TAGGED IN

Medical care

    TGIF: Maestro Trump and Drug Prices

    When encountering a public problem, people tend to fall into one of two camps: one camp, the larger one, says, "There oughta be a law." The other one asks, "How has the government created or aggravated the situation?" We know which camp Maestro Trump belongs to. Take prescription-drug prices. Because Americans pay higher prices on average for prescription drugs under patent (but not for generics) than people in other countries pay, Trump, who used to call price controls "socialist," has ordered the drug companies "to offer American consumers the most-favored-[developed-]nation lowest price." He wants private companies to lower their prices at home and raise them abroad. Is this a command? Trump's executive order goes on: "should drug manufacturers fail to offer American consumers the most-favored-nation lowest price, my Administration will take additional aggressive action." We know what that means. "If ... significant progress towards most-favored-nation pricing for American patients is not delivered," his order says, "to the extent consistent with law,... the Secretary [of health and human services] shall propose a rulemaking plan to impose most-favored-nation pricing." Got that? Impose. Why did Trump change his mind about price controls? Because now it fits with his demagogic populist politics of national grievance, which has served him so well. He vows to end "global freeloading" by foreigners who pay less. He believes that Americans subsidize foreigners. But do we? Good economics says otherwise. (We'll get to that.) The Maestro seems not to realize that price controls have failed for 4,000 years! They bring shortages, reduce innovation, and cause other distortions, which the government then tries to fix by expanding its restrictions. Never mind that the government makes drugs more expensive than they would be in an unhampered market. Prices will differ from country to country for sensible reasons. Economists call this market segmentation and price discrimination. Some people in certain circumstances are willing and able to pay more than others whose circumstances differ. We see this with airline fares and off-peak movie ticket prices. Americans are richer than other people and can afford to buy things that others couldn't and wouldn't buy at American prices. Sure, everyone prefers all prices to be lower—except his own, of course—but does that mean the government could mandate lower prices without negative consequences for all? No. Once a modern drug is produced and sold in the rich American market at a price high enough to yield a profit and recoup the stratospheric R&D costs, the drug maker can produce additional quantities at a low marginal cost and profitably expand sales to poorer people abroad at a lower price. This is good for the foreign buyers who otherwise wouldn't have access, but it does not harm Americans: regardless of what others pay, they buy the drug because they think the benefits exceed the cost. A government decree to make prices more equal would be harmful all around. As economist Alex Tabarrok writes, banning price discrimination "will end up hurting patients in low-income countries while delivering minimal gains to Americans. Worse, by reducing pharmaceutical profits overall, it weakens incentives to develop new drugs. In fact, in the long-run U.S. consumers are better off when poorer countries pay lower prices—just as airline price discrimination makes more routes viable for both economy and first-class passengers." Likewise, if movie theaters couldn't price-discriminate, we'd have fewer theaters and less service from surviving theaters because profitably filling seats at off-peak times would not be an option. When the government restricts profits, it restricts supply and innovation. That we lack a fully free market today does not substantially change the analysis. We can be confident that government intervention makes medical care artificially expensive by imposing artificial costs, restricting supply, and stimulating demand. A ban on global price discrimination would hardly help improve things. We'd have fewer new drugs. (Watch Alex Tabarrok and Robert Murphy discuss this and related issues.) This case against Trump's executive order is valid even when we acknowledge that foreign buyers of American drugs are governments that impose price controls. As many have pointed out, importing other countries' price controls makes no sense. No discussion of drug prices is complete without noting the burdens imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the patent system. Bringing a drug to market costs upward of $2 billion, and most never make it. Private competitive testing and certification firms (analogous to Consumer Reports) could replace the FDA and the prescription requirement. With informed consent, people should be free to take medicines that have undergone different degrees of testing. Life is risk. The government can't change that. Regarding the patent system, while 15-year monopoly pricing to some extent offsets the FDA burden, it should be abolished along with that agency. Because of vigorous competition, Americans pay far less for out-of-patent generic drugs than the rest of the world. Intellectual property is inconsistent with property rights because it prohibits manufacturers from using their own physical property to produce things. Unlike finite physical property, ideas aren't properly ownable: when an idea is communicated to others, the first person still retains it. Its economic value may fall, but no one has a property right in a thing's market value. For those who fear that the end of drug patents would spell the end of innovation, see Michele Boldrin and David K. Levine's Against Intellectual Property, which has a chapter on the international pharmaceutical industry. Trump's plan to tamper with drug prices will reduce profits to "Big Pharma"—ooh, what a scary term!—impede innovation, and make everyone less healthy in the future. Drugs currently under patent may seem expensive, but as Tabarrok points out, many modern drugs reduce the need for more costly and dangerous surgeries, and most drugs are paid for through insurance policies. (The government also makes insurance artificially expensive through mandated coverage and discriminatory tax treatment.) Moreover, as Tabarrok says, Americans get new drugs first. So, all things considered, drug prices don't look so bad after all. The moral and economic case for freeing the market is watertight, but that doesn't mean what we have now is worthless and could not become worse with more intervention.  America's interventionist medical system must be replaced by a free market in medicine. Most of every dollar spent on medical care today is paid for or mandated by the U.S. government. Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act made a flawed system worse. Coercion, which includes medical licensing, hospital certification, and official accreditation of medical schools, should be eliminated because nothing has proved better at delivering goods and services than the competitive profit-and-loss system directed at consumer satisfaction. Atom

    Understanding Skilled Nursing Care: Key Insights and Considerations

    Professional nursing care is often misunderstood as merely custodial care or a last-resort option for individuals unable to remain at home. However, it encompasses a wide array of services tailored to meet the unique healthcare needs of seniors and other individuals requiring assistance. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) provide 24/7 medical care administered by licensed nurses and other healthcare professionals. This includes, but is not limited to, administering medications, managing chronic illnesses, physical rehabilitation, post-operative care, and more intensive treatment for acute health episodes. Each resident’s care plan is individualized, typically developed in conjunction with physicians, nurses, and therapists, and regularly reassessed to ensure optimal health outcomes. Beyond this, skilled nursing care fosters an environment of emotional support, social interaction, and mental stimulation, critical components for any recovery and well-being. Common Misconceptions: Setting the Record Straight skilled nursing care Despite the essential role that skilled nursing care plays in the healthcare continuum, numerous misconceptions persist. A prevalent belief is that skilled nursing facilities are similar to nursing homes and provide little more than basic custodial care. In reality, SNFs are equipped to offer rehabilitation services with advanced medical oversight. Another misconception is that once admitted to a skilled nursing facility, residents may lose their independence and autonomy. This is a misconception as many facilities emphasize dignity, choice, and respect, working to create personalized care plans that prioritize the resident’s desires and preferences. Furthermore, families worry that the quality of care may decline in a skilled nursing environment. However, many facilities uphold rigorous standards, monitored by state and federal regulations, focusing on safety, quality of service, and resident satisfaction. The Diverse Services Offered: Beyond Basic Care Skilled nursing facilities offer much more than help with daily tasks. Their services are built to support every part of a resident’s health—physical, emotional, and social. Residents often receive: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy Wound care and intravenous treatments Pain management tailored to their condition These treatments are essential after surgery, illness, or injury, helping residents recover strength and independence. Many facilities also run specialized programs for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. These programs focus on cognitive stimulation, routines, and meaningful activities to improve quality of life. Nutrition plays a key role too. Dietitians create personalized meal plans to meet medical and dietary needs, making sure residents get the right nutrients every day. All care is delivered through a team-based approach. Nurses, therapists, dietitians, and care staff work together to ensure every resident receives full, well-rounded support. Choosing the Right Skilled Nursing Facility: A Practical Guide Finding the right skilled nursing facility is a decision that demands attention, planning, and clear priorities. It’s not just about medical care—it’s about choosing a place where your loved one feels safe, respected, and supported. 1. What to Look for: Location, Services, and Environment Choosing the best facility involves weighing several important factors. Start with the essentials: Location matters. A nearby facility makes it easier for family to visit often, which boosts emotional well-being. But never trade proximity for poor care. Match services to needs. Some facilities focus on rehabilitation after surgery, while others may be stronger in memory care or hospice services. Pay attention to atmosphere. Visit in person. Look at how clean the space is, how active the residents are, and how staff interact with them. A homelike feel helps. Warm, friendly environments reduce stress and make it easier for residents to settle in. 2. Key Questions to Ask Research is your most valuable tool. Gather details from multiple sources—online reviews, healthcare providers, and local health agencies. When visiting facilities, be ready to ask direct questions: What are the staff qualifications and how long do they typically stay employed? What is the ratio of residents to staff during the day and at night? How is care planning handled, and how often is it updated? How are families kept informed of health changes or incidents? What safety systems are in place (fall prevention, emergency plans)? Look for openness. A good facility will share answers without hesitation and show a clear plan for family involvement. 3. Easing the Transition: Support That Matters Moving into a nursing facility can be stressful. You can ease that stress with thoughtful planning. Start with open dialogue. Talk about what daily life will look like so there are no surprises. Help personalize their room. Bring photos, small furniture, or meaningful keepsakes to make the space feel familiar. Join care planning early. Attend meetings with care staff and keep communication lines open. Encourage connection. Social activities and group programs help your loved one form bonds and feel part of a new community. A smooth transition is not about a perfect plan—it’s about constant care, communication, and creating an environment where your loved one feels seen and supported. The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Skilled Nursing Role of Healthcare Professionals in Skilled Nursing The quality of skilled nursing care depends heavily on the professionals who deliver it. Each member of the care team plays a specific role in supporting the resident’s recovery, health, and daily comfort. 1. Who’s Involved and What They Do One of the biggest advantages of skilled nursing care is the team approach. A variety of professionals work together to provide full support for your loved one’s medical and personal needs. Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Oversee medical care, administer medications, and respond to health changes. Therapists (PTs, OTs, STs): Help residents regain mobility, independence in daily tasks, and speech or swallowing abilities. Social Workers and Counselors: Provide emotional support and help families adjust to the new care environment. Dietitians: Create custom meal plans tailored to health conditions and dietary requirements. Recreational Therapists: Organize activities that support mental and emotional well-being. Every professional brings a different skill set. Together, they ensure your loved one receives care that touches every part of their life—physical, emotional, and social. 2. Skilled Nurses: Trained for Complex Care Nurses in skilled facilities don’t just offer basic support. Their training prepares them for high-level care. They manage chronic and acute conditions, rehabilitation plans, and emergency situations. Many hold advanced certifications to work with stroke recovery, wound care, cardiac rehab, or dementia care. Ongoing education ensures they use the latest, proven methods in patient care. Skilled nurses know how to stay calm under pressure and create a safe, steady environment for patients and families alike. 3. Family Communication: Staying Connected to Care Families should never feel left out of the process. Skilled nursing facilities build regular communication into care plans. Families receive updates through scheduled conferences, personal meetings, and calls. Many facilities now use online portals so family members can check health updates anytime. Staff are trained to listen, explain clearly, and involve families in key decisions. Being informed brings peace of mind—and helps families play an active role in their loved one’s care. The Emotional and Psychological Aspects of Skilled Nursing Care Adjusting to skilled nursing care is not only a physical change but also an emotional one. Facilities must support residents and families through this transition with care that prioritizes mental well-being and meaningful connection. Coping with the Transition Moving into skilled nursing often triggers stress, sadness, or resistance. These emotions are normal and need support. Mental health professionals within facilities offer counseling and therapy to help residents adjust. Support groups, relaxation techniques, and expressive therapies like art or music play a big role in easing the emotional load. Families also benefit from counseling or parent support services, especially as they navigate their own concerns and adapt to a new role in their loved one’s care. Activities and Engagement Strategies A good skilled nursing facility goes beyond medical care. Recreational programs help residents stay active and connected. Arts, music, gardening, and fitness classes are tailored to different needs and interests. These activities reduce isolation, improve mood, and support brain function. For residents who prefer quieter interactions, personal engagement like visits from volunteers or therapy animals provides meaningful connection and joy. The Importance of Family Involvement Family presence is a powerful influence on a resident’s emotional state. Facilities encourage families to take part in planning and stay engaged with regular meetings, visits, and shared activities. When families stay involved, residents feel supported and less alone. Shared events like meals and celebrations help maintain emotional bonds and create a familiar, comforting rhythm to life inside the facility. Conclusion Skilled nursing care Skilled nursing care is more than clinical treatment. It’s a coordinated effort to support the full well-being of each resident—physically, emotionally, and socially. The combined work of trained professionals, thoughtful engagement strategies, and family involvement creates an environment where healing and quality of life go hand in hand. Recognizing the emotional layers of looking after someone leads to stronger outcomes, deeper connection, and greater peace of mind for everyone involved. The post Understanding Skilled Nursing Care: Key Insights and Considerations appeared first on Lockerz.

    Alcohol Detox in Cherry Hill Combines Compassion With Clinical Expertise

      Alcohol detoxification represents a crucial first step for anyone working to break free from alcohol dependence. Recent trends in addiction recovery highlight Cherry Hill as a standout location for compassionate, effective detox services, integrating both up-to-date medical practices and a supportive atmosphere. Throughout this blog post, you’ll learn about the unique features and benefits of alcohol detox in Cherry Hill, why it’s trending in recovery circles, and how its approach improves outcomes for those seeking freedom from alcohol dependence. The Science Behind Alcohol Detox Alcohol detox is the carefully managed process of clearing alcohol from the body, usually after prolonged heavy use. During detox, the body adjusts to life without constant intake of alcohol, leading to withdrawal symptoms that can range from mild anxiety and nausea to dangerous complications like seizures and delirium tremens. Medical evaluation and ongoing monitoring are central to a safe detox process, especially for people with long-term alcohol use. Cherry Hill detox centers are at the forefront of using clinically-validated protocols and evidence-based care. This blend of medicine and ongoing assessment reduces discomfort, minimizes health risks, and creates a patient-centered environment that fosters security and trust. Compassionate Care as the Foundation What sets Cherry Hill apart is its focus on the emotional and psychological experience of detoxification. Recovery statistics consistently show that individuals who feel respected and understood are more likely to complete detox and transition into further stages of treatment. Centers in Cherry Hill prioritize non-judgmental support from the first intake phone call through every stage of detox. Professional staff treat each person as a whole, not just as a set of symptoms. They use trauma-informed approaches and empathetic listening to make each patient feel valued, respected, and understood. Many team members in Cherry Hill detox facilities have clinical training combined with personal insight, allowing them to provide practical guidance as well as emotional reassurance. State-of-the-Art Medical Supervision The trending status of Cherry Hill detox programs rests on their commitment to up-to-date clinical techniques. Medical supervision ensures that withdrawal symptoms are monitored and managed safely with appropriate interventions. Vital signs, hydration, and nutrition are tracked around the clock so patients can focus on their recovery without added health worries. Cherry Hill centers employ specialized teams that may include doctors, nurses, therapists, and nutritionists. From the moment detox begins, patients have access to continuous care, quick symptom management, and rapid response to any medical crisis that may arise. Medication-assisted treatment may be available if deemed necessary for reducing discomfort and preventing dangerous complications. Personalization and a Holistic Recovery Plan No two journeys with alcohol dependence are the same, which is why Cherry Hill programs emphasize individualized care. Upon admission, each patient is assessed for their medical history, patterns of use, mental health needs, and unique circumstances. From there, a personalized detox plan is created. This tailored approach is supported by regular one-on-one check-ins and adjustments to medical or therapeutic interventions as needed. Nutrition and hydration guidance, gentle activity, and calming therapies are often included to rebuild strength and soothe the mind. For many, this holistic perspective lays the foundation for long-term healing well after detox ends. Emotional Support and Peer Connection The trend toward peer interaction in Cherry Hill detox programs is backed by recent research. Connecting with others going through a similar process lessens feelings of isolation and inspires motivation to move forward. Group discussions, shared meals, and guided activities give patients a sense of belonging and encouragement. The post Alcohol Detox in Cherry Hill Combines Compassion With Clinical Expertise appeared first on Man Fat Tan.

    A New Manager Started Changing Every Policy, So This Worker Followed The New Rules To The Letter And Got Him Fired

    Shutterstock/Reddit When you have a job that you enjoy, it can be terrible if a new boss comes in and tries to change everything. What would you do if your new boss tried to change every process that had been working for years? That is what the employee in this story experienced, so he made sure to follow the new processes perfectly, leaving the team very understaffed and getting the new boss fired. Check it out. Crappy boss will forever regret trying to bring the thunder. Backstory: I started working in care of the elderly before I graduated school, at age 17, as a temp worker, and after I graduated, I basically worked full time for several years, finally got a steady employment at age 23. I take pride in my job, and even though I didn’t study medical stuff I’ve always made sure I know everything I need to know to do a good job, with online classes, certificates, reading up on medications, treatment recommendations etc. Having a job you enjoy is invaluable. Everything was going well, despite me having 4 different bosses in the first 5 years of work (no one wants to be the boss here, economically speaking it’s a sinking ship, since it’s government run and dependent on tax money). Then Friendly Boss (Lena) joins the story. She asked me to move over to a new department the state was now by law obligated to provide, short term care. She had previously run the emergency care unit at the local hospital, and she didn’t take crap from anyone. She let us workers build up and run the department because (as any good boss should) she realized that we knew better what we were doing (because we were doing it day-to-day), and what worked best for us. As long as we stuck within the laws, regulations, staff requirements and budget, of course. Everything was amazing for almost 2 years, every month I did the schedules for all 15 of the workers and I did daily planning for all patients. I was in charge of all documentation, and all new guidelines and protocols being implemented, since the care provided was brand new in our area. Then the day of The Great Sadness came, when Lena declared that she was leaving, since she’d been offered a job as the head chief of the local hospital. It is sad when a good boss gets moved away. All of us were devastated to see her go, but, I mean, good for her. That’s when Kajsa enters our story. She was already the boss of all the normal elderly care units where I’d worked before (I’d already moved on to short term care before she was hired as boss), and we had heard exclusively bad things about her. We heard she would always do what SHE thought was the right thing to do, which was almost exclusively wrong, because she was under-qualified, had no experience from the actual work, and was just a bad person in general. Our first staff meeting she told us, “either you’re with me, or against me, and the people who are against me I drown in *local lake*”. Ok. Great start. I then tried to explain to her that with our previous boss we’d worked with trust, since Lena had an understanding that us workers actually know what works best in our own department, and Kajsa instantly shut it down. Kajsa: “No, I’m the boss, I set the protocols, I decide how my department’s run.” Me: “Yeah of course, but I’m just saying we’ve been working like…” Kajsa: “NO!!!! I’M THE BOSS!!! I’M IN CHARGE!!” And so it began. Some people are too controlling. Kajsa started changing the schedules, the protocols, the staff requirements, the daily rehab schedule, the FOOD SCHEDULE (not joking btw), and she lowered the required medical competence to work at our unit. This means there were people working with us who had no prior experience in the job, had no prior experience in the field, barely spoke the language, etc. Keep in mind we had dementia evaluation, palliative care (end of life care), stroke rehabilitation and so on. Malicious Compliance: Kajsa started to try to micromanage everything we did. Literally everything. She cancelled all the activities we did for the whole business, like pub nights for the elderly, movie nights, summer café outdoors, walks, store visits, everything. (All without cost to the business.) She stated that we’re no longer allowed to finish the schedules on our own, and gave us 2 weeks less to finish them. This means we now have 1 week to input the schedule, try to settle it between us 15 people and then hand it to her. That sounds awful. She’d finish it and hand it to us the day before it went into effect, and 8/10 days shifts weren’t covered, or we were 6 people working the same weekend (supposed to be 3). So I told Kajsa that I’ve been managing the schedule for years and was happy to keep doing it, and that she’d still have it two weeks early. No. I told her that our activities were 100% within paid hours and no strain on the day-to-day normal business and we want to keep doing them. No. I told her that we’d prefer to keep doing things as we’d been doing them for years, because it worked very well. No. Obviously, I was upset. So were my coworkers, but they never spoke up, that was my job I guess. There were A LOT of incidents that I’m not gonna bother bringing up, but just imagine that anything we ever wanted to do for our patients or the people in the dementia units, or for the well-being of the staff was just.. No. Sounds like this procedure worked well. One thing that had been consistent since I started working there when I was 17 (27 at this point in the story), is that when you apply for vacation, or any kind of leave, you input the leave request, and then you request a temp to cover your shift, and then you inform your boss that you done both those things. Always been like that. Always. So, I did, I requested a days leave (my mum had a doctor’s thing in a town a few hours from here), I input the temp request and then I walked to boss’ office and informed her. She loses it. Maybe because Kajsa’s boss was there? I don’t know but she starts yelling, telling me that I’M NOT ALLOWED TO REQUEST TEMPS, THAT’S HER JOB. I stand there and take it like a good employee, and just say “Ok. Won’t happen again.” Hey, she was the one who wanted to schedule the temps. Big surprise for her when the next staff meeting comes around, there suddenly weren’t any staff on the actual ward, and a local politician was sat waiting with her mother (who was being committed to my ward that day) for OVER TWO HOURS. I wonder who made sure they were arriving at that time on that day I told my boss’ boss exactly why there weren’t any temps scheduled for the meeting. Kajsa got fired. Will make me smile for the rest of my life. A bad boss can really ruin a good job. Let’s see what the people in the comments think about this story. Here is someone else who worked in a long-term care facility. This would just make too much sense. Now that would be karma. What a coincidence… Sadly, so many bosses are the second type of person. New boss got exactly what she deserved. So rare that actually happens. If you liked this post, check out this story about an employee who got revenge on a co-worker who kept grading their work suspiciously low.

    Losing SSI at 18 Might Impact Access to Medical Care

    The families of more than 1 million children and teenagers with serious physical and intellectual disabilities are receiving Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. But a 1996 reform made it harder to keep those benefits when the child turns 18. The 18-year-olds who don’t meet the tougher requirement for eligibility lose not only SSI’s monthly cash payments but potentially the Medicaid health insurance that usually goes with it. Anywhere from 20 percent to nearly half of all 18-year-olds lose their SSI, depending on the state where they live. New research by Priyanka Anand at George Mason University shows that adults who had likely lost their benefits at 18 have fewer diagnoses of a range of health conditions than people who turned 18 prior to the reform and kept their benefits.   But fewer diagnoses do not necessarily indicate better health. Rather, fewer diagnoses “likely reflect a higher prevalence of untreated conditions due to lack of access to insurance and healthcare,” she concluded from a series of analyses. The August 1996 reform required 18-year-olds to undergo a medical review to see if they meet the stricter adult standard that the disability makes it very difficult or impossible for them to work. A child under 18 qualifies for SSI solely on the basis of a severe physical or mental disability that results in long-lasting functional limitations. The diagnoses that declined for adults who were most likely to lose their SSI – and probably Medicaid – were both physical and mental: hypertension, diabetes, depression and anxiety. Depression is one example of how Anand put together different analyses to reach her conclusions. Unable to show a direct link between losing SSI at 18 and depression as older adults, she looked at whether the decrease in depression was concentrated among the uninsured. She found that this was, in fact, the case and that the uninsured had fewer depression diagnoses. The long-term impact of the tougher standards could be substantial, she said. Losing SSI at 18 “has wide-reaching impacts on the long-term well-being of the child SSI beneficiaries.”  To read this study by Priyanka Anand, see “The Impact of Losing Child Disability Benefits on Health Outcomes.” The research reported herein was performed pursuant to a grant from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) funded as part of the Retirement and Disability Research Consortium. The opinions and conclusions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not represent the opinions or policy of SSA or any agency of the Federal Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the contents of this report. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.

    Why El Salvador's Ruthless Prisons Are Even Worse For Female Inmates

    El Salvador has made security and mega-prisons its calling card. The so-called "Bukele model," in reference to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, has been admired by leaders of other countries as a benchmark in reducing violence. His runaway popularity is, for now, tied to his clampdown on crime; official figures show 2023 was the safest in the country's history. But the Bukele model has been questioned for its impact on human rights and the legal rights of individuals. This is particularly the case for women, who are already vulnerable sector of the population. Organizations like local NGO SSPAS (the Passionist Social Service), estimate that at least 10% of the country's thousands of inmates may be women, many of whom face gender-based violence within the prison system. ✉️ To receive our weekly Women Worldwide newsletter, Click here. “What the government calls 'peace' is actually a mirage intended to hide a repressive system, a structure of control and oppression that abuses its power and disregards the rights of those who have already been made invisible — people living in poverty, under state stigma and marginalization — in the name of supposed security defined in a very limited way,” Amnesty International's America's Director Ana Piquer wrote X. In March 2022, El Salvador approved a state of emergency that allows the government to temporarily suspend constitutional rights. That allowed the Bukele administration to pursue its "war on gangs," known also as the Maras, through use of force and mass arrests without court orders. In three years, it has arrested some 80,000 people using its emergency powers, in a process that human rights groups have described as a strategy of persecution and stigmatization of vulnerable groups — rather than a war on crime. Overcrowding El Salvador has 28 prisons including the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, which is described as Latin America's biggest jail and a symbol of the Bukele security strategy. Government heads have visited it, as have journalists and content creators, who have shared images of prisoners handcuffed and tightly packed. Yet human rights groups report that the CECOT houses only a fraction of the prison population, while the rest are kept under critical conditions, marked by overcrowding, lack of access to basic services, and repeated violations of civil rights. Female inmates are also threatened in terms of sexual, reproductive and menstrual health rights. Verónica Reyna, head of Human Rights at El Salvador's SSPAS, is concerned about the issue of overcrowding, saying that at two other prisons, La Esperanza and Izalco, "there are 100 people in cells meant for 30, with no space to sleep and many standing throughout the night." Lack of running water, food and medical attention have, alongside complaints about torture, sexual violence and other abuse, have turned the country's prisons into extremely precarious spaces. Family visits were suspended in 2020. Reyna says this has a greater impact on female inmates, who are also threatened in terms of sexual, reproductive and menstrual health rights. Spontaneous abortions According to the SSPAS, there have been reports of pregnant women who have been transferred without explanation and, upon their return, have lost their babies. "They've told us that they are given medication without further information and that many end up suffering miscarriages. There is no medical care protocol or follow-up, which creates an environment of complete lack of protection for them," Reyna said. The situation is paradoxical as abortion is completely criminalized in El Salvador and the penalties are severe. Yet there have been no investigation into these "spontaneous abortions" taking place in prisons. "If a woman were accused of terminating a pregnancy, she would be immediately convicted, but when the state causes the miscarriage, there are no consequences," said Teodora del Carmen Vásquez, head of the Mujeres Libres El Salvador (Free Women El Salvador) organization. Vásquez is now considered one of the leading voices denouncing the condition of women in El Salvador's prison system. Once a prisoner herself, she witnessed the precarious situation of women in prisons, noting that the isolation of inmates makes their situation invisible to the outside world. Her case, one of the most widely reported in the international media, is an example of the contradictions regarding sexual and reproductive rights in El Salvador. In 2008, she was sentenced to 30 years in prison for aggravated homicide after suffering an obstetric emergency and giving birth to a stillborn baby. She spent a decade in prison until her sentence was commuted in 2018. Worldcrunch ? Extra! Elsewhere in the press • The conditions of inmates of El Salvador’s prisons and its Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) were in the news again this week, after the Trump administration flew hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants, alleged to be gang members, to the Central American country to be detained there. The March 16 transfer took place under an agreement for which the U.S. will pay Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s government $6 million for one year of services. AP reports that Bukele has made the country’s “stark, harsh prisons a trademark of his fight against crime,” and describes CECOT, the 40,000 capacity mega prison that opened in 2023, as “the crown jewel” of this aggressive anti-crime strategy. Mneesha Gellman and Sarah C. Bishop write in The Conversation that the deportees will be “knowingly placed into a prison system in which a range of sources have reported widespread human rights abuses at the hands of state forces.” Citing beatings, overcrowding and food deprivation, the political scientists conclude that “The efforts of human rights organizations, journalists and scholars to document prison conditions point to an unequivocal conclusion: El Salvador does not meet the terms necessary to protect the human rights of deported and incarcerated migrants.” — Rebecca Bonthius (read more about the Worldcrunch method here) Prenatal care "No information is coming out. The little we know comes from the accounts of women who have been released and who describe what they've experienced. Many have lost their children in prison because they didn't receive medical care, were beaten, or simply didn't have access to prenatal checkups," Vásquez said. Local NGOs also point out that women are effectively deprived of menstrual hygiene products. With the suspension of family visits, many inmates are left without basic supplies, relying exclusively on what the prison system provides them, which in many cases is nonexistent. “In prison, I realized all the violence women experience,” Vásquez says. “Thanks to my family visiting me every eight days, I was able to have sanitary pads. But those who don't receive visits have to make do with what they can. Some use bits of mattresses where hundreds of people have slept, with all the illnesses that can cause,” she adds. Just a few weeks ago, media outlets in El Salvador reported on the conditions menstruating women face in the country's prisons. In addition to extreme overcrowding, they face a lack of sanitary pads, drinking water and medication for vaginal infections. Structural violence in prisons affects everyone, but women face even greater punishment. In this context, El Espectador spoke with the Menstruantes Collective, which runs a regional menstrual education program on the conditions menstruating persons face in prison. The NGO observed that prisons were built "without a gender perspective," and therefore fail to meet the basic needs of women held there. Because these women are predominantly from poorer backgrounds, they face even more precarious conditions, with limited access to basic products and medical care. Structural violence "From the moment they are deprived of their freedom, they are seen as people unworthy of any rights. Structural violence in prisons affects everyone, but women and menstruating people face even greater punishment,” said Laura Contreras, head of Menstrual Health at the Medellín-based Escuela de Educación Menstrual Emancipadas (Emancipated Women Menstrual Education Center). The Menstruantes Collective notes that woman produce more cortisol in stressful situations, which alters hormonal regulation and may cause months of missed periods, or irregular and uncontrolled bleeding. Poor nutrition and limited access to drinking water also impact hormonal production and threaten health. Furthermore, many female inmates only receive medical or gynecological care when their health condition has become critical, leading to surgeries that could have been avoided by timely, preventive care. For women in El Salvador's prisons, the lack of policies to guarantee their menstrual and reproductive health reinforces neglect within the prison system.

    Go Away!!!

     Image from Military. Com Well, the long arm of the felon running the country has reached all the way down into my life again, seemingly so soon after he got into office.  Recently, the Veteran's Administration issued a new directive stating all healthcare for transgender veterans would be halted. For those of you who may not know, I am a transgender veteran who benefits from VA healthcare. Which means, I receive my gender affirming hormones from the VA. The meds are not free, and I pay a co-pay. In addition, for years, I took advantage of free mental health services which helped me immeasurably when I was beginning my transition. I was lost and needed the help.  Of course, I was initially really upset that once again the felon attempting to run the country should be running my life for me again. At the age of seventy-five, I live a quiet life with my wife Liz and our two cats. I am not out to hurt anyone, so why should tRumpt be screwing around in my life. For sure, I knew it was coming when he was elected along with so many other politicians who used the transgender minority to raise false fears about us. After speaking to Liz, we immediately began thinking of ways to procure my hormones which made me feel better. This morning as I began to research the directive, in typical government double speak, I read the VA would stop providing crucial care for new gender dysphoric patients. Which of course leaves me out but not all my transgender sisters and brothers who need help with their gender issues after being discharged from the military and I feel for all of them. Here is a statement concerning the problems which will be created by ceasing care: "VA's rollback of crucial protections, specifically the elimination of Directive 1341, is a direct assault on the well-being of vulnerable LGBTQ+ veterans, jeopardizing their access to essential care," Rachel Branaman, executive director of Modern Military Association of America, said in a statement." Every Friday, I attend a LGBTQ support group meeting virtually at the Dayton, Ohio VA, and this Friday I hope to find out more about this latest attempt to erase the transgender population. Already, the workers who are left in the offices have been told to remove all flags from their offices. Which as we all knew, meant all Pride flags.  I hope to learn more then before I have a crucial May appointment with my Endocrinologist who dispenses my gender affirming hormones.  In the meantime, you trans women who wrote in and said the felon would not be that bad are enjoying all the benefits of his lies. Even you cross dressers in your closet should beware. 

    Voices from Solitary: My Darkest Night in Solitary Gave Me the Strength to Fight Back

    Sara Kielly is an investigative journalist, poet, and jailhouse lawyer currently incarcerated at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York. Identifying as “an Irish-American transgender woman,” Kielly “works to change conditions of confinement for minority prisoners.” Her work has appeared in Slate, Spotlong Review, New York Amsterdam News, New York Focus, and Film Comment. She is a 2023 recipient of Solitary Watch’s Ridgeway Reporting grant and is currently working on a memoir titled Slow Bleed: A Transgender Woman’s Journey to Survival in Men’s Maximum-Security Prisons. Kielly’s latest piece, written in collaboration with Chris Gelardi and published in NY Focus, describes the recent lockdown at Bedford Hills amidst the statewide wildcat corrections officers’ strike, which caused heightened restrictions, medical emergencies, and an increase in suicidal ideation at the prison. In the following piece, Kielly travels back to her time at a men’s maximum security facility, exposing the indifference and cruelty she was met with when she attempted suicide in her solitary cell. Among the many forms of abuse suffered by transgender individuals in prison, more than 90 percent report spending time in solitary confinement, according to a survey published in 2024. This is especially true for the majority of incarcerated trans people who are placed in prisons that do not match their gender identities, as Kielly was for many years before her transfer to a women’s facility. With the end of the corrections officers’ strike hinging on the suspension of the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act—which has been notoriously difficult to implement, largely due to resistance from prison officials—this piece is particularly timely. Kielly reminds us that passing the HALT Solitary Act was the first of many critical steps in a long-term process of transformation away from a culture rooted in dehumanization. —Kilhah St Fort  • • • • • • • • • • Dawn had not begun to break over Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus, New York, when I saw my reflection in the pool of blood spreading around me on the cell floor. I saw a tired and scared 28-year-old woman who knew she had lost a dangerous amount of blood. The pain was severe, and I knew the testicular artery I had severed and the blood thinner medication I was prescribed could result in death.  The prison nurse and the two correctional officers charged with my care that morning showed no interest in saving my life. These staff members laughed as I bled out. At 3:30 a.m., the facility doctor on-call from home ordered the infirmary nurse to withhold all medical care. All I could do was cry as I lay bleeding on a concrete floor, feeling a cold and unexplainable pain. I can still remember whispering the words, “Please help.” This waking nightmare occurred while I was in solitary confinement due to a disciplinary charge and sanction from officers who did not want me in the unit or in their program. For the nearly six years I had been incarcerated, my serious medical needs as a transgender woman were treated with deliberate indifference by facility staff. I finally hit rock bottom while housed in segregated confinement in a regional mental health unit, which is the Special Housing Unit (SHU) for seriously mentally ill incarcerated individuals.  It was not my first experience with solitary confinement. During the years that I was in men’s maximum-security facilities in New York State, at least half of my time was served in some form of segregated or solitary confinement—whether administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, protective custody, or suicide watch in the residential crisis treatment programs. My years in solitary proved what decades of research have shown regarding the effects of solitary confinement on those subjected to those conditions. My mental health had devolved to a point where I could have easily been diagnosed with what Dr. Stuart Grassian, a psychiatrist and professor at Harvard Medical School, called “SHU syndrome”—a psychological state that often includes paranoia, self-harm, confusion, and hallucinations. While that is serious and catastrophic enough, what was even more heartbreaking was the response of correctional staff as I faced a self-inflicted, life-threatening medical emergency with a severed artery. I was moments from death as corrections officers, a sergeant, and two nurses stood around watching me bleed out with smiles on their faces, laughing and joking. I was lucky enough to survive that suicide attempt despite the cruelty and devastation that solitary confinement subjected me to. I am only here today to tell this story because of a resolve to survive, the power of education prior to incarceration, the love and support of family and advocates in my community, and what I believe to have been divine intervention because God still had a plan for my life.  That plan has played out since my transfer in September 2021 to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, the only female maximum-security prison in New York State. This transfer gave me opportunities that would never have been available to me while incarcerated in a men’s maximum-security prison. These include gender affirmation and enrolling in the Marymount Manhattan College program at Bedford Hills, where I have earned 51 credits, with a 4.0 GPA, toward my associate’s degree in social science. I’ve also been elected to represent my peers on the Bedford Hills Inmate Liaison committee as a unit rep and vice president; I have hosted transgender Visibility and Remembrance Day events; and I currently work in the facility’s law library as a certified paralegal, providing legal assistance and disciplinary representation to other incarcerated individuals.  The darkest corners of my life in men’s maximum-security prisons, which were overwhelmingly relegated to the four concrete walls of solitary confinement cells, taught me what it means to feel forgotten and abandoned by a system that is mandated to protect. When I represent incarcerated individuals facing possible solitary confinement in their disciplinary hearings, I know how high the stakes are. Because of my years in solitary, I use my empathy, education, and resolve to ensure that no other incarcerated individual ever has to experience a dark night like I did on that concrete prison floor in Romulus, NY.  The New York State Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act is a strong step and commitment towards ending the practice that nearly took my life. However, there is so much more to be done. We have a commitment to recognize that those of us who have survived or are currently enduring solitary confinement are human beings. They are your brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons. A day must come when we no longer condone the caging of human beings like animals in a zoo. The post Voices from Solitary: My Darkest Night in Solitary Gave Me the Strength to Fight Back appeared first on Solitary Watch.

    How to Advocate Well for Your Children at School

    It has often been said that “it takes a village” to raise a child, and a critical member of that community is your children’s school. As a parent, it is important for you to connect and build relationships with your child or teen’s teachers, the school’s faculty, and the support staff around them. However, knowing just where to begin can be a challenge. There are also crucial pieces of your child’s or teen’s educational ecosystem that you may not even be aware of, making the establishment of those relationships all the more important. The following are some ideas to guide you in how to advocate well for your children at school. 1. Communicate Communicate. This is a must. Talk to your children’s teachers and the school staff about their needs, no matter how unique or complex those needs may be. 2. Provide Documentation Provide documentation. In your communications with the school faculty, be sure to provide any and all information on your child’s or teen’s academic, social, and emotional development. For instance, your child or teen may be in need of an IEP (Individualized Education Program). The main goal of an IEP is to help a child or teen benefit from general education. Admittedly, an IEP is complex and can be challenging to understand. Understood is a tremendous resource in helping you understand your child’s needs and rights within the education system. 3. Be Present Be present. It is, no doubt, challenging, but make every effort to attend meetings with teachers and staff, whether it is your child’s IEP meeting or simply a quarterly parent-teacher conference. 4. Ask Questions Ask questions. Understanding all of the ins and outs of your child’s or teen’s education is quite difficult, but instead of being prideful or fearful, don’t shy away from asking questions, especially the hard questions. For example, your child may qualify for a 504 plan, but you may ask yourself, what’s the difference between this and an IEP. According to Understood, an IEP is a formal plan under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that provides special education services and supports tailored to a student’s needs. A 504 plan, on the other hand, is covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and focuses on removing barriers, so students can learn alongside their peers in general education. It provides accommodations, not specifically designed instruction. 5. Prepare Prepare. As you plan to meet with your children’s teacher or support team, come with questions and points along with records, assessment information, and even past meeting notes. 6. Ask for Help Ask for help. You may find that you need additional support from your own community or church; other like-minded, trusted parents; or even legal advice or resources. If you do, do not be fearful of asking for that help. These tips or ideas for advocating well for your child at school may certainly lead you outside your comfort zone. The key is to remember: You are providing your child or teen with a voice before theirs has fully developed. In your advocacy, you also have the opportunity to teach your children valuable lessons of respect, honesty, self-control, and teamwork. The adoption journey does not end the day a child is welcomed home. In many ways, it is just beginning. Whether it is a medical need or resources for building connection, Show Hope is honored to come alongside parents and caregivers with our Medical Care grants and Pre+Post Adoption Support, including Hope for the Journey. The post How to Advocate Well for Your Children at School appeared first on Show Hope.

    Three ways the new administration could help rural America meet its challenges

    Helping younger farmers helps local land stay locally owned. (Abobe Stock photo) Seeking a voice and change small-town America needs, many rural voters rallied for President Donald Trump to return to the White House. Now that he's back in the Oval Office, there are three ways his administration could work with Congress to help rural America face its challenges, write Randolph Hubach and Cody Mullen for The Conversation. Health care is a good place to start. Rural Americans are more likely to receive Medicaid or Medicare health care coverage and more vulnerable to negative impacts from policy or funding changes. "Funding from those federal programs affects rural hospitals, and rural hospitals are struggling," Hubach and Mullen explain. "Nearly half of rural hospitals operate in the red today, and over 170 rural hospitals have closed since 2010." They recommend government funding continue for the Low-volume Hospital Adjustment Act and the rural emergency hospital model because both programs address rural health care providers' financial needs. Additional support and expansion of rural telehealth services is also needed. Help small towns address affordable housing. Like much of the country, rural communities lack affordable housing. To help small towns create housing solutions, the new administration should support the "bipartisan Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, which calls for creating a new federal tax credit to spur the development and renovation of family housing in distressed urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods," Hubach and Mullen add. "The Section 502 Direct Loan Program through the Department of Agriculture could be expanded with additional funding to enable more people to receive subsidized mortgages." Keep local lands locally owned. Rural businesses and landowners tend to care about the communities they call home. Congress could support rural land ownership through the "proposed Farm Transitions Act [that] would establish a commission on farm transitions to study issues that affect locally owned farms and provide recommendations to help transition agricultural operations to the next generation of farmers and ranchers," Hubach and Mullen add. The Trump administration also could continue assistance for young farmers. "About 30% of farmers have been in business for less than 10 years, and many of them rent the land they farm," they write. "Programs such as USDA’s farm loan programs and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program help support local land purchases and could be improved to identify and eliminate barriers that communities face."

    Is Paying For Surgery in Installments Bad For Credit?

    Let's face it, surgery can be expensive. An investment such as surgery requires in-depth decision-making and a reflection on your priorities. If you are based in locations where healthcare is not state-funded, you often don't have a choice to spend thousands on private medical care.  Or, if you are based in the UK and are seeking plastic surgery in London, this is not covered by the NHS, and you may need to pay a large sum. With all these things considered, people often resort to finance to pay for their treatments. If you have never used finance options to pay for medical care, it's natural to feel cautious about how this might impact your credit score.  In this blog, we will share the pros and cons of using finance to cover your surgical fees. Remember to put yourself first, and don't let the opinions of others influence your decision-making. The Pros Of Using Credit Allows you to spread the cost Firstly, one of the main pros of using credit is that it allows you to spread the finance cost. Paying for surgery in one sum may lead to you paying £10,000 in one go.  For some, this cost may be achievable, but for others, this can be their life savings. For example, if you are looking to retire and need this money to allow you to relocate, this can halt your plans and require several years to regenerate this amount.  Spreading the cost across and agreed terms will allow you to manage your outgoings effectively, leaving you with enough money to get by. Variable terms Another benefit of using finance to fund surgery is that there are variable terms available. By this, we mean lenders can differ their payment terms to suit your current affordability. For example, if you require just 12 months to spread the cost, this will likely be an option for you.  Some lenders may even have extended payment terms up to 6 years, allowing you to continue your day-to-day without the thought of a lump sum needing to be paid. Automated payments Another pro of using finance to fund surgery is the process is often seamless, with automated payments. A key element of using finance is your ability to pay back the required amount monthly.  Direct debits can be put in place to allow automated payments, leaving you peace of mind that you are paying your finances on time and gradually paying back the loan. There are medical-specific lenders The process of finding a credible lender can be difficult and time-consuming. Your medical practitioner whom you plan to have your surgery with will potentially have a credible lender they work with that specialises in healthcare finance. Paying on time can improve your credit If you don’t currently have credit (e.g. your mortgage is paid off/ you don't have anything financed), using finance and paying on time can improve your credit score.  This is beneficial, especially if your credit score has dropped and you’re looking to relocate in retirement. Showing a successful history of repayments will give you a better chance of being considered for finance in other areas. The Cons Of Using Credit High interest for missed payments Finance is not simply ‘free money’. If you wish to see credit for surgery, you need to treat it as if you’re paying a close friend their money back. Payments need to be made on time, in the full amount, and sometimes even in excess if you can.  If you miss one of your monthly repayments, you can expect high-interest charges. These charges will keep on accumulating if you fail to make payments, so be sure that you can pay the finance back each month before considering credit. An additional monthly expense What are your current monthly expenses? Do you have a mortgage to pay? Car finance to fund? And what percentage of your wage do your bills currently account for? Be sure that you can afford to pay back finance as a monthly expense.  Calculate the return % that the lender is asking for, and consider if this will be a burden to your monthly costs. Bottom Line Overall, using finance to fund surgery is neither good nor bad. The key is assessing whether you can make the monthly payments in full across the allocated termed contact.  Using finance to fund surgery should not be a decision based on initiation. Spending time calculating how much you can afford monthly, in addition to measuring whether finance is a necessity is a key indicator as to whether surgery is worth the investment.  On one hand, you can’t put a price on being in good health, on the other hand, the cost of healthcare continues to rise. Cosmetic surgeries such as facelifts in London may come at a cost, but if achievable within your current earnings to spread the cost, it may be worth the consideration.

    The Dyer Family Story

    “You are partnering with them as much as you are parenting them. One of the things that TBRI taught us is to make sure you’re being their coach, not their warden.” The Dyer Family This year, through Show Hope’s Hope for the Journey resource, we were honored to share Heather and Graham Dyer’s journey with Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®).  Many children who have been impacted by adoption and/or foster care have experienced abuse, trauma, neglect, and early attachment injuries. Their needs can oftentimes be complex, and traditional parenting and care models do not adequately address those needs.  TBRI was developed out of a desire to meet those needs. As Graham described it, “This is understanding deeply that she has suffered as real an injury as someone who has a physical injury because of the trauma she’s been through. And that has been, I think, transformative in the way that we relate to her.” Since 2010, Show Hope’s Pre+Post Adoption Support has been addressing the knowledge barrier to adoption and to support children and families—like Heather, Graham, and Oksana—helping parents better understand the children’s unique history and needs. And as we look ahead to 2025, we want to lock arms with more families, like the Dyers, on their adoption journeys. This month, we invite you to join us in raising $500,000 for our annual Gifts of Hope campaign. And with generous donors matching gifts up to $250,000, we have the opportunity to raise $750,000, all by midnight on Christmas Eve. This Christmas, we have strategically planned to raise $500,000 for the continuing impact of our work, yet we cannot reach that goal without you. Today, will you prayerfully consider a gift to our Gifts of Hope campaign? We need you. GIVE NOW The post The Dyer Family Story appeared first on Show Hope.

    A Game-Changer

    Before Holly and Ben Kladder even brought their son FuXi home from China through adoption, they knew he had a love for sports. “We always knew he was a sports kid,” Ben said. “Even some of the videos we got when he was still in China, he was in a chair, playing basketball with kind of a toy, plastic hoop. And then when he came home, it was just obvious he was gravitating toward everything sports.” FuXi’s parents said he’s truly in his element when he’s on the basketball court. So when FuXi found out Show Hope would fund an athletic wheelchair, he could hardly contain his excitement. FuXi was born with spina bifida—a birth defect that occurs when the spine does not close completely during pregnancy—and sacral genesis, meaning FuXi was born without a tailbone, leading to a short torso. FuXi had also been diagnosed with dyslexia, but when his reading was not improving in school, the Kladders began to pursue vision therapy. After initial testing, specialists discovered FuXi was having trouble with tracking; in other words, it was difficult for his eyes to switch from focusing near to far and back again. Add in dyslexia, and reading became extremely difficult for FuXi. A therapist recommended FuXi attend 35 sessions of vision therapy, totaling nearly $8,000. When insurance wouldn’t cover the therapy, the Kladders turned to Show Hope and applied for a Medical Care grant. Part way through what the Kladders described as a smooth application process, a Show Hope staff member contacted the family and asked if there was anything else FuXi would need in addition to vision therapy, sharing that Show Hope tries to do as much as possible with each grant. That’s when Holly told Show Hope about FuXi’s need for an athletic wheelchair. Two weeks later, Show Hope approved a grant to cover vision therapy as well as the sports wheelchair. “I am pretty sure I started shrieking and jumping around the living room,” Holly said. “I shared it with FuXi, and he had this huge grin on his face when I told him. He could not believe it. He was more excited about the sports chair than vision therapy. I was equally as excited about both. It was such a treat.” FuXi began vision therapy in the summer of 2023. Holly said improvements came slowly, at first, and then began snowballing. “It was after the vision therapy that we finally saw the growth reflected in his [test] scores,” Holly said. “It’s such a good victory for him. And now he can’t say, ‘I am not a reader,’ anymore. He’s still behind his classmates as far as his level of reading. But he has so much progress that I feel like he has a chance to catch up now; whereas before, it just was something we were struggling to have hope.” As for sports, FuXi’s basketball team made it to the National Wheelchair Basketball Association finals and took sixth in the nation. “[Basketball] has just been a critical, key element for him with self-esteem, teamwork, sportsmanship, self confidence, friendships,” Ben said. “It’s just been game changing for him.” FuXi is one of the Kladder’s five children, all brought home through adoption. Ben said he and his wife knew they were called to adopt before they even got married.  “We just always had a sense, like a calling, for lack of better terms,” Ben said. “It was just something that God was calling us into, asking us to be part of. It was always just really intentional, even from the time we first met.” When the Kladders began adopting their first child, they were both working full time, so they only needed minimal fundraising to bring their daughter home. When they decided to adopt a second time, Holly was no longer working, and they knew they’d need more help. So they applied for a Show Hope Adoption Aid grant. “I still remember we were on our way to my brother’s wedding in Minnesota when we found out we were getting a Shop Hope [Adoption Aid] grant for [our daughter], and it was just such a relief,” Holly said. After adopting their second child, the Kladders tried to conceive. When they were unsuccessful, they felt called to adopt three more times. “I am so thankful that we have our other three kids, who we wouldn’t have had had we been able to conceive,” Holly said. “We started out with adoption being our first choice. And our last three children were an, in some ways, unexpected blessing of infertility.” In total, the Kladders received four Show Hope Adoption Aid grants and the Medical Care grant for FuXi. “Every time something has come up with FuXi, God has provided,” Ben said. “And Show Hope has really been a big part of that. … Bottom line, without Show Hope, I don’t know how it would be possible,” Ben said. “And that quality of life that our kids have would not be what it is without the hope and support that we’ve gotten from Show Hope. It’s that simple.” This Christmas, we have strategically planned to raise $500,000 for the continuing impact of our work, yet we cannot reach that goal without you. Today, will you prayerfully consider a gift to our Gifts of Hope campaign? We need you. Give Now The post A Game-Changer appeared first on Show Hope.

Add a blog to Bloglovin’
Enter the full blog address (e.g. https://www.fashionsquad.com)
We're working on your request. This will take just a minute...