Parkinson's Disease and the Mind

What's the disease with tremors and spasms? Why that's Parkinson's. With movie stars such as Michael J. Fox and boxers like Muhammed Ali featured in the media, nearly everyone on the street can tell you that the physical twitches are visible signs for recognizing Parkinson's Disease. Many people don't realize that the mind is affected by the disease as well. With over 1 million Americans living with Parkinson's and thousands of undetected cases, it is necessary to be informed about both the physical and mental components.

ACCFamily knows it's important for people with Parkinsons, their caregivers, families, and physicians to be aware of the following problems. With that foundation, the caregiver or support team can assist in the quality of life for the person. Many times, the mental difficulties are tied with the medications, so the sooner impairments are recognized, the better.

So how does Parkinson's affect the mind?

1) Cognitive Impairment 2) Hallucinations 3) Communication Trouble 4) Depression 5) Anxiety 6) Impulse Control Problems

If one of these symptoms is recognized in a loved one, it is time to approach the caregiver or medical physician to see if there are possible solutions. In the long run, stability is the goal to be pursued for optimal physical and mental health.

The Strength of Optimism

Sharleen, a vibrant and active woman in her late 50s, was hit with a ton of bricks when her spouse of many years suffered from a stroke. The schedules and habits of a wonderful marriage were scattered in the air like confetti as hospital visits and and rehabilitation became a way of life. Soon, her beloved husband, Jim, was able to return home as Sharleen assumed primary caretaking duties. The stresses piled up, but Sharleen attempted to isolate those worries in her mind, rather than become snappy and withdrawn. Her gentle optimism lifted Jim's spirits, and because of her perseverance, he also tried to persevere in therapy and physicality.

Typical story? In some responses, yes. In a society where caregivers, especially spousal caregivers,  are riddled with depression as a result of their profession, a new study shows that self-esteem and optimism influence depression in stroke survivors. It's not just 'one-way' influence, but both partners influencing the other.

In a health world where scientific measurements defeat all, the mysterious and in-definable qualities of the human mind and spirit are sometimes looked upon with suspicion.

ACCFamily presents the above information with a quiet questioning attitude: Are you persevering? Are you pressing on through trial with an optimistic attitude? And if not, how can we help? ACC Family presents a myriad of options to relieve caregiving stress so that spouses can keep their loving and uplifting roles, without being burdened with the toils of incessant labor. Let us encourage YOU.

The Capacity for Creativity

"Oh, I can't play an in instrument. I don't have a creative bone in my body." Versions of this statement can be heard throughout all networks, especially in adults of prolonged years. A large group of people consider themselves cut off from music, art, and creation if they did not already learn a specific skill set during childhood. Many DESIRE such learning and attempting new skills, rarely challenge themselves to exercise minds and bodies in fresh ways.

The interesting fact of the matter is that EVERYONE has creative instincts, even if they haven't been expressed since we were children. A creative author and researcher of the arts, Dr. Gene Cohen, believes most of live in a state of 'non-creativity.' We don't allow room in our daily lives for a new recipe, trying to learn the new funky dance on YouTube, or creating a messy watercolor. However, engaging in any creative activity stimulates a number of positive responses in our minds and bodies, from decreasing depression, providing a sense of mastery, to offering opportunities for social engagement and promotes self-confidence.

Ok, you say, Ok. I'm on board with the above statements, yet how can I implement these 'creative exercises' into my mundane, schedule paced, daily life? ACCFamily understands the sentiment - once an idea is ingrained or a habit formed, it's hard to get out of the humdrum, EVEN when you know it could be beneficial to your health. Luckily, an article over at Huffington Post gives a list of items, including trying a new thing (from a new outfit, a variation on a recipe, singing out loud, etc.), to taking a weekend workshop. Re-arrange your living room furniture. Write a letter. Frame a favorite picture. The list is endless - creative tasks that don't result in a Picasso-like piece of art, but ultimately increase the joy of living.

The Cost of Diabetes

Diabetes is costly: said in the most figurative AND shockingly literal sense. Since 2007 there has been a 41% increase in the total cost of diabetes, from 174 billion to 245 billion. Forty one percent?!

Articles are everywhere online detailing the high rise of Type I diabetes among children, the hypotheses of diet and gene interactions to combat the repercussions, and endless statistics detailing growth rate and costs. The information can be staggering, not to mention overwhelming. In the midst of this diabetes hurricane, health professionals are growing increasingly concerned with the sheer NUMBER of people affected with the disease and the factors prevalent in adding to those numbers. Two major factors influencing this rise is the increasing age of the baby boomer generation, along with the rising obesity rates.

ACCFamily wants to continue to spread awareness about diabetes, in order to address the disease on the front end of the battle, versus the back. Besides helping monetarily, it will increase quality of life. Consider taking a moment to read the following articles:

Diabetes Cost Report

Diet Strategies Show Promise in Lowering Risk of Diabetes

Do you need a Hug? Or a Shove?

Do you need a hug? Or a shove? The power of local government is a resource to influence lifestyle, especially in the health sector. While government laws and schemes can forcefully cause a chain reaction, positive repercussions are not always apparent. That being said, creative health initiatives in the grassroots style can directly or inadvertently cause cultural and social change. BBC published an article outlining the significance of local health councils, and the manner of measures to spur health change. The author organized these categories into the physical verbs of "Hug, Nudge, Shove, or Smack." I would have liked to see the word "punch" thrown in there for equal dramatic measure.

What do these words represent specifically? It's a literary way of defining community action. Take "Hug" for example. Local officials worked with fish and chips restaurants in north-east England to get them to use salt shakers with fewer holes. Who would have thought?! Reducing the holes from 17 to 5 can cut salt consumption by three quarters, and that's without the public even being aware!

The terminology break-down:

Hug - Covers a range of incentives - although not usually hard cash. Instead, the focus has been on providing vouchers or giving discounts. Already used to discourage things such as drug use and smoking.

Nudge - Based on the idea of changing behaviour without using compulsion. Can include enticing people to take up activities or using subliminal marketing. For example, stressing social norms can encourage people to change behaviour because they want to be alike.

Shove - More deliberate than a nudge. For example, some council planning departments have been restricting takeaways and fast food restaurants near schools.

Smack - The most draconian of all the measures: banning something. Most famously used by central government when it introduced the smoking ban.

While ACCFamily cannot provide salt shakers with fewer holes, the aim to provide home-healthcare containing 'hug-like' measures is ingrained in our ethos. Sometimes, though, we get a little feisty with a nudge. Case in point: "EVERYONE is calling ACC Family to inquire of their marvelous services, so YOU should TOO!"

Silver Linings for Mental Illness?

“I don't want to stay in the bad place, where no one believes in silver linings or love or happy endings.” Sunday evening holds a highly acclaimed and anticipated event: the Academy Awards. While some years contain films of historical significance, sensationalized biopics, fantastical adventures, and exposes on current events, the 2013 awards seem to be a year that covers all categories. The quote above is pulled from a movie that has swept ALL of the acting categories: "Silver Linings Playbook." For those of you cannot keep track of the movies, "Silver Linings" is the story of a young man suffering from bi-polar disorder, his family interaction, and the ultimate meeting of another damaged soul. The film, although a comedy, is never crass in its portrayal of mental illness. Instead, a real, gritty, sorrowful, yet exuberant narrative is presented which ultimately raises awareness of mental health.

Silver Linings is, pardon the phrase, the silver lining in the current society that is taking a closer look at mental health. After Sandy Hook and the reflex media reaction of concentrating on gun control, the proceeding inquiry was made into mental health statistics, awareness, availability of medical assistance, and cost. News articles abounded, graphs were everywhere, and people talked openly.

Besides inadequate healthcare and governmental regulations, the biggest issue that makes people refrain from seeking medical advice is the stigma. "I'll handle it on my own," or "It will get better in time," is an excuse that the Washington Post published in one of its articles. The community is frightened of what it doesn't understand, so when people are unable to put on a 'facade' to carry out normal actions, the likely chance of plummeting even deeper into the recesses of a possible mental disorder is even greater.

ACCFamily has worked with numerous clients struggling with mental illness. It's time to talk openly about issues that we hide and find the Silver Lining in our story. Let's discover it together.

Snap, Crackle, Pop Arthritis

Snap. Crackle. Pop. If you are thinking of the well loved breakfast cereal Rice Krispies, good job, but try again. What is an inflammation of the joint that causes limited movement and pain, in addition to a little popping? Ding Ding Ding!

The dreaded word: Arthritis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 million Americans have arthritis -- and by 2030 that number is expected to jump to 67 million. With our beloved Baby Boomer Generation increasing in age, accompanied by a desire to remain fit and participating in normal activities, resources on arthritis have abounded. You can find a number of resources online, from low-impact aneorobic exercise routines, outlines on the joints and synovial fluid, all the way to diet and food regimens.

Because of ACCFamily's extensive track record in caring for patients with arthritis and managing pain, we wanted to add our own harmony to the chorus of resources. Below you will find a list of foods that can act as a small change in your diet, but yield big results. When you hear facts such as, "Every pound you carry around your belly adds 10 lbs on your joints," it spurs one to action! Check out the list, then head to the grocery store to try out some of the recipes below!

1. Fatty fish (salmon, herring, sardines) or any other food with omega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts, soy beans, flax seeds, canola oil and pumpkin seeds. (Try Maple Glazed Salmon.)
2. Extra-virgin olive oil
3. Sweet peppers, citrus fruits and other vitamin C-rich foods (Spicy Stuffed Sweet Peppers)
4. Brazil nuts (Try Cocoa Brazil Nuts)
5. Onions and leeks (Try Portobello and Leek Carbonara)
6. Tart cherries
7. Green tea

What to avoid:

1. Shellfish, red meat (only if you have gout)
2. Sunflower, safflower, corn and soybean oils
3. Sugar

Brain Boosters

As our mind gets creakier and rustier with age, social functions and other events can become stressful. With the current Baby Boomer population spending millions on their physical bodies to fight off age, the next step is assuming control over brain power. Are there truly trite little lists called, "Brain Boosters" or "Seven Ways to Remember Names" which speak the truth? What helps forming those memories and then being able to recall information in a timely and socially acceptable way? Can Sudoku and chess and reading out loud really work??? A recently compiled list details seven ways to aid memory. Of course the biggies such as sleep, exercise, and a rainbow diet of vegetables help but did you know red wine makes the list?

• Exercise
• Sleep
• A Rainbow Diet of Vegatables
• Red Wine
• Mental Games
• Don't Multi-task
• Learning New Memory Tricks

Many of these lists seem redundant or childish, but when a person seriously reflects on personal habits, can you honestly say you hit everything on the list? Doubtful. So the challenge is on by ACCFamily: Eat a rainbow diet this week. And play a game of chess while you're at it.

When Dementia Changes a World

As the birthday balloons hovered like silent centurions, chirpy conversation wove its way through the air, vibrant and alive. My grandmother's perfume invaded my nose with ferocity, igniting both recoil and affection. Against this celebratory backdrop, with awed respect and reverence, I approached my great grandfather, already in his mid-90s with his due birthday present. Colorful ribbons encircled it. His demeanor as always, was gentle, with a crackling lining of humor and mischief. Thick glasses hid his baby blues, receding white hairline evoked images of snow, worn but neat jacket laid on his lanky chest. This was Grandpa Bannister, the man who told goofy stories, the stoic pillar of the community, the chatty gardener. This was the man who walked on his hands at his 65th birthday party, change spilling out of his pockets as merry children giggled and filled their own pockets. This was the handyman who worked among the peacocks and outbuildings of a huge farm in the early 1900s and even discovered a baby in a basket. This the the man who I heard story upon story from every respected elder at church.

He was my great grandfather.

As I eagerly handed him the birthday presence, he smiled at me fondly, yet vacantly, slowly reached into his back pocket and painstakingly opened his wallet. His eyes met mine again. "Well how much do I owe you, ma'am?"

That's when my world changed.

Over 36 million people worldwide are numbered to suffer with dementia, while 65.7 million people in the US alone are taking care of relatives with various conditions, including dementia. The numbers are staggering and can seem to blur into oblivion, but how is it possible to build relationships amongst memory loss? For a child like myself, the interactions with my great-grandfather changed, but I was not the primary caregiver. My grandmother became the primary caregiver. A daughter becomes a nurse, a counselor, and finds the label 'daughter' getting lost in the tiresome duties as a caregiver.

Worlds change. Relationships evolve. How are new memories created without resentment, apathy, or added health problems? Resentment can ultimately overwhelm a desire to help, and add to the that, the National Center on Caregiving estimates that 40% to 70% of caregivers have symptoms of  depression.

A network or community is needed to allay some of the tension. ACCFamily came into existence purely for the goal of keeping the 'daughter' label intact and leaving great family memories unchanged. A home-care companion not only aids in the health and living of an aging loved one, but the mental (and physical!) health of the family members as well! We care. And we want to leave your world as unchanged as possible.

Top Five Cities for Retirees

Anthropology is ranked as #1 worst college major? (Note taken to pass to the next generation). Harlingen, TX is the one of the cheapest US cities to live? Let’s see if we can find a job there. I am a sucker for Top 10 lists of any sort, especially when they come from Kiplinger.com, a Washington, D.C. based publisher of business forecasts and personal finance advice. The latest list of interest is entitled “Best Cities for Retirees.” Heavens, my interest is perked already, although I am hoping for a list of cities that are not primarily located in Florida.

Kiplinger identified the winners by identifying cities with reasonable living costs, strong employment growth, and a population that scores high on measures of education and tech-savviness. In addition, further criteria including number of doctors, climate, and crime rate factored in.

Now that I’ve drawn out the waiting and you’re sitting on the edge of your seat, here they are:

5) Pittsburgh, PA: Although residing in the same state as the Philly Cheese Steak certainly has its benefits, Pittsburgh is the nations safest ‘big’ city and similarly, suffers from few natural disasters.

4) New York City: The big Apple boasts a selection of healthcare, restaurants, museums, and luxuries within a small geographical area. Other services can be delivered right to your door, which seems quite luxurious.

3) Palm Bay, FL: Always want to make your quilting business a reality? Palm Bay, FL is on the list of the best cities in the nation to start a business. Moreover, it has the typical coastal amenities of golf courses, fishing, and, you guessed it: the beach.

2) Corvallis, OR: A small city with mild winters, no sales tax, and a great medical facility (Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center) make Corvallis a stand-out number two. Bring your umbrella, though: there is an average of 149 rainy days a year. We’ll just be singing in the rain!

1) New Orleans, LA: After Katrina, N’Awlins is bouncing back with a boom of refurbished homes. Besides affordable health care and a mild climate the state offers tax breaks to retirees. Property taxes are low as well. Time for some po’boys.

THE GRAND WINNER: Washington DC and surrounding suburbs.

Ok, so I completely inserted DC, as our city of residence has a charm and historical resonance which far outweighs the previous cities listed. (I may or may not be biased). The number of FREE cultural and historical activities are off the charts, as well as the geographical vicinity to nearby cities. Also, organizations such as ACCFamily are staunchly in place to serve and assist families who need additional home resources.

There you have it, folks. My goal was fulfilled: only one of the winners is located in Florida. Now, onto the next list: “The 10 Cheapest Cars to Own.”

For the complete article and accompanying descriptions, check it out here.

Beating the Nasty Flu Bug

The nasty bug is back: THE FLU. Reports of the influenza epidemic have run rampant throughout media coverage the past weeks, meanwhile, just this morning the city of Boston declared a state of emergency with over 700 confirmed cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a map visually showcasing the numbers across the United States: chillingly, the vast majority of States are colored for "widespread" flu outbreaks.

What do you need to know? Who is most at risk? First of all, children under 5, pregnant women, and those 65 or older need to be especially diligent about hand-washing, shared public interactions, and physical contact.

In addition, the simple act of getting a flu shot can be a huge barrier against sickness. The vaccine is still widely available in the community. People can get vaccinated at pharmacies, doctors’ offices, or the county health department.  CVS offers flu shots, while many offices have programs which provide free shots to children.

ACCFamily desires to keep your family members safe, so please, get your flu vaccination today and take the necessary precautions with symptoms. We'll beat this bug!

Coping with Clutter

The television show "Hoarders" premiered on HBO with 2.5 millions viewers tuning in. If you are like me, somewhat behind on the cutting edge TV shows, you will ask "What exactly is the premise and trajectory of such a show?" Each show gives a glimpse into the lives of two people whose inability to part with their belongings is so out of control that they are on the verge of a personal crisis. Whether they're facing eviction, the loss of their children, jail time, or divorce, they are all desperately in need of help. Experts attempt to facilitate the healing process, but cleaning is just the first step. For many, the tossing of small items is akin to throwing away precious mementos. Although the show focuses on the audacious and sensationalized stories (imagine hoarding rats, or huge mounds of trash, etc.), the core issue is something most people can identify. The holidays especially prelude cleaning frenzies. When it comes time to help out your parents or grandparents with cleaning, the list can seem daunting. Even when family is not thrown in the 'hoarder' category, it is difficult to part with tokens, knick-knacks, and otherwise completely unnecessary items which hold a sentimental value. How can you begin such an endeavor? Even with a caretaker or a companion from ACCFamily on your side to help faciliate there can be helpful ways to go about 'cleaning up clutter.' Caring.com published a list of tips for helping with clutter and downsizing, including:

• Realize that you may be dealing with more than "stuff."
• Draw the line at safety.
• Start small.
• Declutter in a systematic way.
• Be kind
• Frame decisions as yes-no questions.
• Avoid tackling the house in one go.
• Pack representative bits of favored items (not the whole kit and kaboodle).
• If it's meant to be a gift or legacy, encourage giving it now.

Besides reading the above articles, mosey on over to ACCFamily.com to see how our staff can support your family in such an endeavor. Cleaning is not just for spring!

Living Resolutely: Moving from Good Intentions to Strategy

Time to break out the treadmill, measuring tape, and logbook: It’s January 2^nd 2013. “Happy New Year” is easily shouted on New Years Eve, whilst the still small voice murmurs the next day holds a change, a new horizon to pursue.

Exercise more. Eat healthy (which equates to less chocolate . . . and hopefully lose weight). Take more time for family and friends.  Re-vamp the wardrobe. Watch less reality television. The list continues on in a hodge-podge fashion.

Despite the good intentions, nothing substantial was ever accomplished with a toast and a cheer. Resolutions and LIVING resolutely takes strategy, a plan of action, and persistent discipline. How are you going to REALLY start exercising every day and TRULY avoiding the chocolate at the bakery you pass every day?

Here at ACCFamily, we want to wish you a happy new year not just by statement, but by urging you to sit down, resolutely, to carry out those good intentions. On the superficial front, you CAN re-vamp your wardrobe, so long as your budget balances first! You CAN spend more time with cherished family and friends, perhaps by limiting time online and arranging those coffee dates with intentions of not canceling.

Maybe one of the things you will need to do this year is to reduce stress on your spirit.  If you have the honor (and burden) of caring for an aging relative, ACCFamily can help!  Here is a link to our website www.accfamily.com. Let us help you with your 2013 resolution strategy, perhaps in a way you never imagined.

Let’s make 2013 a year of shattering intentions and living resolutely!

Twas the week before Christmas . . .

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house
all Creatures were scurrying with spirits aroused 
for the timeline to Christmas rushed closer each day
Presents and family and extravagant soirees

To do lists lengthened like unraveling cloth
While stresses conquered in evergreen and mauve
Why the crazy fuss and why all the bustle?
Why all the money and holiday hustle?

The light in the east showed the hope of the globe
Sorrow turned joy as crimson love overflowed
As Christmas day dawns and darkness abates
ACCFamily says: Merry Christmas! Happy new Year! Celebrate!

Wait . . . a Nutritious Christmas Dinner Table?!

As eggnog makes its appearance onto grocery shelves and cinnamon settles in for the long haul of winter, the holiday topic of sustenance and libations are near the forefront of every conversation. Long standing traditions and authentic recipes are discussed while standing in front of a stove. Sauces simmer, cookies bake, and the aroma of the holidays permeates the olfactory senses. Meanwhile, beliefs hold that diets go out the window and nutrition hibernates during the month of December. Luckily, ACCFamily wants to see you and your family embrace the knowledge that holiday meals can INCLUDE nutritious options that keep in tradition of favorite foods.

Take the examples of yams, cranberries, pomegranates, lentils, and cocoa. Each of these items contain helpful benefits to your help and can be added in a variety of ways to your holiday meals. Check out the article over at cookinglight.com to see the specific benefits and possible uses in meals.

See you at the nutritious Christmas dinner table.

Turning Christmas Mania into Merriment

These days many people equate the word 'overwhelming' with the Christmas season. While orchestral sleigh bell music rings and dreams of an idealistic White Christmas invade, the simple reality is the dreaded "TO DO" list crowds most of our thoughts. Gifts? Food? Travel plans? Budgets? December is a like being on a sled, poised at the top of the hill,  when released starts shooting madly down the hill. An issue often overlooked is the schedule on Christmas Day: when will most relatives arrive?  Are there any food restrictions?  Will the noise created by the kids make Granny's confusion worse?  Who will take Grandpa to the bathroom if he needs it?  Holidays are great times to come together and build memories…but ACCfamily hopes they are not bad ones!  We want to arm you with a great list of tips for family caregivers, including evaluating the environment, remembering holiday traditions, and asking for help.

If the holidays will turn the most normal, considerate of folks into madmen, then imagine the distraction of going into the bustle without answering any of the questions mentioned above. Let's all take a moment, breathe, and implement the actions included in this informative article.  If you need an extra set of hands on Christmas (or before), call ACCfamily.  We can arrange a caregiver to be with you and your loved one throughout the day.  Now, the possibility of a truly merry Christmas day exists.

Lifted Myths of Chiropractic

Craaaaaaaaack. I inwardly shuddered. The popping sound reminded me of a muffled gunshot grated on my nerves and catapaulted me into a daydream of broken bones, necks, and limp rag dolls.

Haunted Halloween house? Nope. More like a visit to the chiropractor's office.

Even with proven successes and an increase in insurance coverage for alternative health solutions, there remains a hazy aura of mistrust surrounding the field of chiropractic. Like any unfamiliar place or topic, many misperceptions exist about this legitimate health option. A good number of people will rave for days about the miraculous wonders of regularly chiropractic appointments, from the disappearance of migraines and tension headaches, to a decrease in arm and shoulder pain.  An informative article outlined common myths and subsequent answers in this field.

ACCFamily, grounded inWestern medicine, is a supporter of alternative health solutions to make life comfortable and pain-free for your loved ones. Many preventative measures can be emphasized in daily lifestyles, with chiropractic being a solution for back, neck, and various other pains.

We just have to ignore the cracking.

More to be Thankful for than Turkeys

There's more to be thankful for than just turkeys. Although, that's a hard competition. A recent article poked some amiable fun at the tradition of sharing "What we are thankful for" around the Thanksgiving table. The author, using a somewhat mocking tone, focuses on our cultural obsession with technology and entertainment. From I-Phones to Hulu, he creates his own hipster "gratitude list."

Luckily, ACCCompanion Care does not fall under the hipster category nor even the 'technologically obsessed,' however, we will embrace the word 'grateful.'

ACCFamily is grateful for the dedicated and selfless service of caregivers, who besides committing their professional careers to serving others, walk a path littered with the shattering of romance. ACCFamily is grateful for their perseverance to an often forgotten age demographic.

ACCFamily is grateful for the country and city in which we live and work. A country founded on principles, a hard-work ethic, and opportunity.

ACCFamily is grateful to not only our internal staff, but our network of external proponents.

ACCFamily is grateful for an opportunity to serve families of all ages in the profession of 'care.'

Lastly, ACCFamily IS grateful for turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Emotional Connections needed in Healthcare

"Thank you," I offhandedly and distractedly said to the Chick-fil-a server. "My pleasure," came back to me in a chirpy and cheerful voice, intent on service.

No matter the location, Chick-fil-A across the nation has a track record of service dedication, loyal followers, and, well, good food. What prompts such loyalty?

In a completely different professional field, what ignites such loyalty to Apple?

Emotion. Who would have guessed? 83% of consumers would pay more for a product or service from a company they feel puts them first. Not only that, but healthcare is the number one field the mass population seeks to feel emotional connections. Huh. Emotions really do count.

The ironic point? In a recent nationwide brand survey, the top 10 breakout brands on the emotional front did not include any healthcare companies.

Luckily, ACCFamily can relay such news without qualms, because as an entity we pride ourselves in not only providing the best homecare service, but commitment to our clients.  Emotional commitment. The emotional front has been taken and conquered in the world of ACCFamily. We put our clients first.

UnconVENTional Aid

Hurricane Sandy dumped her rage on the East Coast last week, smashing through homes, destroying power lines, and causing a stand-still transportation scene. Shots flashed across the news of evacuating city residents, rising water, and destruction. And then the stories started trickling out. Stories of generosity and goodwill; stories of rescues and food drops for the immobile and marginalized; stories of hope. Stories formulating in darkness, slowly being revealed in the light. Irony at it's finest to watch the goodwill of man follow a disaster of catastrophic proportions. An article called "UnconVENTional Aid" was published on a craft blog on Halloween outlining a spectacular series of events happening post-Sandy. The story of a wheel-chair bound crafter acquainted with a couple apartment-bound and living with some disabilities through social media, who ultimately brought back-up batteries for oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, and food through a scavenger hunt and network of connections. Wow. The power of social media; the power of the goodwill of an acquaintance; the power of the general public who donated - all apparent themes.

ACCFamily offers unconVENTional Aid in a society where the marginalized are often the elderly and/or disabled on the fringes of society. No natural disaster is needed for the goodwill of our companions to show: the dedication to assistance is every day. While epic and crazy stories like the one mentioned above are not advertised daily in grand fashion, it's because we're living it every day. We're here, day in and day out, offering our lives for the sake of others.