Feral Children.

While watching tv the other day I came across an interesting documentary. It was about kids left alone and abandoned since a young age. Not many people have heard the term feral child. That is because their are only about 100 knows cases around the world. A feral child is a child that has been living since a very young age without any (or very little) human contact and interaction. These children are often abandoned by unfit parents, and are left to fend for themselves since birth. Although a child doesn't have to be abandoned completely, the lack of physical and phycological stimulation leaves these children mentally disabled and socially handicap. 

Oxana Malaya is one of the few children seen around the world to be a feral child. At the age of three she was left outside her home, in Ukraine, by her alcoholic parents. Finding shelter and warmth with dogs, Oxana began her life with the pack. For five years she would eat, sleep, and live with dogs, without any human contact, until one day a neighbor reported a chid living with animals. When authorities picked Oxana up, she could only walk on all fours, and continuously barked and growled. Her behavior was studied by many therapists and phycologists, and all claim that her behavior was not an act, but her true instincts.

Feral children aren't widely known, but their stories are ones filled with heartache and pain. Oxana Malaya isn't the only child that has been abandoned by their parents, as there are others of her kind. Yet I found Oxana's case  intriguing because of her odd circumstances. Usually, feral children are found to be extremely underweight, have little or no mobility, and are more or less mentally disabled. Oxana, on the other hand, acted like and was a functional dog. Now, Oxana lives at a home for the disabled, for this enormous neglect has greatly hindered her chances to live a normal life. She regained part of her speech, only because she knew a few words before 'joining the pack'. 

The program had a great impact on the way I viewed the show. They used serious tones throughout the narration, and made the emotions clear. The knowledge of what's happening to children around the world is making me more aware of the realities of life. Not everyone can live and afford a lushes lifestyle. These days communication has become very simple and easy, and therefore we're seeing the truth of the world. The media exposes the truth, and reality cannot hide. I feel deeply sympathetic towards this woman for what she has endured, but find great fascination in the way she has developed. Here's a Youtube link that'll give you an idea of how she acts like a dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyqbnDjId7g

What Money Can Buy.

 There used to be a time where owning a car was cool, now, not so much. As times change, billionaires all over the world compete for the title as "Forbes Richest People". Whether they're dining at a bistro in Paris, or mingling at a cocktail party in New York, these group of elites need the means to get to their next destination without delay. These days, all you need is a private jet. 

For some, its as simple as swiping a card, and out comes the aircraft. Others, such as many kids of this generation, yearn for a chance to be an owner of one of these machines.

The media has created an image of perfection, and its basically, money. If you have money, you are an icon. Many rappers are infamous for theft, murder, and other despicable crimes, but why aren't they being reprimanded for their actions? Because they have cash. Driving in an expensive car can get you out of pretty much anything in Hollywood. 

The sad part about this, is that children of this generation are idolizing these figures. They grow up believing its alright to do whatever they please, and they can just buy their way out of it. The media is creating a bubble of perfection around these people, and it isn't right. 

They show actors and singers partying and 'living life', but aren't giving the true aspects of their lives. We see a headline about a DUI, and the next day its just a forgotten memory to the world. The media has a very controlling hand on what is shown, and what isn't, and they choose not to show the bad side of things. If they were to show these icons going to trials, court appearances, and even jail, it might make a difference. Youths wouldn't blindly follow criminals with some money to spend. Since the media controls everything we see, I think it very strongly shapes our ideas and beliefs.

Thoughts On The Ipad.

A breakthrough in this generation’s technology, the Ipad; or is it? The Ipad looks like a giant Iphone, with a sleek aluminum back and a 10x8 inch wide screen. It has all the features of a regular laptop, and functions of a Ipod. The touch screen creates the feeling of high-tech device. 

That, and how "cool and hip", the new IPad is all we're hearing about these days. Whether its through the radio, or newspaper articles, the IPad is the 'it' gadget for this season.

Many people love and hate the Ipad. First, the main problem is how to categorize it. Is it a laptop? No, atleast not a practical one. Is it an Ipod? No, It’s too big and heavy to use solely as an mp3 player. Although we read all of these wonderful informative pieces about this device, can we really believe them?

Have you ever stopped to think who wrote the catch phrase on the latest Apple ad, or even who the person giving it a 10/10 review is? An important question to think about is, who is this information coming from? 

If one were to consider buying an IPad based on the features they've seen on the website, I would say they've been tricked. The company website is the safe haven for all of its products. Its the only place in the world where each item they have created is perfect. Its a utopia for the manufacturer, and a brainwashing device for the visitor. Each title, comment, and description is read, revised, reread, re-revised.... over a million times. Not only each word, but each letter is taken into consideration, and discussed for what way it might be precieved. The review must be flawless, and the comments left by 'customers' are hand picked. The person that will give a true review, is not the one paid to publish one. 

The fame and glory all of these inventions are receiving is because of media; specifically, the person delivering the message. His or her opinion alone can shape how people see the item. 

The truth can be hidden in many ways, and advertisers are experts on this. They'll give you all of the best attributes of  an item, but leave out the glitches. That's why its most important to know who and where the information is coming from. 

Kuwait & John Hopkins Alliance

 I read the other day in the news paper about Kuwait signing an agreement with John Hospital Medical University and Hospital in order to improve the conditions of Kuwait's health care system. It said that officials from the Medical University and Hospital will take over in the management aspect of the four main public hospitals in Kuwait. They'll also aid in laboratories and teaching new and more efficient ways to care for patients.

On Jan 28, 2010, Dr. Helal Al Sayer, The Minister of health for the State of Kuwait released this news. The officials from The John Hopkins Medical University and Hospital will be visiting Kuwait to assess the hospitals. Al Adan, Al Amiri, Al Farwaniya, and Al Jahra hospitals will all be managed by John Hopkins.

This is a great and much needed step for Kuwait. The country is capable of having the best health care in the world because of its enormous wealth, but its lacking in proper management and supervision. The new health minister has taken this opportunity to benefit the Kuwaiti health care system. Unfortunately I don't see the media is focusing on this achievement. The news paper had a few words about what was going to happen, and many people haven't even heard about this.

News papers seldom show the true and important matters revolving around a country. There is much talk about minor things, and the beneficial topics are ignored. Many people condemn tabloids and gossip magazines, but when thinking of it, are news papers any different? All I see on the front page is this MP said this, and the other said that. John Hopkins is known world wide to be one of the best hospitals in the world, for both medical care and education, but we don't see that being stated in the paper. It's sad that we have the privilege to have them help in the improving our hospitals, yet credit is not being given where it is due. 

Although we'd like to hear more good news, hearing and speaking about the flaws we have is a step towards improvement. No matter how harsh the story, in the end, all we'll think about is, how can we fix it? After all the negative articles and talk about the Kuwaiti health system, we have seen change. People are doing their jobs, and working to create a difference. Constructive criticism is how I see it.

Personally, I believe this is a wonderful achievement. Kuwait has needed this for a long time, and finally is doing it in the correct way. This leap shows Kuwait's realization of the deteriorating state of the health care system, and its need to improve.  The experience and knowledge that will be gained will help Kuwait on a large scale. The goal to start this project will be mid 2010, and will hopefully be successful.