Coinciding with Autism Awareness Month, New Kids Book Helps Us Navigate Differences in Our 8 Senses
Richmond, VA, April 22, 2021 — Published to coincide with Autism Awareness Month, and armed with a lot of confidence and inspiration, neurodiverse author Lindsey Rowe Parker releases her first children’s book, Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down (April 1, 2021; BQB Publishing; ISBN 978-1945448; $14.95; Hardcover), with autistic illustrator Rebecca Burgess, whom Lindsey met on Twitter. The book is also available in Spanish, titled Meneos, Pistones, Y Apretones Para Calmar Mi Cosquilleo. When Lindsey became newly diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and ADHD, her world finally made sense—giving her the confidence as a parent to go through a medical journey with her daughter, who is autistic. This story is written from Lindsey’s own sensory experiences and inspires parents who are looking for that sensory input, which they themselves may not have a name for.
The theme of Wiggles… is that the child is accepted and understood. They are not asked to change; they are supported; they can be themselves; and most importantly, they are loved. Wiggles… focuses on the eight senses: smell, sight, hearing, taste, touch, PLUS proprioception, vestibular and interoception.
The brightly illustrated story follows a young girl with heightened sensory experiences through her day with fun, interactive sounds and motions. The reader may vicariously experience the vibration when she runs, the tap-tap-tap of her spoon on the table at mealtime, the trickle of cool water running over her hands—these are the things that calm her jitters down.
Lindsey recounts, “There were sensory preferences that I had as a child that I thought were weird or strange, not like other kids I knew. Through pediatric occupational therapies with my kiddos, I have a greater understanding of not only some of their sensory needs, but my own. It’s like a lightbulb went on, and I thought, “Oh wow, now I get it.” On working with Rebecca to illustrate the book, “Rebecca was absolutely the perfect person to bring this story to life because she understood life’s experiences as an autistic person. You can feel the support and understanding in the illustrations.”
Author Lindsey Rowe Parker is a mom at the tail end of toddlerhood, embracing the next phase of parenting while learning to navigate and advocate for her young autistic daughter. With a recent adult diagnosis of ADHD, and a new deeper understanding of her own sensory experiences, she has begun to delve into the neurodiversity community, learning all she can from neurodiverse voices. This is her first picture book, and she hopes it connects with everyone who has felt the need for a wiggle, stomp or squeeze! Lindsey lives in the Richmond, VA, area with her family. Rebecca “Bex” Burgess is an autistic illustrator living in the UK. They love history and nature, but comics and illustration most of all! Their passion has led them to work with the likes of The Guardian and Jessica Kingsley Publishing. Rebecca is most famous for their online comic, Understanding the Spectrum, explaining autism that has been shared in several books and used by parents, teachers and doctors. For more information, please visit wigglesstompsandsqueezes.com.
AbbVie Receives Health Canada Approval of HUMIRA® (adalimumab) for the Treatment of Pediatric Patients with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis
With this approval, HUMIRA, an anti-TNF monoclonal antibody, offers pediatric patients from five years of age with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) the first subcutaneous anti-TNF treatment option1
Approval based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 ENVISION I study, the largest clinical trial in pediatric ulcerative colitis to date, showing HUMIRA provided significant rates of response and remission both at week 8 and 521,2
MONTREAL, April 22, 2021 /CNW/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that Health Canada has approved HUMIRA® (adalimumab) for inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients five years of age and older with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and/or azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine or who are intolerant to such therapies.1 With this approval, HUMIRA offers pediatric patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis the first subcutaneous anti-TNF therapeutic option.1
"Ulcerative colitis is a miserable illness when it is not well controlled, and it has a significant impact on the lives of children and adolescents. When the disease is active, it is disabling and embarrassing, and affects how children can engage in their normal lives with peers and at school. Although we are able to treat a lot of children who have ulcerative colitis today, there is still a group of children and adolescents that we cannot help as well as we would like, which is why we do need access to new therapies," said Dr. Anne Griffiths, Co-Lead, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre at the Hospital for Sick Children.
Ulcerative colitis is characterized by inflammation of the large intestine with symptoms ranging from mild to severe bowel urgency and bowel incontinence as well as weight loss and fatigue.4,5 It remains a lifelong condition that is not adequately controlled in many patients, underscoring the need for more treatment options.3,4 Children with ulcerative colitis may fail to develop or grow properly due to malabsorption of nutrients by the diseased bowel.5 Significant unmet needs remain in moderate to severe pediatric ulcerative colitis, compared to adults, as pediatric patients tend to have more extensive disease often causing significant illness in children.4,6
Cal Spellman, who is now 17, remembers getting diagnosed when he was 11 years old. "It was very scary for me. As a kid, it can be intimidating when a doctor says you have a chronic illness, and even though it is treatable, it can be hard to manage. I remember having a really difficult time when I was about 12. I was hospitalized twice, four months apart from each other. I was having uncontrollable symptoms, which is particularly hard for someone going through puberty, when you are feeling self-conscious about things. But for anyone who is newly diagnosed, know that it does get better. It will be hard, but it is something you can manage, and it is possible to live a normal life," he explained.
"Canada has one of the highest rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the world5. With the number of cases increasing in children, it is important that we continue to expand the number of pediatric treatment options available" said Susan Cowan, CEO of Crohn's and Colitis Canada. "Ulcerative colitis, one of the main forms of IBD, is an unpredictable disease often requiring medication to manage debilitating symptoms. The introduction of a new therapy for children living with ulcerative colitis is an important advancement."
"This approval marks an important milestone for children and adolescents living with ulcerative colitis, who often struggle to control this lifelong condition, particularly because pediatric patients tend to have more extensive disease," added Tracey Ramsay, Vice President and General Manager, AbbVie Canada. "AbbVie is proud of our heritage and dedication to discovering and delivering innovative therapies that help adults and children living with inflammatory bowel disease."
About the ENVISION I Phase 3 Study2,7
The Health Canada approval is based on results from the ENVISION I study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and the pharmacokinetics of HUMIRA in pediatric patients (ages 4-17) with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, administered subcutaneously.
The ENVISION I study showed that HUMIRA met the co-primary endpoints of clinical remission at week 8 and, among those who responded at week 8, clinical remission at one year (52 weeks).1,2
No new safety signals for HUMIRA were observed in this study.1,2 In patients exposed to HUMIRA during the study, 23 percent experienced a serious adverse event.1,2 The most frequently reported (greater than or equal to five percent) treatment-emergent adverse events during induction and maintenance periods were headache and ulcerative colitis.1,2 No deaths, malignancies, active tuberculosis or demyelinating disease were observed in this study.1,2
HUMIRA resembles antibodies normally found in the body. It works by blocking TNF-α, a protein that, when produced in excess, plays a central role in the inflammatory responses of many immune-mediated diseases.
For further information, please see the HUMIRA Product Monograph available on www.abbvie.ca.
About AbbVie in Gastroenterology
AbbVie has focused on improving care in gastroenterology for more than 10 years. With a robust clinical trial program in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we are committed to cutting-edge research to drive exciting discoveries and developments in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. By innovating, learning, and adapting, AbbVie aspires to eliminate the burden of IBD and make a long-term impact on the lives of people with IBD.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.caand www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbviecanada on Twitter or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Croft N.M., et al. Efficacy and safety of adalimumab in pediatric patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis: results of a randomized-controlled phase 3 study. UEGJ. 2020;8(8S):98-99.
Jakobsen C., et al. Differences in phenotype and disease course in adult and paediatric inflammatory bowel disease—a population-based study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011;34(10):1217–1224pmid:21981762.
“About Natalie is groundbreaking. It doesn’t preach or pretend to offer a panacea. Instead, it offers a refreshing, authentic look at one family’s struggle with addiction, easily the most powerful book published on the subject in the 21st century.”— Dr. Maryel McKinley PhD, Addictions Expert, Former Co-Host, “All Talk Recovery Radio,” Los Angeles, Arbitron rated No. 1 in Southern California
Pittsburgh, PA, April 22, 2021 — Like the band that played on as the Titanic sank, Christine Naman unpacked the groceries and made a meatloaf — the simple act of normalcy distracting her from an unthinkable reality: addiction was pulling her daughter under.
“Even with the picture of the situation coming more clearly into focus, I clung to denial like a kayaker who has been thrown from his boat would cling to a branch lying across the water,” Christine says. “It is amazing how deep into denial a person can go and how strongly they can hang onto it before reality smacks them around enough so that they let go.”
Christinetraces her daughter's years-long battle with addiction in About Natalie, a gripping, cautionary tale of how, in spite of a loving family and a comfortable life, a child can end up on the wrong path, meet the wrong people and get lost in the unthinkable.
About Natalie takes readers deep inside Christine’s emotional and mental turmoil as she grows into her new, unfortunate role as the parent of an addict. She steps on syringes left on the floor and wrestles one from the family dog’s mouth. She lives the nightmare of finding an unresponsive child on the floor and uses Narcan to revive her. She chases away a drug dealer and stays up all night waiting for her missing child to come home. She rejoices during periods of recovery and hope and is devastated during relapses. When her daughter suffers, Christine suffers right along with her.
Interwoven with Christine’s reflections are Natalie’s compelling poems that share her personal pain and the unvarnished truth of her struggle.
At its core, About Natalie is a story of fighting for — and right alongside — the ones we love, no matter how difficult the circumstances. It is a story of keeping the faith, battling hard and never giving up.
Bestselling author Christine Pisera Naman is a wife to a beautiful man named Peter and a mother to three fantastic kids named Jason, Natalie and Trevor. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, which she does poorly; painting, again poorly; and volunteering at her local hospital, which she hopes she does well. She is the author of the Faces of Hope series of books that are now housed in the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. Her other works include Caterpillar Kisses, Christmas Lights, The Novena and The Believers.About Natalie is her heart poured onto paper.
She hopes that by sharing her family’s difficult story she can bring understanding and knowledge to those who do not know the problem firsthand as well as provide comfort to those who know the nightmare of addiction all too well.
Don’t Let Your Vet Pay the Ultimate Price: Happy Vet Happy Pet Delivers Life-Saving Insights
Atlanta, GA, April 22, 2021 — If you have a pet, then you have a vet. And if you know a vet, you know someone statistically at a higher risk of anxiety, depression and even suicide. But you have the power to positively impact — and even save — that veterinarian’s life, asserts Sandy Weaver, author and Program Director of the Center for Workplace Happiness.
Her groundbreaking new book, Happy Vet Happy Pet: Caring for Your Pet’s Caregiver, outlines three simple rules that all pet owners should follow when interacting with their pet’s veterinarian.
“I’ve known for years, as have those in the veterinary field, that there was an issue with suicide and veterinarians,” Sandy says. “Then in early 2019, the CDC report on veterinary suicide was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and what had been anecdotal became data: male veterinarians are 2.1 times more likely, and female veterinarians are 3.5 times more likely, to complete suicide than their non-veterinarian peers.”
Happy Vet Happy Pet is a distillation of Sandy’s research into neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology mixed with data from the CDC report. The result is an impactful approach that weaves easy-to-understand science with stories that touch the minds and the hearts of pet owners — empowering them to be part of the solution.
Chapters dive deep into topics all pet owners should understand, including:
1. The heart, mind and life of a person who decides to become a veterinarian; 2. The very human, very vulnerable person behind the scrubs; 3. The ways clients unknowingly mistreat their pets’ caregivers; 4. Three simple rules to follow to help your veterinary team; and 5. What to do if you feel that someone near you is facing suicidal desperation.
Happy Vet Happy Pet will change your relationship with your veterinarian and their team forever. And what you learn in this book could save your veterinarian's life.
Author Sandy Weaver is an expert speaker, trainer, mastermind facilitator and lover of all things dog.
As the Program Director of the Center for Workplace Happiness, Sandy creates the training programs, workshops, mastermind groups and keynotes that help people lead happier, more successful lives. She is also a citizen-scientist in the fields of neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology. In 2019, she took the resilience tools and strategies she’d been teaching to general audiences and crafted programs specifically for veterinary teams. Her goal is to touch the life of every veterinarian and technician in a way that helps them avoid the pain and despair that comes with an inability to manage stress.
Now in her 40th year of Siberian Husky ownership, Sandy is a passionate advocate for veterinarians and their teams and an ongoing donor to Not One More Vet.
Ledcor donates $1.25 M to help Variety – the Children's Charity to support families of young children living with Type 1 diabetes
VANCOUVER, BC, April 22, 2021 /CNW/ - Ledcor and Variety – the Children's Charity in British Columbia, Alberta / Saskatchewan and Ontario jointly announced today that Ledcor would be donating $1.25 Million over 5 years to provide new innovative glucose monitoring technology to low income families with young children living with Type 1 diabetes.
"Variety steps in where health care ends by providing medical equipment to families in need," said Cally Wesson, Variety BC's CEO. "Demand for lifesaving medical equipment for kids living with T1D has been increasing, and has been hard to meet, especially because most families cannot afford a continuous glucose monitors."
"The management of Type 1 diabetes in children is particularly challenging. The advent of Continuous Glucose Monitors – or CGMS for short – means that parents no longer have to poke their children six to ten times a day," said Dr. Tom Elliott, Medical Director, BC Diabetes & Clinical Associate Professor, UBC. "A CGM means that parents can sleep well at night not worrying about their child going low and having a seizure. And when the child is at school, they don't have to worry about the same thing happening in the classroom or on the playground."
Recent technological advances have resulted in the development of less intrusive, continuous glucose monitoring sensors that work with smart phones and smart watches.
According to statistics from the Canadian Pediatric Society, 33,000 school age children (5-18 years old) in Canada have Type 1 Diabetes and there are several thousand under the age of 5.
"Ledcor's community giving focus is on pediatric medical care and helping children who face significant healthcare challenges," said Dave Lede, Chairman and CEO of Ledcor. "The new 'no finger stick' blood sugar monitors can make a huge difference for young children and their parents, but they are very expensive for many families. That is why we have partnered with Variety to provide funding to acquire this life-changing equipment for young children with diabetes."
"We appreciate Ledcor's support in helping Variety launch a new community initiative to enable wellness and independence for children and families who are facing difficult medical challenges," said Jana Hand, CEO, Variety Alberta. "We know of many families in our service areas (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario) will appreciate receiving this new technology and using it every day."
"The cost of these new sensors can be very significant for many families, usually $3600 a year," said Variety Toronto CEO, Karen Stintz. "We are pleased that Variety will be able to assist families on a limited budget and help manage their children's diabetes more efficiently."
Corporate and employee giving is embedded in Ledcor's company culture and embodied by its Ledcor Cares programs. The spirit comes from a desire to assist others in need and to help move our communities forward by coming together to help organizations that have a place in our hearts. Over the past 10 years, Ledcor and its employees have invested over $24 million (CAD) to more than 200 charities across North America, as well as supporting communities through various professional development, sustainability, research, and educational initiatives.
About Ledcor
The Ledcor Group of Companies is one of North America's most diversified construction companies, serving the building, oil & gas, infrastructure, mining, power, and telecommunications sectors. Ledcor also owns operations in property investment, forestry, aviation, and marine transportation services. Ledcor employs over 7,000 people across 20 offices, and numerous construction sites. Since 1947 we have been growing with our clients and partners: Forward. Together. Find out how at www.ledcor.com.
About Variety in Canada
Variety – the Children's Charity steps in where health care ends, providing direct help to children with special needs in BC, Alberta, and Ontario. For over 50 years, Variety has ensured that children have the support to reach their potential and thrive.
With an almost nine-decade legacy of caring for children across the globe, Variety – the Children's Charity has become an international organization in more than 13 countries, raising over $1.7 billion worldwide to assist the treatment and care for children with specialized needs and financial hardship.
SOURCE Ledcor Industries
Canadian Paralympic Committee to host refreshed, virtual Paralympian Search for women
Taking place June 5 & 6, "Connection 2021" event will introduce women to Para sport opportunities
Several female Paralympians will also share their experiences in sport
$200,000 funding support for the event provided by Sport Canada
OTTAWA, ON, April 22, 2021 /CNW/ - With a goal of connecting more women with disabilities to opportunities in Paralympic sport and attracting more female athletes, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is hosting a virtual event this spring specifically for female participants.
Taking place over two days, Saturday June 5 and Sunday June 6, the "Connection 2021" event will feature various information sessions, interactive workshops, and engagement opportunities. The event will be virtual and is an adapted form of CPC's Paralympian Search series. Called "Connection 2021", the event, being hosted as a pilot, is a shift to an innovative, more customized approach designed to welcome and support women. Led by women within the Canadian sport landscape, women of all sport experience backgrounds, including those new to sport or looking to try sport for the first time, are welcome to apply to participate.
"We know there are fewer women accessing Para sport in Canada, not only at the highest Paralympic level but also at the community and recreational levels," said Karen O'Neill, CEO, Canadian Paralympic Committee. "This virtual event is just one innovative way by which we hope to encourage more women with a disability to participate in sport, and learn how we can create better environments within our sport system for female athletes. Our goal on June 5 and 6 is to offer safe, welcoming, and inclusive sessions as well as resources going forward so each participant has a positive experience and feels empowered to engage in sport and stay in sport."
Typically a one-day event held in person, Paralympian Search has been hosted in various cities over the past few years including Toronto, Montreal, Victoria, Calgary, Ottawa/Gatineau, Halifax, and Kelowna. Due to COVID-19, this updated version has been re-imagined to be virtual, which will allow women from across Canada to connect with the event. CPC is working with a number of female researchers and experts in the disability and sport spheres to help shape the event's format to build the best experience possible for participants.
Funding for the event was fully provided by the Innovation Initiative component of Sport Canada's Sport Support Program. There is no cost for participants to attend. In order to create a welcoming environment in which each woman can participate fully, the event will be capped at 25 people.
Participants will learn about a variety of Para sports, including through presentations by Athletics Canada, Cycling Canada, Canoe/Kayak Canada, Nordiq Canada, Alpine Canada, and Canada Snowboard. Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, Canadian Sport Institute Calgary, and Institut national du sport du Québec are also part of the event, and participants will hear from female leaders on their sport sciences teams.
Connections will be made with many female Paralympians and Para athletes as well, who will be involved as event ambassadors over the two days to share their experiences and answer questions. This includes Canadian Paralympic Hall of Famers Colette Bourgonje (Para nordic skiing and Para athletics) and Karolina Wisniewska (Para alpine skiing), Tokyo 2020 hopefuls Jennifer Brown (Para athletics), Marissa Papaconstantinou (Para athletics), and Andrea Nelson (Para canoe, and also a Paralympian Search alumnus), and Beijing 2022 hopeful Sandrine Hamel (Para snowboard). The complete list of athlete ambassadors can be found HERE.
"Paralympian Search was such a positive experience for me and set me on this incredible path in Paralympic sport, so I am really excited for the opportunity to help introduce more women to sport," said Nelson, a 2017 Toronto Paralympian Search participant. "I think this is a really important initiative to show what opportunities are out there and the many ways that sport can be a part of people's lives. I hope sharing my own story will help all of the women at the event feel confident and comfortable to start their own unique journey in Para sport."
For more information about the virtual "Connection 2021" Paralympian Search and to express interest in attending this event, please visit Paralympic.ca/connection-2021.
About the Canadian Paralympic Committee:Paralympic.ca
SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships)
Women: Answer Your Call to Lead with a Confident ‘Yes’
Jacksonville, FL, April 22, 2021― The world needs women who answer the call to lead with a confident “yes.” If you’re one of the female leaders around the globe making meaningful contributions in their industries and communities — or if this is exactly what you aspire to do —the techniques and inspiration contained between the covers of Called to Lead: Success Strategies for Women can fuel your passion and determination.
Power Women Worldwide founder Pegine Echevarria, along with Mindy Gibbins-Klein, Diana Watson, Cindy Tschosik plus 14 other successful female leaders from a variety of industries around the globe share their stories, advice and actionable tips for helping women leaders navigate their multifaceted lives.
“Natural leadership can only go so far,” Pegine says. “Long-term, successful leadership requires training, tools, techniques and wisdom to lead powerfully, effectively and compassionately.”
The consortium of talented, powerful women featured in Called to Lead have thrived in their respective fields while enjoying vibrant personal lives. Each woman draws upon her unique strengths and experiences to deliver relevant, useful strategies to help other women grow and succeed while balancing family, relationships and self-care.
Called to Lead is organized into five sections, each comprised of several chapters:
1. The Power of Being Called to Lead;
2. The Power of Self-Mastery in Leadership;
3. The Power of Influential Leadership;
4. The Power of Emotions and The Mind in Leadership; and
5. The Power of Leadership Love.
Leadership is a calling. The guidance and mentoring from each of the influential female leaders in Called to Lead aims to help readers answer the call with know-how and confidence.
“You are a leader,” says Pegine. “Embrace your gift. Invest in yourself and your leadership skills. The world wants and needs women who lead. Be bold. Be brave. Be seen. Be heard. Be paid well. Be you.”
About the Authors
Pegine Echevarria, MSW, HoF, CVP
Quoted in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and featured on Speaker and Minority Business Enterprise magazines, Pegine, who goes by her first name, is the only Latina in the Motivational Speakers Hall of Fame, alongside stars like Jack Canfield. Through Power Women Worldwide groups, she focuses on uplifting women in leadership. She is the founder and leader of multi-million-dollar businesses and a sought after speaker and presenter. Pegine has received business recognition from the Women’s Business Minority National Council, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Small Business Administration, which named her a Women in Business Champion. www.powerwomenworldwide.com
Mindy Gibbins-Klein, MBA, CVP
Mindy Gibbins-Klein is a multi-award-winning international speaker, thought leadership strategist, book coach and publisher. She has authored and co-authored 10 books, and has presented to and coached over 50,000 business executives and entrepreneurs in 18 countries. Mindy created The Book Midwife® brand, and designed the methodology that has helped over one thousand leaders to take their ideas and turn them into thought-leading books.
“Am I Strange?” is Diana Watson’s most renowned presentation with over one million views within two weeks. As a bilingual professional, Diana also presents in Mandarin, and this one video transformed how the world views Black people who speak Chinese. Her first book, The Speaking Seed: Secrets to Successful Foreign Language Public Speaking, is the first book ever dedicated to foreign language public speaking. www.dianawatson.net
Cindy Tschosik
Cindy Tschosik is a certified ghostwriter, professional speaker and mental wellness advocate. For more than 25 years, Tschosik held leadership roles in legal, corporate, IT and nonprofits. In 2013, she launched SoConnected, a full-service marketing firm for business owners and professional speakers. During a challenging summer in 2008, Tschosik was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Her mission came out of her mental wellness journey.
Inno Lifecare Joins the Canadian Association of Medical Mask Manufacturers as Third Founding Member of New Industry Association
A leader in vertical integration, machine learning and blockchain technology, Inno Lifecare will provide key insights and subject matter expertise to support new methodologies and technologies in the emerging medical mask industry across Canada.
KELOWNA, BC and VANCOUVER, BC, April 22, 2021 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Medical Mask Manufacturers (CAMMM) is pleased to announce that Inno Lifecare of Vancouver, BC has joined as a third founding member, along with Breathe Medical Manufacturing of Kelowna, BC and The Canadian Shield of Waterloo, Ontario. CAMMM's main goals are: 1) to help enhance the economic health of the medical mask manufacturing industry in Canada; and 2) to help build an established standards and regulatory system to protect Canadians.
Inno Lifecare is a division of innofoods, a global food company based in Vancouver, BC and the largest organic snacks manufacturer in the world. In 2020, the company established Inno Lifecare to produce medical masks, and their surgical N95 respirators were given Health Canada authorization for sale in March 2021. The company is a leader in AI and machine learning and has a strong focus on vertical integration, all of which have allowed them to quickly meet changing market demand. Inno Lifecare's PPE also offers full blockchain traceability, adapted from the company's world-class food traceability platform—designed in-house—that gives end consumers full reassurance on product quality and specifications.
On joining CAMMM as the third founding member, Inno Lifecare CEO and Founder Jae Park said: "Inno Lifecare is dedicated to putting Canadians first. This means not only producing safe, Canadian-made PPE, but also playing a leading role in establishing standards across our industry and supporting Canadian manufacturing and Canadian jobs."
"Inno Lifecare's extensive expertise in vertical integration and emerging technology will play an important role in CAMMM, and we are pleased to have them on board," said Robert Balazs, Chairperson of CAMMM.
Over the coming months, CAMMM will work directly with key stakeholders and various levels of government to establish standards and regulations for the medical mask manufacturing industry.
Canadian companies, organizations, individuals, and suppliers within the industry are welcome and encouraged to join the association. Members of the industry interested in learning more about joining the Canadian Association of Medical Mask Manufacturers can obtain more information at www.cammm.ca.
About Inno Lifecare Inno Lifecare (a division of innofoods) is a manufacturer of medical masks with a mission statement to develop and make products that enhance and protect life. Based in Vancouver, BC, innofoods is a world leader in the confectionary space. We take these standards and apply them to the masks we manufacture in Canada. For more information, visit www.innolifecare.ca.
About the Canadian Association of Medical Mask Manufacturers (CAMMM) CAMMM works closely with the federal and provincial-territorial governments, health professionals, member companies, suppliers and other stakeholders to deliver safe, accessible, innovative and sustainable medical masks for Canadians and export markets. For more information, visit www.cammm.ca.
SOURCE Canadian Association of Medical Mask Manufacturers
Most of us know the usual culprits of back pain; stress, excess body weight, improper lifting technique, and poor posture. While these are the typical causes, unexpected issues can be causing all that agony. Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non organic - meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29573870/). We spoke to Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, NYC area Orthopedic and Spinal Surgeon to discuss the surprising factors that could be causing your back pain.
1. Smoking
Smoking increases brain activity that makes people less resilient when it comes to responding to back pain. Smoking also causes premature aging of discs by decreasing blood supply to the discs in the back, thus leading to pain in the lower back.
2. The incorrect mattress
Old mattresses start to form dips from years of use. The dips in the mattress cause the spine to curve, leading to constant stiffness or pain. A mattress that is too firm can cause strain on pressure points in the knees, hip, shoulders, and back, which can cause backaches. If the mattress is too soft, your spine is not supported well enough, and the spine can fall out of alignment.
3. Your purse or wallet
Structural imbalances in the spinal column can occur when you sit on your wallet. This can happen because one side of your body is higher than the other, and an excess amount of physical stress is placed on the lower spine. This can lead to lower back pain and numbness. Carrying a heavy purse or bag on one shoulder can also cause a neck and spinal tilt that can lead to backaches. Remove your wallet from your back pocket when you are sitting down, and regularly switch your purse from one shoulder to another.
4. Your wardrobe
There are unexpected items in your wardrobe that could be causing your back pain. Skinny jeans, heavy bags, strapless bras, high heels, and backless shoes are all clothing items that may be influencing your pain. Try to limit the amount of time you spend in these clothes to promote optimal wellness.
5. Dehydration
When you are dehydrated, the spinal discs lose water, and your spine is in distress. When this happens, the spine takes on the full shock of your movements, which can lead to pain. Avoid drinks with caffeine and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
6. Your cell phone
Constantly hunching your neck over to look down at your phone compresses and tightens the muscles and tendons in the front structure of your neck. This creates imbalance and results in reduced mobility, shoulder and neck pain, a curvature formation at the upper back, and even headaches.
7. Incorrect ergonomic work set up
Many people have been working from home due to the pandemic. Working from home has led to slouching and hunching in front of our handheld laptops or work from home setups. Slouching can lead to neck and shoulder pain, back problems, and stiff hips. Make sure to sit all the way back in a computer chair and keep your thighs horizontal to your knees at hip level.
About the Doctor
Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, leads The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices in the greater New York City area, as a spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Okubadejo specializes in the treatment of degenerative spinal disease, spinal deformity, and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic conditions.
Dr. Okubadejo earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. He completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Okubadejo completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.
Dr. Okubadejo is a published research author and has presented his findings at several major spinal conferences around the globe. While a surgical resident, he won the Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation Resident Award for the best research project. In 2017, Dr. Okubadejo formed the company 360 Dynamized Core, which is focused on creating innovative, spine-safe core fitness products and routines. The first patented product, 360
CoreBoard, launched to the market in 2020. Find out more at 360coreboard.com
Dr. Okubadejo believes in the power of preventive care, minimally invasive surgical procedures, open communication with patients, and personalized care. When he’s not caring for patients, he enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures and the arts, and playing golf.
Anger Grows Across Canada as COVID's Third Wave Takes Hold: INNOVATIVE Research Group Launches Comprehensive Website Tracking the Canadian COVID Experience over 2020/21
TORONTO, April 22, 2021 /CNW/ - Over a year after the onset of the global pandemic, Canadians are less fearful of contracting COVID-19 and more angry at their governments, new research shows. INNOVATIVE Research Group has conducted more than 53,000 interviews with Canadians over 23 separate surveys since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Today, these results are available on INNOVATIVE's newly launched COVID-19 tracking website. The site https://innovativeresearch.ca/covid-19 is updated every two weeks for up to the minute results that can inform businesses and government decision makers how best to support Canadians through this crisis. INNOVATIVE has tracked a wide variety of topics from the beginning, and the comprehensive results are organized under four key questions:
How are Canadians experiencing COVID-19?
What are the implications for governments?
What are the implications for business?
What are the implications for public health?
INNOVATIVE has looked at many aspects of Canadians' personal experience with COVID-19, including attention, experience with the disease and, in the most recent survey, emotions. Canadians have always felt a limited sense of threat from COVID-19. While 36% of Canadians reported often or always feeling afraid in March 2020, that has been reduced to 27% in April 2021. "For many people, the serious effects of the disease - field hospitals and fatal symptoms, are something they view on television but do not experience in their everyday lives" noted Greg Lyle, President of INNOVATIVE Research Group. "While that is good news in some respects, it creates challenges in public health."
Canadians were surveyed on how COVID-19 has impacted their behaviour – results which reveal underlying causes of this health crisis. INNOVATIVE finds that despite the greater threat of the third wave, Canadians are more likely to engage in social behaviours that might be described as "moderately risky" today than in either the first or second waves. For instance, looking at moderate risk activities such as visiting friends or family in their home or your own, 24% reported that behaviour in Wave 1, 32% in Wave 2 and 42% today.
Is Canada at a breaking point?
"Since March 2020, we have seen several trends emerge in our ongoing tracking, some counter to common assumptions," said Lyle. "We've consistently found that, on average, Canadians are not experiencing more stress than they were at the outset of the pandemic and feel as able to keep up the effort to combat COVID-19 as they did last spring. There has, however, been a recent decline in confidence around access to healthcare services and a need for improved communications from Public Health. While most Canadians say they have a clear idea of what they have to do to protect each other, they remain confused by mixed messages from various levels of government."
While Canadians generally are not experiencing exhaustion or greater levels of stress, there are communities where results consistently show increased hardship.
"Where we do see a marked difference in the Canadian COVID experience is in marginalized communities – our research specifically in the BIPOC and LGBTQ communities revealed a stark contrast in that these communities are experiencing a disproportionate impact across the board from financial confidence to mental health," notes Lyle.
INNOVATIVE has also found, as Canadians experience the third wave, they are angrier at their governments. A year ago in March 2020, 26% reported feeling angry at government responses to COVID-19 all the time or often. Today that is up to 35%. That increased anger is found primarily in Alberta (rising from 32% to 46%) and Ontario (rising from 26% to 42%).
Looking at implications for business, public appetite remains strong for tighter lockdowns, which creates a major financial challenge in many sectors. Despite economic challenges, tracking has consistently revealed that household financial confidence is generally higher than at any point since 2008, even though 38% of households are reporting a negative impact on their employment or business. "There was an initial dip in confidence at the beginning of the pandemic, but it rebounded quickly, and has remained high since" Lyle said. "This confidence is directly tied to people's knowledge of and access to government programs."
While personal financial confidence is achieved as a direct result of positive perceptions of government support programs, overall support of governments in Canada has recently declined. Most Canadian governments enjoyed strong approval ratings in the spring, and again in the fall. INNOVATIVE's latest survey results show that numbers are slipping with the federal government approval at its lowest (44%) since mid-March 2020, and approval of provincial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic also declining with a sharp drop of 6 points this week to 30% in Ontario while Alberta sits at only 33%.
Results are based on research conducted between March 2020 and April 2021. The surveys for this project are online surveys. Most waves are part of INNOVATIVE's monthly Canada This Month study, but some are standalone surveys dedicated to COVID-19. Each report, available at https://innovativeresearch.ca/covid-19 includes detailed methodologies for the studies the report is based on.
"We are pleased to make this wealth of information available to the public and to all decision-makers looking for insights into how we can move through this in the most healthy and economically sound way possible," said Lyle. "The data reinforces the incredible resiliency and hopefulness that we have seen time and again across this country, but also highlights growing concerns and behaviours that must continue to be curbed to reduce climbing case counts."
About INNOVATIVE Research Group
Innovative Research Group is a full-service public opinion research and consultation firm. From our offices in Toronto and Vancouver, we provide clients with strategic insights using a full-range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. At INNOVATIVE, we are about more than just collecting data. We have thought deeply about how opinion forms and changes both generally and in terms of specific challenges. We are focused on applying insights in the real world. We thrive on challenges and have the track record to prove it. For more information or to get in touch, visit innovativeresearch.ca.
SOURCE Innovative Research Group
TRAIN IT RIGHT NEWSLETTER
Sign Up and get a free 7 day Train it Right HIIT Program!
