| The Legend of St Patrick Celebrated on 17th March |
When he was 16, he was captured by pagan Irish raiders and sold into slavery to a chieftain named Meliuc in Antrim , Ireland. He spent his teen years and time alone as a shepard to tend to his master's sheep. During this time, his spirituality awakened and his belief in God became strong. He would pray many times in a day. After 6 years being in slavery, he had a dream that he would find a ship to take him to freedom. He escaped to follow his dream. He had to travel about 200 miles before he found a ship ready to set sail. He managed to return to his family and home. Although Patrick was born a British, he considered himself an Irish because it was in Ireland that he discovered God. He had another vision. This vision would take him back to Ireland to preach the Gospel later. After his escape, he visited the St. Martin's monastry at Tours. He also visited the island sanctuary of Lerins. He placed himself under the guidance of a bishop named, St. Germain (Germanus). Patrick was promoted to priesthood later. He stayed in Britain for eighteen years. During those years, he was still haunted by memories of Ireland and would often speak of his experiences in Ireland with St. Germain. The Bishop, St. Germain recommended Patrick to the pope. Patrick requested to be sent to Ireland but was denied. Palladius was chosen instead. When Palladius died, Patrick was chosen to be sent to Ireland. He was called to Rome and made a Bishop by Pope Celestine in 432 before he went on his mission to Ireland. It was during that occasion that the name "Patercius" or "Patritius" was given to him. The name comes from two Latin words, "pater civium" meaning "the father of his people". He suffered many trials as a missionary in Ireland. St. Patrick was imprisoned by the Druids but managed to escape. There are also many legends which talks about the miracles and magical fights between him and the Druids. One of which is when he was confronted by a chieftain named Dichu. Dichu drew his sword to kill Patrick but could not do so because his arm became rigid until he declared himself obedient to St. Patrick. Dichu was overwhelmed by the miracle that he made a gift of a large sabhall (barn). This was the first sanctuary dedicated by St. Patrick. Another legend St. Patrick is most known for is driving the snakes from Ireland. Some tales tell that he stood on a hill and used a wooden staff to drive the snakes into the sea and banished them forever from Ireland. Another legend says that the snake resisted. St. Patrick then tricked it into entering a small box and cast it into the sea. It is true that Ireland has no snakes. However, he managed to win favor with the local kings later. He spent the next 28 years traveling across the countryside to spread the word of God. He could do this easily as he was fluent with the Celtic language. He succeeded in converting almost the entire population of the island. Legend has it that St. Patrick would use the shamrock to explain the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The word "shamrock" comes from the Gaelic word "seamrog" (In irish, it means "summer plant") meaning "trefoil" (three leafed) or "little clover". In Arabia, it is called shamrakh. It was a sacred emblem in Iran and to the Persian triads. It is also a sacred plant among the Druids. Shamrock is the national flower of Ireland. Many Irish people wear a shamrock on St. Patrick's Day. It is not the Irish national emblem. The harp has that honor. This explains the color green and shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day. Today, if you do not wear green on St. Patrick's Day, you will get pinched !! St. Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on the 17 March, 461 A.D at the age of 76. He is believed to be buried in Downpatrick, County Down. This is why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day on the seventeenth of March. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. The first St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737. The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is in New York City. |
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Patrick was born in Britain in the year 387. His real name is Maewyn Succat. The name St. Patrick was given to him later in life by Pope Celestine. His parents, Calphurnius and Conchessa belonged to a high ranking Roman family. St. Patrick recorded most of the history of his life and his spiritual writings in the "Confessio" (Confession). St. Patrick also wrote letters to Coroticus. In this letter, he criticized a raid on Ireland conducted by Coroticus, a British chieftain. Several of Patrick's converts were killed during the raid. The letter also shows St.Patrick's resentment of the scornful attitude of British clergymen and nobility toward the Irish.
The Legend of St. Patrick
| The Legend of St Patrick Celebrated on 17th March |
When he was 16, he was captured by pagan Irish raiders and sold into slavery to a chieftain named Meliuc in Antrim , Ireland. He spent his teen years and time alone as a shepard to tend to his master's sheep. During this time, his spirituality awakened and his belief in God became strong. He would pray many times in a day. After 6 years being in slavery, he had a dream that he would find a ship to take him to freedom. He escaped to follow his dream. He had to travel about 200 miles before he found a ship ready to set sail. He managed to return to his family and home. Although Patrick was born a British, he considered himself an Irish because it was in Ireland that he discovered God. He had another vision. This vision would take him back to Ireland to preach the Gospel later. After his escape, he visited the St. Martin's monastry at Tours. He also visited the island sanctuary of Lerins. He placed himself under the guidance of a bishop named, St. Germain (Germanus). Patrick was promoted to priesthood later. He stayed in Britain for eighteen years. During those years, he was still haunted by memories of Ireland and would often speak of his experiences in Ireland with St. Germain. The Bishop, St. Germain recommended Patrick to the pope. Patrick requested to be sent to Ireland but was denied. Palladius was chosen instead. When Palladius died, Patrick was chosen to be sent to Ireland. He was called to Rome and made a Bishop by Pope Celestine in 432 before he went on his mission to Ireland. It was during that occasion that the name "Patercius" or "Patritius" was given to him. The name comes from two Latin words, "pater civium" meaning "the father of his people". He suffered many trials as a missionary in Ireland. St. Patrick was imprisoned by the Druids but managed to escape. There are also many legends which talks about the miracles and magical fights between him and the Druids. One of which is when he was confronted by a chieftain named Dichu. Dichu drew his sword to kill Patrick but could not do so because his arm became rigid until he declared himself obedient to St. Patrick. Dichu was overwhelmed by the miracle that he made a gift of a large sabhall (barn). This was the first sanctuary dedicated by St. Patrick. Another legend St. Patrick is most known for is driving the snakes from Ireland. Some tales tell that he stood on a hill and used a wooden staff to drive the snakes into the sea and banished them forever from Ireland. Another legend says that the snake resisted. St. Patrick then tricked it into entering a small box and cast it into the sea. It is true that Ireland has no snakes. However, he managed to win favor with the local kings later. He spent the next 28 years traveling across the countryside to spread the word of God. He could do this easily as he was fluent with the Celtic language. He succeeded in converting almost the entire population of the island. Legend has it that St. Patrick would use the shamrock to explain the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The word "shamrock" comes from the Gaelic word "seamrog" (In irish, it means "summer plant") meaning "trefoil" (three leafed) or "little clover". In Arabia, it is called shamrakh. It was a sacred emblem in Iran and to the Persian triads. It is also a sacred plant among the Druids. Shamrock is the national flower of Ireland. Many Irish people wear a shamrock on St. Patrick's Day. It is not the Irish national emblem. The harp has that honor. This explains the color green and shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day. Today, if you do not wear green on St. Patrick's Day, you will get pinched !! St. Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on the 17 March, 461 A.D at the age of 76. He is believed to be buried in Downpatrick, County Down. This is why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day on the seventeenth of March. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. The first St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737. The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is in New York City. |
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Home Medical Equipment Group Supports Bipartisan Bill to Repeal the Controversial Medicare “Competitive” Bidding Program for Homecare
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Alpine Attends AAHomecare's Washington Legislative Conference
| Competitive bidding: A bill for the Hill |
| - 03.14.2011 |
| WASHINGTON - When industry stakeholders convene here for AAHomecare's Washington Legislative Conference this week, they will be carrying an important piece of paper with them. On Friday, Pennsylivania Reps. Glenn Thompson, R, and Jason Altmire, D, introduced the Fairness in Medicare Bidding Act. They plan to hold a press conference Tuesday to discuss it. This year's annual event is expected to draw more than 250 providers to the Westin Washington. A previous bill to repeal the program, H.R. 3790, was supported by more than 250 representatives, a number AAHomecare would like surpass this time around. One thing is certain: With competitive bidding in effect in the first 10 competitive bidding areas, providers will have some real-life examples of problems created by the program. That's important, because CMS has been doing a "great job" with its PR, said Cara Bachenheimer. "They are saying everything is great," said Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government affairs for Invacare. "We need to make sure that every office on the Hill hears the real side of the story." With more than 60 freshman lawmakers, providers will have their work cut out for them getting everybody up to speed, but a March 2 briefing on the program that drew a standing room only crowd of Congressional staffers showed there is significant ongoing interest in the program, said Bachenheimer. "It's a very controversial program," she said. "They've got to do something, and the first thing to do is get rid of competitive bidding." On April 1, economist Peter Cramton plans to hold a "mock auction" to demonstrate how a well-designed auction could work, but Walt Gorski, vice president of government relations for AAHomecare, says only a full repeal of the program is acceptable. "We hate competitive bidding," he said. "It will not work for health care." For providers who can't make the trek to Washington this week, NAIMES will hold a "Virtual Fly-In" on Thursday in an effort to generate several thousand calls and e-mails to lawmakers. For more information: www.dmehelp.org. |
Friday, March 11, 2011
Provider Speaks Out against Bid Program in Birmingham News
For Medicare patients in the Birmingham, Alabama area, the program means the elimination of approximately 90 percent of their choice in local providers, wrote Larry Snyder, branch manager for St. Vincent's Home Medical Services in Birmingham. His letter to the editor explained that the new Medicare competitive bidding program will cost Birmingham residents jobs and threaten small businesses, which make up 85 percent of home medical equipment companies."Contracting creates the likelihood that patients will be required to seek essential products and services from multiple providers; overwhelmed providers will be unable to deliver services at the levels beneficiaries have grown accustomed to. The program threatens access to quality care for those who rely on medically necessary equipment to keep them in the comfort of their home. Competitive bidding will lead to more hospital stays and emergency-room visits, costing Medicare more than what it claims to save with this program."
Read more of Snyder's letter to the editor by clicking here.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Maintaining Health After Retirement
Not long ago, doctors and other authorities warned that retirement would bring on ill health, depression and even early death. But luckily, the experts have taken a new look at the data and predicted that for most people retirement can be pleasant and rewarding.For example, Dr. Valery A. Portnoi, a specialist in geriatric medicine at George Washing University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., cites a study of 9,000 retirees that contradicts the common belief that retirement creates stress leading to early death. He also notes a study of 257 retired persons that showed that 37 percent underwent no change in health after retirement, while the health of a whopping 40 percent actually improved.
How did the idea that retirement leads to poor health get started? Portnoi thinks that some experts fail to take into account the fact that many people who die shortly after retirement are in poor health when they retire. But if an individual’s health is good to begin with, it appears most people can look forward to retirement without fear.
All authorities now agree that there's one key way to a happy retirement: preparation. You should start planning for retirement at least ten years in advance; if possible, perhaps even as early as age fifty.
Here are some more tips for a fulfilling retirement:
What makes you happy? Is it taking up tennis? Going to an ashram in India? Biking in France or writing your life story? This is not a bucket list – this is living to the fullest!
Think of things you can do on an ongoing basis, beginning now, from developing a hobby that really engrosses you to, perhaps, training for a new career.
Keep your mind active and stimulated. Use it or lose it is true when it comes to the brain. Do the daily crossword puzzle, join a book group or take a continuing education course. Learn a new language. Check with your local colleges to see if they offer adult-education classes. Or take a course online.
Lend a helping hand. Studies show volunteering is a source of deep inner bliss. From volunteering in an after-school program, working at the library or a museum, to being a hospital helper, there are hundreds of opportunities. Choose something that sparks your interest and warms your heart.
Make new friends (and keep the old). The strength of a social network is a strong indicator of post-retirement happiness. Join community or religious groups and keep up your connection with long-time friends, neighbors and relatives.
Robin Westen is ThirdAge’s medical reporter. Check for her daily updates. She is the author of “The Big Book of Personality Quizzes for Women.”
Friday, March 4, 2011
Victim of Elder Abuse
Mickey Rooney and wife Jan arrive for the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2008.
Source: UPI Photo/Phil McCarten
Mickey Rooney is an entertainment legend, whose career spans nearly his entire lifetime. He catapulted to superstardom in the late 1980s, and since then has been the recipient of an honorary Oscar, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy Award.
Despite his prestige in Hollywood, Rooney revealed in a heartbreaking testimony on Wednesday, March 2nd, that he was a victim of elder abuse, proving that no matter who you are, elder abuse can still happen to you.
The devastating reality is that elder abuse is a problem in the United States, where every year, as many as 2 million Americans 65 and older are mistreated, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse.
“When it happens, you feel scared, disappointed, yes, and angry,” Rooney said during a testimony before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. “And you can’t believe that it’s happening to you. You feel overwhelmed.”
Rooney appeared at the hearing, entitled “Justice for All: Ending Elder Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation,” to urge the Senate to push forward a law that will protect the elderly by making elder abuse a crime.
The committee chairman Senator Herb Kohl introduced the “Elder Abuse Victims Act,” legislation that establishes the Office of Elder Justice within the Department of Justice. The bill will empower law enforcement to fight against elder abuse.
“For years I suffered silently, I didn’t want to tell anybody. I couldn’t muster the courage,” Rooney said, emotional. “Even when I tried to speak up, I was told to shut up and be quiet […] It seemed that no one, no one wanted to believe me.”
Last month, Rooney was granted a temporary restraining order against his stepson, Christopher Aber, 52, the son of Rooney’s eighth wife Jan Chamberlin who he has been married to since 1978.
The actor alleged that Aber was verbally abusive towards him. According to court documents, Aber “threatens, intimidates, bullies and harasses” Rooney, who had become “a prisoner in his home.”
Aber also took away Rooney’s medication, food, passport and other forms of identification, as well as forcing him to sign financial documents without reading them and make personal appearances.
“And if it can happen to me, God-willing it and un-willing it, it can happen to anyone. I know what I’m talking about. And I’m not speaking just for myself or what I hope to be and what I was, what was taken from me,” Rooney continued.
“I’m asking you to stop this elderly abuse. I mean to stop it! Now! Not tomorrow, not next month, but now.”
The entire hearing can be seen at the Senate Special Committee on Aging website.
Watch segments of Rooney’s testimony in this video from CNN:
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