Trying to Have a Baby? Study Shows Most of Canada's Employers Don't Offer Fertility Benefits and the Ones That Do, Offer Less Than $3,500
National awareness campaign launches to advocate for women and families, calls on employers to do better
TORONTO, Feb. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - On February 2nd, fertility patient groups, Conceivable Dreams and Fertility Matters Canada are launching Fertility Benefits Matter, a new campaign to encourage employers to improve fertility benefits and raise awareness on the current state of fertility support across Canada. Given the number of Canadian couples facing fertility challenges has doubled over the last 40 years, and the high costs of treatment and drugs, the campaign hopes to put a spotlight on this critical issue.
In Canada, the average cost of one round of IVF is approximately $20,000 and surrogacy costs upwards of $80,000. With limited provincial government funding (only five provinces provide some sort of public funding – see our infographic here) and employer benefits, these high costs put these procedures out of reach for many Canadians.
To better understand how employers are supporting their employees to create families, the group commissioned new research to review employer benefits plans in Canada. The research reviewed a sample of small to large employers, across all provinces, in all industries. It found that the majority of Canadian employers did not provide fertility benefits. Of those that did provide benefits:
Only 5% provided coverage for both fertility drugs and other fertility costs such as IVF procedures and testing.
More than 85% of these benefits plans had lifetime maximums in place for fertility drugs; these ranged from $2,400 to $18,000 with a median of $3,250 per lifetime.
One in five (21%), had annual maximums in place; these ranged from $600 to $2,000 with a median of $1,150 per year.
"Many Canadians are choosing to have families later in life when their fertility is on the decline. Single parents and non-heteronormative individuals and couples rely on family building options such as IVF, surrogacy, gamete donation, or adoption," says Carolynn Dubé, Executive Director of Fertility Matters Canada. "Family building has changed. We recognize that many employers do not understand what that looks like for countless Canadians. We want to educate them so they can provide better benefits to their employees."
Despite the increase in fertility challenges, and the actual fertility costs experienced by patients, it is apparent that the coverage provided by employer benefits plans is not adequate. Employers who offer family-friendly benefits can also improve employee retention and productivity finds US research from FertilityIQ. Employees who had their IVF covered reported being more likely to remain in their job for a longer period (62%), were more willing to overlook shortcomings of their employer (53%) and were more likely to work harder (22%).
In addition, the perceived stigma associated with fertility challenges forces many employees to struggle in silence. According to a survey from Fertility Network UK, 50% of women did not disclose their treatment to their employer out of fear that the employer wouldn't take them seriously and over 40% due to concerns about its negative effects on their career prospects.
"We are calling on employers and insurers to be part of the change and lead by example," says Tara Wood, Fertility Advocate and the Board President of Conceivable Dreams. "Employers that offer inclusive benefits that meet the needs of all employees, plus attract and retain great talent. We are asking insurance providers to offer more comprehensive fertility coverage options for plan sponsors and to update plan language to reflect modern family needs and treatment options."
Fertility Benefits Matter will start a national dialogue to encourage employers to play an integral part in creating change and supporting the creation of Canadian families. Patients across Canada are urged to visit www.fertilitybenefits.ca to download a toolkit to help them to feel confident when speaking to their employer about improving benefit plans. Employers can download information on the business case for providing comprehensive fertility benefits. Employers, insurers, and employees are invited to visit FertilityBenefits.ca on February 2nd for more information.
About Conceivable Dreams Conceivable Dreams is a volunteer-run patient group that advocates for equitable access to fertility treatments. Since 2008, Conceivable Dreams has led the public movement towards achieving government funding for IVF in Ontario and now has a national mandate to improve fertility benefits. Learn more at ConceivableDreams.org.
About Fertility Matters Canada Fertility Matters Canada is the national organization that empowers Canadians to reach their reproductive health goals by providing support, awareness, information and education; and promoting equal access to fertility treatments. They are a registered charity and Canada's fertility resource.
SOURCE Conceivable Dreams
Isophit welcomes four-time World Figure Skating Champion and Canadian icon Kurt Browning to its ownership team
TORONTO, Feb. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - It is with great pleasure that we welcome four-time World Figure Skating Champion and Canadian icon Kurt Browning to the ownership team at Isophit™ (Isologex Corp).
"Two years ago, after sustaining a hockey injury that left my neck and arm injured, I was introduced to Brad Thorpe for rehabilitation. I did not know at the time that he was the inventor of an exercise product called Isophit.
Our immediate goal was to eliminate my pain and restore my muscular function. Within days, I was feeling much better, and working out with Brad's Isophit invention.
Weeks later, I accepted an invitation from Brad to experience his five-hour Isophit workout challenge. He calls the program 30inThirty™. It's 30 isometric exercises in just 30 minutes. There's no weightlifting or cardio training required. Just pressing my arms and legs into the Isophit in different positions.
As a lifetime athlete and exerciser, I never would have believed that isometric strength training with Isophit could have such a profound impact on my life.
Isophit eliminated my pain and dysfunction. At the end of the five-hour challenge, I lost approximately 4lbs pounds without altering my diet or lifestyle. That's huge on a small frame like mine.
Jump forward to today, I am now 54 years of age and I no longer experience the pain I experienced during my forties. To top it off, because of Isophit, I am still skating professionally and look more muscular poolside.
Brad informed me that isometric strength training is a great way to help lower blood pressure and increase bone density and muscle strength.
If I can sum it up, Isophit has given me the option to keep performing as a professional figure skater. And, this is how I want to stay in shape as I age!
I wanted to help bring the feeling of pain-free living to everyone across Canada and around the world. That is why I invested in Isophit"
~ Kurt Browning
Isophit specializes in the design, development, and distribution of isometric strength training products, education, and media. Isophit is now available in over 130 facilities in 15 countries. Our more notable clients include the US Army, the Boca West Country Club, Canyon Ranch, and EXOS.
When it comes to combating the most common symptoms of low T, testosterone replacement therapy can be an extremely effective solution. In fact, most men report an improvement in their symptoms as soon as two weeks after beginning treatment.
But some of the most unwanted symptoms of low T also benefit from another solution: peptides.
If you’re asking yourself “what’s a peptide?” right now, you’re not alone. In a recent survey by men’s telehealth company Vault Health, only 35% of respondents reported knowing what peptides are.
Peptides are small naturally-occurring molecules of less than 50 amino acids that signal the body’s natural production of certain compounds such as hormones, according to Dr. Myles Spar, Vault’s Chief Medical Officer. “Chances are, you’re already familiar with a peptide or two. Insulin, for example, is a peptide that draws blood sugar, or glucose, into cells,” he says.
Different peptides will have different (and very specific) effects on the body.
“Growth hormone secretagogues are one example of peptides that can increase the body’s natural production of growth hormone in a safe and effective way, which can help you boost energy, burn fat, and build muscle. Other peptides can affect hair growth, support the immune system, or improve brain cell functioning,” says Dr. Spar.
Though the research behind peptides and their effects on the body continues to expand each day, Vault Health’s medical team has zoned in on several specific peptides that are safe, FDA approved, and have been proven to help with physical, cognitive, and sexual performance. They include:
Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides
Growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) are small molecules that naturally boost the body’s production of growth hormone. GHRPs gently coax the body to produce growth hormone by affecting the pituitary gland, making these a safe and effective option for men looking to improve their body composition and physique, regardless of T levels. Increased levels of growth hormone can help with energy levels, sleep quality, and mood while making it easier to pack on muscle mass and lose some body fat.
Dr. Spar says: “For example, our Body Kit utilizes two different peptides in combination for their synergistic effect— CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin. CJC-1295 stimulates the secretion of growth hormones while Ipamorelin blocks a growth hormone inhibitor.”
Semax Peptide
A recent study found that Semax can improve brain circulation and functioning–and also significantly improve memory and attention. Other studies have even shown Semax to
be effective in protecting brain cells from damage. Semax works by increasing the production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which boosts brain cell production and protects brain cells from early death.
“This peptide is so powerful that it is used in many settings for people with dementia or traumatic brain injury,” says Dr. Spar. Vault Health also offers Semax as part of its Brain Kit where it is accompanied by a brain-boosting mix of natural supplements that can help protect the brain from the toxic effects of chronic stress and improve the overall resiliency of brain cells.
Bremelanotide Peptide
Bremelanotide, a peptide hormone that activates melanocortin receptors, is an effective and efficient treatment for both erectile dysfunction and increased libido in men and women. It’s also one of the key ingredients in Vault’s Libido Kit. “So, if you’re having trouble getting turned on, ask your provider if Bremelanotide can help,” says Dr. Spar.
Oxytocin Peptide
The Oxytocin peptide is a safe and potent supplement based on the hormone Oxytocin that our bodies produce naturally in many scenarios, like when you have an extended hug with someone for 30 seconds or more. Dr. Spar says: “As a bonding hormone, Oxytocin will help you feel more connected to your partner and has the incredible side effect of increasing the intensity of orgasms, which is one of the main reasons it’s included in our Sex Kit. Not only this, but Oxytocin works to promote a generally improved sense of wellbeing and acts to reduce stress.”
“We believe supplements should be treated like icing on the cake rather than standalone treatments. When used to support a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress and sleep management, peptides can have an incredible impact on body composition,” says Dr. Spar.
APA: U.S. ADULTS REPORT HIGHEST STRESS LEVEL SINCE EARLY DAYS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
More than 80% report emotions associated with prolonged stress, says post-inauguration Stress in AmericaTM survey
WASHINGTON — As the U.S. confronts a bitter election season, political unrest and violence, a shaky economy, and a soaring death toll due to COVID-19, 84% of U.S. adults say the country has serious societal issues that we need to address, according to a new poll.
At the same time, 9 in 10 adults say they hope that the country moves toward unity, according to Stress in AmericaTM: January 2021 Stress Snapshot, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association.
The survey found that the average reported stress level during the prior month was 5.6, (on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 means “little to no stress” and 10 means “a great deal of stress”). This is higher than stress levels reported in 2020 Stress in AmericaTM surveys since April. It is therefore no surprise that 84% of adults reported feeling at least one emotion associated with prolonged stress in the prior two weeks. The most common were feelings of anxiety (47%), sadness (44%) and anger (39%). Additionally, 2 in 3 adults (67%) said the number of issues America is facing is overwhelming to them.
“Nearly a year into the pandemic, prolonged stress persists at elevated levels for many Americans. As we work to address stressors as a nation, from unemployment to education, we can’t ignore the mental health consequences of this global shared experience,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s chief executive officer. “Without addressing stress as part of a national recovery plan, we will be dealing with the mental health fallout from this pandemic for years to come.”
The majority of adults reported the future of our nation (81%), the coronavirus pandemic (80%) and political unrest around the country (74%) as significant sources of stress in their lives. And despite more than three weeks having passed since the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 66% of adults said this event was a significant source of stress. The events on Jan. 6 also impacted adults disproportionately: Almost three-quarters of Black adults (74%) said that the Capitol breach was a significant source of stress, compared with 65% of white adults and 60% of Hispanic adults.
Regardless of political affiliation, the majority of Americans reported emotions associated with stress (85% of Democrats, 83% of Republicans and 83% of independents). They also shared similar concerns about the country: When looking at the future of our nation, slightly more than 8 in 10 Democrats (82%), Republicans (82%) and independents (81%) said it was a significant source of stress.
APA offered the following evidence-based advice to help people manage their stress:
Give yourself permission to take a break from the news, social media or even certain friends. Constantly exposing ourselves to negative information, images and rhetoric maintains our stress at unhealthy levels.
Practice the rule of “three good things” and ask friends and family to do the same. The rule states that at the end of each day, reflect on three good things that happened — large or small. This helps decrease anxiety, counter depression and build emotional resiliency.
Practice self-care in 15- or 30-minute increments throughout the day. This can include taking a short walk, calling a friend or watching a funny show. Parents should encourage or help their children to do the same.
Stay connected with friends and family. This helps build emotional resiliency so you can support one another.
Keep things in perspective. Try to reframe your thinking to reduce negative interpretations of day-to-day experiences and events.
More information about managing stress and infographics on the findings are available at www.stressinamerica.org.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association from Jan. 21 to 25, 2021, among 2,076 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey was not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, contact sbethune@apa.org.
5 Eco-friendly swaps that are better for you and the planet
This year, make the switch to a plastic-free lifestyle while supporting these sustainable brands.SAN DIEGO, CALIF- FEBRUARY 01, 2021 -- Goodbye 2020 hello 2021! After an arduous year, it’s nice to see brands that are creating a positive impact on the planet. With plastic being recycled only 9% of the time, these companies are making a commitment to change. Switching to a plastic-free lifestyle has never been easier. We’ve compiled a list of 5 stand-out brands for our eco-friendly New year Resolutions.
1. NonikoClean up your bathroom while cleaning up the planet! Noniko, the first-ever plastic-free, all natural refillable deodorant is creating a new industry standard for personal care products. This sleek stainless steel deodorant case is yours for life and the stainless steel refills are meant to be sent back to the company to be sanitized and refilled. Hello circular economy! To add on to that, Noniko offers a seamless conscious subscription that delivers your new refill to your door, and a prepaid shipping label to send your old refill back. This company is making deodorant fun and eco-friendly. The perfect countertop eye candy.
2. Dropps Dropps offers non-toxic, plastic-free laundry and kitchen cleaning products that harness the power of nature to make your household squeaky clean. These non-toxic products are helping to turn the tide against pollution, plastic waste, and animal cruelty. To make things better? When you subscribe you get 30% off your order! 3. Boyish This eco-friendly clothing brand will for sure make your wardrobe more sustainable this year. Boyish is a sustainable denim line focused on quality, fit and authentic washes. Their collections are centered on vintage silhouettes with a modern twist. Boyish commitment to the planet is seen throughout their whole product development cycle from the factories they work with to the dyes they use and the amount of water produced to make denim. All jeans are produced with sustainable fabrics through a completely environmentally-friendly and cruelty-free process. Sustainable and affordable? Sign us up!
4. Bite Bite is determined to eliminate plastic waste one toothpaste tablet at a time. This brand reinvented toothpaste for the better. Not only are they plastic-free, but there are no cheap fillers, harsh chemicals, and artificial dyes in their ingredients- only the good stuff. Committed to sustainability from start to finish, this brand covers everything. Bite offers a subscription program in which you receive your refills straight to your doorstep in 100% compostable mailers. Say goodbye to your old toothpaste tube, and say hello to the future!5. Blueland Blueland is changing the way we clean. Buy your bottle once and refill forever. From cleaning tablets, to powder detergent, there is 20 oz of powerful cleaning spray all in the size of a nickel. Blueland emphasizes the reuse model. After all, plastic is meant to last forever and is unfontunately only used once. This brand wants to change that by offering refill tablets and laundry detergent powder to pop into the bottles that you have already purchased from Blueland.
HeartLife Foundation Puts Heart Failure at the Centre of Heart Month with Launch of New Tools to Support Canadians
First and only heart failure Charter addresses importance of establishing a national standard of care for Canadian patients and their caregivers
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 1, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, HeartLife Foundation (HLF), Canada's first – and only – national patient-led Heart Failure (HF) organization, is calling attention to the realities of living with HF by releasing the first-of-its-kind Canadian Heart Failure Patient & Caregiver Charter. Coinciding with February's Heart Month, the Charter outlines a set of rights and responsibilities to support the creation and implementation of a much-needed national standard of care for Canadians living with HF and their caregivers.
HF is a common, chronic heart disease on the rise in Canada, with more than 600,000 Canadians living with HF.[i] Each year, 92,900 Canadians are newly diagnosed – a diagnosis that changes a person's life forever.[ii] People living with HF experience an emotional and physical burden with the disease. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and swelling of the ankles and feet. People living with HF experience changes to their lifestyle, may be unable to do all the things they used to and may need to rely more on others. Patients and their caregivers are overwhelmed with medical information, medications, appointments, and in some cases device therapy. It is important to note, heart failure does not have a cure. New feelings of fear, uncertainty and loneliness are common, but there is hope. By diagnosing and treating the potentially debilitating effects of HF at its early stages, people can live longer, fuller and more active lives.
When it comes to HF, diagnosis, access to care, medical therapies and support services varies widely from one region to the next. That's why HLF has been working to bring support to Canadians living with HF through awareness with patients, families, and caregivers and tools like the Charter.
"We're thrilled to launch the Charter. It's more important than ever to ensure a national standard of high-quality care for all Canadians living with heart failure," said Marc Bains, Co-Founder, VP, HLF and heart transplant recipient who was diagnosed at age 23. "The Charter is a step forward to ensuring the patient voice is heard, and that all Canadians have access to consistent high-quality care that can improve their quality of life."
In the era of a pandemic, people living with HF are highly vulnerable and at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and experiencing further complications with their disease.[iii] The effects of the pandemic on healthcare resources means many patients are waiting longer for care, and the longer they wait, the higher the chances of further, irreversible damage to the heart.
"As someone living with heart failure, I know first-hand the impact of the diagnosis and how it changes your life. That's why it's our goal at HLF to provide hope by improving health outcomes and the lives of Canadians with heart failure no matter where they live," said Bains. "It's crucial to not leave heart failure patients and their caregivers behind. Together, we can establish better access to the resources, support and standardized care needed to live the quality of life we deserve during the pandemic and beyond. HeartLife's vision is to create a better everyday life for people living with HF. It's about life, not failure."
The Charter intends to improve the understanding of what HF and HF care is, facilitate discussions with stakeholders to drive change, establish a national standard of care consistent across Canada and develop real-world solutions for patients. To create the Charter, HLF worked with patients and family caregivers from across Canada to gain insight into the challenges facing Canadians directly affected by the disease.
Alongside the Charter, through the support of HF patients, caregivers and health care practitioners, HLF is also launching the HF Patient Journey Map. The tool captures real patient experiences: life before diagnosis, the diagnosis and living with HF. It illustrates the many unique stories to help visualize the impact of the disease and show how with the right supports, patients can live well with HF.
HF is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body to meet its needs. The heart is unable to fill with enough blood, or its pumping action isn't strong enough, or both.
Survival is improved through education, awareness, and access to specialist health care and therapy. A timely and accurate HF diagnosis is essential in receiving treatment, improving quality of life and reducing hospitalizations.
About HeartLife Foundation
HeartLife Foundation is Canada's first – and only – national patient-led Heart Failure organization. We are a Federal Charity aimed at raising public awareness of Heart Failure, engaging patients, families, and caregivers to provide education and support, facilitate access to the latest research, innovations, and treatments, and advocate better care for all.
HLF is available for "heart-to-heart" media interviews.
Make ‘Go on a Diet’ Resolutions Obsolete with the Whole Person Integrative Eating Program
San Francisco, CA, February 1, 2021 — What if you never again need to make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or “go on a diet” because your most-of-the-time way of eating empowers you to eat and weigh less? Original, pioneering research by holistic nutrition researcher Deborah Kesten, M.P.H., and behavioral scientist Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D.—authors of the award-winning Whole Person Integrative Eating: A Breakthrough Dietary Lifestyle to Treat the Root Causes of Overeating, Overweight, and Obesity—reveals that replacing the complex reasons you overeat— called “overeating styles”—with the scientifically sound Whole Person Integrative Eating (WPIE) dietary lifestyle (meaning, WPIE is a way of life; it’s not a traditional diet) may make weight-loss resolutions obsolete.
“Now is the time to ‘reset’ and rethink what and how we eat; to replace traditional dieting with a scientifically sound way of eating that lessens overeating and that leads naturally to weight loss, health and healing,” says Kesten.
Kesten and Scherwitz share a simple yet powerful premise: Identify the reasons you overeat (your overeating styles) and gain weight—with the illuminating self-assessment quiz—then overcome overeating and lose weight by replacing your overeating styles with the antidotes: the elements of the Whole Person Integrative Eating program.
By shedding light on the root causes of overeating, Kesten and Scherwitz present a program that empowers readers with a personalized plan, and in turn new hope and new choices to help them reduce overeating, lose weight and keep it off.
WPIE is not a diet that a person goes on … then off. It is a scientifically sound, dietary lifestyle designed to be practiced for a lifetime.
"If people follow the revolutionary program outlined in this game-changing, insightful book, it may be the most helpful step they can take toward losing weight and keeping it off," says bestselling author Kenneth Pelletier, M.D., Ph.D., clinical professor of medicine at University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco.
The authors’ paradigm-shifting message is that food influences not only the physical dimensions of health, but also our emotional, spiritual and social well-being. Their dietary lifestyle can build bridges between the millions who struggle with overeating and weight issues and the medical community. And it can inspire us all to re-envision our relationships with food, eating and weight, so that each time we eat, we are nourished … for life.
Deborah Kesten, M.P.H.,is an international nutrition researcher, award-winning author and health journalist, with a specialty in preventing and reversing obesity and heart disease. She is also an experienced, expert speaker and presenter—from TV and podcast interviews to large conferences and small-group workshops.
Kesten served as Nutritionist on Dean Ornish, M.D.’s first clinical trial for reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes, the results of which were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. She was Director of Nutrition at cardiovascular clinics in Europe and on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, San Francisco.
Kesten has published more than 400 nutrition and health articles. Her first book, Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul, received the first-place gold award in the Spirituality category from the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Whole Person Integrative Eating has been honored with the No.1 gold, best-book award in the Health category by Book Excellence Awards and is a No. 1 Amazon best seller. Kesten is a VIP Contributor at Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global, and is married to behavioral scientist and co-author of Whole Person Integrative Eating, Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D.
For many, Valentine’s Day is a day to give and receive love from loved ones. And while it’s important to show other’s how much you admire and appreciate them, it is important to remember that you are also your own Valentine!
Bestselling author, former immunologist, and leading mind-body wellness expert, Jaya Jaya Myra, states that finding ways to support your own mind, body and soul is the perfect Valentine treat to help you feel refreshed, rejuvenated and happy.
“We spend so much time focusing on others that many people forget to take care of themselves on or around Valentine’s Day. Well, focusing on you is the most important thing you can do. One, it’ll make you more attractive in the eyes of others when you have a healthy self-respect and two, whenever you feel better, you give other people permission to feel better about themselves too. You can spread love just by being a source of it to yourself.” says Jaya Jaya Myra.
Here are Jaya Jaya Myra’s top 4 ways you can practice self-care this Valentine’s Day:
Tip #1: Go for the Dark Chocolate - dark chocolate is not only an aphrodisiac, it also stimulates dopamine production in the body which helps elevate mood and wellbeing naturally. Win-win!
Tip #2: Make a Gratitude Jar - Get an empty jar and a notepad. Start making small notes each time you truly feel happy or grateful for something. Write it down, then add these notes to your jar. Come the end of the year or next year on Valentine’s Day, you’ll have hundreds of messages to yourself showing you just how awesome life can be!
Tip #3: Do Something Extra Special Today! - Maybe that means get a mani/pedi, get your hair done, get a massage, or even hire a maid to come clean your house! Splurge a little to show yourself some self love. After all, you are worth it.
Tip #4: Boost Libido Naturally (or decrease it, if you want) - Yes, there are many foods that can boost or decrease your libido naturally. If you want to get your sexy time on, you can go for some staples including celery or celery juice, ginger or ginger juice (note, those two combined are heavenly), pomegranates, saffron, apples, or fenugreek. If you want to slow it down and decrease libido, grab a salad, mint, licorice, or red meat. These can help keep you cool and out of a funk if you’re single or spending the day alone.
Powerful True Story Inspires Others to Seek Adventure, Turn Each Day into a Gift
Fort Wayne, IN, February 1, 2021 — Brittany Moser’s short life was not defined by how she died, but rather, by how she lived each day to the fullest and the profound impact she had on those around her. Brittany died from a rare condition, Addison’s disease, in 2017 at the age of 32. She had been a happy-go-lucky flight attendant, soaring high above reality, when her diagnosis suddenly brought her down to earth.
Rather than buckle under the weight of fear, she chose to be fearless and embarked upon the adventure of a lifetime with her best friend — her father. Free and Fearless: The Amazing Impact of One Precious Lifeis Brittany’s unforgettable story as told by her father, Philip Moser.
“This book is not about the grief of losing a child, but about making the most out of what we are given and living our lives positively and not out of fear,” Moser writes. “Brittany inspired me, an ordinary farm boy, to explore life, to climb mountains and to write a book.”
Free and Fearless is an honest, poignant account of Brittany’s legacy and the ripple effect that her outlook on life had on everyone who knew her. Philip hopes that by hearing her story, readers will be inspired by Brittany’s contagious spirit and unwavering desire for new adventures and experiences — even in the shadow of an incurable illness.
Among Brittany’s valuable life lessons that Philip shares with readers are:
1. How precious life is and how we can affect the people around us; 2. How an open mind and a positive attitude can inspire us to do things we never thought possible; 3. How to move out of our comfort zones and into a challenging existence that can turn each day into an exciting gift to be explored; 4. How to not let fear control us, and to use our abilities to seek unique, positive and inspiring adventures; 5. To embrace change as a natural part of life; 6. And finally, that we won’t be remembered by our things or our savings accounts, but by how we made other people feel.
“I want to share the same inspiration that I received for 32 years,” Philip added. “In the end, love truly does conquer all, and Brittany wanted us to know that.”
Author Philip Moser grew up on a farm in Angola, Indiana. After high school, he began working in different aspects of the grocery business, a career that continues to this day. He and his wife, Marilyn Wells, raised two incredible daughters, Camille and Brittany.
Atlanta, GA, February 1, 2021 — Your veterinarian chose to dedicate his or her life to the altruistic pursuit of tending to the health and lives of pets. What you may not have considered is that the health and life of your veterinarian also needs protecting: he or she is nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than someone among the general population. But there are ways you can help.
Sandy Weaver, author of the groundbreaking new book Happy Vet Happy Pet: Caring for Your Pet’s Caregiver, is on a mission to ease the lives of veterinarians, one client’s heart at a time.
“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 shares Sandy’s unique point of view that it takes a village to save a veterinarian. “Making pet owners mindful of how their behavior impacts their veterinarian mobilizes the village to help solve the problem,” she adds.
This book 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.
