Making an Informed Decision When It Comes To Vaccinating Your Children

When I had my first child in 2008 there were a lot of questions regarding childhood vaccinations. A lot of accusations and speculation regarding some vaccines that people thought were connected to Autism. After my niece on my in-laws side was diagnosed with Asperger’s I got caught up reading a lot of the debates and to be honest, it scared me. However, in order to make my decision for vaccines in regards to my own child I called upon my experiences and memories in life as a child with the chicken pox. I had an especially rough time with it, and actually still bear the physical scars of my outbreak to this day. I also researched and read every possible bit of information I could, and then I made an informed decision.

Debunked Research

Since that time in 2008 I’ve learned a lot. First of all, not to believe everything I read on the internet (which I already knew but let my guard down). We all know now that the man responsible for the research into the MMR/Autism connection was proven to have manipulated evidence, among other things. He was barred from practicing medicine and the research was declared fraudulent. 

To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate – It’s Your Choice

Even since those findings you will still find a large number of parents that don’t want to vaccinate their children. I’m not one of those people. I firmly believe in vaccinations. As much as it hurts to see your child receive that first shot (I cry too you know!) it hurts much more when they come down with a deadly communicable disease that could have been prevented. That’s not a risk I’m willing to take with my children but I fully support a parents decision to make the choice for their children themselves. However, I will still always highly encourage vaccines. That’s why I want to present some very important information to you today.

Protect Infants Now! Ask CDC to Recommend Infant Meningococcal Vaccines

As a parent that believes in vaccinations & as someone who watched unwittingly in my early 20’s  a former roommate suffer from this horrible infection, never knowing it was anything more than flu, I wanted to take a moment to introduce you the dangers of Meningitis and to a petition for a Meningitis vaccine that I’d love you to consider signing after you have informed yourself. I’m going to provide you with some basic information and then links where you can educate yourself on this deadly disease for the safety of your loved ones.

What is Meningococcal Disease?

• Meningococcal Disease is a leading cause of Meningitis (an infection of the membrane around the brain & spinal cord) and sepsis (a life-threatening bloodstream infection).
• There are five groups of meningococcal bacteria that are responsible for causing most of the disease. They are: C, A, Y, B and W135. Four of these groups are vaccine preventable. (C, A, Y & W135)
• Each year approximately 1 in 7 people who contract meningococcal disease will die from it.
• The disease starts with non-specific flu-like symptoms, progresses rapidly and aggressively and can kill in as few as four hours, making it a very difficult disease to diagnose and treat.
• Of those who survive, 1 in 6 will suffer limb amputations, paralysis, seizures, strokes, hearing loss, blindness, organ damage, severe scarring, brain damage, and more.

There is an FDA Approved Vaccine Right Now

The CDC has already taken huge steps in preventing this disease in teens and young adults. Now they have an opportunity to prevent the same meningococcal disease in infants.

“Recently a vaccine was approved by the FDA to prevent meningococcal disease in infants as  young as 9 months. Pending FDA review and approval there are more vaccines for infants as young as 2 months on the horizon. In order for infants to receive these vaccines the CDC must make a recommendation for their use in infants. This vaccine and recommendation bring us one step closer to eliminating this fast moving deadly disease that kills and maims children.”

“Right now, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is traveling around the country seeking public input on whether infants two years and younger should be immunized against meningitis.” “The CDC is in the process of gathering public opinion on this issue and in the near months ahead making the important decision of whether to recommend that all infants receive this life-saving vaccine, and others, as they become available.”

Educate Yourself!

You can find out more information  at protectinfantsnow.org & tons of information at http://www.meningitis-angels.org/. You can read testimonials from real people like you and I who’s children contracted this deadly disease, some whom did not survive. You can also read up on the symptoms and educate yourself for the sake of your children. 

Sign The Petition

After you’ve made an informed decision if you would like, I encourage you to sign the following petition to let the CDC know you’d like them to recommend meningococcal vaccines for infants:      http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/protectinfantsnow

If you do nothing else today to inform yourself, please at least watch the following video! Thank you!

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central and Meningitis Angels. This campaign was made possible in part through support provided by Novartis Vaccines. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name from Mom Central as a thank-you for participating. All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

Hanes has created a new Facebook app that lets fans personalize and send free virtual Comfort Packages to friends and family. For each package sent, Hanes will donate $1 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (up to $25,000) to promote early cancer detection and provide mammograms for those in need.

“Hanes knows that comfort can also come from memories, music and a kind word of encouragement from a friend. Hanes created the Comfort Packages to bring a smile and help spread comfort to fans’ social networks in a small, but impactful, way. “

 

“The Comfort Package is an extension of the many ways Hanes contributes to breast cancer awareness. As a longtime supporter of breast cancer awareness, Hanes has made cash and in-kind donations totaling $1 million since 2009 and is donating up to $125,000 to NBCF this year.”

The free virtual Comfort Package can be sent from the Pink tab on the Hanes page.

The Comfort Package is fully customizable with photos, videos, recipes, T-shirt designs, music and messages. I sent mine to several friends & included a photo of a pink flower I just captured the other day, along with a recipe, a note telling them I hope they’ll share packages with all their friends as well, and a t-shirt design.  It was a cute little way to brighten someone’s day and help support the search for a cure at the same time.

Along with the Comfort Package, the Pink tab on the Hanes Facebook page includes a video of interviews featuring Hanes employees who have been affected by breast cancer and the

Words of Comfort Wall where fans can leave thoughts of hope and encouragement to those touched by this terrible disease.

I hope you’ll take time to participate! Every dollar counts.

Click the box to get started.

http://on.fb.me/HanesPink

Disclosure: I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated in the post are my own.

I have experienced a number of Rafflecopter problems since I started using it with giveaways. This post is to inform my readers and other blog owners of issues they may encounter while entering/hosting giveaways that use the Rafflecopter form.

Because Rafflecopter is still in Beta I have personally decided to continue to use it (We all know how much easier it is to use than the old way!) and hope that the issues will be resolved eventually.

Info For Those Entering Rafflecopter Giveaways On This Blog

• If you clear your cookies and then come back to tweet every day as a form of extra entry, or you’ve previously entered but forgot that you did and have since cleared your cookies, you will more than likely have to fill out the mandatory entry in order to ‘unlock’ the rafflecopter form. (It will appear as though you never entered). If you’ve ever wondered why that was happening, now you know.

• When you clear your cookies, as mentioned above, and fill in the mandatory entry AGAIN it will create another entry in the form. This means you will have several entries that are not valid.  I (and other blog owners) personally have to go through and delete all extra entries. Each blog owner using Rafflecopter should be doing this, lest all entrants odds of winning be completely skewed.

• Because it is unlikely some of you are willing to stop deleting your cookies (hey we all like our privacy, right?) You will be required to  leave a blog comment on my actual blog. This serves a very good purpose.  If you come back tomorrow and can’t remember if you entered or not (because the form reset) all you have to do is search for your name among the blog comments. It can be as simple as pressing CTRL + F if you don’t want to manually scroll through them.  If you already entered, please don’t fill out the rafflecopter form again.. unless you HAVE TO because it is locked (as a result of deleting your cookies).

• Comments on the blog are not added in to the entries. Your entry is when you actually fill out the rafflecopter form. If you win I then look in my comment section and make sure you left a comment fulfilling the mandatory entry.  So if all you do is leave a comment on the blog you’re not actually entering!! It’s a 2 step process. Leave comment, fill out rafflecopter form. No need to put anything in the extra info section. I will see your comments on my blog.  Another reason for doing this is that companies actually like to read real responses to their products & have real interaction. Rafflecopter is taking away a lot of that, hence the request to leave an actual comment. Thank you for understanding.

Info For Blog Owners Running Rafflecopter Giveaways

If you host giveaways on your blog I hope you are checking your rafflecopter entries. You WILL find duplicates & extra invalid mandatory entries. Once entrants clear their cookies it is possible for them to come back each day & create a new mandatory entry because the form will reset and look to them as though they never entered. They may also be coming back simply to retweet, but be forced to re-enter their info in the mandatory entry to “unlock” the form.  I have also seen several extra tweet entries, which seems to mean that they are able to tweet more than once and put in their info again and again.  You need to sort by name, ip, email, various ways to make sure you are deleting all the invalid entries. Otherwise your giveaway odds are totally skewed. As someone who loves entering giveaways herself, this would make me sad    Don’t believe me? Check your entries! Go ahead, have a look. That person with 25 entries? Bet some of them are double.

What Do Other People Think of Rafflecopter?

These are some great posts that actually helped me to discover some of the known issues with rafflecopter. A lot of bloggers seem to be unaware or just don’t talk about it, but not these blogs. You might want to check them out. They’re very informative. Big thanks to the blog owners.

My Impression of Rafflecopter from Great Gobs of Glamorous Giveaways

More Observations On Rafflecopter from Great Gobs of Glamorous Giveaways

Giveaway Bloggers – How to Manually Review Rafflecopter Entries to Keep It Fair from Rachel’s Reviews & Giveaways

Questions? Comments? Problems??

If you have any questions, or you had issues with the form please leave a comment on the blog so I can see it. I’ll get back to you! I want everyone to have a fair shot so if you need help please don’t hesitate to ask!!

If you’ve noticed other issues with Rafflecopter feel free to tell me about them so that I can update this post.

Good Luck~!

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new University of Missouri study shows that the exposure to the controversial chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) through diet has been underestimated by previous lab tests. In the study, researchers compared BPA concentrations in mice that were given a steady diet supplemented with BPA throughout the day, compared to the more common lab method of single exposure, and found an increased absorption and accumulation of BPA in the blood of mice.

Cheryl Rosenfeld, associate professor in biomedical sciences and Bond Life Sciences investigator, found BPA in diet has been underestimated by previous lab tests.

This is the first study to examine concentrations of BPA in any animal models after exposure through a regular, daily diet, which is a better method to mirror the chronic and continuous exposure to BPA that occurs in animals and humans. Cheryl Rosenfeld, associate professor in biomedical sciences and Bond Life Sciences investigator, is the corresponding lead author of the study published in Environmental Health Perspectives on June 6.

The authors continuously exposed the mice to BPA through their feed, which is considered the primary route of exposure to this chemical in animals and humans. In previous studies examining the effects of BPA, mice were exposed to BPA only through a one-time administration. Following the exposure through the diet, a significantly greater increase in the active form of BPA, which is the greatest threat as it is the form that can bind to sex steroid receptors and exert adverse effects, was absorbed and accumulated in the animals.

“People are primarily and unknowingly exposed to BPA through the diet because of the various plastic and paper containers used to store our food are formulated with BPA,” Rosenfeld said. “We know that the active form of BPA binds to our steroid receptors, meaning it can affect estrogen, thyroid and testosterone function. It might also cause genetic mutations. Thus, this chemical can hinder our ability to reproduce and possibly cause behavioral abnormalities that we are just beginning to understand.”

The study notes that more than 8 billion pounds of BPA are produced every year, and more than 90 percent of people in the United States have measurable amounts of BPA in their bodies.

“We believe that these mouse model studies where the BPA exposure is through the diet is a more accurate representation of what happens to BPA as the human body attempts to processes this toxic substance,” said Rosenfeld. “When BPA is taken through the food, the active form may remain in the body for a longer period of time than when it is provided through a single treatment, which does not reflect the continuous exposure that occurs in animal and human populations. We need to study this further to determine where the ingested BPA becomes concentrated and subsequently released back into the bloodstream to be distributed throughout the body.”

Learn More About BPA

You can learn more about BPA and how to avoid it on the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences & National Institute of Health Website

If you’re interested in the more technical aspects, The study, “Comparison of Serum Bisphenol A Concentrations in Mice Exposed to Bisphenol A through the Diet versus Oral Bolus Exposure,” is now available online.

Funding from this study came from a National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences challenge grant program that was established to investigate the biological effects of exposure to BPA.

Source: Adams, Steven “Exposure to BPA Has Been Underestimated, New MU Research Says“ 6 June, 2011. University of Missouri News Bureau Website. 6 June, 2011. http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2011/0606-exposure-to-bpa-has-been-underestimated-new-mu-research-says/

This post is brought to you by the folks at STOP (formerly known as Safe Tables Our Priority) who were gracious enough to put together this very important post for you, my readers. We know most of you are Moms, whether soon-to-be, new, or old and we want to make sure that you have access to this very important information regarding foodborne illness, especially in this time when the economy is sluggish and a lot of parents are overwhelmed and may not have the time to inform themselves. I hope you’ll take the time to read this whole post for the sake of your children and yourself.

STOP is an amazing resource for anything food-illness related, from consumer tips and stories to alerts about the latest outbreaks, to step-by-step instructions on what consumers should do if they find themselves sick. You can read more about STOP and their endeavors at www.stopfoodborneillness.org

Foodborne Diseases

A disease is called “foodborne” because a person most often becomes ill from eating or drinking water that has been contaminated with germs from dirt, animal feces or human feces. However, once these germs infect a person, they can be transferred to other people. Thus, “foodborne” diseases can be spread by people, changing tables, daycare centers, or swimming pools. The spread of germs may be prevented with thorough hand washing.

In babies or children, today’s foodborne disease germs like Salmonella and E. Coli 0157:H7 can cause serious, life threatening illness within hours or days.

To kill foodborne germs it is important to cook foods to the proper temperatures. To prevent foodborne disease in your family, it is also important to refrigerate leftovers immediately, and clean surfaces, counters, utensils, and hands often. Use separate knives, utensils, plates, and cutting boards for raw meats, poultry and fish because juices may contain germs. These germs can contaminate fruit and vegetables and cooked meats if the same equipment is used.

As A Parent, You Need to Pay Special Attention to the Following Types of Foods:

Soft, Unprocessed Cheeses – Do Not Serve To Children

Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk such as queso fresco, feta, brie, and blue cheese can harbor a germ called Listeria. In babies, it can cause a brain infection, which can lease to brain damage. In pregnant women, it can cause a stillbirth very late in a pregnancy. Be sure the soft cheeses you give your baby have been made from pasteurized milk.

Poultry And Ground Meats – Must Be Cooked Completely Through

When an animal is slaughtered and butchered, the meat may come in contact with germs and animal feces. On many types of meat, these germs will be on the outside where they can be killed while cooking.

However, in whole poultry, hamburger or chopped, mixed meats like hotdogs, bologna or salami, the germs can be on the inside. Hamburger should be heated to 160 degrees inside to kill E. coli bacteria. It is very important to use a thermometer (instant T-stick types are great for this) since you CANNOT tell if it is cooked enough by its color. Poultry should be heated to 180 degrees inside to kill Salmonella. Hotdogs and cold cuts, although already cooked, should be heated until steaming to kill Salmonella.

Fish, Sushi, And Shellfish – Must Be Cooked Completely Through

Shellfish such as shrimp, crab, clams, and oysters can contain life-threatening bacteria and viruses. Raw fish like that found in sushi can contain parasites. Children should not eat, sample or taste raw or lightly cooking seafood products, particularly oysters.

Unpasteurized Milk Or Juice – Serve Only Pasteurized Juices And Milk

Raw milk can contain germs including Salmonella and E.coli 0157:H7. Mass produced fresh juices including aguas frescas and smoothies, may contain fruit that has come into contact with dirt or contaminated water. Pasteurization is a heat process that kills germs in liquids. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that children should drink only pasteurized juices and milk.

Honey – Do Not Serve To Children Under Age One

Honey can contain a spore that causes botulism, a disease that causes increasing paralysis. The AAP recommends that children under one year of age should not be given honey unless the product has been certified to be free of C.botulinum spores

Eggs – Must Be Cooked Until Dry

The eggs you buy contain Salmonella inside the shell. To kill Salmonella, eggs must be cooked thoroughly, hard-boiled or scrambled until dry. Examples of foods that contain undercooked eggs are: soufflés, eggs sunny side up, soft boiled eggs, fresh Caesar salad dressing, some homemade frosting, raw cookie and cake batter, and French toast. Children should eat only thoroughly-cooked eggs and egg products.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables – Inspect and Rinse Thoroughly

When choosing fresh fruit and vegetables, always looked for undamaged produce, which does not show signs of being dropped, caked-on dirt or contact with birds or worms. Rinse fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly under running, potable water. Children should not consume uncooked sprouts because sprouts have caused frequent outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli 0157:H7. Check the latest FDA advisories for different types of produce or visit: www.cfsan.fda.gov

Use Caution With These Places

Swimming Pools

Sick children who swim in public pools can spread their germs to the water. Healthy children that drink swimming pool water can then get the same germs. Be sure to ask your public swimming pool manager whether they are putting enough chlorine in the pool.

 Swimming: Lakes and Other Bodies of Fresh Water

Be sure that fresh bodies of water in which your children swim are approved as safe by contacting local health authorities and verifying the conditions of the water.

 

 

Potlucks, Parties and Picnics

Other people may not be aware of the new information about foodborne germs. Ask what foods are being served and be careful that the food has been prepared safely when you send your child to birthday parties, community potlucks, or picnics.

Restaurants

If a restaurant serves your child a food that is undercooked, send it back. Do not frequent a restaurant that looks dirty.

Daycare and Public Changing Tables

Be sure that your daycare providers understand the risks of foodborne germs. Changing tables should be cleaned frequently and workers should wash their hands every time after changing diapers and before preparing food. Do not put your child directly on a public changing tables.

If Your Child Gets Diarrhea…

Your child will have diarrheal illnesses during his or her childhood. Foodborne germs cause stomach pain and severe diarrhea. Sometimes the diarrhea will be accompanied by vomiting, a fever, or the bowl movement may contain blood. A child can loose weight and become dehydrated very quickly. Should you suspect your child is becoming dehydrated or suffering from an unusual diarrheal illness, if you believe the diarrhea might have blood in it, or you observe a dramatic change in behavior, contact your pediatrician immediately. Do not allow your child to be treated with antibiotics until the source of the illness is identified; the wrong antibiotic can make your child worse. Do not treat your child with a medicine that stops or slows down the diarrhea.

www.stopfoodborneillness.org

photos courtesy stock.xchng

It’s said that as many as 1 in 5 women may develop fibroid tumors during their childbearing years.  As someone who suffered from very serious reproductive health issues at an early age I am always interested in gaining more knowledge on subjects that may affect myself or my fellow moms. That’s why I am sharing this information with you.

Here are a few quick facts about Fibroids:

• Usually affect women over 30
• Are more common in African American women
• More than one are usually present at a time
• Are the most common of all pelvic tumors
• The cause is unknown – although there seems to be a connection related to estrogen production

Symptoms:

• Bleeding between periods
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Sensation of fullness or pressure in lower abdomen
• Pain during intercourse
• Sometimes there are NO symptoms at all

Complications:

• Anemia
• A pedunculated fibroid can become twisted and cause a kink in the blood vessels feeding the tumor (this type of fibroid may need surgery)
• Urinary tract infections, if pressure from the fibroid prevents the bladder from fully emptying
• Cancerous changes called leiomyosarcoma (in rare cases)

Educational Webinar on Fibroids This Tuesday May 24th, 2011

Join UCLA professor Bruce McLucas, M.D., founder of the Fibroid Treatment Collective (http://www.fibroids.com) and women across the country for a free live one hour fibroid webinar,” Tuesday, May 24th, at 7 p.m. PT.  Register here http://bit.ly/fibroidwebinarst.  Questions from those participating in the webinar are welcome.  Fibroids affect about 40 percent of women (50 percent of African American women).
Some of the items to be discussed include:

•       There is a “miracle diet” that can cause fibroids to disappear.
•       Fibroids increase your chances of endometrial cancer.
•       If you have fibroids, you must have a hysterectomy.
•       If you have fibroids, you can’t become pregnant.
•       You don’t need your uterus after you’ve had your children, so just remove it if it gives you any problems.

More About Dr. McLucas

Dr. McLucas is a Los Angeles-based OB-GYN who practices at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.  One of the pioneers in developing a non-invasive treatment for fibroids called uterine artery embolization, Dr. McLucas has had a career-long interest in minimally invasive therapy, serving as president and charter member of the Society for Minimally Invasive Therapy.  Dr. McLucas founded the Los Angeles-based Fibroid Treatment Collective 14 years ago, and his team performed the first embolization in the United States at UCLA in 1994.

Register Now

For more information and to register for the webinar, visit http://bit.ly/fibroidwebinarst.  Registration can also be done by calling 1.866.362.6463.  Follow on Twitter @fibroiddoctor; and on Facebook at Fibroid Treatment Collective

I have a message I was asked to share with my readers that is very important.  I hope you’ll take a moment to learn more and help out.

Congress’ current budget bill has a series of ANTI-WILDLIFE PROPOSALS that would strip Endangered Species protections for the gray wolf, expand offshore oil drilling in the Arctic that could harm the polar bear habitat, and take away water intended to restore rapidly declining salmon runs.

Sadly, all three of these species are already struggling to survive:

Polar Bears live in some of the harshest conditions on Earth and are now being hit by climate change.

Salmon must fight their way past dams and irrigation pumps just as more and more of their water is siphoned off for human use.

Gray Wolves were slaughtered to the brink of extinction until recovery efforts in the 1990s pulled them back from the edge.

Animals like these three are amazing, iconic species that represent the very best of America’s great untamed wilderness. To lose these animals is to lose an essential part of America’s greatness.

Are You Listening?

Gray wolf, Polar bear and Salmon each need your help and they have taken to twitter to get their message across. Yes you read that right, they’re on Twitter! (Now you have no excuse). They have been sharing their daily adventures with us and giving us a glimpse into their life. The life they deserve to live, in the way nature intended.  Have you been listening? If not, click on any of their pictures below to learn more about them, watch a video, and follow them on Twitter to see what they have to say about their situation.

Have Your Say

All three of these beautiful animals are resilient creatures who did not survive this long just to have politicians put their existence up for a vote. You can make your voice heard as well! Tell Congress that we oppose these attacks on the Endangered Species Act!

Take Action

You can make your voice heard by sending a letter to Senators Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell! Click here to send a pre-written letter or to write your own message. Only 400 people more are needed to reach 30,000.  With Earth Day fast approaching it’s the perfect time to help. So what are you waiting for?!

To Learn More About Earthjustice you can visit:  Earthjustice.org

To Learn More In-depth information about Save Our Skins you can visit: http://earthjustice.org/sos

Connect With EarthJustice Online

KANSAS CITY – Akal Security, Inc., the largest provider of contract security services to the federal government, will pay $1.62 million to a class of 26 female security guards, settling a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.

According to the EEOC, in 2004 New Mexico-based Akal began a nationwide pattern and practice of forcing its pregnant employees, working as contract security guards on U.S. Army bases, to take leave and discharging them because of pregnancy.  The women worked at Fort Riley, Hood, Stewart, Campbell, Lewis, Anniston, Sunny Point and Blue Grass Army Depot.

Akal also subjected the women to less favorable terms and conditions of employment because of pregnancy, including preventing them from completing their annual physical agility and firearms tests or forcing them to take such tests before their certifications had expired.  Akal also retaliated against an employee who complained about the discrimination by filing baseless criminal charges against her, the EEOC said.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which prohibits gender discrimination in employment, including pregnancy discrimination.  The EEOC filed suit against Akal in 2008 in U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas (U.S. EEOC v. Akal Security, Inc., Case No. 08-1274-JTM-KMH) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.  Eleven of the class members were also individually represented by Forrest Rhodes and Don Berner of Foulston Siefkin, LLP, Wichita, Kan.  According to its website, www.akalsecurity.com, Akal is one of the largest contract security companies in the United States and operates in 40 states and 20 countries.

“This is a very important settlement that will help protect an entire class of women from discrimination on account of pregnancy,” said EEOC Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien.  “This agreement reinforces the EEOC’s commitment to securing fair and equal treatment for all women in the work place.”In addition to the monetary relief, the two-year consent decree settling the suit requires Akal to:

• Report to the EEOC about any employees who are required to take a leave of absence while pregnant, are terminated while pregnant, or make a complaint of pregnancy discrimination;
• Report to the EEOC about any physical agility test it intends to implement to screen or requalify employees and whether pregnant employees are permitted to take the test;
• Issue a message from its CEO to all employees along with a well-defined, comprehensive anti-discrimination policy; and
• Provide annual compliance training to managers and supervisors on the requirements of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

“Akal operated its business without regard to federal law,” said Barbara Seely, regional
attorney for the EEOC’s St. Louis District Office, whose jurisdiction includes Kansas. “Employees who become pregnant and can continue to perform their jobs should not be pushed out of traditionally male jobs just because they don’t fit the employer’s image.  We are confident Akal now understands the price of allowing this type of illegal stereotyping to drive employment decisions, and that it will ensure pregnant employees are treated fairly going forward.”

____________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever suffered pregnancy discrimination? Tell us about it. Leave a comment.

____________________________________________________________________________

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.  Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.

Source: “Akal Security Pays $1.62 Million To Settle EEOC Class Pregnancy Discrimination Claims“ 1 Dec, 2010. U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Website 2 Dec, 2010. http://eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/12-1-10.cfm

By the time most children reach 10 months they can tell us they’re hungry, they’re tired, they’re happy, some can walk and some are already using words to communicate, but how much do we know about what’s really going on in their head? Most of us have been taught that babies start out knowing very little, but is that really the case?

According to a study done by University of Missouri researcher Kristy VanMarle, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Arts and Science, long gone may be the days when we think of babies as blank slates.

New research at the University of Missouri has determined that the ability to quantify – even things that are hard to quantify, such as liquid – may develop much sooner than most parents realize.

VanMarle has recently determined that contrary to what previous studies have shown, infants are able to measure non-cohesive substances – like sand, water, or even Cheerios – as early as 10 months.

VanMarle and her team tested the quantifying skills of babies by presenting infants with two opaque cups: one containing a small amount of food, and one containing a larger amount. Consistently, the babies chose the larger amount, as long as that amount was substantially more than the smaller amount.

“Several studies throughout the last 15 years have shown that infants are very good at telling how many objects they see; however, infants didn’t seem to count things like water or sand,” VanMarle said. “What we’re saying is that they can quantify substances; it’s just much harder. The infants can see how much food goes into each cup and compare that in their memories. They decide which amount is larger, and they almost always select the larger one.”

This information further refutes the long-held idea that babies are “blank slates that know nothing of the world,” VanMarle said.

In the future, VanMarle says this kind of study could be linked to a child’s progress in math-related skills, although she says that programs marketed to increase those abilities, such as “Baby Einstein,” still have mixed reviews when it comes to scholarly study and results.

“We know a great deal about infant’s perceptual abilities from very early on, even before birth, really,” VanMarle said. “We know that babies prefer high-contrast images, for example, because they can see them better. But whether or not those types of programs actually confer any intellectual benefit – I think the research is not really clear.”

Watch a video example of VanMarle’s work here: http://vimeo.com/17371791

Source: Adams, Steven “MU Researcher Studies How Infants Compare Quantities “ 1 Dec, 2010. University of Missouri News Bureau Website. 1 Dec, 2010. http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2010/1201-mu-researcher-studies-how-infants-compare-quantities/

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