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Everyone to the polls, you have a right to vote. American citizens have fought and even died for the right to vote in local, state and national elections from the very founding of our country. What a wonderful gift it is to receive and use. But from the beginning not everyone had the right to go to the poll. In fact, we did not have that right until the Amendments were added to the Constitution. Initially only white men with property were allowed the vote. Common white men, women and people of color were denied the right to vote. It was not until the Civil War that most white men finally received that right. But people of color, and Native Americans had to pass literacy and religious tests and pay poll taxes. This discouraged many from voting. Fortunately the Amendments 13, 14, and 15 were added to the US Constitution. These amendments outlawed slavery and gave civil rights and voting rights to former slaves. But restrictions continued to keep many African Americans from voting until one hundred years later when the Voting Rights Act was passed August 6, 1965. It banned literacy tests and gave federal enforcement to voting registration and other rights.

In order for Native Americans to vote they had to give up their tribal affiliations and become American citizens. But many western states had property requirements which kept them from voting along with other hindrances'.

In 1848, the Mexican American war was ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. Mexican American gained citizenship and the right to vote but again unfortunately, the border states imposed property requirements to hinder their voting rights.

Woman's Suffrage movements fought long and hard to give women the right to vote which led to the 19th Amendment which was ratified August 18, 1920.

It was not until 1966 with the change in immigration and naturalization laws that many Asian Americans were able to vote. During World War II thousands of Japanese American citizens were put in concentration camps and withheld the right to vote while captive.

In the 1960s men and women under the age of twenty-one objected of their lack of suffrage. They believed that if they could be drafted into military service and go to Vietnam they should be able to vote. They protested and in 1971, the 26th Amendment was signed giving Americans the right to vote at age eighteen.

Also in 1970, The Voting Rights Act provided support to minority voters who could not speak fluently.

Let us hold tight the precious gift and right to vote. It has cost Americans a heavy price.

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Source by Mel Jackson

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Dark-colored streaks in toenails are common in the United States, especially amongst people with darker skin toes, particularly in African-Americans. For the most part, these streaks usually represent non-serious conditions. However, especially in fair-skinned people, the presence of these streaks could represent a deadly cancer. This article will discuss the common causes or dark streaks in toenails, and what condition is cause for alarm.

Before beginning, the reader should be aware while reading this article that the information contained is not meant to provide tailored medical advice specific for one's own medical condition, but is meant as a general discussion on this health topic. Any specific questions or concerns for the conditions described in this article should be directed to one's own general physician or specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The toenail is a dense tissue made of compressed keratin. The nail plate itself begins in the nail matrix, which is essentially the root of the nail. The outer edge of the matrix is ​​seen externally as the lunula, or the white semi-circular shaped area at the base of the nail just beyond the cuticle. The nail slowly grows outward, sliding semi-loosely along the skin. The color of the nail itself is a kind of opaque white or cream, with some clearness in it to see the skin below it. Discolorations in the nail plate, be they solid white, yellow, blue, brown, or black, are abnormal and represent a disease process. The most common sources of toe nail discoloration are due to keratin debris built up under the nail from natural nail thickening and aging, as well as discoloration from a fungus infection. These typically create a white, yellow, or yellow-brown discoloration. Since both of these lengthy topics have been covered by this author in other articles, the causes of darker shades of discoloration will be presented here.

Dark toenail discoloration has several causes, and properly diagnosing the cause is key to a successful treatment. The most common reason nails become darkly colored is because of bruising under the nail. Bruising is essentially blood left behind by bleeding. It can occur under the skin, and can also occur under and over the top of the skin located directly under the toenail. Bleeding under a toenail can be caused by dropping a heavy object onto the toe, by pressure from tight fitting shoes, by toes jamming into the end of the shoe as seen often in runners, and by stubbing injuries that cause blood vessels to burst. Spontaneous rarely if ever occurs, and often if one does not remember injuring the toe it usually means the injury was minor enough not to cause initial, memorable pain. The bruising under the nail stays in the nail plate until it grows out with the nail.

Bruises that do not grow out as the nail continues to grow are cause for concern, and a podiatrist should be contacted. The potential cause for this will be discussed later. When the bruising takes up less than a quarter or a third of the nail, it can likely be left alone and the nail can be allowed to grow out. If the bruising is more extensive, covering the entire area of ​​the nail, the nail plate should be removed. This is done for two reasons. Firstly, it allows the blood to properly drain, and limit's the amount of damage the bleeding caused to the nail root when it slightly lifted the nail plate during the time of active bleeding. Secondly, the bleeding may have been caused by a deep cut to the skin underneath the nail plate during the initial injury, and this skin needs to be evaluated for any cuts that need to be stitched. Another concern, especially if a fracture has occurred to the bone under the nail, is pieces of bone sticking out into the skin externally. If these are not removed and the skin cleaned and treated properly, infection can develop which may spread to the underlying bone.

Another cause of dark discoloration is infection. As discussed before, fungus can enter the skin under the nail and cause discoloration, thickening, brittleness, and debris. This fungus is the same in the same group of organisms that causes Athlete's foot, and from a color perspective can change the nail from opaque to solid white, yellow, grey, brown, or even black in some cases. Treatment is somewhat complex, as only certain medications have any scientifically proven effectiveness, and there are many home-spun treatments still used that simply fail to show any real worth. Another source of infection is from bacteria, specifically bacteria from a family of organisms called Pseudomonas. This bacteria is prone to invade skin that has been kept moist for awhile, and is commonly spread in whirlpools and hot tubs. The bacteria creates a green color change in the skin and nail tissue, presumably from iron pigment. The so-called green nail syndrome is common, and is treated with a special diluted vinegar solution (acetic acid) soak, or with specific antibiotics targeted against pseudomonas. This infection rarely progresses to a more serious condition in otherwise healthy people, and is usually easily treated.

Nail discoloration that moves across the width of the nail in a thin line from one side to the other side has many different causes to numerous to discuss in detail. The causes can include disorders of the kidney, deficiencies of certain minerals, toxic metal poisoning, heart disease, chemotherapy for cancer, certain chronic medications, and major injury to the body. Due to the wide variety of causes, a visit to one's primary care doctor, dermatologist, or podiatrist is recommended. There is generally no immediate treatment for these lines, but one's physician may be able to diagnose another condition that needs treatment through examining the nail, especially if something like metal poisoning or mineral deficiency is undiagnosed.

Nail discoloration that travels in a streak from the beginning of the nail to the end is the one symptom that is cause for the most concern. This streak is typically brown, dark blue, or black, and can be found on one side of the nail or in the center. Usually, this streak takes up less than one quarter of the width of the nail itself, although in some cases it can be wider. The usual cause of this streak is the overproduction of the cells that produce skin pigmentation, otherwise called the melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, which gives darker-skinned people their skin tone, and Caucasians their skin tan. It naturally protects the skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, although overexposure to sun can lead to a mutation in the production of melanocytes. This is technically a cancerous growth. In most instances of nail streaking and skin conditions such as moles, this is a benign growth. However, malignant cancer can develop which has the potential to spread to other organs, leading to death. This cancer is called melanoma, and it is deadly. Dark streaks beginning at the cuticle and traveling along the length of the nail are very common in those with darker skin tones, particularly African-Americans.

In fact, many people have streaks on nearly all their toenails, and have had them since birth. These do not generally represent melanoma of the nail, and are usually benign. When these streaks are newly developed in caucasians, or if there is a new growth or change in a preexisting streak in someone with darker skin, the nail and skin surrounding the nail needs to be assessed by a physician. This is especially true if a discoloration of the skin next to the nail is developing, no matter what the original tone of the skin. A biopsy of the streaked part of the nail, the nail root, and the surrounding area of ​​skin needs to be performed to ensure there is no malignant cancer. This is a simple procedure, done usually in an office by a podiatrist, dermatologist, or sometimes a general surgeon or family doctor, and it heals quickly. The nail usually grows back healthy if the condition was benign. If melanoma is present, immediate attention must be made to the toe to prevent further spread. This usually includes amputation of the tip of the toe, or the toe in its entirety depending on the size of the melanoma. This is absolutely necessary to save one's life and prevent spread of the cancer.

As one can see, dark discoloration of the toenails can have numerous different causes. Most are benign, and resolve with simple treatment. Some are simply genetic, such as the common nail streaks in darker-skinned individuals. Others are dangerous cancers that need immediate treatment. Due to the potential for cancer, this author recommends that all areas of dark discoloration in one's nails be assessed by a physician to ensure the condition is benign. The least one wastes is a little time in the doctor's office, and at best one can save their own life.

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Source by Scott Kilberg DPM

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I'll get straight to it. Pit Bulls are a legit
dog breed but they are known by their official
name of American Pit Bull Terrier.

Anything else is not a Pit Bull nor should it
be called a Pit Bull.

How did the whole "pit bull" thing spin out of
control?

Good question so here is my answer …

Fanciers of the breed refer to their dogs using
a variety of terms. Most common are, Pit Bull,
Pit Bulldog, Pit Bull Terrier, or plain old, bulldog.

Where the whole thing got out of hand was when
people who did not know what a real Pit Bull
looked like started calling anything that resembled
the dogs, "pit bulls" and viola !, we are more confused
than ever.

There are many breeds of dogs that are similar in
appearance and origin as the American Pit Bull Terrier
and this, once again, has led to the problem of misidentifying
other breeds as Pit Bulls.

A few breeds that are often mistaken for American Pit Bull
Terriers (aka Pit Bulls) are:

1. American Bulldogs.

2. Cane Corso's.

3. Presa Canerio's.

4. Dogo Argentino's.

5. Mixed breed dogs of any of the above breeds.

6. Mastiffs.

7. Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

8. Bull Terriers.

The list goes on and on but the reality of it is this …

The only dog ​​on planet earth that is a "Pit Bull" is
the American Pit Bull Terrier. This the only breed on
earth that has "Pit Bull" in it's official name.

So why does not the American Kennel Club recognize
Pit Bulls as a breed?

For starters, remember when we talked about how people
started calling anything that resembled an American Pit
Bull Terrier a "pit bull" well there is reason number one.

Another reason is they are quite uptight and think that
any dog ​​not recognized by them is not a purebred dog. This
is the farthest thing from the truth but millions of people
buy into their ideology and promote incorrect information.

For proof one only needs to seek out the United Kennel Club
or the American Dog Breeders Association to see what a real
Pit Bull is and that American Pit Bull Terriers are in fact
a purebred dog.

American Pit Bull Terriers (real Pit Bulls) are loyal, strong,
and love a challenge. That is why they are working dogs that
excel at hard work that other breeds shrink from.

Their love of people is legendary and that is why they
are so easy to exploit and are being exploited daily
by thousands of ignorant, greedy, sadistic people that
use them for the wrong reasons.

So to sum up this article and put a final answer to
the question, Are Pit Bulls a legit breed or a mixed
mongrel …

The real Pit Bull or the American Pit Bull Terrier is
in fact a legit breed of dog that excels at almost
any task they are put to.

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Source by Jason Mann

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Demographers' defined the baby boom as a birth surge started in 1946, after the World War II and reached its peak in 1957 and continued until 1964 because of the postwar prosperity. Most people uses "generation" as their term but demographers precisely referred it as "cohort" (group of individuals experiencing a certain event within a specified time). This reveals that social changes interconnect with the life of every baby boomer.

There two groups of baby boomers. The babies born from 1946 to 1955 were called early boomers. Those who were born from 1956 to 1964 were called as late boomers. The last set were born during the first tour of Beatles in America and the first early ones was approximately 18 years that time. They are were noticeable because of their big populations. They crowded junior high, elementary schools, high schools, labor market, and colleges.

Studies show that the impacts brought about by the society where baby boomers grew up contributes a lot in reshaping the society. They never think like their parents. Because the population of these cohorts is unprecedented during the 20th century, their beliefs and behaviors are then predicted to dominate things.

But there is also a great discrepancy in terms of economic status between early and late boomers. Compared to the energetic job market and emerging economy laid beneath the feet of early ones, late boomers needs adjustment on economic shifts. It is due to the rapid growth of service sectors, jobs for middle class became less stable, changing locations of workers, and career market adjustments.

Most are considered economic security as an elusive thing. They are the people who were born after the era of civil rights. Conducted studies even reveals income differences according to ethnicity, race, and birthplace creating ethnic classes. It was because one third of the population are Hispanic, African-American, or Asian besides the black and white Americans. Take for instance, the black boomer's generation are considered inferior than whites, although the generation were rated the best in terms of education.

It is a fact that the life was accompanied by postwar transformations changing the American society. The ideas about sexuality, gender, and family were altered profoundly. Likewise, parenthood changed, old age and retirement was redefined, and labor forces were transformed. Even in their old age, they seize opportunity to stay involved and active like staying in their work force to meet the responsibilities of supporting their children.

The changes in the society were never brought solely by the stereotype but also the conservative types like Seth Grossman. They expressed themselves through street protests while the conservative use other forms such as leaflets, student newspapers, and forums. Although their actions did not attract the attention of media but they achieved their success when they forced a referendum which resulted in the withdrawal of Duke students from the National Student Association.

Conservative may not be a part of the projected boomer's image but they became a strong force in making their way silently. They are not even in the front page of the newspapers because they still attend their class while others were boycotting. Nevertheless, they have supported conservative politicians like George Wallace in 1968.

One third of the populations of early boomers served during the Vietnam War. Other made a name in different fields throughout history. Joyce Johnson was an African-American who belongs to the stereotype her activist work in her graduate school. When she entered Duke School, she sought for advancement not only for herself but her entire race. She belongs in the Afro-American Society involved in the iconic events in the Duke campus during the 60s. Grossman and Johnson are baby boomers who contributed great change in their society.

Deep understanding about the baby boom generation is very important as they advanced on to their old age. It should be more of demographic curiosities because if demographic bulge move continuously on the system, then economic differences also persists. They once do their best in shaping the society providing significant impacts on the lives of many people besides themselves.

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Source by Roger Mitchell

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If you own a computer or piece of electronic equipment, chances are you may one day have to make a call to a tech support or customer service department. And if the product in need of repair happens to be manufactured by one of the many companies that bases its IT or customer service support center in another country, your experience with the representative with whom you spoke likely plays a large part in your general opinion of the outsourcing debate.

Outsourcing, also called "offshoring" when referring to overseas workforces, is commonly referred to as the practice of transferring jobs to other countries in an effort to reduce company labor costs. As more people lose their jobs to outsourcing or become increasingly frustrated by having to overcome language barriers to communicate with service employees, the outsourcing trend is failing to meet with general approval in the United States. Reactions to a 2004 poll in King County, WA concerning the economical impact of outsourcing varied, but many respondents felt that long-term outsourcing will generally harm the American economy and workforce.

"… As a consumer, I feel cheated that a company wants my money but does not want to pay my neighbor $ 7 or $ 8 bucks an hour to take my calls," one respondent wrote. " 'Globalization' is an international term for 'feeling free to get away with cheap labor.'"

Regardless of public opinion, however, the outsourcing of IT jobs, nay, jobs in general, does not seem to be going the way of the dodo just yet. The CIO 2006 Global Outsourcing Guide, released in July, cites the 2005 Duke University CIBER / Archstone Consulting study, saying that 73% of Fortune 2000 companies cite offshoring as an important part of their overall growth strategy. India is the number one destination for US company outsourcing, and many companies name China as a front runner for future outsourcing possibilities, along with several Latin American countries, such as Brazil and Mexico.

As with most large-scale corporate practices, outsourcing has its benefits and its downfalls. Though outsourcing obviously has positive impacts to the economy and citizens of the countries to which the jobs go, it hs left many Americans disgruntled, jobless, and distrustful of corporations that practice it. A variety of arguments can be made for and against outsourcing:

Pros:

The technique is a money-saver for the corporations who employ it. Specifically, from a business perspective, outsourcing can potentially:

1. Lower personnel costs
2. Gain economies of scale
3. Allow focus on the core competencies of the company
4. Free up space in company buildings for other uses
5. Increase speed of delivery for outsourced activities
6. Increase quality of delivery for outsourced activities
7. Free up management time
8. Reduce cash outflow
9. Increase employee productivity
10. One theory on outsourcing states that outsourcing boosts the US economy by stimulating trade and creating more jobs
11. Outsourcing works both ways – many jobs in America are jobs that have been outsourced to America by foreign companies
12. Some companies claim that bilingual workers in foreign-based call centers will benefit people who live in the US but who speak English as a second language

Cons:

1. Loss of jobs for Americans, especially those in customer service or technical fields
2. Loss of direct control by the company over the management
3. Quality problems, especially since, as stated by the CIO outsourcing guide, American workers outrank overseas workers in terms of the size and availability of the labor force, education level, relevant experience, language skills and turnover rates
4. Slow response time, which can only lead to the frustration or anger of the customer
5. Some customers have problems understanding the accents of overseas service agents
6. Slow resolution times
7. Many companies that outsource either lack internal process policies for specifying work or lack the the ability to effectively manage internal communication
8. Due to a variety of factors, many overseas call centers are unable to produce desired results for the customer
9. A reduction in product sales led by customers who are either frustrated with the company's service or who boycott companies that outsource
10. The problems above usually lead to unhappy customers, employees, and unions

Although the benefits to the companies seem to outweigh the benefits to the American people, low labor costs will likely continue to be the driving factor behind offshoring, and current trends do not show a decrease in the practice. To ensure long-term financial success, companies must properly serve their customers, regardless of whether or not this entails outsourcing work. By focusing on striking a balance between saving money and providing the customer with quality products and services, a company has a better chance of sticking around in the market to serve the same loyal customers in the future.

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Source by Eva Gibson

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It has become clear in recent days the majority of Americans are buried under a mountain of debt. As the government debt clock surpassed $ 16 trillion, a recent study was released saying that the average American family is only three weeks away from filing bankruptcy. It's time for everyone to really do some soul-searching and take a close look at their own personal financial situation. Over the years, many people have believed that filing bankruptcy was a moral issue and should be dealt with in that fashion. Because of this, a large number of the population frowned on anyone who had to file bankruptcy. A lot of this stigma has been diminished in the recent years with the large number of Americans having no other choice but to file.

If filing bankruptcy is truly a moral issue, what does the Bible have to say about it. The Old Testament of the Bible clearly teaches that people are expected to repay their debts and there is no argument here. Where the moral issue comes in is defining between the moral and legal obligation to pay the debts. The Bible speaks of the need for compassion by the creditors and requires them to cancel the debts at periodic intervals. This came out of honoring the Sabbath and the Jubilee years. This is where Congress got many of the ideas for the bankruptcy code to create uniform laws allowing businesses and consumers to restructure debts or completely wipe them out in a bankruptcy discharge.

Throughout the Bible it talks about creditors being compassionate with the poor to help promote family values. It also speaks strongly about the right to cancel debt that has been incurred by excessive interest. In the Old Testament of the Bible, Deuteronomy 15: 1-2 – At the end of every seven years he shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what has led to his neighbor, his brother because the Lord's release has been proclaimed. This seven-year time frame is where Congress included in the bankruptcy code that time frame between filing Chapter 7 bankruptcies.

The Bible speaks strongly about the topic of finances and its impact on people's lives from end to end. That believe the I filing bankruptcy is not frowned – upon – by vBulletin® the biblical principles color : as long color : as it is done with no kind of Malice. If the family can not afford to live and is buried under a mountain of debt, a bankruptcy filing might be their only way to protect the family unit from ending up on the street. Many times, finances can put a huge strain on the marriage, even to the point of divorce. Heeding to the warnings and speaking to a bankruptcy lawyer about the matter might be able to save the marriage. Removing the stress of the debt can many times allow a couple to straighten out their differences in their marriage. Allowing creditors to continuously beat up on them will only lead to family problems. Before things get out of control, a couple should sit down with a bankruptcy lawyer to see if filing bankruptcy can get them out of debt and get a fresh start they truly need.

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Source by Lisa Michelle Jones

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Indeed, when you hear the word Racism, the first thing that comes to your mind is the superiority and dominance of the White race over the Black race. But the simple truth is that, Black people also do Racism. They also have a sense of superiority and dominance over other races, especially the Whites. A continent where the practice of black superiority exist, is Africa, the ancestral home of all black people, whether directly or indirectly. Hence, this article shall logically examine Racism, from the perspective of black superiority.

According to the English Dictionary, "Racism is a belief that one race is superior to the other". As earlier stated, Racism is usually associated with the superiority and dominance of the White race over the Black race. As a result of this, most black people all over the world, make incessant efforts and agitations against the superiority and dominance of the White race. Examples of these black agitators includes; Late Martin Luther King (Jr), John Lewis, Malcolm X, Bob Moses, just to mention a few. These agitators were preoccupied with the task of ending Racial segregation and discrimination against Black people in America.

From this, it would seem as if Racism in America, means the domination and superiority of the White race over the Black race. But that is America, let us come down to Africa. It is without a doubt that Racism also exist in Africa. But, what kind of racism exist in Africa? Is it a racism of white domination? The answer to this, is an emphatic NO. This is because just as the white people do racism in America, the black people also do racism in Africa.

Talking without substantial instantiation renders the talking futile. Hence, this article shall give substantial instances of racism even in Africa, the ancestral home of black people. One of such instances, that is, an African Country where racism exist, is South Africa. It is indeed heart-breaking to know that despite Nelson Mandela efforts to eradicate racism in the Country, racism still lingers in the heart and mind of many black people in South Africa. In fact, some black people have criticized Mandela for reconciling the Blacks with the Whites, who had supported Apartheid. In some Cities in South Africa, most black people can still be found molesting and assaulting the white people. This is as a result of how the white race maltreated the black race during the colonial period. Hence, the hatred for the white race still lingers in the minds of the blacks.

To further worsen the situation of racism in Africa, is the fact that racism also exist, not just between black and white races, but also between black and black races. This means that the blacks also racially assault other blacks. This irrational and nonsensical situation can be vividly seen in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, where the Hutu people physically and violently assaulted the Tutsi people, leading to the outright slaughtering of over 800,000 people in Rwanda. Indeed, this bloody clash emanated from the racial attitude of the Hutu people towards the Tutsi people, whom they conceived as foreigners and intruders. Another case of black to black racism can also be seen in the recent Xenophobia attacks in South Africa, where foreigners, including blacks, were being violently attacked and burnt alive. From this, we can emphatically state that the Blacks also do Racism.

To sum up, it is crystal clear that having a look at racism from the perspective of black domination, has simply proven beyond all reasonable doubts that apart from the Whites, racially assaulting the Blacks, the Blacks also racially assault the Whites, and even other Blacks. In addition to this, the term Racism should not be associated with White dominance alone, rather, Racism should be a universal term.

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Source by Akinwale Emmanuel Giwa

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The answer to the question is somewhat long and complicated. So we will begin with writing that while someone with ADHD may qualify for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act, not everyone with the diagnosis of ADHD will qualify. And that may include you or your child.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was established by Congress in 1990. The purpose of the Act is to end discrimination against persons with disabilities when it comes to housing, education, public transportation, recreation, health services, voting, and access to public services. It also aims to provide equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The ADA was written to offer protections to individuals with disabilities, not individuals with any particular diagnosis. The Americans with Disabilities Act seeks to protect individuals with significant impairments in function.

By the way, it is estimated that the population of the United States is over 300 million persons. And it is estimate that about 19% of persons have some type of long-lasting condition or disability. That would be somewhere near 60 million persons. This includes about 3.5% with a sensory disability involving sight or hearing, about 8% with a condition that limits basic physical activities such as walking or lifting. It also includes millions of people with mental, emotional, or cognitive impairments.

Since Congress enacted the ADA courts have had several challenges in defining the scope of the Act.

• What exactly is a disability?
• Who would be defined as having a disability?
• Is having a diagnosis the same as having a disability?

These are some of the questions that the courts have had to wrestle with, not to mention the questions related to how schools, work places, public transportation agencies, and more, are to implement the Act in daily operations with both employees and customers.

So, to the Question: Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity – ADHD – included in the ADA?

The answer is "Yes, No, or Maybe."

The ADA defines "disability" as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits
one or more "major life activities," such as walking, seeing, hearing, or learning. Having a
diagnosed impairment, such as ADHD, does not necessarily mean that an individual is disabled within the meaning of the ADA.

The ADA does provide for "mental" conditions or mental illnesses, and potentially ADHD fits in this category. But as with physical impairments, the diagnosis of a mental illness or mental impairment such as ADHD is not sufficient by itself to qualify for protection under ADA. Again, having a "diagnosis" is not the same as having a "disability."

We are not lawyers, and our readers probably are not either, but it is interesting to look at some of the recent court cases regarding the ADA that directly related to children or adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

These two cases seem to expand the definition of "major life activities" to include concentration and cognitive functions:

• Brown v. Cox Medical Centers (8th Cir. 2002), where reportedly the court stated that the "ability to perform cognitive functions" is a major life activity;
• Gagliardo v. Connaught Laboratories, Inc. (3d Cir. 2002), where reportedly the court held that "concentrating and remembering (more generally, cognitive function)" are major life activities.

But the courts have placed limitations on the scope of the Act as well, and have not just tried to accommodate everyone with ADHD. The court has its limits, and they have ruled that the ADA has its limits.

For example Knapp v. City of Columbus (2006 US App. LEXIS 17081) is the story of three firefighters with ADHD who wanted the City to make accommodations for them in their jobs. The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit declined to extend ADA coverage to three firefighters who had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Three firefighters had claimed that ADHD substantially limited their ability to learn, so the City should make accommodations for them. But the court held that the firefighters failed to establish that their ADHD met the standards to qualify as a disability under the ADA.

A very important limitation of Act involved a ruling from an earlier Supreme Court case with Toyota in 2002 which the Sixth Circuit Court used in this case with the firefighters. The Sixth Circuit applied the US Supreme Court's test in Toyota Motor Mfg., Kentucky, Inc. v. Williams, 534 US 184 (2002).

Under the Toyota Motor ruling the courts must consider whether the person making the claim is unable to perform the variety of tasks central to most people's daily lives, not whether the claimant is unable to perform the tasks associated with his or her specific job.

When applying this test, the Sixth Circuit wrote that when a person who is seeking protection or accommodations under the ADA can fully compensate for an impairment through medication, personal practice, or an alteration of behavior, a "disability," as defined by the Disabilities Act, does not exist.

In other words, if a child, teen, or adult with ADHD can "get the task done" or "get the job done" by using medications, applying behavioral management techniques, receiving counseling, using biofeedback, using Attend, or other treatment interventions , then they do not have a disability that is protected under the ADA.

In this court case, all three firefighters testified that taking Ritalin controlled their symptoms, and that they were able to fulfill their family and work obligations. Thus, an ADA disability was not found.

So, it would follow that if you, or your child, could function pretty well at work or in school when taking medication or Attend, or using some other treatment, no disability as defined under the ADA would exist – at least according to the 6th Circuit Court.

Also, it seems that as a result of this ruling, employers under the Sixth Circuit do not need to make accommodations for employees with ADHD under these conditions:

1. When the disorder has not been shown to substantially impair their ability to perform tasks central to daily life;
2. When the ADHD symptoms can be improved by medication or other treatments.

Here is a pretty good list from a major university of the conditions that must be met for ADHD to qualify for coverage and protection under the American with Disabilities Act of 1990:

• The ADHD must cause significant impact or limitation in a major life activity or function;
• The individual must be regarded as having a disability;
• The individual must have a record of having been viewed as being disabled;
• The applicant must also be able to perform the essential job functions with or without accommodations to qualify as an individual with a disability under the meaning of the Act.

To establish that an individual is covered under the ADA, documentation must indicate that a specific disability exists and that the identified disability substantially limits one or more major life activities. Documentation must also support the accommodations requested.

1. The evaluation must be conducted by a qualified professional, such as psychologist, neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, or other medical doctor who has had comprehensive training in the differential diagnosis of ADHD and direct experience with an adult ADHD population. The name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator should be clearly stated. All reports should be on letterhead, typed, dated, signed and otherwise legible.
2. Documentation must be current. The diagnostic evaluation must adequately address the individual's current level of functioning and need for accommodations. In most cases, the evaluation must have been completed in the last three years. A school plan, such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan, is insufficient documentation for a university, but can be included for consideration as part of a more comprehensive evaluative report.
3. Documentation necessary to substantiate the diagnosis must be comprehensive and include:
   • Evidence of early impairment. Historical information must be presented to demonstrate symptoms in childhood which manifested in more than one setting.
   • Evidence of current impairment, which may include presenting attentional symptoms and / or ongoing impulsive / hyperactive behaviors that significantly impair functioning in two or more settings. In addition, the diagnostic interview should include information from, but not limited to, the following sources: developmental history, family history, academic history, medical history, and prior psycho-educational test reports.
   • Alternative diagnoses or explanations should be ruled out. The evaluator must investigate and discuss the possibility of dual diagnoses and alternative or coexisting mood, behavioral, neurological, and / or personality disorders that may confound the diagnosis of ADHD.
   • Relevant testing information must be provided and all data must reflect a diagnosis of ADHD and a resultant substantial limitation to learning.
   • Documentation must include a specific diagnosis. The diagnosis must include specific criteria based on the DSM-IV, including evidence of impairment during childhood, presentation of symptoms for at least the past six months, and clear evidence of significant impairment in two or more settings. The diagnostician should use direct language in the diagnosis of ADHD, avoiding the use of such terms as "suggests," "is indicative of," or "attentional problems."
   • An interpretive summary must be provided that demonstrates that alternative explanations have been ruled out and that explains how the presence of ADHD was determined, the effects of any mitigating measures (such as medication), the substantial limitation to learning caused by the ADHD, and the rationale for specific accommodations.

Obviously, dealing with government regulations with their specific definitions can be very frustrating and difficult. It would be important to have realistic expectations in regards to the American with Disabilities Act and ADHD.

We would recommend getting legal advice from an attorney who specializes in educational law, or has expertise in the Americans with Disabilities Act, to learn more about how the ADA may apply in a specific case to a particular individual with ADHD.

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Source by Douglas Cowan, Psy.D.

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Find live water. By "live" I mean it has living things in it such as healing minerals, and water spirits. This water is best found in a mountain stream, river, or at a natural spring. If you are unable to conduct the ceremony at one of these locations, get plenty of the live water and carry it back in a container for use at another location.

This ceremony is most powerful at night just after sun down or even more powerful after midnight, but before 3 am. This is the time of spirits. During the day there are far too many distractions and interferences for the spirits to have much impact or communication.

Have the all the people stand in a circle. Sing a song or make a prayer that calls in the helper spirits (Tunkasilas) or angels or whatever type of spirit being you are used to or comfortable with. Then go to each person with burning sage, cedar, sweat grass or other medicinal herbs and let the smoke cover their bodies to purify and clean away all negative energies. While this is being done some people get messages for the person being cleansed. This adds a special meaning to the ceremony.

A song or prayer for healing of physical, mental, spiritual and heart matters is appropriate at this time. After the song / prayer, the people go around in a circle speaking their individual prayers and wishes.

After this is done, everyone will lie down or sit down in the water. Or the water can be gently poured over everyone. As the water runs down our bodies it takes the impurities with it and sends them back to the mother earth for purification and reuse.

A final song or prayer to thank the spirits, angels, helpers, etc. completes the ceremony. After this, it is always good to share food.

As a note, this is another water ceremony, but it is much simpler and can be used daily. Pour water (this can be regular tap water) into a container, I use a gourd or a wooden bowl, but a simple glass would do. Walk outside and sing a song or say a prayer, then four times pour a portion of the water into the ground. Drink the remaining water so the prayers enter your being. Pouring the water into the ground is returning the life blood (water) of mother earth to her. This water once poured into the ground will travel all around the planet in underground waterways and maybe even to the ocean depending on where you live. I would suggest if you feel the urge to pray for peace or environmental concerns this is the ultimate way to send those prayers.

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Source by Paula Bidwell

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My name is Sam Shakespeare of Boca Raton, Florida. I am a strong advocate and proponent of medical marijuana. The disparity of laws across the nation are causing unnecessary harm to families. What some American citizens can freely participate in, others are going to jail for and families are being broken apart.

We are learning more and more about marijuana every day. The discovery of the body's Endocannabinoid System was a major breakthrough for the science of medical marijuana. The Endocannabinoid System is a series of cannabinoid receptors located throughout the brain and central nervous system that are interconnected to the body's immune system, and only interact with compounds found in marijuana.

We are finding that medical marijuana can be a safe and effective treatment for the symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, pain, epilepsy and glaucoma.

New research has been revealed …

A study by the University of Nottingham shows how certain chemical compounds found in cannabis may help to reduce brain damage following a stroke.

The National Cancer Institute's research has found how cannabis can actually protect brain cells against the development of certain types of brain tumors …

This one is a little "science-ey", but a National Institute of Health study finds marijuana may provide a method of resuscitation from cardiac arrest …

In fact, marijuana has over thousands of years of medical use in human history and not even one death has been attributed to the herb. Simply because of the fact that there is no lethal dose makes marijuana a much more viable and safer option for treatment to a variety of ailments and diseases. We know that the use of medical marijuana can replace the use of certain legal prescription drugs that have serious side effects, like accidental death from overdose, yet these legal prescription drugs remain legal even though they are much more harmful to the human body.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more people died from drug overdoses in 2014 than any year on record. The majority of those overdoses involve prescription opioids or pain pills (OxyContin, Percocet ,. Hydrocodone, etc.) Since 1999, prescription opioids sold in the US has nearly quadrupled, and so has the number of opioid overdoses. Many of these "pain pill" deaths could have been prevented with the use of medical marijuana. In 2014, more than 14,000 people died from overdoses involving prescribed pain pills.

But the real tragedy concerning medical marijuana is the United States War on Drugs. It has allowed the federal and various state and local governments across the country to take up military arms against its own citizens. It has justified the militarization of police forces across the country. For a country that claims to be the Land of the Free, we incarcerate more of our own citizens than any other country in the world. The United States of America has about 2% of the world's population, but it has 25% of the world's prison population, most of them being nonviolent drug offenders. Over 50% of those being marijuana charges. That's right, marijuana arrests now account for over half of all drug arrests in the United States of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests between 2001 in 2010, 80% were for simply possessing marijuana.

And the US taxpayer has been footing the bill. According to drugpolicy.org the US War on Drugs cost the American taxpayer over $ 51 billion annually. As it currently already costs over $ 30,000 to imprison one person for one year.

If the war on drugs was working, it should make drugs more scarce, hence driving prices up. In reality, drug prices have stayed about the same over the past 20 years, showing the War on Drugs has had literally no effect on the black market of illegal drugs. The only thing the War on Drugs has been successful at is arresting and imprisoning our citizens at an alarming rate. The one sure way to wipe out an illegal black market is to legalize the very thing that has been made illegal. In this way certain states are already catching on and adding millions and millions to their tax revenues every year. While their citizens are enjoying the true meaning of freedom.

While some of our citizens are enjoying freedom, others that get arrested for having marijuana may lose a job or lose public benefits or lose their education funding. Maybe even worse, they go to jail and are separated from their children and their family. What effect does that have on that family and those kids? These children are getting shortchanged because of an ill-conceived law. Currently over 50% of the American population supports full legalization of marijuana. It's time to legalize and stop arresting otherwise law-abiding citizens for choosing an herb that is less dangerous than all other available options. We know that alcohol kills over 600,000 people every year and cigarettes kill over 1 million people. As a reminder marijuana has never been attributed to even one death. Yet somehow the authorities say "we need more data …" We have data, thousands of years of data. What is interesting to me is why were we not this cautious with alcohol and cigarettes.

For these reasons and many more, I, Sam Shakespeare, of Boca Raton, Florida remain a strong advocate for the legalization and use of medical marijuana for all humanity. Personal freedom is a basic right.

Here is a study by the University of Nottingham …

http://www.biosciencetechnology.com/news/2013/12/cannabinoids-can-limit-neurological-stroke-damage#.UtcKD7SCUtV

Is the National Here Cancer Institute's website explaining how cannabis can actually protect brain cells Against the development of Certain types of brain tumors … Http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq # link / _26_toc

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Source by Samuel Shakespeare