Random Ramblings

Random: A haphazard course
— at random: Without definite aim, direction, rule, or method

Ramble: To talk or write in a desultory or long-winded wandering fashion
(Retrieved December 18, 2008, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary)

Susana Maria RosendeThis page contains Susana Rosende's reflections on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and often references contemporary events as well as personal happenstance. Susana's opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position or mission of Write Way Designs, Inc., the company. These writings are merely ramdom ramblings.

For Susana's Random Ramblings, click the links below:

Poll Responses: Industries Least Impacted by Recession Economy

Click http://polls.linkedin.com/poll-results/60757/kpzpl to view current poll responses.

posted by Susana Rosende on October 9th, 2009, 9:55 AM

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Unemployment: I am not alone

An article in the South Florida Business Journal quotes the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation as stating that Florida's unemployment rate was 9.4 in February, up 4.2 percentage points from February 2008, and the highest since April 1976.

The same article quotes the US Department of Labor as stating that Florida's unemployment rate is higher than the national rate, which topped 8.4 in March.

In conclusion, this article states that Florida's seasonally adjusted rate means 874,000 people out of a labor force of 9.25 million are out of work.

I am not alone. But it doesn't make me feel any better.

Yes, times are tough. But I recall that we've all been through similar times before. "This, too, shall pass." Case in point: CNN.com's article about Layoff Survivors in 2001

Tips for what to do if you're unemployed: posted by Susana Rosende on March 22th, 2008, 5:08 AM

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Did you know we are living in Exponential Times?



Translated to Spanish at http://www.marilink.net/2009/02/23/vivimos-tiempos-exponenciales/ ?Lo Sabias? by Marilink

posted by Susana Rosende on March 19th, 2008, 7:08 AM

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Tips for How to Survive a Recession

posted by Susana Rosende on January 4th, 2008, 11:00 AM

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Buyer Beware of DELL Hell

In August 2007, I purchased a DELL 830 D Latitude Laptop, including monitor, docking station, Bluetooth keyboard, and wireless mouse for $3,019.44. It is by far the worse purchase decision I have made in my life. In fact, I refer to this laptop as my Expensive Paperweight.

The problems began as soon as I turned it on. There were constant blue-screens and memory dumps just after a few minutes, and eventually the laptop didn't power up at all.

The past year and a half since the purchase has consisted of a never-ending treadmill of phone calls, emails, and documented chat logs, including two separate occasions where technicians attempted to troubleshoot and repair the laptop on-site.

The techs replaced the motherboard, CPU, and Memory, but diagnostics run on the hard drives displayed errors the techs had never experienced and didn't know how to fix. One of the Techs said I obviously bought a "lemon." He added, "It's happened before."

It probably has, more often than NOT.

But, despite my three-year extended warranty, DELL would not give me my money back.

After I got the BBB involved last month...that's right...December 2008, after almost 18 months since the purchase date, and more frustrating phone calls where I was endlessly put on hold and transferred to practically every department in the company, it was finally approved to replace my laptop with a NEW, not refurbished, laptop of equal or greater value.

I was told my laptop issue would be escalated, and the shipping expedited, with a slight delay due to the Christmas holidays, but to expect my replacement on my doorstep by New Years Eve. It never arrived, so I called.

The laptop had never been shipped. Due to the holiday season, all replacements were on hold until after new sales orders were delivered. The "tremendous amount of DELL 2008 sales orders" had created a huge shipping backlog.

But, not only would I have to wait until after the December holiday season, the ensuing holidays in January and February would further delay the shipping of my laptop.

That's when I learned about the specific holidays that were delaying their shipping schedule: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day, Boxing Day…WAIT! BOXING DAY?! It's not a US holiday.

"Yes," the Level 2 Support Person from the Small Business Unit told me. "Boxing Day. Look at your calendar. It's a holiday."

Does anyone REALLY believe I'll ever get my money back, or at least the approved "exchange" for a replacement laptop?

I'm not holding my breath.

It was hard enough to be an unemployed single mom, with a struggling freelance business, and to lose 1/2 my retirement in this economy, but to know my one tool for sending resumes, networking for full time employment, and finding clients for my freelance business, was yet another economic drain, is almost too much to handle.

Unfortunately, my case is not an isolated incident. There is an entire population trapped in DELL HELL.

There's a website that catalogs customer complaints at www.ihatedell.net, which includes a forum listing a series of class action lawsuits against DELL. Even DELL employees are suing the company for unlawful conduct.

At least, I know I'm not alone.

But there may be a reason for the lack of product quality and poor customer and technical service.

See: http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSWNAB624720081231?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology&pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

The article explains a lot! This company is in trouble.

See the specs for my laptop below:

222-7945 Latitude D830, Intel Core 2 Duo T7700, 2.40GHz, 800Mhz 4M L2 Cache, Dual Core 1 $2,553.44
320-5301 15.4 inch Wide Screen WUXGA LCD for Latitude D830 1
311-5689 4.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMM for Dell Latitude Notebooks 1
310-8713 Internal English Keyboard for Latitude Notebooks 1
320-5303 256MB NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M Latitude D830 1
341-4569 120GB Hard Drive 9.5MM 5400RPM for Latitude DX30 1
310-8796 Standard Touchpad for LatitudeD830 1
340-8854 No Floppy Drive for Latitude D-Family Notebooks 1
420-4790 Windows XP Professional, SP2 with media, for Latitude English, Factory Installed 1
430-2274 Dell Wireless 360 Bluetooth Module for XP, Latitude 1
310-7956 90W AC Adapter for Latitude D-Family, Factory Tied 1
313-5044 8X DVD+/-RW w/ Roxio Creator and Cyberlink for Vista Basic/Business, Latitude DX20 1
430-2436 Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN (802.11g,54Mbps) Mini Card Latitude 1
310-8798 Resource CD w/ Diagnostics and Drivers for Latitude D830 Notebook 1
312-0536 9-Cell/85 WHr Primary Battery for Latitude D830 1
312-0493 9-Cell/85-WHr Additional Primary Battery for Latitude D531 1
310-7275 Corporate Nylon Backpack for Dell Latitude, D-Family Notebooks 1
310-9147 US - System Documentation Power Cord, Latitude D830 1
982-3762 Contract - Next Business Day Parts and Labor On-Site Response, 2YR Extended 1
986-7838 Dell Hardware Warranty, Extended Year(s) 1
982-7280 Contract - Next Business Day Parts and Labor On-Site Response, Initial Year 1
986-7847 Dell Hardware Warranty, Initial Year 1
373-0024 Factory format of 2nd partition is NTFS, for Latitude, OptiPlex, Precision 1
373-0020 Factory Enable 60GB Primary Partition, Remainder Secondaryfor Latitude, OptiPlex Precision 1
466-2909 WINDOWS XP STICKER, OPTI/PWS/LAT/INSP/DIM 1
310-7278 D/Port, Port Replicator for Latitude D-Family, Factory Tied 1
310-7287 90 Watt Additional AC Adapter with 3 feet Power Cord Latitude D-Family 1
430-2279 Dell Wireless 5520 Mobile Broadband (HSDPA) Mini-Card for AT and T, Latitude 1
310-8047 Dell Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse bundle, English, for Latitude Notebooks 1
Subtotal: $3,019.44
Shipping and Handling: $0.00
Sales Tax: $196.30
Total: $3,215.74

Visit http://www.ihatedell.net/forum/phpBB2/

There's even been a class action lawsuit against DELL in New York City:

Here's the link to the lawsuit: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2007/may/delllawsuit1.pdf

Here' the link to the Decision and Order by the New York Supreme Court: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2008/may/delldecision.PDF

Abstract:

Justice Joseph C. Teresi said in his decision, "Dell has engaged in repeated misleading, deceptive and unlawful business conduct, including false and deceptive advertising of financing promotions and the terms of warranties, fraudulent, misleading and deceptive practices in credit financing and failure to provide warranty service and rebates."

According to the decision, Dell deprived consumers of the technical support to which they were entitled under their warranty or service contract by:
  • Repeatedly failing to provide timely onsite repair to consumers who purchased service contracts promising "onsite" and expedited service;
  • Pressuring consumers, including those who purchased service contracts promising "onsite" repair, to remove the external cover of their computer and remove, reinstall, and manipulate hardware components;
  • Discouraging consumers from seeking technical support; those who called Dell's toll free number were subjected to long wait times, repeated transfers, and frequent disconnections; and
  • Failing to provide rebates that were promised to consumers.

Justice Teresi concluded that Dell lured consumers to purchase its products with advertisements that offered attractive "no interest" and/or "no payment" financing promotions. In practice, however, the vast majority of consumers, even those with very good credit scores, were denied these deals. In a classic "bait and switch" scheme, DFS instead offered consumers financing at high interest rates, which often exceeded 20%. Dell and DFS frequently failed to clearly inform these consumers that they had not qualified for the promotional terms, leaving many to unwittingly finance their purchase at high interest rates.

The decision also held that DFS incorrectly billed consumers on cancelled orders, returned merchandise, or accounts they did not authorize Dell to open, and then continually harassed these consumers with illegal billing and collection activity. Although many consumers repeatedly contacted Dell and/or DFS to advise them of the errors, DFS did not suspend its collection activity and Dell failed to expeditiously credit consumers' accounts, even after assuring consumers it would do so. As a result, many consumers have been subjected to harassing collection calls for months on end and have had their credit ratings harmed.

Justice Teresi ordered discovery in aid of restitution by Dell to be completed in four months and an injunction to prevent any recurrence of the misleading, deceptive and unlawful conduct by Dell.

More Class Action Lawsuits against DELL: (WARNING: Language)

Even DELL employees are suing DELL: http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20070803/NEWS/70803011

Angry Customers Make for Funny Customer Service Calls: (WARNING: Language) DELL Exploding Laptops: On You Tube, several frustrated DELL customers find satisfaction by destroying their DELLs: Visit the following YouTube links for videos on why customers hate DELL: (WARNING: Language)
Maybe, I should have purchased an ASUS. Even after being run over by a car and drowned in water, it works better than my DELL ever did. Watch the amazing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFzs11d_DTo&NR=1

Feedback

Hi Susana,

My gosh I certainly feel your pain about your computer. I too had a rather crazy experience with DELL and that length of time must be how long the computers function. Some people I know say that they haven't had problems with DELL while others swear that they will never buy another one, no matter how great their prices are! I concur.

Within the first year I had problems with my computer. I called and they troubleshooted and that did ok for a while. Then I phoned them again because not too long after that, I experienced the Blue Screen of Death and this is the first time this happened to me since I began buying computers back in the early 90's. So, in order to fix that, because this particular issue is not covered under warranty (according to Technical Support - which by the way you have to pay in order to speak to them...talk about insane!), I had to pay $150.00 for an Operating Systems CD, which by the way they do not include with your computer, just in case you need to restore your system like I needed to do. So I bought it because I was using my computer not only for my personal use, but also for work. That plus the support I bought for that particular issue was for a year, so I thought I was good.

Well Susana, I kid you not, exactly one year and four days after I bought that thing, I experience the blue screen of death AGAIN and it completely screwed up my hard drive. When I called them, which connected me to someplace overseas and I could not understand what they were saying, except that I needed to pay another undetermined amount of money to (1) buy another part, (2) take it to a place where they could fix it (more money), (3) then I was to call them back so that they could guide me through the steps to get my computer up and operating again. Thank goodness this time I backed up my files which I wasn't very good at doing and bought another laptop. The heck with DELL. I hope that you will be able to get your money back or at least a brand new computer. They really need to do better with customer service!

Now could you tell me what the heck is "Boxing Day?" Is it a day to commemorate professional Boxers in sports or is it a day that is designated to pack stuff in boxes? That's a new one on me. Gotta do some research on that one!

Anyway, thanks for the heads up, which is not surprising to me. The best of luck with this resolution!

Take care,
Kym M.

Susana, you should take all the communications you have had with Dell and provide it to a lawyer to begin a class action. I am sure there are many more like you in the country.

I have had great luck with Dell product, but have never purchased a laptop from them. I have always purchased Compact and now since HP purchased them, that is what I buy. They began the laptop instrustry in the 80's and make a great product. I paid less than $500 for my last laptop and then added a $200 500K external storage that I connect with just a usb cable. It backs up the entire laptop and my desktop daily and it syncs all the files that I worked on that day. If I can help you set up a similar system let me know.

Sorry to here about your problems. If there is anything I can do to help you reach your goals this year, please let me know.

Happy New Year!

Tony P.

WOW that sucks, I am sorry hear about your experience. Thank you for the heads up I appreciate.

Good Luck and i hope you get it resolved.

BTW if they installed a 32bit operating system, the 4GB of Ram was a waste and they should have told you that because only 64bit OSs can use RAM above 3GB.

Jason J.

Hello Susana,

Happy New Year!

I guess, you should put this in your blog to spread the word out. Since business powerhouses are hand in glove with the respective admin, the only way to act is to use all available platforms to voice your anguish through such media. You getting back the replacement or compensation may be a far cry yet others could be alerted rather than being passive. Let me know, once you have blogged it.

Smiling Regards,

Jose R.



posted by Susana Rosende on January 3rd, 2008, 2:00 PM

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Show Me the Money

Today, I allow myself two minutes for self-pity over my new jobless state ("whine, sniff, whimper"), and then run a mental checklist of my talents, skills, and professional experiences. There is no time to waste. I need money.

So, what do I have to offer? What have I accomplished in life, thus far?

I am a college graduate, freelance business owner, manager, writer, designer, translator, artist, and last, but not least, single mother who has raised two fantastic sons, one of whom was in his high school's I.B. program, received the Bright Futures Scholarship, and is graduating next year from Florida State's Music Composition program. My youngest, at 15, is a very talented high school student who has been building and networking PCs and creating websites since he was 11.

I am a survivor and thriver, and this, too, shall pass.

Like magic, as soon as I finish the self-pep talk and post my updated resume to job sites, I start getting leads for technical writing, copy writing, and translation projects for Write Way Designs, Inc. It is almost as if my newly confident aura is sending powerful vibrations through my keyboard to the Internet. I am great! Hire ME!

But, it's not magic. It's hard work. Looking for a job is a full-time job in itself.

This may well be the perfect time to make my dream come true and expand my freelance business into a full-time venture. The ailing economy seems to be the right time for freelancers, as employers lay off permanent employees and only hire temporary workers.

And right now, I'll take what I can get.

To quote our president elect Barack Obama: "Yes, I can!

For unique careers and job ideas, see the following:

posted by Susana Rosende on November 24th, 2008, 10:00 AM

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The Year of No Job

It is the best of times. It is the worse of times. It is the year 2008.

And I've never had a worse year...career-wise.


First, the HR VP emails a highly cryptic message about our jobs not being "guaranteed." To bypass the layoff, I accept a position with the timeshare division of a hospitality firm...also hit hard by the real estate market and high gas prices. Six weeks after losing THAT job, I'm hired by a government contractor...a Draconian sweatshop of epic proportions, where I nonetheless feel lucky to be employed...until, alas, my project ends, and along with it, my job.
Joey and me So, it's back to the drawing board. And it occurs to me I've spent more time interviewing in the last 12 months, than I have in twenty years.

As I ponder all my options -- get my MBA, write that novel, start a new business -- I find the only pleasure that I can...the extra mother-son time with Joey, and all the domestic duties I now have time to provide. Why cook spaghetti when there's time for gourmet?

But, to my chagrin, that too, goes wrong.

I am earnest and ambitious. Lacking all the ingredients in the cookbook --and money-- does not deter me. I will use what I have. So, I search the freezer and cupboards for substitutes. And get creative. I will make sweet and sour chicken.

For the sweet, I have honey. For the sour, I have Mojito cooler.

I add the veggies (green beans and corn), and the 90-second microwave rice, and voila! Dinner is ready, and not half bad.

My taste testers - the dogs - think so, too.

I am proud.

But, the true test will be Joey, who at 15's more finicky than the average two-year-old.

Joey stares at his plate.
Me: What? Eat! It's getting cold.
Joey: What is it?
Me: Sweet and Sour Chicken
Joey: There's corn in it. You don't know anything about me.
Me: You love corn!
Joey: Not anymore.
Joey fills his fork and examines it closely, then sniffs, as if it's poison.
Me: Come on! Eat.
He pours a few morsels in is mouth and nibbles.
Joey: I can't eat this.
Me: Why not?
Joey: I don't like it.
Me: It's all we have. And I slaved over a hot stove for an hour!
Joey: I wish you hadn't.
Me: Why don't you like it?
Joey: I dunno. It's just...it's just... wrong.
Me: What do you mean? Too sweet? Too...tangy?
Joey: All of the above. Sweet, salty, spicey. The chicken's gooey. It tastes strange.
Me: Come on. Give it a chance! Taste it again.
Joey: I had a mouthful. I tasted a lifetime.
Me (indignant): The dogs liked it!
Joey: And they will again.

Joey and me As he pours himself a bowl of cereal, he senses my despair.

And hugs me.

I pour half into the dog bowls.

And freeze the rest.

For tomorrow.

posted by Susana Rosende on November 23rd, 2008, 8:00 PM

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Barack Obama Wins. The USA and The World Celebrate

posted by Susana Rosende on November 8th, 2008, 3:29 AM

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Today is the Day: McCain vs. Obama


For a lighter look at the Turning Points of the 2008 Election, click: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/opinion/04points.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

posted by Susana Rosende on November 4th, 2008, 7:29 AM

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The Important Thing is To Vote!

This year's presidential race is exciting on so many levels. And for the first time in years, I like all four candidates, both presidential and vice presidential, so much so in fact, that I am still undecided.

Historically, Cuban Americans are staunch Republicans, citing reasons such as the Bay of Pigs fiasco and the fear that any view left of center may be socialistic, and therefore lead to Communism. If it sounds paranoid, you must understand that Fidel Castro denied he was a Communist until he was in power. Yet, the current issues of two wars (Iraq/Afghanistan) and the economy (layoffs, high gas prices, housing crisis, healthcare insurance) have me wishing for CHANGE (Obama), EXPERIENCE (McCain) (Biden), and WASHINGTON OUTSIDERS (Palin).

So, being the Technical Writer that I am, I research both sides, by reading about the issues and the candidates, and trying to attend and/or watch all the speeches and debates.

Sarah Palin was in Kissimmee one weekend, and my son Joey and I attended the rally with Republican friends. If you watch closely at the beginning of the video, you will see me with camera in the lower right-hand corner of the screen behind Governor Sarah Palin:



  

Click video below:



Despite the seriousness of the issues, I'm enjoying the humor and hope you enjoy the political parodies I've posted below, including the most recent Saturday Night Live show, featuring Senator John McCain:

Obama Rallys in 39 Degree Rain in Widener, Pennsylvania




Obama Rally with 75,000 People in Attendance on May 18th, 2008


"Evita Palin" 2008

Rednecks in the News and The Red Diaper Baby:

MORE HUMOR:

  • Angry McCain Gets Teletubbies off his Lawn:
  • Don't Cry for Me Sarah Palin:
  • Obama: Both a Red Diaper Baby and the American Messiah

    • Whether you vote for John McCain/Sarah Palin or Barack Obama/Joe Biden, the important thing is to vote. It is a privilege to vote in the United States. All American Citizens are urged to vote on November 4th!

    Last, but not least, while you're at it, vote for Time Magazine's "PERSON OF THE YEAR!"

    posted by Susana Rosende on October 26th, 2008, 9:19 PM

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    The Real Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live

    Will the Real Sarah Palin please stand up?! The following videos present the clever and funny skits featuring Vice Presidential Candidate Governor Sarah Palin on last night's SNL. For the write-up, click http://www.celebitchy.com/16356/sarah_palins_saturday_night_live_appearance_featuring_mark_wahlberg.



    posted by Susana Rosende on October 19th, 2008, 7:19 PM

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    Little Old Ladies Attack Obama Supporters at Palin Rally



    Many in the community have expressed shock and dismay about this growing trend of violent old ladies, some of whom brutally attacked Obama supporters at a recent Palin rally, by punching, kicking, scratching, and elbowing their victims, coupled with verbal abuse. For story, see     http://stix1972.typepad.com/stix_blog/2008/10/old-lady-repubs.html

    As terrorized Americans prepare to protect themselves from further attacks, they look to their British allies across the pond. The Brits have been dealing with notorious violent biddies in both rural and urban neighborhoods since the sixties. See video, below:

    posted by Susana Rosende on October 19th, 2008, 6:19 PM

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    The Vice Presidential Candidate Debate - ALSO Deemed a Tie by Most



    The Parody:


    For another response, see     Folksy Palin Charms and Seasoned Biden Shines

    posted by Susana Rosende on October 6th, 2008, 6:19 PM

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    The First Presidential Candidate Debate - Deemed a Tie by Most



    The Parody


    posted by Susana Rosende on September 28th, 2008, 6:19 PM

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    Sarah Palin

    Yikes! Which one of the following two interviews is the funny one?
    (Suddenly, there's a lot of humor in the media about America's Sweetheart, the Republican VP candidate. Unfortunately, not all the humor was intentional.)







    posted by Susana Rosende on September 28th, 2008, 2:19 PM

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    USA Vote 2008!

    Obama-Biden vs. McCain-Palin The upcoming 2008 presidential election is going to be a very exciting one, indeed.

    Taking into consideration all the national and global issues impacting the United States today, it is crucial to vote, and even more so to select the very best candidate to handle the unique challenges facing today's presidential candidates.

    (Click below to learn more about each of the presidential candidates.)

    All citizens of the United States of America should take the privilege of voting very seriously and carefully scrutinize both the position and the experience of each presidential hopeful before casting their votes.















    Digital Art of Susana's faced superimposed on the Statue of Liberty with the American flag in the background

    Thousands of Americans have already made up their minds. For those who have not, it's not too late, as the following video shows.

    Please click the link in the video (below) for a special presentation about the most recent presidential candidate to "come up from behind."

    For more humor, see the following video:

    posted by Susana Rosende on September 26th, 2008, 2:19 PM

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    Petition Against Trademark

    As many of you know, my middle child, Sean, had Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a birth defect that today afflicts 1,600 babies, and kills 800 per year. Although CDH occurs as often as Spina Bifida and Cystic Fibrosis, CDH most often has fatal results. Dawn Torrence, the President of CHERUBS- The Association of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Research, Advocacy, and Support, also lost a son at six years of age to this birth defect.

    Dawn has worked tirelessly to bring awareness and support to the community, especially back when there were no support groups and CDH families had nowhere to turn. I, myself, credit Dawn's website and forums for the knowledge and support I received for years after the loss of Sean.

    Now, another organization has filed a trademark to "own" the phrase "Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness" preventing others from using this language for fundraising and support in the future, as well as demanding that Dawn, and others, stop using this phrase on websites or literature for CDH advocacy, research, and support.

    While Breath of Hope is also a good resource for support and fundraising, it should join forces with CHERUBS to bring awareness to this devastating birth defect.

    One shouldn't be able to trademark the name of a health issue, birth defect, disorder, or disease, as it implies the ability to profit from it. So, just as Dawn supported me and all the other countless families across the world, I now support her in her fight against the filing of this trademark.

    I ask that you also please consider signing this petition. To do so, please click the following link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cdhawareness/

    We thank you for your support and ask that you please forward the link to family and friends, because it is important that all of us be free to raise Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness.

    In Memory of my son, Sean Matthew Lutz, (April 29th-30th, 1988)

    On behalf of Dawn Torrence
    President & Founder
    CHERUBS - The Association of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Research, Awareness and Support http://www.cdhsupport.org
    270 Coley Rd, Henderson, NC 27537
    (252) 492-6003

    For more information on CDH, as well as resources and support information, please click the following links: Sculpture of an Angel holding an infant

    posted by Susana Rosende on August 13th, 2008, 2:19 AM

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    My Father, My Inspiration

    Photo of my dad holding me in his arms in Havana, Cuba. I was just an infant. My father, Alberto Carlos Rosende, Sr., has had a great impact on my life, both personally and professionally. He has instilled in me the values of family, hard work, and integrity, as well as the knowledge for the importance of having goals in life, and for never giving up, no matter the obstacles. He also inspired me to earn a university degree.

    Born in Havana, Cuba in 1926 to a working class family, my father learned at a young age that earning an advanced education was essential to gaining financial security. After receiving a scholarship to the University of Havana, he endured hardships (such as lacking bus fare or lunch money and needing to share college text books with his twin brother) to earn his Civil Engineering degree.

    His professional engineering career was curtailed in the early 1960s, when he chose to leave Cuba during Fidel Castro's revolution, and was then rejected for engineering positions in the USA during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Previously in management, he was forced to start over as a Land Surveyor to support his family. However, he persevered, eventually landing a structural engineering position in NYC to support his wife and--eventually five--children. After 20 years with the company, he was transferred to Houston, Texas during the oil crisis. In Houston, the company folded. My father was laid off and lost all his retirement benefits. Undaunted, he found an engineering job at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where he was laid off and re-hired numerous times, and then continued working until a few months before his 80th birthday (even after undergoing prostate and quadruple bypass surgeries, and even after losing my mom, his wife of 44 years, to congestive heart failure). My UCF ID

    After my divorce, my father encouraged me to return to college to earn my degree. My parents then welcomed me back into their home, and helped care for my then-two-year-old son, while I worked two jobs and commuted to school. My father, who prided himself on not missing days from work, took the day off to attend my college graduation. Because of his example, I am inspired as a single mother to continue striving toward new education and career goals, and in turn, to pass my father's values and legacy to my sons.

    (In the top photo, I am being held by my father, in Havana. In the bottom photo, I am at my college graduation from the University of Central Florida.)

    posted by Susana Rosende on May 1st, 2008, 10:51 AM

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    Diagnosed with Epilepsy

    Joey with rolled up jeans walking in surf (Photo at right is of Joey at Cape Canaveral, Florida during Spring Break in March 2008)

    On August 7th, 2007, my 14-year-old son Joey was swimming underwater at his grandparents' subdivision pool when his grandmother noticed he had remained in one spot for several minutes. She swam over to him, nudged him, and receiving no response, turned him over and lifted his face out of the water.

    Joey was blue and motionless. She thought he was dead.

    Luckily, his 74-year-old grandmother is a retired emergency room nurse. Although she couldn't lift him completely out of the water, she pulled him over to the steps and was able to get him breathing. Then she screamed for help, alerting a neighbor who was in a nearby weight room. The man pulled my son out of the water and dialed 9-1-1 on his cell phone. He then drove Joey's grandparents to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, where Joey was rushed by ambulance, and where he remained unconscious.

    Joey was unconscious for almost 24 hours. When he came to at 3:00 AM the next morning, he asked, "Mom, where am I?" All he could remember was swimming underwater and then waking up at the hospital. The doctors had no explanation for what happened to Joey. They suggested that perhaps he had fainted while holding his breath for too long. This phenomenon is often referred to as shallow water drowning, when a person hyperventilates to hold his breath for as long as possible and then passes out. Many deaths of strong swimmers have been attributed to this phenomenon.

    One doctor at the hospital asked if Joey had a history of seizures. We all told him "No."

    Joey with big brother Brian Since then, Joey has visited numerous doctors (pediatrician, neurologist, endocrinologist) and has been poked and prodded and subjected to many brain scan M.R.I.s, E.E.G.s, and blood tests.

    From the results of the E.E.G., the pediatric neurologist determined my son was indeed having     Absence Seizures from Generalized Epilepsy, and may have been having them for quite a while. (The previous school year, in 8th grade, Joey's grades had dropped dramatically, and his teachers had complained of his constant daydreaming. One had remarked that it was as if he "wasn't even there.") For several years before that, teachers had hinted at Joey's lack of focus or possible ADD or ADHD. More recently, his older brother Brian had become concerned during a visit home from college, when Joey had forgotten an entire conversation they'd had the night before. But, when Joey argued that he'd been tired and nodding off, I'd believed him. (Photo above is of Joey with his big brother Brian.)

    Now, we learned Joey had Epilepsy, and all of us - including my ex-husband, son Brian, grandparents, and I were in shock - but especially Joey. In retrospect, we should have realized there may have been a physical reason for Joey's lack of focus on his classwork - that it was not attributed to day dreaming, adolescence, lack of discipline, or plain laziness. How could we have been so blind?

    Joey with paternal grandfather at restaurant (Photo at right is of Joey with my dad, his grandfather Alberto Rosende, in March 2008.)


    The following videos are about Epilepsy. The first shows an example of the Absence Seizure, or "staring spell" that Joey experiences. This type of seizure used to be referred to as Petite Mal Seizure.

    In the second video, a 19-year-old young man explains Epilepsy and speaks out against prejudice and ridicule used against people with Epilepsy.




    For more videos by Dynamiteskillsx, click here.

    Click here for the story about how a taunted little girl
    with Epilepsy gets support from strangers    .

    Below is a series of videos about Epilepsy:


    Example of the eye-fluttering Absence seizure


    Example of what to do in case of a convulsive seizure


    Example of a seizure where a person appears to be intoxicated


    Teenagers with Epilepsy speak out on how they won't be held back from activities and dreams

    The following information is from the The Epilepsy Foundation:

    Seizures and Syndromes

    Types of Seizures

    There are many different types of seizures. People may experience just one type or more than one. The kind of seizure a person has depends on which part and how much of the brain is affected by the electrical disturbance that produces seizures. Experts divide seizures into generalized seizures (absence, atonic, tonic-clonic, myoclonic), partial (simple and complex) seizures, nonepileptic seizures and status epilepticus.

    Generalized Seizures

    Generalized seizures affect both cerebral hemispheres (sides of the brain) from the beginning of the seizure. They produce loss of consciousness, either briefly or for a longer period of time, and are sub-categorized into several major types: generalized tonic clonic; myoclonic; absence; and atonic.

    Type Duration Seizure Symptoms Postictal (post-seizure) Symptoms
    Absence (petit mal seizure) 2 to 15 seconds Stare
    Eyes fluttering
    Automatisms (such as lip smacking, picking at clothes, fumbling) if prolonged    		 Amnesia for seizure events
    No confusion
    Promptly resumes activity
    Generalized Tonic-Clonic (grand mal) 1 to 2 minutes A cry
    Fall
    Tonicity (rigidity)
    Clonicity (jerking)
    May have cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes from lack of oxygen)    		 Amnesia for seizure events
    Confusion
    Deep sleep

    Generalized tonic clonic seizures (grand mal seizures) are the most common and best known type of generalized seizure. They begin with stiffening of the limbs (the tonic phase), followed by jerking of the limbs and face (the clonic phase).

    Myoclonic seizures are rapid, brief contractions of bodily muscles, which usually occur at the same time on both sides of the body. Occasionally, they involve one arm or a foot. People usually think of them as sudden jerks or clumsiness. A variant of the experience, common to many people who do not have epilepsy, is the sudden jerk of a foot during sleep. First aid is usually not needed, however, a person having a myoclonic seizure for the first time should receive a thorough medical evaluation.

    Atonic seizures produce an abrupt loss of muscle tone. Other names for this type of seizure include drop attacks, astatic or akinetic seizures. They produce head drops, loss of posture, or sudden collapse. Because they are so abrupt, without any warning, and because the people who experience them fall with force, atonic seizures can result in injuries to the head and face. Protective headgear is sometimes used by children and adults; the seizures tend to be resistant to drug therapy. No first aid is needed (unless there is injury from the fall), but if this is a first atonic seizure, the child should be given a thorough medical evaluation.

    Absence seizures (Joey's diagnosis, also called "petit mal seizures") are lapses of awareness, sometimes with staring, that begin and end abruptly, lasting only a few seconds. There is no warning and no after-effect. More common in children than in adults, absence seizures are frequently so brief that they escape detection, even if the child is experiencing 50 to 100 attacks daily. They may occur for several months before a child is sent for a medical evaluation.

    Infantile Spasms are clusters of quick, sudden movements that start between 3 months and two years. If a child is sitting up, the head will fall forward, and the arms will flex forward. If lying down, the knees will be drawn up, with arms and head flexed forward as if the baby is reaching for support. What to Do: No first aid, but doctor should be consulted.

    Partial Seizures

    In partial seizures the electrical disturbance is limited to a specific area of one cerebral hemisphere (side of the brain). Partial seizures are subdivided into simple partial seizures (in which consciousness is retained); and complex partial seizures (in which consciousness is impaired or lost). Partial seizures may spread to cause a generalized seizure, in which case the classification category is partial seizures secondarily generalized.

    Partial seizures are the most common type of seizure experienced by people with epilepsy. Virtually any movement, sensory, or emotional symptom can occur as part of a partial seizure, including complex visual or auditory hallucinations.



    Type Duration Seizure Symptoms Postictal (post-seizure) Symptoms
    Simple Partial 90 seconds No loss of consciousness.
    Sudden jerking
    sensory phenomena    		 Possible transient weakness or loss of sensation
    Complex partial 1 to 2 minutes May have aura
    Automatisms (such as lip smacking, picking at clothes, fumbling)
    Unaware of environment
    May wander    		 Amnesia for seizure events
    Mild to moderate confusion
    sleepy

    Key Things to Remember about Partial Seizures

    Although partial seizures affect different physical, emotional, or sensory functions of the brain, they have some things in common:

    • They don't last long. Most last only a minute or two, although people may be confused and need a lot more time afterwards to recover fully.

    • They end naturally. Except in rare cases, the brain has its own way of bringing the seizure safely to an end after a minute or two.

    • You can't stop them. In an emergency, doctors may use drugs to bring a lengthy, non-stop seizure to an end. However, the average person should wait for the seizure to run its course and try to protect the person from harm while consciousness is clouded. People who have been shown how to use a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) magnet may try to stop a partial seizure in that way.  

    • They are not dangerous to others. The movements produced by a seizure are almost always too vague, too unorganized and too confused to threaten the safety of anyone else.

    Nonepileptic Seizures

    Nonepileptic seizures are episodes that briefly change a person's behavior and often look like epileptic seizures. The person having nonepileptic seizures may have internal sensations that resemble those felt during an epileptic seizure. The difference in these two kinds of episodes is often hard to recognize by just watching the event, even by trained medical personnel.

    But there is an important difference. Epileptic seizures are caused by abnormal electrical changes in the brain and, in particular, in its outer layer, called the cortex. Nonepileptic seizures are not caused by electrical disruptions in the brain.

    Status Epilepticus

    Most seizures end after a few moments or a few minutes. If seizures are prolonged, or occur in a series, there is an increased risk of status epilepticus. The term literally means a continuous state of seizure.



    Joey grinning Since Joey has begun taking the Lamictal medication, we have all noticed a tremendous improvement in his attentiveness and ability to focus. This year, he is back on the Honor Roll.

    Since the age of 11, Joey has been creating websites, building PCs from scratch, and networking all the computers in our home. He even gets paid to update the website for his grandparents' Orchid Club. He has dreams of going on to college and then pursuing a career in software engineering. His doctors say there is no reason why he shouldn't.

    It's important for people with Epilepsy to know they're not alone; there are successful and even famous people in the world, both in history and currently living and thriving, with Epilepsy.

    The following examples are of famous people in history with Epilepsy:

       
    Julius Caesar - Roman Statesman (100-44 B.C.)
    Napoleon Bonaparte - Emperor of France (1769-1821)


    Joan of Arc, or Jeanne d'Arc in French, (1412 – May 30, 1431),
    15th century national heroine of France.
    Tried and executed for heresy at 19 years old.
    Judgment broken by the Pope and declared innocent/martyr 24 years later.
    Beatified in 1909 and canonized as a saint in 1920.


    Vincent Willem van Gogh (30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890),
    Dutch Post-Impressionist artist.



    St. Valentine is the Patron Saint of Epilepsy

    An M.R.I. also revealed that Joey has an unrelated Adenoma (a benign brain tumor). Joey balancing on boardwalk fence railing at the beach Upon learning this latest bit of news, Joey responded with typical adolescent defiance: "Mom! If I REALLY have a brain tumor, I'll be pissed!" He then added that he would never permit anyone to operate on his brain.

    It is highly likely that Joey has no cause for concern. Pituitary Adenomas are found in 45% of the healthy population, most of whom will never be aware of their existence unless the tumor is discovered during an exam for an unrelated condition. In fact, these benign tumors are common during adolescence due to rapid growth and excessive hormones. There is only need for concern if the adenoma begins to grow and exerts pressure on the optic nerve, causing visual disturbances, or if it begins to secrete hormones, which may create other complications, such as gigantism. But, these conditions, are rare, and highly unlikely. However, Joey will receive annual MRIs and blood tests to monitor the adenoma.

    The horror of Joey's near-drowning accident has been a blessing, as it led to a timely diagnosis - before Joey received his driver's license. Our whole family continues to learn about Epilepsy, especially Absence Seizures from Generalized Epilepsy. We now make it a rule to educate others about Epilepsy, including the teachers at Joey's high school, friends, and family.

    The following websites and support forums have been very helpful:

    Famous People with Epilepsy, as listed on Epilepsy.com:
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