Birdability: Accessibility and Inclusiveness in The Outdoors
If you’ve ever been to one of the AnCan art classes, you might know me as the art/ painting instructor. It’s me, hi! I’m the kind of person who likes to make it my business to remind everyone to take a deep breath and smell the roses. Maybe paint the roses, too. Do something you love to do. That’s easy to say to an able-bodied person. What if you’re not quite an able-bodied person, but you still adore outdoor activities, like bird-watching?
That’s where Birdability comes into the picture! Meet Virginia Rose; Birdability’s Founder and Chair Emeritus. Virginia fell off a horse when she was a teenager, and has been a wheelchair user ever since. She and Rick Davis had a chance encounter at the grocery store recently when he helped her reach a bottle of champagne from the shelves. That’s where he learned all about Birdability and Virginia’s passion for merging accessibility with her love for birds and natural spaces.
Birdability works hard to call attention to the need for accessible spaces and an inclusive mindset in places that aren’t traditionally thought of as accessible: the outdoors.
“Often it is the environment that is disabling, rather than the person who is disabled” – Birdbility
Their entire mission is to bring the joys of birding and the outdoors to those who may not otherwise be able to experience it. Birding was a hobby that Virginia really leaned into and it helped her to “discover her best self in nature”. Birding can be for anybody and and body; it’s up to the abled to be welcoming to those who may not be as abled.
Even if you, or a friend, have some visual impairments, there are guides on how to bird watch with limited vision; including using sounds and tools to help with your identification. Maybe some of our VSS people can benefit?
Probably my favorite feature, however, has to be the birding map, which was made in partnership with the National Audubon Society and local contributors. It’s a map intended to help locate accessible trails and outdoor spaces throughout the world. You can filter through so many different features, including surface type (asphalt, concrete, gravel, etc), bathrooms along a trail, parking fees, car birding, and so much more.
I scrolled through other continents just to see what’s out there. I’m sad (but not surprised) to see that there’s not much in he way of accessibility outside the United States, Canada, and Europe. I’m sure there are more parks and places that can be added. I think this just shows how much of a necessary resource that this organization provides. Honestly, I may even use this tool myself to find accessible trails for my own outdoor activities, like painting outside in the park.
“Websites and recommendations from park staff are frequently incomplete — and so unreliable — sources of a location’s true accessibility, and what is accessible for one user may not be accessible for another.”
So many of us want to be outside, but just can’t find reliable information about how to just exist outside. It’s easy to say that an outdoor area has accessible pavement, for example, but is the concrete well-managed and actually accessible for a wheelchair or cane user? Is it on a slope? Are there van-accessible parking spaces? Is there enough shade from the sun? Are there food trucks or other snack/food options? So many things to consider.
That’s where you, if you’re interested in birding, can come in and organize a fun local meetup. You have the tools you need right here!
Anyway, hopefully it isn’t too cold for you to be outside just yet! Go check out Birdability and their Blog and tell us what you think!
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Foundation Medicine, Janssen, Myriad Genetics, Novartis, Telix & Blue Earth Diagnostics.
WELCOME all to our newly recorded Low/Intermediate Prostate Cancer Group. To receive notice when new recordings are posted, either follow us on this YouTube Channel or sign up to our Blog via https://ancan.org/contact-us/ – check New Blog box.
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussions are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 @or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
AnCan’s Prostate Cancer Forum is back (https://ancan.org/forums). If you’d like to comment on anything you see in our Recordings or read in our Reminders, just sign up and go right ahead. You can also click on the Forum icon at the top right of the webpage.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/
Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Editor’s pick: The use of different labs to measure PSA, can lead to inconsistent results. CE
Special Note: Note: Rick Davis and Alexa Jett enjoyed being “live” with Dr. Mark in person for this meeting, also Andrew makes an appearance.
Topics Discussed: High PSA with biopsy; research of treatment protocols; active surveillance; MRI guided biopsy; PI-RADS 4&5 lesions; positive cores not showing up on MRI; anxiety with regards to active surveillance and treatment; elevated PSA – standing alone does not necessitate biopsy; use the same lab for better consistency in lab results; change in tumor size; diet; inflammation; IRE clinical trials; focal treatment; radical prostatectomy; cardiovascular risk factors and pacemakers; risk of infection while wearing a catheter; Decipher score; PCRI Conference; Centers of Excellence; PET scans; potential of cancer spreading outside of the prostate; abnormalities in bladder and rectal wall; SBRT; ProAct adjustable continence therapy; hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its application to prostate cancer treatment; Prostox score; reminder of the other groups such as Men Speaking Freely.
Chat
Eric M. Atlanta
Theranostics I believe is the name?
John A
Igancio, there are several ways we deal with scanxiety. Behavior: exercise, other activities ie yoga, attending groups and sharing. Cognition: distraction, cognitive therapy techniques, mindfulness, meditation. Medication: as needed short term antianxiety meds for panicky anxiety or sleep, or antidepressants which block panicky anxiety. Therapy: behavioral, psychotherapy. Time can lessen it though as rick said even us oldtimers get it, but it’s not so fresh and harsh.
Ignacio
Thank you John! Actually, I do not believe I have “scananxiety” as much as “results anxiety”, not only from scans but also from PSA tests. However, time and experience have helped quite a bit. I have accepted my situation and am willing to take actioin if needed!
Ignacio
Thank you!
John A
MedGasRes. 2018 Oct-Dec; 8(4); 167-171. doi:10.4103/2045-9912.248268 Further application of hyperbaric oxygen in prostate cancer. Lu et al
Gregg – Metro Detroit
Adios guys – gotta go!
John A
clarify spelling/pronunciation: SpaceOAR hydrogel is one brand of the 3 Mark mentioned
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PCa Video Chat, Oct 10, 2023
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Foundation Medicine, Pfizer, Janssen, Myriad Genetics, Myovant, Telix & Blue Earth Diagnostics.
UPCOMING WEBINAR – Let’s talk Medicare 2024!Monday, Oct 30 8.00 pm Eastern Register at http://tinyurl.com/ancanmedicare . We plan NOT to make this scary!!!
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussions are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
AnCan’s Prostate Cancer Forum is back (https://ancan.org/forums). If you’d like to comment on anything you see in our Recordings or read in our Reminders, just sign up and go right ahead. You can also click on the Forum icon at the top right of the webpage.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Editor’s pick:Does it make sense to keep your cancer off guard?… & the Group talks A-fib! (rd)
Topics Discussed
AnCan loses two long term men on same day; Zometa side effects; 3+3 (??) newbie addresses mets after 20 years; Gent running out of options needs current sequencing … and new doc; does it make sense to keep the cancer off guard?; addressing A-fib; reducing visceral fat with exercise addresses sarcopenia; darolutamide refused so Gent starts with Orgovyx alone; Payer wrongly refusing NGS somatic testing; blood in urine could be RT cystitis – cystoscopy required; PCa recurs only within the gland.
Chat Log
Matt Kriegersent · 3:32 PM
Here are my recent PSA trends, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster and I would appreciate any feedback. My treatment history is external radiation and HDR brachytherapy completed April 2020, and I was on 2 anti-androgens until June 2022. So 9 (Sept.)/2022 <.06, 1/2023 .06, 3/2023 .06, 6/2023 .35, 7/2023 .17, 8/23 .24, 9/2023 .07 I’m seeing my urologist tomorrow because a few weeks ago, for the only time other than the one biopsy and brachy, I had some blood in my urine – that was surprising but hasn’t happened again since.
sent · 3:35 PM
Too many things to do. You need to talk with the group. You need to make changes now.
Jim Marshall, Alexandria, VAsent · 3:44 PM
Genitourinary Medical Oncologist
John Asent · 3:48 PM
“LHRH antagonist drugs include relugolix (Orgovyx) and degarelix (Firmagon). These will suppress testosterone rapidly and don’t need the premedication with another drug.
Jim Marshall, Alexandria, VAsent · 3:50 PM
Abiraterone for Castration-Sensitive guys is 5MG of Prednisone
John Asent · 3:50 PM
Then, a second dug may be added to add to the testosterone suppression: abiraterone or darolutamide or enzalutamide.
marc valenssent · 3:56 PM
genitourinary MedOnc at Fred Hutchinson in Seattle: Petros Grivas
J. Wardsent · 4:00 PM
I need to hop off now; thanks for allowing me speak about Ken Anderson.
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PCa Video Chat, Oct 2, 2023
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Foundation Medicine, Pfizer, Janssen, Myriad Genetics, Myovant, Telix & Blue Earth Diagnostics.
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussions are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
AnCan’s Prostate Cancer Forum is back (https://ancan.org/forums). If you’d like to comment on anything you see in our Recordings or read in our Reminders, just sign up and go right ahead. You can also click on the Forum icon at the top right of the webpage.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Editor’s pick:What next… more Keytruda or switch to Pluvicto?? (rd)
Topics Discussed
Navigating slow-developing recurrence; early days treating denovo lymph mets; Embr to the rescue; post-RT urinary stricture creates problem; hormone therapy poses exercise issues for some of our older Gents; intermittent immunotherapy; new hip after much HT; Group suggests patience before switching therapy; older Gent favors savings to hot flashes; what next when HT does its job? – exercise and a GU med onc!
Meet 1st & 3rd Mondays 0800pm ET and 2nd and 4th Tuesday 0600pm ET . Jim
Boykin Jordan – Springfield, VAsent · 5:48 PM
Thanks Jim — I’ll update my calendar
AnCan – ricksent · 5:56 PM
Embr wave Ancan50
https://embrlabs.com/products/embr-wave-2
sent · 6:08 PM
I’m in Palatine and am always looking for people to bicycle with.
russ hooversent · 6:16 PM
holmium laser enucleation procedure
sent · 6:24 PM
773-294-4151 I’m off to AZ on the 15th for the season, let’s definitely get together in the spring
sent · 6:38 PM
Akeega contains two active substances: niraparib and abiraterone acetate.
Julian – Houstonsent · 6:39 PM
Great talk tonight again! Catch you next week. Thank you.
GARY Zsent · 6:58 PM
Gentlemen – Big thanks to all. Had Mohs outpatient surgery 730am today for basal cell on side of face…need to say goodnight for today’s forum. I look forward to our next one. Best, Gary Z.
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PCa Video Chat, July 3, 2023
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Foundation Medicine, Pfizer, Janssen, Myriad Genetics, Myovant, Telix & Blue Earth Diagnostics.
AnCan’s Prostate Cancer Forum is back https://ancan.org/forums. If you’d like to comment on anything you see in our Recordings or read in our Reminders, just sign up and go right ahead. You can also click on the Forum icon at the top right of the webpage.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Editor’s Pick: This meeting was packed with lots of good stuff – from diabetes management on HT to the equivalency of gentle vs strenuous exercise (rd)
Topics discussed
Hormone treatment and diabetes management (see Chat); next ‘foamy gland’ treatment discussion; do I need a bone strengthener – pros & cons; does TP53 increase risk for other cancers?*; can ADT result in physical anxiety?; advanced prostate cancer management at Walter Reade Military Hospital; are scans a valid protocol to close out hormone therapy treatment?; is gentle vs strenuous exercise equivalent? * My lack of concern over TP53 is based on somatic mutations only! Germline TP53 carries risk for other cancers. (rd)
Chat Log
Ben Nathanson sent · 5:16 PM I think Jeff Marchi is right about the new video…we finally appear to have more than 25 cameras on!
Jim Marshall, Alexandria, VA sent · 5:18 PM It appears I can get up to 30 screens of people. jim Sylvester sent · 5:19 PM Sylvester has nothing tonight. I can hear this session. Thanks.
sent · 5:21 PM I can only get 8 active cameras. People go blank including me, and the 8 rotate between many people. If I pick everyone all but 8 cameras are blank, but I see 28 boxes If more than 28 here, it is now possible to slide over and see another screen of 28. That’s new
Larry Fish sent · 5:31 PM newer diabetes medications: I am on Mounjaro very effective AIC down from 8.1 to 7.1 in just 2 months; other more popular medication is Ozempic (sp?)
Steve Schuler sent · 5:53 PM Bye, have a safe 4th folks!
David Muslin sent · 6:14 PM What was that the name of the drug that Len just mentioned?
AnCan – rick sent · 6:15 PM Zometa
John A sent · 6:25 PM sorry pl defer to Dr Jack. Yes to PT and relaxation techniques. Yes to therapy for underlying fear. Can’t eliminate the cause–ADT and PCa.
David Muslin sent · 6:35 PM For what it’s worth, my Rad Onc at Northwestern stayed in touch with me for 12 months after my SBRT treatment
sent · 6:40 PM My Rad Onc is ordering a PSMA Pet scan. My Med Onc is ordering my meds.
AnCan – rick sent · 6:42 PM You need a GU med onc, Jay!
John A sent · 6:49 PM I tried that on my doc, and he was one of the authors of ARCHES. He declined to order any scans until my PSA got at least to .2.
Neil Sundstrom sent · 6:51 PM can you put that scan name in the chat?
george rovder arlington va sent · 6:52 PM https://peterattiamd.com/rajpaulattariwala/ Rajpaul Attariwala, M.D., Ph.D.: Cancer screening with full-body MRI scans and a seminar on the field of radiology
sent · 6:59 PM Diffusion weighted MRI. Dr. Raipaul Attariwala in Vancouver at AIM medical imaging
Frank Fabish Columbus OH sent · 7:01 PM Have a great 4th. See you next week.
Stan Friedman sent · 7:05 PM Len, are you on a beta blocker? I was experiencing real shortness of breadth a month ago and went to my internist. I had been taking propranolol for years to calm an essential tremor I had. He took my off the beta blocker and my short windedness disappeared and my fatigue lessened as well. Of course, my tremor is back, but I can deal with that.
Neil Sundstrom sent · 7:06 PM Gotta go. Happy 4th everyone.
David Muslin sent · 7:10 PM I have to roll gents. Have a safe 4th. Enjoy your families and be in the moment.
Cliff Collins sent · 7:11 PM I really must get some rest. I have a big bike ride in the morning. Please enjoy the 4th with family and friends.
Dennis Correia sent · 7:11 PM great discussion on exercise.
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PCa Video Chat, May 23, 2023
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Foundation Medicine, Pfizer, Janssen, Myriad Gentics, Myovant & Telix
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/
Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Editor’s Pick: Handcuffed by HMO, making the best of it. (bn)
Topics Discussed
Memory issues, but HMO won’t allow him darolutamide — try monotherapy abi?; tumors block TURP surgery, hoping ADT will ease surgeon’s job; AnCan pushes for better Orgovyx pricing; acupuncture and hot flashes; abi first, then enzalutamide — not the reverse; doing well on daro doublet after chemo; Orgovyx probably won’t thin the fog; mulling DEXA scan report; daro monotherapy addresses heart issue; filling the need for exercise with an e-bike; how much vitamin D?; grateful after switching to a GU oncologist; keep alert to side effects in Xgeva and Prolia; AnCan’s prostate cancer forum is back (https://ancan.org/forums); Embr Wave outdoors; landing an appointment with Oliver Sartor.
Chat Log
Harry Spila · 7:58 PM gotta go, take care everyone
AnCan – rick · 7:59 PM Happy riding!
Harry Spila · 8:00 PM ?
Mike Yancey – Oklahoma · 8:06 PM Gotta run
julian – houston · 8:06 PM great conversation, as always. Enjoy your Memorial Weekend!
