Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her judgment in a South African high court on Friday. She found Oscar Pistorius guilty of "culpable homicide,'' similar to American "manslaughter." But whether it's the equivalent of American voluntary or involuntary manslaughter may be resolved when she sentences him. Judge Masipa felt prosecutors didn't make a strong enough case for premeditation which would've meant Pistorius was guilty of first degree murder. Bladerunner Pistorius During the sentencing … [Read more...]
Speech pathology and cleft lip.
We've all been there. Embarrassment over mispronunciations, esp when we travel or are a "stranger in a strange land." Someone may endearingly call you "sweaty" when they mean "sweety." Sometimes we're teased or laughed at, like the Nepalese guy who learns to call a wallet a ''purse" and chap-stick "lipstick." He doesn't understand why the uproar in America when he asks, "Where's my purse? Where's my lipstick?" Speech Pathology Week. Well, you can imagine the plight of cleft lip and palate … [Read more...]
Cleft lip Katie’s shot at Miss Canada.
A while back I introduced Katie Barrow, a young stunner who wasn't letting a cleft lip get in the way of her dream to compete in the Miss Canada Globe beauty pageant. I chronicled her efforts to raise money to get to the event in Toronto this month. She did bake sales, auctions, flea markets, and dance club events to finance all the expenses (outfits, gowns, etc.) associated with the pageant. Cleft lip isn't holding Katie Barrow back. Recently, twenty-year old Katie has had to practice her … [Read more...]
Someone I love needs a cure. The ALS Challenge.
Am thrilled about the ice bucket fever that's sweeping the nation...and world (Lindsay Lohan just challenged Prince Harry). ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is challenging my wife's sister and her loved ones on a daily basis. I'm so glad that the disease is getting the attention it deserves since we desperately need research to find a cure for this generally fatal disease that strikes randomly and seems to have no rhyme or reason. I'm also proud of all of our relatives who're risen … [Read more...]
Robin Williams, bipolar disorder?——II
I've studied depression and its variants all my life—as a psychology major, as a med student, and as an observer of those around me. I've chosen to weigh in on the debate over Robin Williams for that reason, and also because depression is an important theme in my memoir, Cleft Heart. Before delving further into the Williams case, I'll address some of feedback I've received regarding my assertion that Williams suffered from bipolar disorder. And since there have been new revelations about … [Read more...]
Robin Williams bipolar disorder?
I'm continuing my examination of Robin Williams mental state for two reasons. First, I admired his wide ranging talent and have had nothing but good feelings for him over the decades. Second, I've spent much of my life thinking about depression and related diseases since people close to me have suffered from such afflictions. I've chronicled some of this in Cleft Heart: Chasing Normal. Funnyman-in-Chief had bipolar disorder? Our nation has lost its Funnyman-in-Chief, and this is doubly … [Read more...]
If Williams was bipolar, he wasn’t alone.
Robin Williams I knew Robin Williams' death by hanging would be as hard for me to process as Philip Seymour Hoffman's recent tragic death at age 46. That's because a central character in my memoir, Cleft Heart, may've battled the black dog of depression as some allege Williams did. My family—and my study of psychology in college and med school—have sensitized me over the years to the complexities of mood disorders, esp depression and manic-depression (called bipolar disorder today). My guess … [Read more...]