Helping others help themselves to a better life....

INTRODUCTIONS ALL AROUND, PLEASE

Hi, y'all,

I'm Khadija.  I was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  There's no reason for the southern vernacular.  However, I love hearing southern accents for some reason.  I love hearing Paula Deen talk on TV--just read that her accent is fake--but until I find out for sure that it is, she will remain my southern accent idol.  So, "Hi, y'all," it shall be!

Many of you have seen me on TV with my son, I am sure.  During the past 23 years, we have appeared on the Maury Povich Show and The Children's Miracle Network Telethon.  Segments about him have aired on Medical Incredibles, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Galileo,(German TV), and Japanese TV, plus others, nationally and internationally.  Just Google Ahad Israfil and you'll see what I mean.

Ahad Israfil

That's a perfect segue...and now, meet Ahad Israfil:

"I am Ahad.  I am so happy to be a part of this Blog.  I will be contributing to it regularly.  I want to share stuff with you all.  You probably know about the accident that left me without the right hemisphere of my brain --Google Ahad Israfil if you don't know anything about me.

"Anyway, I was blessed to survive and have experienced many ups and downs since then.  I choose to focus on the ups and think about the downs like this,  'I cried and was dissatisfied because I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet.'  There are lots of people worse off than me.

"It's been 23 years since the accident.  I've had a lot of therapy but still have to use a wheelchair.  Just recently started therapy again.  My physical therapist is Carmen and my occupational therapist is Kim.  They got me up out of the chair and practicing walking with a hemiwalker--I can use only my right hand--that's why the hemiwalker.
Hemisphere, hemiwalker--lost one gained another--interesting.  But anyway...

"I  kinda laughed to myself when my mother said she had trouble watching me walk.  She's surprised I'm able to walk after all this time, and she's afraid I will fall.  So far, Carmen and Kim have helped me keep from falling.  Before, the therapists taught me how to fall so that I wouldn't hurt myself too much.  These ladies will probably help me with that too.

 "I was a little scared about walking again at first, but now I'm starting to enjoy it.  By the way, so far, my therapists are happy about my progress.  I pray that I can continue with the progress.  I'll keep you posted about the therapy and about other things that are going on in my life.  I think this Blog is going to be really good for me!  It gives me something to do--purpose, you know.  Welcome aboard everybody."

Khadija here again: Without a doubt, the greatest trauma and tragedy our family--and especially Ahad--has experienced occurred when he lost the right hemisphere of his brain because of an accidental gunshot wound.  However, not only did Ahad survive against all odds but also, if you met him, you would not believe that he has only the left hemisphere of his brain.  He is one of the main reasons I decided to initiate this Blog.

The purpose of this Blog is at least threefold:

(1) It is a project for Ahad.  He will be in charge of it.  He will monitor it and contribute to it on a regular basis.  I will help if and when necessary.

(2) I will market a set of refrigerator magnets that I have created.  The goal of these magnets is to encourage and support weight loss behavior.  The 4" x 4" magnets are made of the same durable plastic used for magnetized motor vehicle advertisements and are in colors which, according to research, have positive effects on our species.  You may not agree with the color choices I made and the meanings I chose, and that's okay by me.  I found these choices on the Internet!

(3) Hopefully, it will help us help ourselves to a better life, too!  So many others have benefited from his accident, and that's okay.  We just hope that our turn is now.

This is a good place for a DISCLAIMER:  I urge those who are considering any weight loss program to check with their physicians before beginning.  Even with these magnets, you need to be sure that what each one suggests is a healthy modification for you.  I make no promises or guarantees about your success.  PLEASE consult with your health care professional.

Note that I have not used the word "diet."  I don't like the word.  Check out what the first three letters spell!  I advocate BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION because no matter what method you use to lose weight, your ultimate success depends on behavior modification.

LET'S MEET THE MAGNETS          

Yellow speeds up metabolism.

  Magenta encourages letting go and moving on;
nuturing and protection.

 Green symbolizes nature and the environment; combination of happy yellow and tranquil blue.

  Red increases pulse rate and breathing.

  See Green above.

  Black calms nerves; represents solidarity and formality.

  Blue is calming and causes the brain to send off 11 chemical

tranquilizers.

One set of the seven magnets can be yours for $19.99.  Shipping and handling costs are already included.  Ohio residents please add $1.40 for Ohio sales tax--thank you.

Acceptable methods of payment (please circle one):

Check (make payable to Self-Help Enterprises; your magnets will not be shipped until

             check clears)*

Money order (payable to Self-Help Enterprises)*

*Mail Order Blank, with check or money order, to Self-Help Enterprises of Dayton, P.O. BOX 17194, Dayton, OH  45417.  Phone Number:  937-397-6451

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