From Diet-Related Bulimia and Binge-Eating to Living Her Dream Life: How Gastric Bypass Changed Irish Woman’s Life
Ava Twomey. Photo taken from personal archives
When constant dieting triggered severe health issues, Ava Twomey, a 24-year-old social worker from Ireland, sought medical help. After going to Lithuania for a gastric bypass, she managed to lose over 60 kg of excess weight and fulfill her life dreams.
September 21, 2022. Restrictive dieting has often been linked to overeating, a binge eating disorder, depression, and anxiety. Although it helps to lose some excess weight, a person will likely regain the lost weight over time. After dieting for many years, Ms. Ava Twomey, 24, from Kildare, Ireland, felt she needed drastic measures to get her body back to a healthy state.
Dieting posed risks to health
Ms. Ava Twomey has been a member of slimming groups from age 13 to 21. She felt like she was constantly dieting yet could not return to a healthy weight. At one point, Ms. Twomey tried a shake diet where she would consume nothing but shakes for a month, which resulted in bulimia and a binge eating disorder. Her health was deteriorating at a fast pace, but she still did not feel good about her body.
“I was depressed, deflated, exhausted, and in constant pain. I would get blisters and sores between my thighs from walking and sweating while carrying a massive amount of excess weight,” Ms. Twomey said.
As a social worker, she’d always been on her feet. Yet, walking a flight of stairs would make her out of breath, and she was always afraid people would not want to work with her because she was not as fit. Even in her personal life, Ms. Twomey did not feel like herself, avoiding going out with friends, or not wearing the clothes that she liked.
“I felt so alone like no one understood how hard it was to be me. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. I hated being with my friends and around boys. I never felt confident and never loved myself. I hated everything about me,” she added.
Ava Twomey. Photo taken from personal archives
Long wait time in Ireland prompted medical tourism to Lithuania
When she decided to get back to a healthy weight via surgery, Ms. Twomey started looking up her options in Ireland. However, she was told she would have to wait up to 10 years for surgery in Ireland, and it would cost her about 20K euro.
“I needed a drastic change, and not in 10 years. So I did a lot of research and came up with several options of clinics in Lithuania and Turkey. However, after reading testimonies and reviews by former patients, I felt confident trusting my body with a surgeon at Nordbariatric Clinic in Lithuania,” Ms. Twomey said.
She contacted the Nordbariatric Clinic, a leading international bariatric center in Kaunas, Lithuania, in October 2020. During the consultations, the surgeon advised her to get gastric bypass surgery. As her medical records showed that she had a hiatus hernia, it could have caused acid reflux in the future, had she gone for gastric sleeve surgery. After graduating from college, Ms. Twomey had surgery in May 2021.
Ava Twomey. Photo taken from personal archives
Lost 60 kg of excess weight
The gastric bypass surgery helped Ms. Twomey to go from around 127 kg to 63 kg, losing over 60 kg of excess weight—more than half of her body weight—in about 14 months.
“I’m so happy and confident right now. I take pride in my appearance, and love going out with my friends and my boyfriend. I also have so much more energy, work is so much easier when you are not carrying 60 kg of excess weight,” Ms. Twomey added. “I can’t believe it sometimes when I look at the mirror, and I see the person looking back at me. Although I have some excess skin, I still love it because it reminds me of the journey I have had and think about it as my battle scars.”
After the surgery, Ms. Twomey also started prioritizing healthy, homemade food and vegetables, and she no longer feels like she needs harmful diets to feel great in her own skin.
New Merit Mile Research Report Shows How Freight Tech & Logistics Executives Are Investing Into Warehouse Visibility Technologies
Report also sheds light on where industry leaders are investing in marketing/PR, and where they still find challenges with promotions and storytelling
BOCA RATON Fla., (September 21, 2022) - Merit Mile, a full-service Boca Raton-based advertising, public relations and industry research firm, released today the results of its latest market research, with trends showing how and where freight tech, logistics and supply chain businesses are seeing the most impact in their marketing and PR campaigns, as well as where they plan to make investments in the coming year. Click here to download the report.
Merit Mile commissioned an online survey of PR, thought leadership and marketing trends during August 2022 and asked roughly 1,500 supply chain, logistics and freight tech business executives a series of questions regarding their marketing and PR activities so far in 2022. The survey also analyzed how these executives are investing and implementing certain technologies pertinent to their operations.
Merit Mile’s research found that most executives need technology to help with visibility into labor planning (53.9%), followed by labor performance (52.9%), inbound/outbound shipments (48%), warehouse management (47.1%), and budgeting (45.1%).
Nearly half (48%) said they have implemented warehouse visibility technologies or have considered to make implementations over the past year. Another 48% said they do not currently have a transportation management platform but would like to make investments into a system.
Most executives said they plan to spend the majority of their 2023 marketing budget on activities such as lead-gen campaigns (57.8%), sales collateral (57.8%), traditional print marketing (54.9%), online/web marketing (52.9%), market research (52.9%), and corporate videos (52%).
Overall, 66.7% of executives feel their greatest challenge with marketing is that their messages are not creative or strong enough to grab initial attention, and 61.8% say they are getting people to open emails but not clicking on offers. Roughly half (49%) say they want to do more PR but are unsure what their external storylines should be.
“It’s no surprise that so many industry leaders and decision makers want to make investments in visibility technologies that help streamline operations and create more business efficiencies,” said John Sternal, Director of PR and Market Research for Merit Mile. “However, marketing and PR remain elusive for many of these companies primarily because the creative needs for effective promotion and storytelling has become so prevalent in today’s commercial marketplace. We’re finding that even the smartest companies understand how to excel at their operations but are simply unsure how to tell their own story.”
For more information or to view the entire report click here. For a complete marketing and PR audit of your operations please email jsternal at meritmile dot com.
About Merit Mile
Established in 2007, Merit Mile is a full-service research, marketing, and public relations and agency. As a team, Merit Mile is a resourceful and energetic collection of business-minded strategists, eccentric artists, and technology enthusiasts that are passionate about building brands, generating leads, creating awareness, and providing a level of service that strives for excellence every day. Headquartered in South Florida, Merit Mile maintains an international client base—from start-ups to Fortune-500 brands in a variety of business sectors including technology, financial services, healthcare, automotive and more. For more information, please visit http://MeritMile.com.
Parents: Learn How to Navigate the Four Freedoms of Adolescence
Austin, TX, September 21, 2022 —There’s a reason the road through adolescence is rocky — it’s supposed to be. Children must pass through “four unfolding freedoms” in order to become competent, independent and confident adults, according to psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Carl Pickhardt.
“When parents choose to have a child, they have agreed to have an adolescent,” Dr. Pickhardt says. “So effective parenting partly depends on being able to anticipate common teenage changes.”
In his new book, Holding On While Letting Go: Parenting Your Child Through the Four Freedoms of Adolescence, Dr. Pickhardt shares these four unfolding freedoms and helps parents navigate these challenging times.
The four unfolding freedoms include:
1. Freedom from rejection of childhood, around the late elementary school years, when they want to stop acting and being treated as children. 2. Freedom of association with peers, around the middle school years, when they want to form a second family of friends. 3. Freedom for older experimentation, around the high school years, when they want to try more grown-up activities. 4. Freedom to claim emancipation, around the college age years, when they decide to become their own ruling authority.
“Counseling with many families over many years, I believe there is a continuing need for parents to be informed about common changes that adolescence brings for the teenager and for themselves,” said Dr. Pickhardt. “I hope this book serves that purpose.”
Dr. Pickhardt’s message is clear: with each successive push for freedom, both parents and teens need to learn how to do less holding on to each other while doing more letting go. Readers will learn the way with compassion, experience and time-tested guidance.
About the Author Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D., is a noted psychologist, speaker and parenting expert, now retired from private counseling practice. He received his B.A. and M.Ed. from Harvard, and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a member of the American and Texas Psychological Associations. He writes a popular parenting advice column for Psychology Today and has written some of the most practical and helpful books about important parenting issues, including: The Connected Father, Stop the Screaming, The Future of Your Only Child and Why Good Kids Act Cruel. A prolific author, he continues to write three distinct kinds of books: illustrated psychology, coming of age fiction and nonfiction parenting advice. Holding On While Letting Go is his 17th parenting book. For a complete list of his books, see his website: http://www.carlpickhardt.com/.
Holding On While Letting Go: Parenting Your Child Through the Four Freedoms of Adolescence Publisher: HCI Books Release Date: October 2, 2022 ISBN-10: 0757324231 ISBN-13: 9780757324239 Trade Paperback, 336 pages Available for pre-order on Amazon.com
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Not so charitable; price gouging at nonprofit hospitals forces patients to seek nontraditional health care options
Katy Talento: ‘Very few nonprofit hospitals comply with federal law regarding price transparency — I wonder what they’re hiding?’
WASHINGTON D.C. — The majority of U.S. hospitals are designated as “nonprofit” tax-exempt organizations. These hospitals, key sellers of services in the “$4-trillion U.S. healthcare system,” often claim religious affiliation or pedigree, charitable care and other community service required by federal law, but these claims are not always backed up by compelling evidence.
For instance, non-profit hospitals have also been found to spin off their own collection agencies and sue some their poorest patients for payment, even though the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has warned against these practices. Despite the federal statute indicating “nonprofit hospitals should not engage in extraordinary collection actions before making a reasonable effort to determine whether someone is eligible for financial assistance,” these hospitals will pursue even their own low-paid employees with aggressive collection practices.
“People are often shocked when they discover the not-so-charitable truth about their local ‘nonprofit’ hospital,” said Katy Talento, executive director of Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries (The Alliance, ahcsm.org). “Very few comply with federal law regarding price transparency — I wonder what they’re hiding? Hospitals are the most notorious price-gougers in the health care industry, even and especially for patients with health insurance that’s supposed to protect them from such financial abuse. It’s no wonder that super-frustrated patients look for alternatives to traditional health insurance when trying to find a way to manage financial risk in health care.”
In one of the nastier examples of price gouging, the LA Times exposed one nonprofit hospital for the unconscionable real time price mark up of 675%. The article said the arbitrary rapacious price increases are stunningly “routine,” and that hospital software actually includes the “formula” for price hikes. Despite these hostile tactics, there are ways to fight the system and obtain price transparency, according to Talento.
“Health Care Sharing Ministries are the off ramp; they can offer a potential alternative to the unholy alliance between tax exempt hospitals and health insurers that drives patient out-of-pocket costs higher and higher,” Talento said. “Hospitals will maintain predatory practices until enough of us push back. Members of Health Care Sharing Ministries often benefit from discounted cash rates for care, significantly lower than the so-called ‘discounts’ obtained from health insurers.”
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries is a 501(c)(6) trade organization representing the common interests of Health Care Sharing Ministry organizations which are facilitating the sharing of health care needs (financial, emotional, and spiritual) by individuals and families, and their participants. The Alliance engages with federal and state regulators, members of the media, and the Christian community to provide accurate and timely information on medical cost sharing.
To learn more about the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, visit www.ahcsm.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or Twitter.
SOLVE FSHD invests US$3 million in Altay Therapeutics
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SOLVE FSHD, a venture-philanthropy organization catalyzing the pace of innovation to accelerate a cure for FSHD, announced today an investment of US$3 million in Altay Therapeutics; a company focused on developing lifesaving therapies by targeting disease-causing transcription factors. This investment will support Altay Therapeutics’ unique approach to finding an inhibitor of DUX4, a key transcription factor implicated in FSHD, that could provide an effective disease-modifying treatment.
“We are excited to partner with Altay Therapeutics and help accelerate the discovery and development of much-needed therapies for FSHD. Altay Therapeutics’ unique platform technology will help to identify and accelerate novel and targeted treatments for FSHD,” says Dr. Eva Chin, Executive Director, SOLVE FSHD. “SOLVE FSHD’s targeted investment into Altay Therapeutics will support the company’s growth and will help identify a DUX4 inhibitor for clinical trials. This marks an integral step in executing on Founder Chip Wilson’s vision of being a catalyst to a cure for FSHD,” says Dr. Eva Chin, Executive Director, SOLVE FSHD.
“We are honoured to work with SOLVE FSHD and Dr. Chin to fast-track our research and to collaborate to find a cure for FSHD. Our focused research will not only support those who suffer from this rare disease but could enhance the health of all aging humans,” says Dr. Ali Ozes, Co-Founder and CEO, Altay Therapeutics.
Altay Therapeutics’ Board of Directors will be led by Mr. Eric Bjerkholt, Chairman, with Dr. Eva Chin, Executive Director for SOLVE FSHD and Dr. Ali Ozes, Co-Founder and CEO of Altay Therapeutics, as directors.
Mr. Bjerkholt holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an Economics Degree from the University of Oslo in Norway. He brings over 25 years of leadership experience in finance, corporate strategy and operations in the healthcare and biotechnology industries. Mr. Bjerkholt is Chinook Therapeutics Inc.’s CFO and serves on several Boards of publicly traded companies.
Dr. Eva Chin was appointed as the inaugural Executive Director for SOLVE FSHD and has more than 25 years of experience in biomedical research, including the discovery and clinical development of muscle-targeted therapies for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and myasthenia gravis (MG).
Dr. Ozes Co-Founded Altay Therapeutics with his father, Dr. Osman Ozes, in 2019 and under his leadership, Altay was accepted into the prestigious accelerator for start-ups, Y-Combinator. Using their platform technology, they discovered three first-in-class inhibitors, one of which targeted DUX4, a key driver of FSHD. The vision for Altay Therapeutics is to be a leader in targeting disease-causing transcription factors and extend the lifespan of patients suffering from debilitating diseases.
About Solve FSHD SOLVE FSHD, based out of Vancouver, BC, is funding innovative biotech and biopharma research and development activities that accelerate novel treatments of Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) treatment. It is fully funded and created by Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Chip Wilson, the founder of technical apparel company lululemon athletica inc. Chip has been living with FSHD for the past three decades of his life. He has committed $100 million of his own money to create SOLVE FSHD and kick-start funding into projects that fit the organization’s mission to accelerate research into new therapies and find a cure for the disorder by 2027. https://solvefshd.com/
If you have FSHD and want to find out about clinical trials or be included in the FSHD registry, please see Solve FSHD’s website - https://solvefshd.com/
About Altay Therapeutics Altay Therapeutics is a team of scientists with expertise in transcription factor biology and clinical drug development, whose integrated approach to drug development includes biochemical assays, next-generation computational biology and chemoproteomics. Altay Therapeutic’s mission is to develop more specific and safer therapies to extend the lives of patients via their proprietary platform and drug development approach by developing novel small molecule drugs targeting disease-causing transcription factors to treat chronic illnesses and cancers. https://www.altaytherapeutics.com/
SAFE Method Promotes Peace, Empowerment After Trauma
Princeton, NJ, September 21, 2022 — Surviving sexual assault, attempted suicide and an arranged marriage is one thing. Processing all of that pain and living a full life proved to be something entirely different for speaker and author Poonam Bhuchar.
“In the shadows of emotional pain, survival can take priority over healing,” Bhuchar said. “Lasting reverberations of traumatic experiences can cripple decision-making skills, creep into relationships and leave scars on the people you love.”
Eventually, Bhuchar’s emotional trauma also took a physical toll. She suffered two strokes and temporary paralysis before beginning her long journey toward authentic healing.
Today, she shares her powerful story through speaking engagements and her book, SAFE From the Pain: Out of the Darkness Into a Life That’s Free, Happy, and Good.
Part memoir, part self-help revelation, SAFE From the Pain pairs Bhuchar’s inspiring story with the SAFE Method, which aims to help readers process emotional pain in healthy, productive ways so they can lead more fulfilling personal and professional lives.
In SAFE From the Pain, readers will learn:
- The four-step SAFE Method for working through emotions and regaining control.
- The impact that stress from emotional pain has on every aspect of life — including the workplace.
- How to overcome a victim mindset and accept responsibility — because ownership leads to action.
- Three types of forgiveness for freedom from society’s expectations, cultural beliefs and self-judgment.
- Why embracing one’s journey is essential to happiness, a bigger life purpose and alignment with one’s true self.
“Peace and empowerment after trauma are possible when you embrace your pain as part of your story,” Bhuchar said. “You can’t move forward if you live in the past.”
About the Author
Poonam Bhuchar runs a boutique law firm, is a life coach, author and a speaker on overcoming trauma and emotional pain. Born and raised in London, she immigrated to the United States at 21 and experienced a multitude of painful challenges such as sexual assault, abuse, and the aftermath and cultural humiliation of divorce. Throughout her journey, she developed the SAFE Method to help others acknowledge, discuss, and grow from their emotional pain without stigma or judgement. Her book, SAFE From the Pain: Out of the Darkness Into a Life That’s Free, Happy, and Good, has won multiple awards in the self-help category, including a five-star review from Literary Titan.
For more information, please visit www.emotionallysafe.com, or connect with the author on Facebook (emotionally safe) and Instagram (emotionally_safe).
SAFE From the Pain: Out of the Darkness Into a Life That’s Free, Happy, and Good Publisher: RI Publishing
Crohn's and Colitis Canada Awards 15 Post-Secondary Students a $5,000 Scholarship Through the 2022 AbbVie IBD Scholarship Program
Inaugural scholarship launched in memory of early grant recipient, Clinton Shard
TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2022 /CNW/ - Crohn's and Colitis Canada awarded 15 post-secondary students each with a $5,000 AbbVie IBD Scholarship Program grant. One deserving recipient has also been awarded the Clinton Shard Memorial grant. Clinton was an inaugural grant recipient in 2012 who made significant contributions to the IBD community and those around him, and peacefully passed away in 2022. This will become an annual grant.
"Back-to-school can look a little different when you are immunocompromised, especially after the past two plus years, and we're thrilled to help offset costs for these truly inspiring students," said Lori Radke, President and CEO of Crohn's and Colitis Canada. "We are committed to supporting the growing number of Canadians living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, whether through grants, research or other forms of action."
"At AbbVie, we strive to empower Canadians with IBD to live their life to the fullest, which is why we are so proud to partner with Crohn's and Colitis Canada on this meaningful program," said Tracey Ramsay, Vice President and General Manager of AbbVie Canada. "Too many students living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis must delay post-secondary education because of their disease. We are pleased these scholarships will play a role to support the pursuit of advanced academic studies for students living with IBD so that they too can live their best lives."
"Clinton was a bright light in the lives of everyone he touched, and honouring his legacy of positivity, perseverance and giving back through this annual grant allows Clinton's memory to continue to inspire others," said Wendy Shard, Clinton's mother. "We've seen firsthand the challenges of living with a chronic, immune compromising disease; this is an opportunity to support someone else's journey."
Crohn's and Colitis Canada and AbbVie Canada congratulate the recipients of the 2022 AbbVie IBD Scholarship:
Léa Caplan – University of Calgary
(Brian) Hsien Heng Chou – University of British Columbia
Kacie Haberlin – University of British Columbia
Yasaman Bahojb Habibyan – University of Alberta
Demetrius Kuc – University of Alberta
Taylor Morganstein – McGill University
Samantha (Sam) Morin – McMaster University
(Adrian) Graem Morphy – Toronto Metropolitan University
Ashley Patel – Toronto Metropolitan University
Harleen Randhawa – McMaster University
Hailey Rocha – University of Toronto
Sophia Russo – University of British Columbia
(Jules) Julia Verdugo – McMaster University
Kaylee Wilmot-Joe – University of New Brunswick
Camille Zimmer – University of Victoria
The Prevalence of Crohn's and Colitis in Canada
Canada has one of the highest incidence rates of inflammatory bowel disease in the world – the main forms of IBD being Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Affecting one in 140 (300,000) Canadians, Crohn's and colitis are growing across Canada. Researchers estimate that the number of people impacted will rise to 400,000 Canadians by 2030. These chronic diseases can be diagnosed at any age, but the typical age of onset is early adulthood, typically between age 20-29 – a time when young adults are pursuing post-secondary education and taking the first step into their career. Crohn's and colitis cause the body to attack healthy tissue in the bowels, which causes inflammation of all or part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The most common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, internal bleeding, and the unpredictable and urgent need to use the washroom.
More about the AbbVie IBD Scholarship Program
Crohn's and Colitis Canada partnered with AbbVie Canada in 2012 to launch the national AbbVie IBD Scholarship Program to support students in achieving their academic goals while they make a lasting and meaningful difference in their communities.
Since its inception, the AbbVie IBD Scholarship Program has awarded 124 grants to deserving post-secondary students. This money helps immunocompromised students spend more time on their studies, pursue their passions and get involved with causes close to their hearts, since the disruptive and debilitating nature of the diseases affects one's ability to attend class or work to support tuition and other educational expenses.
The Inaugural Grant in Memory of Clinton Shard
Clinton Shard was an inaugural recipient of the AbbVie IBD Scholarship Program in 2012, a giver in every sense of the word, a true lover of nature and the outdoors, and never let his disease define him. But above all else, he was a beacon of positivity and inspiration. Diagnosed with Crohn's at age 12, Clinton lived every day with the mindset that an IBD diagnosis should not stop anyone from achieving their goals. Not only has Clinton been an important member of the Canadian Crohn's and colitis community, given back and supported others, but he also celebrated several great achievements, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at age 16 and joining an expedition to Everest Base Camp in Nepal the subsequent year. His final act of selflessness and inspiration was to begin the process of setting up a grant in his memory to alleviate stress for others along their journeys with IBD. This came to fruition through the Clinton Shard Memorial AbbVie IBD Scholarship, which will be an annual grant of $5,000 to one Canadian post-secondary student.
To learn more about the AbbVie IBD Scholarship Program and the recipients, please visit ibdscholarship.ca.
About Crohn's and Colitis Canada
Crohn's and Colitis Canada is on a relentless journey to find the cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and improve the lives of everyone affected by these chronic diseases. Collectively with the support of volunteers, researchers, donors and the community, we are transforming the lives of people affected by Crohn's and colitis through research, patient programs, advocacy, and awareness. For more information, visit crohnsandcolitis.ca and follow us @getgutsycanada on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
About AbbVie Canada
We're a company that takes on the toughest health challenges.
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.
SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Canada
Faith and First Responders: How Believing in a Higher Power Can Promote Healing
Antioch, CA, September 21, 2022 — If he were given a chance to travel back in time, make different choices and avoid a prison sentence, Norm Wielsch says he would decline the offer. In 2013, the former undercover narcotic agent was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after he pled guilty to corruption charges, and it was there, behind prison walls, where he finally found healing through faith.
“If you don’t believe in a higher power, there’s no rhyme or reason to life,” Wielsch said in a recent interview. “Life is just a series of incidents that happen. But if you truly believe that there is a higher power, and there’s a reason for things that happen, I believe that you can adjust to it, and cope with it a little bit better.”
As a police officer for 25 years, Wielsch witnessed his share of trauma and would later fall into a downward spiral following his own diagnosis of PTSD. He served 8 years of his 14-year sentence and emerged from federal prison determined to help others — particularly first responders — heal from trauma.
Wielsch’s new book, Christ Centered Healing of Trauma: Healing a Broken Heart (and companion small group study guide), teaches foundational principles and tools for resolving issues related to traumatic life events.
Readers will learn how trauma affects the heart, body and soul; how to manage emotions; how to identify the root cause of emotional pain; and how to begin the healing process.
Through a bible study portion, readers will learn God's plan for salvation and healing. Included are numerous sample prayers to guide readers through the healing process.
Wielsch’s Christ-Centered healing method was originally designed to minister to first responders and combat veterans but is also appropriate for counselors, pastors, chaplains and anyone whose lives are impacted by trauma.
“This book is not only for the victims of trauma, but for their husbands, wives, daughters, sons and parents who suffer right along with them,” Wielsch said. “They are wounded people as well. Hurt people, hurt people. Since our families are the closest to us, we tend to hurt them more than we intend.”
About the Author
Norm Wielsch was a law enforcement officer for over 25 years — 16 of those as an undercover narcotic agent. In 1998, he was diagnosed with an incurable neuro-muscular disease, and after more than 30 surgeries, he became addicted to opioids. Wielsch was diagnosed with PTSD, and then his daughter was diagnosed with a serious illness and given a poor prognosis. In a downward spiral, Wielsch made a series of bad decisions that landed him in federal prison.
While incarcerated, he obtained a master’s degree in Theology and Counseling, a Doctorate in Christian Counseling, and a Drug and Alcohol Counseling Degree. He currently works at a men's residential treatment facility as a registered alcohol and drug counselor and pastoral care provider. He is a working credentialed chaplain who hopes to one day launch a first responder ministry.
Wielsch also has a master’s degree in Law Enforcement Management and is an expert in law enforcement tactics, criminal investigations, pursuit driving, high risk search warrant service, PTSD and the police culture.
A Recession-Proof Perspective: Easier Shares 60 Insights Into Resilience
Houston, TX, September 21, 2022― What could be worse than being fired via Zoom? In business coach Chris Westfall’s powerful new book, Easier: 60 Ways to Make Your Work Life Work for You, readers witness the story of one man’s incredibly difficult circumstances and his gradual awakening to new possibilities. It’s a framework that Westfall posits can be applied to virtually any source of frustration.
“Even in the midst of whatever it is that you’re going through — and I know that’s a broad statement … I don’t know everything that everyone is going through — but it is a universal truth, for all of us, that possibilities always exist,” Westfall said in a recent interview.
Accessing new ideas and possibilities in Westfall’s narrative is simpler than readers will find in other self-help books because Easier is told as a relatable, straightforward conversation between a Client and a Coach. The Client is ambushed at work. He’s fired on a Monday morning. He believes his wife will leave him as a result. He’s afraid that he can’t pay his bills.
From this life-after-career-death story, new discoveries bloom, revealing 60 insights into resilience, resourcefulness, self-leadership and more. With each new concept, readers can find their perspectives shifting from “How will I ever get through this?” to “What can I gain from this?”
Westfall’s insights can be applied not just to the workplace, but to all aspects of life.
“The obligations are the obligations, the duties are the duties, the deadlines are the deadlines, the sharks are still the sharks,” Westfall said. “But when you show up differently, the conversation can change.”
Ultimately, Easier takes an even-handed look at how things work — using neuroscience, history and powerful coaching examples to impart fresh perspectives that are vital for companies striving to create inclusive cultures, for organizations seeking to expand innovation and for individuals who want to deepen their relationships through understanding.
“When it looks like life and career and communication and everything else is breaking down, it’s time to break free,” Westfall said. “It’s time to access a kind of personal freedom that allows you to make different choices. To see things in a different way. People around the world are looking for more personal freedom, more encouragement and more possibility.”
About the Author
Chris Westfall is one of the most sought-after business coaches and keynote speakers in the world. He helped launch over five dozen businesses and has appeared on ABC NEWS, NBC TV and CNN. A regular contributor to Forbes, he has worked with thousands of leaders at Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations and high-tech startups. A coach to entrepreneurs and executives around the globe, his clients have appeared on Shark Tank, Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank-Australia. He regularly consults with top-tier universities and is the author of three other books, including Leadership Language.
For more information, please visit http://westfallonline.com or http://easier-book.com. You can also follow Westfall on Twitter (westfallonline), Instagram (westfallonline) or Facebook (easierbook).
Easier: 60 Ways to Make Your Work Life Work for You
FOUR20, One of Alberta’s Largest Cannabis Retailers, Opens its Doors in Ontario
Alberta’s community retailer brings its educational expertise and unique customer experience to a new province
Toronto, ON, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOUR20 announces the opening of its first Ontario location with the retail store based in Kitchener, a city in southeastern Ontario. The opening is the first step in FOUR20’s expansion into the Ontario market with a focus on providing accessible cannabis education, improving the customer experience, and creating a confident budtender sales force.
“With the company seeing exponential growth in Alberta since its inception, the FOUR20 team has been looking forward to expanding into a new province and we are very excited for Kitchener to be the first location we open in Ontario,” said Amber Craig, Chief Merchandising Officer. “Our goal is to continue investing in our customers, providing transparency, education, accessibility, and inclusivity within cannabis through a best in-store experience.”
According to the Globe & Mail, the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) commented that cannabis consumers are favourably disposed to in-store shopping with only 4% of retail sales made through the OCS website. FOUR20 has created a program that is designed for the cannabis community fostering strong relationships in the industry, providing customers with a source of trusted information, and curating an inclusive environment.
To align with the company’s values of accountability, community, innovation, and service, FOUR20 has built an industry-leading education platform for their employees that will be implemented in all new locations. This platform includes education on the latest product innovations and critical cannabis knowledge to ensure customers receive the best shopping experience in-store.
In the company’s quest to continue bringing first-class cannabis education to its customers, FOUR20 has brought cannabis experts to its leadership team. Dr. Ife Abiola, VP of Advocacy & Education, joined the 420 Clinic in 2016 and has become a recognized authority in the scientific and medical applications of cannabis. “With education at the forefront of our company ethos, providing education accessibility to our budtenders is of most importance,” says Dr. Ife Abiola. “We offer enhanced product knowledge and provide an understanding of the regulations required to operate successfully within a Canadian retail cannabis outlet.”
With FOUR20’s expansion into Ontario, the company continues to provide accessible cannabis education to the masses. As a retailer designed for the cannabis community, FOUR20’s new location is the beginning of its journey within Ontario offering a best-in-class retail experience.
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About FOUR20: Our mantra has always been the same – to approach cannabis in a socially responsible manner, ensuring we’re providing our consumers with the best products, information, and customer service to guide your cannabis experience. We’re avid learners, caring community members, and changemakers. We’re a company committed to bringing on passionate individuals who are willing to lean into a new industry with enthusiasm and a strong desire to learn, and we like to have a little fun along the way.
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