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Saturday, March 26, 2011

The Story of David Reimer: Born a boy, Raised as a girl


A bunch of us were talking about the topic of sex reassignment surgery the other week, so I thought I’d dig this one up. 
It’s a story about twin boys born in Winnipeg, Canada. 
A few months after birth, the twins went to the hospital to get circumcised. 
Using electrical circumcision machinery, an accident occurred and David’s penis was burned off. 
With the help of Dr. Money, the family decided to raise David as a girl. 
The ending is quite tragic as you'll see. 
Despite the tragic ending, there is still more emphasis on nurture over nature today!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Dr. Phil: Body Obsessed Boys

I'm a big fan of Dr. Phil. Thought I'd share this.

The episode is about Eric, a 15 year old boy with an eating disorder. He has a phobia of gaining body fat.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHE5BTPjd3k&NR=1
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEpacHniSZc&NR=1
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN67MvvgFPM&feature=related

If you want to see the entire episode, you can find the other parts on youtube as well.

In Part 6, you get to see Troy, a physical education teacher who doesn't practice what he preaches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esz3zCtaFB8&feature=related

Eating disorders are much more common in women which often causes physicians to fail to diagnose these problems in males. Also, the stigma inherent in having an eating disorder as a male causes most men to delay treatment. 

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Tanzanian Girls Risking Rape for an Education


Another interesting read about how girls in Tanzania risk living in nearby ghettos which are closer to school than their home towns. Harassment and rape in the ghettos have increased school drop out rates. Those who haven’t dropped out have a difficult time studying and learning due to their constant fear of being harmed.  

Friday, March 4, 2011

Kenya’s Mentally Ill Locked up and Forgotten


This is a great video and article Deb sent me. Thanks Deb!!
The 10 mins documentary “Locked up and forgotten”:
In developing countries, the mentally ill are often locked up, forgotten, and neglected.

Here, you see Thomas Matoke’s home where he has been tied up to a bed with limited activity for over 30 years.

There are 2 additional short clips at the bottom of the article:
1) Joseph’s grim story
Joseph was severely disabled at birth. His condition has deteriorated throughout the years due to neglect. Joseph’s mom has been consumed by his care for over 40 years.
2) Rare glimpse of Mathari hospital in Kenya 
Patients are crammed in small dorms. Some patients claim to have been raped by other patients while the hospital staff does nothing.