Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Beautiful Truth



"...a bio-code gone wrong..." how well I have known... and now for the last 28 years have set the codes to health and well being - a totality of gratitude for the supreme intelligence of nature's grace and knowing... the bio-code understood, respected, and lived with in health.

Know the
joys of life lived in health.

Yes, Know Thyself - Know Nature.



Thursday, June 16, 2011

A Mother - An Activist - Reaches Out: A Call to Action: Protecting our most vulnerable population, our born and unborn children.

A Call to Action: Protecting our most vulnerable population, our born and unborn children.

by Kristen Hayes-Yearick on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 11:39am


Jeremiah 1:4-5

“The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:

Before I made you in your Mother’s womb, I chose you.

Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work.

I appointed you as a Prophet to the Nations.”


Dear Friends in Christ,


My name is Kristen Hayes-Yearick, I am a Pro-Life, Catholic, Mother of three beautiful children and a children’s environmental health advocate. As a Pro-Life Woman, I believe in the sanctity of ALL life. As a Catholic, I believe that we have a moral obligation to protect God’s children and creation. As a Mother, I can’t silently watch our most vulnerable population, our born and unborn children, losing or fighting for their lives.


I’m writing to request an organized and unified “Call to Action” from the leaders of the Catholic Church, Catholic organizations and Pro-Life organizations to publicly broaden the definition of the Pro-Life movement to include environmental degradation and the toxic exposures and that are taking and threatening our born and unborn children’s lives. The toxic exposures are directly linked to many life ending, life threatening or life altering diseases in our children. The statistics and studies on environmental triggers to childhood illnesses available to us today are overwhelming. Our youngest generation is the unhealthiest in history. Our children are the first generation expected to not live as long as their parents lived. Our children are the first generation raised on Genetically Modified foods, milk and possibly animals. Our children are exposed to more toxins in their day to day lives than any other generation before them.


The warning signs are present in God’s creatures. There are increased reports of mass fish and bird kills. Intersex fish are showing up in rivers in Pennsylvania, around the Nation and the world. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issues a “Fish Consumption Public Health Advisory” In the 2011 Public Health Advisory, the DEP states, “Long lasting contaminants such as PCBs, chlordane, and mercury build up in your body over time. It may take months or years of regularly eating contaminated fish to build up amounts that are a health concern. Health problems that may result from the contaminants found in fish range from small changes in health that are hard to detect to birth defects and cancer. Mothers who eat highly contaminated fish for many years before becoming pregnant may have children who are slower to develop and learn. The meal advice in this advisory is intended to protect children from these potential developmental problems.” We’ve heard reports of wildlife with lesions and abscesses on their bodies, in their brains and their organs and yet--we do nothing.


Highlights from the information that I’ve included in the attachment:


-1 in 3 American children have Allergies, Asthma, ADHD or Autism

-CDC reports that childhood cancer incidence continues to rise

-Girls are entering puberty years before previous generations-breast development beginning at the age of 7: increasing their risk for reproductive and breast cancers.

- Male infertility appears to be on the rise, and studies suggest that more boys are being born with genital malformations.

-Chronic Childhood illness statistics continue to rise.


In his 1990 World Day of Peace message, Blessed Pope John Paul II issued a Call to Action for all Catholics, “The most profound and serious indication of the moral implications underlying the ecological problem is the lack of respect for life evident in many of the patterns of environmental pollution. Often, the interests of production prevail over concern for the dignity of workers, while economic interests take priority over the good of individuals and even entire peoples. In these cases, pollution or environmental destruction is the result of an unnatural and reductionist vision which at times leads to a genuine contempt for man.


At the conclusion of this Message, I should like to address directly my brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church, in order to remind them of their serious obligation to care for all of creation. The commitment of believers to a healthy environment for everyone stems directly from their belief in God the Creator, from their recognition of the effects of original and personal sin, and from the certainty of having been redeemed by Christ. Respect for life and for the dignity of the human person extends also to the rest of creation, which is called to join man in praising God (cf. Ps 148:96)..”


It is 2011, twenty one years after Blessed Pope John Paul II “Call to Action” message- what bold steps have we taken as a unified church to answer not only Pope John Paul II call, but God’s call to action? How many Catholics are aware of the position of the church on environmental illnesses and creation care? I recognize that there are wonderful and committed organizations within the church that dedicate their lives to protecting God’s creation and his children, but we need the entire church standing together and showing our strong commitment to protecting the sanctity of all life. It’s time for us to lead by example, God’s example.


In Pope Benedict XVI recent Call to Action he stated: “By acting now, in the spirit of common but differentiated responsibility, we accept our duty to one another and to the stewardship of a planet blessed with the gift of life. We are committed to ensuring that all inhabitants of this planet receive their daily bread, fresh air to breathe and clean water to drink as we are aware that, if we want justice and peace, we must protect the habitat that sustains us. The believers among us ask God to grant us this wish.”


Pope Benedict XVI goes on to say, “Twenty years ago, Pope John Paul II devoted his Message for the World Day of Peace to the theme: Peace with God the Creator, Peace with All of Creation. He emphasized our relationship, as God’s creatures, with the universe all around us. “In our day”, he wrote, “there is a growing awareness that world peace is threatened … also by a lack of due respect for nature”. He added that “ecological awareness, rather than being downplayed, needs to be helped to develop and mature, and find fitting expression in concrete programmes and initiatives”


Previous Popes had spoken of the relationship between human beings and the environment. In 1971, for example, on the eightieth anniversary of Leo XIII’s Encyclical Rerum Novarum, Paul VI pointed out that “by an ill-considered exploitation of nature (man) risks destroying it and becoming in his turn the victim of this degradation”. He added that“not only is the material environment becoming a permanent menace – pollution and refuse, new illnesses and absolute destructive capacity – but the human framework is no longer under man’s control, thus creating an environment for tomorrow which may well be intolerable. This is a wide-ranging social problem which concerns the entire human family


This daily barrage of chemicals makes individual awareness and good choices imperative. We can choose which foods, cosmetics, cleaning and household supplies we allow into our homes. However, there is an enormous difference between making bad choices for ourselves and the choices that are being made for us. How can we protect our children? These little ones are not little Democrats or little Republicans, they are children who are utterly dependant on us to make the right decisions for their future. How can Mothers protect their children, if they don’t know their children need protecting? The era of apathy and complacency has ended. We must reclaim our position as stewards of God’s creation, to unite, to build bridges, to focus on our similarities instead of our differences. God is calling his church to reclaim his creation and protect his most precious creations, his children. The time is now!


I have met with a Pennsylvania State Representative about possible Pesticide legislation. I am meeting with another Pennsylvania State Representative about possible Pesticide legislation in July. I am actively reaching out to our elected officials to lobby for protection of our God given natural resources that are necessary for life. (air, water, soil and food)


Our goals should be simple--I humbly request that:

-We organize Archdiocese Children’s Environmental Health-Creation Care Councils

-We organize Diocesan Creation Care Councils

-We have our Priests, Religious women, Religious men and the Laity connect with environmentalists within their congregations.

-We establish Children’s Environmental Health/Creation Care groups to educate our congregations about the environmental threats facing our children and communities today.

-We Incorporate Creation Care and Children’s Environmental Health issues into the Homily at masses at least six times a year.

-We organize Children’s Environmental Health/Creation Care rally’s/walks/conferences/fairs to bring much needed attention to the issues. (Could we choose Blessed John Paul II's feast day, October 22nd, to honor his commitment to protecting and defending the Sanctity of all life)

-We incorporate Creation Care into our Catholic Schools

-We establish Creation Care (Environmental) groups/clubs at our Catholic Schools.

-We hold Politicians accountable that go against the teachings of the church. (Pro-Abortion, Pro-Euthanasia, Pro-Capital Punishment and Pro-Industry Deregulation/Pollution) Contact Politicians, as a unified voice, to visibly show where the unified church stands on the particular issue.

-We need to research, recognize and acknowledge the roll that Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Genetically Modified foods play in fertility, conception, implantation and pregnancy loss.

-We need to research, recognize and acknowledge the roll that High-Volume Slick Water Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking) plays in contaminating water, air, soil and food. This is a common global threat to humanity.

-

We need to research, recognize and acknowledge the roll that pesticides, herbicides and fungicides play in childhood diseases-- cancers, Autism, ADHD and Birth Defects. ( to name a few)


I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your time and consideration. I have included our story on pages 69-76. After my family was repeatedly exposed to an Organophosphate Pesticide, Dimethoate 4EC, that killed our 90lb Golden Retriever and caused profound health issues in my family, I was lost, angry, confused and afraid of the unknown. I wasn’t prepared for that situation. I wasn’t prepared for my son to stop talking. I wasn’t prepared for the light going out in my sweet boys eyes. I wasn’t prepared for him to be diagnosed with PDD-NOS. I wasn’t prepared for daughter to develop Raynaud’s Disease, cysts in her thyroid and chest pain. I wasn’t prepared for any of the health issues that appeared. On my journey, I have found where my faith and science come together--as one. I have spent the past six years battling health insurance companies, trying to open the minds of our Physicians in reference to pesticide and chemically induced illnesses in children and adults, researching pesticides, studying policies and raising awareness. I have prayed long and hard asking God to show me his will. What did he want me to do with our experience, the research, studies and statistics? I prayed for Blessed John Paul II to intercede on behalf of our children asking God to direct me according to his will. This collection of resources, studies, articles and stories have been invaluable on my investigative journey from our past, to the present and as a window into our future. I took the time to highlight sections of the studies, articles and resources to make it easier for each of you to glance over it. I know that I have included a lot of information, but it’s only a raindrop in an ocean of issues plaguing the world. I hope that you’ll take the time to look over the overwhelming evidence to the gravity and urgency of the issues that human beings and all of God’s creations are facing today, tomorrow and in the future.


May God Bless each of you,


Kristen Hayes-Yearick



Thursday, June 2, 2011

Word from: APP Advocate Precautionary Principle and LDA - Healthy Children Project

The LDA’s Healthy Children Project is dedicated to reducing the effects of environmental contaminants on brain development, especially in children. A growing body of research indicates that many learning and behavior problems are linked to toxic chemicals which are widespread in the environment and products, and to which we are exposed on a daily basis. Children More At Risk From Toxic Chemicals- Children are not “little adults” – their developing brains and bodies, their metabolism and behaviors make them uniquely vulnerable to harm from toxic chemicals. http://www.healthychildrenproject.org/

The Learning Disabilities Association created the Healthy Children Project to: Raise awareness of environmental factors, particularly toxic chemicals, that can harm brain development, contributing to learning disabilities and behavior disorders, Prevent toxic chemical exposures ,especially among pregnant women and children,Build a nationwide network of LDA members working to protect children’s health and reduce the incidence of learning disabilities in future generations.

Exposure begins in the womb through the mother’s exposures to toxic chemicals. Infants ingest chemicals through breast milk, formula and contact with their environment.

Rapid brain development in the fetus, infants and young children make them more susceptible to harm from chemicals that may impair brain function and development.

For their weight, children eat, drink and breathe more than adults – so pound for pound they take in a greater quantity of toxic contaminants. A small exposure translates into a big dose.

Children put things in their mouths and spend a lot of time on the floor and ground, so they may ingest chemicals from toys, containers, dirt and dust on a regular basis.

:The Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI), , has issued a policy consensus statement detailing initiatives to be taken to protect children from environmental agents associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. The policy statement is based on the scientific consensus statement that LDDI published early in 2008, which outlines the toxic chemicals with confirmed links to learning and developmental disabilities.

Use non toxic Cleaning Products in your home. Buy or make non-toxic cleaning products.

Use no chemical toxic pesticides. Do not use or minimize use of pesticides in your home and garden or on your lawn. See www.beyondpesticides.org

Plastics

Food

Toxic Chemicals Linked to Learning Disabilities

There are 3000 chemicals produced at more than one million pounds per year. The U.S. does not require chemical manufacturers to test any chemicals for neurological effects. Of these 3000 chemicals, we now know that 10 are definite neurotoxins – meaning they impair brain development and function. There is good evidence that another 200 of these chemicals are also neurotoxins.

Chemicals Known to Harm Brain Development

Chemicals Under Investigation for Effects on Brain Development
  • Endocrine Disruptors: Chemicals that disrupt the hormonal system, including Phthalates and Bisphenol A (both of which are widely used in plastics), PCBs, PBDEs, dioxins and organochlorine pesticides.
  • Food Additives (Dyes and Preservatives): Used throughout the food supply and long suspected of causing conduct disorders and hyperactivity. Under study for effects on neurodevelopment, cognition and behavior.
  • Fluoride: Commonly added to municipal drinking water and in toothpaste and mouthwashes. Excessive fluoride lowers thyroid hormone levels. Primary concerns are cumulative exposures and determining levels that may affect neurodevelopment.

For more information on chemicals that harm brain development and function, see

"Scientific Consensus Statement"; at www.iceh.org


The Healthy Children Project

Learning Disabilities Association of America

http://www.healthychildrenproject.org/

Preventing Toxic Exposures to Pregnant Women, the Fetus and Newborns

The womb is a child's first habitat, where healthy brain development starts. It is especially important for pregnant women and women considering pregnancy to take precautions to minimize toxic exposures.

When Pregnant, DO NOT:

  • Do Not Smoke: Children whose mothers smoke during pregnancy or who are exposed to smoke from others are at greater risk for behavior disorders and learning disabilities.
  • Do Not Drink Alcohol: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is the most preventable form of learning and behavioral disabilities.
  • Do Not Use Pesticides in your home, garden or yard. New studies show links between maternal pesticide exposure and developmental problems including learning disabilities and autism. Insecticides can be especially toxic to developing brains.
  • Do Not Use Plastic containers or plastic wrap in the microwave. Avoid use of plastic with food and drink.

When Pregnant, DO:

  • Take a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid.
  • Eat a diet low in animal fats and high in fruits and vegetables. Some of the most toxic chemicals collect and are stored in fatty tissues in animals and in people. A diet low in animal fats can mean fewer toxic chemicals in breast milk.
  • Eat organic as much as possible.
  • Eat fish that are low in mercury, and choose wild or canned salmon rather than farm-raised salmon.
  • Ask your doctor for a thyroid test.
  • Ask your doctor for a blood lead level test.

Protecting Your Baby

  • Breastfeed your baby if at all possible.Although toxic chemicals are found in breast milk, breast feeding still provides the best health benefits for babies, boosts immune system, benefits brain development and reduces risks for asthma, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
  • Use glass bottles or bottles not made of polycarbonate plastic (#7 but often not marked on bottles). Polycarbonate bottles contain Bisphenol A, a toxic chemical that can leach out of baby bottles or sippy cups and into the liquid. Ask retailers for baby bottles that do not contain Bisphenol A (BPA).
  • Provide non-toxic toys. Do not give babies or children toys or teethers made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic,(#3). See healthytoys.org
  • Minimize use of lotions, oils, powders and other baby care products.

Take steps to minimize your family's risks of toxic chemical exposures

Take steps to minimize your family's risks of toxic chemical exposures

Cleaning your home and family

  • Buy or make non-toxic cleaning products.
  • Dust and vacuum regularly; remove shoes when entering your home; minimize use of carpets.
  • Do not use anti-bacterial soap; it contains a pesticide (triclosan) that may promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria and disrupt the endocrine system. Regular soap works fine.
  • Look for non-toxic personal care products, such as shampoos, soaps, lotions and cosmetics. Avoid products containing lead, mercury and phthalates (often listed as "fragrance"). See www.safecosmetics.org

Make Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

It’s easy and inexpensive to keep your family healthy and your house clean using products such as Baking Soda, Club Soda, Lemon Juice, Baby Oil and Water.

    • Clean sinks, countertops, pots and pans with: Baking soda and a moist cloth.
    • Clean windows and mirrors with: One-fourth cup vinegar mixed with one quart water. Or use club soda. Wipe with newspaper.
    • Clean drains with: Half cup baking soda and half cup vinegar. Pour baking soda followed by vinegar down drain, flush with hot water.
    • Remove spots from carpet with: Club soda and salt, or a 3 to 1 mix of vinegar and water. Pour onto stains. Allow to bubble, dab dry.
    • Clean wooden, tile and linoleum floors and wood furniture with: A few drops of vinegar and a capful of baby oil in a bucket of water.

    Plastics

    • Never use plastic containers or plastic wrap in the microwave. Minimize use of plastics with food and drink. Do NOT use polycarbonate (7), polyvinyl chloride (3) or polystyrene(6) with food or drink; they can leach toxic chemicals. Safer plastics are PETE (1), HDPE (2), LDPE (4) and polypropylene (5).
    • Avoid polyvinyl chloride (3) in toys,teethers, building materials, shower curtains and other items.
    • Avoid use of polycarbonate plastic (7),especially with food and drink. Use glass or non-polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and stainless steel or non-polycarbonate sippy cups.

    Food

    • Buy organic and/or locally grown food when possible. Farmers markets can be a good source of inexpensive, local and organic produce.
    • Eat a diet low in animal fats, with lots of fruits and vegetables. Some toxic chemicals accumulate in fatty tissues of animals and then in people.
    • Some fish contain high levels of mercury, PCBs and other toxic chemicals. Choose fish low in mercury and salmon that is wild or canned rather than farm-raised. For guidance see www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp
    • Avoid using non-stick (Teflon) pots and pans. Dispose of Teflon pans that are peeling, cracked or flaking.

    Pesticides

    Testing

    • Get children tested for lead levels at ages one and two.
    • Test water supplies for lead. Test private wells for arsenic and other contaminants on a regular basis.

    For further information on minimizing toxic chemical risks at home, see:

    1. LDA state affiliates' healthy home and family guides:
    2. Green Product and Consumer Guides
    3. Institute for Children's Environmental Health
      • For fact sheets on preventing toxic exposures, go to www.iceh.org
  • The following websites provide further information on environmental health, toxic chemicals and initiatives to reform chemical policies:

      LDA State Affiliates' Healthy Home and Family Guides

      Green Product and Consumer Guides

      Organizations With a Focus on Environmental Health

      • Institute for Children's Environmental Health: ICEH's mission is to foster collaborative initiatives to reduce and ultimately eliminate environmental exposures that can undermine the health of current and future generations. See "Resources" for fact sheets on preventing toxic exposures, at www.iceh.org
      • Beyond Pesticides: A national network committed to pesticide safety and the adoption of alternative pest management strategies which reduce or eliminate a dependency on toxic chemicals www.beyondpesticides.org
      • The Collaborative on Health and the Environment: A nonpartisan partnership working to further knowledge, action and cooperation regarding environmental contributors to disease and other health problems. www.healthandenvironment.org
      • Center for Health, Environment and Justice: CHEJ believes in environmental justice, the principle that people have the right to a clean and healthy environment regardless of their race or economic standing. www.chej.org
      • Environmental Working Group: The EWG's mission is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. www.ewg.org

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