Thunderstorm Asthma

On Monday 21 November, 2016, severe thunderstorms hit Melbourne and more than 2,000 people
suffered breathing problems when a severe storm combined with an extreme pollen count to cause what is being described as thunderstorm asthma.

The recent severe thunderstorm in Melbourne caused hospitals across the city to be put on emergency alert as thousands of people called ambulance services, reporting severe breathing difficulties.
Emergency departments were overwhelmed, with the patient overflow having to be directed to day units.  Six people have died.

Not fully understood by scientists, thunderstorm asthma can cause laboured breathing for those with asthma and with allergies — including some who have never had breathing difficulties before.
When pollen granules come into contact with water, starch granules are released that are small enough to be breathed into the airways, causing allergic rhinitis and asthma in some people.

I Ching and Bad Habits

      The I Ching say to make firm decisions and change outdated views.  Common experiences tie in: the tasks become easier and success calls.  Becoming aware of unhealthy relationships is the key to change.

     I, of course, have several unhealthy relationships and more vigilance is called for.   For example,  food and portions, the assistant prime minister calls it the ELF diet.  Eat less food.   Good foot care, my job requires me to be on my feet a lot.   Exercise, or lack of and sleeping longer than 4 hours each night.   I'm a chronic waster of time at night, and stay awake reading or puttering around on the computer.  A little discipline and using I Ching over a period of time to reshape my personal life.

      I have been healing from health issues and changes beyond my control.  These are the worst type of changes.  I was tossed about in the melee of our family storm and ignored or misunderstood early warning signs.  "Sometimes, more drastic measures like chronic ill health are required to wake us up, for in the end health is not merely a physical phenomenon but a spiritual obligation.  The vital spirit will not be ignored." (Introduction to Reflexology)

      In the aftermath I am less harried, kinder and have time for introspective meanderings.  A new phase of life, more meaningful for me.

Catch

A forgotten blogpost in the hemisphere.  Let's update.  I graduated Uni in 2012, reaching a goal that seemed impossible. School as a mature age student was a blast.  I went from an English major to Philosophy, back to English with emphasis on women's studies and finally to Horticulture. Somewhere in there I learned Spanish.  It made more sense.   I wanted to combine my hospital and nursing home experiences with horticulture.  There is a huge population of special needs people that require some basic changes to make life more helpful to them.
   Case in point, my sister has a 6 inch lift to one of her legs, damaged in the horrific accident that killed our mother and a few of our siblings.  Without medical intervention she would be twisted and in pain, but now in her 50's she leads a reasonably normal life.  Bending to garden or to weed or even walk along a sandy beach is beyond her capabilities, at this time.  The process of building up a pair of shoes to help her walk is costly and we have begun research on how this can be accomplished by ourselves.