The plight of Afghan women

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's recent visit to the United States was in the news, but stories about the reality of life for Afghan women have been missing. Through my support of MADRE (www.madre.org), I recently heard the story of Wahida, an Afghan woman who was only 13 when her family sold her into marriage to a man more than three times her age.

For nearly 20 years, she suffered terrible physical abuse. Then, when her husband accused her of infidelity, she was thrown in prison by a court system that sees women as less than full human beings.

She was granted a pardon only after four years. After her release from prison, she found relief in a women's shelter supported in part by MADRE's Afghan Women's Survival Fund.

This is the type of story we must remember - of courageous Afghan women demanding their rights. As Afghan people work to build their future, it will depend on the bravery of women like Wahida and the support we in the United States can extend to them.

Source: The Press of Atlantic City, July 18, 2010

BEHAVIOR: Creating Productive Summer Experiences For An ADHD Child

BEHAVIOR: Creating Productive Summer Experiences For An ADHD Child

Karen K. Lowry,RN and author of The Seventh Inning Sit: A Journey of ADHD, based in Medford, NJ can discuss ways parents can ensure a productive summer for children with ADHD, in light of the end of the academic year. “First, it’s important to incorporate consistent bed times into the structure of the day. Some children have co-existing disorders of anxiety which does impact going to sleep and staying asleep. The cycle of not enough sleep, and oppositional behavior appear to correlate. The academic component must be reinforced for every child in the summer ,due to the potential for regression. Only 30% of children with ADHD have no co-existing disorders. So in order to encourage the reading and math that is assigned by many schools to do over the summer, again structure comes into play. Choices are important for children when you are reinforcing academic activities that they would rather ignore.” News Contact: Jackie O’Neal ,onealmedia@live.com , +609 334 8621

My publisher asked me a series of questions related to how my book Woman Priest: A Collection of Spiritual Reflections And Commentary On Today's Issues changed my life.
The content is intended for a forthcoming anthology,subtitled: Why We Write: How Books Changed The Lives Of Published Authors And Their Readers.

1. What made you write your book?

I wrote my book Woman Priest to share my spiritual journey as a candidate for the Episcopal priesthood. The story, I felt needed to be told as it was unique, in the sense that I was the first woman in 126 years at a historic Episcopal parish to be nominated for the priesthood. By the time, I arrived on the scene, women had been ordained for over thirty years. I wanted my readers to know that women have the physical, emotional, and spiritual stamina to do ministry, and as a woman, there were several obstacles placed in my path, I was able to overcome. The process of ordination is complex and hierarchical- some might say even archaic. I was a witness to some of the indignities and triumphs- who best to tell such a story?

2. How did your book change your life?

I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment after publishing my book, and being recognized as a spiritual leader. I felt more energized than ever before through the process of marketing my book. It changed my life in the sense that I'm busier than ever. The message I'm eager to share with the public about spirituality has catapulted me into an engaging, inspiring literary world. Had I not written and published my book, I'd have less credibility in my field of endeavor. I think the most rewarding part of writing my book was being able to reveal to the reader, the many magnificent people I met at my parish and abroad. Coming in contact with talented, charitable individuals the way I did, in my day to day parish work, taught me the value of community, and that every person has gifts to share with others.


3. How did it change the lives of others?

People of all faiths have told me they loved my book and were inspired by how true to my beliefs I am. They have been touched by how much my book celebrates faith and humanity, and helps them realize a woman can be an effective leader, even in a male dominated culture.


4. What would you say to someone who can't read?

I would encourage them to find a literacy program and work on overcoming illiteracy. There are wonderful volunteers willing to teach reading skills at every library in every community. Take advantage of it because reading is one of life's greatest pleasures that expands the mind and soul. Knowledge is power.



To learn more, visit: http://www.amazon.com/Jackie-Audrey-ONeal-S.T.M./e/B003LFJYBM/ref=n...

Environment: The Value of Renewable Energy

Environment: The Value of Renewable Energy


Diane Tegarden, environmental journalist and author based in Los Angeles, CA can discuss the benefits of using renewable energy in preventing future environmental dilemmas like the the Gulf of Mexico offshore drilling explosion.



"When we use fuel sources like coal, oil or gasoline, we are using outdated, inefficient, dangerous technology that can be replaced by biofuels, ocean energy conversion, wave energy conversion and wind power. It takes the same amount of money to invest in the newer, cleaner ways to generate fuel and electrical energy as we are spending on traditionally generated power." News Contact: Jackie O'Neal, jackieoneal@helloworld.com
Phone: +1-609-334-8621 Web site: http://www.firewalkerpublications.com/

Disability Issues Explored

Recently, Vicki Niswander of WEFT 90.1 FM in Champaign, IL interviewed author, Chris Tatevosian about his self-help memoir Life Interrupted- It's Not All About Me. He discussed ways to combat the frustrations that accompany living with a chronic illness. At the same time, he offers encouragement to caregivers living with a loved one with a disabling illness. He helps the audience come to terms with the notion of clear communication as the best tool to foster understanding.


Tatevosian draws upon his personal experience with remarkable candor and the interview is worth listening to.


Host, Vicki Niswander is the parent of an adult daughter with a disability. In addition, she's active in a myriad of advocacy orgnaizations in her local area.


Listen to the interview here: http://www.lifeinterrupted-nolonger.com/radiointerviews.htm

Best-Selling Author Reveals Truth About the Dangers of Cyber Strangers

SYDNEY, March 11 /O'Neal Media Group/ -- It takes literary skill to bring out the humanity of an evil protagonist. "This is always a challenge. Take Hannibal Lecter. If Hopkins had not given him a fierce intelligence and a grizzly pitch black sense of humor, no one would have liked him," says Shane Briant, author of thriller, Worst Nightmares (Vanguard Press). ISBN 978-1-59315-514-8

"He was, after all, almost an insane beast at times. Yet somehow the writing made the audience want him to escape. So, for me, I imbue my darkest characters with a sense of humor maybe, or give them one facet of their soul, albeit a very small one, where they love or care for someone or something living, be it a human, animal or an orchid," Briant adds.

What is it precisely about the dark side of human nature that makes perfect raw material for compelling stories?

Briant says, "People like to know they are safe, that those they love are safe. That they will never die. But they love to be thrilled by watching others tread the tightrope of life. It's fun to see James Bond fight it out because they can live out their personal fantasies. They love seeing Hannibal Lecter eat body parts of living people because it makes the hairs stand up on the backs of their necks. After all, they are safe. And they know it's a story. But I'd go further. People are drawn to terrible disasters and accidents where REAL people are dying because it's not them! It's someone else. It thrills some deep dark part of their psyche!"

Worst Nightmares tells the story of successful writer, Dermot Nolan, the writer's block that plagues him, the temptation to plagiarize an unsolicited manuscript that unexpectedly falls into his lap, and the horrific episodes that ensue.

Through his research, Briant delved into Internet addiction and the dangers of hooking up on the Internet with cyber strangers. According to a Stanford University School of Medicine study, one out of eight Americans exhibited at least one possible sign of problematic Internet use.

Briant will be in the U.S. on tour from April 6 - May 24, 2010 and available for media interviews.

Review copies and interviews upon request. For more information, visit: http://www.bmoca.com

O'Neal Media Group http://onealmediagroup.presskit247.com

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Shane Briant

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=94185




CONTACT: Jackie O'Neal, +1-609-334-8621, jackieoneal@helloworld.com, for Shane Briant

reBlog from publishingtalk.eu: Small and Mighty

I found this fascinating quote today:

The worst financial crisis in a century, an international banking collapse and global recession: it is enough to make a publisher cry all the way to the bank. But there is a flip side to the doom and gloom:  It is possible to thrive — not just survive — in an economic downturn, especially if you are small, flexible and smart.publishingtalk.eu, Small and Mighty, Feb 2010

You should read the whole article.