text:
A popular oral drug for treating Type 2 diabetes. Metformin (brand name Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Riomet) is a member of a class of drugs called biguanides that helps lower blood glucose levels by improving the way the body handles insulin — namely, by preventing the liver from making excess glucose and by making muscle and fat cells more sensitive to available insulin.
Metformin not only lowers blood glucose levels, which in the long term reduces the risk of diabetic complications, but it also lowers blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and does not cause weight gain the way insulin and some other oral blood-glucose-lowering drugs do. Overweight, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels all increase the risk of developing heart disease, the leading cause of death in people with Type 2 diabetes. Another advantage of metformin is that it does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) when it is the only diabetes medicine taken. Metformin is typically taken two to three times a day, with meals. The extended-release formula (Glucophage XR) is taken once a day, with the evening meal.
The most common side effects of metformin are nausea and diarrhea, which usually go away over time. A more serious side effect is a rare but potentially fatal condition called lactic acidosis, in which dangerously high levels of lactic acid build up in the bloodstream. Lactic acidosis is most likely to occur in people with kidney disease, liver disease, or congestive heart failure, or in those who drink alcohol regularly. (If you have more than four alcoholic drinks a week, metformin may not be the best medicine for you.) Unfortunately, many doctors ignore these contraindications (conditions that make a particular treatment inadvisable) and prescribe metformin to people at increased risk for lactic acidosis. The early symptoms of lactic acidosis include unusual fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle pain, and breathing difficulties. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking metformin, be sure to call your doctor at once. Metformin therapy should be stopped at least 48 hours before surgery and resumed only when you are eating normally again.
Metformin changed the landscape of diabetes treatment when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for marketing in 1994. At the time, there were only two other types of medicine available in the United States for treating Type 2 diabetes: sulfonlyureas, a class of oral drugs that lowers blood glucose by stimulating the pancreas to secrete more insulin. Since metformin was approved in the United States, a number of other classes of diabetes medicines have come to the marketplace that lower blood glucose levels through a variety of mechanisms. These include alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which slow the absorption of carbohydrate in the small intestine, causing a slower rise in blood glucose level after meals; thiazolidinediones, which enhance insulin sensitivity; meglitinides, which stimulate rapid insulin secretion from the pancreas after meals by a different mechanism than that of older sulfonylureas; GLP-1 agonists, which delay stomach emptying and stimulate insulin secretion; DPP-4 inhibitors, which enhance insulin secretion and delay stomach emptying; amylin analogs, which slow stomach emptying, suppress glucagon, and suppress appetite; GLP-1 receptor agonists, which increase satiety (feelings of fullness), slow stomach emptying, increase insulin release, and decrease glucagon release; and SGLT2 inhibitors, which block the reabsorption of glucose by the kidneys. Because these medicines have different mechanisms of action, doctors often combine different classes of medicines for a more powerful blood-glucose-lowering effect.
Since metformin is often prescribed together with other diabetes drugs, some manufacturers have started combining two drugs in a single pill for more convenient therapy. These include Kazano, Invokamet, Invokamet XR, Xigduo XR, Synjardy, Synjardy XR, Metaglip, Glucovance, Jentadueto, Jentadueto XR, PrandiMet, Avandamet, Kombiglyze XR, Janumet, and Janumet XR. Anyone taking one of these pills should be alert to the symptoms of lactic acidosis.
Want to learn more about this popular diabetes drug? Read "Diabetes Medicine: Metformin," "Metformin: The Unauthorized Biography," and "Metformin Smelling Fishy? What You Can Do," then take our quiz, "How Much Do You Know About Metformin?"
Learn more about the health and medical experts who who provide you with the cutting-edge resources, tools, news, and more on Diabetes Self-Management.
About Our Experts >>


text:
44 Home Care Services
for Seniors
Clifton Heights, PA
Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care.
To help you with your search, browse the
180 reviews
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Clifton Heights.
On average, consumers rate home care in Clifton Heights
out of 5 stars.
To speak with one of our Family Advisors about senior care options and costs in Clifton Heights,
(855) 863-8283.
Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care. To help you with your search, browse the 180 reviews below for homecare agencies in Clifton Heights. On average, consumers rate home care in Clifton Heights 4.7 out of 5 stars.
To speak with one of our Family Advisors about senior care options and costs in Clifton Heights, call (855) 863-8283.
Provides: Home Care
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Right at Home Delaware County
Provides: Home Care
"My experience with Right at Home was excellent. The entire process from beginning to end for care of an elderly parent in his nineties was accomplished in a professional and courteous manner. The..." More
Home Instead Senior Care - Media, PA
Provides: Home Care
"We are extremely satisfied with my 95 year old mother's care by a Home Instead caregiver, who has provided care for at approximately two years. Home Instead worked with the family to ensure that..." More
Provides: Home Care
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Home Choice Companion Care Inc - Trap...
Provides: Home Care
Charter Home Health - Jenkintown, PA
Provides: Home Care
"To date, it has been a pleasure to work with Charter Home Health! I cannot say enough good about their resources (the aids), their resourcefulness, professionalism, their eagerness to do their..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19013, 19015, 19016, 19018, 19026
Neighborly Home Care
Provides: Home Care
"When my husband suddenly had a heart attack, I was at a loss, not knowing where to turn to for immediate assistance for myself, as I am an MS patient, in a wheelchair myself and have relied, for..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19003, 19004, 19006, 19008, 19009
Always Best Care of Philadelphia
Provides: Home Care
"Since 1996, the compassionate caregivers from Always Best Care have helped thousands of families with non-medical in-home care needs. We provide free consultations and are dedicated to exceeding..." More
Zeal Home Care-Philadelphia
Provides: Home Care
Comfort Keepers
Provides: Home Care
"I like the caregiver that Comfort Keepers sent me because she is courteous and does everything that I ask her to do. The most helpful aspect of my services is that my caregiver does everything..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19008, 19013, 19014, 19015, 19016
Relative Care
Provides: Home Care
"Relative Care went above and beyond. Relative Care made it easier on us because we did not have to take care of my grandfather so much and we did not worry about him all of the time. " MoreServing: Clifton Heights
Wrapped N Love Home Care LLC
Provides: Home Care
"I enjoy the way they take there time with there clients. Very caring and nurturing. Always so helpful and kind. They arrived promptly and without hesitation they jumped right in to lend a helping..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 07020, 08028, 16428, 18077, 18081
Home Helpers - Drexel Hill
Provides: Home Care
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Hosana Home Healthcare Services
Provides: Home Care
"They staff at Hosana Home Health is all that I love them and would not change for the world. They are so caring the ones out of the office of Campus Blvd. Much love me and my family have for y'all..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19008, 19010, 19013, 19014, 19015
Suma Home Care, Inc.
Provides: Home Care
"I was very satisfied with Suma Home Care. The caregiver's name is Cindy and my uncle got along very well with her. She went above and beyond for him. She would come come and make sure he got..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19003, 19004, 19008, 19010, 19018
Compassionate Assistance
Provides: Home Care
"My father-in-law was under the care of Compassionate Assistance for several months. Working with Carl, he made it really easy for us to deal with the everyday needs. All of the caregivers were very..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
Victorias' Home Care, LLC
Provides: Home Care
"In a time of need it is a difficult decision to make. Victorias' was easy to contact and receive vital information in making the choice. Always available to answer questions. Nurses informed and..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19008, 19010, 19013, 19014, 19015
PRN Home Healthcare
Provides: Home Care
"Very accurate and quality care. My needs are being met and I'm very satisfied. From the aides to nurses I would recommend PRN to my loved ones. They're a blessing." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19008, 19010, 19013, 19015, 19018
Amazingly Amor Home Care - Philadelph...
Provides: Home Care
"I used this company for my mother, Very professional and courteous. My mother became so attached to the caregiver that was placed in her home. I would recommend this agency to anyone that's looking..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
Grateful Hearts Home Care
Provides: Home Care
"Grateful Hearts Home Care has taken care of my Grandma and is now taking care of me. I could not ask for a better home care agency. They go totally far and beyond. I truly recommend am are so glad..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19495, 19496, 19003, 19004, 19008
Addus HomeCare
Provides: Home Care
"Absolutely wonderful!!! I cannot say enough good things about Addus Health Care. Would definitely use them again if the need ever arises. " MoreServing: Clifton Heights
Attentive Home Care
Provides: Home Care
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Criticare Home Health & Nursing Services
Provides: Home Care
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Heron Companions
Provides: Home Care
"Heron Companions provides non-medical, homecare services to clients, who may require assistance in their homes and communities to assist in the maintenance and retention of their independence and..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19003, 19008, 19013, 19014, 19018
Home Care Associates
Provides: Home Care
"Home Care Associates is a worker-owned company that has been providing compassionate skilled home care for over 20 years. Our services range from a one-hour bath or meal preparation to 24-hour,..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
Premier Personal Care
Provides: Home Care
"Families can face uncharted territory when they are seeking care for an aging loved one. Whether they need temporary or long-term options, Premier Personal Care takes a personal interest in working..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
Caring Senior Service - Jenkintown
Provides: Home Care
"Caring Senior Service provides affordable, non-medical services and safety care technologies that give you the control you need to live healthy, happy and at home. We have been assisting seniors..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
Homewatch CareGivers Serving Philadel...
Provides: Home Care
" Homewatch CareGivers established its mission to preserve dignity, protect independence, and provide peace of mind to our clients and their loved ones by providing exceptional home care. We..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
HomeWell Senior Care of Southeastern ...
Provides: Home Care
"HomeWell Senior Care provides live-in and hourly care for seniors who want to remain at home with help, instead of struggling to meet their own needs. HomeWell provides the necessary in-home care..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
Companion For U- Philadelphia
Provides: Home Care
Caresify Home Care
Provides: Home Care
"We are Non-Medical Home Care Professionals, proudly serving Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania. Seniors want to maintain their independence, at Caresify,..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
American Safety Options Inc
Provides: Home Care
Caring Heart Health Care Services
Provides: Home Care
Partners In Care At Home LLC
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Pure Melody Home Care
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"We are located in Delaware County. We are highly trained in Memory care. We provide ongoing training to ALL of our staff on caring for our clients and their families. We provide assistance to new..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
TruSupport Home Care
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" At TruSupport, we surround our clients with the quality home care and support they deserve. We hold our services to a high quality of care. Our aides receive initial training and ongoing..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights
Interim HealthCare of Newtown Square, PA
Provides: Home Care
"Home health care services from Interim allow individuals to stay safe, independent, and engaged while remaining in their own homes. We offer: Personal Care and Support Companionship and help..." More
Proactive Healthcare LLC
Provides: Home Care
"Proactive Healthcare Services, LLC serves the community by compassionately meeting the needs of our clients and their families, by listening, planning, educating, and delivering the highest quality..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 19015, 19018, 19023, 19033, 19050
Preferred Home Health Care - Philadel...
Provides: Home Care
"COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY " Between 1989 and 1990, my family experienced a desperate need for home health care. With my recently widowed sister suddenly diagnosed with terminal cancer at age..." MoreServing: Clifton Heights, 18929, 18940, 18954, 18966, 18974
Joyful Care Home Care LLC
Provides: Home Care
Comfort For All
Provides: Home Care
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A Long Term Companion LLC
Provides: Home Care
Next Generation Care
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Virtual Preventative Care Service
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Here's a prediction I don't think I'll have to apologize for at the end of the year: Some time in the coming months, probably this spring, there will be another crisis over Iran's nuclear program.
It's become an annual event on the diplomatic calendar: The United States and its allies press Iran to stop enriching uranium, Iran says no, Israel warns that its patience is running out, and the United States persuades Israel to stay its hand.
That's how the crisis has unfolded over the last two years. But there are several reasons to believe that 2013's crisis will be different, and that Tehran will either agree to limit its nuclear program, or Israel and the United States will move toward military action.
For one thing, President Obama's reelection gives him a freer hand to make a deal or to consider military action if a deal can't be reached. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is about to get reelected too, and he will head an even more hawkish government. And one more element has changed: Over the past year, Obama has hardened his warnings that the United States will not allow Iran to go nuclear, even if that requires military action.
"A nuclear-armed Iran is not a challenge that can be contained," he told the U.N. General Assembly in September. "The United States will do what we must to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."
The president still has doubters in both the United States and Israel. When Obama hardened his position against Iran, they note, it was an election year, and he needed to sound tough to stave off Israeli military action and placate pro-Israel voters. Now that he's been reelected, his true antiwar beliefs will resurface, they predict. As proof, they say, there's his nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel as secretary of Defense — a Republican who has been one of his party's most vocal skeptics about the wisdom of military action against Iran.
"Once you start [an attack on Iran] … you'd better be prepared to find 100,000 troops, because it may take that," Hagel warned in 2010.
In a 2008 book, Hagel suggested that the United States might be able to live with a nuclear-armed Iran, just as it learned to live with a nuclear-armed Soviet Union.
"Of course we would like to see Iran free of nuclear weapons," he wrote then. "But the genie of nuclear armaments is already out of the bottle, no matter what Iran does."
But that was the old Hagel, before he was nominated for secretary of Defense. Last week, as he prepared for his confirmation hearings, Hagel took pains to reassure senators that he is falling fully in line with Obama's tougher position on Iran.
"He strongly supports the president's position on Iran," one official told me after speaking with Hagel at the Pentagon. "He agrees that military action should be on the table."
In a conversation with Dennis Ross, Obama's former advisor on Iran, Hagel went a step further into the hawkish camp.
"He was very clear that he believes we can't live with an Iran that has nuclear-weapons capability," Ross told me.
Is that the Washington equivalent of a deathbed conversion — a sudden change of view on the eve of confirmation hearings? Maybe. But it's also a sign that Obama isn't softening his stance on Iran for his second term, and that embracing Obama's view was a price of Hagel's nomination.
"The president has been unequivocal about his determination to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor told me. "Everyone who works for him will be charged with executing that policy."
Indeed, the White House hopes to turn Hagel's confirmation hearing into an opportunity to reinforce its hard line. Obama's first two secretaries of Defense, Robert M. Gates and Leon E. Panetta, both warned publicly against the costs of going to war with Iran. Hagel is likely to make it clear that, despite the costs, he accepts that the threat of war is necessary.
"We still have a challenge to convince the Iranians that we're quite serious about the use of force," Ross said. "In the first term, the administration didn't always speak with one voice on this issue. So what Hagel says can make a difference…. It could affect Iranian perceptions and Israeli perceptions."
The point of all this saber-rattling isn't to start a war, of course; it's to increase the pressure on Iran to agree to limits on its nuclear program.
"For diplomacy to have a chance of success, the Iranians need to understand that if diplomacy fails, force is going to be the result," Ross said.
And even if diplomacy fails, Obama could attack Iran's nuclear program with covert action, sabotage or limited airstrikes before resorting to full-scale war.
But anyone who expected Chuck Hagel to become a strong force for restraint in Obama's second term may be disappointed. Instead, we are likely to have an antiwar president and an antiwar secretary of Defense, both bent on convincing Iran that they are willing to go to war.
Follow Doyle McManus on Twitter @DoyleMcManus


text:
By: Marieke Walsh in Ottawa, ON
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne was repeatedly under attack and on the defensive Wednesday night during a debate on issues facing the black community.
The debate in Toronto's Jane and Finch neighbourhood featured all major party leaders except Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford.
Wynne was taken to task for her government's record on disproportionate numbers of black children facing suspension and expulsion, inequities in the health care system and the persistence of carding by police.
Throughout, the premier stuck to her talking points that the Liberal government has taken these issues "head on" and that "more needs to be done."
At one point moderator Royson James called Wynne out for her response to systemic racism in the education system.
"You do know that whatever you're doing isn't working," James asked Wynne. And he wondered if the people responsible for the school system understand the "urgency."
His follow-up was met with laughs and a shout of "clueless" from someone in the crowd of roughly 200 people.
"I get that there's a huge frustration and I feel that frustration," Wynne said.
At which point NDP Leader Andrea Horwath broke in with "15 years" — referencing the Liberal's time in power.
James had previously listed several statistics pointing to the experience of black children in the Toronto District School Board in 2011.
Calling them "crushing statistics" he said the stats show almost half of the black students who graduate high school don't have the credits and grades needed to go to university and 42 per cent didn't apply to post secondary school. Moreover he said, of those students that apply, only one in four are accepted.
Of every 100 black students only 69 graduate, James said. Out of that number, he said only 18 end up in university or college.
He said the numbers are "worse" for boys, adding that half of the students expelled from school are black kids. "What do you plan to do about this abject failure of our schools to educate black students," James asked the three leaders.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the "first thing you have to do is admit that there's a problem."
"These stats aren't new," Horwath said. "I'd suggest that it's getting worse and not better." She said the government should deal with the curriculum in schools and ensure supports are there for students. This online casino prepares plenty of exciting offers and bonuses. But in order to try some online casino games it is better to start with free online slots.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said the statistics show how much the "status quo is failing our young people."
Meanwhile, Wynne defended her government's record on implementing items like the Black Youth Action Plan and the Education Equity Action Plan while agreeing that more needs to be done.
"There is absolutely no doubt that there is more structural change that's needed," Wynne said.
Wynne got the loudest applause when she was first introduced at the event but it went downhill from there — she was at times jeered, challenged and interrupted by the crowd.
Speaking to reporters after the debate, she said the issues debated "are not simple" nor "easily dealt with."
"What I was saying was that we have been tackling them, we have been addressing them and yes there is still more to be done," Wynne said.
Horwath, who got a warm reception from the crowd by the end of the night, called the debate "very enjoyable."
The Elephant not in the Room
Ford's absence wasn't addressed very much by the leaders during the debate, but was met with boos from the crowd when the event organizers noted his absence.
Speaking to iPolitics afterward, several audience members said his absence would hurt Ford, while another said he would still hear out the ideas put forward from the Progressive Conservatives.
Earlier in the day Wynne issued a letter challenging Ford to three debates, saying he hasn't yet agreed to a single one ahead of the June election.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Wynne said Ford is "the one person who wouldn't have agreed with anything that we were saying and he wasn't there to put his position forward."
"It is really important that he show up and that he put his opinions forward because people need to understand what that contrast is," she said.
Ford was in Northern Ontario on a campaign-style tour.
Horwath questioned Ford's priorities and said the "community was pretty disappointed" by his absence.
Republished under arrangement with iPolitics.
By: Asfia Yasir in Toronto, ON
Immigration is reshaping Ontario's classrooms, changing the demographics of both students and teachers. The latest statistics indicate that one in 10 new teachers hired in Ontario is internationally-trained (about 1,000 of 11,000 new teachers in 2016). The transition is never easy for these newcomer teachers as they get used to cultural norms very different from their home nations and learn to deal with a room full of students who may not always look up to the person standing in front of the classroom.
Hycinth Gomez, an Indian immigrant working at a private Montessori school, can attest to some of these "unique circumstances". Starting out as a volunteer before moving her way up to her current teaching role, she still found herself faced with difficulties that others did not face – at least not to the same extent.
"I started as a supply teacher in an elementary school and sometimes I had to bear more than the class teacher. I used to get badgered so much because children knew I was not there permanently," says Hycinth Gomez. Having taught in Ontario for almost eight years now, she has had the opportunity to work with a number of age groups through additional UCMAS (Universal Concepts of Mental Arithmetic Systems) courses she also helps administer.
Immigrants coming from developing countries may also bring their own set of values and norms, serving perhaps as important role models for students who may not always see visible minorities in positions of authority and instruction. The student-teacher dynamic is one that new instructors navigate delicately as they get used to Canadian norms.
"When I was growing up, my teacher was like an empowering tower on me and I was always shushed whenever I asked more than one question. Whereas in Canada, asking questions and handling them positively is the norm," Gomez points out.
Childcare responsibilities
This dynamic is not unique to elementary or high school classrooms. A female immigrant scientist* who teaches at the University of Toronto, vents her own frustration. "Students find my accent funny. They come to me for help all the time, during and after the class. But my accent gives me a hard time." She is convinced that part of the problem is her gender, pointing out that no male faculty member seems to face the same hardship.
Female teachers can be perceived as exercising less authority in a classroom and there is some evidence to suggest this is a hard-wired bias. Recent studies based on student evaluations reveal that male teachers receive higher scores in a number of areas, including aspects that were readily comparable. For example, when reviewing categories such as "promptness" – which refers to how quickly an assignment was returned – male instructors scored 16 per cent higher than their female peers.
Dr. John Shields, a professor in the department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University and an authority on the subject of immigrant settlement and integration, also attributes this to a hard-wired bias. "Immigrant teachers lack the relevant experience. Specifically, female immigrant teachers have difficulty in commanding authority in a classroom due to gender bias. As a result, students put extra demands, for example [demanding] retests, more time, even if the deadline is met, which burdens their work."
Shields further highlights the societal pressures that extends to women students at the university level, saying, "Although the number of female students is a lot more than male students, it is still quite demanding for them considering the fact that the responsibility of childcare or an elderly family member is more upon women than men."
Older teachers
Mehreen Faisal, who recently graduated from Ryerson University with distinction, couldn't agree more. She states, "As a mother I have more responsibility of the house and kids and studying with that status gives me extra pressure to cope up with my family life and studies at the same time." A Vanier Institute of the Family info-graphic titled "Women, Caregiving and Work in Canada", confirms that Faisal is not alone. Women are more likely than men to report having spent 20 hours or more per week providing care, separate from what they are employed to do.
A third issue for newcomer high school teachers like Linda Mourot, who started teaching later in life, is the perception that she is perhaps taking a job away from a younger person. "People think that if I am going to college at the age of 50, its very shameful as there are so many young people out there looking for jobs and here I am at this age who is going to take a job needed by young people."
However, in Mourot's case, her experience has only made her more bold and confident. As a teacher of French in an officially bilingual nation, she is amazed that some students seem averse to learning a new language. Many parents do not realize the importance of learning French. "They have never travelled outside of Canada, never even to French-speaking Canada, so they see no use of French. You never know young people today may find a French speaking girlfriend tomorrow, but they find it funny."
With their wider spectrum of experiences, immigrant teachers offer a variety of new perspectives that can make all the difference in helping to widen a child's horizons. However, these teachers face real challenges. After all, it is surely not an accident that a settlement organization like Skills for Changes in Toronto owes it origins in 1982 to "five English as a Second Language teachers [who] identified a need and shared a vision for integrated skills and language training."
*identity has been kept confidential to protect individual
This piece is part of the "Ethnic Women as Active Participants in Ontario" series. Writers interested in participating are encouraged to join the NCM Collective for an opportunity.
By: Shan Qiao in Toronto, ON
At the age of 60, quitting a well-paying job to refinance her townhouse and start an entrepreneurial venture was the last thing Helen Poon's friends thought she would do. But Helen did just that, setting out to build a healthy eating and living co-op so she could hire people who would be compensated by becoming healthy.
According to a 2017 study, over three quarters of Canadians aren't meeting the recommendations of Canada's Food Guide for fruit and vegetable consumption, this results in an estimated economic burden to society of $4.39 billion annually. While dietary recommendations are made annually by the Canadian government, Poon recognized that a more hands-on approach would be necessary in order to affect more immediate change. The result, the Sprouts Co-Op in Toronto which focuses on specific neighborhoods across the GTA.
The thought of building a community-based healthy food and living co-op had been brewing in her mind for a couple of years, well before Poon decided to quit her job. "You are what you eat," she continues. Hence the 2017 co-op which is steered by Poon but also receives support from a handful of people that have drawn influence from her.
Poon has never been one to shy from a challenge, so when she learned of the difference sugar alternatives like honey could make, she immersed herself in the subject. Canadians consume an average of 26 teaspoons of it every day, which amounts to 21% of their total daily caloric intake, playing a huge role in many diseases and conditions that have become more prevalent in recent years. Despite her lack of experience in the subject, she has been able to incorporate the ingredient in several recipes without sacrificing taste in any way.
"Helen was my supervisor at our previous organization we both worked for. At the end of last year, she told me she wanted to start a food and health co-op and hire people with disabilities," says Daphne Au-Young who holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and joined Sprouts as a board member.
"I thought it's a great initiative to provide affordable healthy food for the community and meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities. I admire Helen's determination to start an organization at the age of 60. It shows that one is never too old to turn a dream into a reality," Au-Young explains.
As an immigrant woman who came to this country after China's 1989 political turmoil, Au-Young said her parents sacrificed their high paying jobs in Hong Kong for stability and freedom in Canada. The version of Sprouts' "meaningful employment" makes her very happy to see clients moving past their traumas and living a normal life again.
A major influence within the Asian community, Poon is also a mentor to young men like Dave Tran. A descendant of Vietnamese immigrants and high school English teacher, Tran is currently the Vice-Chair of Sprouts and considers Poon an inspiration.
"There have been several important people in my life recently, demonstrating amazing leadership over the years, helping to build a greater diverse community for all. Helen is one of those people. She is quite an inspirational person who is a work horse; she always gives her 100% into anything she does and it can become infectious—in the best way," he explains.
Rui Ping Chen came to Canada 10 years ago as a young girl who also met Helen in her previous job. After learning of Sprouts, she was intrigued. "What kind of dream was big enough for her to leave a management position? She talked to me about Sprouts with so much passion and wisdom that I immediately understood why she did what she did."
"I believe in what Sprouts is trying to promote 'we are what we eat'," says Ping, behind a makeshift reception table that collects people's membership fees and registration forms at Sprouts' first product launch event in Markham last November. That night, Sprouts successfully attracted more than three dozen people to join as members, after a year-long endeavor by Helen and the people influenced by her.
As the Sprouts Co-op continues its steady growth, Poon hopes to extend her reach to an even more diverse range of members. And while the Co-op's Toronto base has limited its current operations to the GTA, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for this ambitious startup.
This piece is part of a series titled, "Ethnic Women as Active Participants in Ontario". Writers interested interested in participating are encouraged to join the NCM Collective for an opportunity.
Commentary by: Mona Mashadi Rajabi in Tehran
I was standing in front of the school's office and Melody, my daughter, was right beside me. All the children were passing by happily with their parents.
The principal gave me the registration forms and started to talk about the rules and regulations of the school. I was there to register Melody in junior kindergarten.
While I was filling out one of the forms, the principal pointed to an important part and said: "Please write two phone numbers of family members or trusted people, the people whom we can call in case of an emergency." He continued, "if something comes up, there must be someone other than you and your husband that we can call."
But, there was no one else to call and it made me nervous. I explained that my family was new in the country and no other family members or trusted friends to call. It was just us, I said, promising to be available Melody needed help.
My daughter's big moment
I was busy attending preparation classes at university when the big day for Melody arrived. It was her First Day at school. Parents were supposed to be available to accompany their children to help them get ready for a milestone moment in their young lives. Parents were expected to give the children a goodbye kiss and wish them a good First Day at school.
It was a big moment for my daughter, a four-year-old girl who wanted to start the journey of her life, but, sadly, I could not be there to support her.
I had to attend a lecture, so I left home early in the morning and my husband took her to school. I learned that the principal was so surprised because of my absence as I missed the most memorable day of my daughter's education. It was the day that would never come back and the memory that would not be repeated in the future.
Feeling absent
After a few months, Melody's teacher invited the parents to talk about their children's behaviour and performance in school, and I missed that occasion, too. I missed it because I had an exam on the same day and I had to be at the university.
My absence from my daughter's life sadly continued. She became sick and I was at my office in the university for my teaching assistant job. She attended the school's Halloween party and I was busy preparing for my mid-term exams.
She started to speak English and I was not there to witness it, she started to learn French and sing some short songs and I was not there to enjoy it, she found friends and I could not be there to celebrate her friendships, she got invited to her friends' birthday parties and I could not accompany her, and she went to the playgrounds and I was too tired to play along with her.
I was never available for her, as I was either busy at school or tired at home.
My wish list
I was unhappy and unsatisfied deep inside as I was living a dual life. A life of a full time Ph.D. student who had to work all day long and the life of a mother who was supposed to raise a happy and healthy child but was missing all the precious moments of her daughter's childhood.
It was not just me in this situation. Many international graduate students with children felt the same as they were alone and had no family or close friends around to help them. They were always busy at school and could not attend to the needs of their children. Many of my colleagues felt like a failure as a parent and lived in an unstable emotional and financial situation in Canada.
I thought about alternative solutions that could help parents like myself who were also full-time students.
I wished the university's educational calendar started one day after the First Day of children' school. I wished the schoolteacher could give a couple of choices to parents from which they could choose the one that fit their schedule to speak about the children's performance at school. I wished the university's teaching schedule was more flexible and professors cared more about graduate students who had a big responsibility as a parent specially when they had to work as a teaching assistant.
Those were the thoughts that occupied my mind, but they remained a wish list.
Finally, an unbalanced life
Unfortunately, I could do little about my circumstances. The university expected me to be a full time student and a failure at school could lead to the termination of my student visa and eventually an order to me to leave Canada. My husband and Melody were my dependent and a change in my status could have changed theirs as well.
So, I, like most of other international graduate students, had to sacrifice my family life in order to stay in Canada on my student visa. This was an unfair deal for a parent graduate student.
Mona Mashhadi Rajabi holds a Master's degree in economics. As a business journalist living in Tehran, she has written for publications such as Donyay-e-eghtesad, Tejarat-e-farda, Jahan-e-sanat and Ireconomy.
Commentary by: Mona Mashhadi Rajabi in Tehran, Iran
I was standing in front of my suitcase and thought about what I had packed into it. I had one suitcase for my documents and their certified translations, as well as one suitcase for my clothes and other personal belongings.
Two suitcases for a person who wanted to move to another country and pursue Ph.D. studies. A person who had lived 32 years in her home country and had a history in that place.
I assumed that the most important things that I could carry with me were the documents that spoke to my education and work history.
All the important documents that I gathered in my life were in a suitcase. They included my certificates, recommendation letters, writing samples, medical documents, especially those of my daughter, and the identity documents of my three-member-family: my husband, my daughter, and I.
I also had to pack up the university documents as I wanted to pursue my study and they were required in order to register in the program. So I put my Master's and Bachelor's degrees as well as my transcripts in the suitcase.
I prepared all the documents and certified translations of my bank accounts, even going as far as including the deed to my apartment in Tehran.
With all of my documents piled into in one suitcase, the thought struck me: "Is this really all I have gained in my life?"
How could I prove myself to the people who neither know me nor my country?
Would Canada recognize my documents?
So I packed everything and moved to Canada.
Foreign credentials
Following registration, the start of the program revealed that most of the newly admitted Ph.D. students would be required to enroll in some of the foundational courses from the Master's program due to their foreign credentials. The move signified that their foreign Master's degrees were not fully recognized.
The documents that illustrated what I had been doing professionally were not useful at all either. After surfing the Internet and talking to many people who had been living in Canada for many years, I learned that without "Canadian work experience" it would be difficult to find a good job.
So none of my documents were really useful. No one knew me, the universities that I got my degrees from, and the companies that I had worked for. So what was the point of carrying all these documents?
It was a heart-breaking moment. I moved to Canada in the hopes of being able to do what I was good at, could do well and was the dream of all my life, but Canada did not recognize my credentials.
The surprising part of the story was that the government had assessed and accepted me based on these same documents. The university had accepted that I studied for at least 17 years – but still did not give me full credit for Master"s degree. The job market discounted my credentials even further.
The Canadian job market cared not about what I had done but what I was going to do in Canada. It seemed to me that Canada needed talented and hardworking people and granted them admission to Canada under different visa programs based on their achievements in their home country. But after moving in, Canada wanted to educate them based on the skills that were needed in the country, and making them ready for their own job market.
Starting afresh
It was at this moment that I realized that all I had to bring to Canada was a prepared me: A person who knew what was waiting for her in this moving process, a person who was ready to embrace the new situation and ready to learn new things, a person who wished to start afresh as she contemplated that a brighter future would eventually come, and a person who did not become disappointed from the hardships along the way.
After I moved to Canada and witnessed the reality, I decided not to rely too much on my achievements and experiences in Iran. I decided to be eager to learn new things and routines in the hope that hard work will eventually pay off.
I was ready to make a new beginning without my documents and titles, so I could write a new life story.
This piece is part of a mini-series within New Canadian Media's Mentorship Program. The writer was mentored by Alireza Ahmadian.
Mona Mashhadi Rajabi holds a Master's degree in economics. As a business journalist living in Tehran, she has written for publications such as Donyay-e-eghtesad, Tejarat-e-farda, Jahan-e-sanat and Ireconomy.
Commentary by: Mona Mashhadi Rajabi in Tehran, Iran
I am among the thousands of folks waiting in queue immigrate to Canada. This wish was triggered after my previous experience of having lived in Canada as an international student.
I moved to Canada in August 2015 with a student visa. I decided to pursue my PhD in economics as I was aware of the exceptional educational system in Canada. But it was not all.
Good feeling about Canada
Many people ask me why I am still considering immigrating to Canada, as my initial 5 month stay consisted of studying for one semester before withdrawing from the program and then returning to Iran. After all the disappointments that I felt and all the failures that I encountered, they wonder why I want to return to Canada, this time as a permanent resident.
My answer to this question is simple. I feel good about Canada. I think this country can give me the opportunity to live and work in a more developed environment. Besides, I get the chance to meet people from different cultures which is very attractive for me.
I also think my daughter can have a brighter and safer future in Canada because of the advanced educational system in the country. Canada offers more opportunities and better environment for children to grow and gain the skills that make them better prepared to lead a fruitful life.
Big decision after a hard time in life
My five months of stay in Canada as an international student was not easy. It was filled with many new experiences, the good and the bad ones, hopes and disappointments and failures and success. But all of them made me a more rational, responsible and powerful person because I had to stay in control of my circumstances and deal with various issues one at a time. Those experiences opened my eyes to a different world and showed me new realities.
In that new world, I felt like a human who could fail or succeed. A human who lived, worked and struggled with different challenges and was still hopeful about the future. A human who thought better things were on the way and the only thing that helped her to defeat the challenges was her own hard work. A human that was independent, strong and was treated fairly.
On the other hand, people in Canada were so open to new things, new people or even a new normal. People lived the way they were happy about and at the same time, accepted others the way they were. This was good because it helped me feel welcome in society and be able to participate in my community's activities.
In my experience, Canadians think about their society as their own family. In a family every member can live, grow, prosper and become a healthy individual. In this way, everyone feels safe, secure and protected by the family. This is the way Canada works. It allows people to immigrate to Canada, gives them opportunities, and gives them the chance to study and work based on their abilities. At the end, Canada accepts them in the society and protects them legally in this society.
Exploring the world
For me, immigration means a lifelong learning, starting fresh, spending time to get familiar with the new living and working environment, and networking with new people to get a good job. That is what I like about life. Immigration is like having the chance of living a new life in a new environment and that is so exciting.
I always loved to live in Canada to get the chance of meeting new people with new cultures because I am an adventurous person. I was always curious about how the society in a multicultural country like Canada works and how it educates people to be respectful of others.
Besides, exploring the world and experiencing new things is what I like the most. I think there is always more to see in the world, more to experience and more to have. There are also many risks, challenges, and setbacks. But at the end of the day, persistence pays off and smart hard work leads to success.
In fact, the curiosity and adventurous characteristics that led me to the world of journalism, is now encouraging me to pursue my wish to immigrate to Canada and hopefully make the most out of my life. I plan to succeed.
This piece is the third part of a mini-series within New Canadian Media's Mentorship Program. The writer was mentored by Alireza Ahmadian.
Mona Mashhadi Rajabi holds a Master's degree in economics. As a business journalist living in Tehran, she has written for publications such as Donyay-e-eghtesad, Tejarat-e-farda, Jahan-e-sanat and Ireconomy.
By: Joyeeta Dutta Ray in Toronto, ON
Toronto has always been a magnet for new immigrants. Some come here to escape bullets. Some come to fill up their wallets. Some are here to breathe in unpolluted air.
Over the last few years however, more and more skilled immigrants have traded their Permanent Resident garlands for a rosy life elsewhere.
The Toronto Star reports that every province and territory except for Ontario, saw immigration numbers rise drastically. Whereas in Ontario, the numbers dropped from 133,600 to 99,500.
The reason is almost always one of the two: Unemployment or underemployment!
This was seldom the case even a couple of decades back.
When Mila Lebuda fled to Toronto from communist Poland in 1991 at the age of 21, the country embraced her with open arms. It did not matter that she did not speak English or that she didn't have much work experience. The grounds for adopting her were purely humanitarian.
"Canada gave me a new lease of life" she says. This is where she met her future husband, Vlad Lebuda another Polish immigrant like her. She made money as a caregiver. He drove a truck. As finances improved, their lifestyle did too. For Mila, the biggest barrier was language. Once that hurdle was crossed, life was sunshine and tulips.
However, not everyone finds the same success in Canada!
Mila's tech-savvy Polish friend, Aron* (named changed for privacy) had higher ambitions. He went back to Poland as soon as conditions improved. "There are better opportunities there now. Despite living here for 10 years, he never got his due," says Mila.
Not surprising! Statistics Canada reports that even after being in Canada for 15 years, immigrants with a university degree are more likely than the native-born to be in low-skilled jobs.
New Immigration Policies; New People
There's a shift in trends. As new policies replace older ones, immigrants flying in to Canada now, are visibly different than those who came in earlier. They are better educated, better versed in English and better positioned professionally.
There's a reason behind that. Earlier Canada took in more unskilled workers to meet economic needs. But recruitment efforts for skilled workers, entrepreneurs and investors are the need of the hour now. "Since 2006, the government has made dramatic changes to the federal skilled workers program by raising language requirements, restricting eligibility to specific professions and pre-screening applicants' foreign credentials", says the Toronto Star.
Yet, these very skilled immigrants are the ones who are having it rough.
For Roopa Rakshit who moved with her husband and 12 year old son to Thunder Bay (Ontario) from Thailand in 2012, migration was a decision based on being located closer to their daughter who was studying in UBC, Vancouver.
It was an intimidating prospect at a stage in their lives when they were well-settled professionally. But they were confident that their international resumes would open doors. They were in for a surprise!
It took Roopa 4 years to find a job suited to her skills. "I was an environmentalist in a United Nations affiliated organization in my previous life (Bangkok). While my International experience was appreciated, I was made to realize that I fell short of the "Canadian experience."
In the race to build her "Canadianess", Roopa sprinted on the volunteering path, networked along the way and picked up a scholarship for PHD at Lakehead University. That was the trophy that gave her the much needed break. "It was my research topic on energy planning with the First Nations people that led me to my current job in a First Nations Technical Services Organization."
Malak Ahmed, who moved from Egypt in August 2016 with her husband and three daughters, has a similar story. She was a Business Unit Director in a leading advertising agency in Cairo. Despite her fancy title and a McGill Graduate Certificate, no employer was ready to lay out the red carpet for her.
"While I did expect to work my way up, I didn't expect to stumble so many steps down the ladder in the process. I was surprised that a city that boasted of a high rate of immigration would put so much emphasis on 'Canadian experience'!"
To cross the barrier, her next step was to get an employment agency to rewrite her CV. That's quite another story.
The Great Canadian Resume
Few countries have elevated the resume to such heights. It's almost an art form here, based not on jotting down your skills but how strategically you phrase them. No matter how clipped your English, how impressive your name card or how many reference letters you come armed with, it's hard for foreigners to master this skill.
Only Canadians know the trick! They have ingeniously made a business out of it, creating employment for themselves to help clueless newcomers like Malak.
When the planets finally aligned to bless her with a job, the pay didn't match up to her qualifications. But despite it all, Malak chooses to stay on. "After the revolution in Cairo, the economy struggled and so did we. But it's all been worthwhile. We like the cultural diversity here. The kids love their schools."
Easy to see how soaring cost of living, rising crime and jobs with unscrupulous hours in Cairo make Canada seem like Disneyland.
For Alexa, who came from Honduras (Central America) to North York, the road was as rough. She arrived armed with a Bachelor's degree in Business, a Masters in Marketing, 5 years at an International Telecommunications company and dreams to make it big. None of these made things any easier!
"I was a Marketing and Sales Manager at Huawei Technologies in Honduras. The biggest challenge for me was to start my career from the bottom up." But she wouldn't head back either. "Honduras is a small country where 50% of people live in poverty. There is a high rate of homicides and corruption." In contrast, Canada offers commuting safety, free education and healthcare. The choice is clear!
Escaping corruption was high on the list for Marcia to move from Brazil as well. She arrived with her husband in Toronto in 2016. "The social discrepancy of wealth makes for very dangerous streets, with thefts happening everywhere" she says. While it's a dream to stroll around North America's safest metropolitan "without fear of getting mugged", the Marketing professional who worked for 9 years in a leading multinational company, found it hard to find a job. It took her 3 months to find full-time employment and when she did, the job was an entry level position in Customer Service that paid less than she expected because of her lack of "Canadian Experience".
"You feel like your experience in a foreign country is devalued because you haven't applied it in Canada. Recruiters tend to disqualify you too", she says.
Canada: More dependent on new immigrants than ever
Canada thrives on new immigrants to bring in the bucks. Estimates from the Conference Board of Canada reveal that if Canadian employers recognized and rewarded immigrant skills, the country would earn an additional $10 million annually.
Instead, every year, Canada loses valuable doctors, engineers, accountants and marketing professionals to the USA, where "American Experience" is an unheard of criterion! While others take up blue collar jobs that don't do justice to their skills.
Local employers argue that "Canadian Experience" assures understanding of the soft skills essential for success here.
However, it pays for them to remember that the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) has laid down a strict declaration that "Canadian Experience" is discrimination and can only be used in very limited circumstances.
Interestingly enough, smaller cities and rural areas in Canada have set a better example. In 2013, Moncton, New Brunswick ran career fairs that encouraged employers to hire immigrants. In Manitoba the tiny cities of Winkler and Morden have not just drawn newcomers in large numbers with their successful immigration programs, but also helped them settle in to a quality lifestyle.
How can Ontario follow suit?
Roopa suggests, "Employers should be encouraged to accept professional immigrants to maximize on their experience. The integration can include in-house orientation." Marcia agrees. "There should be more incentives from the government to encourage companies to hire qualified foreigners in appropriate positions. The success of the immigration policy should be measured not by the number of people who come in but by the number of people who stay on successfully in the country."
For a country that prides itself on being humanitarian, learning from the smaller towns and listening to the less heard voices could be the key to turning things around before an ageing population and shrinking birth rate get the better of the nation.
By: Mona Mashhadi Rajabi in Tehran, Iran
Communication is more than understanding the words.
I was always aware of language barriers when I decided to move to Canada. But I didn't know that this would go beyond an understanding of words and sentences.
It took me a few months to get to this point, after a few odd experiences along the way. I will explain two of them for you.
Animation film that opened my eyes
I was a student in Ottawa and some of my courses were project-based. There were four students in each group for the econometrics project. The deadline for the project was approaching, but we were stuck. The central problem in the project could not be solved, and the more we tried, the less progress we seemed to make.
One day, as we were reading related articles and brainstorming, Gen, a Canadian-born student on my team, said: "We should call Thing 1 and Thing 2 to solve this problem." Her reference did not make sense to me, but everyone else burst into laughter.
I showed no reaction. I didn't understand what was going on and didn't know how to respond. Fortunately, no one realized that I didn't get the point and we quickly got back to work. But the experience stayed in my mind.
A few months later, while I was watching "The cat in the hat" animation film with my daughter, I discovered the origins of Gen's reference. She was talking about two creatures in the cartoon that could solve unsolvable problems, the creatures that could help the "Cat" reach his goal.
It was a fulfilling moment for me. But I also realized that this sort of thing could happen again.
For a moment I felt like an alien. The society that I chose to live in had so many unknown features rooted in its culture. I could face many obstacles because of that. I knew that I could meet people who might not understand my situation or may misunderstand my responses. I was missing out on a few things.
But it was my decision to move to Canada for my studies and it was in my interest to learn the culture and become a full part of the society around me. So, I had to work harder and not get disappointed.
Lack of self-confidence to react in an emotional situation
Melody, my daughter, was a happy, four-year old girl who started her junior kindergarten in Canada.
Sara was one of Melody's classmates. I knew her mother, Kate. We were living in the same neighborhood and we used to chat while we were waiting for the school bus. Kate was a photographer and was so nice to me.
At the school's New Year celebration day, Melody's class came on the stage and started singing a song. Melody was loud and clear, she pronounced every word correctly and performed well with other children.
Kate was standing beside me. She said: "Melody's improvement in speaking English is impressive" and added that "Sara is so shy and never sings with the other children."
She was worried about her daughter and I understood her concerns as a mother, but I didn't feel confident enough to respond spontaneously.
She looked at me in anticipation and I finally put two words together.
"Wow, really?" I said. It was the worst reaction that I could have made.
At that moment another mother joined our conversation and said: "I am sure she will get better. Some children are shy at first, but they will become more social after a few years."
This was a better response. A kind of response that every mother expected and I had shown thousands of times before moving to Canada.
After that day, I saw Kate many times and she did not mention my poor reaction to her concern. I explained my deficiencies in communication to her and I was surprised when I learned that it was not a new experience for Kate. She used to work with new immigrants and had faced strange situations before.
She was the one who told me that the main barrier for an immigrant was not language but it was the communication skill.
She added: "Communication is the skill that can be gained by living with people, talking with them and becoming friends with them. The kind of skill that can be gained over time."
Unique experience
After that day, she started talking about Canada's culture, parenting and lifestyle. She tried to help me improve my skills and become an active person in conversations. She used to inform me about every cultural event in the city and playhouses in the neighbourhood.
Becoming friends with Kate was an impressive experience for me. This experience taught me to accept other people, to understand their situation and not to judge them based on one poor reaction. It taught me that in a developed society, every person matters and every person feels responsible for others. This responsibility was one of the keys to success.
I remember Kate always telling me, "It is does not matter what you had, the important thing is what you gain. And the vital ingredient for success in this process is your willpower, hard work and ability not to give up or get disappointed."
And I chose to go on this way hoping that leads me to success.
Although challenges of miscommunication did not end, I was more relaxed because I was not the only person facing communication challenges in Canada. I knew that there were many people in society who understood me, nonetheless.
This was the time that, I felt like home.
This piece is the second part of a mini-series within New Canadian Media's Mentorship Program. The writer was mentored by Alireza Ahmadian.
Coming up next: Why I Am Still Considering Immigrating to Canada
Mona Mashhadi Rajabi holds a Master's degree in economics. As a business journalist living in Tehran, she has written for publications such as Donyay-e-eghtesad, Tejarat-e-farda, Jahan-e-sanat and Ireconomy.
Commentary by: Mona Mashadi Rajabi in Tehran, Iran
"Canada needs you!" This is a sentiment I heard over and over while I was in Canada. I came to Canada with my husband and daughter, in August 2015, on a student visa to pursue my Ph.D. in economics.
I still pursue that dream of coming to Canada, but meanwhile, things have gone awry.
Our bank account manager in Ottawa was the first to utter these words to me: "Canada needs you! You are young, talented, educated and have work experience in economics and engineering, (my husband's field) both of which are needed in Canada."
Then my daughter's teacher told us the same thing, adding that "Canada is the place that protects talented people". In her opinion, we were among the most talented.
The backstory
I was a good student and had more than 10 years of work experience in business journalism. As a result, I was offered multiple offers of admission to a number of universities in Canada, Germany, the United States and Great Britain.
So, we started to think about our options as a family and we came to a final decision: Canada. A North American and English-speaking country with natural beauty, peaceful policies, and high educational standards, as well as welcoming immigration laws; Canada we assumed would be an ideal destination for our family.
Funding opportunities for international students were also an important factor, as this would help me focus on my studies and research interests.
With this in mind, I reached out to the head of the department for more information. An email response pointed me towards a partial scholarship through the university's "Teaching Assistantship".
But he also suggested that there were many external funding opportunities available, scholarships that I could apply for once I got to Canada. My good educational background meant I had a good chance of securing these scholarships, he said.
So, we packed up.
Running out of options
I was a good student in Canada. I attended all my classes, read all the books that were suggested and got good grades. Simultaneously, I tried to apply for scholarships from organizations outside the university. But there was a problem. Most scholarships were given to international students who had lived for more than 12 months in the city that housed the university. As such, I did not qualify.
Other scholarships were given to students who had started working on their thesis, provided that the thesis proposals were approved by funding organizations and met their objectives. I did not fit this category either.
Besides, the amount of external funding for international students was very low. If I won one of them, I could not access other scholarships.
I explained my situation to the head of the department. He told me: "You are a perfect student, but the university cannot do anything about it." That's it!
I completed the first semester with an "A" in every course. I went to the head of the department and told him that I could not complete my studies without funding. I told him "money matters for me", but I heard the same answer, "There are no other options for you."
It took almost 5 months for me to understand that the reality was far from what we had anticipated.
I had come to Canada to get a Ph.D., become a researcher and a productive person in society. But I made the mistake of making a decision based on incomplete and, sadly, inaccurate information about funding available to international students. I trusted the information that was given to me and did not try to verify before moving to Canada.
I made up my mind. I did not want to be a "not-so-good" student, "not-so-good" mother, "not-so-good" provider and "not-so-good" person, who made a mistake but did not want to admit it.
I had just accepted at face value a possibility that came into my life because I was afraid to review, re-think or even return to where everything had started.
As a result, I dropped out of school and flew back home to Iran.
Costs on all sides
It was a hard time in my life. I was in the middle of a journey that was potentially leading my family and me to nowhere.
When we were on the flight back home, I was thinking about all the things that had happened to my family, all the challenges that we had faced, and all the decisions that we had made.
I thought about what I lost when I left school. The economic costs of this decision and the emotional suffering was tremendous. I also thought about the costs that the university endured: the cost of giving me a partial scholarship, the cost of losing someone who could have become a good researcher, and the cost of counting on someone and planning for her to be an academic, but losing her so soon.
At the time, I thought to myself, "These five months of my life were like a game with no winner, a lose-lose game".
This piece is the first part of a mini-series within New Canadian Media's Mentorship Program. The writer was mentored by Alireza Ahmadian.
Coming up next: What I Did Not Know About Communication and Why I Am Still Considering Immigrating to Canada
Mona Mashhadi Rajabi holds a Master's degree in economics. As a business journalist living in Tehran, she has written for publications such as Donyay-e-eghtesad, Tejarat-e-farda, Jahan-e-sanat and Ireconomy.
Commentary by: Surjit Singh Flora in Brampton
Time is quickly running out for this liberal government. With recent polls showing Kathleen Wynne's approval rating hovering at 19 per cent within her home province, a historically low rate which stands below all other active Premiers.
Premier Wynne needs to step aside soon and allow another member of the party an opportunity to rebuild the Ontario Liberal brand at a time when they can still recover ahead of the next provincial election. If she waits any longer, she risks depriving her party of any chance to enjoy the grace period that is usually afforded to new leaders. On another tangent, refusal to leave could result in further economic hardships for a province that was once looked at as a prosperous financial state.
Since that election, the gaffes and examples of Liberal mismanagement have been stacking up like cordwood and polls have shown that Ontario voters are ready for a change. The Tories have made significant gains, now finding themselves sitting at 38% in the polls to the Liberals' 30% and NDP 24%. The recent Forum poll even suggests, say it isn't so, that the Tories are ahead in Toronto!
Wynne's hubris is larger than the budget deficit she and her party have racked up under their leadership, yet she insists she will not relinquish her position of leadership. If that is the case, then I am convinced we are going to see a catastrophic meltdown of her party from which the Liberals are not likely to recover for some time.
Liberal failures are beginning to add up: the "billion-dollar gas plant boondoggle", the disastrously inept mismanagement of hydro in general, the more than $300 billion in provincial deficit, Wynne's costly handling of the carbon tax and environment files, the Sudbury by-election scandal, and the botched sale of Hydro-One; are all contributing to the province's mistrust of the ruling party.
The Wynne Government's recent report on Ontario education reported that hardly half of Ontario's Grade 6 students passed provincial standards in math this year. The lack of improvement has lead the party to suggest a curriculum overhaul. Education Minister Mitzie Hunter went on to say, "there's still more work to do, especially when it comes to math overall."
Even with the additional $60 million provided to schools for improved Math curriculums, students continue to struggle with the subject.
Ontarians and pundits alike are reaching the same conclusion that the Liberal party's popularity and prospects cannot recover with Wynne at the helm of the government.
Ontario's economy is being subjected to damage, the likes of which it has never seen and may never recover from. Which may leave the citizens of this once great and prosperous province to struggle against epic currents just to keep their heads above the proverbial water.
Wynne's terrible leadership and numerous failures have done real and lasting damage to the Province of Ontario. It is time for her to accept responsibility for her mismanagement, step aside, and allow another to take over.
This is now Patrick Brown's election to lose and he needs to step up and show he has what it takes to lead Ontario out of the bleak state of affairs that Wynne and her Liberals have dragged us into.
Brampton-based Surjit Flora is a veteran journalist and freelance writer who has previously contributed to the Huffington Post, Toronto Sun and other publications.
-- Canada's economic development minister Navdeep Bains at a Public Policy Forum economic summit


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Feel Good, "Why Can't We Just All Be Friends?" Executive Reunion Ends in Promises Aplenty
December 2002
A note from TheBody.com: The field of medicine is constantly evolving. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!
"This Man's Gonna Cure AIDS"
AIDS policy people from across the country convened in Washington, D.C. recently where they met with representatives from the current administration -- Dwight D. Eisenhower executive office building on Wednesday and in the Hubert H. Humphrey Health and Human Services building on Thursday.
From the West Wing: Margaret Spelling (White House Domestic Policy Council), Joe O'Neill (Office of National AIDS Policy).
From the Dept. of Health and Human Services: Secretary Tommy Thompson, NIAID director Anthony Fauci, Chris Bates, Scott Evertz, Terrell Halaska, and Deborah Parham. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Harold Jaffe and Julie Gerderding.
Representatives from U.S. AIDS groups included: Terje Anderson (National Association of People With AIDS), Bill Arnold (The Title II Community AIDS National Network/AIDS Drug Assistance Program Working Group), Pat Bass (The Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition), Chris Collins (AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition), Gene Copello (Florida AIDS Action), Mark Del Monte (AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families), Laura Hanen (National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors), Mark Harrington (Treatment Action Group), David Harvey (AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families), Ernest Hopkins (San Francisco AIDS Foundation), Ronald Johnson (Gay Mens' Health Crisis), Paul Kawata (National Minority AIDS Council), Marsha Martin (AIDS Action Council), Benny Prim (NMAC), Leo Rennie (NASTAD).
Conspicuous in their absence at the high level meeting were any voices to represent members and policy goals of HealthGAP and Housing Works. Seems at the proverbial eleventh hour these hard-working folks were unceremoniously disinvited -- as knitted brows gazed anxiously up the Atlantic seaboard to what was billed to be a huge anti-government AIDS demo in Brooklyn that day. Mark Harrington prepared this summary of the second day's proceedings. (Full accounts of both days' meetings are available at the TAG Web site.)
A photographer followed Secretary Thompson around the room snapping photographs as he shook everyone's hand. The agenda was virtually the same as that of the day before, with a few alterations. New participants included Chris Collins from AVAC, Mark DelMonte from AACYF, Benny Prim from NMAC and Leo Rennie from NASTAD.
Thompson: We have a great team here, and we are passionate about this. Tony Fauci is the best scientist in the world -- [names others present]. Julie [Gerberding] is having a prevention summit in Atlanta on December 4-5. Some of you will be invited.
I don't understand why we can't have a better dialogue than demonstrating. I want to be able to work with you. We should be able to pool our resources and work together -- I'm concerned about today's [Housing Works] demonstration [in Brooklyn] -- it doesn't gain anything. Some of you are concerned about the commitment of the Bush administration to this issue. Some of you think we're more concerned about abstinence [than about HIV prevention]. All we're trying to do is to balance -- I think maybe more than some in the White House -- you have to have both [abstinence and condoms?] -- especially with young African-American gays -- try everything.
I've been fighting for your stuff. Work with me and Congress to get more money. Can we be more efficient? Help me -- I believe in change. I intend to go back to Africa every year if I'm still Secretary. I'm the only health minister in the world who attends the board meetings of the Global Fund. The next big area [after Africa] is the Caribbean. PAHO [the Pan-American Health Organization] is having a spring meeting. I wish some of you could come along. I am a pretty nice guy.
AppropriationsHopkins: One third of the folks who are HIV-positive are not in care -- they are diagnosed but not in care -- that's about 350,000 people. The Bush administration has not requested increases for the Ryan White CARE Act. The signal the administration sends to Congress seems unfortunate. We know that the U.S. government has done a significant amount globally, but it's not sufficient -- but we should not send the signal that domestic resources have been deprioritized.
Thompson: We have "so much" money for the Department and then get mandates -- it's hard to balance the budget when we have to double the NIH budget [between 1998-2003] even though NIH [National Institutes of Health] is going to be our salvation.
Hopkins: All the states are in crisis.
ResearchHarrington: NIH needs to continue growing healthily at an 8-10 percent per year rate even after the doubling is completed in FY03.
Thompson: I think this man [Tony Fauci] will discover a cure for this disease.
Harrington: We want the Administration's support on enacting the pediatric rule into law.
Thompson: I do support that. The FDA lawyers threw in the towel [on the lawsuit] before I knew about it.
Rennie: We want the HIV rapid test approved with a CLIA waiver (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments).
Thompson: We support that, but the company has to apply for a CLIA waiver. The President and I support the rapid test -- the company has not yet applied for the waiver. Things are moving in our direction.
Fauci: The Secretary is in favor of beyond the OMB [numbers for NIH].
Thompson: When I was in Botswana we talked about the rapid test. "We should do this in the U.S.," I said.
Fauci: He was surprised we don't.
Collins: We hope and expect that Dr. Fauci will find a cure, a vaccine and a microbicide. It's time to start thinking about more incentives for private investment in these prevention technologies.
Thompson: Why even have these meetings? I agree with everything. We need a law on vaccine immunity [for manufacturers] in Congress.
Collins: Look at incentives like those being used for manufacturers of anthrax or smallpox vaccines. Provide purchase guarantees. Address regulatory, purchase, liability issues. Start developing programs to distribute vaccines and microbicides globally.
Fauci: The Secretary has been aggressive in involving industry.
PreventionThompson: Tell Ana [Oliveira] I missed her.
Johnson: Based on some of your opening statements, let me say that we need more visible leadership articulating a sound, science-based approach to HIV prevention.
Thompson: Did you hear my speech in Switzerland? [I think he meant Spain.]
Johnson: We want to work with you on getting that message out.
Thompson: Blowing whistles is not helpful.
Johnson: That reflects the impression of a hostile attitude [by this administration] because of the CDC audits, the Inspector General audits. There are real issues of accountability, but the perception of hostility [from the administration] blocks the ability to appreciate how audits can augment our programs.
Second, we need resources -- full funding for CDC efforts. We're glad to hear about your concerns for young gay men.
Third, we need science-based prevention, not politics. We are concerned by a tilt towards abstinence and are pleased by your commitment to a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention. Abstinence has a place, but not abstinence alone.
Thompson: When I was governor [of Wisconsin], I was the first to put money into prevention for HIV/AIDS -- especially being Republican. This thing is huge. I'm sure all of you supported Al Gore over George Bush. I want you to get to know us. I want to be your friend, partner, associate.
Now with the audits, you've got to realize that not everyone agrees with you and me -- in Congress. When you take Federal dollars and have a sex party or a gay stripper -- you're going to have audits. Maybe you should use other money to hire a stripper. Audits are there to find out what's working. I believe in audits.
Prevention is the hallmark of our administration -- AIDS, diabetes, obesity, smoking -- we are passionate about prevention. We are eager to do MTCT [drug protocols to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV] around the world -- Dr. Fauci tells me that [nevirapine] can reduce it by 45 percent -- that's huge!
Maybe we should have another, longer meeting on audits. I don't want you to view this as a witch-hunt. The best way to handle these things is for you to bring in your concerns. I don't mind criticism as long as it's productive.
Gerberding: We are planning a prevention summit in December. It would be helpful to meet with you before then.
Treatment AccessArnold: 25,000-35,000 will need ADAP in the next 18 months. But ADAP can't carry this forever. Two to four years down the road we are going to need ETHA (Medicaid-tweaking "Early Treatment for HIV Act" that would allow states to include people with HIV in their Medicaid program by adding HIV as an eligible category for coverage. Currently, most people with HIV are ineligible for Medicaid until they reach the Social Security definition of disability). It's coming up in the next Congress -- with heavily bipartisan support -- we need your visible support. A letter.
Thompson: A lot of people on both sides of the aisle are committed to this. We want to focus on what's effective. Treatment is effective. We want to do everything possible.
Del Monte: We are concerned about the proposed HRSA [Health Resources and Services Administration] reorganization. We hoped for more community input and dialogue.
Thompson: I've given Betty Duke the responsibility to make this administration more effective. We are making management changes to make this Department more effective. We are so fortunate to have these outstanding people changing the direction of this Department. I'm still not sure we're spending all the dollars as effectively as we could. We want to get your ideas on how we could do that -- maximize the dollars. [Presumably he meant maximize the impact of the dollars.]
Prim: As a senior citizen, if I am addicted to drugs, I cannot get Medicare to cover methadone. Or if I am a PWA on disability -- I can't get Medicare to cover my methadone. That's abominable.
Thompson: Write me a letter.
Prim: ONDCP (White House Office of National Drug Control Policy) is developing a Presidential strategy on drug abuse. It needs to include coverage of methadone maintenance with Medicare dollars.
Thompson: Is it expensive?
Prim: No. ONDCP and ONAP (Office of National AIDS Policy) ought to be talking.
Global AIDSAnderson: We appreciate your involvement with the Global Fund, MTCT, GIPA (Grupo de Información et Prevención de AIDS). But the problem continues to grow. We need greater resources. We hope that the MTCT program moves to a new level.
Halaska: Help us get an FY'03 appropriation.
Thompson: I wish you could see inside my heart on this -- this is so important.
Anderson: I'm alive because I had the good fortune to be born in America. Continue leadership with the Global Fund. Challenge other countries to give more. Get authorizing legislation passed -- the Frist/Hyde bill. We hear there's a meeting at the White House on AIDS tomorrow. We hope that authorizing legislation will be part of the discussion. There are high hopes for the President's trip to Africa. We need more action, more resources. AIDS is causing a thousand September 11ths every year.
Thompson: People don't realize what's going to happen to this world when AIDS gets into India, China -- governments collapsing, economies failing. It will wash back onto America's shore unless we fight now. I'm embarrassed by the failure of other countries to recognize this. Only the U.S. and Italy have committed a second round of support to the Global Fund. The U.S. cannot fight this war alone. We want to make impact fast with the MTCT program. We want to make sure that succeeds.
Harrington: What are the administration's plans to put the "Plus" in MTCT? [The "plus" part of MTCT-Plus provides for antiretroviral treatment of the mother as well as the child.]
Fauci: The ultimate purpose is to treat the family. It's very difficult to ask for the next step when we're not at the first step. This administration is results-oriented. We want to see some progress, then move to the next level. The Secretary is committed to the next step. MTCT is a very good start. MTCT-Plus is better. Even beyond that is even better.
Martin: We represent 100 percent of the domestic epidemic here. We are the domestic response to this epidemic, with a proud history. We want to make a new beginning. We need leadership, support, partnership. We're asking for a partnership/collaboration, an open door relationship.
Thompson: I've been accessible since the day I came in here. We should probably have another meeting in February or March. I'll speak out. But when I go to your organizations, at least wait to demonstrate until you hear what I have to say. I'm willing to meet you more than half-way.
Parham: North Carolina ['s ADAP waiting list] is down to 40 from 800.
Bates: I'm glad that you came. Take the message back.
Fauci: I want to underscore one point. You will hear from people on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA), and someone will say, "There they go again!" But it's not the Secretary. Not everything you hear [from others in this Administration] will make you happy.
Johnson: Likewise you will hear discordant voices in our community. You need to listen to those voices and hear the pain behind them.
Thompson: I know some people didn't come. Who's not here?
Several: HealthGAP and Housing Works.
Thompson: Should they be here?
Several: Yes.
Thompson: Thanks for coming.
A note from TheBody.com: The field of medicine is constantly evolving. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!
This article was provided by Treatment Action Group. It is a part of the publication TAGline.


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Two-Timer Accidentally Adds All His GFs To A Group Chat
We're all for technological advances, but the slicker and more intelligent our smartphones get, the more complicated the consequences can be.
No-one knows this better, of course, than Gerald Kitching, a 40-year-old Tinder user who was trying to give his address book a good spring clean by deleting some of the women he had been trying to "woo".
Except, instead of deleting the some-250 ladies from his phone, Kitching somehow managed to add them all to the same group chat.
Ooft. Awkward.
As soon as he realised, Kitching did what any self-respecting wannabe lothario would do and immediately left the group, but, thanks to a friend who had also been added to the chat, soon found out that his ex-girlfriends were having quite a good time "roasting" him.
According to The Sun, the girls settled in to mock Kitching's "self-obsessed" and "creepy" behaviour, realising that he had been sexting and sending photos of his penis to each of them.
He also, apparently, had pretending to be a sex therapist, using his "job" as an excuse to ask probing and personal questions of his intended conquests.
One woman revealed that: "He was asking for some very personal details and the thing that really put me off was that he sent me a c*** shot.
"He then got very cross with me when I wouldn't reciprocate which resulted in him being quite abusive and argumentative.
"The WhatsApp group was very funny but totally shocking.
"These dating apps allow people to behave like this with no comeback. This group has allowed a comeback and it's been a bit like a therapy session for all of us."
Astonishingly, the women in the group are believed to be only a fraction of Kitching's contacts; the 256 names who had been added all began with the letters J, K and L.
Which, considering only ONE WOMAN admitted to falling for his charms last night, shouldn't be that surprising...
Trending Now: Oops! Weather Anchor's Sheer Dress Sends Internet Into Meltdown


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Federal Government Closed Thursday | News
WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- The Federal Government will be closed on Thursday, the Office of Personnel Management's website says.
"Non-emergency employees (including employees on pre-approved paid leave) will be granted excused absence (administrative leave) for the number of hours they were scheduled to work unless they are:"
required to telework,
on official travel outside of the Washington, DC, area,
on leave without pay, or
on an alternative work schedule (AWS) day off.
Telework-Ready Employees who are scheduled to perform telework on the effective day of the announcement or who are required to perform telework on a day when Federal offices are closed must telework the entire workday or request leave, or a combination of both, in accordance with their agency's policies and procedures, subject to any applicable collective bargaining requirements.
- Emergency Employees are expected to report to their worksite unless otherwise directed by their agencies.


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Welcome to Anchor Marine, Inc., Monmouth County's premier dealer for these leading manufacturers:
Chaparral Boats
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It's official: Demi Moore thinks she's 25 years old. If her marriage to man-child Ashton Kutcher, her insane amount of youth-preserving plastic surgery, her foray into the teenage drug whip-its, and her new 26-year-old boyfriend didn't tip you off, these photos of Demi Moore's wild night in Miami sure will. The 50-year-old actress was caught dancing her face off in a mini jumpsuit celebrating Art Basel, and from looking at the pictures, you can't help but cringe a little. I mean, one glimpse of Lenny Kravitz's less-than-amused face says it all.
It's just awkward. I can't put my finger on why, exactly, but it just is.
It's kind of like when a college student shows up to a high school party. It's not that they're unwelcome, or don't share the common interest of getting drunk and having a good time in a basement, it's just that you sort of expect the college kid to have better things to do. You expect that they've graduated from the high school kind of fun and have found other, more mature interests to pursue, like drinking above ground, with peers, in public.
It's time Demi move on. She needs to stop being the proverbial 22-year-old who's someone's date at the prom.
Maybe a good rule of thumb for her would be asking herself, WWRD? What would Rumor do? If her 24-year-old daughter would do whatever Demi's thinking of doing, then maybe Demi should dial it back.
Because, if she doesn't, the next thing you know she's Trip McNeely sitting on a swing, talking to Mike Dexter about how stupid adults only want to talk about world issues and "ecomological" crap.
It's just starting to get a little sad face.
Do you think Demi needs to grow up, or, it's cool! Grrl just having fun!
Photo via Splash News


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ActionAid is working with communities, and challenging world leaders, to protect poor people from the disastrous effects of climate change caused by human action.
If not urgently addressed, climate change is likely to place millions of more people at risk of increased hunger, disease and disasters.
A growing body of evidence, including the recent reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), paints a picture of falling crop yields, problems with access to water, the degradation of many eco-systems, and an increase in diseases such as malaria, spread by insects.
As well as responding to climate-related disasters, ActionAid is working with communities to help them deal with a changed climate. We are also campaigning for change at the global level, because international action is needed to make a difference.
Climate change debts
ActionAid is calling on rich governments to repay their climate debts. Rich countries need to drastically reduce their emissions so that developing countries have scope to grow their economies without destroying the planet.
The rich world needs to provide finance and technology to enable developing countries to reduce emissions, adapt effectively to climate change, compensate communities for loss and damages and chart low-emission pathways out of poverty.
Food rights and climate change
We work with farmers to help them understand and adapt to changes in climate. Our HungerFREE campaign focuses on the global food crisis pushing more people into extreme poverty. We also work with a few countries to analyze the impact of biofuels on food security and advocating for appropriate policy measures.
Preparing for the worst
ActionAid works with partners and poor communities in country programmes including Ghana, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Malawi, India, Vietnam, Brazil and Kenya, to understand and deal with the impact of climate change. Our projects help communities work out ways to adapt, take on sustainable forms of farming, and prepare for disasters.


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David Brightmore
I lived in Snowdonia from 1985 to 2004, and my artwork celebrated that dramatic environment. I then moved to Mold, since when I have been influenced by the rounded hills of Clwyd and by the nearby urban centres of Chester and Manchester. My paintings are rarely specific to one place, but endeavour to express the grandeur of Eryri, the calm Clwydian landscape in all its colours and the figurative aspects of townscapes in both North Wales and the North West of England.
I have had solo shows in numerous venues in North Wales and Chester and joint shows with six colleagues in Sheffield, Glasgow and London. Recent exhibiting has been in Stoke, Chester and Manchester.