Obama was the first United States president to proclaim April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime and nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced other forms of sexual violence at some point in their lives.  Sexual violence is any sexual activity where consent is not freely given. This includes completed or attempted sex acts that are against the victim's will or involve a victim who is unable to consent.

Sexual violence also includes:

• Unwanted sexual contact, and
• Non-contact and unwanted sexual experiences (such as verbal sexual harassment).

Sexual violence can be committed by anyone:

• A current or former intimate partner;
• A family member;
• A person in position of power or trust;
• A friend or acquaintance; and or
• A stranger, or someone known only by sight.

Sexual violence impacts health in many ways and can lead to long-term physical and mental health problems. Victims may experience chronic pain, headaches, and sexually transmitted diseases. They are often fearful or anxious, and may have problems trusting others. Anger and stress can lead to eating disorders, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

If you are, or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence:

Contact the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE, Free, Confidential, 24/7

And or

Contact your local emergency services at 9-1-1.

Emotional Abuse

By Nurse Diane

There is a saying that you can't teach an old dog a new trick.  Well I guess that just depends on the dog, and what trick you are trying to teach him.

When I was in nursing school, I was in class with a lady who was in her mid to late 40's.  It was a small group in the class, and we became very close.  She had five kids, who were all grown, except for one who was in high school, and they lived with her husband.    He was a few years younger than her, and outward appearances made them seem like the perfect couple.  Occasionally she would come to class with bruises on her arms, every now and then a black eye she would cover with make up and sunglasses.  I never thought anything about it; she was an intelligent person, who blamed it on being accident-prone.  One day she called me, asked me to come over to her home.  When I went, I was shocked at what I saw.  Not only was she bruised up, but had a bloody nose and lip.  I immediately took her packed a bag for her and her daughter and took them out to a fishing camp she owned. She confided to me that he would hit her all the time, and any small thing would set him off.  She was convinced that she loved him, and he would change, but it took her action of leaving to make him see what he had, and what he was about to lose.  Her husband got the help he needed, and 20 years later, they are still together and happily married, and he has not hit her again.

Taking that first step is very difficult.  She had concerns about how she could support herself, she was a student, and not working at the time, and she was scared that he would come after her again.

I have another friend who is also in an abusive relationship.  Only this type of abuse doesn't leave physical scars, but emotional ones. Below are some signs you are in an emotional relationship from loveisrespect.org:

• Checking your cell phone or email without permission
• Constantly putting you down
• Extreme jealousy or insecurity
• Explosive temper
• Isolating you from family or friends
• Making false accusations
• Mood swings
• Physically hurting you in any way
• Possessiveness
• Telling you what to do

Some other signs include:

1. You're afraid to tell your partner about a normal happening - your car needs breaks, your boss made you work overtime - because you're not sure how he will react.
2. When you do talk to your significant other, he puts you down and makes you feel stupid.
3. You make yourself available to your partner no matter what the personal cost - just to avoid a confrontation.
4. You no longer want to bring your significant other around your friends or family because you're afraid he will berate you and humiliate you in front of your loved ones.
5. You've begun to believe that you're the crazy one -- that you're the one with the problem.
6. When talking about an accomplishment - a promotion or something equally exciting - your partner sneers at you, putting you down, mocking your achievement rather than celebrating it.
7. You feel helpless, like you're trapped in the relationship.
8. Your partner treats you like an object, like property, not like a person with real feelings.
9. Your partner keeps a tight control on all things: money, the phone, using the car, who you see and what you do.
10. If you fight back, your significant other blames you for the abusive behavior. "If you weren't so dumb, I wouldn't have to yell at you."
11. You've begun to see yourself as worthless -- just like your partner tells you you are.
12. You'll go out of your way to please your significant other, no matter how much you have to sacrifice. If that means staying up all night to wash the floor, so be it. It beats the "lecture."
13. You're in complete isolation. Your partner doesn't want you around your friends or family and has convinced you that THEY are the ones who are abusive to you - not him.
14. You've begun to feel as though you deserve to be treated badly. If you were a better person, you wouldn't make him so mad!
15. You find yourself having to rush to his defense whenever he is brought up in conversation. You make excuses for his behavior regardless of the situation.

She also has the same concerns, how will I live, how can I support myself? I tried to explain that this relationship is not healthy, and she is not happy, and if she wants the relationship to change, she has to take a step.  Going along with the way things are will only convince the other partner that you approve of his/her actions.

If some of the signs listed above describe your relationship with your spouse, there are places you can go to for help.  http://www.loveisrespect.org/get-help/get-help has a hotline where you can call or chat online.  Everyone deserves the pursuit of happiness.  Taking that first step in the right direction is the best way to start for a happier, healthier you!

CALL 1-866-331-9474 Now - for help with Emotional Abuse.

Social Worker Appreciation

By Nurse Diane

As a nurse in the hospital, it was my job to take care of the patient from the time they walked into the door, until they were discharged.   Once the left the hospital, their lives were out of my hands.  Some of the patients leaving needed more help than their insurance company would allow.  Some would need home health, equipment, home safety needs, things that I was not able to take care of.  Luckily, our hospital had a few social workers employed there.  These ladies would visit everyone on the floor that would have a need at discharge that they couldn't take care of by themselves. They did things like find beds in nursing homes, or step down units, set up home oxygen therapy, even visit the homes to make sure the patient would be able to take care of their needs without any problems.  The social worker was also there to help with funeral arrangements and comfort families.  

Social workers are not only found in hospitals though, Here are some other places where they can be found according to bls.gov.:

 Child and family social workers protect vulnerable children and help families in need of assistance. They help parents find services, such as child care, or apply for benefits, such as food stamps. They intervene when children are in danger of neglect or abuse. Some help arrange adoptions, locate foster families, or work to get families back together. Clinical social workers provide mental health care to help children and families cope with changes in their lives, such as divorce or other family problems.

School social workers work with teachers, parents, and school administrators to develop plans and strategies to improve students’ academic performance and social development. Students and their families are often referred to social workers to deal with problems such as aggressive behavior, bullying, or frequent absences from school.

Healthcare social workers help patients understand their diagnosis and make the necessary adjustments to their lifestyle, housing, or healthcare. They provide information on services, such as home health care or support groups, to help patients manage their illness or disease. Social workers help doctors and other healthcare professionals understand the effects diseases and illnesses have on patients’ mental and emotional health.

Some healthcare social workers specialize in gerontological social work or hospice and palliative care social work.

• Gerontological social workers help senior citizens and their families. They help clients find services such as programs that provide older adults with meals or with home health care. In some cases, they provide information about assisted living facilities or nursing homes or work with older adults in those settings. They help clients and their families make plans for possible health complications or where clients will live if they can no longer care for themselves.

• Hospice and palliative care social workers help patients adjust to serious, chronic, or terminal illnesses. Palliative care focuses on relieving or preventing pain and other symptoms associated with serious illness. Hospice is a type of palliative care for people who are dying. Social workers in this setting provide and find services, such as support groups or grief counselors, to help patients and their families cope with the illness or disease.

Mental health and substance abuse social workers help clients with mental illnesses or addictions. They provide information on services, such as support groups or 12-step programs, to help clients cope with their illness.

March is Social Worker Appreciation Month.  If you know a social worker, or have personal use of one, don't forget to show your appreciation for all their hard work to make your life a little easier.  

Understanding Self-Harm/Injury Awareness Month

By Nurse Diane

What do Singer, Fiona Apple; Comedian, Russell Brand; Actress, Drew Barrymore; Actor, Johnny Depp; Actor, Colin Farrell; Actress, Megan Fox; Actress, Angelina Jolie; Singer, Demi Lovato and Princess Diana have in common? 

Before finding emotional health, they struggled with self-injury.

Self injury can take many forms from cutting, picking, burning, bruising, puncturing, embedding, scratching or hitting one's self, just to name a few and does not involve a conscious intent to commit suicide.   Generally, it is a deliberate, private act that is habitual in occurrence, not attention-seeking behavior, nor meant to be manipulative. Self-injurers are often secretive about their behaviors, rarely letting others know, and often cover up their wounds with clothing, bandages, or jewelry.

A psychologist and practicing psychoanalyst, Dr. Deborah Serani specializes in treating trauma and depression. In her website: she offers this information: http://drdeborahserani.blogspot.com/2013/03/march-1st-is-international-self-injury.html

Those Who Self-Injure Are Often Trying To:

* Distract themselves from emotional pain

* End feelings of numbness

* Offset feelings of low self-esteem

* Control helplessness or powerlessness

* Calm overwhelming or unmanageable feelings

* Maintaining control in chaotic situations

* Self-punish, self-shame or self-hate

* Express negative thoughts or feelings that cannot be put into words

* Self-nurture or self-care

According to recoverymonth.gov, Most children and teens who deliberately injure themselves are discharged from emergency rooms without an evaluation of their mental health, a new study shows. The findings are worrisome since risk for suicide is greatest right after an episode of deliberate self-harm, according to researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The researchers also found the majority of these kids do not receive any follow-up care with a mental health professional up to one month after their ER visit.

If you notice any changes in someone's behavior or dress, or see any signs of scarring, click on this site for ways to offer help and support.  http://sioutreach.org/

Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN)

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"In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories."

By Diane Forrest

In September, 1999 a spin-off show from the favorite series, Law and Order, aired.  It was called, Law and Order, Special Victims Unit, or SUV.  Thirteen years later, it is still going strong.  The special victims featured in this show deal with sex crimes such as Rape, abuse, incest and other sexually related issues.  One might wonder where they get the ideas for the 295 and counting episodes.  Most of these come from actual events in the news.  Of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent, as they said on Dragnet.

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Having grown up in small towns in rural Mississippi, I have never been educated in these matters.  It was not until I left for school that I learned how destructive, and evil and "heinous" the criminal mind can be.  I'm not sure how beneficial these shows can be in the education of America.  On one hand, they can educate and make people aware of such behavior and ways to take precautions, but on the other hand, they can have a negative impact, making these actions seem common place, and numb them to these actions.

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In the event you or someone you know comes in contact with a sexual deviant, there is a place you can go for help, answers, comfort.  It is called RAINN, Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network.  Founded in 1994, it is the largest anti sexually assault organization in the United States.  The National Sexual Assault Hotline is a 24-hour, toll-free phone service that automatically and anonymously links callers to the nearest RAINN-associated rape crisis center with a counselor able to respond to the call. More than 1,100 local partnerships are associated with RAINN to provide sexual assault victims with free, confidential services. Since 2008, RAINN has provided anonymous, on-line crisis support through its National Sexual Assault Online Hotline via instant messaging.

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The Sexual Assault Hotline number is 1-800-656-HOPE(4673).  For more information about ways you can help, or for help for you or someone you know, visit their website at http://www.rainn.org/