Mayo Clinic addresses domestic violence

Janay Palmer and Ray Rice address the media (Credit AP)

The video of Ray Rice knocking out his fiancée Janay Palmer Rice has hopefully launched a nationwide conversation about domestic violence. The Mayo Clinic’s advice on this topic is a must-read for all those whose lives are touched by the nightmare of partner abuse and for the general public as well. We may not be in a domestic abuse situations ourselves, but we are responsible for pressuring the government, colleges and universities, and other organizations like the NFL to intervene on behalf of current victims.

From the Mayo Clinic Staff:

Domestic violence against women: Recognize patterns, seek help

Domestic violence is a serious threat for many women. Know the signs of an abusive relationship and how to leave a dangerous situation.
Your partner apologizes and says the hurtful behavior won't happen again — but you fear it will. At times you wonder whether you're imagining the abuse, yet the emotional or physical pain you feel is real. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing domestic violence.

Recognize domestic violence

Domestic violence — also called intimate partner violence — occurs between people in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. Men are sometimes abused by partners, but domestic violence is most often directed toward women. Domestic violence can happen in heterosexual or same-sex relationships.

• Calls you names, insults you or puts you down
• Prevents or discourages you from going to work or school
• Prevents or discourages you from seeing family members or friends
• Tries to control how you spend money, where you go, what medicines you take or what you wear
• Acts jealous or possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful
• Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs
• Threatens you with violence or a weapon
• Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets
• Forces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will
• Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it

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The Mayo Clinic’s world class care for an uninsured family

Plummer Building, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

 

 

We didn’t have health insurance coverage when my two children were growing up in a small town near Rochester, Minn. The Mayo Clinic was our health care provider back then and never once were we asked to present proof of insurance coverage at the admissions desk.

It was our good fortune that none of us was ever seriously ill during those years, but when we did need treatment, the Mayo Clinic graciously allowed us to pay as we were able for the world class care we received.

And it was world class. I was walking down the sidewalk one afternoon in Rochester when an older, well-dressed gentleman approached me. Speaking with an accent, he explained that he had just flown in from Turkey. He said he suffered terrible headaches, and no one had been able to help him, so he had turned to the Mayo Clinic. He asked me for directions, and I pointed out the nearby building to him.

With all the politicization of health care these days in the uproar over the health care reform bill and the repeated threats to Medicare, I often think of the days when my family and I were fortunate enough to live near the Mayo Clinic.

I do still benefit from Mayo’s services, however, as I subscribe to their online newsletter. It came today, and I’ve been checking out one of its features: Meal planning 101: Tips and tricks, by Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., which begins:

Naturally, when I have friends over for dinner the conversation turns to food and nutrition.  Common questions are: "What should I eat to be healthy?" "What should I avoid?" and "Is this food a source of the latest cure-all nutrient?" Most of these I'm prepared to answer. One recent question, though, got me thinking, "How does Jennifer do her meal planning?" 

My meal planning starts with a sheet of paper. Pretty high-tech, right? In the left-hand column, I write the days of the week. Under each day I write:

• Entree
• Vegetable (hot)
• Vegetable (cold)
• Whole grain
• Fruit
• Beverage

Then I just have to fill in the grid. For those of you playing along at home, here are some of my tried-and-true meal planning tips:

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