James “Rhio” O’Conner Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest
By Dawn E. Cangelosi
Back in July of 2009 the phone rang. The voice on the other end was familiar and asks to speak to my husband, Jacob. Surprise by the request I handed the phone over. As I watch my husband‘s face grow cold, and he looked at me with sadness, I knew that it had to be bad. While I fought all the horrible thoughts that could cross my mind, my husband hung up the phone. My husband walked over to me and said that was your mom. She wants me to tell you that your dad has cancer. My legs were weak and my eyes filled with tears. All those questions that ran through my mind. The one I couldn’t understand is why they told my husband and not me. Later after the tears and the sadness I decided to call my mom back. Once the details were clear and all had been discussed, it was time to take action. I made it a mission to make sure that he at better, had vitamins and minerals and was taking herbs to kill the cancer and regenerate the dead cells to health. My dad is a survivor, but not at first because of herbs. It was because of chemo that has totally wiped his body out. It has been my mission to correct the damage that the chemo and doctor have done.
You know when we think of life many people have a build in sound systems the whales out. “You life is what you make it”, “Your days are numbered”, ‘Live life to the fullest”! Well, you are right; life is just what you make it.
James “Rhio” O’Conner was a man who took the saying “Live life to its fullest and make it one not to forget”. Rhio was 61 when he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. Due to the severity of the cancer and the location of it, the sentence would be death, within a year. You know, when you are faced with a doctor telling you “go home get your affairs in order, go on a vacation somewhere you always wanted to go, then go home and die”. WOW! That right there would send me into a spine of, “I don’t think so.
When I was little I would go hunting in the woods with my dad; I would spend hours looking at the different plants and different flowers, watching the animals choose one plant or flower over the other. I was fascinated with plants. You see in nature gives us one of the greatest gifts and that is life.
The Indian knew it, Africans and in biblical days, they used the power of herbs to heal and cure ailments. Rhio was a man like the Indians. He chooses to defeat the odds, and he chose to go against the medical world. Rhio sought the most reliable medical treatment around. A medical treatment that has never needed to be tested, because time has proven over and over it is works.
You know I never understood how people could get a prescription, just because the doctor says “take this; it should make you feel better”. Do you ever watch T.V. and there is an ad on, and it says if you have acid reflux, this new drug will decrease your problem? However, you might have a heart attack, or you may become nauseated, etc. Now let’s see. You give up one problem to get even worse ones, now? How is there logic in that?
The FDA sole purpose it to protect American’s from harmful drugs, and put safety warning on medication; however, I don’t see them watching out for anyone. If one thing cures, an ailment and the side effect are worse than the original problem. I mean, if they are watching out for me, I would hate to see if they weren’t!
The alternative therapies for cancer treatment I would say are acupuncture, herbal nutrition, nutritional wellness, vegetarianism, alternative medicine, and exercise. I recommend acupuncture for the pain relief and for the inner soul healing. Herbal nutrition would be the internal wellness of your body’s system to perform and function correctly, not to mention the extra boost herbs give to your overall wellness. Nutrition wellness, is just the informed teaching to people and children as to why eating right, exercising and be active in their own personal health is so important. I believe that your body is your best doctor. Listening to what your body says will always heal you. Vegan is a way of life, eating only nutritious foods from the earth that helps cleanse your body system to put it back into proper balance. Alternative medication could be homeopathic. This is another form or herbal practice just using pellets that dissolve under the tongue and not a pill form. Still effective and highly concentrate. Exercise is the largest health factor for Americans today. Everyone is too busy. We are always running but not for health, but for fast food or quick take out. We are confused as American’s as what best is for mind and body is not good for heart, lungs and arteries.
I believe as good healers you should never turn your back on what has been proven for centuries, “herbs”. I think that the Indian’s have always had the wisdom, and have shared it; it was what we chose to do with the information. They can trace cancer back to the beginning. They can tell you all the things that man has had, that they have cured with herbs, within their tribes.
American’s are getting sloppy in life. They don’t see the importance of health, or natural living. I am not saying we all need to run out into the wild and get a commune, build a safe house, and pick people who want to live forever. I think that we as people need to teach our children healthier life styles, the importance of eating right and eating clean. The importance of listening to your bodies. The journey that I have chosen for my life and my families is one that I found a great love and compassion for.
Cancer effect more people than we know. I feel that the government is not one that has done our country proud with research and advancement. They are always so quick to mock herbal medicine, yet more people are healed with herbal medicine than with Chemo. Chemo makes you weak and kills living cells that keep you well. The question is, “What is best for us”? I would say only you as a person can make a life decision as that, chemicals or natural?
We as Americans are doomed, if we do not change the way that our government and health care provides think. They all know what is best for us, yet not one can come up with a cure. We are doomed for a sad death of chemicals sudation and drug additions.
I recently saw an article in my herbal emails where the government has given 100 billion in grant money ways to study herbs and their effects on health and healing. I figure it is just a way to put limits on what we can and can’t have again. We as healers, and individuals like Rhio, who took the chance or need to take that chance to step up and say “no” to people who gave us no hope. To have the wisdom and knowledge of herbs on your side. To take a step of confidence, and make choices for ourselves and our families. To be allowed to choose our own health care options. This is my hearts desire, to learn and educate people. My heart is here to stay and share the wisdom of herbs.
I appreciate this chance to be considered for this award. I have a heart for herbs and for healing people. I am a mom of five wonderful children all under the age of 12. I have taught my children from a young age to use herbs for almost everything. I find it funny when we are in a sport even and a child gets hurt. They are quick to offer my services. However, I find that people are poorly educated and afraid to use herbs. I want to be one of the people who cause a change and make some noise. I want people have confidence in natural health care, to learn and be educated about the many uses of herbs.
Blessing
Dawn Cangelosi
Mom of Five, studying herbalist, and college student
Ok, Today we are going to go over two of the Wii games then we are going to discuss a few other things.
Wii Fit Plus: This is a great investment, It has a CD with games that are exercise, then it comes with the Wii fit board. This is cool. When you create a Avatar, it takes your weight, height, etc. Then it keep track of your information. I did find out that only if you are close in weight of someone else can you have more then one person playing, otherwise it is a one person game. You need the board and you need the numb chucks, with controller. So with the things you have your exercise. You are allowed to choose from beginner, intermediate, pro. I did start with intermediate, I find that anything less just doesn't give me my workout.
So it starts off showing the move and how to hold your controls. It has a set up that is design yourself or you can do one they choose for you, what ever you like best.
OK lets just say, I think the Wii, is a liar. LOL. I am 36 years old with 5 kids and I think I am not obesity or anything but according to the Wii I am dangerously overweight. It also goes on to tell you, what age you are according to your weight, and age. I am 48 year's old on the Wii. So we are going to have to get that correct.
So yesterday the girls, decided that mom needed to try a few of the games that weren't in the program, so we got the board ready and started. We did hula hooping, bird landing(this game you stand on the board and flap your arms like a bird and land on bulls eyes to collect point) Crazy. We did this for two hours. Let me tell you my body hurts today.
Know lets go over the Wii Active. This one was a blast. Truly a blast. You have a resistant band, leg strap, and Video.
First you go through all of your Avatar information. Height, weight, size etc. You create an Avatar that looks close to you. Don't be like my son who puts this skinny guy as his Avatar and thinks it is ok. NOT! You want to see results.
So I put the disk in and choose Intermediate: I start out running, you have to stay at a certain pace for it to pick up your movement. (this is where you put the numb chuck on your leg strap, and hold the controller. You either hold it, place it in the leg strap or you use the board with all three. It sounds hard but, really it is easy.
So after running it took me to squats, then to arm strengthen, then to punching, leg kicks, knee kicks, more punching, running walking. It took 30 minutes to do that, and in those 30 minutes I was dripping sweat everywhere. It was awesome!
It shows you your progress, goals, and it also shows you how many calories you burned during your workout.
This was day one so I know there are more little activities on there I just have to play with it more.
If you don't have a Wii, then there are plenty of things that you can do to get into shape.
Walking, running, video of your choice.
I know videos get boring. Ok, I get that lets change it up. No one said that you had to do that everyday. Do something different. Here is a typical day for me.
wake around 5:30 - 6:00
make coffee for husband
Make lunch for husband
School for me, online 6 - 8
Breakfast 7:30
School for the kids, I teach them 8-1
Lunch 1:00
PE. 2 miles either on bikes, walking or running. There choice 2:00
Exercise Wii-My choice 3:00
Play time with kids. 4-6
Get dinner ready 5:30 -6:00
Feed family 6:30
Get everyone ready for bed 7:30 - 8:00( showers, etc)
Read to kids 8:00-9:00
Bedtime 9:00
Now are day are usually this way, yes thing do have not always go smooth, but for the most part I think that we try and make it work the best we can.
So keep a smile on your face and lets see what you can do today.
Well as you wonder what is it? I am going to try and prove all those people out there they are wrong about women and c-sections. I have had five in my life time. I am not planning on having anymore since my wonderful husband thought five was enough, anyhow, what I am going to prove is several things. Have you ever done a web search that was all about c-sections and everything and its dog comes up. Then you narrow the search down to weight loss after c-section? Or better yet is is possible to get your body back after 5 c-section and got nothing that was helpful? Well, I decided that I would be the example. I went and bought a Wii fit Plus with the active exercise package. I did this for one reason. I did not one reason to NOT EXRCISE.. I know that the weather can cause crazy reason to NOT. Well here is a little encouragement. Have you been one of those people who just don't understand why they don't loose weight! I mean come on your exercise and there is no difrence. Well I am here to tell you what it is.
OK you have been exercising for a month now. Yet there is no change. Well lets back up. How long were you that weight before you started your exercise? One year, two years, three years, five years, ten years?
This is the reason why!!!!!!!!!
You body has decided that your weight should be ???? what you are at. So the harder you work out the less likely you will see a change. Yes,it is frustration. But I am here to help you get result with encouragement and I am here to cry and sweat with you. So lets pick a day.
Any day is fine. Just start. Rule number one you can't quit!!!
First thing is you are not going to weight yourself, your going to measure yourself. What you say? Measure is more of an accuracy. I want you to get your measurments as this.
Waist ?
Hips ?
thighs ?
chest ?
leg ?
NO SCALES NO SCALES NO SCALES NO SCALES
No one can tell you are loosing except you. Don't worry about the scale. Toss it out. Break it. If that will make you fell better. All I want you to own is a note book, measure tape (the kind that rolls like for sewing).
At the beggining of each day I want you to do two things for sure. #1 you have to keep a food journal. #2 you have to keep track of all exercise you do.
At the begining of each month you will take your measurements, then you will date it, then you will start your food and exercise journal.
Keep in mind that I am not telling you to diet. What I am doing is making you aware of what you eat, and how much you exercise. I didn't say keep track of calaries. I just want you to write in your journal by day, what you eat, how much of each thing. For example
Day one: Anything you drink too( water soda beer)
Breakfast: 1 8oz smoothied ( 1 banana, 1 handful frozen strawberries, 1 1/2 cups orange juice)
Snack: If you have one
Lunch:Sandwich, chips and cookies, fruit ( sandwich 2 pieces of rye bread, with mayo and mustard, with lettuce, tomatoe, 3 pieces of meat)(1 cup chips)(2 oreos) Diet coke
snack: apple from lunch
Dinner: chicken with rice and salad ( 1 8oz chicken, 1/2 cup of rice with 1 cup salad spring mix with 2 tsp of ranch dressing) Glass of water
The reason for the journal is accountablity. You need to see what you are eating. anything and everything that goes in your mouth needs to be wrote down.
Then you choose the time you exercise. I choose either early moring or right before lunch.
Example: 30 minutes of Wii fit kickboxing. Game with the kids 30 miutes ( hola hoop,inline skating) 2 mile bike ride. etc
This is how you do it. You set it up how it works best for you.
I want you to be able to see what you are eating and how much. Once you have done this for seven days I want you to go back and review what you have done for the week and increse your exerciseby 10 miutes. Each week do this till you are up to 1 hour. Trust me it will work just keep a positive additude. I am here to susport you. If you need support or encouragement just ask I will be here for you. I want to see people get results. I am finally seeing results after 3 months of persistance exercise. I also watch what I eat. The more veggies you eat the better your results. They are like little minie scrub brushes. They will scrub the fat out.
Also remember that I have a lot harder work ahead of me. Lets start the week out and see what happens. I will post again, check back I want to see positive results.
Hey people check out this ladies blog, she is offering a chance to win an HP Touch Screen Computer. Got to the following site and enter to win.
http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-giveaway
Best of Luck!!
You know that we are a very busy family. We have five kids, six animals and at football everynight. So I thought I would take a little time to photo the only one who loves the camera. My son loves our dog soooooo much it kind is hard to not let him love her, but today she was returning his love today.
I love this picture. We just had a little vacation with our family up in Maine. everyday I would take my kidos down to the beach and let them play. James loved to discover crabs. He would scream so loud when he would find one, so here he is with one of his favorite critters and holing it up for me to see. I love this little guy.
Here is the home school Planner for your year. This contains 13 months of your school year. It has a place for up to 10 students, record keeper, grade keeper, Reading log, student progress, goal planning. Also has place for homeschool group information, grade child is in. curriculum using, and contact numbers.
Each Planner is $30.00.
I have two available, however if you can get a group order of 10 or more I can get more from my publisher.
This has been review by The Old School House, as a excellent book to have.