THE RANTINGS AND PAINS OF AN AFRICAN GIRL

I truly wonder what one is expected to do in a state of hopelessness....Sometimes I feel like I am stunted as a result of my nationality!!!

Yea, I sound like I am frustrated....that's only because I feel very helpless, and as you may be aware, being in a state of helpnessness for too long will eventually lead to hopelessness.

Today, the 1st of October 2009 marks the 49th independence anniversary of my country...Nigeria. Hold on...before you start to think that this event calls for celebration, it is very far from that.

A country at 49 with virtually nothing to show for it....not even the basics (no electicity, no portable water, no hospitals, no good schools...too numerous to mention). The universities have been on strike since the 22nd of June 2009, the leaders are sooo corrupt, the followers are too timid and too illiterate to make a change, most of the youths have joined the bandwagon of scammers.....I can go on and on about the numerous problems that frustrate me and other reasonable citizens, but I honestly don't want to sound like a pessimist....I just want a way out of this so that I can maximize my potentials. As the saying goes, a fool at 40....I leave the rest to you to complete.

So to anyone out there reading this, who may care to lend a helping hand to help me further my studies, I'll really appreciate all the financial help I can get....however little (what seems insignificant to you, might just be someone else's saving grace). To be sincere with myself and everyone, a job that earns me less than $200 a month, cannot help me further my studies in France next year.

I'll be looking forward to your comments and help.

With gratitude,

Tosin.

BOW LEGS II

Check this link out to see some before and after pictures of adults who have done the bow legs correction at Ladisten clinic, Kiev, Ukraine...I really want to do this, I need money for this badly.

http://bow-legged.com/adults-bow-legs-pictures/

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If you are considering doing a correction, please share your suggestions on where you intend to do it (Country and name of hospital), the technique to be used for correction with the pros and cons, how much it costs and how you intend to pay for surgery (Most insurance packages do not cover this kind of surgery as it is considered to be cosmetic), so if you intend to pay out-of-pocket, please let us know how you will put the money together. A few of us can learn a thing or two from you...I live in West Africa, so we pay for all medical expenses out-of-pocket.


You can find out more about Ladisten clinic at www.ladisten.com or www.doctorveklich.com

Hope this helps you to make up your mind.

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR HEIGHT

These are a few tips I stumbled upon on the internet, on everyday things you can do to help you grow taller (That's if you are still growing). Please enjoy!!!

Grow Taller - wikiHow


Also, there is a surgery called Limb Lengthening for those that have stopped growing, but will like to add a few inches. Those who also suffer from Dwarfism and other short stature conditions can also choose to do a Limb Lengthening surgery.
Please, follow these links to find out more about Limb Lengthening.


www.ladisten.com
www.doctorveklich.com


Hope this helps.

TIPS ON HOW TO RAISE MONEY

Sometimes, we all need some money we cannot seem to afford. Here are a few tips on what to do when you decide to raise money for any project (personal or otherwise).

Raise Money - wikiHow

Your contribution to this topic will also be highly appreciated....It just might be what will help someone get their fundraising dreams to reality!!!

ARRGHH....JUST THINKING!!!!!!!!!

I have been MIA...its nothing serious,just one of those times when I just want to keep to myself.I do that a lot,especially recently...yea,you guessed right.I have not been too happy,been worried about a lot of things...too much on my mind but I guess I'll be fine,its just a matter of time.

I think I'm becoming all too religious lately(was in church yesterday and today)...I guess its better to take all my worries to God.I'm desperately in search of a "good" job,so that I can save some money to enable me go to college next year...I tell you,its really tough out here in Africa.My sister just got a very "bad" job with a very "bad" pay(she has to work from 9am - 5pm,monday - sunday for a pay of about $120 a month...now,that sounds like slavery to me),but she doesn't seem to have a choice.I pray I get a more financially rewarding job.

To other things...saw the VMAs,and I must commend the organisers.KANYE WEST acted really immature...like some new artist begging for attention.Somewhere in my heart,I wish Taylor Swift could just sue him...maybe that way,he will learn his lessons.How on earth can he decide to ruin such a happy moment for the poor girl...who cares if he agrees with whom the award is given to or not?What in heaven's name makes him feel Beyoncé deserves the award more than Taylor...saying she has the best video so far,this year?Is it cos of the choreography in her videos(except for that,I have been really disappointed with her style of music and videos lately).I used to really like Kanye,up until he started to have problems with most of the award organisers...maybe he should just start his own thing with people of the same orientation as him or better still,he should just ignore the organisers and act like he doesn't care.His actions were just plain stupid to me...so uncalled for!!!

And yea...the football(I mean soccer)season has resumed fully...the Champions League and the English Premier League.Are you surprised I am a soccer fan...a die hard one at that?I support CHELSEA wholeheartedly...UP BLUES!!!I really pray that we win the EPL this season and maybe the CL(that's the big one that has been evading us for years).Most Africans are die hard football fans and a lot of us have specific clubs that we support in the Serie A in Italy,the La Liga in Spain,the EPL in England and other leagues all over Europe.

I hope I get over my worries soon so that I can update the blog every time...hope to hear from y'all.Comments please!!

SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO RAISE THE MONEY FOR CORRECTIVE SURGERY FOR YOUR BOW LEGS!!!!!!!!!!

Its been a while since I last posted anything on this blog...Yea,I have been pretty busy with work plus a lorry load of thoughts up in my head(of course,its still about doing all I can to make sure that going to college becomes a reality for me next year)...Enough about myself,back to the topic of the day.

If you decide to do a corrective surgery for your bow legs,you will be confronted with quite a number of challenges including choosing a surgeon for your correction,how long it will take to recover and if you will be able to do your everyday activities(which includes getting back to your job or school)during your recovery period,how you intend to pay the total cost of surgery and stay at the hospital during recovery etc.The latter is what I am curious about.

I really don't have all the answers as to how you should plan to pay for your corrective surgery, but I'll try to give a few suggestions.

Note: Its just my personal opinion.


-INSURANCE


Yea...did I hear someone say "but of course,everyone knows this".Get this,because corrective surgery for bow legs is usually considered cosmetic,it is not covered by insurance.You can only get partial or full insurance coverage if you can prove that the condition causes some pains in your knees,thus hindering your day-to-day activities.I read in a forum about a young lady who said that insurance paid part of the cost,and she only had to pay $3500 out-of-pocket in the USA.


-SAVINGS

This is still by far,the most realistic option available.If you already have a job,good for you...if not,please get one.This option could be very cumbersome as it may seem quite difficult to accumulate all the money needed.You may need to take an extra job or two.Getting donations from family members and friends might not also seem too realistic as they may not be in support of a corrective surgery for your bow legs(they always tell you its nothing to be worried about).


-FOUNDATIONS

There are a number of foundations that may be willing to help you with the cost.You could try the save-a-limb foundation(I don't really know if they deal with issues like this)...a trial is not harmful though.

You can send an e-mail to the following addresses with your clinical pictures(x-rays) to find out if they will take your case and how much it will cost.

limblength@gmail.com
apollohospitals.india@gmail.com
enquiry@fly2india4health.com
fipsc@fortishealthcare.com
akvenkat@gmail.com

Hope this helps!!!

HOW TO RAISE MONEY FOR COLLEGE EDUCATION

I have really been thinking about going to college for a while now but considering my present financial situation...I honestly do not know how to go about raising all the money needed.

Here is my story...I graduated from high school about 9years ago(at the age of 15...yea,I was quite outstanding).I got into university the following year,2001,to study PHARMACY(10-semester course) but I opted to leave after 2 semesters due to the fact that there were no well-equipped laboratories,the theoretical courses were not well organised and above all,I discoverd that the university was not accredited by the government to offer pharmacy as a course of study.

After trying for a while to get into university,in 2005,I decided to go back to my first love...languages.I studied french at the french language village and Alliance Française in my country for two years and a half(I spent 8months at the language village where I obtained a diploma in French and spent 22months at Alliance Française where I obtained a diploma in Executive Bilingual Secretarial Administration and some other foreign language certifications like the Diplôme de Français des Affaires from the Paris Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Diplôme de Hautes Etudes-Version Traduction from the Alliance Française of Paris).

Now,I will like to go to a university in France(hopefully,the famous Université Paris Sorbonne IV or Université Marc Bloch,Strasbourg II)to study Applied Foreign Languages(LEA) but I do not have enough money.

Does anyone have any idea of how I can raise funds to make this dream of going to a university come true?Please,take the following into consideration when giving your suggestions:

-I am African,and there are no student loans available in my country.

-I do not qualify for a grant or scholarship from the french government as I will be going for an undergraduate course.

-Fundraising programmes(dinners,church fundraisers etc)are not too realistic where I live.

-Tuition is almost free in french universities(about 180€ for undergraduate courses and 197€ for social security).But accommodation and feeding is where all the money goes(a budget of 800€ for Paris and 600€ for the provinces).

-The only source of income and savings I have is from my present job!!!

I will really appreciate all your help and suggestions as I am hoping to submit an application with the French Embassy in my country when they start receiving applications before the end of the year.

THINGS TO CONSIDER IF YOU DECIDE TO DO A CORRECTIVE SURGERY FOR YOUR BOW LEGS.

There are a lot of us who wish to have the so-called "perfectly shaped legs" so as to build more self-confidence.At this time when there is so much going on in the fashion industry(for the ladies),I guess you can't be wrong for deciding to do a corrective surgery to straighten your legs.

Here are a few things to consider if you decide to have your BOWED LEGS or KNOCKED KNEES straightened to look "perfectly normal".

- TIME: This is the most important of them all...as we all know that time is money,especially if you are very independent and you need to earn your own living.

It takes about 3 months for the bone to heal after surgery.And depending on the method used for your surgery,it could be more or a little less.You also have to take into consideration,the fact that you need to be taken care of during your recovery period as you will only be able to do a few things on your own and you will do well to consider the time your care-givers will also be spending.Also,there are times when you will wonder & regret why you took the decision to go ahead with the surgery.


-MONEY: This is also a very important factor.Depending on where you decide to have your corrective surgery(the hospital and the country where it is located),or if you have insurance that will cover some or all of the surgery,you could spend as high as €15000(for surgery & a few days stay in hospital).Some hospitals also advise that you stay in hospital throughout the period of your recovery,especially if you do not have anyone to care for you at home(this could be the best idea).If you decide to stay throughout the recovery period,you also need to consider the daily cost of staying at the hospital(which includes food,cable t.v,wifi etc).This could also be as high as 120€ per day and as low as $40,depending on the hospital.


- SURGERY TECHNIQUE TO BE USED FOR THE CORRECTION: There are different techniques used in the correction of knee deformities.

1) Ilizarov External Fixator: This technique is very accurate as it allows you to walk about,hence it is easy to tolerate.All external fixators,irrespective of what name is given to it allows you to move about with the help of a crutch.

2) Internal Fixators(Locked plates,Puddu plates etc): This technique does not allow you to walk throughout the recovery period until they are removed.


Above all,I think that if it will make you happy and help to build your self-confidence the more,and you can afford it...please,GO AHEAD!!!

THE REASONS WHY SOME RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGES DONT WORK....IS GOING AHEAD WITH YOUR MARRIAGE PLANS REALLY WORTH IT???HERE ARE SOME PITFALLS TO AVOID!!!(PART II)

Yea,I have been MIA for a few days...been feeling lazy to type anything....but,here I am!!!!Here is the continuation of the topic on relationships and marriage...Enjoy!!!

-Think twice if their parents have contempt for you or your assignment in life...the bloodline is more powerful than anyone can imagine.

-Think twice if pebble problems unleash mountains of anger in them.

-Think twice if they refuse to find a job...It is a sin not to work,productive women excite productive men!!!

-Think twice if their own dreams are not big enough to motivate them.

-Think twice if they are uncomfortable in the presence of God.

-Think twice if they feel inferior to you...everyone is superior to others in some way.But it is important for them to feel confident and qualified to be your mate.

-Think twice if they do not long to understand and pleasure you.

-Think twice if continuous strife exists between them and their parents...Honoring our parents was the first commandment with a promise.Those who celebrate the authority over their life ultimately succeed.

-Think twice if they treat the favor of others with ingratitude.

-Think twice if they do not have a hunger to know the voice of God.

-Think twice if you are not excited about introducing them to those you love.

-Think twice if they show little respect for the battles you have won throughout your lifetime...when someone loves you, they admire your achievements.

-Think twice if conversation with them has become burdensome...right people energize you, wrong people exhaust you...true love will energize.

-Think twice if they make the major decisions of their life without pursuing your feedback.

-Think twice if your time spent with them always ends with personal guilt or disappointment....withdrawal from any relationship occurs if guilt, fear or a sense of entrapment emerges.

-Think twice if people of excellence do not surround them.

-Think twice if they are unwilling to follow your personal advice and counsel.

-Think twice if you do not admire and respect the mentor at whose feet they sit...Their mentor is feeding either a strength or a weakness.

-Think twice if you only enjoy them during your moments of weakness instead of your moments of strength.

-Think twice if they continually give you counsel contrary to the word of God.

-Think twice if their presence does not motivate you to a higher level of excellence.

I'll try to post the concluding part soon...do you agree with him?

THE REASONS WHY SOME RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGES DON'T WORK....IS GOING AHEAD WITH YOUR MARRIAGE PLANS REALLY WORTH IT???HERE ARE SOME PITFALLS TO AVOID!!!

I read Mike Murdock's book,"The law of Recognition",sometime ago and in chapter 6 of the book,he talked about the recognition of the mate God has approved for you.He took some excerpts from his forthcoming books at the time,"Think twice before marrying him" and "Think twice before marrying her".So I thought to share them with you.

Here goes:
-Think twice if you do not possess a passionate desire to give to them...too often marriage becomes an exchange.Exchange is the evidence of business,not love.

-Think twice if they do not possess a passionate desire to give back to you...A listening hear,flexibility,patience and the willingness to be corrected are gifts.

-Think twice if your personal achievements do not create excitement in them...when good things happen,who is the first person you desire to telephone?

-Think twice if they have not been captivated by what has captivated you...you simply cannot know a man by studying him,you know a man by studying his focus.

-Think twice if you have lost your desire to impress them...you are a walking message system to those you love,so something is wrong when you no longer desire to present your best to your mate.

-Think twice if they never ask quality questions concerning your greatest dreams and goals.

-Think twice if they ignore worthy counsel from qualified mentors in their life...you become like those you admire,you adapt the habits of those you envy.

-Think twice if you do not see continuous improvement in the relationship...improvement is revealed by the decrease of conflict.

-Think twice if they show little pain or remorse concerning their past mistakes...those who are truly repentant truly hurt,are not arrogant and do not blame others for their decisions.

-Think twice if they enjoy th atmosphere and climate of rebels.

-Think twice if they have an obsession to attract the attention of the opposite sex.

-Think twice if breaking the law is humorous and exciting to them.

-Think twice if they show little respect for the agenda and schedule of others...your respect for the schedule of others reveals much about you(I love this point best!!!).

-Think twice when it is obvious that you will never become their focus and assignment.

-Think twice if they embrace an accusation against you before they have heard your side of the matter.

-Think twice if they have not exited previous relationships peaceably...many thrive on strife.

To be continued...What do you think?Comments,please!

BOW LEGS

There are different types of limb deformities.Some examples are:

Bow Legs(Genu Varum)
Knock Knees(Genu Valgum)
Dwarfism(Achondroplasia)
Arm or Leg Length Discrepancies
Congenital Deformities(Birth Defects)etc.

I will be focusing on bow legs in this write-up.

WHAT ARE BOW LEGS?
Bow legs(genu varum) is a condition when knees are wide apart when a person stands with the feet and ankles together.

Initally,due to the folded position in the uterus,infants are born bowlegged but bow legs begin to straighten out when the child starts to walk.When the child is approximately 3years old,the normal appearance of the legs is visible(when the child stands with ankles together,the knees touch to reflect normal position).If the situation remains after this period,then the child can be said to be bowlegged.

The causes of bow legs are Rickets(Vitamin D deficiency),Bone Dysplasia,Blount's disease(Tibia Vara)etc.Blount's disease causes the lower leg to angle inward,resembling a bow leg.Blount's disease is progressive(worsens over time).

Bow legs are not just a reason for an inferiority complex,it causes uneven pressure to the outer and inner part of the knee-joints and this has been proven to lead to early Arthritis,as well as knee pain and progressive deformation.After arthritis develops,a patient may need to undergo knee replacement.

The only way to be protected from knee-joint arthritis is the surgery for the correction of bow legs.There is a very effective method used in the correction of limb deformities called the Ilizarov method.

Here are some useful sites to visit to make enquiries on correction

www.ladisten.com
www.doctorveklich.com
You can also search on google for the following
-The Hospital for Special Surgery,New York
-Apollo Hospitals,India
-Fatimah Hospital,Malaysia.

There are other sites where issues like this are being discussed.Examples are

www.healthboards.com
www.indiaparenting.com
http://www.bowlegged.com/
Bowed legs correction surgery is more reasonably priced in India (This is my personal opinion) and the cost for both legs ranges from $3000-$8000 (according to the replies I got from some of enquiries I made with some hospitals in India).  You should also bear in mind the cost of air ticket, cost of hospital stay etc.

Here is a link to an interview with someone who has had the surgery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnZBlMEdGNs


I'll be posting more information on this from time to time.I'm also looking to do a correction for my slightly bowed legs, as soon as I get the money to do so.  Attached is a picture of my legs.

You are highly welcome to contribute to this discussion.

WELCOME

I finally made it here...you are welcome to share my thoughts and wishes here.Got a lot of them,I tell you...from what I see on the streets,on T.V,meeting people...too much to share(at least,I'll stop complaining to myself).

Yea...and I'm Renée(which means Reborn/Rebirth).I hope you join me here everytime I have something to share,to read and contribute...

Just a little about myself...I'm in my early 20's(close to the mid years),I speak English,French and my native dialect fluently...Looking for someone to put me through the beginner-level of spanish so that I can improve on the language myself...ummm,and I would really love to visit Paris soon.

I have a lot of wishes like every young adult...but you never get most of them in reality especially if you live in a third world country like I do.A peep into my most wanted wish....I would really love to correct my bow legs through surgery but there isn't a single hospital that is ready to take up such a herculian task(I can't believe its such a big deal)for someone my age in the country where I reside.The gist is that there are only 3 major orthopaedic hospitals in my country,and as such,they only attend to critical situations and not cosmetic cases like mine(how on earth will someone consider the correction of a limb deformity cosmetic).But,I'm looking elsewhere though...guess where?Indiaaaaa!!!!!

I am really amazed at the enormous development India has achieved in the Medical,Pharmaceutical,Information technology fields etc...and whats more,the prices charged are very competitive and reasonable compared to other parts of the world with the same level of advancement.I searched endlessly online for a solution to limb deformities like bowed legs,knocked knees etc in adults and found just a few things...I found a forum called www.indiaparenting.com where I was shocked at the number of young adults and older people alike living helplessly with the condition.I also concluded that one can never truly get over wanting to have normal legs irrespective of age,as I found even women in their 50s who still wanted to get their legs straightened.Its amazing how those with normal legs dont understand what you have to contend with everyday(you have problems shopping for clothes and shoes as you have to always think of hiding the shape of your legs,and if you are like me,who always have pains after walking a few metres).

You are invited to share your thoughts and invite others to do so as well.