NSGCD Conference

The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization is holding their annual conference from Oct. 1-3 in Los Angeles. I am flying out there this morning. I am a board member, Publications Director, so I need to get there a little earlier. This year's theme is Transitions, Changes in the way we live, work and think.

Our featured speaker is Dr. Daniel G. Amen, an award winning physician, psychiatrist, best-selling author, international speaker, and brain enhancement expert. He is the author of 23 books, including the New York Times best-seller, “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life”. He is at the forefront of applying brain science to improve everyday life.

This years conference will be another wonderful learning opportunity, listening and learning from presenters that work in a number of mental health and related fields, that directly impact the challenges of my chronically disorganized client base.

Sharing time with my colleagues from all over the nation and world is the best part of conference. More on this later.

The Power of a Mom's Love

Michael Phelps was recently in the news again breaking another swimming world record, in the butterfly.

His story has a powerful message that all parents who have children with ADHD need to take wind of and integrate into their families. It is the power of love and belief in others. It is the power of one person, his Mom, to see only the good in her son. When everyone else saw problems, it was the power of one mother to see possibilities. This was the result of a parent's belief, love and confidence her son could do something well, even when other people in the academic world were telling him what he didn't do well.

It was the power of one Mom persevering relentlessly and always saying to her child: "You can and you will if you want to. Don't let what you can't do get in the way of what you already, brilliantly can. Just because you struggled in school does not make you a loser. Just because the teachers didn't understand how you are wired does not make you stupid. I know how you are wired and your brain has trillions of different ways of processing the world around you. If you can find something you love then I will also love it. I will always let you know about your love for swimming as long as it ignites both your head and your heart."

Michael Phelps has a mom who has always believed in his ability to do something well; not everything, but at least one thing. She never gave up letting him know that he won't get satisfaction from trying to making his academic weaknesses stronger. Michael's mom knew you make the most out of life by doing what you love, especially when you already do it well. Think of all the swimmers, musicians, artists, writers, web designers, who may have ADHD and do something well but are directed to spend their focus, time & energy on tasks that play to their weaknesses. Their brains are not getting the nourishment they need. When you have ADHD, you don't gain any kind of momentum, or positive self-esteem by focusing, on what you don't do well. You get ahead in life by focusing on what you already do well and fin ding ways to do it better.

Through the power of his Mom's love and Michael's unrelenting, hyper focus and determination, he transformed his natural swimming talents, into super-human strengths. We were all given the gift of witnessing the greatest swimmer in Olympic history. Thanks Mom!!!!!
(Written by David Giwerc, MCC, ADDCA Founder)

Me & the Flu

My last blog was about the H1N1 flu epidemic. I gave important and helpful information, which I took off of the CDC's website. The main reason I am so buggy about the flu is simple. A number of years ago I had the flu and I unfortunately ended up with viral encephalitis from that flu virus. The virus went to my brain and caused me to go into a coma and end up in intensive care at the hospital.

The long term effects of viral encephalitis on my life was a brain injury and long-term damage. I was very fortunate and a lot of the damage has since been reversed, but there is still some lifetime damage and long-term memory loss that is gone forever. This kind of a brain injury is called an ABI (Acquired Brain Injury).

There is wonderful information out there about brain injuries and the effects of different kinds of brain injuries on people and their families, which can be found on the website for the Brain Injury Association of Texas at: http://www.biatx.org. If you are interested in information on brain injuries, current research and help of any kind, check out this wonderful site.

Since I am in the population of those with compromised systems, I get a flu shot as soon as they are available. So, my main message here is to be careful, wash your hands frequently, sneeze into your clothing and not in the air, and try to avoid touching your face, mouth or eyes after you have touched something, until you can wash your hands. You will spread the germ fast and furiously if you do not take precautions. Teach your children (young & old) these healthy habits too.

To find out where flu shots are available in your town, check out: http://www.healthline.com. Stay healthy this year for yourself and for your loved ones!

H1N1 Update from the CDC

Prevention & Treatment

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against 2009 H1N1 virus. However, a 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall. As always, a vaccine will be available to protect againstseasonal influenza
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners*are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

Other important actions that you can take are:

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines,alcohol-based hand rubs,* tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
Keep away from others as much as possible. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

Hoarding on A & E / My Collaborative Team

There is a new show on A & E called "Hoarding." It is a reality show that shows the challenging side of hoarding. There have been three episodes so far, and the first one where there was an intervention by a professional organizer and a therapist, alongside the hoarder made the most sense for the helpfulness of the process, when it comes to working in a collaborative setting. '

Many of my hoarding clients are calling me up with excitement about the "Hoarders" show. They are so happy to see other people on T.V. that are also going through similar struggles. They seem to think this series is not as sensational as others they have seen on T.V.

With the experience that I have had as a professional organizer working with hoarders, I prefer to work collaboratively with as many people on my clients team as we can get. Currently, I am working with a hoarding client that lives alone in a four bedroom home that is almost filled to capacity. This client suffers from bipolar disorder, ADD, depression and COPD. She doesn't have family that lives close by, but does have a neighbor that checks in on her often. The woman's therapist contacted me. I went and assessed the client's situation while the therapist was there, and decided with the client where we would start the process . We agreed that we would all work collaboratively, the therapist, the client and a social worker that is also involved in this case. The woman's daughter is also involved in the process from a distance.

I feel good about our working arrangement of having a team to discuss the work with. They are here to offer my client and I support for the work that we'll be doing in the house. I will be reporting the process and progress in the house to the mental health team. The mental health team will also be working with the hoarder in their offices, continuing to discuss and support the on going therapy that is in place, along with conversations about strategies and systems that my client and I will be creating in the home. My client is excited about the process and looking forward to moving ahead. I am excited by her motivation and drive.

Here is the link to check out the new show on A & E: http://www.aetv.com