Alphabe Thursday - "S" Is For Sexual Assault: Start By Believing - August 25, 2011

For twenty-one years of my professional life, I worked as a forensic nurse,
providing sexual assault services to both child and adult victims of sexual assault.

In April of 1990, the city and county of  San Francisco sent a group of nurses

to Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, California where two pioneers in the field,

Sherry Arndt and Sandra Goldstein provided a forty hour course teaching us

the specifics of adult evidence collection and the myriad components of sexual

assault care.  We heard from advocacy, the crime lab, law enforcement, attorneys,

judges, and victims themselves.  It was all a bit overwhelming, to say the least.

What was even more overwhelming were the statistics.  On the RAINN 

( Rape and Incest National Network ) website today, I read the following:

every two minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted.  60% of

sexual assaults are not reported to the police.  Approximately 2/3 of

assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.

When I began doing the work, nurses were relatively new in the business

of providing sexual assault care.  In 1992, I was one of a group of 72 nurses

that met in Minnesota to form the International Association of Forensic

Nurses.  Today that organization has over 3000 members in 24 countries!

Partly because of the work of that organization, the American Nurses

Association officially recognized forensics as an official nursing speciality

in 1995.

In spite of setting standards and ongoing education, providing care to

victims of sexual assault is still very difficult.  Why is that?  In no other area

are victims of crime treated so horribly.  A rape victim's credibility is met

with doubt when she reports.  She is often made to feel at fault  for what

happened to her.  "Why were you wearing that short skirt?"  "How come

you were out till 2AM?"  "You had HOW MANY drinks?"

There is a wonderful organization which has always been a tremendous

help to me: EVAW ( End Violence Against Women International )

http://www.evawintl.org/.  According to their website, their purpose it to

change our response to sexual violence.  EVAW International focuses on

connecting professionals and strengthening the community’s response system. 

They bring together the many diverse professionals who respond to victims of

violence against women — to communicate, share, learn — and ultimately to

strengthen the whole system by better understanding each component. All of this

collaborative work is focused on creating a more compassionate response for the

victim, a more aggressive prosecution of the perpetrator, and a more secure

environment for communities everywhere.

EVAW has mounted a new campaign called "Start By Believing"!  You may

not be aware of it but we all probably have a friend or relative, female or male

( yes, men can be raped ) who is a victim of sexual assault.  Be aware and be

enlightened.  Your support and understanding can make a world of difference

to a victim.  Check out the "Start By Believing" website at:

http://www.startbybelieving.org/ or check out their site on Facebook and do

what you can to support their efforts to stop this most violent of crimes.

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"R" Is For Reminiscing - August 18, 2011 - Alphabe Thursday

I don't know what's the reason,

Perhaps it's change that's in the air,

But I'm feeling somewhat nostaligic,

And a sense of loss is everywhere.

Life as I've always known it,

Soon will meet a rousing end,

And I cling to certain memories,

Remembered joys, a special friend.

I sift through a thousand photos,

Holding close good times I had,

Somehow, it helps diminish thoughts,

Of any memories that were bad.

I am busy packing boxes,

Sorting out my cherished things,

Each coveted treasure that I wrap,

With it, a memory brings.

I hear the laughter of my boys,

Tumbling about in play,

That any glassware survived at all,

Is a mystery to this day!

Soon, I fly away to India,

Six months away from home,

I'm excited about this adventure,

Yet I'll be fearful, as I roam.

As one approaches seventy,

And one's body squeaks and groans,

It's harder to meet the challenges,

And face the new unknowns.

I shall manage as I've always done,

Since travel''s been good to me,

I've found the world a special place,

If you treat all with dignity.

When, once again, I find a home,

I'll have new memories to share,

I hope I can become more my old self,

And not give up in despair!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c)August 18, 2011 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.

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Alphabe Thursday - "J" Is For Jasmine - June 23, 2011

"J" is for jasmine,

With the loveliest smell,

It's a gift sent from nature,

To cast its sweet spell.

There are many varieties,

Some fill the night air,

Though you can't see it,

It's fragrance is there!

It's a blossom that thrives,

In tropical climes,

Cherished by women,

Since earliest times.

There's no need to lament,

Or to start feeling glum,

It's bottled in perfume,

If you lack a green thumb!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2011 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.

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Alphabe Thursday - "I" Is For India - June 16, 2011

"I" is for India,

The land of my dreams,

It's a country of contrasts,

Of the greatest extremes.

The country is huge,

Seventh land-wise, you see,

But its ranks number two,

In population density.

For all of these people,

With cultures diverse,

They have a democracy,

Working through times adverse.

 

It's the country of Gandhi,

And food wonderfully good,

There's a huge film industry,

They call "Bollywood!"

Women often wear saris,

In bright colored sheens,

They are incredibly beautiful,

As elegant as queens.

A truly breathtaking sight,

Is the magnificent Taj,

Its beauty overwhelms you,

It must be a mirage!

India is ancient,

Yet most modern, too,

From its intricate temples,

And skyscrapers new.

 

Darjeeling and Assam,

The most wonderful teas,

Both come from India,

And are sure to please.

It's a world filled with spices,

And myriad smells,

Horns noisly blaring,

And tinkling temple bells.

Elephants are painted,

In colors so bright,

For festive occasions,

They're a beautiful sight!

This country of my hearrt,

Is one all should see,

For its wonderful people,

Are true treasures to me!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2011 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.

Dedicated with much affection to my Indian friends world wide!

Thanks to Bing Images for all photos!

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Alphabe Thursday - "H" Is For Hawaii - June 9, 2010

"H" is for Hawaii,

It truly is great,

This lovely island group,

Is our 50th state!

Born of volcanos,

From deep in the sea,

Each island is special,

I'm sure you'll agree.

Incredible scenery,

Mountains of green,

Breathtaking sunsets,

Like you've never seen.

Delectable seafood,

Abounds everywhere,

Exotic fruits like papaya,

And heartier fare.

Whatever you want,

It will be within reach,

From clubbing all night,

To laying on a beach!

It's a mecca for surfers,

Some born without fear,

Waves reach forty feet,

At some times of the year!

Hula dancers sway slowly,

To the beautiful tunes,

Of ukele and slack key,

Or a singer who croons.

Full of interesting history,

One can easily see,

Its cultural diversity,

Benefits you and me.

Would that all nations,

Could live side by side,

As the people of Hawaii,

Set an example world wide.

Carmen Henesy

 

( Thanks to Bing Images for all photos )

Copyright (c) 2011 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.

 

 

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Alphabe Thursday - "G" Is For Gasoline - June 3, 2011

"G" is for gas,

That pure liquid gold,

It's a mighty commodity,

That's bought and sold.

Governments quiver,

And live in great fear,

An error in diplomacy,

And gas won't get here.

The prices are soaring,

As I stop at the pump,

The numbers I see,

Make my blood pressure jump.

When Valentine's comes,

On roses I'll pass,

Just show me your love,

With a full tank of gas!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2011 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.

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Alphabe Thursday - "D" Is For Dogs - May 12, 2011

For my "D" post this week, I decided to use a poem about dogs that I wrote a few years
ago.  I love dogs  but have not been able to have one of my own in the past 23 years
because I've been a renter.  The first thing my son, Alex, did, after he and Laura bought
their home two years ago, was go to Yolo County shelter, and get a dog.  Two months
later, they went and got a second dog to keep Taffy company.  I've been so happy to
have granddogs and I am always so thrilled that, though I may not see them for a couple
of months at a time, they always seem overjoyed to see me when I visit. 

Taffy, granddog 1

Bucky, granddog 2

Dogs

Dogs come in every shape and size,

With coats both straight and curly,

Some breeds seem warm and friendly,

Others appear aloof and surly.

Dogs can be the working type,

Herding sheep or finding prey,

Others guard your hearth and home,

And some just like to play.

Often called "man's best friend,"

Dogs can fill the lonely times,

And, by their very presence,

They inhibit many crimes.

Dogs are loyal to their masters,

And love the children in their lives,

They become part of the household,

Where every member thrives.

When those warm eyes look up at you,

And the wag begins to start,

You realize this dog before you,

Is the holder of your heart!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2007 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.

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Alphabe Thursday - "C" is For Crab - May 5, 2011

There are quite a few crustaceans,

Swimming in the sea,

But, when it comes to tasty eating,

Crabs rank number one with me.

They may look a little scary,

With claws that try to pinch,

But when I want some gumbo,

They don't even make me flinch!

I really like the blue crab,
It's meat is great to eat,
 I like it best at soft shell time,
When it really is a treat!

Dungeness crabs are larger,
With claws that are divine,
With San Francisco sourdough,

And a nice California wine!

The king crab from Alaska,
Makes me stop and pause,
Whenever I think of butter,
And his scrumptious tasting claws!

I hope I do not meet a crab,
When on an ocean swim,
If something like this joined me,
I know I'd feel quite grim!

So, if I have my druthers,
I think that I will wait,
And have my introductions,
When this creature's on my plate!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) Carmen Henesy

May 5, 2011

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Alphabe Thursday - A Is For "Awful" - April 21, 2011

"A" Is For Awful

As life sometimes can be,

When things go all wrong,

And we feel misery.

Awful is when,

We miss the last train,

And as we walk for the bus,

It pours buckets of rain.

It's just awful to find,

We've going to be late,

Where others are waiting,

For a most special date!

Dining out can be awful,

Your meat seems like wood,

With the price that it cost,

It should really be good!

It's awful to be generous,

And loan your car to your son,

You're amazed, in the morning,

At the trashing he's done!

Thank heavens, those awfuls,

Don't usually last,

And are uusually forgotten,

As soon as they're past!!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) Carmen Henesy

April 21, 2011

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Alphabe Thursday - "Z" Is For Zebra - April 7, 2011

http://www.copyright-free-pictures.org.uk/animals/wild-animals/47-grevys-zebra.htm

"Z" Is For Zebra,

The most stylish of creatures,

Each one unique,

With their black and white features.

They look like a horse,

Or maybe an ass,

And just like those two,

They nibble on grass.

http://www.babyanimalz.com/zebrabab.php



Their herds have been hunted,

By man, with his greed,

For skins and for meat,

When there was no need.

Unpredictable in nature,

They often are bred,

With mules and with horses,
To make them gentler, instead.

http://www.xentrik.net/freegraphics/photos/animals/index.php

 

 The stripes make me feel dizzy,

When I look at them here,

The patterns seem different,

On the face and the rear!

Zebra stripes are contagious,

They are now all the rage,

In fashion and in furnishings,

They now set the stage.

I can't get to Africa,

But when I'm at the zoo,

Spending time with the zebras,

Is a fun thing to do.

http://picsicio.eu/domain/wallpapers8.com/

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) Carmen Henesy

April 7, 2011

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Alphabe Thursday - "W" Is For Wearing of the Green - March 17, 2011

Remembering Mayra

Today everyone is Irish,

And enjoys a festive whirl,

But while most are celebrating,

Edith mourns her oldest girl.

Toasts are raised on high to Ireland,

And folks remember the old sod,

But in one California city,

A saddened mother questions God.

On this very day, ten years ago,

In far El Salvador,

Four children told their mom goodbye,

As she went off to the store.

She never came back home to them,

A speeding driver took her life,

This daughter, sister, mother,

And a loving husband's wife.

So Edith doesn't dance a jig,

Tears always dim her eyes,

Every 17th of March, my friend,

Spends time in prayer and cries.

St. Patrick, I beseech you,

I know that Mayra's there,

May all the saints and angels,

Keep her in your care.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) Carmen Henesy

March 17, 2011

I know that St. Patrick's Day is usually a joyous day, filled with festivities, parades,

corned beef and cabbage, a bit ( ? ) of intoxication, the wearing of the green, and

Irish music and dance.  For Edith Vukasinovic, my dear friend and the stepmother of

my sons, Alex and Jeremy, it will always be one of the most tragic days of her life. 

It is the day her first born was killed in El Salvador, as she went to the grocery,

prior to a beach outing with her family.  This St. Patrick's Day is the 10th anniversary

of Mayra's death, an especially sad anniversary.

Since I was going to be gone much of the day ( off to UCSC Dermatology to get my

stitches removed ) and wanting to be with my youngest son tonight as he prepares to

move away from home, we decided to celebrate St. Patrick's Day together with

breakfast at a well known Irish pub in Millbrae, California.  We called and were told

that, because it was St. Paddy's Day, it would be open at 7AM, instead of their usual

8AM.  We met at 7:30AM - the only women there - but there were about thirty men

present, absorbed in some sport on Irish t.v.

Fortified with a wonderful Irish coffee  ( I think that is a great way to start the day ), I

polished off a full Irish breakfast, complete with Irish bacon, Irish sausage, black and

white pudding ( blood sausage ), eggs, beans, toast and potatoes while Edith had

scrambled eggs and corned beef.  I could barely waddle out of the place when we

were done. 

Edith will be meeting another friend this evening at an English pub for dinner!  I hope,

though, of course, she will have moments of sadness on this terrible anniversary, she

knows that her friends cherish her and hold her close.  I never knew Mayra but she

must have been a lovely daughter.  She has one terrific mother.

Rest in Peace, Mayra!

Erin Go Bragh

Sign - Fiddler's Green, popular Irish pub, Millbrae, CA

Edith Vukasinovic

Beer selection

Bar at Fiddler's Green

Cheers from Edith

Cheers from Carmen - with steristrips on my nose!

Edith's corned beef and scrambled egg

My full English breakfast

Starving friends!

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