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SHartland Winters

>Below is definitely some good information. Some things I didn't know and
>hadn't thought of. Spread the word as you see fit.
>
>A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his
>company:
>The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first
>name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your check book they
will
>not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first
name
>but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
>
>When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card
>accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line.
>Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the
>rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it
passes
>through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
>
>Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you
>have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a
>PO Box use your work address.
>
>Never have your SS# printed on your checks (DUH!) -- you can add it if it
>is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
>
>Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of
>each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet
>and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.
>
>Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my
passport
>when I travel either here or
>abroad.
>
>We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us by
>stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc.
>Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet
>was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive
>monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit
>line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to
>change my driving record information online, and more.
>
>But here's some critical information to limit the damage in
>case this happens to you or someone you know:
>We have been told we should cancel our credit cards
>immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card
>numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them
>easily.
>
>File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it
>was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were
>diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is
>one).
>
>But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even
>thought to do this). Call the three national credit reporting
organizations
>immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security
number.
>I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to
tell
>me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The
>alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was
>stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By
>the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all
>the damage had been done.
>
>There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves'
>purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since
>then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet
>away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in
>their tracks.
>
>The numbers are:
>
>Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
>
>Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
>
>Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
>
>Social Security Administration (fraud
>line): 1-800-269-0271
>
>We pass along jokes on the internet; we pass along just about everything.
>Pass this information along. It could really help someone you care about.
 

Press Release

For Immediate Release

March 25, 2003
Contact: CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Temporary Deferral Recommended for Heart Patients Volunteering for Smallpox Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today took the precautionary step of adding a temporary medical deferral to the smallpox vaccination program for persons who have been diagnosed with heart disease. CDC is investigating whether there is any association between smallpox vaccination and reports of heart problems in seven health care workers who have been vaccinated.

CDC added the temporary measure to the existing list of deferral criteria based on information from its real-time monitoring system, which showed a small number of heart-related incidents among health care workers following smallpox vaccination. It is not clear whether this number is greater than would be expected normally in this population, CDC scientists said.

"We promised to closely monitor this program and to put safety first, so we are exercising exceptional caution," said Julie Gerberding, M.D., CDC director. "If our investigation shows this precautionary measure should become permanent or the need for other changes or enhancements in the civilian smallpox vaccination program, we will take immediate action."
"We continue to believe that it is important and necessary to vaccinate health care workers to prepare our nation in the event we have to respond to a smallpox outbreak," Dr. Gerberding said.

CDC is recommending that persons with known cardiac disease - such as cardiomyopathy, previous heart attack, history of angina, or other evidence of coronary artery disease - be temporarily deferred from receiving smallpox vaccination. CDC will provide states with simple questions about heart problems to use in screening people volunteering for smallpox vaccination.

In pursuing its promise of safety, last week CDC asked the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) Smallpox Vaccine Safety Review Board to examine reports of heart-related adverse events occurring in connection with the smallpox vaccination program. CDC is also beginning research projects aimed at identifying and understanding any associations that may exist between smallpox vaccine and heart-related problems.

"A major part of our monitoring program involves regularly sharing information about adverse events with experts such as those on the ACIP. They can help assess whether the smallpox vaccine is, indeed, associated with the medical conditions described in the adverse event reports," said Walter Orenstein, M.D., director of CDC's National Immunization Program.

CDC has received several reports of heart-related problems among the 25,645 people who have been vaccinated in the civilian program. The seven cases prompting today's precautionary action include three cases of myocardial infarction (heart attack), one of which resulted in death; two cases of angina (chest pain); and two cases of myopericarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle or sac surrounding the heart). In each case the individual's medical history, including risk factors for heart disease, is being studied.

Cases of heart inflammation following smallpox vaccination were reported in the 1960s and 1970s. However, the information from these reports does not provide any information about the types of people who may be at higher risk for heart-related problems following smallpox vaccination.

For more information, see:

INTERIM SMALLPOX FACT SHEET: Smallpox Vaccine and Heart Problems
(http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/heartproblems.asp)

VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT (VIS): Smallpox Vaccine and Heart Problems: Important Interim Supplementary Information -- March 27, 2003
(http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/heartproblems-vis.asp)

Smallpox Website
(http://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/)

# # #

CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.

News Article ID: 2668  
15 January 2003
Autism and emergency responders – what you need to know

http://www.fireinternational-mag.com/shownews.asp?secid=8&nav=1&newstype=&key=&page=&newsid=2668


Imagine you arrive at an incident scene. A child sits rocking back and forth. You call to him and he looks away, playing with his fingers and flapping his hands. The harder you try to communicate, the closer you get to him, the more he turns away and retreats into himself, seemingly oblivious to smoke, heat, pain or danger. This is autism, writes Bill Davis, who explains what signs firefighters should recognise, and what they need to know in order to help autistic people in an emergency.

As Emergency Service Responders, you will eventually come face to face with an ever increasing epidemic. You must know how to recognise it, deal with it effectively and learn a different type of rescue.

It is not terrorism, anthrax or small pox – It is autism – an ever growing, neurobiological disorder that affects language, communication, socialisation and sensory perception.

Imagine that you arrive at the scene: A raging fire or horrific auto accident – a child sits rocking back and forth, staring at a cloud of billowing smoke – you begin to call to him and he looks away, playing with his fingers and flapping his hands. The harder you try, the louder you talk, the closer you get, the more he turns away, the faster he moves his head from side to side. He repeats what you say robotically, while at the same time disappearing deeper into his home, seeking his place of comfort.

He is seemingly oblivious to the smoke, the heat, the pain, the danger; this is a child so overwhelmed with stimuli assaulting him constantly. This is autism.

I have many stories, feelings and theories that I would love to share with you, but as firefighters, you need to become familiar with some hard, cold facts about this disorder. You need to know what you might encounter, how to communicate at the scene, and how to develop the ability to recognise developmental disabilities. You need to keep yourself and our children safe during these encounters.

Autism is a lifelong disorder. It is a gut-brain disorder. autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that people with autism may pocess some or all of the following characteristics in varying degrees.

People with autism exhibit self-stimulatory behavior. They may rock, spin, or finger play. My son likes to flap his hands. They may transfix on spinning objects, streams of smoke or floating ash from a fire. They may be self-injurious. This can appear very frightening. They might hit or bite themselves, or bang their heads. You do not need to stop harmless self-stimulatory behavior, but of course you must intervene if a child is hurting himself.

Remember they can be very physically aggressive. This is usually due to frustration, lack of communication or pain.

Many times they seem to defer or appear insensitive to pain. My belief is that they simply choose not to deal with it. Our kids may not be able to tell you about their pain. Sometimes, physical touch can be painful to them. Respect their sensitivity. They sometimes avoid eye contact and even go limp at touch. People with autism may be echolalic or echoic, that is they may repeat what you say or mimic what you say. Many of our kids are non-verbal, and will communicate with computers, sign or picture cards. They may not understand your facial expressions or that they are in danger. They may appear deaf, and can be very sensitive to noise, smell and light.

So you now have developed some understanding of how harsh and overwhelming this disorder can be.

You arrive at the scene – Perhaps there is a warning sticker "Child with Autism" (Contact unlockingAutism.com). Or during your search and rescue, you make the determination that this child exhibits the characteristics of Autism. Let me suggest the following:

Please be aware that people with autism will usually seek their "quiet place" – they might move to their bedroom, closet or crawl space despite the fire. The sirens, your gear, uniform and the excitement are very disturbing, so keep calm. Don’t shout or wave rapidly. Use short, repetitive requests "Come here! - Come here! - Come here!"

Gain their attention. You may encounter this child rocking, staring straight ahead, oblivious to your commands, already so overwhelmed that he or she is dealing with the situation the only way they know how. Don’t waste time – Don’t risk retreat! Grab and rescue. Bring the child to a quiet place and try to explain (perhaps with gestures and pictures) that they are out of danger and that you will allow them their space.

Evaluate very carefully for burns, injuries, broken bones. Remember children with autism may not be able to tell you they are hurt or they may simply not want to deal with it. Keep them calm, comfortable and contact parents or an expert immediately.

I could relate many stories about rescues gone wrong, but a funny anecdote comes to mind. We do a lot of safety training at home with my son. We cross the street utilising our therapists as drivers. We teach Chris to show his I.D. card, we demonstrate escalator and elevator safety. We take Chris to the security office at the mall, and teach him to dial 911 for emergencies. One night my wife and my sons’ therapist Jenny were alone with Chris. His TV and VCR broke down and he became very upset. My wife attempted frantically to make some repairs as Chris ran into his sister’s room crying. They fixed his television and all calmed down. A few moments later my wife went into my daughter’s room to make a phone call. On the line was a 911 emergency operator asking if she was OK, they had kept the line open waiting for a reply because 911 was dialled. They had traced the call and were about to dispatch a police unit to our home. Well, you guessed it, Christopher dialed 911 because to him a broken television was indeed an emergency!

We applauded his independence and initiative and then shaped our training so that Chris learned what a true emergency was!

I admire and respect the work that emergency responders do. You are heroes. So is my son – he is my best friend. He is a happy, strong, intelligent boy. I love him dearly. He is truly my best friend. Sometimes you just have to "step outside of the box" and realise that my little guy and others like him are not strange or frightening – they simply look at the world in a different way. They want love, friendship and harmony. They deserve understanding and respect. I know you will serve Chris, my son, and his friends well.

They deserve your understanding and respect.