Karen Stephenson's Blog
Posted by Karen Stephenson
Jeff Munro was a professional dancer on a Caribbean cruise ship whose incredible talents eroded into the horrific world of addictions and life on the streets. After a malicious attack allegedly over a bag of potato chips, three inmates brought Jeff’s life to a brutal ending this past weekend in Toronto’s notorious Don Jail.
It’s not clear why Jeff Munro ended up in the Don Jail. His mother, Christine Munro, is bewildered about how police can put an individual with a mental health illness into a severely overcrowded jail with other hardened criminals.
It wasn’t long ago when this man was living his lifelong dream. However, late nights and excessive partying ended up being an introduction to crystal meth. Unfortunately for Jeff, he was vulnerable and that’s where his addiction started. His life on board a luxurious cruise ship turned into a life on Toronto’s streets.
Jeff was known by Toronto Police and was sent to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health numerous times because schizophrenia had taken hold. Why was Jeff Munro, a man who was known to police, put in the Don Jail? Toronto Police owe a lot more than just an explanation to Jeff’s family.
Understanding addictions is not easy. One thing is clear; there is no single factor that can be said to cause addiction. Addictions happen as a result of a combination of factors. An addiction can take anyone at anytime; no one is immune. An addict deserves just as much respect as an individual as anyone else.
Jeff Munro, Rest In Peace.
If you know of anyone reaching out for help please contact:
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Jewish Addiction Community Services
Further Reading:
Posted by Karen Stephenson
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send and read other users' updates called 'tweets'. Created in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter rapidly gained popularity worldwide and in doing so, many 'Tweeters' have forgotten some of the golden rules of safe surfing.
Twitter has created a global stage for conversation and micro-blogging and in the process has possibly helped erode safe internet protocol placing many people in a vulnerable position. Roel Schouwenberg, Senior Anti-Virus Researcher at Kaspersky, recently spoke at an IT conference called Interop. In a session titled, 'Ready, Set, Attack', Schouwenberg spoke about how users are being exploited by stating, “On Twitter you are expected to trust everything that comes your way, with TinyURLs and links. You just click on something, and you don't know what's on the other end, it could be real or it could be a malicious web site.”
Young adults, teenagers in particular, are quick to trust what their friends post and click on the links. Many youth are apt to add anyone as a friend without really knowing who they are and therefore are highly susceptible to viruses and malware. David Leonhardt, owner of the social media site, Zoomit.ca says, “Internet surfing used to be simple: Google or Yahoo. Increasingly, people are following links from one place to another as multiple social media web sites replace a single search engine.”
Schouwenberg believes that Twitter is teaching people to trust things that come their way. Malware growth is rapidly increasing and Kaspersky is seeing on average, 30,000 new samples a day of malware. While most people take precautions and have anti-virus protection, it isn't always foolproof. One wrong click can let viruses and malware cause computer slowdown, complete loss of Internet access, pop-ups ads that interfere with normal operation or web-browsing and repeated system crashes.
So, is Twitter teaching people bad security habits? Temptation may be strong to click on posted links, but the common phrase 'buyer beware' can be modified to 'Tweeters beware'! Tweeting is popular and there's no need to fear that security is compromised as long as safe internet surfing rules are followed. Remember, by clicking on links provided only by trusted Tweeters, the Twitter experience will be greatly enhanced.
Posted by Karen Stephenson
Abuse has no boundaries. No matter what culture, religious or economic background, abuse permeates throughout thousands of homes every day. If you know someone who has been abused it's important to reach out and help.
Mothers abuse their children, men abuse their wives, brothers assault their sisters, the myriad of combinations are overwhelming. Domestic violence, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse: unfortunately, they all exist.
Many studies conclude that a victim of abuse has a higher chance of committing abuse if they have not adequately dealt with their past issues. Intervention and education is crucial in drastically reducing (and hopefully eliminating) abuse.
It's a long road and I feel it will be decades before society can truncate the cycle of abuse. Until that time comes, we all need to help out when we are able. The good news is that there is a plethora of services available to help those in need. More often than not, victims remain silent and don't seek help. Others covertly reach out.
I have received numerous comments on my abuse articles. Sometimes I get comments in which the guest asks for help. I often receive comments in which the reader in venting, and rightfully so considering the journey they have been on. If you are a victim of abuse and truly need help I can not promise to help, but I can try. Email me at angel-2424@hotmail.com . I will respond to your email and endeavor to help as best as I can.
If you know of anyone who has suffered abuse and is not seeking help, it's important to support them. As the old saying goes, be a friend and lend a hand.
Posted by Karen Stephenson
December 4, 2008
Your Excellency,
As a taxpayer in Ontario (who exercised my right to vote), I find what is happening a disgrace to Canada internally and around the world. Anyone with open eyes can clearly see that this is a desperate attempt of a man who brought total disgrace to the Liberal party by making history in a negative way. I view this as being his way to make good with some Canadians for a campaign that went wrong. It is my opinion that Mr Dion, unfortunately, is going about this the wrong way.
- I work in the school system and I sing O'Canada every morning with pride.
- I love this country of ours from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
- I was upset with fellow Canadians who paid more attention to the US election process when we were in the midst of an election campaign.
- I was at the World Cup in Quebec City in April 2008 decked out in Canadian paraphernalia...so much so I was caught on camera and shown recently on a TSN show.
Bottom line, I love Canada.....all of Canada! I fear this moment of insanity will cement a western coalition to part ways with us. As Gilles Duceppe stated.....this move is good for a sovereign Quebec. Does anything else need to be stated?
Relationships take hard work in order to be successful whether it be a marriage, friendships, work colleagues or a country.
If need be in order to make this work like a successful relationship please allow the Canadian people have their voice heard. Although I would not be thrilled at the thought, I would support another election to settle this in a democratic way.
Thank-you.
Sincerely,
Karen A. Stephenson
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To have your voice heard, write to the Governor General of Canada.
Posted by Karen Stephenson
No longer are Canadians sitting back in silence! Thanks to MPP Kevin Flynn in Oakville, his initiative to circulate a petition gives hope to the hundreds of thousands of hockey fans who support an NHL franchise in the G.T.A.
Canadian hockey fans regardless of the province they reside in support the NHL coming to the GTA. Those in Ontario particulary have been supporting this for years.
The road to victory will be a long one and requires dozens of dedicated people to download the petition and collect signatures.
There is a perception by some people that online petitions are valid. They are not valid. Only a petition that has proper legal wording and has ORIGINAL signatures is accepted and taken seriously by governments and those who are receiving the petition.
Regardless of where you reside, if you support the National Hockey League bringing a franchise to the Greater Toronto Area please click on the hyperlink provided above and download a copy of the petition, Make photocopies and carry them wherever you go so that you can maximize how many signatures you can collect.
Once you have collected as many signatures as you can, please return them by mail to:
M.P.P. Kevin Flynn
2330 Lakeshore Rd. W., Unit 2
Oakville
Ontario L6L 1H3
Thank-you M.P.P. Kevin Flynn for re-igniting hope for the dedicated hockey fans who want to see the NHL flourish in the GTA! We truly appreciate your effort.
