This is off topic, but I wanted to share with you this story I found about one of the widows of 9/11. I'm sure you know about the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund which was set up for the families of the victims. The lawyers the victims' families hired were not supposed to charge the families an outrageous fee for his services, but the lawyer one widow hired charged her $2M for his services.
She refused to pay him, I say good for her, and he filed a $2M suit against her in federal court. She hired the law firm of Simmons Jannace & Stagg to defend her against this lawsuit.
They moved to dismiss the suit and argued that the federal court had no jurisdiction over a lawyer collecting his fee. Since state court was already investigating the amount of the fee, the federal court abstained from exercising jurisdiction if or until the state court finishes the case.
According to my sources this is the first time the federal court decided that attorneys’ fee disputes arising out of the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund should be decided in the state courts.
This was just an interesting tidbit I picked up.
Dale L. Edwards
Friday, August 25, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
New Accessible Search Engine at Google
I stumbled across Google's new Accessible Search site that's being tested in beta. I really like it better than Google's regular search, much easier to use. Accessible uses Google's PageRank system and added an evaluation to determine how easy the web page is to use. This is a great step forward because Google has shown the ability to link PageRank to accessibility. This will make Accessible Search much more useful to a wider range of people.
I found the results interesting when I used the search term "low vision," because Accessible returned 11 sites while Google only returned 7 sites, but had related advertisements on the page, which can be useful if I see an interesting advertisement, but not helpful when you're looking for noncommercial information. Both engines had The Low Vision Gateway as #1, but they didn't agree from there. Accessible returned several international sites on the first page while all of Google's returns on the first page were based in the US.
"Flowers" was the next search term I used, and again I found that Accessible had more international results (Google had none on the first page). Only 3 American companies showed up on the first page and a company from the UK had the first position.
Why is the difference so great between the two search engines? Accessible searches for sites that use Web Standards, and are in compliance with Web Accessibility Guidelines. In fact I learned that 2 of the 3 American companies on Accessible's first return page used the same search engine marketing firm.
The next search term I used was "online marketing" and both Google and Accessible had USWeb as #1 on the first return page. I used "Internet marketing" as my next search term and USWeb was #2 on Accessible and #8 on Google.
It would make a lot of sense for Google to use these guidelines in their main search engine. A website that uses Accessible Search Guidelines is using a road map to a better site. When I am looking for a search engine marketing firm, USWeb's track record makes it the one I would choose.
Governement and education websites already comply with the Accessible Search Guidelines.
The link to a site that explains the guidelines is in the Link section to the right along with the link to Accessible Search. Go ahead and try it out and compare the two search engines.
Dale L. Edwards
I found the results interesting when I used the search term "low vision," because Accessible returned 11 sites while Google only returned 7 sites, but had related advertisements on the page, which can be useful if I see an interesting advertisement, but not helpful when you're looking for noncommercial information. Both engines had The Low Vision Gateway as #1, but they didn't agree from there. Accessible returned several international sites on the first page while all of Google's returns on the first page were based in the US.
"Flowers" was the next search term I used, and again I found that Accessible had more international results (Google had none on the first page). Only 3 American companies showed up on the first page and a company from the UK had the first position.
Why is the difference so great between the two search engines? Accessible searches for sites that use Web Standards, and are in compliance with Web Accessibility Guidelines. In fact I learned that 2 of the 3 American companies on Accessible's first return page used the same search engine marketing firm.
The next search term I used was "online marketing" and both Google and Accessible had USWeb as #1 on the first return page. I used "Internet marketing" as my next search term and USWeb was #2 on Accessible and #8 on Google.
It would make a lot of sense for Google to use these guidelines in their main search engine. A website that uses Accessible Search Guidelines is using a road map to a better site. When I am looking for a search engine marketing firm, USWeb's track record makes it the one I would choose.
Governement and education websites already comply with the Accessible Search Guidelines.
The link to a site that explains the guidelines is in the Link section to the right along with the link to Accessible Search. Go ahead and try it out and compare the two search engines.
Dale L. Edwards
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Diabetic Retinopathy
My husband is diabetic, fortunately he doesn't have any complications right now, but if we don't get his blood sugar under control, his next exam in a year might tell a different story. He's been diabetic since the early 1980's and was able to control the diabetes with diet. However, that all changed about 1996. His blood sugar spiked up to 394, and he started taking the pills. That worked for a while and his blood sugar was at acceptable levels. In 1999 his blood sugar went out of control and they added another pill to his regimen. It has been in and out of control ever since. He's taking insulin and 2 different pills, but his blood sugar is still close, but under 200.
He is very much at risk for all kinds of nasty conditions that go along with diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy is just one of the conditions of the eye diabetics are subject to. Background Diabetic Retinopathy, Clinically Significant Macular Edema, Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, Cranial Nerve Palsy, Cystoid Macular Edema, Neovascular Glaucoma, Tractional Retinal Detachment, and Vitreous Hemorrhage are or can be caused by diabetes. I don't think this is a definitive list, but these are the conditions we'll be investigating today.
The Diabetes Mall gives information about the complications of diabetes. They have a section on background diabetic retinopathy, and explains what happens to your eye with this condition. They also explain what microaneurisms, hemorrhages, and hard exudates are and how they affect the eye.
eMedicine from WebMD has a lot of information and links packed into the page on clinically significant macular edema, and it'll take a while to process it all. More information about macular edema.
The Angeles Vision Clinic gives a really good overview of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Includes definition of terms, complications, treatment and more. Really good pictures of proliferative diabetic retinopathy from the Southeastern Eye Center.
The North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society has and excellent page discussing cranial nerve palsy. Discusses symptoms, treatment, pictures, and the good news that it should go away in time.
NegrayJahnle.com and The RetinaSource.com are good sources of information on cystoid macular edema. This will also go away up to one year after condition appears.
The National Eye Institute and IU Optometry Clinic have information on neovascular glaucoma. Any glaucoma can cause blindness because it damages the optic nerve.
The Retina Center and Medscape Today supply symptoms, treatments, and prognosis of tractional retinal detatchment.
The Macula Center gives an overview of vitreous hemorrhage, causes, treatment, and prognosis. The Vision Similator gives you an idea of what things look like with vitreous hemorrhage. It also has other simulations for various eye conditions.
These are just a few of the websites available for diabetic retinopathy.
Dale L. Edwards
He is very much at risk for all kinds of nasty conditions that go along with diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy is just one of the conditions of the eye diabetics are subject to. Background Diabetic Retinopathy, Clinically Significant Macular Edema, Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, Cranial Nerve Palsy, Cystoid Macular Edema, Neovascular Glaucoma, Tractional Retinal Detachment, and Vitreous Hemorrhage are or can be caused by diabetes. I don't think this is a definitive list, but these are the conditions we'll be investigating today.
The Diabetes Mall gives information about the complications of diabetes. They have a section on background diabetic retinopathy, and explains what happens to your eye with this condition. They also explain what microaneurisms, hemorrhages, and hard exudates are and how they affect the eye.
eMedicine from WebMD has a lot of information and links packed into the page on clinically significant macular edema, and it'll take a while to process it all. More information about macular edema.
The Angeles Vision Clinic gives a really good overview of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Includes definition of terms, complications, treatment and more. Really good pictures of proliferative diabetic retinopathy from the Southeastern Eye Center.
The North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society has and excellent page discussing cranial nerve palsy. Discusses symptoms, treatment, pictures, and the good news that it should go away in time.
NegrayJahnle.com and The RetinaSource.com are good sources of information on cystoid macular edema. This will also go away up to one year after condition appears.
The National Eye Institute and IU Optometry Clinic have information on neovascular glaucoma. Any glaucoma can cause blindness because it damages the optic nerve.
The Retina Center and Medscape Today supply symptoms, treatments, and prognosis of tractional retinal detatchment.
The Macula Center gives an overview of vitreous hemorrhage, causes, treatment, and prognosis. The Vision Similator gives you an idea of what things look like with vitreous hemorrhage. It also has other simulations for various eye conditions.
These are just a few of the websites available for diabetic retinopathy.
Dale L. Edwards
Monday, August 14, 2006
Macular Degeneration
Today I want to share with you what I've learned about Macular Degeneration. This condition is the leading cause of severe vision loss in those 60 and over. There are two types of macular degeneration, dry and wet . The dry is more common, but the wet causes the severe vision loss.
The dry form of macular degeneration sometimes progresses into the wet form. It's estimated that over 2 million people have the wet form of macular degeneration, and is increasing by 200,000 new cases each year and may be genetic.
The Macular Degeneration Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for macular degeneration. At their website, you will find articles on the success of different treatments being explored. It has lots of good information. They also have a free e-mail newsletter to keep us abreast of all the latest developments in research.
The Macular Degeneration Network is another site packed with information and is a non-profit organization. Dr. Paul Finger is the editor, and the site has more information about him. The site has a forum for the general public that you can browse, but needs a registration before you can post.
I don't know if everyone has heard of the Mayo Clinic, but I have heard about the Mayo Clinic since I was a child. Everyone that had health problems that required a specialist went to the Mayo Clinic. The site is informative, and gives symptoms, causes, prevention, treatments, coping skills, and more.
AllAboutVision.com has a FAQ page and a Q&A page and good information. They have topics about coping, treatment, and a visual example of what the Amsler Grid would look like to someone with macular degeneration.
Medline Plus has links into other websites dealing with macular degeneration. There is a Latest News section, links to the National Institutes of Health, a section of Overviews, Diagnosis and Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention and Screening, Nutrition, Rehabilitation, Management, Specific Conditions, Related Issues, Clinical Trials, Research, Anatomy, Dictionaries and Glossaries, Directories, Organizations, and Children.
The Schepens Eye Research Institute is the largest private research
institute in America. They have sections on Eye Disease Information, Resources, News and Events, and Publications. This site gives you the information right from the horse's mouth so to speak.
MyEyeWorld.com has a good overview of macular degeneration and more pictures depicting what a person sees when they have the condition. There are links to more websites, and has a good section on treatment and causes.
MedLine is a good general information site with lots of links and a section on preventing macular degeneration.
The American Health Assistance Foundation established the Macular Degeneration research program in 1997 to fund research. Free e-mail newsletter, medical news, and illustrations. Also has a way to ask questions about ongoing research.
Bovine Colostrum and Macular Degeneration
Bovine colostrum is the substance produced by the milk glands of cows before the birth of the calf. All mammals produce this substance which helps the newborn transition to taking regular milk. It contains enzymes, antibodies, and protein. The link I've added takes you to an explanation of colostrum and its uses. This is a vendor of colostrum; I would talk to my doctor before using this. I am not in any way endorsing this treatment, I'm just giving information.
Vitamins
This site gives information about what kind of vitamins help macular degeneration, cites studies of the effectiveness of vitamins. Many links connecting to information.
I learned that macular degeneration doesn't have a cure yet, but there are treatments out there. It may have a genetic componet, dry can turn into wet, doesn't cause total blindness, one eye can be affected and then the other eye can start showing signs of macular degeneration, too.
If you're having trouble seeing go to your ophthamologist and get evaluated, because the sooner it's diagnosed, more of your sight can be saved in most cases.
Dale L. Edwards
The dry form of macular degeneration sometimes progresses into the wet form. It's estimated that over 2 million people have the wet form of macular degeneration, and is increasing by 200,000 new cases each year and may be genetic.
The Macular Degeneration Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for macular degeneration. At their website, you will find articles on the success of different treatments being explored. It has lots of good information. They also have a free e-mail newsletter to keep us abreast of all the latest developments in research.
The Macular Degeneration Network is another site packed with information and is a non-profit organization. Dr. Paul Finger is the editor, and the site has more information about him. The site has a forum for the general public that you can browse, but needs a registration before you can post.
I don't know if everyone has heard of the Mayo Clinic, but I have heard about the Mayo Clinic since I was a child. Everyone that had health problems that required a specialist went to the Mayo Clinic. The site is informative, and gives symptoms, causes, prevention, treatments, coping skills, and more.
AllAboutVision.com has a FAQ page and a Q&A page and good information. They have topics about coping, treatment, and a visual example of what the Amsler Grid would look like to someone with macular degeneration.
Medline Plus has links into other websites dealing with macular degeneration. There is a Latest News section, links to the National Institutes of Health, a section of Overviews, Diagnosis and Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention and Screening, Nutrition, Rehabilitation, Management, Specific Conditions, Related Issues, Clinical Trials, Research, Anatomy, Dictionaries and Glossaries, Directories, Organizations, and Children.
The Schepens Eye Research Institute is the largest private research
institute in America. They have sections on Eye Disease Information, Resources, News and Events, and Publications. This site gives you the information right from the horse's mouth so to speak.
MyEyeWorld.com has a good overview of macular degeneration and more pictures depicting what a person sees when they have the condition. There are links to more websites, and has a good section on treatment and causes.
MedLine is a good general information site with lots of links and a section on preventing macular degeneration.
The American Health Assistance Foundation established the Macular Degeneration research program in 1997 to fund research. Free e-mail newsletter, medical news, and illustrations. Also has a way to ask questions about ongoing research.
Bovine Colostrum and Macular Degeneration
Bovine colostrum is the substance produced by the milk glands of cows before the birth of the calf. All mammals produce this substance which helps the newborn transition to taking regular milk. It contains enzymes, antibodies, and protein. The link I've added takes you to an explanation of colostrum and its uses. This is a vendor of colostrum; I would talk to my doctor before using this. I am not in any way endorsing this treatment, I'm just giving information.
Vitamins
This site gives information about what kind of vitamins help macular degeneration, cites studies of the effectiveness of vitamins. Many links connecting to information.
I learned that macular degeneration doesn't have a cure yet, but there are treatments out there. It may have a genetic componet, dry can turn into wet, doesn't cause total blindness, one eye can be affected and then the other eye can start showing signs of macular degeneration, too.
If you're having trouble seeing go to your ophthamologist and get evaluated, because the sooner it's diagnosed, more of your sight can be saved in most cases.
Dale L. Edwards
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