Cancer Support Project 33 Dresses Holds First Annual Online Photography Celebration

Local woman business owner and breast cancer survivor Elissa Ashwood is helping people around the world celebrate the "good stuff" in life. Her project, 33 Dresses, launched in 2012 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer during her baseline mammogram at age 40. Instead of just donning a hospital gown, Ashwood dug in and decided to wear 33 different dresses for each of her 33 days of radiation. She set up a blog and a Facebook page, and surprisingly hundreds of people from around the world joined her. This national movement to break out the good stuff has inspired not only people dealing with cancer, but all those who are uplifted by dealing with the difficulties of life with grace.

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the project, Ashwood is inviting survivors, caregivers and those wanting to celebrate what's good in life no matter what to join her in "breaking out the good stuff". The Break Out the Good Stuff project encourages participants to take a photo every day for 33 days, documenting the "good stuff" in their life. Participants are wearing dresses, donning fun socks or ties and simply taking the time to appreciate the good things in their lives. Each day, participants who sign up will receive a 1-line inspirational email from Ashwood and will be encouraged to take a photo every day.

"This is a chance to not only enjoy your good stuff, but the hobby of photography," says Ashwood. "It's a free way to fill yourself up inside. It's not really about photos, it's about seeing the beautiful around you, and enjoying your life even more because of it. That's something we can all do, no matter how much time we have."

"The photography project seemed the perfect anniversary celebration," says Ashwood. "People who participated in the 33 Dresses project the first time were amazed at how wearing dresses and doing special things had an impact on their lives."

Participants can sign up at 33Dresses.com, and can use the hashtag #33Dresses on Instagram and Twitter. While the project starts on April 30th, it's ongoing through June 1st and open to participants at any time. Even people who only have time to take one or two photos in this time period are encouraged to share the beautiful things in their life.

Elissa Ashwood is the founder of Truly Accomplished, the measurement and feedback software company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations measure what matters. Based on 30 years of award-winning research, this powerful feedback and performance measurement system creates on average 150% increased effectiveness. It's used by successful companies and organizations seeking performance measurement metrics to increase productivity, guide employees on how to achieve goals, and measure system performance, and by independent individuals for planning and personal accomplishments. 33 Dresses is a special project of Truly Accomplished. All 33 Dresses materials and programs are free.

To learn more about the project and 33 Dresses, or to schedule an interview with Elissa Ashwood, contact Jasmine Davis at jdavis@communityelf.com or by phone at 412-224-4417.

Photography and video is available.

For more details please visit: http://www.trulyaccomplished.com/

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Precious Cargo Program Promotes Child Safety

Godsey Martin, P.C. today announced the re-launch of its "Project Precious Cargo" program, which gives families in need the chance to receive a free car seat along with guidance on proper installation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of death for children, and up to 80 percent of child car seats may not be installed properly.

"The cost of a car seat should not be a deterrent to keeping a child safe," said partner Justin Martin. "You can't put a price on anyone's life, especially a child's. Unfortunately, we witness these tragedies and the repercussions of improperly installed seats - or worse, no seat at all. For a minimal cost to our firm, we can help save lives and do what we can to make sure children are safe and properly restrained if they're ever in a car accident."

A key component to the program includes an educational element to ensure car seats are installed properly. The first step is buying the right car seat based on your child's age and size. The second step is making sure the car seat is installed properly so your child is actually protected. Winners of the car seat giveaways will be required to have the car seat installed (at no charge) by a certified car seat technician.

The weekly giveaway will run from February 1 through the end of the year. To enter for a chance to receive a car seat, consumers or those interested in nominating individuals can visit projectpreciouscargo.com and provide their name, phone number, email address and a brief description of why they or someone they know should receive a free car seat. One winner will be notified every week by email and/or phone. All entries will remain eligible for four weeks from the submission date.

"We have always been committed to our community," said partner David Godsey. "We feel a greater reward when we're able to give back. Paying it forward aren't just words for us. They're a call to action for our employees and an integral part of our team's culture."

About Godsey Martin, P.C.

Headquartered in Dallas, Godsey Martin, P.C. handles personal injury, wrongful death and medical malpractice cases. Well-known and respected, the firm has represented thousands of clients and regained millions of dollars on their behalf. For more information, visit ijustgothit.com or projectpreciouscargo.com.

Media Contact

Name: Justin Holderness
Godsey Martin, P.C.
O: 214-744-3339
C: 972-863-2330
Email address: Jholderness@ijustgothit.com

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India Gets Its First Modern, Retirement Old-Age Home

Bringing modern retirement to India, Dream and Beauty Charitable Trust (DBCT), has introduced Heavenly Palace, the first-ever modern, old-age retirement home in India. Located in Doraha, Punjab, this senior citizen home actively transforms the perception of old-age homes in the country.

"People in India usually consider old-age homes as a place of despair, grief and melancholy. Heavenly Palace is a social venture aimed at progressive and happy living for senior citizens", explains Brig. R.K. Khanna, CEO, Heavenly Palace.

According to Dream and Beauty Charitable Trust, this retirement home embodies ultra-modern facilities like an amphitheatre, auditorium, a library and entertainment area for the senior citizens. The 14 acre campus is designed to provide senior citizens with luxury facilities and qualified medical assistance at all times.

"Indian parents save for their children even when they are above 60 years of age. At Heavenly Palace, we encourage senior citizens to spend on themselves and enjoy a respected luxury living", explains Khanna.

In the past decade, old age homes in India have evolved in terms of facilities and outlook.

The management at Heavenly Palace encourages group of retired friends to relocate together. According to them, community assisted living homes for the elderly allow a happier retirement.

This modern retirement home is now being endorsed for group of senior citizens of Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, and Tamilian origin to relocate as a community. Non-resident Indian or NRI senior citizens are finding this old age home in India, a safe haven to relocate without their families.

"Old age homes or retirement homes in India have been seen as a social stigma so far. With Heavenly Palace, we are bringing the 'Happy Retirement' ideology to India. We need this change in the Indian mindset, because children become independent but parents still need company in their older years", says Khanna.

This retirement home has received a decent response in the first few months. It is being considered ideal for community living by the locals.

Dream and Beauty Charitable Trust was founded in the year 1996. The mission of the trust includes working for the senior citizens, hunger alleviation, girl child issues and deprived migrant population. The trust is headquartered at Doraha, Punjab, India.

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Hopping Law Group, PC wins Decision from Social Security Appeals Council

The Hopping Law Group, PC recently won a key decision from the Social Security Disability Appeals Council in Falls Church, VA remanding a case back to the Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ, in the Dallas North Office of Disability Adjudication and Review for further findings on the record.

After a hearing before the Administrative Law Judge and subsequent denial of benefits, The Hopping Law Group, PC filed an appeal of the Judge's decision. Attorney John Hopping asserted in his appeal that there were numerous inconsistencies regarding the Judge's decision finding that the claimant was capable of performing past relevant work as a customer service representative. Specifically, the Appeals Council held that the testimony of the vocational expert was inconsistent when he testified that the claimant could return to past relevant work as a customer service representative and stated that work was sedentary. There are no jobs listed in the Dictionary of Occupation Titles for a customer service representative that are sedentary. With this finding, the Appeals Council published an opinion that there was good cause to return the Claimant's case back to the hearing office for further review and possible approval of her claim for benefits.

This decision offers hope to the countless people struggling in their pursuits and dealings with the Social Security Administration since up to 50% of Claimants are denied at the hearing level. By retaining the Hopping Law Group to represent her for her claim, this Claimant may finally be awarded the benefits she has deserved. The remanding of this decision is promising news after a long fight in the pursuit of benefits. Mr. Hopping states that, "I fully support the decision by the Appeals Council and hope that this will be the final step in getting the benefits my client deserves." The Hopping Law Group, PC handles disability cases for disabled individuals throughout the state of Texas. The Hopping Law Group, PC has successfully represented numerous individuals at various stages in the process with obtaining their benefits. For more information, you can check out their website at www.texasdisabilitylawfirm.com or give them a call at (855) SSDI-NOW.

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Divorce or separation, don't run to lawyer's, run to the National Family Mediation Service

With the 1st of April rapidly approaching, most legal aid is about to end. Lord Neuberger commented to the BBC,

"I think we need to be careful not always to run to the lawyer when we think we've got a problem."

Lawyers come with expensive legal fees until now paid for by legal aid, but soon to become the problem of the respondents. A cheaper alternative to solicitors is the Family Mediation Service, where the fees are a fraction of the cost which the parties share equally.

Lord Neuberger, the President of the Supreme Court and the UK's senior judge has a vast amount of experience in these matters. His comments follow the sweeping changes to end legal aid in the majority of cases of divorce, separation and family dispute.

The National Family Mediation Service offers an affordable alternative to either paying large solicitor's bills or trying to fight the case themself. Family mediation has been in existence since April 2011 and has successfully worked with the courts and solicitors, to resolve disputed cases of divorce and separation.

The Government has made these moves try and save £350m a year on legal costs, and the top judge continues,

"This will mean that court hearings will last longer, the burden on court staff and judges will increase,"

If Lord Neuberger can envisage the potential chaos these cuts could make, it is easy to see how legal costs can escalate, leaving vulnerable people facing massive debts in order to get justice.

The National Family Mediation Service work's with both parties, either individually or together to resolve all disputes their divorce or separation may bring. After an assessment, they draw up an estimate of costs and both parties usually pay half each. This service is usually a fraction of the costs of litigation and decision are made by the parties to the mediation and not by the Courts. Mediation is not only cheaper but quicker and less stressful than litigation, allowing the parties to move on with their lives sooner than they would if they were involved in long drawn out and often protracted legal proceedings.

The public feel comfortable knowing they can seek justice with legal aid, which help's put them on a level playing field with those who can afford large legal fees. Taking this resource away from them will mean, as Lord Neuberger said,

"...or it will lead to people taking the law into their own hands."

Whether this means they will resort to illegal actions or clog up the courts as they try to resolve disputes for free, will only be known as the situation develops. The whole position has the potential of returning to the fear and distrust that was rife in the justice system prior to legal aid's introduction.

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National Family Mediation Service Prepared for Changes

"Read all about it! Government changes to legal aid funding means 200,000+ cases must pay their own legal fees."

In April 2013, the Government are introducing new legal aid rules that stop funding to all but the most serious cases. This means, for those contesting a divorce or separation through the court, they will pay their own legal fees. Solicitors charge between £150 to £200 an hour, it does not take a genius to work-out how expensive it can become.

However, it is not all doom and gloom, since April 2011 it has been compulsory for disputing couples to attend a minimum of one mediation session. The new rules allow for details, of divorce or separation, to be settled through a third party mediation service; this saves valuable court time and expensive solicitors fees. The National Family Mediation Service (NFMS) is an established mediation company working closely with solicitors; they have a wealth of experience in the field of family disputes.

The introduction of family mediation was to save tax payers money and try to stop the spread of 'the claim culture'. Anyone finding they are in this unpleasant situation, will now benefit from the new rules, using family mediation as an alternative to solicitors; and without the prospect of an excessive legal bill.

Mediation the new resolution to family proceedings

Mediators work closely with solicitors to resolve matters in a fair and effective way; with the best interests of everyone being the focus. They spend time with both parties negotiating the details, without using expensive solicitors. Once they arrive at a satisfactory conclusion for all parties, the agreement is presented to the court.

Unfortunately, mediation is not free. The fee is calculated before the process starts, and, although it is not an exact art it provides a good indication of the overall cost. Those costs are divided equally between the parties. The negotiations take place away from the drama of the court, so they are less stressful. Another benefit of mediation is neither solicitors nor legal representatives need to be present at the sessions; keeping the cost down further.

The National Family Mediation Service has a network of offices across the country so there will be no difficulty finding one. For more information and a list of offices, visit the website http://www.nationalfamilymediationservice.co.uk.

National Family Mediation Service has offices across the UK and specialises in Family Mediation matters and is accredited by the Family Mediation Service. Call on 0800 862 0502.

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CCU Debuts Enhanced Learning Management System

Over the course of this year, CCU will be rolling out a new learning management system, switching to Blackboard in an effort to create an enhanced learning experience for students. The Blackboard system will create a more streamlined integration between faculty and students, including a mobile app that allows students to check updates, watch video, or receive notifications on their cell phones.

"Our first priority was to improve the learning experience for students," said Sarah Scherling, assistant vice president of Academic Administration for CCU's College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS). "We wanted a seamless learning management system that was intuitive to operate and could deliver content to our robust online courses, as well as to supplement in-seat courses."

The Blackboard system will allow various courses to become less text-dependent, as content can be delivered through various media. While curriculum will stay the same, the student experience will not.

"Blackboard allows us to take a static experience and provide students more dynamic engagement," said Jason Drysdale, coordinator of instructional technology at CAGS. "It gives course designers a lot of opportunity to expand what students see and experience in their courses." For example, professors will have the opportunity to share messages or lectures by recording video directly in Blackboard. Elsewhere, threaded discussions will appear as a timeline, a format made popular by Facebook.

Additionally, staff will be able to run analytics and follow up with struggling students quickly and effectively while in the system. Overall, Blackboard will drastically reduce manual operations.

The decision to change learning management systems has been over a year in the making. In October 2011, CCU began examining systems in use in educational and business contexts, finally narrowing down to the top five contenders. After discussing criteria with these primary options, staff pored through literally hundreds of pages of research, and then presented the top three to stakeholders within the University. Blackboard was selected after months of examining data and discussing needs throughout CCU.

The new Blackboard system will become universal throughout the calendar year as CAGS moves to the system gradually, and the College of Undergraduate Studies switches before the 2013-14 school year.

For more details please visit: http://www.ccu.edu/

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