International Literacy Day – Literacy and Peace

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By Terry Orr

“Education brings sustainability to all the development goals, and literacy is the foundation of all learning. It provides individuals with the skills to understand the world and shape it, to participate in democratic processes and have a voice, and also to strengthen their cultural identity. “

Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General

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Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy.

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Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all, and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy. There are good reasons why literacy is at the core of Education for All (EFA).

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A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~ Chinese Proverb

A good quality basic education equips pupils with literacy skills for life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities; and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development.

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According to International Reading Association, more than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education.

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No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance. ~ Confucius

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Things we can do to help:

• Read a book to a child
• Have a child read a book to an adult
• Take a professional development course
• Join a social media platform – Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• Write a letter to an old friend – the snail mail way!
• Share this list with friends and coworkers – and dare them to take the challenge!
• Play a game of Scrabble
• Look up and learn a new word (and continue to do so every day for a month!)
• Use a new form of technology (Smartphone, self‐serve checkout, etc.)

“Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or endeavoring something for the public good.” ~ Thomas a Kempis (1380 - 1471)

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I cannot live without books. ~ Thomas Jefferson

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A library is a hospital for the mind. ~ Anonymous

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There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island. ~ Walt Disney

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References and Links:

http://www.reading.org/general/conferences/InternationalLiteracyDay.aspx

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/

http://www.bookaid.org/get-involved/events/international-literacy-day/

http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2012/12-156.html

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Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

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By Diane Forrest, RN

Juvenile arthritis affects children of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. About 294,000 American children under age 18 have arthritis or other rheumatic conditions.  The most common symptoms of juvenile arthritis are joint swelling, pain, and stiffness that doesn’t go away. Usually it affects the knees, hands, and feet, and it’s worse in the morning or after a nap. Other signs include:

• Limping in the morning because of a stiff knee
• Excessive clumsiness
• High fever and skin rash
• Swelling in lymph nodes in the neck and other parts of the body
• Most children with arthritis have times when the symptoms get better or go away (remission) and other times when they get worse (flare).
• Arthritis in children can cause eye inflammation and growth problems. It also can cause bones and joints to grow unevenly.

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There is no easy way a doctor can tell if your child has juvenile arthritis. Doctors usually suspect arthritis when a child has constant joint pain or swelling, as well as skin rashes that can’t be explained and a fever along with swelling of lymph nodes or inflammation in the body’s organs. To be sure that it is juvenile arthritis, doctors depend on many things, which may include:

• Physical exam
• Symptoms
• Family history
• Lab tests
• X rays.

A team approach is the best way to treat juvenile arthritis. It is best if a doctor trained to treat these types of diseases in children (a pediatric rheumatologist) manages your child’s care. However, many children’s doctors and “adult” rheumatologists also treat children with arthritis.

Other members of your child’s health care team may include:

• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Counselor or psychologist
• Eye doctor
• Dentist and orthodontist
• Bone surgeon
• Dietitian
• Pharmacist
• Social worker
• Rheumatology nurse
• School nurse.

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Doctors who treat arthritis in children will try to make sure your child can remain physically active. They also try to make sure your child can stay involved in social activities and have an overall good quality of life. Doctors can prescribe treatments to reduce swelling, maintain joint movement, and relieve pain. They also try to prevent, identify, and treat problems that result from the arthritis. Most children with arthritis need a blend of treatments – some treatments include drugs, and others do not.

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Juvenile arthritis affects the whole family. It can strain your child’s ability to take part in social and after-school activities, and it can make schoolwork more difficult. Family members can help the child both physically and emotionally by doing the following:

• Get the best care possible.
• Learn as much as you can about your child’s disease and its treatment.
• Insist that your child take the treatment.
• Consider joining a support group.
• Treat your child as normally as possible.
• Encourage exercise and physical therapy for your child.
• Work closely with your child’s school.
• Talk with your child.
• Work with therapists or social workers

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July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month.  To learn more about it and ways you can help, visit this site: http://www.arthritis.org/juvenile-arthritis.php