Search Results for: health

ADHD:Before putting your child on Medications(Most important is number 9 )

By Dr.Abhijit Misra (MBBS,MD) on June 15, 2018 57

The brain is the most interesting and the most difficult organ to handle. When something like ADHD is diagnosed in a child, parents feel distraught. But don’t worry. With timely intervention, good results are possible. What you must understand is that ADHD has a complex relationship with childhood stressors . All present and future treatments need behavioral training, family therapy, and medication, with weight being given to all. Before you start medicines and expect things to get better quickly, you need to know a few things.

ADHD The Summary

ADHD is a spectrum of disorder. The earlier the diagnosis, better is the long-term quality of life. While some children with associated psychiatric and developmental challenges are at the deep end of the spectrum. Many children with behavioral therapy, family support, medication will lead a productive life.

[bctt tweet=”Early diagnosis, management and sustained follow up is key to avoid long-term problems in ADHD.” username=”misra_amrita”]

#1 What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. That’s the bad news. The good news is it is also the most extensively studied mental disorder of childhood.

#2 What are the challenges the child may face?

Academic underachievement
Recurrent and persistent interpersonal relationship problems .
Issues of low self-esteem are very common.

ADHD:Before putting your child on Medications!

#3 What other health problems may be associated?

The doctor will screen for

Learning disability
Language disorders
Emotional issues
Behavioral problems
Psychiatric problem
Vision
Hearing

#4 What are the symptoms of ADHD: when you should visit a doctor?

If any of the following are there for more than 6 months in a child and is causing challenges of development, social, emotional academic. The symptoms broadly fall into categories of inattention and hyperactivity.

Making careless mistakes, lacking attention to details. Not listening when spoken to directly. Not finishing activities and unable to follow through instructions. Disorganized.
Avoids activities needing sustained attention. Child misplaces things necessary for activities. Occasionally misplacing pencil or rubber is normal and not unusual in young children. Try to stop this habit by giving them a particular place to keep all their stuff next to the study table.
Hyperactivity involves excessive fidgety movements. The child is unable to indulge in quiet play. Talks excessively
Impulsivity: Not able to wait for a turn.Talks in between others etc

ADHD is a challenge to diagnose in preschoolers because distractibility and inattention are often present at this age. Different categories of ADHD is diagnosed, depending on criteria and needs a trained pediatrician.

#5 What causes ADHD?

The causes are complex and multifactorial. It is often the net result of several associated and simultaneous factors influencing brain development. There is a strong genetic role in ADHD. There is also a correlation with reduced dopamine level in the brain as a causative factors.

Maternal factors

Birth complications such as toxemia, prolonged labor, complicated delivery.
Maternal drug use
Maternal smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy
Exposure to lead prenatal or postnatal.

Child factors

Food coloring and preservatives
Brain trauma
Abnormal brain structure on child increases the risk of ADHD

Family factors

Psychosocial family stressors may cause or exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
Family stress
Abuse
Neglect
A close blood relative with ADHD, mood or anxiety disorders, learning disability, antisocial disorder, or alcohol or substance abuse.

#6 How will ADHD be diagnosed?

Diagnosis needs the opinion of a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, clinical psychologist. It involves detailed history, physical examination, lab test and interview with caregivers.

The doctor also screens for vision or hearing problems and test for elevated lead levels. The latter is more important when a child comes in children with some or all of the symptoms if these children are exposed to lead poisoning.There are no diagnostic tests available to identify ADHD in children at present.

#6 Treatment

Psychosocial Therapy/Behavioural therapy
Drugs
Family therapy.

The detailed treatment protocols are beyond the scope of this article but medication depends on main symptoms presented. Psychostimulant medications, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Focalin, Daytrana)Amphetamine, and/or various amphetamine and dextroamphetamine preparations (Dexedrine, Adderall, Vyvanse).

While generally well-tolerated in most children, Adderall and Vyvanse side effects most commonly include a loss of appetite, stomach pain, irritability and difficulty falling asleep. A longer list of side effects does occur in some children, although the more serious ones are rare.

Most of the drugs will have some side effects, which will be explained by your doctor.

#7 Behavioural management alone will not be enough. It is also a long-term goal.

Once the diagnosis of ADHD has been established, the parents and children are educated about ADHD’s effect on learning, behavior, self-esteem, social skills, and family function. The doctor helps the family improve the child’s interpersonal relationships, study skills, and reduce disruptive behaviors.

#8 Untreated ADHD Risks

Increased risk-taking behaviors (sexual activity, delinquency, substance abuse)
Educational underachievement.
Employment difficulties.
Relationship difficulties.

#9 Prevention of ADHD

Parent training, training of caregivers and school teachers help in the early detection and treatment of ADHD. This has a big role to play in improving the quality of life in affected children. Early screening for Vision, Hearing and psychiatric problems will help in the effective treatment of children with ADHD. Long-term adverse effects of untreated and ineffectively treated children with ADHD is avoidable with early intervention. Detection of elevated lead levels in children who present with the symptoms is a part of the diagnostic arsenal.

Also if you are a young woman reading this and you want to be a mom later in life, you may want to avoid drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol. A future human’s quality of life may depend on it.

Reference

1)DSM-IV DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER American Psychiatric Association: a Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition, text revision, Washington, DC, 2000, American Psychiatric Association. Copyright 2000 American Psychiatric Association)

2)Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics

3)Latest trends in ADHD drug prescribing patterns in children in the UK: prevalence, incidence and persistence
Raphaelle Beau-Lejdstrom,1 Ian Douglas,2 Stephen J W Evans,2 and Liam Smeeth

4)Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): What can help children and teenagers who have ADHD?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0079159/

Disclaimer: This post is written by Dr.AbhijitMisra MBBS, MD Pediatric Medicine and is meant for public knowledge and awareness and is in no way a replacement for physical consultation with a Doctor. Kindly consult your doctor for all health queries and before starting any medication. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or another healthcare provider. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover all possible drug interactions or all FDA warnings or alerts. Please check with a physician if you have health questions or concerns about interactions or go to the FDA for a comprehensive list of FDA warnings. Although we attempt to provide accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee is made to that effect.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are mine and appropriately referenced.

Blogchatter:Why I loved Daily chatter Blogging challenge

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on June 11, 2018 5

Blog chatter blogging challenge:What I learned

Blogging is fun.It’s challenging to learn to do it all .
Sometimes in the mad rush of researching, writing content ,and promoting my posts, I was overwhelmed.
So I thought the #Daily chatter challenge for 2 weeks at the blogchatter would be too much to handle.

Blogchatter:The dailychatter blogging challenge

But what’s a challenge ,if it’s not difficult . If you really want to push your limits at blogging it’s great to have friends who are in the same boat .

The beauty of blogging is this effortless friendship across time and distance .
Sharing thoughts ,promoting and encouraging other blogger friends.

Some people may say only bloggers read and promote other blogs.
That may or may not be true.But it’s a win win for all.

Blogs are your own self-publishing paradise. It’s your way of a bit of digital real estate.Digital immortality.

What’s great about blogging?

It’s great if you want to practice expressing your opinion.
It’s great as a side hustle.
It’s magical as a source of income for stay at home moms.
Overall it’s the best way of making friends online.
It’s a great way of helping others in your own way.Wherever you are in your blogging journey, you can help someone.I have been helped by pro bloggers like Amy Lynn Andrews.

The blogchatter made this community feeling enormous.That’s my takeaway from this challenge .This sense of belonging .

My Alexa rank improved because of this push by the #Dailychatter.

Alexa rank :Healthwealthbridge(global rank)

Many will laugh at my feeble attempts.But when I compare , my current results with 2 months back.It’s a pleasant surprise.

I realised how much I could push myself.
Sometimes that’s enough to keep you going when you are just starting out.

I realised I want to post my articles 3 times a week.This will give me time to do research and also continue with the pace this challenge gave my blog.

I will be tweaking the backend stuff and promote my posts on the other 3 days.

Sunday is my creative break and brainstorming day.

Over the next few days ,I will be updating the posts which are doing well.

I also would finally publish my Resource page.I waited almost 2 years to do this .That’s because I really wanted to see what works for my DIY blog before committing.

My blog is about health-wellness and my journey as a mompreneur.I am not a work from home mom.But sometimes I wish I had that choice.

That was the main reason I wanted to explore when I started blogging.I have heard the stories of many bloggers making the full-time income from home.But whether a non-technical mom could do it was anybody’s guess.

2 platforms have really helped:

#Indiblogger platform :I love this Indian bloggers directory. They are great at helping blogger promote,earn and learn.Signing up for Indiblogger has helped me become more interactive easily.

Making connections is so much easier.

They are great at helping you promote and spread the awesome posts you write.Most new bloggers don’t have the advertising budget.So this will help you tremendously.

#The Blogger’s Pit stop Link party:

This link party happens every Friday.Just like the blog chatter , they help you link up your posts and are very interactive.

Why have I written about blog promotion tools?

The Internet is a vast ocean of information.

You are skimming the very top layer.There are no arrows directing readers toward your blog.

There are millions of blogs written everyday.How will your reader find you?How will you help others if they can’t find you?I felt really sad looking at the few views my posts used to get.

That’s why I started actively participating in these communities .

Showing below my traffic before and after using these blog promoting platforms.

Healthwealthbridge.Traffic increase 1000%

What’s your goal with your blog?

Looking forward to more chattering at the blog chatter.

What else will blog chatter challenge us with?
Have you participated in any blogging challenges?
What’s your takeaway from it?
Comment below to let me know

Related:

Blogging Resources

Is Your Child’s Protein Sufficient for the 2nd and the Last Growth Spurt ?

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on June 11, 2018 91

Children grow up very fast. Their energy and protein needs vary with age. The second growth spurt comes and goes, and mothers are left wondering whether a child will grow any taller. Some children, grow taller than their classmates. That’s because their moms took care of their protein needs at the right time. The second growth spurt is often missed due to less awareness about it.

But that’s the last time when what your child eats, can change his/her life.

Mothers are perennially on a tight rope. Balancing between fears of too much and too little. Both undernutrition and obesity-related malnutrition is a cause for worry. A high-calorie diet where the energy comes from refined sugars of processed food is bad for overall health. High-quality protein and matched energy is needed for the increased energy requirement during this age. They go through a tremendous, physical, hormonal and emotional growth phase, where a balanced diet is important for their complete growth.

Children need good quality protein during a second growth spurt

According to this article, Linear growth increases markedly during puberty in both sexes from approximately 5 cm/year in prepubertal males and females to 8.3 cm/year in pubertal females and 9.5 cm/year in pubertal males. Weight velocity increases from 3 kg/year in prepubertal males to 9 kg/year during puberty; the gain is composed almost entirely of lean tissue.

When does the protein requirement peak?

Diet during prepuberty years is very important because that’s when the body is getting ready for the second growth spurt

So just increasing total calorie and protein should do, right?

Not really.

The problem is both with the quantity of protein, as the quality of protein. When the diet is plant-based and protein source is plant-based, a gross deficiency occurs in the quality of protein the child receives.

This deficit will have a lifelong effect and probably the reason why the optimal height and intellectual potential is not reached.

What should moms do?

Moms make meal plans. Moms cook, Moms shop for food (Sometime Daddy does too)

Moms also know exactly how fast their child is growing and what is his/her daily activity level.

Nutrition Requirement during the second growth spurt

Nutrient requirements increase during adolescence to support rapid growth. Inappropriate nutrition can create a lasting impact on the growth, development, and physical fitness of an adolescent. Nutrients of significance during this period are:

Proteins: To support an increase in muscle mass and promotes the hormone Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations which aid in growth.

Protein should account for 15-20% of total calories. The quality of protein becomes important especially if a vegetarian or a vegan diet is followed.

What is the role of protein?

Protein influences the production and action of factors involved in growth. The growth hormone (GH)-insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF 1) system is most important. The liver produces IGF-1 under the influence of dietary proteins.IGF-1 is essential for longitudinal bone growth that is increasing in height, skeletal maturation, and bone mass acquisition. Decreased levels of IGF-1 have been found in states of undernutrition.

Calcium: To support bone growth.

Vitamin D: To facilitate the absorption of calcium in bones

Iron: To support blood formation and improve the physical performance of a child.

Are we taking sufficient protein in diet?

According to the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau report (India), the intake of protein was found to be low across the prepubertal age group. Its because of a lack of awareness. Even before the time of second growth spurt, children do not consume enough protein and calorie intakes to get the maximum boost to their height.

What happens if protein deficiency persists?

When protein intakes are not right, the child never grows to their maximum.

Child needs good quality protein in the right amount

Does the quality of protein consume also exert an impact?

Indian diets derive almost 60% of their protein from cereals such as wheat, rice, jawar, bajra, etc. The proteins found in these cereals are of inferior quality. The National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) survey in India, which uses household food expenditure to arrive at nutritional intakes, also indicates that about 66% of the protein in the rural population and 56% of the urban population is derived from cereals. When the main sources of their protein were plant-based ,there is a bigger need of health drinks providing the right amount of protein supplementation.

What are the sources of good quality proteins in the diet?

Good quality proteins are proteins that contain all the essential amino acids. Some sources of good quality proteins are:

Fish, Chicken, Mutton, other flesh food
Milk and milk products
Egg
Soy protein(should only be taken under doctors supervision)

Related :

Protein in your breakfast: What you must know

Proteins play an extremely important role during the second growth spurt, which is the last chance for your child to grow tall. Growth mediators such as IGF-1 help in the utilization of the dietary protein for your child’s needs.

The inadequacy of proteins in the diet may lead to stunting in children. Since Indian diets are mainly cereal-based, it is essential that both the quality and quantity of proteins in the diet are maintained.

The second growth spurt is a period of rapid growth, with increased nutritional needs. Growth during this period is faster than at any other time in a child’s life except in the first year. It offers the last window of opportunity to give your child the nutrition needed to embrace a healthy adult life. This is also the last chance to cover nutritional deficits due to picky eating in childhood. Facing this challenge of increased nutritional demand in this will help your child achieve optimal growth.

Conclusion:

Cut out the junk food. Occasional treats are okay.
Milk and milk proteins both increase IGF1 so they can be used as a source of first-class protein in the diet.
Fish is a very healthy protein source and is highly recommended.
Other animal flesh sources of protein are balanced against need and ease of availability.
Protein supplements and Threptin diskettes according to need.

When your child needs more protein and the diet needs supplementation a health drink with the right amount of protein is needed to meet the challenges of second-growth spurt head-on.

Disclaimer: This post is written for information and education. All opinions are mine written after researching adequate sources. All health decisions about your children should be taken after professional medical consultation.

——————————————————
References
1. Holick, M.F.;Dawson-Hughes, B. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press 2004 https://books.google.co.in/books?id=jDCSBgAAQBAJ

2. Bonjour JP, Schürch MA, Chevalley T, Ammann P, Rizzoli R. Protein intake, IGF-1 and osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int. 1997;7 Suppl 3:S36-42.

3. Swaminathan S, Vaz M, Kurpad AV. Protein intakes in India. Br J Nutr. 2012 Aug;108 Suppl 2:S50-8. doi: 10.1017/S0007114512002413

4. Kulsum A Jr, Lakshmi JA, Prakash J. Food intake and energy protein adequacy of children from an urban slum in Mysore, India – a qualitative analysis. Malays J Nutr. 2008 Sep;14(2):163-72. Epub 2008 Sep 15. PubMed PMID: 22691773

5. Diet and Nutritional Status of Rural Population, Prevalence of Hypertension & Diabetes among Adults and Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices -Report of Third Repeat Survey. NNMB technical report26. 2012

6)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22691773

7)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4266867/

8)http://icmr.nic.in/final/rda-2010.pdf

How much protein do you need per day?

3 Unusual Places for a Nature Loving Family Trip in Malaysia

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on June 11, 2018 29

Malaysia has beautiful sea beaches, natural parks, and rainforests. It’s the perfect destination for nature loving family. The best part is there are many resorts right in the rainforest if you don’t want to travel much.

If you want a short relaxing holiday in Malaysia, one of the following destinations may be just right. While Taman Negara and Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak is great for a typical rainforest experience, Cameron Highlands will be a surprise. Places to visit with family in Malaysia are many, but these three will give you a pleasant surprise.

Cameron Highlands

Plan your trip according to what you want to do. It’s not hectic and there are many things both children and adults will enjoy. The rolling hills with tea plantations are a beautiful sight. The best time to pass your time is to visit a tea plantation and see how its made. You can also enjoy fresh cups of tea and cakes if you want.

The many strawberry farms dotting the landscape will make adults and children both happy.If you are lucky you will be allowed to pick strawberries and eat then garden-fresh too. That’s something few people would want to miss.

The Butterfly Farm and Honeybee farm are good places to take older kids as they will enjoy learning about them

The colonial architecture, cool air, and rolling green tea plantations give you a different type of holiday than the typical south-east Asian holiday.

How to reach Cameron Highlands?

Take a flight to KL airport. Then you have two options Travel from KL airport to the city center in an airport taxi, from where you can take the bus to Cameron Highlands. You can book in advance online or book then itself. During tourist seasons, it’s best to book in advance. Buses are cheap and comfortable most of the time. You can also hire your own car from the airport itself. The transport system in Cameron highlands may be a problem if you are traveling with kids. Having your own car for hire is the most comfortable option. There are plenty of great options for Cameron Highlands hotels and you will be spoiled for choice.

What is the best time to visit Malaysia’s Rainforests?

If you are visiting rainforests you will need to know about rainfall. Most rainfalls in March and April. The Driest months are June and July. Definitely talk to your tour operators regarding the weather before booking your trips.

Malaysia rainforests have gorgeous resorts to make family trips perfect. You can catch sight of several species of flora and fauna right at the resort.

Taman Negara is the largest rainforest in Malaysia and the oldest in the world. You can go far safaris, canopy walks, cave exploration, and trekking depending on your family interests. There are one-day and multi-day tours and prices vary accordingly. Many of the world’s rare wildlife can be spotted here. Malaysian tiger, Sumatran rhinos, and orangutans are often spotted during tours.

It covers about 4343 square kilometers and is the best option for those who can’t visit Borneo. There are many resorts in this area for all budgets. All forest walks need a guide who will keep you safe in your nature walks. The Taman Negara Canopy Walk has a spectacular view. It is a 510 meters long suspension bridge between treetops, at a height of 45 meters.

What you need to be careful about

mosquitoes and leeches are very common as well as other creepy crawlies. It’s better to wear clothes with long sleeves and long bottoms as well as be generous with mosquito repellents

Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak has flora fauna and limestone caves. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Bats are common but adult bats are seen only at night. There are vast species of flora and fauna as well as insects. Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa, at the Mulu National Park, Sarawak is perfect for setting up camp for a rainforest holiday with kids.It is just a five-minute walk from Gunung Mulu National Park. If you don’t want to hurry and want a relaxed holiday with wildlife tours, this is a good place to plan your stay.

5 Things you must carry if you plan a trip to Malaysia

You must check with your doctor about the vaccine shots you and your children need before planning a trip to Malaysia.
Food shouldn’t be a problem, as a wide variety is available.
Anti mosquito creams lotions, roll-ons need to be in your kitty.
Don’t make a hectic tour plan .Its not worth the stress. With children try to create memories and keep time in-between for rest and recovery.
Be careful how you travel. While buses are cheap, they may not be the best option for kids

Takeaway:

Malaysia is a beautiful place for a family trip and there are many wonderful options. But if you want an unusual experience the above three are going to be memorable.

Janwaar Castle & Ulrike Reinhard :Spreading Light of inclusive growth

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on June 10, 2018 37

I read about Ulrike and Janwaar castle when I was researching something for womens web.Once I read about her project in Janwaar it made me curious.Social upliftment is something I am passionate about.I believe you can all live better when you can help one more person, as much you help yourself.

Am I making sense?God created men and women.He gave us basic survival skills.What we did with it made all the difference.

That’s why I write about women bloggers and entrepreneurs.They are doing something to shatter glass ceilings.Ceilings which we know exist.But are invisible to the naked eye.True upliftment can only come with education and inclusive growth , for everyone.

Janwaar skatepark ,

Ulrike is the woman behind Janwaar castle.India’s first skatepark is an Internet activist, networker, author, publisher, business consultant, researcher, social worker and much more. Reinhard studied economics at the University of Mannheim in Germany.Has extensive experience in marketing and human resources. She is a member of The WELL (The Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link).It is “the world’s most influential online community”.

Meet Ulrike Reinhard on my blog today

Tell me a little about yourself?

I am a native German and I’ve spent the late eighties and early nineties in the northern Bay Area (Sausalito to be precise) where I became an early member of The Well online community. Five years ago I became a frequent visitor to India and today I spent most of my time here. In Madla, a small village in rural Madhya Pradesh, I live close to the Panna National Tiger Park and Ken River, one of the cleanest rivers in the world. In India, I learnt how to ride a motorbike after having spent 20+ years on a motor scooter. Today I am in love with my bullet.

Ulrike & Janwaar Castle children: Credit Mannan Gupta

What was the inspiration behind Janwaar Castle?

Janwaar Castle is a social experiment. It actually connects all the dots which I’ve been working on my entire life. I am convinced that lasting change can only be achieved when you start working with the children. This is why I’ve set-up Janwaar Castle.

Why India and Janwaar Madhya Pradesh?

This was pure coincidence. It could have happened in any remote village. IN any country.There was no plan made for it … Maybe hard to believe, but this is the way it happened.

Tell me about the journey from dream to reality

As I was saying earlier – it was an experiment which luckily so far went quite well. I am a firm believer in open processes, this means that I don’t define outcomes … there was no fixed target to achieve. It was crucial that I was (and I am still) an authentic foreigner who didn’t come with a solution. I was trying to understand the dynamics in the village and the several factors that came into play – many as obstacles to be overcome.

Empathy and transparency, the matter of fact that I walked my talk – helped me to overcome these without losing reputation and respect inside the village community. In fact, it helped me to gain more and more trust. Yes, it was once in awhile a bumpy ride (and still is), but the rate at which Janwaar Castle has accelerated is truly surprising. These kids, their energy and enthusiasm help you to easily move on.

The major reasons what you call a ‘dream’ became ‘reality’ is what we call in the Internet world the power of pull. A project like this never had to be “advertised”. It found resonance and people just continued to talk about it and spread the word/idea. People took note of us because they connect with our work on an emotional level – and this is the most powerful force ever.

SKATE PARK AT Janwaar Castle : Image credit Ulrike Reinhard

So as long as we walk our talk, be authentic and transparent – the story of Janwaar Castle will simply continue.

Your five biggest challenges in doing this in India

I love being in India – otherwise, I wouldn’t be here. It is as simple as this. India for me is a lot like the Internet – there is a huge complexity, it’s highly dynamic and there is always a way forward. In India, you call it jugad 🙂

And as anywhere else there are some things, which are really annoying and I believe hindering the country to develop in a much wider scale.

– The deeply rooted caste system which is vivid and alive in India’s society.

– Male dominance and the pure ignorance which many men show.

– Crucial thinking is not invented in India.

– The acceptance of the status quo by the majority of the people.

– There seems to be a mismatch between what Indian people think, say and do.

Did you ever doubt yourself?

The way I live and work is based on reflection. I am a network person – so I do get constant feedback from various parts of life and a diverse range of people. It is like a constant check of thoughts and interactions. This helps me a lot to find my way and clear doubts.

Janwaar castle :A fairytale in the making .Dreams and action

How did you manage the language barrier the culture challenges? Who and what helped you?

I have travelled to 100+ countries and experienced various cultures. Every place has different cultural values – this is the beauty of the world, isn’t it? While travelling you see, experience and you learn, and while learning you start understanding. This greater picture at least helps me to put myself on this much bigger and ever-changing map.

Till date, I haven’t learnt Hindi and I don’t plan on either. I talk to the children in English and they reply back in Hindi. We may not understand each other’s words but we understand each other’s body language and expressions. I have a relation with every kid in Janwaar where language does not pose as a barrier.

How did the project start and how was it funded?

The way this project started can be best described as taking one step at a time – and having no idea how the next would look like. In summer 2014 I was sitting with Vini, a local “Raja” at his treehouse which had become a kind of basis for me. He asked me if I would like to work in his “home area” and I simply replied: “Why not!” In another conversation a few weeks later I asked me if we should/could build a skatepark.

He didn’t know what a skatepark was so I showed him a video of Skateistan – and he said: “Yes!”. So the decision was made – in less than five minutes – and the only “demand” I made was that he had to secure the land. Vini brought in a local business man from Panna who provided access to land.

Ulrike Reinhard: Image credit Vicky Roy

Then the turn was on me – I had to raise the funds and make it happen. Initially, I cooperated with skate-aid, a German NGO, deeply embedded in the international skateboarding scene. They provided their charity eBay channel for an auction and skateboards and safety gears. On this eBay channel, I auctioned 19 Artboards – skateboards transformed into an art piece from artists from around the world. The proceeds from this auction (USD 17,000) helped me to build the park!

What’s your dream with this project?

The day I no longer need to disrupt and shake the villagers, the day the villagers themselves take action and explore their own possibilities – my dream will be a reality. An understanding of social equality and the readiness to embrace the unknown are a must for this. It requires a change in the mindset of the people. I am talking about behavioural change which does need time and continuous reflection. This is why co-creation and collaboration are essential parts of everything we do.

What makes you happiest?

A happy, honest smile 🙂

Open library project :Credit Ulrike Reinhard

How do you relax?

Every once in awhile I get my bullet started and head to a new place. Travel has always been a vital part of my survival. It gives me clarity of thought and peace. For me travelling to a quiet and beautiful place in the right company and a bottle of wine is an ideal setting.

When you came to India, did your family support you?

You know, there is something very fundamental in our family – every one of us has the freedom to do whatever he/she wants to do. Independently. Freely. This is what we cherish. And this simply includes support and respect for everyone. Very simple actually.

How can people help?

We currently have a fundraising campaign online where people can donate money on a monthly basis to help us to keep this project running – https://www.patreon.com/janwaarcastle

How will they know this is authentic and you are really helping? (Too many scams in India!)

I assume by “they” you mean the villagers.

If they don’t feel it, we don’t help. That’s for sure.

I encourage you to come to Janwaar and experience what the kids and their families have to say. Only then you will truly understand the magnitude of change.You can hear some of their voices in the videos and reportages media outlets have published: NDTV, Discovery channel, 101India, Hindustan Times, Times of India … just to name a few.

16) How can this be made into a system to include more villages and maybe urban slums in India

The moment you will “make it into a system”, it will die. As simple as this.

A project like Janwaar Castle grows very organically and it grows in very unexpected ways and areas. It is NOT based upon pre-defined outcomes and goals to be achieved. One has to be open for that – and one has to understand that. Usually, traditional company or organisational structures are not set-ups for this. We require a purely decentralised network structure.

At Janwaar we merely see our roles as observers. We don’t tell the children what’s right or wrong – we let them figure out their mistakes and learn. This plays a very important role in our project. Building a skatepark can be easily accomplished.

Finally, why skateboarding in India?

I have to admit – and this might come as a surprise – that I cannot skateboard. I always loved watching it though. It’s a kind of “sexy” to look at. What I’ve seen is that skateboarding is teaching you to fall and rise, take the risk and most importantly, maintain balance. The entire body is challenged. Boys and girls can do it equally well. It also has a healthy competition built in so to speak, at least when we talk about skateboarding in a park. Even though it is an individual sport you have to have social skills because you act in a restricted area with others.

Girls at Janwaar Vicky Roy

And then it has the “innovative” factor. In a country where cricket and hockey dominate, skateboarding is not a very well-known sport. It’s new and this makes people curious and eager to try and learn.

Did you feel inspired reading this ?Comment below to tell me what you feel you can do to help these children?

Look what Ulrike and Janwaar castle tweeted to me

Thank you Amrita! https://t.co/JEMjzwSCbB

— ulrike_reinhard (@ulrike_reinhard) March 25, 2017

Thank you dear @misra_amrita for publishing this interview!

— Janwaar Castle (@Janwaar_Castle) March 25, 2017

6 Practical steps to heal emotional trauma Now!

By Mayuri Nidigallu on June 10, 2018 30

Emotional trauma is invisible.But it leaves deep scars.Did you know you can help yourself heal as long as you have insight?What you don’t know about ,can cost you a fortune!Want To be happy ?

Here’s the straight scoop on “6 Practical steps to heal emotional trauma”

Today on the blog I have a dear friend Mayuri writing about emotional trauma and healing.

Hi,

I am Mayuri Nidigallu, a professional Tarot Card Reader and a Writer. I have been born and bought up in Mumbai and I am based in Bangalore for the last 3 years.
I know Dr Amrita Basu for the past 1 year, we met each other through our common love for writing and blogging and we discovered that we share a lot more than just that. Amrita and I discuss everything under the sun and enjoy doing so.
The newspaper and Social Media is dotted with depressing news on most days and one day as Amrita and I were discussing one such news she suggested I write a guest post on her blog, about psychological trauma.
I have been practising Tarot Reading for the past 13 years and I think I could safely say that I have seen a wide range of human emotions through the different people I meet professionally. So here is my take on it, from a layman’s point of view and NOT a medical one.

Do you want to be happy?Emotional health is very important.Learn about the 6 practical steps to emotional health

What is Psychological Trauma?

Wikipedia defines it thus: Psychological Trauma is a type of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event. Trauma is often the result of an overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds one’s ability to cope or integrate the emotions involved with that experience.

How lucky we are to be born Human. We are blessed with 5 senses, we can see, we can hear, we can touch, we can taste, we can smell. We are blessed with feelings and emotions, for ourselves, and others. This ability to feel sets us apart from animals and other species. The fact that we can feel so many emotions works for us, and sometimes against us too.

Throughout our life, we meet different people and go through varied experiences. Some experiences are positive, while others are not so. The loss of a loved one, or a betrayal by a trusted one. A failed relationship or a rejection. A result that disappointed or a job that you had to leave or were sacked from. The reasons are varied and so are human reactions to each.

Any experience that leaves a negative impact on us, either consciously or sub-consciously, has the potential to cause Emotional Trauma.

Every human being has experienced some kind or an emotional trauma at least at some point in their lives. Some traumas are genuine, others imagined, while still others are self-inflicted while others happen purely by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. How ever it may have occurred, the fact is that they happened.

As a Tarot Card Reader, I have seen many facets of Emotional Trauma and the question most often asked is ‘How can I overcome it?’

Acceptance:

Firstly, you need to accept that you’ve been through an experience that caused trauma and it happened, as denial only prolongs the agony. Once you accept what has happened it becomes real, and easier to deal with. Brushing issues under the carpet doesn’t make them go away, it just creates a bump you are likely to trip on in the future.

Responsibility:

Own the trauma as it is yours, self-inflicted or otherwise. When you own the trauma it gives you control, and the opportunity to decide whether you want to control it or be controlled by it.

Decision making:

So now that you’ve accepted it and taken the responsibility of it, what do you do? Decide what exactly should be the next step. Do you wish to wallow in it till it becomes either a habit or a part of your life or do you wish to walk out if it, wiser and stronger? Remember, the choice is in your hands, always.

Grieve:

All that talk about thinking positively or not thinking about it at all just does not work, as the human mind is conditioned to go in the direction it should not. Instead, decide to grieve over your trauma, but after giving yourself a limited time frame, like say 1 week or 15 days. Not too long as then it becomes a habit.

Seek Help:

Speak to someone you trust will understand what you’re going through, a friend, a sibling or someone within the family. If you feel that none of these people can help, seek professional help.

Be Wise:

Enough to realise that seeking professional help is not a stigma or a taboo. If one breaks a bone in the body, an orthopedic doctor is consulted. If there is something wrong with the tooth a dentist sets it right. In the same way when there is something amiss with your emotions, and it is not just a temporary phase but is affecting your day-to-day life, activities, relationships and health it is best to see a professional who is qualified to deal with it.

Life is, and will always be full of ups and downs.
Learn to ride the waves, whether they go high or low. Whenever the lack of something in your life makes you feel low, look at all that you have and your mood will perk up instantly. Each new day comes bearing new gifts, accept them and enjoy them.
Stay well.

Disclaimer: The information provided , is meant to give practical help and is not a substitute for professional advice.Kindly consult a registered practitioner dealing with emotional health if you feel the need for professional help.

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