Wandalynn's views

Gratitude for the Men and Women of our Healthcare system.

2020-01-24T17:12:00.001-08:00

To the Men and Women of the Nova Scotia Healthcare system

I simply can not express the gratitude and thankfulness enough to these people. My name is Wanda Lynn Ellis (Boutilier) and I had been suffering for many years with C-PTSD, DEPRESSION, GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), DD (Dissociate disorder) and DA (Dissociative Amnesia). I also suffered with seizures (non-epileptic), going blind temporarily, and could not control my impulses all the while my brain or eyes was seeing it happen. ... This is called Functional Neurological Disorder.

I suffered a lot, with such pain that I am surprised I withstood it. I was alone in life with the exception of a controlling boyfriend or husband, no family, no friends. When I started the healing process is when the seizures started happening, right after reading having the courage to heal.

When no one knows the abuse you are enduring, they judge and look down on you. My responses were caused by unnatural acts caused by others. While I never spoke of it, I was kicked out of my apt because no one would listen to what I was trying to tell them. A lot of bad things happen to woman and men are being abused and can't find or have support. I made some bad choices to get out of the situations I was in. No excuse though, THEY WERE MY CHOICES, and I felt I had no choice.

Without the great people from the Mobile Crisis, Dartmouth General, the QE2, Mental Health services and, peer support I wouldn't be here today. They were there for me no matter how bad my situation was, and I give thanks to them all.

I am through it all, all of it. I did it with their help. It was so very much hard work but here I am, and I am so GRATEFUL.

I want to write a book of what had caused this, and I will. These people are the one thing that helped me to help myself to stay alive and finally be okay.

With much Love and Gratitude

Wanda Lynn Ellis (Boutilier)

The Ill effects of Vicarious Trauma no one talks about.

2019-12-24T12:30:00.001-08:00

The Ill effects of Vicarious Trauma no one talks about.

I want to start out by saying that not all people who suffer ill effects of vicarious trauma are therapists and people in the helping professions, In many cases it also effects friends or family, people who are supporting those with traumatic pasts or helping someone with an illness whether it's friends, family, police, fire, ambulance, Dr, nurses or clinicians and many more.

It is a hard thing to deal with when you have to look after others or treat others going through a hard time with illness or injury. I don't believe we understand the ramifications of not practicing good self care and time off. The helpers need helpers.

Many times, people suffer greatly.These symptoms are a type of PTSD.

Sleep disturbance.
Change in behaviors.
Eating habits are disrupted.
Emotional disturbances, sadness, anxiety, grief, depression etc.
Physical illness, headaches, stomach upset, body aches and pain.
Memory problems.

This isn't an exhaustive list there is much more.

It can not be stressed enough that you need to have a good self care regime. Without work, live balance you are certainly at risk for PTSD.

Also, if yourself have experienced any trauma you need to take special care as to not develop these symptoms. Without our helpers the world would be much worse off.

Let's treat people with respect and dignity, We all deserve it.

If you would like more information on Vicarious Trauma indicate in the comments below. We all deserve to be healthy and happy.

Love and Light as always

Wandalynn

Abuse of Power - The workplace epidemic.

2019-12-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

Abuse of Power - The workplace epidemic.

It's astonishing how many of us have come across Bullies, Micromanagers, Passive aggressive, control freak bosses.

Whether it's gossip, hovering over your every move, embarrassing or belittling you in front of other staff, most of us can say we have had these experiences.

Some of us stay at these toxic workplaces for far too long and it makes us sick. Either we burn out, get depressed and anxious, or even are manipulated and gas lighted so bad we begin to lose our sense of esteem and lose productivity.

There are many forms of Abuse of Power, I had the experience of dealing with this behavior most of my working life. Through, sexual harassment and assault, bullying, gossip, being belittled in front of others, having my job and or hours held above my head just because they could.

For anyone to have that much power and control over someones well being and financial safety is totally wrong and things need to change.

Everyone needs to work in the society we have created. Money and things have become top priority instead of people's lives, and well being.

Here are some examples of the effects of Abuse of Power in the workplace:

Stressed out employees.
Harassment and human rights claims.
High work pressures from being coerced, being told your not good enough, not fast enough.
Lack of trust for managers and supervisors.
Extreme turnover of staff.
Absenteeism from illness.
Low productivity due to stress and low functioning.

These are some examples of abuse of power you should know:

Continuously reminding an employee that he or she can be fired or replaced.
Enforcing companies policies and rules on employees without following them themselves.
Humiliating and belittling an employee in front of his or her colleagues.
Managers, supervisors or Boss mistreating employees when he or she is in a bad mood.
Condescending reactions to employee questions and concerns.
Constantly shifting the blame onto their employees for their own incompetence.
Putting their personal interests before the company and employees.
Withholding critical information from an employee that he or she needs to know to get a job done.
Forcing, coercing an employee to work overtime multiple times a week without additional pay or withholding raises due to greed and lying about how the company is doing.

If you know anyone dealing with these issues, let them know they are not alone and they deserve better.

Please leave your comments and share this blog post to help others in finding their voice and courage.

Thanks for reading

LOVE and LIGHT as always <3

Wandalynn

Empathy

2018-07-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

When you feel you are no good to anyone, unless you are helping.

I can tell you from my point of view, which others can and do make you, feel that way.

This may not be purposeful but it still has the exact same outcome.

For some people, it is purposeful. In this stage of my life, I don’t care very much anymore about much of what others may think of me.

Many night’s some of us sit and cry, wondering if anything or anyone is going to work out.

Is it true I am the fault of each and everything that I have endured?

Why, yes it is … you chose to stay in the mess … want to know why?

Sometimes you enter into a relationship too open and too trusting. This friend is a mistake, but I must say that sometimes circumstances are the biggest part of the problem.

When people are on the margins of society they have to do what is necessary to survive.

Can you imagine living in a car or in a tent? Can you put yourself in the shoes of that person who has no home?

Practice is important.

2018-07-18T15:44:00.001-07:00

What are the reasons for with-holding Medical Cannabis access?

2018-07-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

These are the reasons why I believe people are held back from Medical Cannabis.

*For thousands of years people have been using Cannabis.

In 1923, Cannabis was made illegal. People were given no reason why this plant was made illegal. However, I believe it is all money driven. What do we use on a daily basis? Some of the main things are paper, clothing, oils, rope, etcetera.

Hemp not to be confused with the high THC strain known as Cannabis, can be used to make all of these things and also, promote good health. This hemp oil has a near perfect oil structure.

I believe that competitive business drove this extremely useful plant out.

On the medical side of things using the high THC level or high CBD levels are with-held by certain companies if you can not afford the amount of money you need for your medicine.

Now, being able to have access and being able to afford it are two different issues. One, if you can't have access, if your situation changes and you can afford it you can feed their bottom line. If you can't feed their bottom line, which is the case for many or all business. I have had the experience of no, "We will pull your precription if you don't have a purchase history," well, that's great.

My agruement is that if I have access and can't afford it, it may not feed your bottom line but you are compassionate enough to let me have access, when I can afford it. If people are pro-active in making their lives better why not give them access.

In the paper and clothing aspect, it was taking business away from pulp and paper. NO! We can't have that. So they stripped it away and made it illegal. This plant heals the earth just by taking the toxins out of it, don't believe me, look at Hiroshima. They planted hemp plants and the environment and is infact being cleaned by the plants.

This is a wonder plant, and shouldn't be demonised.

Tracking myself on medical Cannabis.

2018-07-17T11:34:00.001-07:00

Two years ago I was prescribed medical Cannabis. We tried everything to treat my PTSD and Depression. The clonazapam I was on was very good at treating my seizures, movements and some of the other dissociative symptoms.

No one told me that this drug was a drug in which you could become physically dependent. Since being on Cannabis I have noticed that I have more control over my triggers.

For Cannabis to work, you need to be in a positive and supportive environment. When you are in a bad environment the intended result will not be achieved. The desired effect is bring your down back up, be able to have more control over your reactions.

These are just some of the things that have been helped through Cannabis.

1. When I in a place that you would be triggered by behavior, nuances and over all feel of a specific place, I am more calm, little sleepy but overall in a better place. I have had to get used to people tormenting ... Joking. It sometimes doesn't feel like a joke.

2. When I am in the company of someone who knows how to trigger me... even better. I get to learn how to not let it effect me. If it does happen to effect me I am so much better at dealing with and coming up with solutions to settle myself.

3. When overwhelmed I am able to stay with it and not do anything, just let it be.

4. Sometimes, under the right circumstances I can feel artistic and creative.

5. Now I am not saying I have no anxiety but able to deal with it better. The peace inside is coming ... with practice. Meditation is important. Making yourself exercise. Engaging with myself has been so great. Not pleasant but healing.

6. In order for your medical Cannabis or any other drug to have positive effects, you must be in a safe and healthy environment. If you aren't that's okay. Just hold on ... this will change. Overall, you will be able to adjust your reactions as you learn how the drug effects you. This has changed my life in a positive way, and I am Thankful some eyes were open to the great uses of Cannabis.

A Rare Look at the Secret Life of Orangutans - A review by Wandalynn.

2018-07-17T11:26:00.001-07:00

A Rare Look at the Secret Life of Orangutans

By Wandalynn Ellis

7/13/18

In this short film, “A Rare Look at the Secret Life of Orangutans” two passionate people dive into the unique world of the Wild Orangutans. Tim Laman, an award winning Photojournalist and Bird Expert with National Geographic and Melissa Lesh, an award winning Documentary Film maker, and founder of Emerging Earth Films from the United States, have constructed a creative look into the Secret Social and Cultural Structures of the Orangutans.

In the lowlands of the Borneo Rain-forest, there is a research station headed by Cheryl Knott. This long term project also has a young adventurer, who captures “rare and never before seen footage of these ‘People of the Forest.’” This piece had dramatic cinematography, and a mood of passion and conviction. There is much strength to this film; including it being directed, produced and edited by one or two creative people.

The combination of still camera, drone shots, and digital movie cameras gave the film depth, along with the soft yet dramatic music gave it a sense of urgency, sadness yet also heartwarming.

There is no plot or special effect to mention as this is a documentary. However; the transitions and the shots chosen by directors’ and editor made the film flow smoothly and added to the story. The professionals featured in this film know what they are talking about and have invested their lives to the cause. I feel these are great strengths and add credibility to the film.

The use of natural light was the only way to capture the natural setting, while the studio lights and backdrop were used for the standard interview taking place. Simple captions were used in the editing, giving the names and occupation for each professional. This film was insightful and informative but I was disappointed by the length.

This important research will be of service to our interests of keeping our Earth as healthy possible, by keeping these researchers, biologists and professors in their chosen field of study. In the scene in which Tim Laman was crossing paths with an Orangutan, he had a flash of insight into the similarities between us. Tim was crossing the river, at the very same time as an Orangutan, also being filmed, trying not to get his feet wet.

Bringing science and creativity together, we can bring a factual story to the world in a meaningful way. There are many causes for Documentary Film Makers to bring the evidence of how important environmental issues are.

In showing humans that these great creatures are extraordinarily similar to us, we can have a compassion and empathy towards them and try to protect them. With so many species going extinct every year it is with hope that we don’t lose these “People of the Forest.” We need people like these to bring these very important social, environmental and cultural issues to the forefront. Making an impact on people with my work is a dream. Introducing facts, real people and the camera to tell the story, and represent your audience much like a democracy.

Go for your dreams

2018-07-11T12:51:00.001-07:00

Tat flash :P

2018-07-06T13:22:00.001-07:00

Creative Fun

2018-07-05T12:02:00.001-07:00

Pics of the day

2018-06-26T11:17:00.001-07:00

The Lady Slipper, Nova Scotia.

2018-06-26T10:02:00.001-07:00

Random Photos

2018-06-25T09:41:00.001-07:00

Nova Scotia Beauty

2018-06-21T12:27:00.001-07:00

This is me.

2018-06-20T17:38:00.001-07:00

Photos of Nova Scotia, Canada

2018-06-20T16:12:00.001-07:00

Lunenburg Nova Scotia mini boats

2018-06-11T10:21:00.001-07:00

More of the Ovens in Nova Scotia

2018-06-10T16:45:00.001-07:00

Mahone Bay

2018-06-10T14:33:00.001-07:00

Nature while it lasts

2018-06-06T15:49:00.001-07:00

The King Fisher is coming back to Nova Scotia.

2018-06-04T16:57:00.001-07:00

Some of my favorite spaces.

2018-06-04T15:52:00.001-07:00

My trip to Lunenburg.

2018-06-04T13:05:00.001-07:00

Tall Ships Halifax 2012

2018-06-04T12:39:00.001-07:00