local news
Stress
continued from page 1
As I stood in line to check-in at the
emergency room my heart began
pounding again, I was trying to fill out
the paperwork and found I didn’t have
sufficient strength in my right hand to
hold the pen and when asked what
was wrong my response came through
extremely slurred speech. “I can’t
talk and I can’t write” was all I
could reply as the tears started to
flow down my face. My blood
pressure was 205/132!
I was very fortunate. I was only
in the hospital for two days. The
assessment indicated I had suf-
fered an acute mild stroke/tran-
sient ischemic attack likely sec-
ondary to hypertensive emer-
gency. I was told again that I
needed to make some lifestyle
changes. I stayed home to rest for
a couple of days and had quite a bit of
time to think. I knew that many people
have died from strokes and I was okay
with dying. But, the thoughts that con-
sumed my mind centered on what if
this condition doesn’t kill me; what if I
became disabled? That scenario woke
me up.
Heart disease and stroke are major
health concerns for all people, but
African Americans are particularly at
high risk. The good news is that you
can take positive action to live longer
and stronger.
Yes, I am a recovering workaholic.
Like so many women, I had derived
events about the warning signs of heart
disease and stroke. More importantly I
talk about the controllable factors –
things we have the ability to adjust in
our lives. If through my story and my
example I can help one other woman
turn her life around for the better, I will
have accomplished much more
than I ever accomplished on any
job, any assignment or any proj-
ect I’ve undertaken over the past
40 years.
My story is part of the
Checking Our Pulse exhibit cur-
rently at the Northwest African
American Museum in Seattle.
Through this exhibit, you will
get to know critical health con-
cerns in the black community,
including heart disease and
stroke, and simple ways to make
positive lifestyle choices for yourself
and your family. To learn more about
Checking Our Pulse, visit www.naam-
nw.org. You can also get more infor-
mation about risk factors at www.pow-
ertoendstroke.org
The Checking Our Pulse exhibit runs
until June 5.
I sacrificed my health to
prove that I was good
enough or better than
whomever I was
competing against, and I
ignored all the wakeup
calls along the way
my identity and my self-worth from
my job, my abilities, and my accom-
plishments. I sacrificed my health to
prove that I was good enough or better
than whomever I was competing
against, and I ignored all the wakeup
calls along the way.
As often as possible, I speak at
churches, businesses and women’s
Natalie ellington
Red Cross
continued from page 1
at the foundation of the work of the Red
Cross and are at the core of international
humanitarian law. These rules have been
adopted by all governments in order to
reduce suffering in war,” says Bonnie
McElveen-Hunter, chairman of the
American Red Cross.
The Red Cross commissioned two sur-
veys, one of younger Americans between 12
Nearly 3/5 youth (59 percent) – compared
to 51 percent of adults – believe there are
times when it is acceptable to torture the
enemy.
More than 2/5 youth (41 percent) believe
there are times when it is acceptable for the
enemy to torture captured American prison-
ers, while only 30 percent of adults agree.
More than half of youth (56 percent)
believe that there are times
when it is acceptable to kill
enemy prisoners in retaliation
if the enemy has been killing
American prisoners, while
only 29 percent of adults
agree.
The global Red Cross and
Red Crescent network and
the Geneva Conventions had
their start after Henry Dunant
witnessed the devastating consequences of
war at a battlefield in Italy. In the aftermath
of that battle, Dunant argued successfully
for the creation of a civilian relief corps to
respond to human suffering during conflict,
and for rules to set limits on how war is
waged.
Inspired in part by her work in the Civil
War, Clara Barton would later found the
American Red Cross and also
advocate for the U.S. ratifica-
tion of the first Geneva
Convention.
The Red Cross has devel-
oped
the
“Exploring
Humanitarian Law” curricu-
lum which can be incorporat-
ed into social studies and his-
tory classes. More than 1200
schools in all 50 states
already use these resources.
“The American Red Cross curriculum on
humanitarian law can tie the history of the
Civil War with conflicts occurring today
across the world, and show the importance
of basic rules through time that protect the
rights of combatants and citizens,” said
Elisabeth Vasquez Hein, international serv-
ices programs manager for the American
Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap
Counties. “The Red Cross urges teachers in
schools throughout our community and our
state to include this curriculum as part of
A list of HUD-approved counselors is
available at http://hud.gov/. DFI provides a
number of resources for homeowners facing
foreclosure at www.homeownership.wa.gov
To verify whether a company offering res-
idential loan modification is licensed by
licensing, licensee examinations, investiga-
tions, and enforcing selected state and fed-
eral statutes and rules. Consumer Services
regulates the business activities of con-
sumer loan companies, mortgage brokers,
money transmitters and currency exchang-
source.
About
DFI
www.dfi.wa.gov
▪
360.902.8700 ▪ 877.RINGDFI (746.4334)
The Washington State Department of
Financial Institutions regulates a variety of
financial service providers such as banks,
credit unions, mortgage brokers, consumer
loan companies, payday lenders and securi-
ties brokers and dealers. The department
also works to improve financial education
throughout Washington through its outreach
programs and online clearinghouse
www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education. In
addition to posting information about
licensees and administrative actions, DFI
uses the Web and social media to provide
financial
education
information:
www.twitter.com/FinEd4All
■
www.twitter.com/DFIConsumers
■
www.finlit.blogspot.com
■
www.youtube.com/user/WADFI
■
www.homeownership.wa.gov
‘The American Red Cross
curriculum on humanitarian
law can tie the history of the
Civil War with conflicts
occurring today’
and 17 and another of adults, and the results
showed that, in many cases, youth are more
inclined to support illegal actions in times
of war than adults:
More than 41 percent of youth
believe there are times when it
is acceptable for the enemy
to torture captured American
prisoners
their history and social studies courses,
especially as we mark the anniversary of the
Civil War.”
More information on the program can be
found at www.redcross.org/ehl.
For more information, visit www.seat-
tleredcross.org.
loans
continued from page 1
committed to ensuring the safety and sound-
ness of Washington’s mortgage industry —
including foreclosure prevention and assis-
tance,” DFI Director Scott Jarvis said. “It’s
appalling how many individuals continue to
take advantage of distressed homeowners in
the midst of one of the most difficult times
of their lives.”
As the mortgage crisis continues in
Washington, more homeowners are facing
the prospect of foreclosure. Some, in a des-
perate search for relief, cling to any offer of
help. Home Credit Law Center employees
call Washington homeowners offering that
relief for a $3,000 advance fee.
“Loan modification services are offered
for free through Housing and Urban
Development-approved specialists,” contin-
ued Bortner. “Before you pay for loan mod-
ification services, see if a HUD-approved
housing counselor can help you for free.”
To view the KING5-TV report by Jesse
Jones on Home Credit Law Center, go to
http://www.king5.com/
Brian R. Linnekens and his law firm charged with
taking property from Washington residents by
fraud or misrepresentation
DFI, go to www.dfi.wa.gov and click on the
“Verify License” link.
The mission of the Division of Consumer
Services is to protect consumers from ille-
gal and fraudulent lending practices. The
division accomplishes its mission through
ers, as well as check cashers and sellers,
also known as “payday lenders.” The
Division is entirely self-supporting, with
funding provided by licensing, auditing,
and policing of regulated businesses and
individuals. No money is received from the
state General Fund or other public revenue
april 13, 2011 The Seattle Skanner Page 3