Monday, August 29, 2011
COMEDY HEALS
PRESS RELEASEComedy Love Healing PowersOvarian cancer has a new weapon, the healing powers of comedy love!North Sydney , Australia . 07 Aug 2011. Meet Shelly Ryan, Comedian,Blogger/Writer, Ovarian cancer supporter and now, Author of "Floor It!"Road Trips Down The Humour Highway", the latest venture by this "funny lady"! They say "laughter, is the best medicine" and for Shelly Ryan, this is all part of her bigger plan.
Michele Wendling (Shelly) Ryan was born in the kingdom of Minneapolis. After being enlightened by great literature(okay, storybook tales), she developed a vivid imagination. Being an only child this trait was useful, although her parents never determined how many imaginary siblings Shelly had. Children eventually have to decide what they want to be when they grow up. Not easy when your role models give conflicting messages. Could a happy medium exist between innocent fairy tale princess and buxom fashion model? Shelly thought this incongruity was funny! By high school Shelly realized a sense of humor was more than entertaining; it was therapeutic! This marching band nerd (who stayed home cleaning the fireplace waiting for Prince Charming to show up) spent her weekends laughing with Saturday Night Live, especially Gilda Radner.
Labels: awareness, book, comedy, feel teal club, ovarian cancer, shelly ryan, titans of teal |
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Feel Teal Club Magazine
 The start of another month and the beginning of another chapter in awareness.... The Feel Teal Club has launched their first magazine, complete with monthly updates from supporters, this is just one more step in their journey of raising much needed awareness for women worldwide. The July edition shares details of Ovarian cancer events with special highlights from the many contributors. Comedian Shelly Ryan takes time out (from publishing her 1st book) to share a Gilda Moment, we meet a young Australian Entrepreneur with a dream, catch up with what's happening in the music biz and news of a song to support the Feel Teal campaign...this issue is available at the following link. Be sure to download a copy and show your support for this worthy cause! http://issuu.com/msd23/docs/mag_cover_1 http://titansofteal.yolasite.com/resources/mag_cover_1.pdf Labels: awareness, debbie stevens, feel teal club, fsm, lee's hope, ovarian cancer, sacha, shelly ryan, support, women |
Thursday, May 12, 2011
2011 Campaign-TITANS of TEAL
  This campaign will introduce others to those who are constantly working to raise funds & awareness.... our Titans of Teal! Definition of 'titan'Any person having gigantic strength or size...Courage with a fighting spirit!A Titan of Teal, is all this and more....they too posses courage and a fighting spirit of gigantic proportion. Their strength comes in numbers as the number of warriors continue to grow! They work as individuals, or as a group, but share a common interest...advocating to raise the status of ovarian cancer!
    Labels: awareness, feel teal club, ovarian cancer, titans of teal |
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Titan's fight for ovarian cancer
 OVARIAN CANCER A gynaecological cancer that affects women & girls worldwide. When I first learned of its existence, apart from the “fear” that comes from hearing the word “cancer”, another emotion kicked-in.... anger! Time was against me, so trying to research something so I could better understand was not an option, it was a necessity! Mum had just turned 63....four weeks prior, she'd been told that all those weird symptoms she'd mentioned were now all related to the tumour which had attached itself to her ovary. Everything mum tried relaying to me over the phone somehow got “lost in transit” as I fumbled to understand....another part of me had already decided we would simply have to “fight”! But how do we fight something we know so little about? Three months later, mum was gone...........
I have told my story in many forms; it's been published in many places, discussed in forums & doctor's surgeries and spoken about at charity events. I write about the disease, the promise made to my mother and the need for “awareness”, but it will never be enough until I know it has been passed on....until we recognise ovarian cancer, the same way we recognise breast and cervical cancer. It's not just about the colour of the ribbon, it's more a case of the right to protect the future generations.....the right to well equip our younger females, so that they have better odds to prevent this disease! Teach them about the “symptoms”, for until we have a better method for screening, these are the only tools available. We teach them about menstruation, sex and all the risks attached,so it makes perfect sense someone should teach them about this.
FEEL TEAL CLUB'S CAMPAIGN If I was to sit and write about every reason for the need to raise “awareness”, I could publish a journal...instead, I will leave you with the details of our current campaign.... The TITANS of TEAL consists of people raising awareness within their community/s, survivors, supporters, family & friends....we all have the same vision, and it is represented by the colour teal. You know to “THINK PINK”....well now it's time to “FEEL TEAL”! Are you a titan of teal? Please send us your details so you that your wonderful contribution can be recognised alongside others....a force like no other! We are, silent no more....
Labels: awareness, debbie stevens, events, feel teal club, health, ovarian cancer, titans of teal |
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Traumatic Brain Injury-All you need to know!
| What types of TBI are there? Any injury to the head may cause traumatic brain injury (TBI). There are two major types of TBI: Penetrating Injuries: In these injuries, a foreign object (e.g., a bullet) enters the brain and causes damage to specific brain parts. This focal, or localized, damage occurs along the route the object has traveled in the brain. Symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain that is damaged. Closed Head Injuries: Closed head injuries result from a blow to the head as occurs, for example, in a car accident when the head strikes the windshield or dashboard. These injuries cause two types of brain damage: Primary brain damage, which is damage that is complete at the time of impact, may include:
Secondary brain damage, which is damage that evolves over time after the trauma, may include:
What physical problems occur after TBI? Physical problems may include hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears), headaches, seizures, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, decreased smell or taste, and reduced strength and coordination in the body, arms, and legs. What communication problems occur after TBI?People with a brain injury often have cognitive (thinking) and communication problems that significantly impair their ability to live independently. These problems vary depending on how widespread brain damage is and the location of the injury. Brain injury survivors may have trouble finding the words they need to express an idea or explain themselves through speaking and/or writing. It may be an effort for them to understand both written and spoken messages, as if they were trying to comprehend a foreign language. They may have difficulty with spelling, writing, and reading, as well. The person may have trouble with social communication, including: * taking turns in conversation * maintaining a topic of conversation * using an appropriate tone of voice * interpreting the subtleties of conversation (e.g., the difference between sarcasm and a serious statement) * responding to facial expressions and body language * keeping up with others in a fast-paced conversation Individuals may seem overemotional (overreacting) or "flat" (without emotional affect). Most frustrating to families and friends, a person may have little to no awareness of just how inappropriate he or she is acting. In general, communication can be very frustrating and unsuccessful. In addition to all of the above, muscles of the lips and tongue may be weaker or less coordinated after TBI. The person may have trouble speaking clearly. The person may not be able to speak loudly enough to be heard in conversation. Muscles may be so weak that the person is unable to speak at all. Weak muscles may also limit the ability to chew and swallow effectively. What cognitive problems occur after TBI? Cognitive difficulties are very common in people with TBI. Cognition (thinking skills) includes an awareness of one's surroundings, attention to tasks, memory, reasoning, problem solving, and executive functioning (e.g., goal setting, planning, initiating, self-awareness, self-monitoring and evaluation). Problems vary depending on the location and severity of the injury to the brain and may include the following: * Trouble concentrating when there are distractions (e.g., carrying on a conversation in a noisy restaurant or working on a few tasks at once). * Slower processing or "taking in" of new information. Longer messages may have to be "chunked," or broken down into smaller pieces. The person may have to repeat/rehearse messages to make sure he or she has processed the crucial information. Communication partners may have to slow down their rate of speech. * Problems with recent memory. New learning can be difficult. Long-term memory for events and things that occurred before the injury, however, is generally unaffected (e.g., the person will remember names of friends and family). * Executive functioning problems. The person may have trouble starting tasks and setting goals to complete them. Planning and organizing a task is an effort, and it is difficult to self-evaluate work. Individuals often seem disorganized and need the assistance of families and friends. They also may have difficulty solving problems, and they may react impulsively (without thinking first) to situations. How is TBI diagnosed? The speech-language pathologist (SLP) works with the person and his or her family/caregivers as part of a team that may also include: * doctors * nurses * neuropsychologists * occupational therapists * physical therapists * social workers * employers * teachers The team works together to evaluate the person and develop an appropriate treatment plan. The SLP completes a formal evaluation of speech and language skills. An oral motor evaluation checks the strength and coordination of the muscles that control speech. Understanding and use of grammar (syntax) and vocabulary (semantics), as well as reading and writing, are evaluated. Social communication skills (pragmatic language) are evaluated with formal tests and the role-playing of various communication scenarios. The person may be asked to discuss stories and the points of view of various characters. Does he or she understand how the characters are feeling, and why they are reacting a certain way? Can he or she explain how different characters' actions affect what happens in the story? The person may be asked to interpret/explain jokes, sarcastic comments, or absurdities in stories/pictures (e.g., what is strange about a person using an umbrella on a sunny day?). The SLP will assess cognitive-communication skills. Is the person aware of his or her surroundings? Does the person know his or her name, the date, where he or she is, what happened to him or her (orientation)? Recent memory skills are assessed, such as whether the main details in a short story are retained. Executive functioning is evaluated. The SLP assesses the patient's ability to plan, organize, and attend to details (e.g., completing all of the steps for brushing teeth). The SLP may read an incomplete story and ask for a logical beginning, middle, or conclusion. The person may be asked to provide solutions to problems (reasoning and problem solving; e.g., "What would you do if you locked your keys in your car? How can this problem be avoided in the future?"). For more information about when to refer someone for a cognitive-communication evaluation, see Cognitive-Communication Referral Guidelines for Adults. If problems are observed, the SLP will evaluate swallowing and make recommendations regarding management and treatment. The focus of this evaluation will be to ensure that the individual is able to swallow safely and receive adequate nutrition. Additional swallowing tests may be recommended as a result of this evaluation. If necessary, the SLP may also evaluate the benefit of a communication aid or device to express basic needs and ideas. To contact a speech-language pathologist, visit ASHA's Find a Professional. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/tbi.htm Labels: awareness, brain injury, communicating, health, mental, support |
Friday, November 12, 2010
Awareness CONTAGIOUS!
 Staying in touch is what builds good communication skills between people and business. The same applies when networking...promoting, advertising and marketing, all play a considerable role if you intend to keep traffic flowing while gaining more public interest. Raising awareness is no easy task, so, keeping all the "above" in mind is necessary if we are to succeed! With a lot of hard work, long hours, and NO pay, we forge onwards....always working towards the same goal and for the ultimate result.....an early screening method for detecting ovarian cancer. Awareness for ovarian cancer is growing- More and more people are getting on-board the "awareness" phenonmenan which is great news for the cause and even better for those involved. There's still a long way to go, especially if we are to carry the same status as that of our "Gynaecological-sister"; breast cancer. The words "Teal" & "Awareness" are synonymous with ovarian cancer, the results evident when using the Google search engine. For example, type in 'teal" 'awareness' 'ovarian cancer' and a Google search will deliver 51,200 results....however, type in 'pink' 'awareness' 'breast cancer', (9,690,000 result) and you see exactly what we are up against! However, progress is being made and we owe much to the internet and the use of Social networks. At Facebook, there's definitely signs of "change" with new "awareness" pages sprouting; new designs and logo's,and more contacts! Let's face it, it's the list of friends which we all rely on when building our awareness-pyramid............and the Feel Teal Club is no exception. We pride ourselves on cross-promotion, giving everyone an equal opportunity to share their information whilst sharing the crucial awareness message further! The Feel Teal Club remains committed to sharing relevant links and always happy to promote. Constantly updating our pages to keep the public informed, if it's in the news, the Feel Teal Club has you covered! Our message is still the same but with one small difference—we’re committed to raising awareness, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, until a diagnostic test has been found! UPDATES.......To encourage the public interaction, a Guestbook is now operating to accept messages of support.....Stay tuned for the Club's Chat-room! http://www.feeltealclub.com "Awareness" is contagious so let's keep spreading the message. Labels: awareness, campaign, debbie stevens, events, ovarian cancer, research, social network, support |
Sunday, July 18, 2010
FEEL TEAL CLUB AWARENESS
 The Feel Teal Club was especially designed for the general public & Artists of every industry. Worldwide, the colour TEAL was chosen to represent Ovarian cancer, though sadly, it is still yet to be widely recognised. We continue to raise awareness for Ovarian cancer, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, with the focus on the need for an early diagnostic screening test which will save more lives of the women & girls around the globe. As a Club, we are all contributing to a common purpose, supporting the Community, while supporting each other. Also at Facebook! Labels: awareness, feel teal friday, ovarian cancer, support, women |
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Ovarian cancer campaign-
| To help fund vital awareness and research, go to www.goresearchfund.org.au and follow the ‘Feel Teal Friday’ banner link.” Rick Finch has generously offered to donate 50% of sales from his latest CD, "For All Reasons", which in turn will help fund the need for an early detection test for ovarian cancer. We are encouraging the public to hop 'online' and purchase their own copy of Rick's album, which is available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/rfp Labels: awareness, campaign, cd, feel teal friday, ovarian cancer, rick finch, video |
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Awareness Questionnaire-
 In conjunction with the “Feel teal” campaign, I’ve decided to share the following now, rather than later- What’s it going to take to gain full-attention, of the world? Here stands a cancer not understood, nor recognised, thus keeping it buried in the shadows of darkness- I’m completely familiar with the enormity of such a task, some days it can be overbearing but I cant give up! Like others before me, and those ahead, it’s my silent determination to continue the journey of raising the profile, by raising the level of awareness associated with ovarian cancer- Some may think me crazy, others, well perhaps they view me as a woman ‘obsessed’!? yes, I dare say they’re right in their assumptions, but this still doesn’t remove or lessen the urgency. In absolute fairness to you, [especially if you’ve already ‘lost interest’ in this post], I offer this apology ahead of time, but don’t apologise for my quest. I give you this challenge, hopefully, you’ll accept! Try asking others the question, “How are we tested for ovarian cancer?” Let’s compare notes! I’d love to hear your feedback [if any] because it will serve as a gauge for an upcoming Questionnaire- I’d like to gather enough information from my readers, in order to set-up a form. Your participation could help! Once this task is complete, I will announce details of the form and its location. Feel free to email your response/s, otherwise, a ’reply-post’ is welcome! “Feel teal Friday & dance again for ovarian cancer awareness”- September 4th, 2009 Cheers!,Debbie Stevens Labels: awareness, campaign, debbie stevens, events, ovarian cancer, questionnaire, rick finch |
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Videos for Awareness-"Feel teal Friday"
Courtesy: http://www.rickinch.com [see end of post] The GO Research Fund launches global social networking event to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer. In conjunction with seven time Grammy Award Winner and the former co-founder/original bassist of the legendary 70’s music group, “KC and the Sunshine Band,”Arranger/Producer, Richard Finch http://www.rickfinch.com and Baby Boomer Diva’s awareness campaigner Debbie Stevens http://www.boomerdivatv.com, http://www.deliberatelydebbie.com, this social networking awareness campaign will reach a worldwide audience. People wanting to donate to the GO Research Fund’s ‘Feel Teal Friday’ Campaign can do so online via the ‘Feel Teal Friday’ online donations facility. The GO Research Fund is collecting donations through the free online donations service powered by GiveNow.com.au. This service is secure and ensures that 100 per cent of the donations go directly to The GO Research Fund. Our Vision is to improve the health outcomes for women suffering from ovarian and gynaecological cancers and to increase community awareness of these diseases. RICK FINCH making video for "FEEL TEAL FRIDAY" You may also view at http://www.lonireeder.com Labels: animoto, awareness, boomer diva, campaign, debbie stevens, ovarian cancer, rick finch, video |
Sunday, June 28, 2009
"FEEL TEAL FRIDAY & DANCE AGAIN"
 Ovarian cancer, for too long has been labelled, the Silent Killer- Our upcoming 'online social media' event, is planned to aim high, giving some real recognition to those who work 'behind the scenes' while chasing a dream...the need for an early screening method, to test women & girls for Ovarian cancer, this quest has been my passion! The exciting news, is one of music's most famous band member/co-founder & record producer's, Rick Finch; of KC and Sunshine Band fame, will be fronting our cause! GRF [GO research fund] and myself, are working hard to make this event a day unlike any other, and we hope many social networkers & friends, will make some time to participate. How? By finding anything of 'teal' colour, and displaying on the day! STAY TUNED.......much MUCH more to be announced! Labels: awareness, feel teal friday, kc sunshine band, music, o, research, rick finch |