Atlantic Slave Trade: Social and Cultural Impact on the Society Essay

In The Atlantic Slave Trade Herbert Klein attempts to go into great detail of the inner workings of the slave trade: how it came to be, the parties involved, as well as the social and cultural impacts it had on the society. When thinking of the slave trade previous to this class, I would think to myself how low we as a humanity once became, and how many of African Americans were exploited to this awful set of events. After reading the book, those same thoughts still remained, however, due to Klein my understanding of the knowledge gave me greater insight into how complex the slave trade really was. How Portugal was one of the leaders in the slave trade, how countries turned against each other, and how much of the world was involved in this horrific set of events were all news to me while reading. Because of this complexity, no matter how clear the author was, the multitudes of information seemed to overwhelm me through my reading. Herbert Klein organized the book in a way that made all the information very precise, however, with all the numerical data I had a hard time keeping track. â€Å"The Chesapeake became the primary tobacco producer for the world, exporting 38 million pounds by 1700 †¦ holding some 145,000 slaves by 1750 †¦ absorbed 40,000 slaves by midcentury. By 1790 there were an impressive 698,000 slaves†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (44). This was all in the matter of a couple of sentences, for myself I could never retain the information that was provided in the first sentence. This quote does however go into precise figures, and is actually well laid out as a whole. Without having a deep prior knowledge though, it is very difficult to follow the what’s all going on. If someone was to read this with prior knowledge of the subject, I’m sure they could weed out a lot of the information and take away more from the book. This book is definitely not for some general educated reader to pickup. It requires a decent understanding of the geography, slight prior knowledge of the subject, as well as the full interest into the subject. â€Å"The first region encountered by the Portuguese as they rounded Cape Bojador and arrived in the western Sudan just south of the Sahara, was the area called Senegambia, which took its name from the Senegal and Gambia Rivers, its two most prominent features† (60). This quote proves as an example, and a simple one at that, that one must know at least where everything is to fully gather the information that is provided in Klein’s book. Without it, one may surely get lost in the reading. Even if a specialist were to read the book, I feel that due to how compact the book is, that they may get lost while reading as well. I don’t feel as though one could read through the book just once and honestly say, â€Å"I understood the majority of the information thro ughout the book,† without getting lost somewhere in the book. Entering this project, nothing really interested me while looking at the end â€Å"Selected Sources† of each chapter. Slavery was the only thing that seemed remotely interesting, not only because it’s such a huge part of history, but also because I didn’t know much about it. I had no clue that so many countries were so directly involved in this business of sorts, that Portugal was the origin of the slave trade, and that the power’s shifted so much in this horrific tragedy that happened in the new world. The book has increased my knowledge of the events that happened during the slave trade, but not necessarily my interest. I never found myself deeply engaged in the book unfortunately, and I found that surprising. I still strongly believe that the slave trade was wrong, but I have neither gained, nor lost interest in it. The importance of the subject is made clear with all the information inside of it. I may not understand every detail as they are going through, but the way the book is organized in a way where the importance of the subject is definitely shown. The importance of the book is to show us readers what the Atlantic Slave trade was all about. The chapter titles, and the information that is reflected in each chapter really shows this. Chapter titles beginning with â€Å"Slavery in Western Development,† and ending with, â€Å"The End of the Slave Trade,† really show how the author wanted to really concentrate on the bigger picture, rather than one specific moment in the Atlantic Slave Trade. Throughout the book, I don’t believe there were any major inconsistencies. I actually felt that Klein went deeper, and was most precise in his book. â€Å"If the slave trade was profitable and the Africans were put to productive use in the Americas, then why did Europeans begin to attack the trade at the end of the eighteenth century and systemically terminate the participation of every European metropolis and American colony or republic in the nineteenth century?† (188). Klein frequently used this strategy of posing a question at the beginning of the chapter, and then answering the same question throughout the rest of the chapter. Using this strategy, any inconsistencies were very infrequent, if none at all. All in all, there wouldn’t be anything in the book that I would need explained more, the author presented the question himself, and provided enough information where I felt he answered the question, and more. Because of how tough this book was to read for myself I probably wouldn’t recommend it to someone who wanted to just read a book. If someone was interested in learning the intricacies, and the numerical data that came along with the Atlantic Slave Trade I would definitely recommend this one. It’s just one of those books that if you don’t have the want, or motivation to read it, then it won’t be enjoyable, and you’ll likely become lost in the plethora of information the book presents.

Islam and Europe Essay

In modern day Europe, people fail to see the many impacts Islam has had on one of the most powerful continents in the western world. To see these impacts, we have to go back in history, from about 1000 C.E. to 1750 C.E. The impacts made by the Islamic world during this time have shaped Europe to the power house it is now. Most of the political impact Islam made on Europe happened during the Crusades. The Crusades began in 1095 when Pope Urban II called for the nations in Europe in unite for one cause. Before Pope Urban’s calling, Europe was divided into civil wars, but he had called for a union. The Crusades were directed towards Muslims, concentrating on the city of Jerusalem. The Crusades brought power and recognition to the pope but as the Crusades became less successful, the pope lost this power and popularity. The Crusades also brought more power to the kings. Prior to the Crusades, the kings had little power because most of the land was owned by rich aristocrats who owned small armies. During battle, these aristocrats were killed without picking an heir. Because of the lack of an heir these aristocrats had, the land was given to the king, thus giving the kings more power. Trade brought to the Christian world by the Islamic world boosted Europe’s economy greatly. Before the Crusades, trade in Europe was almost nonexistent, causing a negative impact on its economy. The Crusades, however, created a large influx of Muslim goods and luxuries. Want for these goods became very apparent with the rich giving the merchants the idea to create trade with the Islamic world. Preceding the 12th century, much of the Islamic and European trade was one sided, Islam exporting to Europe. However, during the 12th century, the major Islamic trading hub, Andalusia, helped Europe expand its exportation. Also, Muslims introduced and banking and credit system into Europe. The cultural effect Islam had on Europe was very substantial considering the technological advancements made by the Islamic world at the time. Before 1400, the only schooling facilities in Europe were monasteries. The development of universities came to Europe when European scholars discovered  Muslim translation of long-lost Greek and Roman scholarship. Not only did Islam help establish schooling in Europe but it also gave new technology to the Europeans. For example in mathematics. Prior to the Islamic influence, Europeans used cumbersome roman numerals. After 1150, the Hindu-Arabic numeral system was introduced to Europe. Arabic nummerals, with an additional character for zero, gradually became standard, aiding in the development of math. They also made advancements in medicine. The European way to treat infectious disease was based on superstition. After the 1300’s, medicinal knowledge developed on medical schools based on the Arabic medical encyclopedia. These advances paved the way for modern practices. These impacts made in Europe by Islam also had an effect globally. Without the development of kings gaining more power, our government today would be completely different, as well as our social classes. This medieval trade to Europe from the Islamic world comes to today with the oil trade. The mathematical advancements made by Arabic Empires gave us our modern understanding of all types of math; same with medicine. These effects did not only impact Europe but the entire world, modern and historical.

Parental Involvement And Parental Participation Education Essay

In the literature, the impressions of parental engagement and parental engagement are frequently non clearly operationalized ( Feuerstein, 2000 ) . The description of ‘parental engagement ‘ has been expanded from engagement of parents at school to include engagement of parents in the instruction of their kids at place ( Smit et Al, 2007 ) . Desforges ( 2003 ) , for illustration, distinguishes two signifiers of parental involvement/ engagement, viz. ‘spontaneous ‘ versus ‘planned. ‘ Whereas the first is bottom-up, the 2nd is more top down and typically concerns intercessions or programmes aimed to work out the job of insufficient or no parental engagement. Epstein ( 1995 ) defines place, school and community partnerships as representing a relationship between â€Å" three major contexts in which pupils live and turn † ( p. 702 ) and in which shared involvements in and duties for kids are recognized. In add-on, Funkhouser and Gonzales ( 1997 ) province that successful partnerships involve the sustained common coaction, support and engagement of school staffs and households at place and at school, in activities and attempts that have a positive consequence on the academic success of kids in school. Because place, school and community represent the major overlapping domains of influence in kids ‘s instruction and development, research workers and practicians call for their coaction as spouses who â€Å" work together to make better plans and chances for pupils † ( Epstein, 1995, p. 701 ) . Socio-cultural research workers define â€Å" community † as a â€Å" community of pattern † – that is, a group of people engaged in an activity driven by common or closely decussate ends and involvements ( Wenger, 1998 ; Wenger, McDermott & A ; Snyder, 2002 ) . In chase of these ends and involvements, they employ common patterns, work with the same tools or resources and utilize specific discourse. Communities constitute societal contexts and significances for larning as people participate in societal patterns. Knowledge is integrated in the making, societal dealingss and expertness of these communities. Furthermore, the procedures of larning and rank in a community of pattern are inseparable. Because acquisition is intertwined with community rank, it is what lets people belong to and set their position in the group. As participants change, their acquisition and their individuality – relationship to and within the group – besides alteration. Theref ore, communities constitute the most powerful learning environments for kids, making potency for their development as kids engage in societal patterns with others. This attack to larning suggests that instructors need to understand their pupils ‘ communities of pattern and admit the acquisition pupils do in such communities ( Saxe, 2002 ; Sfard, 2002 ) . Pulling on communities ‘ financess of cognition can capitalise on cultural diverseness and get the better of any mismatch between pupils ‘ place environments and the civilization of school. McIntyre, Rosebery and Gonzalez ( 2001 ) argue that minority and hapless kids can win in school if schoolroom patterns give them the same advantage that in-between category kids have – direction that puts cognition of their communities and experiences at the bosom of their acquisition. In the position of these research workers, larning mathematics is more than structured individualised knowledge ; it is besides dependent on the societal and cultural state of affairs and values of the scholar. International research points to big differences in the mode in which and extent to which parents are involved in the instruction of their kids. The differences have been found to be associated with, among other things, the societal and cultural background and thereby social-ethnic composing of the school population. The grade and signifier of engagement, harmonizing to Desforges ( 2003 ) , are strongly influenced by societal beginning, educational background of the female parent, material want, the psycho-social wellness of the female parent, turning up in a single-parent household and-but to a lesser extent-ethnicity. The sentiments of the parents sing their function and their degree of trust in their ability to carry through this function have besides been found to be of critical importance ( Symeou, 2001 ; Phtiaka, 2001 ) . Kohl, Lengua and McMahon ( 2000 ) conclude on the footing of a comparing of ‘black ‘ and ‘white ‘ parents in deprived vicinities in th e USA that there are no differences for a figure of facets of parental engagement but decidedly differences for a figure of hazard factors, such as parental instruction and single-parent household. The writers emphasize that the quality of the engagement is more of import than the measure. Driessen, Smit and Sleegers ( 2005 ) conclude that the extent to which the kid is unfastened to parental engagement is the strongest forecaster of parental engagement at place while parental engagement at school depends chiefly on the extent to which instructors invite such engagement. Sheldon ( 2002 ) points to the importance of the size of the societal webs of parents as an of import forecaster of parental engagement. The treatment in the earlier subdivisions of the survey shows the paradigm displacement that has occurred with respects to seeing instruction as non merely the primary duty of either the parents or the school. What emerges, hence, is acknowledgment of the mutuality among parents, schools, and the community to foster a common goal-that is, the proper instruction and conveying up of kids, a undertaking that is clearly womb-to-tomb in nature ( Ndahayo and Gaikwad, 2004 ) . In fact, a good figure of research point to the fact that kids do better when there is an integrating of attempts between their parents and the school ( for illustration, see Pleyvak and Heaston, 2001 and Ndahayo and Gaikwad, 2004, among others ) . Harmonizing to the Scots Inspectorate of Education ( 2006 ) , the close working relationships between parents and schools help to develop kids ‘s larning attitudes, therefore doing them more capable of accomplishing their full potency. At the same clip, parental engagement ensures that instructors have a clearer and better apprehension of the kids ‘s household fortunes and personal accomplishments and traits. Parents are similarly benefited by this agreement because now they are in a better place to understanding what their kids larn, how good they are acquiring along in category and with friends and, most significantly, how they can lend positively to back up such larning in their ain place. Clear communicating channels between parents and instructors allow them address issues and concerns rapidly and efficaciously, so as to minimise their negative impact on the kids. Parents play an of import function in assisting their kid foster a positive attitude towards athleticss, as they are the 1s who can act upon future athletics activity picks ( Kanters, 2008 ) . Parents have besides come to see their kids ‘s engagement in competitory athleticss as a cardinal constituent in their overall socialisation. It is non merely the school that portions the load of duty with parents in the proper instruction of kids. For illustration, the UK authorities has besides already recognized the fact that doing kids larn the importance of regular physical activity in relation to good wellness has to be tackled even at the policy doing degree ( Hemming, 2007 ) . This recognizes that society has to step in and do compulsory certain facets of the proper instruction of kids to ease their development, because parents and schools can merely travel so far without holding a unvarying and effectual model to work with in implementing their programs and plans for wellness act ivities ( Hemming, 2007 ) . The fact that bulk of the school-based wellness enterprises launched in the UK in the past few old ages represents an of import paradigm displacement: the accent on developing a immature population that is physically active and healthy is no longer the exclusive duty of parents and persons, but of the school system every bit good. Epstein ( 1995 ) said that the theoretical account of overlapping domains of shared influence among the three major contexts where pupils learn and grow-the household, school and community-can be drawn together or pushed apart, depending on the collaborative model that is established among them. This theoretical account locates the pupil at the centre of acquisition, and so all attempts are geared towards assisting them advancement in their instruction and socialisation. Padavick ( 2009 ) noted that one of the most of import factors for the successful academic public presentation of kids is the engagement of parents in their acquisition. His survey presented an thorough analysis of relevant literature that surrounds the thought of parental engagement in the raising procedure of kids, along with the assorted theoretical constructs that have attempted to specify merely what parental engagement agencies in such a context. He wrote that parental engagement emerged as a construct in the learning procedure of the kid in 1890s, when the demand to specify the relationship between parents and schools became evident. Parent/teacher associations were the first establishments that linked the parent to the school. Later on, this led to the engagement non merely of educational governments in the attention and upbringing of the kid, but besides of the province. The US federal authorities began to pay more attending to the different plans that can lend to the positi ve development of the kids and the household, by tapping into the resources and activities of the school. The consequence of such engagement, nevertheless, turned out to be unfortunate, because the parents easy delegated the opportunity-or undertaking, depending on how one perceives the matter-to usher their kids ‘s acquisition to the school governments and to the authorities. Because of the lesser accent that was given to their existent aid in determining the educational accomplishment of the kids, parents took on a more inactive engagement in the surveies of the latter ( Padavick, 2009 ; Wright, Tim, 2009 ) . This mellow attitude of the parents can be traced to changing perceptual experiences of the parents and the instructors with respects to the extent of parental engagement of the former in their kids ‘s instruction. Clearly, meaningful relationships can merely be built if both parties understand the importance of their common engagement in the upbringing and instruction of the kid. Parents tend to believe that one time they have provided financially for the instruction of their kids, their function in the educational procedure has already been satisfied ( Flakes, 2007 ) , but this is far from the truth. Parents really have the lasting duty non merely to care for the kid but besides to educate him or her continuously, such that they could non wholly depute the undertaking of instruction to the instructors in school. Students benefit from this agreement because they can still demo successful academic accomplishment despite other factors that can function to draw down the same, if and when parents are able to demo active support throughout their early educational old ages. The impression of parental engagement in the instruction of kids is important because it will demo the extent to which parents are responsible for the latter ‘s instruction. It can function as the threshold boundary for indicating out where the duty of school decision makers, instructors and society starts. It is through their active engagement that parents show their echt involvement non merely in the development of their kid, but besides in their academic accomplishment and schooling ( Padavick, 2009 ) . Parental behaviour is of import in instilling the first survey wonts of the kid because it is the parents who foremost set up the demand to hold appropriate survey and drama times, every bit good as giving encouragement and motive for them to make their prep and other school-related activities. Therefore, they set up non merely the outlooks that their kids must endeavor for, but besides familiar modus operandis that would assist the latter focal point on their surveies and better academic public presentation subsequently on ( Cotton and Wikelund, 1989 as cited in Padavick, 2009 ) . Motivation is an of import facet of acquisition because it is what pushes the scholar to really absorb the lessons that he or she learns in school and to utilize it along with other old cognition and accomplishments. Motivation allows for the different edifice blocks of larning to go one incorporate whole, therefore determining the kid ‘s experiences and positions. Any sort of larning requires a good sum of motivation-both from the portion of the pupil to whom the information will be given, and from the portion of the instructor who is expected to supply the necessary input to jump-start the acquisition procedure. Therefore, it is besides of import to look at how motive affects the quality and velocity of the acquisition procedure, and to see how to increase such motive particularly on the portion of the pupil. For illustration, LiuolienA- and MetiA «nienA- ( 2006 ) have noted that motive in 2nd linguistic communication ( L2 ) larning research has received much attending in the past decennary, particularly motivational theories in drama inside the L2 schoolroom. Research workers agree that motive plays a critical function in the scholar ‘s accomplishment, if merely because the impulse to larn is coming from an internal, non an external, beginning. So powerful is motive that it can really be harnessed to overrule other larning factors such as linguistic communication aptitude, to impact the pupil ‘s public presentation in both negative and positive ways. But parents are non the end-all and be-all of the instruction of their kids. Even as school boards and decision makers try to prosecute the parents of their pupils in meaningful working relationships to better the behaviour and academic public presentation of the latter, it is still of import to observe that the motive to larn is non supplied merely by the parents. Such relationships would take to a more incorporate attack in raising the saloon of outlooks and accomplishments that a kid could achieve. Therefore, it appears from the research that it is the instructors who foremost initiate the constitution of a working relationship between the parents, school, and society at big ( Padvick, 2009 ) . There is accent on the fact that parents can travel out of inactive support for their kids ‘s instruction to taking a more proactive function in the latter ‘s development, to the point that they become â€Å" life-long coachs † who are willing to maintain unfastened lines of communicating with the instructors of their kids so that increased academic public presentation may be achieved ( Padavick, 2009 ) . Home-schooling parents may be the lone exclusion to the regulation in the sense that they do non hold to organize with their kid ‘s instructors to supervise and better the former ‘s academic public presentation. But the kid will non remain homeschooled everlastingly. For this intent, it is of import that home-schooling parents recognize that they may hold to portion the load and the privilege of holding joint influence over their kid ‘s instruction with his or her instructors in the hereafter. Majority of the literature points to the fact that there is a deficiency of sufficient parental engagement in determining the educational public presentation of the kid ( Padavick, 2009. Therefore, it is of import to understand the outlooks and parts that each stakeholder-parent, instructor or community-can spring to the positive development of kids. This is of import because merely when ends and involvements of all the parties concerned are established can earnest attempts to an integrating of schemes be made. Of class, every instructor would desire non merely a motivated pupil, but besides a pupil who has the benefit of a good family-school-community partnership to back up his successful academic accomplishment. The job, nevertheless, is that there is a deficiency of co-ordinated attempts among these three spouses in procuring the proper development of the kid. In this respect, the instructors can really utilize some aid in making effectual schemes that can construct meaningful partnerships between them and the parents and communities of the pupils and convert them to be more actively involved in the kids ‘s acquisition. Parental attitudes in larning impact on how their kids view instruction every bit good, and they can therefore be used as an of import tool for manipulating and increasing the kids ‘s involvements in their ain surveies Hill, Nnenia ( 2009 ) . However, possibly because of their occupations or their household duties, parents have been giving lesser attending to their kids ‘s acquisition procedure. Therefore, it is the instructors who must make ways and agencies to make out to the parents and convert them to take on a more active portion in the educational enterprises of the kids. For illustration, instructors have to efficaciously convert the parents non to go excessively intimidated with the school environment and the instructors who take over their kids ‘s instruction Hill, Nnenia ( 2009 ) . Parents do non ever experience welcome or needed in the learning procedure of their kids, so this may be one ground why they would instead withdraw to the out of boundss, so to talk. This serves as the individual biggest barrier that stops the parents and instructors from acquiring across to one another to construct a meaningful relationship that will profit the kids the most and guarantee their uninterrupted instruction and development. Snowflakes ( 2007 ) farther noted other grounds why parents do non collaborate with the instructors in guaranting the high educational accomplishment of their kids, particularly among parents of kids who belong to minority groups. There is a deficiency of general trust in the educational establishments, uncomfortableness in talking to the instructors, and a inclination to compare the examining inquiries of the instructors to disrespect. In this respect, it is of import for instructors to assist parents experience at place in the working relationship and to promote their engagement in a positive mode. This can merely be done if both parties know how much each one can lend to the development of the kid, in order to complement the other in the best manner possible. But the working relationship is uncomplete without the active engagement of the 3rd of import factor-the community ( Epstein 2001 ) . The overlapping domains of influence that Epstein ( 2001 ) had identified are situated in such a manner that the kid is found at the centre. The community is every bit of import as either of the other two factors because it can really function to beef up impressions that relate on the extent of the function of the household and the school in the upbringing of the kid. For illustration, Corner and Haynes ( 1997 ) noted that the deficiency of working relationship between parents and instructors in some inner-city vicinities in the United States have been intensified because of the unreal differentiations that society has created between the two. Society says that the school is responsible merely for the academic acquisition of the kid, while the household has sole power over the kid ‘s emotional and moral development. This categorised system of acquisition has someway prevented parents and instructors from making out to one another in order to make meaningful partnerships directed at bettering their kids ‘s holistic instruction. The truth of the affair is that kids do non halt larning wherever they may be ( Corner and Haynes 1997 ) . They do conveying their cognition from either place or school into the other. Therefore, it is of import to make a seamless larning environment between the place and the school in order to assist incorporate the kid ‘s cognition and acquisition experiences. This is where the community comes into the image. By supplying policies and plans that can beef up the parent-teacher relationship, the community can lend to the positive development of the kid. Epstein ( 2001 ) wrote that portion of the end of the working relationship is to make a â€Å" family-like school † or â€Å" school-like policy † , constructs that conveying together the best that each acquisition sphere has to offer. Abromitis ( 2009 ) likewise noted that with the community supervising the coordination of attempts between parents and instructors, effectual sharing of resources is possible. For illustration, schools can supply parents and their kids easy entree to community resources and services that they may necessitate in order to hike the latter ‘s academic public presentation. Smit, Driessen, Sluiter and Sleegers ( 2007 ) have investigated the types of parents and school schemes to make en effectual partnership. The consequences of this survey showed that parents in white schools support the instructors on activities ; these parents are represented as protagonists. On the other manus, parents that are non in the non-minority group and evidently with high societal position ever have a say in school affairs. These parents act as politicians. In contrast, schools with a batch of pupils that is disadvantaged, parents are given small or no attending in a say for school affairs. There is a constriction in white schools for parents that have no clip to back up the activities. These parents are career parents. On the other manus, there is a constriction in black schools as the parents here do non comprehend themselves as qualified in take parting in assorted school activities. These parents are labeled as absentee parents. It is farther shown in the research that strategies that are parallel with the different types of parents can be identified in school squads in order to recognize effectual partnership dealingss. Meyer, Armstrong-Coben and Batista ( 2005 ) described a theoretical account of community-academic partnership in New York City. The partnership included paediatric occupants and Alianza Dominicana, Inc. , a community based societal service organisation. The end of the partnership was to advance child wellness and development in the community. Harmonizing to the 2000 nose count, 72 % of the community served described themselves as Dominican. The community was located in a rural country with economically disadvantaged working category occupants. Meyer et Al. ( 2005 ) reflectively described four rules that lead to the success of this culturally diverse partnership. First, a trusting relationship was established among university module, paediatric occupants and community occupants. The relationship took old ages to develop because of misconceptions between the paediatric occupants and the community. The community perceived university module as the â€Å" Ivory Tower † and the paed iatric occupants as â€Å" chesty and omniscient † . The paediatric occupants perceived the community as destitute and deficient assets. Initially, the paediatric occupants did non see the assets within the community. Therefore, the message was to abandon prejudices in order to hold a positive working relationship. This was achieved through preparation Sessionss led by community leaders and module members. Community leaders bit by bit gained leading functions within the medical residence plan. Next, the constitution of specific defined ends was determined. The formation of the board of managers, dwelling of representatives from the community, module and occupants, was the 3rd rule and the last rule taking to the success of the partnership was unfastened communicating utilizing a common linguistic communication. The creative activity of a common linguistic communication was developed through â€Å" Narrative Lunches † , an activity for occupants and community members to speak about cultural differences in an unfastened duologue ( Meyer et al. 2005 ) . Buttery and Anderson ( 1999 ) published a synthesis and literature sing the kineticss between the parents, community and school. In drumhead, they emphasized that interaction between and among places and school are really important for constructing a acquisition environment. The United States has stood long before the publicity of instruction in kids every bit good as the publicity of parental partnership with the community for the overall growing of kids. This will further heighten the effectivity of the schools. Smit and Driessen ( 2005 ) published a survey sing the importance of instruction as a requirement in the engagement of parents every bit good as the instructors in the intercultural jobs at school and in the society. However, in most instances, there underlies a deficiency in communicating. It has been suggested that instructors and parents should be more cognizant of the fact that they need each other in pass oning better sing the pedagogical jobs particularly at place and school. Besides, they need to pass on in incorporating their part to the kids ‘s upbringing and instruction. Boaduo, Milondzo and Adjei ( 2009 ) conducted a survey sing parent-community engagement in school administration and its consequence on instructor ‘s effectivity and betterment on the public presentation of the scholars. The survey was conducted in primary and secondary schools in Botswana. The careworn decision from this said survey is that in schools wherein parents and community engagement is really seeable, instructors are effectual and contributes to the pupils ‘ positive behaviour and their public presentations ‘ improved. Coleman and Hutchens ( 1995 ) conducted a predicted survey of administrative and teacher variables sing their communicating in early childhood instruction. Four 100s eighty three preschool instructor samples were studied. Consequences of multiple arrested development analysis showed that the features of early childhood scene that is associated with administrative determination contributes chiefly in explicating the discrepancy of how frequently parents and instructors communicate. Kilpatrick, Johns and Mulford ( 2003 ) conducted a survey sing the development of community partnerships in larning in the rural communities. It was concluded in this survey that the attack to school-community relationship is really important to the long-run opportunities of success. A tactical attack affecting a series of tactics or speedy holes, or a strategic attack concentrating merely on peculiar countries of failing and schemes to turn to these countries, are non as likely to be every bit successful as on-going capacity constructing originating from a sense of shared school-community vision for the hereafter. At the same clip, it must be recognized that edifice of school-community partnerships occurs over clip, and leading procedures must admit and construct on this. It is aimed of holding a school and community that have a sense of bureau ; that is, an ability to move purposefully in chase of ends, to self-regulate, and to larn and alter as and when they decide it is in their corporate involvements to make so. In a similar survey by Goos, Lowrie and Jolly ( 2007 ) , wherein Australia is the topic, they have explored the originating research on educational partnership between households, schools and communities. The partnership ‘s impacts in larning diverseness in kids ‘s numeracy and acquisition were studied. It was concluded in this survey that in the field of place, school and community partnerships there is no consistent understanding about the significance of the footings â€Å" partnerships † , â€Å" parent engagement † and â€Å" community engagement † . Many different sorts of activities fall within this field. In add-on, the stakeholders in these connexions between place, school and community may keep conflicting perceptual experiences about numeracy, and about their functions and the functions of other stakeholders. In analyzing effectual partnerships in numeracy instruction, the importance of relationships, common trust, and regard developed over an drawn-out period of clip was a subject that emerged from our instance survey analysis. This indispensable good will can non be created wholly by support or targeted plans, and plans such as the Mobile Pre-school Pilot Program and Distance Education in rural Australia owe their success to a long history of cooperation and joint endeavor centered on the public assistance and instruction of kids, their households and communities. It was besides notable that some of the most effectual partnerships we identified for our instance surveies were non initiated as numeracy plans but took a more holistic attack ( cf Hexter, 1990 ) . The research indicates that constructing strong home-school-community partnerships around kids ‘s acquisition in general can put the basis for numeracy-specific acquisition. In culturally diverse communities we would propose that partnership edifice is of paramount importance, and should continue – or at least accompany – the debut of educat ional plans that seek to originate kids into numeracy patterns that are valued but different from those of their place civilization. Plenty of grounds was found that parents truly care about their kids ‘s instruction, it was every bit clear that non all parents want to be actively involved in all facets of schooling and many see their function as chiefly a supportive 1. Possibly the most productive manner forward is to concentrate on what each participant – parent, instructor, community member – can convey to the partnership that will do best usage of their diverse expertness, backgrounds, and involvements in back uping the kid ‘s numeracy acquisition. Dhingra, Manhas and Sethi ( 2007 ) examined the parents ‘ engagement of parents in school related activities. Further, it listed the assorted agencies of communicating being used by parents to get information sing the kids ‘s public presentation and suggestion on bettering the relationship between schools and parents. It was found that parental engagement in schools was limited. Very few of them were members of regulating commission or acted as resource individuals. Whenever there was incidence of engagement male parents exceeded in Numberss. Parents were largely concerned about the academic public presentation of their wards. Majority of female parents visited schools on a regular footing to cognize about their kid ‘s public presentation. The issues of treatment were chiefly behavior of the kid and general school public presentation. However, parents used varied beginnings to garner information about kid related issues and the most normally used medium was school d airy ( 71 % ) followed by parent instructor meeting ( 50 % ) , school magazine etc. Another national survey explored passage patterns ( Early, Pianta, Taylor, & A ; Cox, 2001 ) and examined the hypothesis that school-centered passage patterns had three features: 1 ) provided outreach to households, preschools, and communities ; 2 ) looked back in clip to do connexions before kid entered school ; and 3 ) provided activities of appropriate strength. Using informations from the National Center for Early Development and Learning ( NCEDL ) Transition Practices Survey ( stratified, random sample of over 10,000 kindergarten instructors ) , research workers described passage patterns and identified passage barriers. Between-group comparings were conducted from over 3,500 questionnaires. Main findings showed that instructors with preparation in passage activities made attempts to vary activities. Delaies in obtaining category lists created barriers to optimal passage pattern. Besides, schools need to make ready environments instead than keeping high outlooks of single kids à ¢â‚¬Ëœs school preparedness. Jewett et Al. ( 1998 ) engaged in a narrative survey of four simple instructors to understand what is involved in efficaciously back uping school preparedness ( i.e. , passage ) of kids with particular demands. Research workers used informations from instructors ‘ brooding diary Hagiographas from April to December 1996. Consequences were categorized into five passage undertakings. A subject of stressfulness emerged based on many challenges for instructors. Research workers suggested schools must admit instructors ‘ overpowering duty and aid in relieving stressors by supplying extra support and resources. Another Head Start survey explored instructors and kids as co-creators of behaviours characterized as at hazard or promise as kids transitioned to kindergarten. Researchers conducted an ethnographic survey in 1993 that included observations over a 6-month period at a local Head Start/Transition Demonstration site. Skinner, Bryant, Coffman, and Campbell ( 1998 ) followed 21 pupils in the mark group through kindergarten. Field notes were analyzed which revealed grounds that even in the first hebdomads of school, instructors and preschoolers showed marks of co-constructing patterns that moved kids onto a way of school failure. Issues of race and civilization became portion of the discourse and co-construction. Teachers held unrealistic outlooks to â€Å" repair † the at hazard kid. Traditional learning environments did non back up kids ‘s ongoing development whereas those who spent more clip and energy pulling out kids ‘s single strengths co-created concepts of promis e. Ethnographers acknowledged that kids ‘s academic promise was a joint duty of schools, places, communities, and larger society. The offering of chances for parents to take part in the instruction of their kids has been found to exercise a positive influence on the cognitive development and accomplishment of students ( Boethel, 2004 ; Driessen & A ; Smit, 2007 ; Epstein et Al, 2002 ) . However, a few surveies show no effects of such chances ( Mattingly, Prinslin, McKenzie, Rodriguez & A ; Kayzar, 2002 ) . Parental engagement is besides frequently considered one of the most of import constituents or features of effectual schools ( Driessen, Smit & A ; Sleegers, 2005 ) . In add-on to the positive effects of parental engagement on the school accomplishment of kids, positive effects on the societal operation of students have besides been found in assorted surveies. This involves facets of the behaviour of students, their motive, societal competency, the dealingss between instructors and students, and the dealingss among the students themselves ( Boethel, 2003 ; Henderson & A ; Mapp, 2002 ; Jordan, Orozco & A ; Ave rett, 2001 ) . Meyer, Armstrong-Coben and Batista ( 2005 ) described a theoretical account of community-academic partnership in New York City. The partnership included paediatric occupants and Alianza Dominicana, Inc. , a community based societal service organisation. The end of the partnership was to advance child wellness and development in the community. Harmonizing to the 2000 nose count, 72 % of the community served described themselves as Dominican. The community was located in a rural country with economically disadvantaged working category occupants. Meyer et Al. ( 2005 ) reflectively described four rules that lead to the success of this culturally diverse partnership. First, a trusting relationship was established among university module, paediatric occupants and community occupants. The relationship took old ages to develop because of misconceptions between the paediatric occupants and the community. The community perceived university module as the â€Å" Ivory Tower † and the paed iatric occupants as â€Å" chesty and omniscient † . The paediatric occupants perceived the community as destitute and deficient assets. Initially, the paediatric occupants did non see the assets within the community. Therefore, the message was to abandon prejudices in order to hold a positive working relationship. This was achieved through preparation Sessionss led by community leaders and module members. Community leaders bit by bit gained leading functions within the medical residence plan. Next, the constitution of specific defined ends was determined. The formation of the board of managers, dwelling of representatives from the community, module and occupants, was the 3rd rule and the last rule taking to the success of the partnership was unfastened communicating utilizing a common linguistic communication. The creative activity of a common linguistic communication was developed through â€Å" Narrative Lunches † , an activity for occupants and community members to speak about cultural differences in an unfastened duologue ( Meyer et al. 2005 ) . Some of the literature beginnings advised that the determination about the precise nature of parent engagement must take into history cultural, cultural and category differences every bit good as fluctuations related to the age and gender of scholars ( Fullan, 2001 ) . Furthermore, Shaeffer ( 1994 ) is of the sentiment that in finding what conditions parent-community engagement is most good we have to understand the different signifiers of parent-community engagement and their effects for the school, the scholar and other forces in the whole school system. The ground provided by Shaeffer and others is that certain signifiers of engagement produce positive consequences while others may be uneconomical or wholly antagonistic productive ( Anderson, 1991 ; Shaeffer, 1994 ) . Leadership processes in order to convey approximately and back up sustainable alteration within educational scenes ( e.g. Mulford, 2003 ; Lambert, 1998 ; Sergiovanni, 1994 ) . Leithwood ( 1994 ) and Silins & A ; Mulford ( 2002 ) argue that transformational leading facilitates effectual school reform. Transformational leading patterns of school leaders include the development of a widely shared school vision and collaborative civilization, furthering the committedness and capacity of staff, administering duty for leading, and back uping coaction with appropriate resourcing. These impressions of leading are supported in the community development literature ( e.g. Henton, Melville & A ; Walesh, 1997 ; Langone & A ; Rohs, 1995 ; Chrislip & A ; Larson, 1994 ) . Other elements or edifice blocks for effectual schoola?’community partnerships are summarized by Schorr ( 1997 ) , who found that successful plans: are non mandated by policy but respond to community demands ; rely on the co mmunity ‘s ain resources and strengths ; pull extensively on outside resources for support, proficient expertness and to act upon policy ; and are based on strong relationships based on common trust and regard which are sustained by institutional support. Schorr ( 1997 ) besides noted that successful schoola?’community partnerships have a long-run orientation and go on to germinate over clip. Other factors identified in the literature as act uponing the school-community partnership include size of the school and community and propinquity of the school to the community, continuity of resources, and the importance of promotion and bipartisan communicating ( Carlsmith & A ; Railsback, 2001 ; CRLRA, 2001 ; Miller, 1995 ; Combs & A ; Bailey, 1992 ) .

We are what we choose Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

We are what we choose - Essay Example Logos from originates from logical, ethos represent reliability while pathos represent passion. Logos represents the logical argument. In Jeff’s speech, we can find the syllogism. Jeff is and will still be among the few who have presented a coordinated and logical speech. It is not worth listening to a speaker who jumps from one point to another without any apparent rhyme or reason. It is a deliberate move that most of the examples of lectures are fairly short and precise so that the speaker can actually focus on the main idea and not diverting his focus. Jeff’s speech is logical in the sense that he use two examples to support his point. Interestingly, syllogism is easy to evaluate in the statement, â€Å"No flying things are penguins; all the penguins are birds; so some birds are not fliers.† At the beginning of his presentation, he argues that â€Å"cleverness is a gift, kindness is a choice.† Gifts are easily attainable as they are given on various occasions. Choices can be hard to attain. You can seduce yourself with your gifts if youre not careful and if you do, itll probably be to the detriment of your choices. He first talks about an instance of a story when he was a kid he proud of his minor  arithmetic and he figure out if his grandma, â€Å"at two minutes per puff, you’ve taken nine years off your life.† and his grandma crying. In this example he uses the syllogism, kindness is a choice, choice can be hard, and so kindness is hard. Indeed he refer to his grandpa saying, â€Å"Jeff, one day you’ll understand that it’s harder to be kind than clever.† This ex ample proves his opinion that cleverness is a gift, kindness is a choice and sometimes cleverness might ad for us choice. â€Å"This is a group with many gifts. I’m sure one of your gift is  the  gift  of  a  smart  and  capable  brain.  Im  confident  that

Entry Strategy in the Market of Scotland for Sony Corporation Assignment - 2

Entry Strategy in the Market of Scotland for Sony Corporation - Assignment Example This research will begin with the statement that international business is a comparatively complex phenomenon that requires managing a large number of variable factors associated with the business. Internationalization of business becomes important due to multiple factors such as saturation of the home market, expanding opportunities in the foreign markets, economies of scale in the global production and many more. However, before entering into international business, a firm must analyze its own capabilities in terms of whether it is strong enough to participate in the global business process as well whether it will be profitable for the firm to expand business in the targeted foreign market. Once the capabilities of both the entities are ensured, the company must decide on the foreign market entry strategy that it is going to incorporate. In this context, the firm should also confirm whether it will standardize their existing business practices in the target market or adapt the busi ness process, prevailing in their target market. Once all these foreign market strategies are evaluated, the company will be able to formulate its marketing and expansion strategies solely for this particular market, depending on the competitiveness of the host country. Such strong market evaluation and accordingly strategy formulation will definitely bring success to the company in its international business. With the rapid expansion of globalization and liberalization of economies, the business world is experiencing huge progression in international trade. International trade refers to all the commercial transactions and trade and investment that take place between governmental and private organizations from different countries. Naturally, organizations participating in international business are highly exposed to the global competition and the constraints of international trade. Therefore, such organizations are bound to formulate business strategies that will help the organizations to perform successfully in the international market and to ensure their long-term sustainability. Fundamentally, a strategy of international business concentrates on the aspects regarding how an organization, especially private organizations can maximize their profitability. However, in order to sustain in the globally competitive world, relevant strategies should be implemented in every aspect of business s tarting from sources of raw materials, methods of productions and operations, logistics and supply chain as well as marketing and financial process. In fact, as social and cultural prevalence tends to be different in various countries, organizations should incorporate appropriate strategies for different markets.

Developing Business Plans. (Quick Take Expresso) Essay

Developing Business Plans. (Quick Take Expresso) - Essay Example The company will be a partnership business with two partners who will manage the regular business activities. Each owner will have share of 50% and assist each other with accounting and back office support. Quick Take Expresso is liable to pay income tax on its gross profits. The owners will have to handle all legal, monetary and managerial duties concerning business. The partnership business structure will help to expand the business (Fair Trading, â€Å"Business Structures†). 2.1 Mission Statement The vision of Quick Take Expresso is to become one of the preferred destinations for coffee and snacks in Bonn. The company will provide good meal experience to the students, travelers and local customers as compared to other competitors. The vision of the cafe is to rapidly increase the profitability so that it can attract potential investors to invest in the business in near future. The marketing and sales strategies of Quick Take Expresso will help to maintain the demand of the products towards customers. The teenage and the adult customer groups will probably enjoy the services and the pleasant environment of Quick Take Expresso. Quick Take Expresso will provide best effort in order to develop an exclusive brand image in the mind of customers where they can properly socialize with the friends in a comfortable and calming environment while enjoying the great tastes of Quick Take Expresso’s products. The motive of the business is to assist the customers so that they can get rid of their daily work and educational strains and to provide piece of mind through great environment, suitable location, welcoming customer service and delicious meals. Quick Take Expresso will reinvest the amount... The vision of Quick Take Expresso is to become one of the preferred destinations for coffee and snacks in Bonn. The company will provide good meal experience to the students, travelers and local customers as compared to other competitors. The vision of the cafà © is to rapidly increase the profitability so that it can attract potential investors to invest in the business in near future. The marketing and sales strategies of Quick Take Expresso will help to maintain the demand of the products towards customers. The teenage and the adult customer groups will probably enjoy the services and the pleasant environment of Quick Take Expresso. Quick Take Expresso will provide best effort in order to develop an exclusive brand image in the mind of customers where they can properly socialize with the friends in a comfortable and calming environment while enjoying the great tastes of Quick Take Expresso’s products. The motive of the business is to assist the customers so that they can get rid of their daily work and educational strains and to provide piece of mind through great environment, suitable location, welcoming customer service and delicious meals. Quick Take Expresso will reinvest the amount of profit for improving the infrastructure of the business and for enhancing the employee satisfaction which can lead to better service and thus better customer satisfaction.

Crtical thought Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Crtical thought - Annotated Bibliography Example This article will be relevant to the debate question because it will illustrate the relevance of agriculture and land use in the environmental well-being of the human species. If man opts to stay away from eating meat, his next alternative is a plant-based diet, all of which stems from agriculture. Once it has been established that agriculture has severe consequences on the world’s well-being, then it may not be sustainable to advocate for a vegetarian diet. This report will thus render support to one side of the argument by showing how dietary choices have an effect on economic and land activities hence environmental outcomes in the long run. The author affirms that it is not necessary to eliminate meat from the diet. In fact, he even adds that meat has certain nutritional benefits that man can enjoy. However, they explain that the health problems emanating from meat are due to high saturated fat content rather than the actual meat. Therefore, they believe that if meat is trimmed, then it can be quite helpful to the body. Mann (2000) started with the hunter gatherer model in which he studied the plant and animal ration. It was found that there was a significantly high animal content in their diet but because the meat was mostly game, it had relatively low fat content. However, this gradually changed when animals became domesticated as the fats deposited increased. Gut morphology also supports an omnivorous diet in which the size of the colon, small intestine and caecum are all suitable for a combination of meat and plants. Therefore, most western diets are problematic because they have not stayed consistent to the evolut ionary aspect of man’s physiology This journal article will provide strong scientific evidence on the usefulness of meat in the human diet. Its reliance on evolutionary data by anthropological experts, nutritionists as

Speech Audiometry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Speech Audiometry - Essay Example Use of hearing aids of many types and formats can bring normalcy and comfort to patient short fallings relates to listening and recognition of words which may result in improvement of professional capabilities, understanding relationships with others, self-confidence and self-satisfaction. Many researches were conducted in past and still going on for effective detection of primary listening disabilities. Scientists study speech as auditory signal to test new equipment. Since the advent of speech audiometry, it has helped in differentiating hearing aids from one another and so has come to be known as the basic assessment of the ability of hearing. Due to the significance and accuracy of its results; it has also been considered as the foundation in the hearing aid evaluation of the majority of speech. Hence, speech audiometry became the centre of evaluation in audiology and the primary methods used now are the same that were used in the 1920's. The research for speech audiometry has not only been vastly useful but also is revolutionary in regard to the technological advances. Communication ability of a person is considered very important thus, continual research on the subject has been going on for the past 60 years and more. The credit not only goes to the scientists but even to the military investigators, industrial development and clinical audiology researchers. In rel History: In relation to the hearing aid fitting procedure, speech audiometry serves its purpose through assessing the effect of occlusion, analysis of intelligibility, evaluation of quality, and degree of loudness. Comparative hearing aid assessments also used speech audiometry as the main evaluation of performance. In the late 1940s, speech testing started being used for evaluating and differentiating hearing aids due to its advancement speech audiometry quickly became the preferred method to evaluate real-ear hearing aid performance. Speech testing assesses how amply speech is understood. Surveys conducted in the 1970s show that almost 85% of audiologists were using speech testing when fitting hearing aid. But after almost 30 years it was realized that these methods were not reliable enough to secure investment by selecting hearing aids in a large amount of clinical time. As the 1980s rolled on, use of speech audiometry in hearing aid fittings dropped to an exceptionally low level. All this was caused because it was seen that hearing aid dispensing is a much less time consuming process than speech testing and fitting approaches were the ones comprising of functional gain rather than speech audiometry. It also lacked the sensitivity to distinguish small differences on an individual basis in hearing aid performance. The benefits received were limited in regard to the time taken to get to them. Due to the technological advancement of that time, the industry started using in-the-ear hearing aid fittings as they effectively eradicated the comparative hearing aid evaluation approach altogether. Recent Research: Eventually in the 1990s, speech testing was on the whole, rarely used for hearing aid differentiation and aided speech testing was

Diversity at NIH Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Diversity at NIH - Research Paper Example It will also seek to establish the results of diversity’s role in the general performance of the company. Diversity is a difference whereby people’s differences can be many and variable. In addition, diversity can refer to people’s commitment to recognize other’s ability and appreciate their unique characteristics within an environment that promotes and celebrates both personal and collective achievements within an organization. Factors determining diversity can from race to culture to religion and even marital status. NIH is the America’s National Institute of Health agency charged with the responsibility of carrying out research related to biomedical and health services. This agency is has two parts. The first one is the NIH Extramural Research Program that takes care of all biomedical research funding outside the agency. The other one is the NIH Intramural Research Program whose responsibility is to carry out internal research for NIH (Alving, 20 09). Many due to its synergistic approach towards biomedical research best know this agency. As elaborated, diversity strategy enables a company define its mission. NIH has a mission who vision is to envision a world where mental illnesses are preventable and curable. This can happen through transformation of understanding and treatment of mentally related illnesses via basic clinical researches that can easily pave way for prevention, cure, and recovery. According to NIH, United States of America has a remarkable diversity that presents the greatest strength that this country has compared to all other nations of the world. At NIH, people believe that workers’ varied backgrounds and experiences act as an extraordinary resource that has potential that can NIH realize only through full talent engagement. In addition, NIH points out that it can also realize benefits of diversity through intelligence and subsequent drive of its members regardless of their ethnicity, race, economi c, or cultural background (Rose & Cohrssen, 2010). Generally, there is need to engage diversity as a strategic measure of realizing NIH’s goals and objectives due to diversity’s ability to generate an integrated working environment aimed at achieving success. To begin with, NIH’s power of diversity as a strategic tool in achieving the company’s mission is highlighted by the solutions it provided for societal problems. Diversity at NIH brought about increased relative proportion of both racial and ethnic minorities in the America’s population. Additionally, analysts project that, by 2020, almost 40 percent of United States’ population will be minorities. Therefore, NIH finds it crucial to recruit people of divergent backgrounds and ethnicities who are necessary for researching on the nervous system since it draws a wide range of expertise that ranges from multiple scientific and academe disciplines. While in the same line of research, diversi ty also provides expertise vital for computation and engineering of collected data as well as molecular, cell, and biological systems expertise that are essential in analysis of social science and clinical medicine. Diversity makes it possible and easier for bringing these experts essential for seeking to understand and ameliorate the main burdens associated with neurological diseases. With reference to NIH

The Role of Non-State Actors in World Politics Essay

The Role of Non-State Actors in World Politics - Essay Example However, since most of the international organizations fall under non-state actors, they can not be ignored due to their contributions to the world politics (Jeffrey 1997). Based on the contributions of non-state actors in the world of politics, pluralists approach the study of international relations differently and extend their views of both actors and non-actors role on dynamics of economic interests (Taylor 1984). However, structuralists view the role of non-state actors as driven by individuals with economic interests who use their resources to influence policymaking. Pluralists view on the role of nonstate actors in the world of politics By most and different accounts, non-state actors play a major role in the international policy-making (Arfi 2005). They broadly deal with global politics and specific country issues. If this assertion is something to go by, it can, therefore, be argued that currently, the independent behavior of state actors is becoming additionally limited bec ause of the compulsion to international agreements and institutions (Taylor 1984). One of the major problems associated with the study of non-state actors in the international relations is lack of logical approach on their contribution to the world of politics (Jeffrey 1997). ... Â  the world of politics and that security is not the only main issue to consider while dealing with politics and that non-actors help improve cooperation among states. According to pluralists, non-actors are not powerful actors to control states but rather enhance relations between states (Arfi 2005).

Nursing Process Essay Example for Free

Nursing Process Essay The client is a 70 year old, Caucasian male who is a retired siding salesman from Riverside, IA, who has an extensive history with Paralysis agitans (Parkinson’s disease). The client was first admitted to the long term care facility in December 2012. The client explained that he came to be at this facility after â€Å"already being in two places like this†. He was removed/discharged from the last long-term care facility for being what he called â€Å"disruptive†. The client described the staff at the last facility as not very kind to the residents. There was an incident where the drugs that were prescribed to the client made him hallucinate and he became unruly with the staff and was restrained and taken to the hospital for evaluation. He was then transferred to this long term care facility. Wanting to gather the client’s health history, an interview was scheduled. In starting the interview with the client, he was asked if he would be comfortable with being asked some questions and was informed that he did not have to answer any questions that he was uncomfortable with. Due to the client’s paralysis agitans and his muscle weakness he is primarily in a wheelchair. The client was asked if there was anything that he needed before starting and if he would prefer the door be closed or the curtain be drawn for privacy, he stated that wasn’t necessary. It was observed that the client had tremors in his right hand and arm. A few minutes after sitting down, the client asked for help moving his hand that was resting on the bed to the arm of his wheelchair; in doing this it seemed to help calm the tremors. When speaking with the client, he is of sound mind and has a sense of humor. This indicates that the client’s paralysis agitans has not affected the area in the right hemisphere of the brain that controls personality. The client noted that he was in respectable physical health until 1996. He then explained that in the spring of 1996, while he was running he suffered from a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack). The client sought out professional answers from 5 specialists and was diagnosed with Paralysis agitans. The client conveyed this was a concern he had because his father also had Paralysis agitans. The client describes that the Paralysis agitans has  progressively become worse over the past 18 years. It was observed that his speech was slow and monotonous. The client spoke in a low and discreet volume. A lack of facial expressions was also noticed. The client can walk with the assistance of a walker but is generally in a wheelchair. Name of Drug Dosage Route Time Related to Carbidopa-Levo 25 100 tab Orally TID Paralysis agitans Comtan 200 mg tablet Orally TID Paralysis agitans Seroquel XR 50 mg tablet Orally In the afternoon Nonorganic psychosis He is prescribed 3 tablets to be taken orally 3 times a day Carbidopa-Levodopa 25-100 (25 mg of Carbidopa and 100 mg of Levodopa) for paralysis agitans. He is also prescribed 200 mg of Comtan to be taken orally 3 times a day for paralysis agitans. These drugs raise the level of dopamine in the brain. A side effect of having elevated levels of dopamine in the brain is psychosis. The client is also given 50 mg of Seroquel XR orally in the afternoon to alleviate his nonorganic psychosis. It is documented in the client’s chart that there are symptoms of sleep apnea. When asked, the client stated that he was unaware of having that condition. The client does not use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine  while sleeping at night. When talking more in depth about sleep patterns and concerns the client stated that he gets approximately 8 hours a sleep a night, this is without any help from sleep aids. When speaking of his bedtime rituals he said that he does have two beers, back to back, at night right before bedtime, while watching television. He does not have difficulty falling asleep but did claim that he sometimes has a hard time staying asleep at night. When questioned about taking occasional naps throughout the day he stated â€Å"depends on if I’ve been up all night†. The client then explained that it is the noise level at the long term care facility that keeps him awake. When inquiring about the client’s family he stated that he has been married for 48 years and has two children, a son who is 44 years old and a daughter that is 39 years old. The client also has seven grandchildren. When asked what he likes to do in his spare time he replied that he loves spending time with his wife and children. He stated that before coming to this long term care facility he enjoyed playing card and gambling. He now plays computer games for fun, when his wife is there to help him. The client explained that he has a â€Å"little bit† of high blood pressure and it was noted in his chart that he is given an 81MG Aspirin daily for atrial fibrillation. Aspirin 81 mg Orally o.d. A-fib Acetaminophen 325 mg Orally Every 6 hour Pain He has no history of heart surgeries or surgeries of any kind. The client reported that he has never had rheumatic fever. When asked about blood clots, the client responded that he believes that his TIA in 1996 was a result of arterial emboli. The client claims that sometimes he has numbness in his legs and his hamstrings tighten up and it can be painful. He stated that he will ask for his prescribed 650 MG of acetaminophen for the pain. When speaking about everyday stresses with the client, he stated that he doesn’t have a lot of stress but gets irritated when that staff turn on the lights every morning at 6:30 am. When asked if there was anything that he does when he notices that he is stressed, the client mentioned that when he was younger he would travel to Vedic City in Iowa and practice with the Maharishi meditating. He says that meditating has been very helpful in his adult life. The client also mentioned that he liked to follow the Maharishi lifestyle and eat only organic foods but it is not possible to follow that when residing at a long term care facility. Other things that he does to distress are look at his pictures that he has on his shelf in his room. The one that helps him the most is a black and white picture of him in a small airplane with his flight instructor standing on the wing. The client use to pilot planes when he was younger. When the client was asked if he was religious and he explained that he is Methodist but hasn’t been to church in about 5 years. He did state that he does pray occasionally. The client stated that is not afraid of dying but he is afraid of falling. He then joked that maybe it’s not so much the falling but maybe it’s the landing. When assessing the client’s vitals it was noted that he has slightly elevated blood pressure of 129/84 and could be cause for concern of pre-hypertension. Metoprolol tartrate 25 mg Orally BID Hypertension It is noted in his chart that the client is given a 25 mg tablet of metoprolol tartrate orally twice a day for hypertension. His respirations were within normal range at 18 respirations per minute. SaO2 was at 86%. The client’s temperature was taken orally and was 97.6  °F. The client is 6 feet and 1 inch tall and weighs 257 lbs. The client has a BMI of 33.9. The client received a vaccination for influenza on 10/16/13. The clients chart states that he requires assistance with many daily activities. He is dependent on help with dressing, and bathing. When asked, the client stated that it is challenging to get dressed and undressed due to the stiffness in his arms and legs. The client is on a regular diet and states that he  doesn’t have any difficulty swallowing foods and doesn’t require help with feeding. When asked about appetite he said that sometimes he doesn’t have much of an appetite but he believes that is due to the medications that he is taking. The client explains that he is not aware of having any food allergies. He also stated that after eating he does not experience sensations of nausea/vomiting, but does encounter heartburn/indigestion occasionally, which he takes 30 ml an antacid suspension. He is also given one multivitamin orally daily for supplement. Antacid Suspension 30 ml Orally Every 6 hours Supplement heartburn Multivitamin 1 tablet Orally o.d. Supplement When the client was asked about dentures he stated that he does not have dentures even though dentures were noted in his chart. He states he needs aid in transferring from bed to a chair and with toileting. When asked about the character of his stools he explained that both consistency and color were normal. The client also stated that he does not need the help of laxatives. Noted in the client’s chart he is given a 100 mg capsule of Docusate sodium orally 2 times a day to help with constipation. Docusate sodium 100 mg capsule Orally BID Constipation The client does not have any history of kidney or bladder disease. He claims that the frequency, amount and color of his urine are normal. He also claims that he does not have any difficulty voiding and there is no pain or burning while urinating. According to the CNA, the client is able to stand,  holding the hand rails, while urinating. It is noted in the clients care plan that he is urinary incontinent which is related to impaired mobility and PRN straight catheter needed for intermittent retention secondary to BPH. The client is given one 0.4 mg of Tamsulosin HCL orally a day for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Tamsulosin HCL 0.4 mh Orally o.d. BPH The client needs assistance with bathing as well. The client also has a DNR order. Parkinson’s disease (paralysis agitans) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects ones mobility. According to Hubert and VanMeter, Parkinson’s disease is a â€Å"dysfunction of the extrapyramidal motor system that occurs because of progressive degenerative changes in the basal nuclei, principally in the substantia nigra.†(UMMC, 2012) The substantia nigra is the primary area of the brain that is affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). (UMMC, 2012) The substantia nigra is comprised of a specific set of neurons that send chemical signals, called dopamine. Dopamine then travels to the striatum, responsible for balance, control of movements, and walking, by means of long fibers called axons. (Okun, 2013) These regular body movements are controlled by the activity of dopamine on these axons. With PD the neurons in the substantia nigra break down and die causing the loss of dopamine, which in turn causes the nerve cells in the striatum to trigger excessively. The excessive firing of neurons makes it impossible for one to control their movements, a sign of Parkinson’s disease. (Okun, 2013) According to the Parkinson’s disease Foundation (2014): As many as one million Americans live with Parkinsons disease, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrigs disease. Also approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinsons disease each year, and this number does not reflect the thousands of cases that go undetected. An estimated  seven to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinsons disease. Incidence of Parkinson’s increases with age, but an estimated four percent of people with PD are diagnosed before the age of 50 and men are one and a half times more likely to have Parkinsons than women. (p 1) Since PD is a progressively degenerative disease the signs and symptoms change over time and vary from person to person. A widely used clinical rating scale is the Hoehn and Yahr scale (HY); this helps to identify signs and symptoms in the various stages of Parkinson’s disease. (MGH, 2005) Early stages, like HY’s stage one, of Parkinson’s disease the symptoms are usually mild and appear unilateral. There may be changes in facial expressions, posture and locomotion; these symptoms are usually untimely and bothersome but not disabling. As the disease progresses, into stage two of the HY scale, it may begin to affect ambulation and be noticeable bilaterally with minimal disability. (MGH, 2005) As symptoms worsen, as in stage three of the HY scale, there is considerable slowing of body movements, early impairment of equilibrium with walking and standing and generalized dysfunction that is moderately severe. The Hoehn and Yahr scale’s stage four explains that signs and symptoms are severe but the person can still walk to a limited extent. (MGH, 2005) Rigidity and bradykinesia become factors in mobility. In stage five the person is unable to walk or stand so is bedridden or confined to a wheelchair. This stage is referred to as the â€Å"cachectic stage †. Constant nursing care is required in stage five (Costa and Quelhas, 2009). There are many complications that are associated with PD; one can be difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), likely due to the loss of control of muscles in the throat. (UMMC, 2012) Drooling can occur since saliva may accrue in the mouth due to dysphagia. Difficulty swallowing can also lead to malnourishment, but also poses a risk for aspiration pneumonia (Leopold and Kagel, 1997). Constipation can be another complication as to the slowing of the digestive tract. Parkinson’s disease can also cause urinary retention and urinary incontinence. Dementia and difficulty thinking comes in later stages of PD. (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2012) Depression is very common in patients with Parkinsons. The disease process itself causes changes in chemicals in the brain that affect mood and well-being. Anxiety is also very common and may be present along with depression (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2012). Sleep problems  and sleeping disorders are also associated with PD, with this comes fatigue. Some patients may experience feeling light headed when standing due to the drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). Pain can also be another symptom related to Parkinson’s disease (Okun, 2013). There is not yet a cure for Parkinson’s disease but there are treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms. The most commonly used is drug therapy. Medications can help with difficulty with movement, walking and controlling tremors by increasing the brains amount of dopamine. (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2012) The most common and most effective Parkinson’s disease drug is Levodopa. This is a natural chemical that passes into your brain and is converted to dopamine (Okun, 2013). There is also surgical procedures available, deep brain stimulation. With this procedure the surgeon implants electrodes into a specific location in the patient’s brain. A gen erator is implanted in the patient’s chest, which is attached to the electrodes. This generator sends electrical impulses to the patient’s brain, which may lessen the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2012) Other ways that help control the effects of PD is a healthy diet. Constipation is a complication associated with PD, so a diet that is balanced with whole grains, fruits and vegetables helps to manage this complication. Balance, coordination, flexibility and muscle strength deteriorate with PD so, exercise is encouraged. Exercise also helps with decreasing anxiety and depression. The client exhibits many of the discussed signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The client experiences resting tremors, bradykinesia, mask like face (hypomimic), slowed speech and is in a wheelchair. He scores very poorly according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale. The client is on medications to help diminish the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Impaired physical mobility level 3, related to bradykinesia, ak inesia, neuromuscular impairment motor weakness, pain and tremors. (Berman Snyder, 2012) Evidenced by lack of decisive movement within physical environment, including movement in bed, transfers, and ambulation. Limited range of motion (ROM). Decreased muscle stamina, strength and control. Limitation in independent, purposeful physical movement of the body and impairment unilaterally on the right side. Due to the muscular and neuromuscular weakness related to Parkinson’s disease, evidenced by it being difficult for the patient to ambulate. The client has a defect of extrapyramidal tract, in the basal ganglia, with loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine. (Berman Snyder, 2012) Classic triad of symptoms: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (Jarvis, 2012). Tremors associated with paralysis agitans make it difficult maneuver. Tremors cease with voluntary movement and during sleep (VanMeter and Hubert, 2014). Immobility is an expected human response to Parkinson’s disease. The client’s immobility puts him at risk for thrombophlebitis, skin breakdown, pneumonia and depression. Immobility impedes circulation and diminishes the supply of nutrients to specific areas. As a result, skin breakdown and formation of pressure (decubitus) ulcer can occur (Berman and Snyder, 2012). Immobility also promotes clot formation. Self-care deficits related to neuromuscular impairment, immobility, decreased strength, and loss of muscle control and lack of coordination, ridgity and tremors. Self-care deficits, dressing, hygiene and toileting, evidenced by tremors and motor disturbance. The client lacks the ability to cleanse his body, comb his hair, brush his teeth and do skin care. . The client is also unable to dress himself satisfactory. He does not have the capability to fasten his clothes. The patient is assisted with ADL’s. Patient is incapable to bathe, dress or brush teeth without aid. Patient occasionally needs assistance with feeding. Assistance is also required with toileting. Aid is needed with ADL’s because of the lack of coordination and for safety. This nursing diagnosis is important because it ensures hygiene, improves quality of life, and promotes dignity, self-worth, independence and freedom. Risk for falls related to decreased mobility, a nd unsteady gait secondary to sedentary lifestyle and Parkinson’s disease. Patient uses a wheelchair and ambulates with a walker. Patients gait is impaired due to Parkinson’s disease. Festination, or a propulsive gait (short, shuffled steps with increasing acceleration), occurs as postural reflexes are impaired, leading to falls (VanMeter and Hubert, 2014). Falls also result in psychological implications for the patient with a decrease in self-confidence and a fear of further falls. This contributes to a decrease in mobility and culminates in a significant reduction in quality of life (Jarvis, 2012). Impaired bowel elimination/constipation related to medication, physical disability and decreased activity. Evidenced by the client not passing stools daily. Medications prescribed to patient for Parkinson’s disease attribute to constipation. The patients experience with immobility is also a  contributing factor for constipation. This nursing diagnosis is important because it allows nursing staff to monitor the patient’s bowel movements and avoid fecal impaction. Imbalanced nutrition less than body requirements related to tremors, slowing the process of eating, difficulty chewing and swallowing. Evidenced by the client occasionally needing assistance with eating. Pressure sores develop more quickly in patients with a nutritional deficit. Proper nutrition also provides needed energy for participating in an exercise or a rehabilitative program. The goal is to optimize the client’s nutritional status. Impaired verbal communication related to decreased speech volume, decreased ability to speak, stiff facial muscles, delayed speech, and inability to move facial muscles. Evidenced by lack of expression on the client’s face, client’s hindered speech. Loss of dopamine can affect the facial muscles, making them stiff and slow and resulting in a characteristic lack of expression. Speech impairment is referred to as dysarthria and is often characterized as weak, slow, or uncoordinated speaking that can affect volume and pitch. Difficulty speaking and writing because of tremors, hypophonia, and â€Å"freeze† incidents. This is an expected consequence of Parkinson’s disease. Nursing Care Plan- Alteration in impaired physical mobility- Parkinson’s disease Related to: Goals Intervention Bradykinsia Client will use a walker to go to breakfast in the mornings and not need assistance with transfers. Client will be able to perform all active ROM by 3 months Examine current mobility and observation of an increase in damage. Do exercise program to increase muscle strength. Perform passive or active assistive ROM exercises and muscle stretching exercises to all appendages. To promote increased venous return, prevent stiffness, and maintain muscle strength and endurance. Without movement, the collagen tissues at the joint become ankylosed (permanently immobile) (Berman Synder, 2012) Akinesia Client will gain power of voluntary movements. Joint contractures will not occur. Assess the possibility of deep brain stimulation. Refer to physical therapy. When the muscle fibers are not able to shorten and lengthen, eventually a contracture forms, limiting joint mobility (Berman Synder, 2012) Tremors Client’s tremors will decrease. Encourage deep breathing, imagery techniques and meditation. Encourage holding an object in hand Suggest holding the arm of the chair. Stimulating the brain by concentrating on breathing may cease tremors. (www.theparkinsonhub.com) Pain Client will not experience pain 4 on a scale of 0-10 Before activity observe for and, if possible, treat pain. Assess patients willingness or ability to explore a range of techniques aimed at controlling pain. Administer pain medication per physician orders. Encourage/assist to reposition frequently to position of comfort. Pain limits mobility and is often exacerbated by movement. (www.ptnow.org) Nursing Care Plan- Alteration in Skin Integrity, Impaired: Risk for Pressure Sores; Pressure Ulcers, Bed Sores; Decubitus Care Related to: Goal Interventions Rationale Neuromuscular impairment Client will be free of any pressure ulcers for length of long term stay. Monitor site of skin impairment at least once a day for color changes, redness, swelling, warmth, pain or any other signs of infection. Pay special attention to high risk areas and ask client questions to determine whether he is experiencing loss of sensation. Apply barrier cream to peri area/ buttocks as needed. Use ROHO cushion on wheelchair. Checking skin once a day will ensure that skin stays intact. (Jarvis, 2012) Immobility Client will be able to express s/s of impaired skin. Teach skin and wound assessment and ways to monitor for s/s of infection, complications and healing. Use prophylactic antipressure devices as appropriate Early assessment and interventions may help complications from developing. To prevent tissue breakdown. (Jarvis, 2012) Nursing Care Plan- Self Care Deficits Related to: Goal Intervention Rationale Immobility Client will assist with bathing, grooming, dressing, oral care and eating daily. Assist client with bathing, grooming, dressing, oral care and eating daily. Use high back wheelchair. The effectiveness of the bowel or bladder program will be enhanced if the natural and personal patterns of the patient are respected. Loss of muscle control and lack of coordination Client will improve muscle control and coordination in all extremities for the length of long term stay. Client will walk to dining room and in hallways- 5 mins a day 5 days a week. Use consistent routines and allow adequate time for patient to complete tasks. Assist client with ambulation. This helps patient organize and carry out self-care skills. Tremors Client will be able to assist with dressing. Provide appropriate assistive devices for dressing as assessed by nurse and occupational therapist. Encourage use of clothing one size larger. Teach and support the client during the clients activities Apply extensions on breaks with ball grips The use of a button hook or of loop and pile closures on clothes may make it possible for a patient to continue independence in this self-care activity. Ensures easier dressing and comfort. Grips will be easier to grasp with tremors. Neuromuscular impairment Client will be clean, dressed, well groomed daily to promote dignity and psychosocial well-being. Assist with shower as needed. Assist with daily hygiene, grooming, dressing, oral care, and eating as needed. This promotes dignity and psychosocial well-being. Nursing Care Plan- Falls, risk for Related to: Goal Intervention Rationale Decreased muscle tone Client will express an understanding of the factors involved in possible injury. Educate the client about what makes them at risk for falls. Bed should be in lowest position. Provide assistance to transfer as needed. Reinforce the need for call light. If the client is educated and shows an understanding of the factors involved with falls, they are less likely to fall. Prevent fall. Nursing Care Plan- Impaired Bowel elimination/constipation Related to: Goal Intervention Rationale Inactivity, immobility Client will have soft formed stool every other day that are passed without difficulty. Encourage physical activity and regular exercise. Adjust toileting times to meet client’s needs. Report changes in skin integrity forum during daily care Ambulation and/or abdominal exercises strengthen abdominal muscles that facilitate defecation. low-fiber diet Evaluate usual dietary habits, eating habits, eating schedule, and liquid intake. Initiate supplemental high-protein feedings as appropriate. Change in mealtime, type of food, disruption of usual schedule, and anxiety can lead to constipation. Proper nutrition is required to maintain adequate energy level. Diminished muscle tone Encourage isometric abdominal and gluteal exercise Apply skin moisturizers/barrier creams as needed To strengthen muscles needed for evacuation unless contraindicated. (http://www.gutsense.org) Medications Encourage liquid intake of 2000 to 3000 ml per day To optimize hydration status and prevent hardening of stool (VanMeter Hubert, 2014) My thinking about my resident has definitely changed since the initial day when I conducted a health history assessment on him. I knew that first day that I was going to appreciate getting to know this resident because of how smoothly the conversation flowed. This resident had some amazing stories to tell. I absolutely adore that fact that he and his wife have been married for 48 years. I enjoyed listening to him remember what life was like before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it appeared to lighten his spirit. I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to care for such a genuine soul. My whole clinical experience was a positive one. I realized that if I lacked the knowledge about a particular task to ask for help. I liked the fact that clinicals was hands on and that I gained experience in a long term health care facility. Another thing that this clinical rotation  taught me was that it takes an exceptional type of person to go into geriatric nursing. Probably the number one thing that I’m going to take away from this clinical experience is the total importance of dignity. I too will be old someday and I applied the golden rule to this experience. I treated others as I want to someday, and hopefully, will be treated. What a fantastic learning experience. References: Berman, A., Snyder, S. (2012). Kozier Erbs Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts, Process, and Practice. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education. Coleman, J., (September 1, 2013) Meditation Mitigating Parkinsons Symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.theparkinsonhub.com/your-quality-of-life/article/meditationmitigating-parkinsons-symptoms.html Costa, M. Quelhas, R. (2009). Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2009; 21:413-419. Jarvis, C. (2012). Physical Examination Health Assessment. St. Louis: Elsevier Kegelmeyer, D., (July 1, 2013) Functional Limitation Reporting (FLR) Under Medicare: Tests and Measures for High-Volume Conditions. Retrieved from http://www.ptnow.org/FunctionalLimitationReporting/TestsMeasures/Default.aspx Leopold N., Kagel M. (1997). Pharyngo-esophageal dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease. Dysphagia 1997; 12:11–18 Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) (May, 2005) Hoe hn and Yahr Staging of Parkinsons Disease, Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living. Massachusetts General Hospital. Retrieved March 2, 2014, from http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/functional/pdstages.htm#HoehnandYahr Okun, M. (2013). Parkinsons Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Michael S. Okun M.D. Parkinson’s disease Foundation (2014, March) Understanding Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Retrieved March 2, 2014, from http://www.pdf.org/en/understanding_pd University of Maryland Medical Center (2012, September) Parkinson’s disease. University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved March 2, 2014, from http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/parkinsons-disease#ixzz2upFLCggw VanMeter, K. C., Hubert, R. J. (2014). Goulds Pathophysiology for the Health Professions. St. Louis: Elsevier.

Memorable Experience Essay Example for Free

Memorable Experience Essay There has been many good and many bad things in my life. Although it was only at the age of five, I will always remember when my godfather David passed away. My mom dad and I lived together with David in Mathews, Virginia. I was always with him and would never leave his side; I was more attached to him than I was to my father. We did everything together we went to the playground, he took me to work with him, and we would take our dog on walks. He was the most special person to me, and I will always have a burning hole in my heart without him by my side. It was my birthday, May 18th, 2002 and my family would always take me out to dinner on my birthday. The whole day I couldn’t wait for David to get home so we could get ready together for dinner, I hadn’t seen him all day because he had work, and I had school. When he arrived at our house as usual he came to my room and gave me the biggest bear hug, David said, â€Å"Are you ready for our dinner sweetheart.† I said, â€Å"Yes, I’ve been waiting all day I’m so excited to go.† So we both got ready for dinner, I chose to eat a Ruby Tuesdays because when I was that age it was my favorite restaurant. Before we went to dinner mom, dad, and David gave me the presents that they had gotten me, of course I was thankful for everything I had gotten. Mom, dad, and I drove separately from David; he rode his motorcycle. We had the best time at dinner, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I loved eating out away from home, and it was always a big treat to me. Since it was my birthday I ordered a steak, the staff surprised me by singing Happy Birthday and bringing me a free piece of delicious chocolate lava cake. Chocolate lava cake happened to be my favorite dessert so you could not imagine the happiness it brought me for them to surprise me with it. Afterward, we all went to Walmart and David told me I could pick out one toy from the toy isle, and he would buy it for me. This treatment was nothing out of the ordinary David always treated me like a princess and bought me little gifts just because. Once we checked out at Walmart, we all decided we would meet back at the house. David wouldn’t be home until a little after us because he was some plans to take care of, but he told me he loved me and would see me in the morning before he went to work. Later that night my mom woke me up and said David had lost control of his motorcycle going around a turn and had gotten split in half by a road sign. I couldn’t believe what happened I was astonished, I was in doubt. It just couldn’t be true that someone that I loved so much was tooken from me  on what is supposed to be the best day each year for me. I cried and cried. At his funeral, the preacher spoke of me, how special of a person I was to him and that I was the light of his eyes. Anywhere David was I was strolling right behind him with the biggest smile on my face. The preacher said, â€Å"If any of you lose hope that he is not on this earth anymore, look at that little girl because he will always be watching over her.† Each birthday I start my day off with going to see my Guardian Angel at his resting place. He has always been and forever will be a part of my heart. In life, this has taught me anything can change in a matter of seconds people come and go, even people who mean the world to you. Sadly you can’t change what has happened but you have to move forward and grow from the experience because I know that he continually watches over me and will never leave my side.