kiwipete

Chopper wreckage recovery today - a couple of real heroes killed when their helicopter crashed in a rescue attempt during a massive and suspicious blaze.

Kaitaia ranger William Macrae (left) and pilot John 'Prickles' de Ridder Shrink
Northland pilot John 'Prickles' de Ridder (inset) was flying into fiery conditions when his helicopter crashed last night. Photo / SNPA Images/Petrina HodgsonWork to recover the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed during a massive blaze in New Zealand's Far North begins today.

Pilot John de Ridder and Department of Conservation worker William Macrae were killed when their helicopter crashed about 350m off the coast of the Karikari Peninsula late on Wednesday.

The Squirrel ZK-IMB helicopter had been assisting firefighters battling a massive blaze that destroyed at least three homes and sent residents scrambling for shelter.

The Civil Aviation Authority said a recovery barge was expected to reach the area early this morning after making the 12-hour journey from Paihia.

A dive team from Paihia would make an initial dive before working with the barge crew and air crash safety investigators to determine best way to winch the wreckage from the water.

The timing of the recovery would depend on sea and weather conditions, but investigators hoped it would be possible some time today.

The helicopter was submerged in about 7m of water.

Investigators were yesterday working to confirm details, including where the wreckage would be taken once recovered.

The men's bodies were found midday Thursday and recovered late that evening.

Acknowledgements: - APNZ

How Laughter Can Help Dementia Sufferers...

My grandmother was a lovely lady with a unique sense of humour and a very kind heart. Her love for children extended to all the youngsters in our neighbourhood whom she welcomed into her home and spoiled with plenty of sweet treats.

Sadly, this was no longer the case a few years before she passed away. Age-related dementia started to take its toll and we helplessly watched how this cruel disease slowly stole a loved one away from us.

At first, she was just forgetful before the confusion started to set in. Soon she lost her memory completely and became very aggressive... she had turned into a shouting, nasty, angry woman that no one recognised anymore.

No laughing matter

The harsh reality is that for some dementia sufferers it gets much worse than simply just being mean. Most dementia patients eventually suffer from agitation that can be so fierce that it frightens family and friends.

Dementia-related agitation includes physical aggression, repetitive behaviour, wandering, screaming, etc. It's a daunting experience — for both the patient and their family or caregivers, and one I hope not many of you will ever have to live through.

Doctors typically prescribe side effect ridden antipsychotic drugs to alleviate agitation. However, perhaps you'll be willing to try a slightly different approach before opting for prescription drugs... After all, you are still dealing with someone who is very close to your heart.

The best medicine

Recently, Australian researchers teamed up with the Arts Health Institute (AHI), an organization that trains "humour practitioners" who specialize in working with the elderly.

They conducted a study in more than 35 assisted living facilities to test humour therapy in subjects with dementia and agitation. After 12 weeks, researchers found that humour therapy reduced agitation by 20 per cent, on average.

This is a remarkable outcome because it's about the same result seen in the use of antipsychotic drugs... Adding the fact that the side effects of these drugs include stroke and death, there's no argument that humour therapy might be the better option.

But the good news doesn't stop there. In a follow-up at 26 weeks after the end of the humour therapy period, the researchers found that agitation remained at the improved level.

Previous studies have also shown that a good belly-laugh stimulates the release of feel-good endorphins, which also reduce pain, pacify stress hormones, enhance the immune system, and help control blood pressure.

So, if you know someone who's suffering from dementia- related agitation, suggest humour therapy as an alternative to antipsychotic drugs. Combined with acupuncture and massage these therapies will certainly help to prompt endorphin release and help alleviate the effects of agitation.

It's worth a try and won't do any harm.

Francois Lubbe
UK Editor
The Health Sciences Institute

thehealthierlife.co.uk

The Magical Minnesota Multi dimensional Ax...

By Ken Korczak

Kittson County Top News Examiner

An ax in northern Minnesota was recently sent on an inter-dimensional journey after possibly being stolen by a “shadow entity.” After being missing for two days, the ax returned, but appears to have been slightly altered in shape and form.

The incident occurred in a remote region of Roseau County in early November. The owner of the ax was perplexed one morning when he noticed that the tool had vanished from where he left it lying in his yard – the only evidence that remained was an outline of the ax in the snow.

The owner was mystified because the ax appeared to vanish into thin air – a light snow had just occurred, covering the yard, driveway and entire area where the ax had been lying on the ground. There were no tracks, no signs of disturbed snow – only a mysterious outline.
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Continue reading on Examiner.com The Magic Minnesota Multi-Dimensional Ax - Minneapolis Top News | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/top-news-in-minneapolis/the-magic-minnesota-multi-dimensional-ax?CID=examiner_alerts_article#ixzz1fR10kYYr

Acknowledgements to one of my old blogging friends from the blogesphere.