An overview: Chikungunya fever

An overview: Chikungunya fever Introduction The derivation of chikungunya came from Tanzania, when there were reports of a dengue-like symptom outbreak in 1952-1953, in the Newala and Masasi Districts of the Southern Province. However, dengue was later excluded on the basis that this epidemic involved patients suffering from debilitating joint pains and shorter incubation period which are not clinical features of dengue. Consequently, the illness was called chikungunya; (Robinson 1955) a word from the Makonde dialect describing patients contorted posture (Lumsden 1955). Chikungunya is an arthropod borne virus (arbovirus) of the genus: Alphavirus from Togaviridae family. It is transmitted to humans mainly by day biting mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Townson and Nathan 2008). Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) contains a positive-sense single stranded RNA genome, enclosed in an icosahedral nucleocapsid (combination of nucleic acid and capsid) all enclosed in a phospholipid bilayer envelope. Embedded in the envelope are multiple copies of two encoded glycoproteins E1 and E2, a small glycoprotein E3, and a hydrophobic peptide 6K (Strauss and Strauss 1994). History There were no previous reported cases of chikungunya or dengue in Tanzania before the chikungunya epidemic in 1952 1953 thus, the inhabitants were highly susceptible in acquiring CHIKV infections (Robinson 1955). Prescott et al, 2002 stated that herd immunity; that is, the immunity that is acquired by a large proportion of the population either through vaccination, or from previous infections, thereby rendering the population resistant to the spread of the diseases. Furthermore, other factors could have contributed to the epidemic including records of unusually high rainfall during February to May 1952. Consequently, this condition was thought to provide suitable breeding environment for the mosquitoes to expand their population, suggesting that the main vector of transmissions were mosquitoes (Lumsden 1955). However, not only high rainfall was implicated in enhancing mosquitoes breeding environment, but also water filled clay jars dug in the inhabitants huts floor in preparation fo r the drought season. Consequently, these jars are rarely completely emptied, which further enhanced mosquitoes populations. Another contributing factor to the epidemic could be the living conditions and lifestyles of the indigenous populations. Animals such as fowl, pigeons and occasionally goats were reared in the inhabitants huts. Consequently, these vertebrates could also serve as CHIKV hosts, and thus, this has provided opportunities for transmissions between animals and humans. During early January 1953, the incidence of the epidemic has reached its peak (Lumsden 1955). However, once a person has acquired the infection, that person will become immune to further infections with the same virus (Robinson 1955). Subsequently, this means that as herd immunity increases, the number of viraemic inhabitants decreases. Aim Consequently, it has inspired this literature review on chikungunya in assessing its outbreaks incidence and prevalence, its associations with dengue and the vectors. Furthermore, from this to determine if it poses a risk that Western medicine should be planning for. Clinical Features Chikungunya has a viraemic incubation period of 3-12 days (Robinson 1955). Rezza et al. (2007) described chikungunya as a mild and self limited disease in most of the patients. with patients presenting with clinical features such as fever ranging from 39-39.8oC, fatigue, skin rash (sometimes itches), headache, joint pain (arthalgia), muscle pain (myalgia), diarrhoea, vomiting, photophobia, and conjunctivitis. Furthermore, Kannan et al. (2009) observed most of the above symptoms with inclusion of oedema, oral ulcers, nausea, and haemorrhage. Arthalgia and myalgia involves extremities such as wrists, ankles, hands, feet and phalanges. However, arthalgia, myalgia, oedema, lethargy, and weakness persisted even after fever had subsided (Kannan et al. 2009). However, the La Reunion outbreak observed vertical transmissions from mother to child, with newborns presenting with chikungunya infection without prior involvement of mosquitoes. These infants presented with fever, pain, poor feeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), petechiae, distal joint oedema, and thrombocytopenia. Also involved were severe neonatal infections including encephalitis and haemorrhagic fever. Furthermore, there were cases whereby transient brain haemorrhages were complicated by the presence of DIC (Gà ©rardin et al. 2008). Table 1: represents different clinical features that were associated with chikungunya infection during several outbreaks. Clinical Features associated with Chikungunya Most common Joint pain (96.6%) Fever Fever Fever Fever (96.3%) Joint pain Joint pain Arthalgia Headache (71.2%) Arthritis Fatigue Myalgia Muscle pain (62.6%) Myalgia Skin rash Headache Cutaneous eruptions (32.5%) Arthralgia Headache Anorexia Headache Muscle pain Nausea Rash Diarrhoea Itch/ Rash Sore throat Itch/ Rash Oedema Vomiting Oral ulcer Photophobia Eye pain Conjunctivitis Vomiting Eye congestion Least common Haemorrhage Reference Renault et al. 2007 Yosulf et al. 2008 Kannan et al. 2009 Distribution of Chikungunya The World Health Organisation (WHO) alerted the Global Alert and Response Network in March 2005, of an impending outbreak of chikungunya fever in the Comoro Islands. It was the first Southwestern Indian Ocean islands to be implicated in the epidemic, subsequently; other countries were later implicated in this epidemic. The emergence of the epidemic in Mayotte was imported from Grande-Comore by mid-April and by the end of April Mauritius was also implicated. Overall, the Southwestern Indian Ocean region was believed to be afflicted by the first emergence of CHIKV (Renault et al. 2007). In April 2005, a chikungunya infection which started in Grande-Comorre was imported into La Reunion (French Overseas Territory), became its first severe reported case, in March 2004 to April 2005. It resulted in the establishment of a wide operational epidemiologic surveillance system by the islands local authority with the following objectives monitor epidemic trends, characterise cases and detect new transmission clusters to provide orientations for prevention and vector control. Unfortunately, the collection of data was not conducted scientifically, as the figures of reported cases were not scientifically correlated (Renault et al. 2007). Moreover, there were also flaws in the correlation of the epidemic curve as the capacity of the surveillance system was not sufficient to evaluate the number of cases. Consequently, this resulted in an underestimated number of reported cases. (Renault et al. 2007). Approximately 3% cases did not correspond with the criteria defining suspected cas es as an abrupt onset of fever >38.5oC accompanied by debilitating joint pain. However, Renault et al. (2007) argued that these were mainly due to some atypical cases that were confirmed by laboratory testing and also due to errors in reporting cases. Moreover, there could have been misdiagnosis of chikungunya infection as not all of the atypical cases were laboratory confirmed; and also the previous year there were outbreak of dengue. By April 2006, 203 deaths which were either directly or indirectly attributed to chikungunya infection with the mortality rate of 0.3/1000 people with a median age of 79. Consequently, the number of deaths was minimal. Moreover, the low immune status of the individual as indicated by the age could have been a contributing factor to the death, as some of these individuals were presented with other underlying conditions. However, direct association between death and infection was not confirmed due to the absence of autopsies, consequently; this made it difficult to assess the extent chikungunya virus had on death. Mayotte, an island of the Comoros archipelago was involved in the first CHIKV outbreak in April 2005 to July 2006 affecting approximately 6346 residents. The outbreak involved two waves, with peak occurring in the second wave aroIn the Maldives, an outbreak occurred during December 2006 to April 2007 with 11879 confirmed and suspected cases. Out of the 197 inhabited Maldives islands 121 islands reported CHIKV. The epidemic was thought to be associated with unusually high rainfall from October 2006 to March 2007 and post tsunami construction activities which provided breeding sites for mosquitoes. (Yoosuf et al. 2008). On the east coast of Madagascar, in Toamasina, Chikungunya virus and Dengue type 1 virus outbreak were reported during January to March 2006. The study involved interrogating 4,242 residents in 27 neighbourhoods, of which 2,863 were suspected cases and of these 44 were hospitalised cases. 55 patients serum were sampled after passing the criteria which included having less than five days of fever as well as three of these symptoms: headache, myalgia, arthralgia, retroorbital pain or rash. The results included 24 dengue patients, 4 chikungunya and 10 co-infections. As the study was only based on clinical investigations, and only a few samples were analysed, there were insufficient investigation to measure the Chikungunyas and Dengues contributions in the 2 peaks of the epidemic curve. Furthermore, 2 of the 24 Dengue patients had IgM Chikungunya virus. This could be caused by false positive or false negative results, resulting in misdiagnosis or they were in fact co-infections (Ratsitor ahina et al. 2008). The cases represented on the map are either confirmed cases or suspected cases. Reference: 1 Krastinova et al. 2006, 2 Rezza et al. 2007, 3 Pastorino et al. 2004, 4 Sissoko et al. 2008, 5 Lumsden 1955, 6 Tamburro and Depertat 2009, 7 CDC 2009, 8 WHO 2008, 9 Yoosuf et al. 2009. Transmission of CHIKV CHIKV requires an invertebrate and vertebrate host in order to complete its replication cycle (Pardigon 2009). Invertebrate hosts also known as definitive hosts are mainly the Aedes mosquito species. The Aedes mosquito becomes infected subsequent to ingesting viraemic blood meal from infected vertebrate hosts. The blood meal containing CHIKV travel to the gut, there CHIKV undergo replication within the gut wall. Subsequently, CHIKV contain mechanisms permitting its penetration into the mosquitoes tissues. From there, it passes through either the bloodstream or by other methods (not well known) to different sites of the body such as the salivary glands where it undergoes further replication. Extrinsic incubation period (EIP) is defined as the time taken for the vector to transmit CHIKV after ingesting a viraemic blood meal. Subsequently, there are factors that could influence the length of the EIP including temperature which increases when the EIP decreases. This is thought to be an i nverse proportional relationship. Moreover, the quantity of viraemic blood ingested is another factor (Cook and Zumla 2009). Furthermore, Ross (1956) research demonstrated that a mosquito could harbour viral particles for up to 30 days. Gould and Higgs (2009) suggested that vertical transmission of CHIKV from infected mosquitoes result in infected mosquitoes eggs. These eggs, due to their dessicated nature, are able to survive for long period of time in the environment where it hatches during the rainy season. Sylvatic transmission cycle involves vertebrate hosts such as primates, birds, and rodents which serve as natural hosts (Pardigon 2009). However, humans were considered accidental hosts, resulting in urban transmission cycles producing epidemics. After taking a viraemic bloodmeal from an infected human the domestic mosquitoes can also become infected thereby contributing to the outbreaks (Gould and Higgs 2009). Distributions of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti The main vectors of chikungunya are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The vector involved in the 2005/2006 Mayotte outbreak was Aedes albopictus which resided locally on the island (Sissoko et al. 2008). Aedes albopictus was involved in the 2006 Dengue fever and Chikungunya outbreak in Madagascar. The mosquito was found in drums, buckets, coconut shells, discarded cans, pots wet containers and tyres (Ratsitorahina et al. 2008). In the 2007 Italian outbreak, the only vector present was Aedes albopictus (Rezza et al. 2007). The main vector associated with recent outbreaks was Aedes albopictus. Effect of climate change Most of the cases occurred after reports of high rainfall. Association with Dengue Fever and Malaria In the 1999-2000 Democratric Republic of Congo outbreak, patients had acquired simultaneous CHIKV and Plasmodium falciparum infection. However, there were not sufficient evidence to prove co-infection between the two but it was assumed by the authors that it was probable (Pastorino et al. 2004). Compared to CHIKV, dengue virus is of the genus Flavirivirus from Flaviridae family and contains 4 serotypes (Dayal-Drager 2004 cited by Seyler et al. 2009). The 2006 Madagascar outbreak showed that the mosquito can harbour both Chikungunya and dengue virus (Ratsitorahina et al. 2008). CHIKV is often masked by dengue fever due to similar clinical features. Consequently, a study by Vazeille et al. (2008) demonstrated that Aedes aegypti has a higher susceptibility in Dengue 2 virus and a lower susceptibility to CHIKV. Moreover, studies by Vazeille et al. (2008) and Moutailler et al. (2009) demonstrated that Aedes albopictus are more effiecient at harbouring CHIKV than dengue 2 virus. Importation into Europe France Between March 2005 to August 2006, 80 visitors from Chikungunya infected countries in the Southwest Indian Ocean region (La Reunion, Mauritius, Mayotte, Comoros and India) confirmed chikungunya infection at Pitià ©-Salpà ªtrià ¨ne Hospital in Paris, France (Hochedez et al. 2007). Italy In 2007, a massive CHIKV outbreak occurred in the Emilia Romagna region in northeastern Italy. There were 205 identified cases with frebile illness reported in Castiglione di Cervia and Castiglione di Ravenna villages (171) separated by the river in Revana province, and Cervia (13) and other villages (21), between July 4 to September 27. The epidemic was believed to be imported from Kerala, India (CHIKV epidemic infested area) by a man, who after two days of his arrival in Castiglione di Cervia developed frebile illness. The majority of the cases were the elderly (median age 60) representing increased incidence with age. Aedes albopictus which causes Chikungunya was also found in the area of the epidemic which further propagated the virus. Positive CHIKV sequences were detected in 90 captured Aedes albopictus mosquitoes from Castiglione di Cervia and 125 from Castiglione di Ravenna. Most cases occurred in Castiglione di Cervia and Castiglione di Ravenna Villages with peak incidence d uring third week of August. The 13 Cervia cases were local transmission introduced from Castiglione through migration (Rezza et al. 2007). Other European Countries Due to travelling, several European countries have encountered CHIKV from viraemic travellers from epidemic countries (Panning et al. 2008). The study was conducted at the Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, Germany involved 680 patients. References Beran, G. W. (1994) Handbook of zoonoses. Section B: Viral. 2nd Edition. CRC Press LLC: Florida. CDC. (2009) Outbreak notice. Chikungunya in Asia and the Indian Ocean. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/outbreak-notice/chikungunya-fever.aspx. Accessed on 28th January 2010. CDC. (2008) Chikungunya Transmission http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/Chikungunya/CH_Transmission.html Downloaded on 8th December 2009. Cook, G. C., Zumla, A. I. (2009) Mansons Tropical Diseases. 22nd Edition. Saunders: China. Gà ©rardin, P., Barau, G., Michault, A., Bintner, M., Randrianaivo, H., Choker, G., Lenglet, Y., Touret, Y., Bouveret, A., Grivard, P., Le Roux, K., Blanc, S., Schuffenecker, I., Couderc, T., Arenzana-Seisdedos, F., Lecuit, M., Robillard, P-Y. (2008) Multidisciplinary Prospective Study of Mother-to-Child Chikungunya virus Infections on the Island of La Rà ©union. PLoS Medicine, 5(3), 413-423. Gould, E. A., Higgs, S. (2009) Impact of climate change and other factors on emerging arbovirus diseases. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 103(2), 109-121. Hochedez, P., Hausfater, P., Jaureguiberry, S., Gay, F., Datry, A., Danis, M., Bricaire, F., Bossi, P. (2007) Cases of Chikungunya Fever Imported from the Islands of the Southwest Indian Ocean to Paris, France. Eurosurveillance. 12(1-3). Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=679LanguageId=2. Accessed date: 12th November 2009. Kannan, M., Rajendran, R., Sunish, I. P., Balasubramaniam, R., Arunachalam, N., Paramasivan, R., Tewari, S. C., Philip, Samuel, P., Tyagi, B. K. (2009) A study on chikungunya outbreak during 2007 in Kerala, south India. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 129,(3), 311-315. Krastinova, E., Quatresous, I., Tarantola, A. (2006) Imported cases of chikungunya in metropolitan France. Eurosurveillance, 34(11). Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=3030. Accessed on: 28th January 2010. Lumsden, W. H. R. (1955) An Epidemic of Virus Disease in Southern Province, Tanganyika Territory, in 1952-53 II. General Description and Epidemiology. Transaction of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hgeine. 49(1), 33-57. Moutailler, S., Barre, H., Vazielle, M., Failloux, A-B. (2009) Recently introduced Aedes albopictus in Corsica is competent to Chikungunya virus and in a lesser extent to dengue virus. Tropical Medicine and International Health. 14(9), 1105-1109. Panning, M., Grywna, K., Van Esbroeck, M., Emmerich, P., Drosten, C. (2008) Chikungunya Fever in Travellers Returning to Europe from the Indian Ocean Region, 2006. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 14(3), 416-422. Paquet, C., Quatresous, I., Solet, J.-L., Sissoko, D., Renault, P., Pierre, V., Cordel, H., Lassalle, C., Thiria, J., Zeller, H., Schuffnecker, I. (2006) Chikungunya outbreak In Rà ©union: epidemiology and surveillance, 2005 to early January 2006. Eurosurveillance. 11(5). Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=2891. Accessed on: 12th November 2009. Pardigon, N. (2009) The biology of chikungunya: A brief review of what we still do not know. Pathologie Biologie. 57(2), 127-132. Pastorino, B., Muyembe-Tamfum, J.J., Bessaud, M., Tock, F., Tolou, H., Durand, J.P., Peyrefitte, C.N. (2004) Epidemic Resurgence of Chikungunya Virus in Democratic Republic of the Congo: Identification of the New Central African Strain. Journal of Medical Virology 74(2), 277-282. Pialoux, G., Gaà ¼zà ¨re, B.-A., Jaurà ©guiberry, S., Strobel, M. (2007) Chikungunya, an epidemic arbovirosis. Lancet Infectious Diseases 7(5), 319-327. Prescott, L.M., Harley, J.P., Klein, D.A. (2002) Microbiology. Fifth Edition. Boston; London : McGraw-Hill. Ratsitorahina, M., Harisoa, J., Ratovonjato, J., Biacabe, S., Reynes, J.-M., Zeller, H., Raoelina, Y., Talarmin, A., Richard, V., Soares, J.-L. (2008) Outbreak of Dengue and Chikungunya Fevers, Toamasina, Madagascar, 2006. Emerging Infectious Diseases 14(7), 1135-1137. Renault, P., Solet, J.-L., Sissoko, D., Balleydier, E., Larrieu, S., Filleul, L., Lassalle, C., Thiria, J., Rachou, E., De Valk, H., Ilef, D., Ledrans, M., Quatresous, I., Quenel, P., Pierre, V. (2007) A major epidemic of chikungunya virus infection on Reunion Island, France, 2005-2006. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 77(4), 727-731. Rezza, G., Nicoletti, L., Angelini, R., Romi, R., Finarelli, A.C., Panning, M., Cordioli, P., Fortuna, C., Boros, S., Magurano, F., Silvi, G., Angelini, P., Dottori, M., Ciufolini, M.G., Majori, G. C., Cassone, A. (2007) Infection with chikungunya virus in Italy: an outbreak in a temperate region. Lancet. 370(9602), 1840-1846. Robinson, M.C. (1952) An epidemic of virus disease in Southern Province, Tanganyika Territory, in 1952-1953. I Clinical features. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 49(1), 28-32. Ross, R. W. (1956). The Journal of Hygiene. 54(2): 192-200. Sissoko, D., Malvy, D., Giry, C., Delmas, G., Paquet, C., Gabrie, P., Pettinelli, F., Sanquer, M.-A., Pierre, V. (2008) Outbreak of Chikungunya fever in Mayotte, Comoros archipelago, 2005-2006. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 102(8), 780-786. Staikowsky, F., Talarmin, F., Grivard, P., Souab, A., Schuffenecker, I., Le Roux, K., Lecuit, M. Michault, A. (2009) Prospective Study of Chikungunya Virus Acute Infection in the Island of La Rà ©union during the 2005-2006 Outbreak. PLoS one. 4(10), e7603. Strauss, J. H., Strauss, E. G. (1994) The alphaviruses: gene expression, replication, and evolution. Microbiological Reviews. 58(3), 491-562. Tamburro, M., Depertat, T. (2009) Protection measures against mosquito bites in Reunion island during chikungunya epidemics in 2005- 2006 and since then. 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(2008) First report of chikungunya from the Maldives. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygeine. 103(2), 192-196.

Quality Assessment Essay

â€Å"Assessment practises have a powerful impact on learning and teaching† (Curriculum Council of Western Australia, 2004, p. 37). For teachers the focus is on the use of assessment results; how they use those results to inform instructional decision making and whether they provide results that verify students have indeed met the learning targets originally set. Thus, judgements are made about the quality of assessments after the students’ performance. ‘High-quality’ assessments encompass a number of criteria’s and involve a great deal more than simply measuring knowledge (McMillan, 2011) and are outlined below in seven key areas. 1. Clear Purpose – The first decision is clarify the purpose for the assessment. Why is the assessment taking place? What is to be gained from it? Will the teacher be using formative techniques to monitor student progress or will the teacher use summative techniques to establish grades (Chappuis, Chappuis, & Stiggins, 2009)? â€Å"Knowing the reason for the assessment is crucial because this will determine what the assessment should look like, how it is administered and scored, and how the results will be used (McMillan, 2011, p.10)†. 2. Defined Learning Targets –Are they reasonable and do they ‘align’ with the state standards, student characteristics and overall goals (McMillan, 2011)? Learning targets need to be clear and understandable to everyone (Chappuis, Chappuis, & Stiggins, 2009). Learning targets are important as they define expectations. 3. Assessment Methods – The assessment methods, using either selected or constructed responses, need to align with the chosen learning targets (McMillan, 2011). â€Å"Selecting an assessment method that is incapable of reflecting the intended learning will compromise the accuracy of the results† (Chappuis, Chappuis, & Stiggins, 2009). These also need to practical and efficient so as not to be too time consuming on lessons. 4. Fairness – Fair assessments are unbiased without the influence of discrimination or subjective factors (McMillan, 2011). â€Å"All students should have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their achievement† (Curriculum Council of Western Australia, 2004, p. 38). 5.Validity & Reliability – Judgements should be based on all information and multiple measures that authenticate the conclusion (Curriculum Council of Western Australia, 2004). The assessment is useless unless the inference is appropriate, useful, reasonable and consistent (McMillan, 2011). 6. Criteria – Outlining criteria contributes to students’ learning by making clear the outcomes or goals they are striving for (Curriculum Council of Western Australia, 2004). â€Å"The issue of how student responses will be evaluated lies at the heart of any type of assessment† (McMillan, 2011, p.35). 7. Feedback – Feedback should be clear and constructive. Feedback by both by the teacher and self-assessment allows students to take responsibility for their learning and helps students â€Å"identify how they can improve their learning† (Killen, 2005, p. 98) and ensure motivation is high through positive consequences. By ensuring the lessons have a clear purpose, are well planned and allow all students’ to demonstrate their achievements through a fair, valid and reliable process, learning and teaching is improved and achievement is enhanced. â€Å"High quality assessments have consequences that will be positive for both students and yourself† (McMillan, 2011, p. 86). References Chappuis, S. , Chappuis, J. , & Stiggins, R. (2009). The Quest for Quality. Multiple Measures , 67 (3), 14-19. Curriculum Council of Western Australia. (2004). Curriculum Framework. Osborne Park: W. A. Killen, R. (2005). Programming and assessment for quality teaching and learning. South Thompson: Cengage. McMillan, J. H. (2011). Classroom Assessment: Principles and Practice for Effective Standards – Based Instruction (Fifth ed. ). Boston: Pearson.

Planning For A Future Career - 3243 Words

Introduction Taking the steps to enroll in higher education, completing the courses, and earning a degree are all important aspects in career development. However, many other aspects need to be considered while planning for a future career. While it may seem very overwhelming, I am hoping that by completing this Flexible Career Plan this whole process will help me feel a little less overwhelmed. Each chapter in our textbook, Creating Career Success by Fabricant, Miller, and Stark (2014), will assist me with gathering information, evaluating that information and coming to conclusions on how to peruse the right career. We will begin with Chapter two and travel through the book ending in chapter ten. Some of the topics we will cover will be,†¦show more content†¦Continue using, learning, training and adapting the skills to new environments are all necessary to maintain the skills I already have and are motivated to use. According to Fabricant, Miller, and Stark, We develop skills thru past employment, experiential learning, past courses/projects, extracurricular activities and volunteer work. (Fabricant, Miller, Stark, 2014). I can continue to educate myself by taking classes, reading, and researching more about these skills, asking for help when I struggle and by never giving up. Other options are join groups that help develop these skills or volunteer to help others. I could also start using these skills in other areas of my life to get more practice with them. I currently volunteer at an elementary school reading to children and at a DV/SA shelter. These experiences are allow me to using my skills and gain new ones every day. The level of motivation a person has to take the steps to maintain and build skills are very important. I am currently more motivated than I have ever been in anything. I have overcome so many challenges in the past two years. I realized two years ago that I was the only one holding me back from accomplishing my goals and once I realized that I learned that I could do anything and be good at it. I am talented and I would rather try and fail than not try at all and spend the rest of my life wondering how I would have been at something. I do not want to die with

The Inconsequenstial Roles of Women in Heart of Darkness...

Wars have been fought; lives lost, and lives won because of woman, or due in no small part to women’s effect on man. Held up on a pedestal of purity and innocence, Man has fought to keep their loved ones from the terror of the real world, one filled with strife, abuse, cruelty, and all things ungodly. Women are civilization; they are the bricks that make a society civilized. Men are there to carry out the uncivilized acts so that proper society can flourish from the untarnished view that woman have of it. The â€Å"Heart of Darkness† features few female characters and when they are presented it is in a minor if not inconsequential role. They are left to mainly secretarial work or are not working when they are presented. They follow strict gender stereotypes of doing home-like jobs or knitting, so as to not have to be a part of the dark world that is around them. Kurtz is held up to a almost godlike figure. He is the man all of the other people want to be. He is a hero t o the company and has been able to harvest more ivory than anyone else; however, at a terrible cost, and that was the treatment of the natives. Kurtz had two lovers â€Å"The Intended†, as well as the tribal mistress. The woman must be protected. The protection of women is vital in keeping with civilization, for without their innocence and assumed purity, men would not be able to do the nasty things that are required for making a society function properly, things while morally ambiguous allow it to run smoothly while