Better world Archives - Page 6 of 10 -

Snow, Polar Bears & a White Coke Can

October 26, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

I know, Halloween isn’t even over yet but bear with me while I talk about Christmas for a minute.

Chances are good we’ll have a white Christmas this year. You’re probably thinking, “What?! Doesn’t she live in Canada?” Yes, I do, but I live in a part of Canada that doesn’t get a lot of snow. But not for long! It looks like we’ll be in Calgary just in time to really enjoy winter. (Whose idea was this…?)

I am ridiculously excited about having more snow this winter (though feel free to talk to me in March and see if I still feel that way). Just yesterday morning Connor and I were watching Backyardigans and in this particular episode they were snowboarding. “Look, mama! Snow!” he said. Oh kid, you’re in for a wonderland of fun this winter.

There are certain things that always make it seem like Christmas to me. One of them – I kid you not – is the Christmas Coke commercials. You know the ones with the polar bears? I love those. Especially the ones with the sliding baby bears. Those ones are awesome.

I don’t know why I love those commercials so much, but I do. Maybe because they’re cute. Or because they’re happy. Or because I drink a lot of Coke…

Or maybe it’s because I think polar bears are magical. My brother spent a couple of seasons WAY up north in polar bear country, and one of my sisters was there for a season too. Their stories and photos are incredible.

Photo credit: Greg Hounslow (my bro)

After hearing about their experiences I understand more how tragic the threat to the polar bear habitat is. (And yes, I’m going to get all “do good things!” on you now.)

Coke is turning their red cans white this holiday season as part of the “Arctic Home” campaign, another thing I think is awesome. It makes total sense to me for Coke to raise awareness and funds to support World Wildlife Fund (WWF) efforts to protect the polar bears’ Arctic home.

Coke will contribute $2 million to WWF over the next five years, and donations from consumers made by March 15, 2012 will be matched – up to $1 million USD – through the Arctic Home campaign.

I love seeing companies do this. A white Coke can with polar bears on it? That will totally get people’s attention. I hope it generates donations (need a Christmas present for someone environmentally-minded?) but I think the awareness is important too.

Coke will be doing “Arctic Home” commercials as well as other advertisements and promotions, and they’re also working with Academy Award-nominated filmmaker MacGillivray-Freeman Films on a new IMAX film called To The Arctic 3D. (You can see some preview footage from the film in the video below.)

You can find out more on iCoke.ca, where you can explore, experience and learn about the polar bear and its Arctic home. You can also watch video chats with WWF scientists, track virtual polar bear sightings, and make donations online.

This whole endeavour is something I applaud, and I will be supporting the campaign, sharing it with others, and checking out the polar bears (I can’t resist photos and info about these bears). I will also totally be in the theatre for that IMAX film. Probably with popcorn and a white Coke can in hand.

Filed Under: Better world, Stuff I like ·

Blue

October 11, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

With some distance, I wonder what Connor will think of all this when he’s older.

Will he understand my struggle?

Will he think it was about him?

Will he be embarrassed that I put this much of it out there?

I don’t think he will.

In fact I’m willing to bet he won’t.

You see, we know it’s okay now.

One day, long after her streaks have faded, he will come across a picture of his Grandma – my mom – with blue hair.

He will see a newspaper article with a picture of her – blue hair and all – sitting between his dad and I.

And he will know what that brilliant shock of blue means: It’s okay to ask for help.

And if he asks I’ll give him nothing but love.

Just like my mother did for me.

With thanks to Paul and the staff at Chamberlain Walk hair salon for supporting my mom’s fundraising for mental health and suicide prevention.

If you’d like to make a contribution you can do that here. If my mom raises $4000 she’ll dye her whole head blue (and I really, really want to see that).

—

Music in the video is “Blue” by July for Kings. Lovely, isn’t it?

Filed Under: Better world, Happy things, Motherhood, Postpartum depression · Tagged With: community, family, gratitude, hope, love, my wish for you, we're not alone

Join the Fight: Depression Awareness Month

October 10, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

I wrote yesterday’s post thinking it was a silly confession about overindulging in chips and ice cream. Today, as I entered hour three of being curled up in bed in my parents’ guest room watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory on my laptop (having again vacated our house for showings), my head was finally quiet enough for that little voice to be heard. The one that says, “It’s back. You’re back there.” The one that tries to brush away my cranky exterior enough to get through to me with its message that being bitchy and snapping at my husband and my kid is a sign of more than just being bitchy and snapping at my husband and my kid.

It’s the other side of the voice – the usually much louder one – that says, “Life sucks. This is too hard. I don’t want to live with this anymore.”

Today, while I deal with the battle of the voices, I’m sharing a guest post from from Help for Depression. In honor of Depression Awareness Month, they’re hosting a fundraiser for To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA).

***

It is so hard to take care of the house and the kids when you need a fork lift to get out of bed each morning. That is why it’s so important to spread awareness about depression during October, Depression Awareness Month. I would surely like my husband to have more awareness, although generally he is patient and sympathetic with me.

What motivates me to write about Depression Awareness Month is my daughter. She called me from her dorm and said, “Mom, I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I can’t focus on my homework. What’s the point of all this anyway?” I had hoped none of my children would experience depression. I’ll have to revise my hope.

While searching for information on depression in young adults, I learned that 44% of college students have depressive symptoms. As my daughter would say, “OMG.” How is it possible that so many young people, close to half, are depressed when they’re just out of life’s starting gate? I find it outrageous that suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. It can’t be right to ignore these statistics.

How bad does it have to get?

Think about it: if 44% of university students had the flu all at once, it likely would be labeled an epidemic. I think if people realized how big this problem is there would be more concern, or at least the start of more concern.

The other day my ten-year-old said, “Mom, you’re such a crab,” and that was to my face. My husband calls our life boring, and my mother thinks I’m lazy. There is a little truth to the laziness part, but that’s not why the laundry is piled up.

I do not want my daughter to be afraid of people finding out she is depressed.

That is why I am thrilled about Depression Awareness Month. It won’t fix the problem, but it is a start. People need to know what the symptoms are, what resources are available, and those suffering deserve to feel accepted.

As for myself, I want people to know that I do not expect to be babied, and do not feel sorry for myself. I want people who are suffering unnecessarily to find help. I want to purchase my medication without feeling a tinge of shame.

There is an easy way to help

There are people doing more to spread depression awareness than just talking, like me. Help for Depression, a depression resource, and a nonprofit called To Write Love On Her Arms, have joined forces this October to raise money for depression awareness.

If you can click with a mouse, you can make a difference. Go to the Help for Depression Facebook page and click the ‘Like’ button. For each new ‘Like’ given between October 1st and the 15th, $1 is donated towards their $15,000 goal. Please take a few seconds to click and contribute.

About the Author

Jacqueline is a creative writer, published poet, and has an MA in counseling psychology. Her education is backed by 12 years experience as a licensed clinical counselor.

***

When I first “liked” the Help for Depression page, there were only a handful of other likes. Now, not even two weeks later, they’re at almost 10,000. This is clearly an issue that affects a lot of people.

Please click through and click “Like” to help them towards their $15,000 goal. Depression is a horrible thing to live with.

PS You can also find me on Just.Be.Enough. today talking about my current struggles as a parent. Please come and visit me over there and tell me I’m not the only one…

Filed Under: Better world, Hard things · Tagged With: admissions, community, depression, hope

The Story of the Magic Shirt

October 8, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

[Update: It looks like this partnership is over so I’ve updated links. But it’s still a good fairytale.]

Once upon a time there was a boy in a blue shirt.

It was a nice blue shirt. The fabric was really soft and it was good for napping in.

One day while wearing the shirt, the boy concentrated really hard, trying to hold up two fingers.

It turns out that’s hard to do when you’re three.

But it didn’t matter, because this shirt was a magic shirt – the kind that looks like one shirt but is actually two (even if you can’t get your fingers to show that).

You see, Olive Juice clothing has partnered with Clothes4Souls to provide clothing to children around the world who need it.

For every item of clothing purchased, Olive Juice will give another piece of clothing to a child in need through Clothes4Souls, the clothing division of Soles4Souls.

That makes the boy in the blue shirt very happy.

The End

***

When Soles4Souls asked me if I’d help let people know about this charitable program, I didn’t hesitate. It’s a great cause.

And, people, their stuff is cute. That incredibly handsome boy up there is wearing the marin tee (with some room to grow into it, yay!).

So check it out, will you? Buy something adorable for a special occasion. Start shopping for Christmas. Get a shower gift for the next new baby in your life. Remember, these clothes are magic. For every one you buy through Olive Juice Gives, a child who needs clothing gets a piece too.

(And if I have a girl, someone please buy that Blair sweater dress for me, will you? Swoon.)

I was given one item of clothing for posting about this partnership but was otherwise not compensated (except, hopefully, for a smidge of good karma). All opinions, and the awesome fairytale above, are my own.

Filed Under: Better world, Happy things ·

Building Stronger Families, One Mom at a Time

October 4, 2011 by Farewell Stranger ·

I remember the exact day I found Postpartum Progress. November 10, 2010. It was a Wednesday.

I can’t remember exactly how I found it, but I think the site actually found me. That was before I started this blog. It was before I discovered #PPDChat. It was before I really started talking about my experience with PPD. But someone – one of my Facebook friends – posted a link and I clicked on it.

All of a sudden everything seemed a little better. I looked at the definition of postpartum depression and the 6-things series and I noticed, throughout, the tone of acceptance and support and hope. Finding that site turned me around and pointed me in the right direction, and at the time I had only a glimpse of how totally amazing it is.

That day, I sent an email to the site’s founder, Katherine Stone:

Katherine,

Just a quick message to say that I came across your site this morning via a link on Facebook. I immediately grabbed it and sent it to myself to read later, and I’m so glad I saw that one message pop up before I missed the chance to really notice it.

Your site is incredible, and it’s found its way to me at a very opportune time. My perfectionist personality (oh, how that is a factor for me!) has made it very hard to reach out for help. I finally did that nearly a year ago and overall am much better, but this has been a rough week and I’m realizing that I’m not quite there yet.

I’m not sure where this journey will continue to take me, but I’m very grateful to have found your site as I think it will be a good resource for both me and my family.

Robin Farr

Katherine sent this to me in response:

I’m so glad you found Postpartum Progress, and that it has been helpful. It is so normal to have rough weeks in the process of recovery. Just keep doing what you are doing – I am so happy that you reached out for help. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other!!

The content of that short reply sums up everything that is amazing about Katherine and the work she does.

When I created my mama Twitter account and started blogging, I came across Katherine again and have come to know her as a totally supportive, incredibly dedicated woman. When she started her Daily Hope emails earlier this year, I signed up immediately. For months they gave me what I needed to face each day and while I no longer need them, I still get them. A dose of love and support every day – how could I not want that?

I get a lot from Postpartum Progress, and today I’m hoping to give back.

October 5th is the day when more children are born each year than any other day. Today is Strong Start Day.

I’m going to quote directly from Postpartum Progress to explain the significance:

Only 15% of all women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders ever receive professional treatment. This means that each year hundreds of thousands more women and their children may suffer from the negative effects of untreated PPD and related illnesses for the rest of their lives.

Postpartum Progress will change that with your help. We are developing a compelling national awareness campaign for postpartum depression, as well as new and improved patient education materials (the kind new moms won’t throw away!), and new uses of technology to reach suffering moms no matter where they are.

On October 5th, the day when more children are born each year than any other day, I am asking you to do one of three things:

1) Make a donation to Postpartum Progress. Any amount is welcome.

2) Ask at least 2 other people who love you and know what you went through – people who’ve come to know that postpartum depression is real and that all women deserve to have access to the best information and help – to make a donation today in your name.

3) Refer us to contacts at organizations that can help us with our work.

If you are financially unable to donate, send us your prayers or moral support so that we may find the right people to help us make major change.

Today’s the day. Please help us build stronger families, one mom at a time.