eBooks from Mommypotamus The Busy Mama’s Guide to Getting Dinner On The TableSubscribe to my newsletter and receive this FREE GUIDE along with exclusive coupons, links to recommended products, and much more! I'm Heather, aka The Mommypotamus. I’m a wife, mom, real food lover, research geek, and amateur homesteader. Don’t miss these popular posts Why I Ditched Meal Plans For Real PlansSafe Essential Oils For Babies And ChildrenMTHFR Gene Mutations: A Beginner’s GuideHow To Really Increase Happiness In 5 Minutes A Day15 Ways To Be Kind To Your Adrenals(Image credit: Nicole Crowder) Professional Organizer Amelia Meena helps clients get their homes in order and, as we all know, that often involves getting rid of things no longer needed. To help out with this weekend's outbox assignment, I asked her to share her list of great places to donate, because if you're clearing out, you just may be able to help out as well! She kindly shared her big, professional-strength, power list of the best of the best - from ways to recycle to organizations that will make the most of what you have to share.
These are the classic go-to’s for donating any and all homegoods. Friendly advice: Schedule a pick-up in advance; Plan your de-cluttering project around your pick-up date; Inquire about any restrictions (every center has the right to refuse items based on their condition or use). These are two of my favorite resources because they connect your donated goods directly and immediately to a needy cause. Habitat for Humanity can take gently-used or like- new household items to outfit the structures built by volunteers. And Freecycle is a grassroots community of people giving away their old belongings to others within their own town. (Vietnam Vets of America) (Paralyzed Veterans of America) In addition to scheduling a pick-up or drop-off time with one of these organizations, I encourage my clients to find a Family Shelter in their neighborhood. As a temporary home for men, women and children alike, they often welcome a variety of clothing (as well as toys, electronics and some homegoods).
Make sure to call ahead and inquire about designated donation times/practices. Both of these non-profit companies focus on outfitting an individual for a professional job interview. If their NYC-based headquarters are inconvenient for you, they offer lists of local affiliates. Keep in mind the clothing must be business-professional, gently-used, clean and in style. Formalwear, Prom and Bridal Dresses Love, love, LOVE these organizations! From prom to weddings, sweet 16’s to a quinceanera, formals to black-tie events, women often buy a dress for a single occasion, never to be worn again. Let that dress have another night out, even if it’s not with you. Did you know that most tech companies are recycle-savvy? Apple will offer you a discount when you recycle an old iPod or iPhone with them. Staples will accept all Dell products for recycling. And most BestBuy stores have a recycling center in their front lobby for most electronics and large appliances (even if you didn’t buy it from them).
DVDs + Video Games Give your unwanted video games and movies to sick children, veterans and others in need? No more excuses- just do it. (National Network to End Domestic Violence) I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found an Appleshine client’s cell phone stash. A pile of old cell phones that they’re hanging on to because...well, just cause. Now you can turn that old phone into a new sense of empowerment for others. And most mobile carriers offer in store recycling, too. Admittedly, hardcopy books are on the decline. Some public libraries still take donations (especially children’s books). However, donating books to these organizations help promote literacy and education within our country’s many correctional facilities. Art Supplies + Musical Instruments (Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation) Funding for music and arts is often the first to get cut. Lack of funding means lack of instruments and supplies. Consider these organizations, or even check with your local school system, when you have some spare Crayolas, construction paper or old Recorders lying around.
( (Suitcases to Kids in Foster Care) (Linens for Animal Shelters) (Gift Cards to Charitable sources) Finally, if this list has proven anything, it’s that the Internet has made donating, recycling and reusing old materials simple and easy. Just a quick Google search can provide a few choices. And if you’re ever stumped on the best way to donate an item, just go back to source. Call the store, company or person that you got it from and see if they have any ideas. The resources listed above represent a small portion of donation centers across the country (and the world). As awareness grows, so will this list. Feel free to add any of your favorite Donation Centers in the comments below! Big thanks to Amelia Meena of Appleshine for the super helpful list. Check out more from Amelia on Apartment Therapy:Subscribe to ePublications email updates. Print this fact sheet Fibromyalgia fact sheet (PDF, 476 KB) Autoimmune diseases fact sheet Chronic fatigue syndrome fact sheet
Fibromyalgia (fye-bro-mye-AL-ja) is a disorder that causes aches and pain all over the body. People with fibromyalgia also have "tender points" throughout their bodies. Tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs that hurt when pressure is put on them. In addition to pain, people with fibromyalgia could also have: Fibromyalgia affects as many as 5 million Americans ages 18 and older. Most people with fibromyalgia are women (about 80 - 90 percent). However, men and children also can have the disorder. Most people are diagnosed during middle age. Fibromyalgia can occur by itself, but people with certain other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other types of arthritis, may be more likely to have it. Individuals who have a close relative with fibromyalgia are more likely to develop it themselves. The causes of fibromyalgia are not known. Researchers think a number of factors might be involved. Fibromyalgia can occur on its own, but has also been linked to:
People with fibromyalgia often see many doctors before being diagnosed. One reason for this may be that pain and fatigue, the main symptoms of fibromyalgia, also are symptoms of many other conditions. Therefore, doctors often must rule out other possible causes of these symptoms before diagnosing fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia cannot be found by a lab test. A doctor who knows about fibromyalgia, however, can make a diagnosis based upon two criteria: Your doctor may try to rule out other causes of your pain and fatigue. Testing for some of these things may make sense to you. For instance, you may find it reasonable that your doctor wants to rule out rheumatoid arthritis, since that disease also causes pain. Testing for other conditions — such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, or sleep apnea — may make less sense to you. But fibromyalgia can mimic or even overlap many other conditions. Talk with your doctor. He or she can help you understand what each test is for and how each test is part of making a final diagnosis.
Fibromyalgia can be hard to treat. It's important to find a doctor who has treated others with fibromyalgia. Many family doctors, general internists, or rheumatologists can treat fibromyalgia. Rheumatologists are doctors who treat arthritis and other conditions that affect the joints and soft tissues. Treatment often requires a team approach. The team may include your doctor, a physical therapist, and possibly other health care providers. A pain or rheumatology clinic can be a good place to get treatment. Treatment for fibromyalgia may include the following: Besides taking medicine prescribed by your doctor, there are many things you can do to lessen the impact of fibromyalgia on your life. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, meaning it lasts a long time — possibly a lifetime. However, it may be comforting to know that fibromyalgia is not a progressive disease. It is never fatal, and it will not cause damage to the joints, muscles, or internal organs. In many people, the condition does improve over time.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia are alike in many ways. In fact, it is not uncommon for a person to have both fibromyalgia and CFS. Some experts believe that fibromyalgia and CFS are in fact the same disorder, but expressed in slightly different ways. Both CFS and fibromyalgia have pain and fatigue as symptoms. The main symptom of CFS is extreme tiredness. CFS often begins after having flu-like symptoms. But people with CFS do not have the tender points that people with fibromyalgia have. To be diagnosed with CFS, a person must have: Many experts in fibromyalgia do not suggest patients go on disability. These experts have found that if patients stop working, they: All of these things can make a patient feel more alone and depressed. These three things tend to make fibromyalgia symptoms worse. Deciding to go on disability is a hard choice that you should talk about with your doctor or nurse. However, if you cannot work because of your fibromyalgia, contact the Social Security Administration for help with disability benefits.
You may qualify for disability benefits through your employer or the Federal Government. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) are the largest Federal programs providing financial assistance to people with disabilities. Although the medical requirements for eligibility are the same under the two programs, the way they are funded is different. SSDI is paid by Social Security taxes, and those who qualify for assistance receive benefits based on how much they have paid into the system. SSI is funded by general tax revenues, and those who qualify receive payments based on financial need. For information about the SSDI and SSI programs, contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases sponsors research to help understand fibromyalgia and find better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent it. For more information about fibromyalgia, call womenshealth.gov at 800-994-9662 (TDD: 888-220-5446) or contact the following organizations: