Editorial: TEDxDownsviewWomen

On November 29th, our neighbourhood will host its own TEDx entitled, TEDxDownsviewWomen Conference “Showing Up.” It will showcase women who are change makers, creators, performers, and inspirational women from different walks of life right here in Toronto.            2018 has been informally deemed as the “Year of the Woman.” It is a year where the #MeToo movement has exposed the sexual violence and harassment in industries like Hollywood but also here in Canadian politics. It is a year where the dangerous and toxic “incel” culture (a culture that is deeply misogynistic) has been cited as an inspiration for the attacker in the Toronto Van Attack in North York that killed ten people including eight women. 2018 is also the year where a record number of women, nearly 40%, were elected into Queen’s Park as MPPs.            Women have been spearheading change and on November 29th they will have the opportunity to present and explore the ways in which they have influenced change in their personal circles, fields, and local communities. Speakers and performers include women from diverse backgrounds like planetary science, gender and equity disciplines, medicine, entertainment, and business.            This is the first TEDxDownsviewWomen event and the diversity of the participants reflects not only the different women who are enacting change but also reflects the strides that women right here in country and city are making.To learn more, check out the event at https://tedxdownsviewwomen.com.

PEACH: Learning Beyond Adversity Summer Employment

From June to August 17th, PEACH (Promoting Education and Community Health) continued to find ways to keep youth focused and motivated-outside of school. The Learning Beyond Adversity (LBA) Summer Employment Program was initially started by Executive Director Shari Castello and Youth Advocate Wayne Black as a way to keep youth engaged and productive over the summer months. Eight young members from the Jane and Finch community had the opportunity to work alongside one another performing tasks that enabled them to expand their knowledge and learn how to work cooperatively as a group.PEACH partnered with Black Creek Community Farm’s MwanaJuma and planned activities. The summer participants gardened and worked with plants like callaloo and peppermint and cooked nutritious vegan meals such as vegan lasagna and fruit smoothies. Castello and Black realized how important bridging the gap between youth and the elderly was and so the youth teamed up with the seniors at Black Creek Community Farm and learned how to cook meals like popular Jamaican dish, Ackee.  The program also offered workshops on Financial Literacy, Resume and Job Workshops, Stress Management, Media, and even the process of getting your G1 Driver’s License! The youth were also taken to the Knowledge Bookstore to purchase books, and were given a lesson on how to start their own business and was needed to succeed. Jordan Thomas, 18, says his experience at LBA Summer Employment was definitely worthwhile/ “I found this program very enjoyable,” Thomas says. “For me it was nice to make decisions about different topics like why it’s important to get your G1 or how to maintain proper hygiene, and how to find a job.”The recent height of violence in Toronto has shown the importance of initiatives like the LBA Summer Employment and the importance to fund these programs. Not only do these programs keep youth off the streets, but they provide youth with a sense of belongingness, mentorship, accountability, and of course, the knowledge they need to move forward and succeed in their future.

“Our First 7 Years in Canada” An Interview with Hong Nguyen

Our family came to Jane and Finch in 1993. There were four of us, my husband and I, and our daughter and son. My husband and daughter arrived as refugees in 1989.  My husband worked at Panasonic and he sponsored me and our son in 1991.  After two months of searching for a job, I started work at W. M. Shoe Manufacturing Ltd. in Etobicoke. In Vietnam, my background was in accounting so I had never before worked in a factory.  After the shoe factory closed down in 1993, I was out of work.  My husband was laid off too, so we applied to live in government housing.  We moved from Etobicoke to an apartment on Dune Grassway in Downsview in 1993,. I remember that our son borrowed books from a bookmobile that parked on Firgrove every Wednesday.Both my husband and I found work here and there, but there was a language barrier. I wanted to take a Computerized Accounting Program offered by MicroSkills, but I had to improve my English. I took LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) classes, where I learned about Toronto and the pioneers who lived over one hundred years ago.  Our teachers took us to Black Creek Pioneer Village, I think that any newcomer should visit it!  During that time I was also pregnant with my third child (a son). I took the TTC from Downsview to Davenport every day up until my baby was due.  My teachers were worried when the weather was bad.When I was ready to apply to the Accounting Program, I was also about to give birth. My case worker told me I had a hard choice to make. I could stay at home and take care of three kids, or start the program one month after giving birth. Because this was my best chance to go back to school, after my son was born, I started the Accounting Program in May 1994. The next years were tough. My husband and daughter took turns babysitting when I was at school. After finishing in 1995, I volunteered at North York Community House, helping newcomers and translating flyers about local events.Finally, in 1995 I got a job in data entry at Watts Distribution Ltd., and I stayed there for more than 11 years. I learned new things on the job, and was promoted to Database Administrator. Working at Watts improved my English. I learned from the customer service reps, and later from talking with customers. My husband learned CNC technology and worked at Eagletronic.  In 1998, seven years  after our family arrived in Canada, we bought a house near Driftwood and have lived there ever since.Our neighbourhood has changed a lot over time. My husband and I used to travel downtown to buy rice and Asian food. Today, there are supermarkets in the area like Kien Hung Supermarket, and great Vietnamese restaurants. You can  go to church in Vietnamese at St. Jane Frances Church. My neighbours come from Africa, Europe, and Asia, and we always greet each other with a smile. My son still enjoys playing Ping-Pong at the Driftwood Community Centre. When I look back on our first years in Canada, I feel grateful that there were programs to support my family. My children have had many opportunities: our daughter is an MBA and our son became an Engineer.  Thank you Canada!  Actually, we are selling our house this year. I am moving with my children to Vaughan after more than 20 years in this house. If it were only up to me, I would stay in Downsview*This interview was conducted in Vietnamese and translated in to English by Michael Vu. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Miracle of lettuce and MS

About a dozen varieties of lettuce grow in our garden. Lettuce has been known to be extremely healthy but rarely does one think that the leafy vegetable plays a part in a “medical miracle.” However, lettuce did play a role in Terry’s miracle.Dr. Terry Wahl M.D., a professor of medicine at the Iowa University Medical School, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2000. MS is an incurable disease that is far too common. Patients have a wide range of symptoms - most notably the gradual loss of mobility, weakness of vision, and muscular weakness. The prognosis and symptoms are difficult to live with and accept.As the disease progressed, Terry lost the mobility of her legs. Because of her disability, the Dean of her Faculty that the school ended Terry’s teaching duties citing inaccessibility. As it is with most patients, the symptoms that alter the normalcy in ones life are the most difficult. Then the seemingly impossible happened: with the power of lettuce, some of her symptoms began to reverse. Terry regained her mobility and was able to ride a bike! She returned to her teaching position and continued to lead MS research.So what exactly does she think caused this miracle? Terry changed her eating habits and began eating a minimum of 9 cups of fresh chopped organic  salad, green leafy vegetables, and some colored vegetables every single day.You could say the secret is in the salad!  Terry’s book, The Wahls Protocol: How I Beat Progressive MS Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine, explains how she looked for treatments to resolve symptoms rather than a cure.  Her focus on functional medicine allowed her to use leafy greens to help reverse some of her symptoms and improve her quality of life.Terry’s continuing research indicates that her functional medicinal approach is helping and relieving many of the patients from some of the more intense symptoms. These results may seem unbelievable, however they do fit into the logics of functional medicine. Functional medicine proposes that certain foods and unhealthy environments give rise to chronic inflammation and symptoms for patients of autoimmune diseases, like MS. Functional medicine aims to adjust diets and environments in order to experience the least amount of symptoms. This sounds different than prescription drugs, but sometimes one must have the  courage to let go of “conventional wisdom” in favour of 9 cups of leafy greens.Comments or questions? Write to Nicole@IndividualCare.com.   Nicole Constant is a registered Doctor of Naturopathy.   Her website is:  www.IndividualCare.CA.

Humber River - Black Creek vote for change

For the first time in over two decades, the residents of Humber River – Black Creek have voted for change. On June 7th, NDP candidate and life-long resident, Tom Rakocevic, won with over 2,200 votes in his third provincial run defeating PC candidate Cyma Musarat and Liberal candidate Deanna Sgro.  "I deeply thank Humber River - Black Creek for their support and I am honoured to represent our community at Queen's Park," said Rakocevic.Rakocevic has been a long-time advocate for the community and was Executive Assistant to Toronto City Councillor Anthony Perruzza.  He campaigned on auto insurance reform, as well as dental and pharmacare coverage for all Ontarians.The election was won by Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives, who will form a majority government with 76 seats. The NDP won 40 seats and will form the Official Opposition. The 7 seats won by the Liberals is not enough to grant them official party status, and the Greens won a seat.A majority PC government means they have more seats than the other parties combined, and they can vote to pass or fail any legislation despite objection from the opposition. As a member of the Official Opposition, Rakocevic said he is up to the challenge and will remain a vocal advocate for his community at Queen's Park.“We must ensure that this Conservative government understands the needs of working families, not just the wealthiest Ontarians,” said Rakocevic.

Revolt Wisely

REVOLT WISELY!

HOUSING STRIKES TORONTO!!

Homeless in Toronto

The prime minister came and I evaded.

My tax monies!! Our tax monies!! We pay tax!?

What for?

For Homelessness. The jungle is disappeared now. Now a concrete Jungle.

JUDY DAN WOUND CLINIC IS TO REMAIN AT BRANSON CAMPUS

Since March 1^st when North York General Hospital announced the closure of the Branson Campus of the hospital in March 2019 there has been much confusion about the fate of the services at the site.  One of the facilities at the Branson site is the Judy Dan Research and Treatment Centre.  The Centre is unique in that it is a registered charitable organization that offers free treatment for chronic non-healing wounds utilizing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and does ongoing research into wound healing.  The clinic leases space in the Branson Building from Advent Health Care, the landlord and owner of the site.  Although North York General Hospital has started to remove some services from the Branson site, other new private services are opening, including a new walk- in clinic.

Dr. Ron Linden, CEO and medical director said that the clinic is going to remain in the Branson site until the current building closes.  As such the March 2019 closing date for North York General Hospital will have no effect on the operation of this clinic.  The director is aware of the new medical building being planned for the site in 10 to 15 years and feels it would be a good site to relocate the facility when it becomes available.  As far as the Branson building is concerned, Dr. Linden feels it will meet the needs of this clinic for the foreseeable future so no move is planned in the short or medium term.

Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy involves a patient breathing 100% oxygen in a specially designed chamber under increased pressure for ninety minutes per day 5 days a week to increase the oxygen concentration in the patient’s blood.  This increased oxygen assists the body’s defenses in fighting off infections and increases the capability of the body’s cells to heal wounds.  As well, the increased oxygen concentration is also known to cause the release of STEM cells which migrate into wounds and develop into new blood vessels and skin cells, accelerating the healing process.

The Judy Dan Research & Treatment Centre provides treatment for hundreds of patients annually, using 9 ‘state-of-the-art’ Pan America Hyperbaric Chambers.  The Centre also uses Laser Doppler to evaluate blood vessels around a chronic wound and transcutaneous oximetry to measure oxygen concentration in tissue around a wound to assist in developing the most effective treatment protocols for the patient.  Most of the patients in this Centre are diabetics who suffer from poor healing and many of whom would be forced to amputate limbs without the free treatment provided.  A long-time patient of the clinic has had his leg saved by this treatment twice in the last year after he was injured in a minor car accident and, in a separate incident, after his foot was run over by a grocery cart.  This type of treatment was originally used for treating diving injuries, such as decompression illness.  It is now internationally recognized and used for treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, bone infections, gangrene, failing skin grafts, flesh eating disease, crush injuries, burns, radiation burns following cancer radiation treatment, sudden hearing loss, sudden vision loss and brain abscess not responding to antibiotics.

The capital and operational costs of providing services at the Treatment Centre are derived entirely by charitable donations.  As a charity, the centre does not charge patients for treatments. For further information or to make a donation, please contact the centre by telephone at 416-223-6600 or by email at drlinden@ontariowoundcare.com.

Community Brews – Bellwoods Brewery: Ghost Orchid and Wizard Wolf

A little over five years ago, Mike “Smoothie Master” Clark and Luke “Bureaucracy Wrangler” Pestl founded the Bellwoods Brewery and pub in downtown Toronto.  From day one they battled demand that exceeded the production capabilities of their small facility and attempted to consistently deliver the “most delicious beers that ever existed” to local beer lovers.  Patrons lined up around the corner along Ossington Avenue, sometimes for hours, to taste the latest Bellwoods creation.  Pairing simple, delicious food with surprising and unique brews, the brew pub quickly became locally and internationally famous.

As Bellwoods amassed dozens of brewing awards, including Most Innovative Brewery at the 2016 Golden Tap Awards, a second brewery was opened in late 2016 in North York at 20 Hafis Road, near Lawrence and Keele.  The new brewery’s modern equipment has allowed more regular brewing of the full range of delicious beers that Bellwoods has created over the years.  Its adjoining bottle shop and tasting room allows locals to sample delicious flavour combinations that they may never have encountered in a beer!  The available selection of taps and bottles is updated daily on the website (http://www.bellwoodsbrewery.com) so patrons can drop by to snag their favourite brew as soon as it hits the shelves.  Two of my favourite brews Bellwoods brews that you absolutely have to try are Ghost Orchid and Wizard Wolf.