#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: #TFF2014, Blind Pole Vaulter, Lego Building Career, NYC World Fair Photos

Thought for the Day: I have some wonderful finds for you today from Flipboard. I am still haven't figured out how to add something from outside flibboard, but want to mention that the Tribeca Film Festival #TFF2014 is ending this Sunday. If you are in NYC this weekend, it is well worth catching some great films. Even waiting in the rush lines for tickets is a fun and interesting experience. You can meet people from around the world, including aspiring actors and film makers. If you come early, you can get into the screenings. This week I saw "Art and Craft." It is a surprisingly funny, albeit touchingly sad and insightful documentary. The film exposes the life of an emotionally disturbed exceptionally talented artist. who donates his forged replicas of classic art to museums around the United States. I spoke briefly (and exchanged e-mails to continue the conversation) with the filmmaker, MARK BECKER,  who edited this film. It raised multiple questions for me as a psychologist about developing more creative treatment options for the mentally ill in our nation. I also saw "Below Dreams," a portrait of three twenty-something transplants to New Orleans in their search for their dreams. It is a cross between a documentary and narrative looking at the challenges three young people face in today's world.

My flipboard picks this week include a long, but well worth the read, cover story about a teenage blind pole vaulter. As those of you who have been following my blog know, I have been working for several years with the Blind Judo Foundation, which is featured in my book,  since they encourage blind athletes to reach for and accomplish their dreams by pursuing the sport of Judo. This young woman's dreams are literally taking her to new heights. If your dream is to build with legos for a living there's an article on how to be paid to play. (At the Tribeca Film Festival there is film about Legos, too, "Beyond the Brick: A Lego Brickumentary.") Other posts include photos from NYC's World's Fair which was held 50 years ago, some very creative lunch boxes, and packaging that sells itself. I hope you like my picks.

#FF 5 of #Top10 Friday's Fabulous Finds 2013

Thought for the Day: I have dedicated the month of January to three things: 1) celebrating the 2nd anniversary of writing the blog with over 81,000 page views in just 2 years, 2) a look back on the #Top10 posts from 2013 in the various categories covered by my blog, and 3) new beginnings with new posts and ideas to help you redesign your lives and start moving towards a future that include your dreams. #FF Friday's Fabulous was one of the new posts added to the blog in January 2013. It has been a popular series on the blog bringing a mix of informative research articles, videos and inspirational stories that I find over the course of the week. Here are 5 of your favorites Fabulous Finds which had the most page views last year. In two weeks I will share the #Top5 of 2013.

Tuesday's Psychology Tips: How to Stop a Cyberbully

Dr. Barbara Lavi answered:

Need docs help! I am bullied and cyberbullied everyday ! I'm very sad . :( please help me , I need solutions !?

Bullies tend to take advantage of people when they see it is working. If they are cyberbullying you, stop reacting  to them, don't give them ammunition. Report their behavior to the Internet provider, block their comments and/or change your email, login name or leave the platform so they cannot keep contacting you. If the bullying is in the real world, not cyberspace, join new groups avoid places where the person confronts you for a while. Speak with a therapist  to build your confidence.

(This is a real question that I answered on HealthTap with minor editing.)

Reproduced from HealthTap.com This is one of many questions I have answered on HealthTap a wonderful online site where you can askk all medical questions and get answers from doctors 24/7. You can follow me or other experts on their site.

The Christmas Countdown Sale benefitting The Blind Judo Foundation is still going on. Grab a copy for yourself and/or gift it to family and friends, It can also help you build self esteem which will reduce the chances of becoming a target for bullies. You do not need a Kindle to download the e-book to your computer, phone or ipad.

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Blind Matters Radio & Kindle Book Sale

Thought for the Day: I usually promote others articles & finds on this post, but I am very busy with a radio show tomorrow and a Christmas Countdown Kindle promotion that started yesterday & runs until the 19th of December. Therefore, I will simply tell you about these two events. You may have seen the press release that I posted yesterday: Breaking News: Santa Admits He Is Visually Impaired: Becomes Spokesperson for The Blind Judo Foundation.  The release has been picked up by newspapers from across the country. The press release is meant to be funny, but it is serious about supporting an amazing Dream NonProfit organization. Please share the story & video with friends & family & know that every book sold will donate 1/2 of the profits to The Blind Judo Foundation. You do not have to own a Kindle to download the e-book version, since they have a free app that works with computers, ipads & even smart phones. If you know someone who is blind or visually impaired, there is also a Kindle reader app which will allow them to listen to the book on their computer, ipad or smartphone. So help Santa & Rudolph lighten their load and help someone you love find a way to accomplish their dreams. Grab a copy & gift it while the sale is on (the price goes up every 2 days so do it ASAP).

Tomorrow, December 14th, at 4 PM EST I will be speaking on the  Blind Matters Radio program (Radio Show Call in # Saturday, 3pm to 6pm EST: 800-788-9575) on How to Prevent Bullying of the Blind (or sighted community) by following your dreams & enhancing your self esteem. It is a live program and questions are welcomed. I hope that you will call in & listen.

Breaking News: Santa Admits He Is Visually Impaired: Becomes Spokesperson For The Blind Judo Foundation

Santa Admits He Is Visually Impaired, Becomes Spokesperson For The Blind Judo Foundation

An emotional Santa admitted his vision has been failing for years. With Rudolph at his side, Santa became the spokesperson for the Blind Judo Foundation.

North Pole & Weston CT – WEBWIRE – Thursday, December 12, 2013

 

 

I had changed from a Ho Ho kind of guy, to feeling Ho Hum about life, embarrassed and depressed about my declining vision.

The Blind Judo Foundation caught up with Santa at a surprise press conference at the North Pole. Santa revealed he can no longer hide his serious visual impairment. The true reason for hiring Rudolph was not bad weather, he needed a seeing-eye reindeer for many years. Mrs. Claus encouraged Santa to get help, tell the truth and become a positive role model for blind & visually impaired children, young adults & wounded warriors. In an apology to his fans, he revealed that in therapy with Dr. Barbara Lavi, author and Clinical Psychologist, he learned to cope with his vision loss and about  the Blind Judo Foundation.

Santa began training in the sport of Judo. He reports that, “ Judo helped me regain not only my strength and balance but also my self confidence.” Mrs. Santa is pleased with her husband’s progress. Santa said, ”Dr. Lavi’s book,   The Wake Up And Dream Challenge helped me realize I wanted to do more with my life.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi3y-5u9afE&feature=share&list=UUXuDkCDCNlHlWROdf420Gbg

Therefore, “Rudolph will be delivering the gifts this year, while I train for Judo tournaments. I hope to make the US Paralympic Judo Team.” He also says he is excited to train with the former US Olympic and US Paralympic Judo Coach and iconic legend, Coach Willy Cahill, at Cahill’s Judo Academy.

Santa announced and encouraged everyone to secure a copy of Dr. Lavi’s Kindle book, The Wake Up And Dream Challenge which will be on sale at Amazon with 1/2 of the profits from every book sold donated to the Blind Judo Foundation from 12/12 - 12/19. (http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Challenge-Benefiting-Blind-Foundation-ebook/dp/B008R1FFBI)

The Blind Judo Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose mission is to empower the blind and visually impaired using the tools and tenets of Judo. These include but not limited to confidence building, character development, how-to make commitments and follow through, humility, respect and responsibility. All members of the Foundation are volunteers. Funding of blind and visually impaired athletes to train, travel locally, nationally and internationally are through tax exempt donations, the financial life-line. Donations can be made at http://www.blindjudofoundation.org/wp/donate which are tax exempt. To learn more about the Foundation, check out blindjudofoundation.org and athttp://www.facebook.com/BlindJudoFoundation or contact Ron C. Peck at roncpeck(at)blindjudofoundation(dot)org or 425-444-8256.

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Dr. Barbara Lavi

Licensed Psychologist

ACt Now Psychotherapy

Contact via E-mail

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Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: Helen Keller Visionary

Thought for the Day: Today, I chose a quote by Hellen Keller: "We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough." On Saturday, December 14th at 4 PM, I will be speaking on the Blind Matters Radio program (Radio Show Call in # Saturday, 3pm to 6pm EST: 800-788-9575) on: How Taking The Wake Up and Dream Challenge Enhances Self Esteem and Prevents Becoming a Target of Bullying. Sadly, adult blind and visually impaired adults are often targeted by bullies. Hellen Keller's perseverance and adherence to her dreams made her an inspiration to anyone dealing with challenges. Many people would have succumbed to their disabilities and led a simple life letting others care for them, but Keller kept challenging herself, intent to live as independently as possible.She became a world renowned leader and role model for the visually and hearing impaired community, as well as to the sighted world. I hope you will join me on Saturday & welcome questions on the live show.

Thursday's Psychology Trivia Q & A: How Often Is a Child Bullied On Playgrounds in the USA?

Thought for Today: I have been under the weather for quite a while and dealing with what could be an Olympic luge run on my driveway and an ice rink on the parking area for my clients! The warm weather is helping, but until today, it has been icing over every night! At any rate, since it is already almost 4 PM EST, I decided to repost a Trivia article from last November. Here it is: Thought for the Day: Since I am going to be speaking Blind Matters Radio on Saturday, 11/9/2013 at 3 PM on bullying & how to prevent it among blind & visually impaired individuals, I have been doing some research on the statistics. The epidemic proportions of bullying among our children is mind boggling.  According to the National Education Association, National Association of School Psychologists PowerPoint on bullying, Time and Ladies Home Journal, 160,000 kids miss school every day to avoid being bullied. However, this statistic is 20 years old & the numbers are probably much higher. A more recent study reports that every 7 minutes a child is bullied on a playground. There is adult intervention 4 % of the time, peer intervention, 11 % of the time and no intervention 85% of the time. 
        Clearly despite all the talk about prevention, adults are not doing a very good job of protecting our children from bullying. I hope you will share your thoughts, concerns, & ideas, here or on the radio program to help solve this very serious problem in our country.

#FF Friday's Fab Finds: ADHD, Paying It Forward for Kids' Sports, Infants, Junk Food & Children's Mental Health, & Blind Judo on Blind Matters Radio

Thought for the Day: As we start Labor Day Weekend, I found some great finds this week. I wish I had discovered the first find before the summer, but it will give parents of kids with ADHD time to investigate and search for programs for next summer for their children. The second find is a children's book which is paying it forward for children's sports programs, like mine does for helping people accomplish their dreams. Speaking of which, the 3rd find is a radio program tomorrow with Willy Cahill, Olympic Judo Coach. The show will highlight the benefits of the sport of Judo for blind and visually impaired children and adults. If you have time, I hope you will listen in tomorrow. Finally, a study that all pregnant and new mothers should be aware of, although we know that junk food is bad for our health, this study found that unborn infants and newborns exposed to junk food have a higher tendency to suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Have a wonderful weekend & I hope you enjoy these finds.


Like Summer Camp With Brain Benefits: ADHD Summer Intensive Programs By Madeline Vann, MPH Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH Here's something for parents of children with ADHD to think about for next summer for their children, an intensive summer program that focuses on whole brain development and features diet strategies, exercise options, and classes geared to bolster both strengths and weaknesses - all while remaining fun.

A sports story worth celebrating -- Bob Salomon and a Glove of Their Own By Rick Young, August 22, 2012, from FoxNews Here's a book doing for sports programs for children, what I am doing for the Dream Non-profits featured in my book. Bob Salomon is donating a portion from the sale of each book, A Glove of Their Own,  is donated to: Good Sports, Sports Gift, & Pitch In For Baseball. In addition, Bob sees to it that $3 of every book sold will be given to any school or non-profit organization that joins his effort.

Coach Willy Cahill, Legendary Judo Coach And Co-Founder Of The Blind Judo Foundation To Speak With 400,000 Listeners Of Blind Matters Radio Show Audience August 31, 2013 If you know someone who is blind or visually impaired, you may want to let them know about this broadcast tomorrow about how the sport of judo can build self esteem and independence for the blind. The Blind Judo Foundation is one of the Dream Nonprofit organizations featured in my book. They are doing phenomenal work. If you get a chance, listen in

In Young Kids, Junk Food Linked to Mental Illness  By Traci Pedersen Associate News Editor Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D., August 22, 2013 This is an important story for any pregnant mother or parent of a young child to read. Prenatal & early childhood nutrition has found a link to depression and anxiety in children exposed to junk food during these formative stages of life.

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Need 4 Women in Politics, Olympic Inspiration, Medical Miracles, & Mothering Blind

Here’s this Friday’s Fabulous Finds with some inspirational news to kick off your weekend. Today’s finds include female empowerment in the White House, a sensational Paralympics athlete, advancements in the medical field that have changed a young girl’s life & how children of blind mothers develop communication skills.

Kirsten Gillibrand Quotes: Why Women Need to Run for Office

This Huffington Post Women article promotes an essay by New York senator Gillibrand encouraging women to run for public office. “Women’s voices are not better than men’s, they’re different & the broader perspective that we bring often leads to better results,” asserts Gillibrand. “That’s why I’ve been such an advocate for more women to run for office & make their voices heard.” After listening to the presenters yesterday at the Museum of Motherhood, I strongly second Gillibrand's recommendation. more women need to enter the discussion & let their voices be heard.








Alana Nichols, Wheelchair Basketball Star, is a Real Inspiration
Huffington brings us another post, this time about Paralympics athlete Alana Nichols. Since a snowboarding injury, she’s participated in wheelchair athletic events & went on to earn gold medals at multiple Paralympics. Read on to learn more about this inspirational icon for physically disabled athletes.

2-Year-Old Receives Groundbreaking Bioengineered Organ Transplant
This video from AOL Entertainment uncovers Hannah Warren, a 2-year-old who’s lived most of her life in an intensive care unit without a windpipe. That is, until surgeons bioengineered an artificial windpipe in her body. Warren remains the youngest person to receive a bioengineered organ, & has been thriving since. Watch the video to learn more about this medical breakthrough.

Children of Blind Mothers Learn New Modes of Communication 
This fascinating article by Elizabeth Norton on ScienceNOW looks at how sighted babies of blind mothers learn to communicate. The results may surprise you.

Hope you will come back for Saturday’s Songs for the Soul, Sunday’s Comic Strips, & our posts for next week. Enjoy your weekend!