Gloria Neal's Blog

Even though it is scary and, there is help for moms and dads who hear a diagnosis of autism.  I have never dealt with this but I have plenty of friends who have.  Nothing is more frustrating than knowing something is wrong with your child but your doctor can't find that "something!"  So many children who have autism are misdiagnosed because it's so hard to diagnose in the first place.  It is not a disease where one size fits all.  It presents differently in each child.  As I stated above, there is help.

JFK Partners at the University of Colorado School of Medicine offers an interactive online aspect for parents/adults with questions about autism.

The Autism Society of Colorado also offers support, as well as education.

The Children's Hospital Child Development Unit is another resource offering help and support.

www.jfkpartners.org

http://www.autismcolorado.org/index.php/contact-us/search-by-staff

http://www.uchsc.edu/fragilex/cdu.php

 

When the New Orleans Saints played their first game I was 2 years old.  It's taken this long, 43 years, for the Saints to go marching in to the history books...and march they will tonight!  If there was ever a city that needed some good news and a good reason to celebrate, it's the Big Easy.

Even Peyton"the football god" Manning has to give it up for this bittersweet victory.  If he was going to lose the Super Bowl to anyone, why not lose it to the team his father use to try to help win many years ago.  If you've ever watched the films of Archie Manning (Peyton and Eli's daddy) when he was the quarterback for the Saints, you know every Sunday he ran for his life.  The Saints use to be called the "Aints" because they couldn't win, but tonight "aint" nobody gonna mess wit dem Saints!

I love it when the Super Bowl delivers. I love it when both teams are deserving and I really LOVE it when the underdog wins!

Does seeing a commercial during the Super Bowl make you want to take action? The Census hopes so!  That's why they're spending $2,500,000,000 during Sunday's big game to entice you  to fill out your census form.

Here are the numbers according to Doug Wayland with the Census Bureau in Denver:

- It costs Colorado taxpayers $875 dollars a person when a census form is not filled out;

- If 1% of the people watching the Super Bowl changed their minds and filled out the census, it would save up to $30 million dollars;

- The 2010 Census is called the shortest census ever--10 questions/10 minutes;

If you have immigration concerns, Doug says confidentiality is critical. He says they protect the information and do not reveal personal, identifiable information from the forms.  Also, there is no question on the census form that asks are you "legal" or "illegal."  The goal is to have an accurate profile of America; to provide services where services are needed most.  It is not to kick you out of the country.

 

Whenever I've had the opportunity to talk with teens, I tell them pretend that your father is going to see that picture-whatever that picture is!  Just say NO to sexting and sending.  You can tell them all about the law and what could happen but chances are it won't stop them but the thought of you (their parents) seeing them naked--now that can do some mental damage!

However, I don't think much beats sitting them down and talking with-and-to them about the consequences of their actions.  I also have found (when I have spoken with teens) when you are straight-up honest with them (no sugar-coating the consequences), they may not like you but they appreciate the message.  If the truth be told, I really don't care if they like me.  I want their respect...like can come (or not) later!

One website offering some assistance to parents is www.education.com

Another tool for parents is www.mymobilewatchdog.com. It can help you track where your child's cell phone has been.

Many of your Facebook questions pertaning to the Toyota recall were answered by Tim Jackson of the Colo Auto Dealers Assn tonight. 

Click here to watch tonight's segment.

If you have more questions, you can post them here as well as Facebook, Twitter or instant message.   Tim will respond directly to your questions on my blog.  Motor safely.

Here are some more ques/concerns

 

Joyce writes via Facebook on cbs4: I was in San Diego at the time visiting when that entire family died in the Toyota loaner they had. Their car went over a cliff because the accelerator got stuck. It was sad. I have a friend who is scared to drive her Toyota now.

Paula wants to know: I have also heard that this is an electronic problem and not the actuall pedal or floormat, is this true?

Nathalie asks:  Also, how come that no Toyota dealer will fix your car until you have a letter from Toyota stating you can bring it in. I called with Stevinson Toyota this morning and they will not repair it until I have a letter with the recall in it. As I commute from Aurora to downtown every day I find this alarming and a total lack of customer service.

 

 

 

I-70 is the most frustrating highway in the state right now!  If you've been trying to get up there to enjoy your weekends, you know that you need a vacation by the time you come back down. 

I know it's beautiful up there, but now my idea of beauty in the high country is an uncongested road!  The good news is CDOT, as well as other businesses in the high country are trying to help.  They know it's a problem.  Next month CDOT plans to launch a new text messaging service that will tell you before you get in your car what to stay away from.  Now, it won't be able to tell you about an accident that happens right in front of you. The service is timely, not clairvoyant.  However, the service will be free to those who subscribe.  CDOT is also interested in working with Apple to come up with an I-70 App...(there could be an app for that real soon)...I couldn't help myself.

Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone and Beaver Creek are also offering the $79 Sunday Sleepover.  Click below to snooze away!

http://sundaysleepover.com

http://www.keystoneresort.com/ski-and-snowboard/night-skiing.aspx

 www.goi70.com

 

I have been chomping at the bit to write this pupppy.  All the while in Belize (during my quiet moments), I couldn't stop thinking about the nerve of this man and the pain he's caused so many.  Now, before I even begin let me say no one is perfect.  We all make mistakes...but when you tell the truth you don't have to remember what you said.  And when you continue to lie, you are always a part of the news cycle.  If the former senator is being lied upon (he says things that are being said about him are not true) that will come out as well...but right now the former senator looks like a duck.  And if it looks like a duck, it's a duck!

If I could ever meet John Edwards face to face (I have interviewed him over the phone) I would look at him and say "Are you kidding me?"  "You actually thought that lie would never blow-up in your face?  Really!"  How many chances has he had to tell the truth?  On Oprah, on ABC, on countless other shows where he was asked point blank about his relationship with the latest mother of his child. Yet, he chose to not only to lie to his wife (who by the way has terminal cancer) but also he chose to lie to the entire country.  I hope he doesn't think he can just come back with some old lame apology and all is forgiven.   He lied with the ease of scrambling eggs on a Sunday morning.

Some might argue that the couple (no need to say their names, they've got a book) who helped Edwards pull off this elaborate scheme are only out for money.  Well of course they are.  They wrote a book.  However, that doesn't mean the couple is lying.  It's not like he picked up Edwards and mounted him on top of the woman.  There is one more thing I must say about this couple.  There is NO WAY, NO WAY my husband could come home and tell me that he's got to lie about his boss' baby by saying it's his own baby.  have you fallen and bumped your head!?   That statement would tell me one thing--I married the wrong man!  

No one knows what goes on inside a marriage except those in that marriage.  Still, if you got into it with dignity then you should get out of it with dignity.  Marriages are not always attractive (I know) and they are never easy.  But if you really love someone, you respect them.  You can't have one without the other.  Even if their marriage was over, Elizabeth deserves much better than this.

John Edwards is the poster child for selfishness.  He was willing to jeopardize his family, his party and this country for his gain.  I never thought I'd say this but thank God for the National Enquirer!  They broke this story, but they didn't get the traction because they aren't highly regarded.  That 2-headed alien baby they feature on the cover from time-to-time might be real afterall! 

Whew, I feel better!

If you could take a vacation and help your fellow man at the same time, would you do it?  Project CURE is banking on you saying "yes."  The new term you will hear a lot about over the coming months (and years) is philanthro-travel.  It's philanthropy and travel combined.  Project CURE plans it all out--the beautiful resort(s) where you'll vacation to the philanthropic work you'll complete while in country.

Even though I have travelled all over the world, this was my first time ever experiencing this type of travel.  It was at least 90 degrees everyday in Belize with 100% humidity.  Yet at night with the Caribbean Sea blowing into my cabana, I could barely remember the heat.  The countryside was lush and full of pleasing features.  And even though I was there to get this first leg of the story; I too found myself wanting to help. Outside the tourist areas, so many needed help.   As a result of helping and going the extra mile (beyond the story) I think I enjoyed my "down time" even more.  All the work made me (and others) feel as though we deserved the rewards brought on by a hard, hot day's work.

Doug Jackson is the President/CEO of Project CURE.  However, if you are interested in going to Belize on the next leg of the trip, the person you want to talk to at Project CURE is Leanna Clark.  I call her "Mrs. Project CURE!  She knows everything.  Her email is leannaclark@projectcure.org   Tell her I sent you...she's sweeter that way!

The First Lady of Belize is Mrs. Kim Barrows. She is a Belizian who is trying very hard to help change the conditions of her people.

I was struck by how honest she was in front of me (the press) talking about the challenges of her people. But then I realized when it's life or death, the cute, coy sugar-coated treatment goes right out the window!


... from left to right in photo: Leanna "Lea" Clark, Project CURE, Me (duh!), Kim Barrows, First Lady of Belize, John Brackney, Pres, South Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jackson, Pres and CEO of Project CURE, Diane Locke, Director of International Affairs for Belize

I like this woman. She openly talked about how in some hospitals adult men are placed in the same bed with babies and children because there aren't enough beds.

She says there is no way to know the history of some of these men, as they are complete strangers and could be offenders of children.

She also shared the challenges about how many of the women and men in the remote villages refuse to use condoms because that is not what they are use to. She says they (in rural villages) listen to the reasoning and are educated but the village culture doesn't lend itself to heeding the warnings.

Several dedications and fundraisers (in Belize) are planned for the return of Project CURE in June.

The second trip will be half work/half play for those from Denver's business community. Still, it will be interesting to see how big of an impact a handful of Denver's business community has on this part of the world.

Stay tuned. Philanthrotravel is becoming the new way to vacation and give back!

Not only does Project C.U.R.E. help in Haiti, it's a godsend in many other third world countries. CBS4's Gloria Neal is traveling with Project C.U.R.E. in Belize. Below are pictures with captions Gloria has sent back to CBS4.

Jan 25:

This first picture is of Ramones Village where I resided the first two nights of trip. It's on San Pedro right on Ambergis Caye which is an island just north of Belize City. We took a water taxi to get there. Really it's the tale of two cities -- this is where most tourists will come to let their hair down.

The second picture is of the courtyard at the hospital in Belmopan. It's the regional hospital for Belize City. There is only one operating room and they don't have hot water. The water is collected in a big tub on the roof and heated by the sun. No sterilization.

Gloria's phone interview on CBS4 News at 6 on Monday

Learn more about Project C.U.R.E. in this Good Question report from Alan Gionet: Project C.U.R.E. Sets Up For Long Haul In Haiti

Jan. 26:

Shot from Palapa's Grill just across from my cabana. The view was great (the Caribbean Sea) and the food was even better. This is one of the places where those who come on the next trip will relax after working two days at the hospital in Belcaneaux.



The roof inside my cabana/hut. Many layers thick and very effective with keeping the hut cool during the day and even cooler at night.



Shot of dock leading to water taxi, which is how people get around. Golf carts are the primary mode of transportation (rush hour is hilarious) and no one wears shoes ... and not because they can't afford them.



A sign outside a restaurant (The Sand Box) reads: "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Shit, No Problem" -- Needless to says the atmosphere is very relaxed. I believe they would serve you naked! I couldn't stop laughing. If you can't see it in this one, I will send more pics later today. I will also blog for the next two days (today and tomorrow) because I will not have connectivity once I leave Blacaneaux.

In hallway at Belmopan Hospital. This is their major hospital -- only has one operating room -- notice boarded up windows.


Belize is unbelievable ... not just because it's so beautiful, but because the beauty is only matched by so much poverty.
 
I could show you picture after picture like the one from last night's blog (tropical paradise). However, that would defeat the purpose of shining the light on how delicate life can be in a country where needs are not being met.
 
The country of Belize is 174 miles long by 68 miles wide. The population in the entire country is around 300,000 (there are more people in Aurora than in this entire country).  But people are so spread out. The more rural and remote the area, the higher the risk of dying from something as simple as an infected cut. Plus lifestyle comes into play. As I've travelled from village to village, the challenges were similar -- the women are not used to men using condoms, nor do they like it and the men are all too happy to oblige them; therefore, cases of HIV are high. However, that's not the biggest health challenge -- access is. The simple things like sterilized water at a hospital can be the difference between life and death.
 
Compounding the problem -- Mexico is to the north and Guatemala is to the west of Belize. There is also the challenge of drugs and gun trafficking. I asked the U.S ambassador to Belize, Vinai Thummalapally, what is being done to address this problem. He replied, "...This isn't just a problem in Belize." He said that this problem will only be solved by joint ventures. Drugs and guns mostly flow through Belize. Most of the "product" doesn't stop, meaning the demand is generating the supply.
 
As I said last night, it's the tale of two cities. This trip is about assessing the needs for Project C.U.R.E. Once that is determined a larger group from the South Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to return for seven days in June to roll up their sleeves and help paint, build and assist the people of Belize.  

In the past Project C.U.R.E. has donated equipment. But that equipment sits in hallways of the regional hospital in Belmopan because the funding for the operating rooms at Belmopan hospital has been diverted to something more important. While there are many needs in this country, you have to wonder what is more important to life than life.  Tell that to the woman who sits in a hospital hallway with temps in the 90s and no air conditioning (pictured below).