Pope's butler, 'accomplice' must stand trial

Pope Benedict XVI's former butler and another Vatican employee must stand trial for stealing and leaking confidential papers in a scandal that exposed feuds within the Church, a magistrate said Monday.

Paolo Gabriele, who was arrested in May on suspicion of stealing secret documents from the pope's office and leaking them to journalists, is accused of "aggravated theft," a statement said.

Judge Piero Bonnet also charged Claudio Sciarpelletti, an analyst and computer programmer in the Vatican state secretariat -- whose name had not been disclosed before -- with complicity.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told journalists the investigation into a "wide and complex case" was not yet over and would continue to target others believed to be implicated.

Gabriele risks up to six years in prison. The Vatican has said the trial will not take place until October at the earliest.

Lombardi said that Sciarpelletti had played a "marginal role" and could not really be considered an accomplice.

The 46-year-old butler was arrested during an investigation into the leak of private papal documents to the media. He was held for 53 days in a Vatican cell before being put under house arrest in July to await the judge's decision.

The Vatican said after his arrest it had found documents and copying equipment in Gabriele's home, revelations which shocked the close-knit Holy See community and saddened the 85-year-old German pontiff.

The father-of-three is alleged to have photocopied and leaked top-secret emails and letters, taken from the desk of Georg Gaenswein, the pope's private secretary.

Gabriele's lawyers have denied media reports that their client was part of a wider whistleblowing operation aimed at shaking up the Vatican hierarchy.

There is a suspicion that he acted sincerely but was then manipulated as part of long-standing rivalries within the secretive Vatican administration.

"We don't think we have finished our work .... The inquiry is still open with regard to other people who appear to be implicated," spokesman Lombardi quoted prosecutor Nicola Picardi as saying Monday.

Gabriele, known as Paoletto, began working for the pope in 2006 and was one of a select few with access to Benedict's private chambers.

Under Vatican laws, a reprieve from the pope could come at any moment during the investigation or trial, but religious observers say that while Benedict may offer his spiritual pardon, he is unlikely to interfere in the legal process.

The Vatican has been shaken by the scandal, which has drawn attention to divisions between senior clergymen in the Vatican and in particular growing criticism of the powerful Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone.

While the Vatican has officially reassured Bertone of its support and denied media reports of an internal power struggle, the embarrassment to the Church has been widespread and has taken a physical toll on the pontiff.

It is just the latest in a string of scandals which have plagued the Vatican in recent years, from allegations of money-laundering to clerical sex abuse.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/popes-butler-accomplice-must-stand-trial-110857573.html

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Sales on the university agenda? The final results

Sales has been excluded from the academic landscape, until now. Barrett is one of the first consultancies to ask the question: Should selling be studied at degree level at university?

Why?

Based on Barrett's longstanding involvement in sales and the development of sales professionalism, we wanted to fully understand how people think and feel about the profession of selling not being studied at Australian universities and business schools and how strongly they felt about its inclusion.

Specifically, Barrett wanted to delve into the perceptual reputation of the profession of selling within our communities and the "usefulness" of having sales qualifications at degree level that aimed to improve the reputation of the profession and the people in it.

The study attempted to understand the state of existing development for sales professionals and how tertiary education in selling and sales could further assist in ensuring sales and selling is viewed as a profession in its own right.

Barrett's survey of business professionals was completed mostly by Australian-based business owners and leaders, sales managers and sales professionals, with the majority aged between 31 and 60 years old. Seventy percent of respondents have a graduate degree or above. The survey consisted of 24 questions and the high level results showed that:

  • More than half of respondents (54%) said that selling does not have good reputation.
  • More than 70% agreed that a tertiary qualification would improve the image and reputation of salespeople and would improve their employability, while 82 % agreed it would create better sales standards and better salespeople.
  • 88% say that selling is seen as a vital part of business.
  • 92% agreed that selling should be in university and business school curriculums.
  • Only about 52% of salespeople undertake professional development at least once a year.
  • Less than 19% agreed (or were unsure) that skills and knowledge required in selling are well trained in business and therefore do not require a degree qualification.

The overall findings of the survey were significantly in favour of sales and selling being studied at tertiary or university level, with senior managers and business owners seeing a distinct advantage in developing and employing tertiary-trained sales people.

In qualitative discussions held with salespeople, managers and customers throughout Australia, Barrett learned that it is a general belief that the typical salesperson is less than honest; is likely to cut corners or attempt to trick customers into making a purchase decision; and, even when they interact with the client, their sole focus is the product or service they want to sell rather than the customer's issues.

Whilst the image and reputation of salespeople today is less than savoury, business does understand its vital importance as a function of success, sustained growth and profitability. What is abundantly clear is that a tertiary qualification in sales would improve the image and reputation of sales. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that there is an overwhelming need to have some form of tertiary qualification associated with sales and selling within Australia.

Sales and academia

A combined 70% (who answered "no" and "not certain") of respondents suggest that the profession of sales is not taken seriously by academic institutions.

This is obviously a perception, whether realistic or not, that indicates how salespeople view academic institutions. The largest respondent group for this question, 46.8%, believe that selling should be studied at degree level as a separate course, whilst 72.2% believe that selling needs to be on university and business school curriculums, even if not as a formal degree.

Conclusion

Irrespective of whether sales and selling is part of another degree, or a standalone degree (as proposed by 48.8% of respondents), there is overwhelming evidence that a degree in selling is needed. That it should be a degree in its own right is a moot point, though research would tend to point toward it being standalone.

The results prompt us to consider how do we professionalise selling and create a pathway for individuals to become sales professionals.

The thinking and capabilities required to succeed in today's complex sales environment are in the realms of the standards of MBAs and other business qualifications.

Why is it noted that doctors, engineers, pilots and other skilled professionals invest six to eight years of their own or a business' money, effort and time into attaining their qualifications, yet the sales industry may have only a few papers within tertiary education? Moreover, other professions are regulated to ensure professional development is a must (legally, that is) and yet a profession like sales and selling, in these markets and times, is seen to be not taken seriously?

Barrett believes it is time selling and sales stepped from the shadows of marketing and MBAs to become a qualification in its own right.

The good news is that for the first time in Australia, selling is on the university agenda. On Wednesday, August 8, partners Barrett and Swinburne University of Technology launched the Barrett Sales Essentials ? Australia's first and only VET accredited, university endorsed sales training and development program providing a Diploma in Business and Certificate IV in Business Sales.

The launch signals major change for Australia's business sector and salespeople nationally with Barrett's Sales Essentials also eligible for Victorian and Federal Government funding.

Through the Barrett Sales Essentials Program, businesses now have the opportunity to tertiary qualify their salespeople, increase profit margins and employee retention and recruitment, and promote their commitment to quality sales standards and ethical sales practices.

Salespeople, sales managers and business owners will significantly improve their sales strategies, planning, prospecting and sales approach and behaviours to create sustainable business practices and improve results.

Get your complete copy of the Should selling be studied at degree level at university? white paper here.

Remember, everybody lives by selling something.

Sue Barrett is a sales expert, business speaker, adviser, sales facilitator and entrepreneur and founded Barrett Consulting to provide expert sales consulting, sales training, sales coaching and assessments. Her business Barrett P/L partners with its clients to improve their sales operations. Visit www.barrett.com.au

Source: http://www.smartcompany.com.au/sell-like-a-woman/sales-on-the-university-agenda-the-final-results.html

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Fisker Karma hybrid EV ignites in parking space as owner returns from grocery run

Fisker's Karma EV catches for the second time

Fisker Automotive can't seem to catch break -- because its Karma hybrid EV sedan has yet again become too hot. Similar to an incident last spring that left a model burnt to near smithereens and damaged its owner's house, the Karma above caught fire in a Woodside, CA parking lot while powered off. Jalopnik was to first to get word of the incident, noting that the damage remained reserved to the front left of the vehicle, near where an exhaust is located. As the story goes, the owner found the vehicle emitting smoke after returning from a grocery run, prompting a call to Fisker and then the local fire department, which arrived as it was already engulfed in flames. In a statement to Wired's Autopia, Fisker has been vehement to note that the damage appears to be far from where the car's battery and sensitive electrical components are located, and that it wasn't plugged in for a charge -- furthermore, it's already had correspondence with the owner and is actively investing the matter with plans to issue an update when there are findings to share.

All that said, it remains to be seen whether the Karma's battery system, supplied by A123 Systems (and the focus of previous recalls), had any role in igniting the car. Thankfully there were no reports of injuries from the incident, but as you can tell from the photo, the car was essentially totaled. You'll find a video of the Karma in flames being quelled by firefighters after the break, along with the official statement by Fisker given to Autopia.

Continue reading Fisker Karma hybrid EV ignites in parking space as owner returns from grocery run

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/gBV_c58xMTM/

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Vetting for Personal Growth... - Partners in Torah

Perhaps you?ve noticed that this is an election year. Trying to become one of the leaders of the free world is no small thing, and because of the enormity of power, it?s important to make sure that our elected officials pass muster. So, potential candidates are vetted, and our choices are whittled down from a lot to a couple.

The term ?vetting? comes from horse racing, of all things, where horses were examined by veterinarians before being allowed to race. In politics, it means looking into the background of a candidate ? their financials, personal conduct, health and political history ? to make sure there?s nothing untoward that could prevent them from winning the election, or more importantly, from running the country.

Usually there are any number of juicy scandals and hidden information revealed, to the dismay and embarrassment of the potential candidates. This one has a health problem, that one behaved inappropriately, this one embezzled funds. It?s incredible, the stuff that?s unearthed. How anyone makes it to the final stage of candidacy is kind of amazing. That anyone would subject themselves to that level of public scrutiny is even more amazing.

I?m no politician, but I?ve also undergone some vetting. It?s been documented in ink. Thankfully, not though any major (or minor) media source, but by my own hand. I vet myself on a regular basis.

It?s called a Cheshbon HaNefesh, which means ?An Accounting of the Soul.? This is a Jewish personal development tool, a practice to heighten self-awareness and guide self-improvement. This method was first written 200 years ago by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Levin. That?s right ? Judaism was way ahead of the trend in self-help.

Part of the process is reviewing the events of the day and inspecting my actions, thoughts, feelings, and progress. I use a designated notebook and favorite pen to record this information.

When I find a failing, I investigate what went wrong. What was the trigger? How can it be avoided in the future? That?s how I figured out that I?m really cranky when I haven?t had enough to eat or sleep. It seems so obvious now, but I used to be unaware of the connection.

When I find a success, I investigate what went right. How did I overcome the challenge? How can I repeat this triumph? These victories are important to take note of. Catching myself succeeding is a very effective motivational tool.

Through this process I?m able to reflect upon my growth. Patterns begin to emerge, a-ha moments occur. It heightens my awareness of where I?m going, keeping me on track. Staying on track is kind of important. I mean, no one sets out to make big mistakes. I doubt anyone wakes up in the morning and thinks, ?hey, why don?t I embezzle a gazillion dollars today?? No, it?s much more subtle than that. Those big bad decisions usually come about from small decisions leading in the wrong direction.

I like to know where I?m going, and I appreciate the focus gained from these daily reviews. No scandals here, thank you very much. I?m staying on target with Judaism?s original self-improvement plan.

Come to think of it, our political candidates could really benefit from a Cheshbon HaNefesh.

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Source: http://www.partnersintorah.org/blog/vetting-for-personal-growth

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Corruption allegations against finance minister to be probed ...

By Sajad - Sat Aug 11, 9:35 pm

Afghan parliament house speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi on Saturday announced that an investigation has been put in place to find out the facts behind the allegations of corruption by Afghan finance minister Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal.

This comes as chief of the Afghan Department of Oversight and Anti Corruption Azizullah Lodin said Afghan finance minister Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal has been accused of corruption charges and suggested to suspend his position as the finance minister.

However Afghan finance minister Omer Zakhilwal denied the allegations and called it a conspiracy which has links with his personal issues.

Afghan lawmakers on Saturday summoned finance and foreign ministers to brief the Afghan house regarding the recent donations by international community in Tokyo conference, but Afghan finance minister was opposed by a number of Afghan lawmakers during the session.

Afghan parliament member Ramaz Bashardost urged Afghan finance minister to clear allegations against himself before he briefs the Afghan lawmakers regarding the proper expenditure of international aid to Afghanistan.

In the meantime Afghan house speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said parliamentarian commission on economic and finance issues will investigate the allegations against the finance minister, and he will be summoned in this regarding on coming Tuesday.

Despite the oppositions by Afghan lawmakers the two ministers briefed the Afghan house of representatives regarding the international aid to Afghanistan. Afghan lawmakers urged for proper and transparent allocation of the funds.

Around $16 billion aid has been promised by international community to Afghanistan during the Tokyo conference subject to commitment by Afghan government to step up actions against the corruption in the country.

Follow Khaama Press (KP) | Afghan Online Newspaper on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook. Stay updated via RSS

Source: http://www.khaama.com/afghan-parliament-to-investigate-allegations-against-finance-minister-711/

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J P Doyle's and Huddle Titans are Teams to Beat in Tarrytown ...

The Tarrytown Rec maintains 12 facilities including a senior center, fitness center, Pierson Park, Patriot?s Park, Lagana Field and Basher and Giaquinto Fields located at Losee Park.

Incorporated within the 12 facilities is a vast array of programs which include Youth and Senior Activities, day camps, Pee Wee Baseball, TNT Baseball & Softball, Wolf Pack Football & Cheerleading, youth tennis, Zumba and Pilates classes, programs for the Developmentally Disabled and the Adult Recreation Softball Leagues.

Ralph Nicoletti has been the Senior Recreation Leader for the department for nine years. Nicoletti supervises all functions of Tarrytown Recreation Softball, which has now progressed to support an extremely popular Co-ed League in addition to the Men?s League.

At present, Tarrytown Recreation Softball has 34 teams participating in the men?s and co-ed leagues. The men?s league, which plays on Monday and Tuesday at Losee Park, has 14 teams within two divisions, the Ichabod Crane and Rip Van Winkle Divisions.? The co-ed league has 20 teams combined in two leagues, the Wednesday league and Thursday league. The Thursday League has two divisions, the Patriot?s Park and Pierson Park Divisions. In total about 700 players compete on teams in the Tarrytown Recreation Softball Leagues.

?We think that we operate quality leagues and teams keep coming back and playing, so they seem to enjoy it,? commented Nicoletti. ?A lot of people think the co-ed league is just about, ?Here is the ball, go out and play.? However, these teams are competitive, they have fun but they play to win.?

Regarding Nicoletti?s depiction of the fierce competition in the co-ed leagues, nothing was more evident than on Thursday, Aug. 2, at Losee Park. In the 5:30 p.m. game, Siemens Healthcare (10-3) defeated Progenics Pharmaceuticals (10-3) in a nail-biter, 1-0, in a battle for first place in the Pierson Park Division.

Towers Watson (6-7), the defending Pierson Park Division champions, defeated Consumers Raters, 13-12, in the second game. Consumers (7-6) scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game, but Watson fought back to win the game in the bottom of the last inning.

Watson?s third baseman, Nancy Rindone, hit a line-drive single to start the bottom of the seventh inning. Rindone later scored the winning run when Watson team captain Lanie Jackson hit a ball to shortstop with two outs and forced a fielder choice play to second base and the throw was late.

John Conway was the winning pitcher for Towers Watson and has been playing for the team for 20 years. Towers Watson evolved from Towers Perrin two years ago after a merger. ?Playing in the league sort of promotes a morale booster within the office at Towers Watson. Last season we won the league championship and there was a lot of buzz around the office about that,? stated Conway.

In the late game on Thursday, Saw Mill Auto (8-5) beat Standard Insurance (2-11) by the score of 9-5 in a Patriot?s Park Division contest.

J P Doyle?s Bomb Squad is the 2011 Patriot?s Park Division Champions and overall 2011 co-ed Thursday League Champion. Doyle?s is the team to beat this year in the co-ed league. The Bomb Squad maintains an undefeated record of 12-0 thus far this season. ?I am really pleased the way our season has gone so far this year,? stated John Baldini, the team captain of J P Doyle?s.

J P Doyle?s is located on Beekman Avenue in Sleepy Hollow. They have been in the league for six years and have won five of six Patriot?s Park Division Championship and four overall Co-ed League Championships.

Doyle?s roster reads like a Baldini family reunion with five siblings playing on the team including John, his sisters Liz, Victoria and Ashley and his brother Chris. ?As you can tell by the roster, we have a lot of family, girlfriends, boyfriends all playing on the same team, it is a nice way to do something together,? depicted Team Captain Baldini.

The Playoffs for the co-ed Thursday league will begin on or about August 16. The playoffs for the Wednesday co-ed league will start August 8. The Washington Irving Boat Club is in first place in the Wednesday league with a record of 13-1.

In the men?s league, The Huddle Titans are the team to beat with an undefeated record of 13-0. the men?s leagues playoffs for both divisions will begin on August 7 or 8. All playoff games will be played at Losee Park.

A huge benefit to playing in the Tarrytown Recreation Softball Leagues is the pristine conditions of Basher and Giaquinto Fields at Losee Park. ?Our maintenance staff of Edward Greene, Eddie McClain and Dave Downing do a wonderful job manicuring the fields and having our fields ready for play every night,? acknowledged Nicoletti, who also thanked Recreation Supervisor Arduino for his support of adult softball over the years.

Nicoletti is a former educator in White Plains. He taught for 22 years from 1978 to 2000 at Stepinac High School in White Plains. Nicoletti was also Dean of Students at Stepinac from 1991 to 2000.

The Men?s Fall Softball League will commence during the second week of September. The Fall League has an interesting concept regarding a One-Pitch Softball rule. Each batter gets one-pitch to get on base or make an out.

Any teams seeking to participate in the Men?s Fall One-Pitch Softball League contact Nicoletti at 914-909-1184.

Source: http://www.theexaminernews.com/j-p-doyles-and-huddle-titans-are-teams-to-beat-in-tarrytown-recreation-softball/

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Special Education Advisor or Psychologist | Jobs in New Zealand

Hiring Barista ( espresso / coffee makers )

about 4 hours ago - No comments

Miramar, Wellington ? - Service and Kitchen staff needed in Pizza Hut Toa Payoh : Must be : Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident For MOM approval: LONG TERM VISIT PASS AND DEPENDENT PASS AT LEAST ? 17 hours ago Nutritionist Across Singapore Responsibilities: Research and development on healthy food, fruits, vegetable and all natural produces. To provide customers on nutrition and health information with ?

Indemnity Investigations Consultant

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PENINSULA BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED ? Irwell, Canterbury ? United Kingdom ? Peninsul a Business Services Ltd. is the UK ?s le a ding He a lth a nd S a fety, Employment L a w a nd Employment Tribun a l consult a ncy. We h a ve over 25,000 clients who a re provided with highly speci a lised support a nd a dvice reg a rdless of size of industry sector.

Administrator Public Practise

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Wellington ? WORD format and a covering letter to Nikkie McEwan at quoting the reference number RW24022NM.

Big Ticket Sales Consultant ? Tauranga

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Tauranga, Bay of Plenty ? . If invited to interview, you will be required to bring original documentation with you. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions on our Contact Us page for more information.

Big Ticket Sales Consultant ? Tauranga

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Tauranga, Bay of Plenty ? . If invited to interview, you will be required to bring original documentation with you. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions on our Contact Us page for more information.

Sales Assistants ? Stevens Tauranga (fixed term role x 2)

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Tauranga, Bay of Plenty ? about retail and are true team players Have at least 1 years experience in retail and excel in customer service Are self motivated and have exceptional communication skills Can use their own initiative and have the drive to succeed Have a creative flair for displaying stock We have two roles available: 1/ Sales Assistant ? Part time (Saturdays 9am ? 4pm) 2/ Sales Assistant ? Part time (Sundays 10am ? 3pm) We will consider applications for each role individually, or as one combined role. These are fixed?, you will be required to bring original documentation with you. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions on our Contact Us page for more information

Sales Assistants ? Stevens Tauranga (fixed term role x 2)

about 6 hours ago - No comments

Tauranga, Bay of Plenty ? about retail and are true team players Have at least 1 years experience in retail and excel in customer service Are self motivated and have exceptional communication skills Can use their own initiative and have the drive to succeed Have a creative flair for displaying stock We have two roles available: 1/ Sales Assistant ? Part time (Saturdays 9am ? 4pm) 2/ Sales Assistant ? Part time (Sundays 10am ? 3pm) We will consider applications for each role individually, or as one combined role. These are fixed?, you will be required to bring original documentation with you.

Production Coordinator (PRO00007813)

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Carswell ? Carswell, Wellington ? , legal, tax and accounting, scientific, healthcare and media markets, and is powered by the world?s most trusted news organization.

ASP.Net and C# | Software Developer

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Hamilton ? Subcategory Other Location Hamilton Recruiter Beyond Recruitment * .NET development * Data / Reporting Analyst * Hamilton location * Great career progression opportunities A varied role with plenty of work to sink your teeth into, responsible for developing a number of in house solutions.

ASP.Net and C# | Software Developer

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Hamilton ? Subcategory Other Location Hamilton Recruiter Beyond Recruitment * .NET development * Data / Reporting Analyst * Hamilton location * Great career progression opportunities A varied role with plenty of work to sink your teeth into, responsible for developing a number of in house solutions.

Source: http://www.jobsinnewzealand.co.in/jobs/education-training/special-education-advisor-or-psychologist-2

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Spilman highlights role of early childhood ed, family involvement ...

NEW ULM - Jerod Spilman, 37, of Courtland, who filed for District 88 School Board office Friday, is a full-time 3M employee. A licensed teacher, he also substitute-teaches at area public and private schools.

Spilman is a 1993 graduate of District 88.

Spilman said Saturday in a brief telephone conversation that he hopes to bring a "unique perspective" to the School Board, if elected.

He specified that as part of his master's degree studies at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, he participated in Federal Reserve research which made him especially aware of the benefits of, and high return on investment in, early childhood education. He feels it should be an important focus for the district.

Spilman also taught in China for two years, which made him strongly aware of family involvement as a keystone of the educational system. As a school board member, he would be looking for ways to strengthen family involvement; an approach that "pays" while "not [being] very expensive."

Chris Cook and Matt Ringhofer of New Ulm and Sharon Gieseke of rural New Ulm have also filed for the District 88 election.

Four seats will be up for election in November, and three of the incumbents, Carol Ackerson, Susan Nierengarten and Patty Gramentz, have decided not to run for re-election. The other incumbent, Patricia Hoffman, has not indicated whether she plans to file.

Filing for the school board election continues through Tuesday, Aug. 14.

Source: http://www.nujournal.com/page/content.detail/id/530717.html

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matthew's house abbotsford: support for parents and respite

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One of the hardest things to do is parenting a child. I say it?s hard because well ? it truly is. Loving this tiny person from the moment they are born, always worrying about them, making sure they are fed properly, healthy, happy both emotionally and mentally and that no matter what. They are safe from harm.

Even harder than just parenting a child is parenting a child with special ?abilities? I like to call them or ?needs?. ?From the moment our children are born, we know deep down inside something may not be right but it doesn?t matter. The love we shelter for them holds no boundaries, no regrets and rewards with every smile and moment shared with one another. ?Still? sometimes all parents, no matter what is happening, need a break from things.

What is Matthew?s House?

Matthew?s House is an organization that will provide respite for children with life-limiting disabilities. It is the first of its kind in Abbotsford as, within a campus of care, it offers children a safe, welcoming place where they can stay, while allowing their parents time to rest. It will offer long and short term respite based on the needs of individuals and their families.?Matthew?s House is?Inspired by a boy?whose family wish to stay very involved in his life but also understand that to give him the quality care he needs, they must occasionally step back and let others help.?Matthew?s House is not an institution. Its intention is to create a place for children who receive support there that reminds them of home, and honours each family?s beliefs and desires for their child?s care.?Matthew?s House will be run by experienced nurses and staff through Communitas Supportive Care, an organization that for over 35 years has provided various resources to persons living and dealing with mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities.

After a wonderful dinner this evening with my family and neighbors, I spoke with one of my neighbors when I learned she had recently lost her son who had special needs and how she?d cared for him for so many years, alone and without much help and that she is now an advocate and volunteer to this wonderful project ? called Matthew?s House. And although Trace has minor ?special abilities? I knew immediately I wanted to get involved.

I absolutely love their logo: ?A Place for Children Living with Disabilities and the Parents Who Support Them.?

Raising a special needs child isn?t easy by any means. It?s hard work, not just emotionally and physically but spiritually and many parents find themselves at a loss without the proper help for respite or care, and they are often left on the doorstep to handle everything themselves until eventually a burn-out comes. ?Matthew?s House is going to help ease that burden.

Matthew?s Story

You can read Matthew?s story and how Matthew?s House became a reality for those parents raising a child with severe special needs or disabilities. It?s an amazingly courageous story and one that is felt through the heart.

You don?t have to be a special needs parent to understand the loss, the lonliness, the guilt, the isolation, the lack of energy and time it takes to raise such incredible human beings, blessed by God in his own uniqueness to show us all there is a tenderness in this world that needs to be embraced.

If you would like to donate to Matthew?s House (please do so) and help this incredible cause and resource for people in BC. You can also follow all the latest news on Matthew?s House Facebook?and on Twitter @matthews_house

I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are 100% my own. I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and hope you will share it with others to help this great cause.

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Source: http://rantsnrascals.com/2012/08/matthews-house-abbotsford-support-for-parents-and-respite/

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Stuffa Jacket ? Fit More In

Julie loves her SCOTTEVEST products, but they’re aimed at the Gadgeteer in all of us, with pockets for all your electronic gadgets. ?What if you’re one of those minimalist travellers or need to “beat” those airline-imposed carry on luggage limits? ?The Stuffa Jacket?might be the solution. ?With 12 compartments for stuffing in your long weekend’s [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/08/11/stuffa-jacket-fit-more-in/

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