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yzkhr · 4 years

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"Kazuha, I'm fine now."

Hattori Heiji spoke with uncharacteristic gentleness towards his childhood friend whose entire attention is on the wound around his stomach. Tooyama Kazuha only regarded him with a panicked look.

"Are you sure? What if it still hurts? What if--"

Before she could continue on her rambling, he held the warm hand inspecting his injury as he gave her the best smile he could manage.

On a normal day, Kazuha's worrying would only be troublesome and annoying for Heiji. He'd just ignore her and tell her how stupid she is, and that he wouldn't die over something so little.

But right now, he couldn't blame her. Even he thought he was going to die, without confessing his feelings first. There was nothing scarier than that moment of realization for him. So he understood, just how much pain he had made the woman he loves go through, and lets her.

The final battle versus the Black Organization was easily the most horrifying thing he had experienced over his seventeen years of existence. He grew up being surrounded by criminals but he had never seen people who saw human life as nothing but piece of paper they can crumple anytime they want. At least, culprits he detains knew guilt and have a minimum amount of reason, but the men in black doesn't. They kill either because you're in their way, or because they just want to.

Watching the downfall of the terrible institution was satisfying, to say the very least. Finally, they were gone and everything else can start going back to normal. Well, If only things would progress so smoothly as he had hoped.

Of course, casualties were made. Their team were heavily wounded. Many agents—mainly the FBI, CIA, and Secret Police— were injured, some even died. He didn't left unharmed either. He had a huge gash in his stomach—which was pretty deep— and a bullet wound on his left ankle.

When Kazuha approached him as they were directed to the nearest hospital, he saw how cold her gazes were, so different from her usual fiery look. She stayed quiet the whole time as the nurse treated him, just giving him nothing but shallow—but tinged with worry— glances.

Seeing that Heiji won't back down, the brunnette sighed and slowly backed away. She stood up from the chair beside his bed, laggardly making her way towards the door.

He wanted to stop her and talk to her, but her verdant eyes filled with pain and a bit of anger wasn't so appealing to deal with right now. Instead, he just regarded her a stare, wishing—begging— she'd turn around.

Kazuha slid open the door, along with it are Heiji's hopes of his stupid actions being forgotten.

But, as if the Gods heard his silent plea, she stopped midway of exiting the room. He held his breath, waiting for her next move, not minding the ache at his middle cause by his hitched breathing. It was like that for a few seconds, until she finally turned her head sideways, ponytail slightly moving to the opposite direction, with her expression unreadable.

"I'm still mad at you. So you better make it up to me."

And with those parting words, she left, letting Heiji huffed in relief. It wasn't the most comforting words he heard from her, but it was a sign that she'd talk to him and give him a chance to explain. For Heiji, that was everything he needed to hear so he can move on to his next concern.

Instantly, his thoughts travelled to her. If Kazuha, his childhood friend, was this mad at him for just being involved, then she must be furious, knowing that her boyfriend was in the middle of it all.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Heiji stood up, swallowing his fear of facing his best friend's girl. After all, he knew he deserved at least some punches.

The hallway was quiet, with only little people roaming around. Nurses and patients paid him no mind, too busy with their own lives. He felt glad, for once not liking the attention of others seeing him in a pathetic state.

His eyes looked for her. He tried to spot her tall figure, her long straight chesnut hair, her leaned back with her toned muscles from doing karate, uncharacteristically for a girl. Unfortunately for him, the area was infested by only ill patients in wheelchairs accommodated by their family members and staff rushing left and right towards their respective positions.

Minutes pass of searching, and he found himself on the quiet part of the institution. Individuals got fewer and fewer and when Heiji was about to head back and asked the others instead, his irises finally found what they were looking for.

There she was, sitting on one of the blue waiting chairs, contrast to the white paint all over the hospital. Her head was down, her form lifeless. Heiji felt a pang of guilt in his chest, knowing that he was a big part of her devastated state.

Once again, hesitation set inside of him, not wanting to face the woman that they had all done wrong. But he couldn't leave her alone either, after seeing that she was just outside the Intensive Care Unit.

Heiji didn't want to believe it, but it has to be him. He was the most injured one of them all, after being tortured by Gin. It was a miracle they managed to get him to the hospital in time. He took one last gulp, and walk towards her tired form.

Mouri Ran was aware of his presence but she made no indication to ascertain his assumption. She just kept her head tilted down, fingers intertwined and expression hidden by the strands of her hair. He tested the waters first by calling her name but she didn't budge at all.

The feeling of unsettlement was getting to Heiji even more but he decided to ignore it. Ran needed him right now, and he owed her a lot. They owed her a lot.

He sat down beside her and imitated her current position, waiting to see if she would do something. She didn't.

Time ticked down, Heiji finally decided to be the one to speak.

"Nee-chan--"

"Leave."

Her voice was hoarse and barely above a whisper that if he wasn't near her, he wouldn't have heard it.

He shook his head slowly, as if Ran could see his answer that way.

"No. I can't--"

Once again, she cut him off.

"Please."

This time, Heiji wanted to comply. But a part of him was stopping him from doing so. He could leave Ran alone and be free of this nervousness, or he could stay and try to alleviate a bit of her pain.

Heiji chose the latter.

"I won't."

Finally, Ran looked up, letting him see her. Her visage was tired and lost, different from her usual kind and cheerful countenance. It physically pained Heiji to see her like that, so he had to avert his eyes away.

Silence took over the two, the kind of silence rendering him deaf. Eventually, he sensed movement from her, and saw her from the corner of his left eye sitting properly, tense.

"You knew."

It was neither a question or a suggestion. It was nonchalant, as if she was stating a fact, which in this case, was what she just did.

He nodded, giving confirmation. He leaned a little towards the plastic chair, his stomach hurting from his previous hunched forward position.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

It was a basic question, but somehow it was difficult to answer. He had many chances to tell her, ever since he found out that the little brat living with the Mouris was really the missing highschool detective. So why didn't he? He could only think of one reason, though personally, it wasn't enough.

"It wasn't my secret to tell."

She sighed, seeming to expect his common response.

"Then why didn't he tell me?"

Even without any particular mentioning, it was obviously Kudo Shinichi they were talking about, who's currently fighting for his life. Instinctively, he glanced at the doors of the ICU, silently praying for his best friends health, and for his own survival to this interrogation.

Unlike Heiji, Ran stared straight ahead at the painted white wall. She didn't want to look at where he was right now, knowing she'll just burst out crying. She had to be strong, since Hattori was already giving her a chance to know the truth.

"I'm not sure, but I think it's to protect you."

Ran eyed him suspiciously from her peripheral vision, not convinced with his answer. But Heiji wasn't lying. He may not fully know Kudo's reasons, but he had a rough idea.

"From what?"

"From getting hurt by them."

She smiled, but it was screaming fallacy that even someone as dense as Heiji could figure it out.

"I was still hurt."

He couldn't offer a reply to that.

"When was he planning to tell me?"

He wanted to give a satisfying answer, like how Kudo would explain everything after everything was over. But that would be a lie. And Heiji was a bad liar. All those times he kept calling Kudo with his real name almost getting him figured out resurfaced in his head, and Heiji wondered how did they last long at pretending.

He chose to stay quiet.

Ran seemed to get it, as she finally faced Heiji.

"He wasn't planning to tell me anything at all, was he?"

The guilt in his face gave it away.

"Nee-chan, I tried to convince him to tell you more than once, specially before the final showdown, but he just wouldn't budge."

He tried to explain his side, trying to make Ran understand.

Ran simply stared, boring holes in his face.

"Then why didn't you tell me before you guys went and sacrifice yourselves out there? When do you want me to find out? When you're dead?"

She raised her tone a bit, showing frustration.

"If I told you, you would have followed us. I'm not sure Kudo would like that."

She laughed a little, pain so evident that Heiji visibly winced.

"Am I weak Hattori-kun?"

"That's not what I--"

"Then why didn't you let me help? I could've done something!"

Her shout alerted a few but she didn't seem to care, glaring at Heiji as he flinched. He sighed, mentally wishing Kudo was here to be the one to explain since Heiji didn't know what exactly was his best friends mindset for lying to her.

"I told you, he didn't want you to get involved. He didn't want you hurt, nee-chan."

He spoke gently, trying to cajole the agitated Ran. It was weird how calm and modest he was, while Ran was now the one looking like she wanted to punch someone. Unfortunately, the cajoling didn't work.

"You already knew what you were doing would hurt me, but somehow it didn't stop you, so what exactly was the difference?"

He stuttered, trying to find a good answer, but failed to do so. Ran pressed on, not waiting for his response.

"What if it was Kazuha-chan? Would you want her to keep secrets from you? To be in danger while you're safe? To possibly die without you knowing a thing!?"

Heiji visibly froze at the mention of his childhood sweetheart's name and seeing the hurt enter his usually cheery green eyes, Ran knew she went overboard.

She looked away, her eyes travelling at the room where Shinichi was being operated on. She was a mess. After all the revelation and happenings, she couldn't think straight at all. That's why she begged everyone to stay away from her, not wanting to deal with anything else.

But Hattori didn't seem to get the message. Now he was dealing with all her exasperation that clearly wasn't meant for him. He had his own issues to deal with, consoling an emotionally unstable Ran shouldn't be one of them.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

She bowed her head, her tone apologetic. It took a while for him to say anything at all, so Ran willed herself to face the great detective of the west.

It was his turn to stare at the wall, being swallowed by his thoughts. It made Ran feel bad, knowing she stroke a never.

"Hattori-kun, I'm-"

Her apologies died mid air as he finally brought his attention back to her. Expression serious, so unlike the reckless and fun Hattori she had known.

"I would hate it. I wouldn't like her to do something so dangerous alone. She would be an idiot if she wouldn't tell something so important."

Ran was stunned, not expecting an answer from her inquries that were supposed to be rhetoric.

"But," he continued on. "I know that Kazuha didn't intend to do that just to make fun of me. She had no intention to hurt. And I'm pretty sure that Kudo's the same. If there was one thing I know from that guy, is that he would never hurt nee-chan if he had a choice. It just so happens that both choices would hurt you, and he chose to keep you in the dark, than to tell you everything and get you in something so dangerous."

It was her turn to be speechless. Ran had known Hattori to be prideful and obnoxious, sometimes more than Shinichi. He was also childish and dense, specially in terms of love. However, there will always be these kinds of moments where he would completely blow her away with his deduction skills and meaningful words.

"He loves you, Nee-chan. More than what you can imagine."

With that, Ran broke.

The tears she desperately tried to hold back was now pouring endlessly, blurring her vision. Heiji getting caught off guard with her crying, panicked.

He didn't mind his aching stomach and immediately tried to find a handkerchief or a towel to wipe her tears. Unfortunately, there was none.

Ran buried her face into her palms, and tried to speak.

"I knew that. I knew that he just wanted to keep me safe. But that's also what I want. I'm scared Hattori-kun. What if he won't wake up? What if he leaves me all alone? You did something for him. You guys were there when he needed you the most. But what about me? I didn't do anything. I couldn't do anything at all. I-"

In the desperate attempt to comfort and calm down the crying woman next to him, Heiji put his arms around her shoulder and let her crying face lean on his. She sobbed harder, inclining at the comforting brotherly touch.

"That's not true nee-chan. You did a lot of things for him. You were his reason for fighting. I'm sure Kudo would have given up a long time ago if it weren't for you."

It was true. If it were Heiji, he would have just gave in and let his childhood happen again. He was sure there were time Kudo thought of that but because of Ran, he didn't give up.

"I'm scared, Hattori-kun. He can't die on me. Not without telling me everything. Not without making it up to me. Not without achieving his biggest dream. He can't die."

She said almost incoherently against his ears, choking at her own tears. Seeing her break down was also physically hurting him. He was so used to the strong and smiling Mouri Ran she showed in public that he almost forgot that she can be this fragile and weak. Heiji was amazed how she managed to keep up such an amazing act of being fine for so long.

The only thing he can do to alleviate just a bit of her suffering was to whisper at her ear his own share of comforging words while staring at the operating room, a determined look on his face.

"He won't die nee-chan. I'm sure of it. Kudo would never die just like that. He finally defeated those bad guys. I'm sure that he won't ever leave you again. If he did, then he's the biggest Ahou in history of Ahous."

Hattori Heiji had never been close to Mouri Ran compared to others. They were friends, although they never really got to interact that much. However, that didn't stop Heiji from admiring the woman. She was so kind and naive at times that you just want to protect her. But she didn't even need you for that, knowing she can defend herself better than ninety percent of men out there.

Right now, Heiji was the only one who can understand at least a portion of what she's going through. Right now, they're both losing an integral person in their lives, their best friend. And they found at least a little solace from that, knowing they're not alone.

Am I the only one who loves this underrated pairing?

#detective conan #Mouri Ran #Hattori Heiji #more Ran and Heiji interactions please

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onyxiana-is-obsessed · 4 years

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I know it’s been a long time that you posted your Disillusioned mirio fic. but can you do another ending where they find y/n but she is just mentally gone. She never moves and only mumbles and whispers words so her family has no choice but to put her in a mental hospital

Hiii!! I hope you like it! Cuz I kinda do! I tried to make it as angsty as I could. I’m a bit rusty since I haven’t written in a while. I really liked this idea, too! Pronouns used: She/her Length: 1.9k

Tags: @x-midnight-violets-x @peachy-yabbay @shiggi-trash @boku-no-dumbass @happynoodle @happygalaxymilkshake

Emotionless

It had been two weeks since Mirio, Tamaki, and Nejire ran into the villain that looked exactly like (f/n). However, no matter what anyone said, the trio refused to stop searching. They took every opportunity that came their way to search for (f/n). Their determination was almost terrifying. They were unstoppable machines, hellbent on finding who hurt their friend and punishing them.

No matter how many times their mentors, teachers, or parents tried to talk to them, they refused to listen. Any time (f/n)’s name would come up in a conversation, they were immediately listening and extremely defensive. They would ruthlessly hound villains for any information, carrying a picture of (f/n) with them at all times. Any villain they ran into was thoroughly questioned before they were sent to the police.

Since they weren’t committing a crime, the police couldn’t do anything. Nighteye, Fat Gum, and Ryukyu tried so hard to talk to them on so many occasions but neither of them would listen. The only thing to do was to bench them, but they were too valuable. Due to their loss, they were even better and hunting down and capturing villains. The only problem was that it was mentally unhealthy.

Mirio, Tamaki, and Nejire excelled in all their classwork and pushed past what they’d already done. Everyone knew of the Big 3, but they also knew of what pushed them.

It wasn’t long before the Big 3 were linked to (f/n) and her disappearance. They weren’t accused of anything, but everyone knew of (f/n)’s relationship with them. Instead of phasing them, the trio used this to their advantage. Every villain now knew about (f/n) and how she was related to them. They spared no mercy to anyone who dared to hide any information about her.

Their efforts finally paid off and they caught a break. Tamaki had captured a villain and questioned them as per usual. But this time, he saw the small flinch at the mention of (f/n)’s name. It didn’t take long before Tamaki found out that (f/n) was alive. He immediately alerted Mirio and Nejire who wasted no time before meeting Tamaki at the location. Both of them had an off day but threw it away at the chance to find (f/n).

“She’s here?” Mirio asked as they approached a warehouse. Tamaki nodded as he got ready.

“That’s what I got out of the villain.” The trio took a deep breath before they snuck into the warehouse and started to look around. The warehouse was far from empty, in fact, it was an entire base for a group of villains. The trio quietly moved through the warehouse, seeing all the weapons that were being manufactured.

“Wait, is this the weapons ring?” Nejire asked, as she stopped behind a bunch of crates. Mirio and Tamaki looked around while Nejire opened one of the boxes and looked inside. “It is. This is where they’re making weapons and selling them from.”

“You’re kidding.” Mirio muttered as she walked up to her and peered into the crate. It was filled with weapons. Following suit, Tamaki walked towards another crate and opened it up.

“Hey, come look at this.” Nejire and Mirio walked towards Tamaki and looked into the crate.

“What is this?” Nejire asked as Mirio picked up a small vial. It was labeled “ricin”. Tamaki picked up another labeled “cyanide”.

“This is poison. They’re manufacturing weapons and selling them with poison?” Mirio whispered as Tamaki looked into the crate again. He saw small boxes of bullets that were hollow.

“No wait. The poison is meant to go into the bullets, look.” He picked up the small box and took out the bullet. “It’s hollow. I bet these dissolve when they pierce your skin.” Before the trio could do anything, they heard voices making them quickly cover the crates and hide. The three ran through a door and down the hall to get away from the villains. They came to a halt when they saw cells which were empty.

Almost.

“No…” Mirio muttered as he looked into the last cell in the corner. His eyes widened as his heart started to beat out of his chest. He saw a girl, sitting on the cold, damp floor with a blank look on her face. Her clothes were dirty and torn, she had bruises on her- all over her- yet she didn’t move an inch when they came closer.

“(f/n)!” Nejire yelled as the three ran towards her. In no time, Tamaki tore the bars off as Mirio ran into the cell. He scooped (f/n) into his arms, but she made no effort to move. The empty look in her eyes was scary and the three tried to get her attention, but she didn’t budge. It was almost as if she couldn’t hear them.

“(f/n)-Baby look at me.” But she didn’t, she just wouldn’t move! Mirio took her face in his hands and made her look at him. However, what he saw shattered his heart.

Even though (f/n) was looking into his eyes, he couldn’t see anything behind hers. They were empty as if there wasn’t a single thought in her head. Her lips moved but no sound came out, making him lean forward in an effort to hear her. Whispers. Whispers but he could barely understand her. She sat limply in his arms. (f/n) was so cold and there was so much blood on her.

Wasn’t she happy to see him? He dreamed of the day he’d find her. He could picture how happily they’d embrace each other and he’d beg for forgiveness. He’d beg on his knees if he had to. But… now that she was here in his arms, she wasn’t even moving. Why? Why?!

“No… no. Please no.” He whispered as he desperately searched her eyes for something-anything! “S-say something. P-please say something, I-I’m begging you (f/n). Move! DO SOMETHING!”

Tamaki and Nejire fell to their knees next to Mirio. Nejire weakly reached out with a shaking hand to touch (f/n), but couldn’t bring herself too. Before Nejire’s fingers could brush against (f/n)’s cheek, her hand fell to her side again.

This was their fault. This was all their fault and it was a punishment they deserved but not her. They had been so proud of themselves for being able to stand up to her. They were so proud when she had finally left. They were so happy. To Mirio and Nejire, they’d protected their friend. Their dear friend.

Until they heard the news report. Until they ran into that villain. Never again did they feel the same happiness. All three of them, mainly Mirio, were trapped in a reoccurring nightmare.

They often saw (f/n) in their dreams. It was the same dream usually, the day when (f/n) happily came to them but they casted her out. She didn’t know anything… yet they didn’t believe her. She tried so desperately to tell them the truth. She tried so desperately to defend herself, yet they didn’t even give her the time of day. How could they? How could they do this to her?

Tamaki took it the hardest. The dream was just a reminder of how useless he was. He couldn’t even tell a villain from a close friend. How couldn’t he? It was… (f/n). (f/n) was nothing like that villain but he didn’t believe her.

“I’m… so sorry.” Mirio whispered as he pressed his face into (f/n)’s chest and sobbed. (f/n) stared ahead with nothing in her eyes as her three friends sobbed beside her. Mirio held her tightly, hoping to find some bit of warmth in her, but there wasn’t any. She was… so cold.

She was alive, but at what cost? There was nothing left of her.

***

“This way, sir.” The nurse said as she led Mirio down the corridor. The hero silently followed her until they came to a stop. Mirio thanked the nurse and stepped into the room. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining brightly. Today was Mirio’s day off and he planned to spend it all here. Nejire and Tamaki were coming by later as well!

Mirio walked straight to the table and removed the old flowers from a vase. Every time he’d come by, he’d bring a beautiful bouquet of flowers. He replaced the wilting ones with the new ones he brought.

“Good morning, (f/n). These flowers were a newer set at the florists. She was sure you’d like them. I hope you do too.” Mirio chirped as he threw out the old flowers. He received no response, but continued anyway. “I finally have a day off! It’s so odd, I can’t really think of anything to do! I’m always so busy. I feel like I’m wasting time.” He laughed as he sat down in the chair beside her bed. He gently took (f/n)’s hand and started to ramble on about his day with (f/n) never responding, not even once.

This was his life now. (f/n) had been sent to a mental institution, where she was going to stay until she got “better”. That’s what the heroes and doctors told (f/n)’s family, but everyone knew the truth. They knew (f/n) was never going to get better.

Whoever took her made sure to finish her off before leaving her behind. They’d reduced her mind to ash so there was no chance of recovering it. (f/n) never spoke, she never moved on her own, she never did anything. Small mumbles and whispers left her mouth, but they were just gibberish. All she did was sit on her bed and stare at the wall. When she got tired, she would sleep. The nurses had to move her, bathe her, and feed her.

The villains they’d captured back at the warehouse explained they didn’t know anything about the girl. Their boss had brought her by and told them to keep her. Unfortunately, the heroes hadn’t been able to track down said boss.

Mirio, Tamaki, and Nejire always came to visit (f/n). They seemed like they’d gotten better. They were smiling and weren’t as hellbent on revenge as they used to be. They were happily chatting away with friends, they listened to their teachers, families, and mentors. They seemed fine.

But in reality, they were just like (f/n). The trio had lost themselves. Now that (f/n) was back, they started moving on as if nothing had happened. Their days moved by happily, but… they weren’t ok. When they saw her in that cell, whatever small part of them that had survived the initial shock of hearing that she was dead died right there. That little piece they’d managed to keep safe, that little bit of themselves that they were able to preserve was gone too. They didn’t look like (f/n). They moved about, laughed, and enjoyed life. But their eyes resembled (f/n)’s. No light, no happiness, no sadness, just nothing. Not a single emotion. Just like their (f/n).

They were no longer the Big 3 everyone knew. They were hollow shells, ones that were able to pretend everything was ok. Everyone tried to move on because just like (f/n), there was no hope left for them. This was something they couldn’t recover from, even though everyone tried.

On the bright side, they were together again. Mirio and (f/n) were together, whether it was physically or emotionally. On some plane of existence all four of them had been reunited through whatever they’d lost of themselves. It wasn’t this one though.

All four of them had died the day (f/n)’s body was found. This was just some pathetic attempt to say otherwise.

#mha #bnha #my hero academia #mha x reader #bnha x reader #mirio togata x reader #Mirio Togata #bnha mirio #boku no hero x reader #my hero academia mirio

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heloisedaphnebrightmore · 4 years

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L&L - Chapter 25. Worry [Alec Lightwood x Reader]

Title: Love and Leather - Chapter 25. Worry ➔ Chapter 26. Here! Pairing: Alec Lightwood x Female!Reader Published: 23 June, 2020 Author: Heloise Daphne Brightmore Love and Leather Masterlist | Masterlists

At 8pm sharp, you were standing outside the institute waiting for the others. You got ready earlier as you didn't want to fuel the already existing tension between you and Alec. You've been waiting for about 5 minutes when all of your friends walked out the door together. Alec lead the team towards the portal, Magnus created once again and all of you stepped in one by one to arrive to a dark and hidden part of Brooklyn.

This time you arrived with more information as one of the Shadowhunters woke up from his coma and informed Alec of the vampires hiding place. You weren't really sure this was the right place though. It's not that you didn't believe the Shadowhunter, but even though it was a quite hidden area of Brooklyn, it still seemed way too exposed.

Even though Alec's tactic was to stay together, he changed his mind after all, but he didn't explain his decision. He sent you and Izzy together to check up on some of the alleys he has pointed towards, while he continued on the same path along with Jace and Clary. In a normal situation he would have joined you, but you kind of understood why he decided differently. You were not a good team together. Or at least that is what he thought. For you it didn't matter if you hated or loved someone, when on mission, you were always clear-headed and focused, completely putting your problems aside. But then again, it was Alec's decision and you didn't want to fight about it.

Izzy and you were jumping on top of the buildings to avoid a surprise attack. But you didn't see anything suspicious. You went through the streets, looked at the back alleys, even went further than your designated area, but there was nothing out of ordinary. Not a single thing.

Not long after you have finished looking around, you started walking back to where you came from, when Izzy got hold of your arm and stopped you, while putting her hand on your mouth to keep you quite.

You carefully listened to the sounds around you, when you faintly heard the sound of metal objects colliding. It reminded you of blades for some reason, but it wasn't loud enough for you to be completely sure.

You and your parabatai quickly headed towards the street you came from, when your friends' figures started to appear in your view. You could clearly see that they were fighting. Izzy started running immediately to help them out, but you stopped. It seemed too easy. The first thing in your mind was that something just did not seem right. You looked up on the buildings to find something or someone. But your senses left you helpless once again. Your friends were keeping up quite well against the vampires. Many of them were already dead. But you still couldn't shake that negative feeling radiating through your bones.

As you got closer your eyes met the vampire Alec was fighting with. You couldn't have forgotten his face. Shivers ran through your body from disgust, but you tried to shake it off.

"Y/N." You saw his lips moving. A huge grin appeared on his face, seeing you. He tried to get to you, but Alec stopped him and occupied him. You saw them exchanging words, but you couldn't understand, you couldn't read off their lips what they were saying. The vampire was strong, too strong. You could see Alec struggling to keep up with his speed, even with his runes activated. As his focus was completely on the vampire he was fighting with, he didn't realise the other one trying to attack him from behind. You ran as fast as you could and just got there in time. You took out your seraph blade and pierced it through his heart, then cut his head off. Alec's head snapped back for a second and your eyes met. However you couldn't focus on him for too long as you realised that the other vampire was about to stab Alec. You jumped in and pushed him on the ground while the vampire vanished into thin air. But something wasn't right. You looked down and saw that he was bleeding on his side while the blade was proudly standing still in his flash.

"Alec!" You shook him, but he didn't answer. His face showed pain and you suddenly didn't know what to do. Your head snapped back looking up at a vampire who was about to attack, but before you could have done anything, Jace attacked him instead. You looked down at Alec and picked him up from the ground. He was half unconscious and his weight seemed to slow you down even with your strength rune doing its job. "Jace, Alec needs help." You shouted.

"Just go, we will take care of this." He replied.

"I can't leave you here." You screamed in despair.

"Go!" He shouted while avoiding an attack from a vampire.

You stood there for a couple of seconds, thinking, but then you decided Jace was right. Alec needed urgent care now, not minutes later. You stepped back through the portal and arrived to the Institute. You dragged Alec's body along the hallway and put him down on one of the beds in the infirmary. The nurse sitting on the side immediately got her equipments and started sterilising them one by one as quick as she could. She pushed a button on the bed and two Silent Brothers ran in to help her. They gently asked you to leave, while forcefully pushing you out when you resisted.

You wanted to know what was going on with Alec, you wanted to know if he was going to be okay. You wanted to stay next to him, even if you were the last person he wanted to see in that moment. But you couldn't do a single thing. You just sat down on the floor, right next to the door.

Hours passed by, but still noone came out of the room. You were worried about Alec, but now you were anxious about your friends too. Luckily you didn't have to torture yourself with all the what-ifs as soon enough your parabatai appeared in front of you, followed by Jace and Clary in a close distance. She wanted to go straight into the room, but it was closed. She tried pulling it, pushing it forcefully, but it didn't budge.

"What the hell?" She swore in anger, but the door didn't give itself up. "I want to know what is going on." She cried.

You pulled your parabatai down next to you and embraced her shaking figure gently. She couldn't stop crying even though you tried to comfort her. Your tears have stopped already, but your fear for Alec has grown bigger.

Your friends and you were waiting in front of Alec's room impatiently all night long, but there was no information about his well-being. You couldn't do anything, but sit tight and wait as if it was the easiest thing to do in such situation.

Notes: If you enjoyed it, don’t forget to like the chapter. Thank you :)

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idealgroup · 2 years

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Why is buying a 3 bhk flat near Tollygunge metro a good investment?

Tollygunge has always been one of the most sought after locations for homeowners to live in. The area is filled with various modern day amenities and facilities. Some of the most famous shopping malls of the city such as the South City mall are also in close proximity to the area. Many people looking for flats in south Kolkata, opt to stay at Tollygunge.

Here are some reasons as why people consider buying a flat near Tollygunge metro station a good investment:

Daily markets: The Tollygunge area has numerous markets making it very convenient for homeowners. Apart from the usual main markets, there are also several small street markets that allow better convenience for homeowners when it comes to shopping. Also, markets such as Tollygunge metro market and Tollygunge market provide all the basic amenities.

Malls and restaurants: Tollygunge area is filled with one of the best and premium restaurants and malls in the whole of Kolkata. Places such as the Royal Bengal Tiger Cafe, Khan Saheb, The Copper Kitchen, Tolly Tales, Azad Hind Dhaba, Gourmet Hut and The Mango Tree are some of the most noted restaurants in Tollygunge. South City mall, one of the most popular malls in Kolkata is also in very close proximity to the area.

Transport: Tollygunge serves as a crucial terminal point for several transport services such as trams, buses, metro and rail. The Tollygunge railway station is located at the budge-budge section of the Kolkata suburban railway. Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station, formerly known as Tollygunge metro station, is also available as a public transport facility. The area is also connected directly with the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose international airport via New Town. Tollygunge is also very well connected to other parts of the city with a large network of roads that facilitate public and private transportation.

Looking for a 3 bhk flat near Tollygunge metro?

If you are looking for a flat for sale in Tollygunge, you can explore flats in the Tollygunge Metro area. If you are planning to buy a 2 bhk or 3 bhk flat near tollygunge metro, you can explore Ideal Greens. Situated at 591 A, Motilal Gupta Road, near Tollygunge metro and designed by the renowned architect Hafeez Contractor, Ideal Greens is an ongoing project. Once ready, it will offer over 1000 AC apartments across 10 towers.Once ready it will also have amenities such as:

Cricket field

Children's play area

Jogging track

Basketball court

Water treatment plant

Library

Well-equipped gym

Banquet hall with an attached garden, just to name a few.

Educational institutions: Being one of the most sought after localities in Kolkata, Tollygunge has many good schools and colleges in the area that provide quality education and eliminates the trouble of sending children to study in different parts of the city. Tollygunge is home to educational institutions, such as:

G.D.Birla Centre For Education

Calcutta Institute of Engineering and Management

ITI Tollygunge

Mansur Habibullah Memorial School

2. Culture: Tollygunge is the centre of the Bengali film industry and is also known as Tollywood, and houses some of the famous studios such as Indrapuri studio, Technician studio and NH1 studio.

3. Healthcare: Tollygunge has a good number of healthcare centres, hospitals and nursing homes. M.R Bangur, one of the major government super speciality hospitals is situated in Tollygunge. Other hospitals and health care centres that are in close proximity to the area are Belle Vue clinic and Peerless Hospital.

#3 bhk flat near tollygunge metro #flat for sale in tollygunge

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b0blegum · 6 years

Text

Why Am I Here? [five]

Author: b0blegum

Pairing: Patient!Shin Hoseok x Psychiatrist!Reader

Rating: R

Genre: Psychiathriller (and a lot of smutty romance too)

Status: ON GOING

TRAILER

!! I AM ALSO POSTING THIS ON WATTPAD JIC I GOT NO ACCESS TO TUMBLR ANYMORE !! (i live in a country where tumblr is blocked)

Summary

He was once an excellent doctor. An excellent psychiatrist. Everyone loved him. He was nice, kind, always care for each other, he even got the look. We can say… he was the whole package. But his glorious days ended in just one night. The night he woke up as a patient in the asylum where he worked, with no memory of why he is there or what he has done.

You shoved your phone back into down your coat pocket and tied your hair into a ponytail as you headed west.

Just as you were re-reading the observation report, you heard the door being closed and a steps coming closer in fast pace.

"(Y/n)!" You were called. It was Minhyuk.

"Oh, hi, Minhyuk." You looked at your side to find the guy already walking side to side. "Just finished with your patient?" You asked, seeing him in his coat and keeping his pen into the chest pocket.

"Yeah. She is getting a lot better." He nodded, happily. "You're going for a session?"

You smiled as an answer.

"Seriously? He just knocked you down and you're already back on track? Have you even recovered?" Minhyuk's forehead wrinkled.

"I'm fine. I'm totally fine, Minhyuk." You reassured. "The doctor said everything's fine with me."

"Really, (y/n). If i was you, i'd stopped working here and would find somewhere else to work. It's better for my health than dealing with him." Minhyuk rolled his eyes as both of you stopped near the door.

You tilted your head as you recognize something similar as to what you vaguely heard when you were on the bed.

"Minhyuk," you asked in a whisper. "How long have you been working here again?"

"Six years, why?"

"Six. Alright, that's enough to at least know the surface of the deep secret," you whispered to yourself.

"Sorry?"

"Uh- no, i... i think i might want to talk to you, just the two of us." You said carefully, looking at the guards from the edge of your eye.

"You're... scaring me, (y/n). What is it about?"

"Later, Minhyuk. Alright? I now have a session to attend." You smiled, keeping yourself mysterious from Minhyuk who was left confused.

You walked and walked until you were face to face with none other than Hyunwoo. You gave him a slight smile and mouthed him evening as a sign for him to put on the password to Hoseok's room.

The door clicked open and you pushed it in one go to reveal the quiet, pathetic room of himself. The strong scent hit your nose, once again.

He must've been taking something.

"Evening, Mr. Shin." You greeted as you laid down his progress report on the desk. He didn't budge at all, but you know he's awake, seeing how his toes curled inwards.

"Why are you still here?" He finally said words.

"I work here, so why wouldn't i be here?" You walked towards his bed.

"You should've left. I hit you the other day." He said, along with you tracing down the scar on your lower jaw.

"It's alright." You lied, but it won't help if you said the truth. "How are you today, Hoseok?"

Quiet.

"Alright. I'll wait until you're ready to talk. So take your time." You smiled as you walked back to your chair, sat yourself down and crossed your legs.

He won't budge. He kept lying on his bed, curled like a shrimp facing the empty wall. As usual, his wrists were cuffed and so were his ankles. What's different was he weren't wearing a gown today, instead he wore a white track suit, not the best, but it does look comfortable to wear.

The turtleneck wrapped his neck, might be as well as warming it. The length of the sleeves were a bit short and so were the pants, but well, you can't expect wearing what you want if you're in an institution, can you? The edge of the top was curled up, revealing a bit of his back.

Your eyes squinted as you saw reddened lines paralleled to each other on his lower back. You sat up and walked closer. He might noticed you were walking from the sound of your heels tapping the concrete ground, but he still stayed still.

Carefully, you traced around the red marks and accidentally your fingers shifted quite a lot the fabric of his top, revealing more of his back.

More marks were seen. Fresh red marks. Your mouth went open and your eyes widened before you gulped down your saliva from shock. Some of the marks were dried, but some still had a bit of blood on.

"Hoseok?" You called his name, in a whispered, don't know whether you want an explanation of this or just calling his name, telling him that you've seen just enough.

"I told you, you know nothing." He finally spoke.

"Who did this to you? Is there more?" You carefully flipped him and was even more shock as you seen a purple bruise on his abdominal area. "Hoseok, please tell me what are these?"

The boy smiled and closed his eyes. "You're the one who are shocked at this sights. I'm surprised."

You looked at him in disbelief. "What are you saying? Of course i am and not only me, anyone who sees this would act the same."

"No, they wouldn't." He scoffed. "They would even add more pain."

"Add... what? No, Hoseok,"

"They see me as an animal. They see me as a punchbag. They see me as something disgusting. I was mad at them at first, but i got used to it now."

"What are you talking about— hold on, let me call the nurse. You need some medication for those brui—"

"Trust me, you don't want to call the nurse." He stopped you from rushingly walking towards the door. "They're together."

You turned around and slowly got what he was trying to say.

He coughed as he tried to got up. "I don't know why they are doing this to me, but they really want me to admit that i killed people and until i say the thing they want me to say, they will keep torturing me."

"Our session is done for today, Hoseok." You grabbed his report and walked out. "I will talk to Mrs. Lincoln." You slammed the door.

"You're fucked up if you do that, (y/n)."

———

Mrs. Lincoln room was locked and no one had seen her since yesterday. You decided to wait in front of her office for an hour, but it was all for nothing. She didn't show up.

You

Minhyuk, where are you?

You typed on your phone and hit the send button right away.

Minhyuk, Lee

Home. Why?

You

It's about the thing earlier.Can i come to your apartment?

He didn't reply for five minutes.

Minhyuk, Lee

Sure.

Here's my address: 322, Sowol-ro

You rushed off the building to catch the last train to Minhyuk's neighborhood. It won't take long, approximately 20 minutes by train and connected 5 minutes by bus.

The thoughts of Shin Hoseok was clouding in your mind, as well as the vague conversations you heard behind the curtain as you laid on the clinic the other day.

Something must be up. Something must've happened behind the closed door and i could be their new toy.

The bus stopped right in front of the four story housing, which if you were right, one of the apartment is Minhyuk's.

You walked to the front door and passed a woman in black cape about to enter a shiny sedan with a man in uniform helping her to open the door for her. She wore a hat, but you could see a bit of her neatly styled hair underneath.

As you stopped at the front door, your eyes scanned all the doorbells, looking for the one with Minhyuk's name on the sticker and as soon as you found it, you hit the button right away.

"Come on up. Third floor, left." Minhyuk said over the speaker. You did as you were told.

The apartment was quite nice. It smelled nice, including the elevator and the corridor of his floor.

Once again, you ring his doorbell, but he opened it in no time.

"Come on in." Minhyuk smiled, greeted you in just his lounge outfit. A t-shirt and a short with a pair of home slippers on. "Just make yourself at home." He said as he grabbed a file from the table and took it with him as he entered to one of the door.

His house was not that tidy, but it was fine for a young man living alone.

"What do you want? Water? Soda?" He asked as he already made his way to the fridge.

"Anything's fine, really." You smiled.

Minhyuk was back with two cans of soda on his hand and later he handed you one as he bumped himself on the couch.

"So, what is it about?" He asked, opening his can.

"The institution." You curled your lips. Trying as careful as you could as you mention the object. You know too well that you're still a stranger of this place and Minhyuk had work a lot longer than you, so you tried to be as careful as you could.

"What about it?" He gulped down his soda. "You don't like working there?" He crossed his leg in a manly way.

"No, not that." You shook your head. "It's... i think something's is going on. Something... horrible."

"Horrible? (Y/n), what are you saying?" Minhyuk laughed.

"Minhyuk, i'm serious!" You looked offended. "When i was at the clinic, i heard... two person talking about... me and... Hoseok. One of them called Hoseok an animal and—"

"(Y/n), hey. You were under medication at that time, you might misheard what they were saying." Minhyuk leaned closer to you. "And if– if what you heard is true, well, i heard that a lot, Hoseok is called an animal."

"Minhyuk," you looked at him. "But they tortured him."

"Torture? Oh— i think i know what you meant." Minhyuk rolled his eyes. "That guy sure know how to flip a story." He sighed.

"Flip a story?"

"Were you talking about the taser marks?"

"And the bruises, yes."

"Right." Minhyuk leaned back. "You know how he knocked you down that day, right? And he sometimes attack the guards also and..." Minhyuk pulled up his shirt to reveal some of his thin abs, but there is something he actually want you to see.

"A... scar?" You asked, trying to guess what that pinky mark was.

"He stabbed me." Minhyuk pulled down his shirt. "With a shard."

"Stab you?" You whispered.

"This is why he is being treated at night. He can harm other people. I am a total stranger to him, but he attacked me anyway." Minhyuk explained.

"But... but he felt guilty about knocking me down," You said, cut by Minhyuk's scoffed.

"What if he's putting on a mask?

"A mask?"

"Come on. He act like he's guilty just to buy your sympathy." Minhyuk put down his can. "(Y/n), you're smart. I happened to read your CV and i know you're one of the best in this field." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Don't let that guy fool you. I know he has some plans and i don't want you to be used as his toy." He continued in a lower voice.

You looked down, digesting his words of advice. What Minhyuk said kind of make sense. You saw him that night and it's possible if they did it because he caused something and if he really is a psychopath, you know too damn well that he could do anything just to make his plans work. Including using you as his toy and deceiving you.

"Well, uh..."

"(Y/n), it's getting late. I think it's better for you to go home." Minhyuk stood up and his his hands into his shorts pocket.

You glanced over your watch and yes, it's almost 11 at night. "Yes, it's getting late." You stood up and walked with him to the door. "Minhyuk, thank you so much." You smiled as you turned around to meet the guy's eyes.

"No problem. If you have something that bothers you, don't hesitate to tell me. I'm all ears for you, (y/n)." He smiled, sending you off.

The door's closed and you made your way home with the thoughts of whatever possible scenarios in that institution played in your mind.

Minhyuk turned around as he brushed back his blonde hair, revealing his forehead for a bit before the bangs covered it in one second.

"That beast." He scoffed.

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#monsta x #monsta x fanfic #monsta x fanfiction #monsta x angst #kpop #kpop fanfic #kpop fanfiction #kpop angst #wonho #hoseok #shownu #minhyuk #kihyun #hyungwon #changkyun #jooheon #i.m

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savegraduation · 5 years

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Global Climate Strike Day and compulsory education

Today, September 20, was the Global Climate Strike. Around the world, people with day jobs took their jobs off to protest global warming. And students -- college students, of course, but also kappatwelvers -- ditched school.

Leading the call for the climate strike was Greta Thunberg, a teen-age girl who has been cutting school for months to call attention to the urgency of climate change, an issue leaders like Donald Trump just don’t seem to care about. Thunberg thumbs her nose at compulsory education, and given what K-12 schools in the U.S. can get away with making their students do, or not letting their students do, she’s absolutely right to.

I have read that Greta Thunberg has Asperger’s. This piqued my curiosity as to whether Thunberg may have any problems with compulsory education because of her Asperger’s. I say this because my own disability, logaesthesia, shaped my views on compulsory schooling.

In my junior year of high school, the wood grains on many of the desks at my school were bothering me more and more. Many of the formica desks had this recurring sicklocyte shape on them -- it reminded me of an eye. I would need to scrape these eyes off the desks as I saw them, even if the desk wasn’t my own.

One day, I had just finished history class and was headed towards the homecoming skits in the auditorium (that year’s theme was Dr. Seuss books). After I walked out of the history classroom and it was locked, I looked inside and accidentally saw the desks in there, all of which had the eye formica pattern.

I panicked. Then I got an idea. I threw my five-dollar bill lunch money inside the classroom, through a window, and decided to tell the assistant-principal, Mr. McGinnis, that my money was locked up in the history classroom.

All the eyes that I saw, all the occurrences of the words “eye” or “I” that I heard, and other words that had the diphthong /ai/ in them (like, might, time, my, by, find, etc.) were accumulating inside me as I waited for the classroom to be opened so I could scrape the eyes off the desks and begin purging them all off.

I reached the auditorium, where I heard the skits. The freshman class did “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Then the seniors did “How the Grinch Stole Homecoming”, a (faculty-censored) skit in which the senior class steals the other classes’ homecoming floats, but magnanimously gives them back at the end. Lots of /ai/ sounds. I saw Mr. McGinnis in the crowd, and said, “Mr. McGinnis?” No response. I repeated: “Mr. McGinnis?” Still no reply.

Then I said, “Mr. McGinnis?” loudly. He didn’t budge, and I concluded that my assistant-principal was ignoring me.

The homecoming rally finally ended. I was able to find the library assistant, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, who had the keys to all the rooms.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick opened Mr. Hart’s history classroom for me. I grabbed my dollar bill, and scraped the “eyes” off every desk in the room. But by now I had hundreds of “eye”s to purge off. I thenI left and followed Mrs. Fitzpatrick into the library.

Once in the library, I hid behind the shelf of paperback novels. I closed my eyes and begin purging and chanting “adolye, adolye, adolye”, hundreds of times. My nails were down at my groin.

Before I finished purging, Mrs. Fitzpatrick saw me. “Inappropriate!”, she said. “Please go and eat your lunch!”

That “inappropriate” was the last straw! I then began crying and hyperventilating, crying and hyperventilating. I made it all the way to the office, still crying and hyperventilating.

Mrs. Abel, the school nurse, saw me in there and heard me. “James!”, she said. “Stop making that noise! It’s very loud and very disruptive!” Noise? Hello?!? It’s called “crying”! You do it when you’re sad? And disruptive, dischmuptive! This was lunchtime, for Pete’s sake! How could any disruption occur then?

I said I couldn’t stop crying. Mrs. Abel said, “Your mother told me that you’re able to control the things you do”. I explained to her that my mother was referring to the purging, not to things like crying!

I went to Mr. McGinnis’ office and told him everything that had happened. He called my mother to pick me up. My mother arrived and I was still crying and hyperventilating. “Close your eyes and breathe in”, she said.

My mother drove me home. Mr. McGinnis was no longer on Campolindo High School’s campus, having driven home for the day. As my mother drove me home, I told her about the wood grains and the purging and everything. I told her how Campolindo wasn’t made for students with OCD. She asked if their treatment of students was too uniform, and I said it was.

I was forced by state law to afford school (the school-leaving age in California was and still is 18, not 16 as in many states). Once I got to school, I got put into situations where I had no choice but to purge, and because of the conservative faculty culture at Campolindo, my behavior was called “inappropriate” (a label I have a real problem with). I now realized that high school students (and grade school students) were forced to go to a place where their freedom was taken away. This made school, by definition, a prison.

All the things like the hat rule (”Take your hat off inside the classroom!”) or the dress codes that forbade baby tees were now seen as indications of a prison -- a prison for people whose only crime was being the wrong age. And the senior homecoming skit? After the fact, an article was written in our school newspaper about skit censorship. It quoted a boy from the then-senior class saying, “This is the tamest skit we’ve had in years, and they’re still hacking away at it!” I now viewed being forced to go to a place with censorship as an indicator of a prison. I also learned about Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier in history class. This was a Supreme Court case wherein the court ruled that censorship in school papers was constitutional! I was infuriated by the concept.

I was talking with my father, who said I had to go to school, and told him I didn’t like high school. “Too restrictive?”, he asked.

“Yeah”, I replied.

“Well, the purpose of high school is pretty much to teach you what your restrictions are going to be in life”. Why have an institution that existed only to teach restrictions? Especially many restrictions that were going to be lifted in college! And sure, adults often say “Preparation for the workplace”, but what if you don’t want a corporate office job (and this applies to the majority of Millennials!)? What if you’re going to be a bricklayer, or a rock star, or an MTV cinematographer, or a field linguist, or an avant-garde philosopher who publishes books about your radical philosophy?

I even remembered going to a bookstore and reading on a laminated summary of sociology that education was conservative. The reason therefor was that education’s purpose was to socialize, and that teachers were typically upper-middle-class White people who had a lot of stock in the status quo. Basically, teachers (like Mrs. Dahlgren in my play The Bittersweet Generation) set out to indoctrinate students in arbitrary social norms: “Don’t put your hands in your pants.” “Tuck your shirt in.” “Take your hat off inside a classroom.” “Boys, hold the door open for girls.” “Don’t talk about lower bodily functions.” “Boys can’t wear their hair long.” “Don’t cross-dress.” “Don’t be gay.” Ad nauseam.

The scales had fallen from my eyes. There was no going back. I was now a youth-rightser for life.

Luckily, my peers -- the first Millennials -- were making a distinct turn to the left, in reaction to the Jones/Boomer/Greatest culture of curfews, school uniforms, unbridled parental authority, social conventions, tightening gender roles, homophobia, patriotism, trust in big corporations, and desire to prepare their kids for the corporate workplace that dominated political and social discourse at the time -- the Bill Clintons, Tipper Gores, Bob Doles, Fred Phelpses, James Dobsons, William J. Bennetts, Newt Gingriches, and Pat Robertsons of the world. I grew a beard at 17, as many of the other boys at Campolindo were doing. I was able to communicate to my peers: “The state is forcing you to go to a place that forces you to take your hats off!” The Students’ Far Leftist Union, or SFLU, was formed at Campolindo before 1996 was over.

As long as the state has compulsory education laws, and as long as those compulsory schools restrict their students’ freedom, whether for reason of social norms ("Boys can’t hold hands with other boys”), supposedly making students safe (requiring students to wear bar code ID’s to school), or just because it looks nice (”Aw, look at those kids in their uniforms! Isn’t that cute?”), schools will be prisons. May we rush the day when there are no more prisons in America for people whose only crime is being young.

#greta thunberg #climate change #compulsory schooling #asperger's #logaesthesia #Millennials #social norms

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bbinursing · 6 months

Text

Why Budge Budge Institute of Nursing is the Best Institute for Male GNM Nursing Courses?

Selecting the correct institution is essential if you want to become a nurse. The Budge Budge Institute of Nursing stands apart as a leading institution for male General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) courses. With an emphasis on offering thorough instruction and hands-on training, Our institution provides a distinctive educational opportunity that equips future nurses with a rewarding career in the medical field. In this blog, we will explore why Budge Budge Institute of Nursing is the best choice for male GNM nursing courses.

In-depth Instruction in Nursing:

At Budge Budge Institute of Nursing, we think that students should receive an in-depth training. Every aspect of the nursing profession is covered in our expertly designed nursing classes, from theoretical knowledge to practical skills. Students receive individualized attention and guidance throughout their academic path thanks to a committed faculty made up of seasoned professionals. To ensure that students have the most current information and abilities, the curriculum is updated frequently to reflect the most recent developments in the nursing sector.

Top-notch Facilities:

Top-notch facilities that significantly improve the educational experience for students taking nursing classes are something our college is proud to offer. Our facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories, well-appointed classrooms, and an extensive library with an extensive collection of research papers and books for reference. Through practical instruction in a true healthcare environment, students can hone skills in our state-of-the-art simulation lab. We also provide hostel accommodations for students who are studying away from home, guaranteeing a relaxing and favorable atmosphere for learning.

Experienced and Qualified Faculty:

Faculty members at Budge Budge Institute of Nursing have an excellent reputation since they are not only highly skilled and knowledgeable in their fields but also very dedicated to teaching nursing classes. Our faculty members are outstanding instructors who are also practicing nurses, which enables them to offer learners insightful advice that helps them make the transition from theory to practice. Their extensive knowledge and practical experience in the field enable them to be vital contributors to the growth of every learner's skills and abilities, which in turn guarantees their success in their careers as nurses.

Industry Exposure and Practical Training:

We appreciate the importance of hands-on training in nursing courses. The Budge Budge Institute of Nursing works in partnership with well-known hospitals and medical centers to give students enough of opportunity to experience practical settings. Our students gain beneficial hands-on training, internships, and regular field visits in real-world healthcare settings. They gain the skill to think critically, handle a variety of medical situations, and provide high-quality patient care as a result of this experience.

Placement Assistance:

One of the key advantages of studying at Budge Budge Institute of Nursing is our strong network of industry connections. We have a dedicated placement cell that works tirelessly to connect our graduates with leading healthcare organizations. Our alumni have found success in esteemed hospitals, clinics, and healthcare institutions across the country. Our placement assistance ensures that students have a smooth transition from education to employment, setting them on a path to a rewarding nursing career.

Conclusion:

Budge Budge Institute of Nursing offers a comprehensive education, top-notch facilities, experienced faculty, practical training, and placement assistance, making it the ideal choice for aspiring male nurses. We strive to provide our students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to excel in their nursing careers. Join us at Budge Budge Institute of Nursing and embark on a fulfilling journey towards becoming a compassionate and skilled healthcare professional.

#Budge Budge Institute of Nursing #male General Nursing #gnm course #male nursing

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hymnrevival · 5 years

Photo

Sermon Given on JULY 4th 1988

“We need more troublemakers in the church! I pray that every member of the body of Christ would become a troublemaker! We need an army of troublemakers who have become so full of the Holy Ghost they will stir up and trouble New York City and every other city around the world; trouble their wicked institutions — challenge the established dead churches — trouble the leaders, the mayors, the city councils, the community leadership! In other words, we need Holy Ghost troublemakers moving in the Spirit, proclaiming the kingship of Christ so effectively that whole cities are stirred!”

Read Full Sermoun Here: <a href="http://tscpulpitseries.org/english/1980s/ts880704.html" rel="noreferrer nofollow">tscpulpitseries.org/english/1980s/ts880704.html</a>

We Need More Troublemakers In the Church! Plain Text File + Home Page + Subscribe + Copyright By David Wilkerson July 4, 1988 __________ We need more troublemakers in the church! I pray that every member of the body of Christ would become a troublemaker! We need an army of troublemakers who have become so full of the Holy Ghost they will stir up and trouble New York City and every other city around the world; trouble their wicked institutions — challenge the established dead churches — trouble the leaders, the mayors, the city councils, the community leadership! In other words, we need Holy Ghost troublemakers moving in the Spirit, proclaiming the kingship of Christ so effectively that whole cities are stirred!

Paul and Silas were two of the world's biggest troublemakers! The Bible speaks of "men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:26, NAS). Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy were such men, walking in the power of the Spirit. As seen in Acts 16, when the Holy Ghost forbid them to speak the Word in Asia, they obeyed. When they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit would not permit them, they went instead to Troas, under the Spirit's direction. Paul then had a vision of a man calling them to Macedonia, so they set out immediately to Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia. When they arrived, a fortune teller followed them about, crying, "...These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation" (Acts 16:17). After enduring it for many days, Paul turned and "...said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour" (Acts 16:18). Suddenly the whole city was in an uproar: this fortune teller was apparently a big tourist attraction, but now she was healed and praising the Lord!

Paul had upset the status quo. He had challenged the devil who had been having his way for years. The slave-owners of the delivered woman then dragged Paul and Silas into the marketplace to stand trial before the city magistrates. The charge was, "...These men...do exceedingly trouble our city" (Acts 16:20). "And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison...and made their feet fast in the stocks" (Acts 16:22-24). It looked as though Satan had won. The new converts must have been stunned!

But all the power of God is with Holy Ghost troublemakers! "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God...and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed" (Acts 16:25-26). The jailer, seeing what had happened, even fell down before Paul and Silas, saying "...Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Those city officials and religious leaders went to bed thinking, "We did it to them! That's the last we will hear of those vagabond troublemakers. We really shut them up and scared them!" But what a commotion the next day! I can imagine sergeants knocking on the doors of the mayor, city council members, and the religious leaders, telling them, "Quick! Get down to city hall — we've got a big problem!" In a state of shock, the officials probably responded, "What? An earthquake? The prison doors opened? Their chains all fell off? They didn't even try to escape? The jailer joined their faith? They're Romans?!?" Now, they were really afraid. It was a crime to beat Roman citizens (Paul and Silas were both Romans). "What do you mean they won't budge from our jail? They demand what? For us to come down and apologize and escort them out of jail?" And they came...and brought them out...begging them to leave the city" (Acts 16:39 NASB).

I love it! Here they were, not flaunting their spiritual authority, but merely acting as ambassadors of King Jesus. As they had witnessed Christ's power being mocked, Paul and Silas now wanted that little riverside prayer group to see how God manifests His power to those who stand up against the forces of hell. They went directly to the house of Lydia — and what a meeting that must have been! I would think Paul told that house group, "See! The devil can rage, the powers that be may threaten — but God has all the power! God will stand by you if you take a stand!"

I preach a great deal on prayer and I believe in the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous. But praying alone, praying by two's and three's, or even in a large prayer meeting will not alone shake a city! Elijah was a man of powerful prayer, but it was more than his prayers that shook Ahab's kingdom and enraged Jezebel: He called the false prophets to Mount Carmel and challenged them. Jezebel had slain God's prophets and led Israel into apostasy and the horrible idolatry of Baal worship — and no one had challenged her! Seven thousand believers had not bowed, but they were silent, unknown, and afraid. So along comes Elijah, the troublemaker! Ahab called him "the troubler of Israel!" (1 Kings 18:17). Elijah ended up at the Brook Kishon with a sword in his hand, slaying hundreds of Baal's false prophets "in the name of Jehovah."

Elijah was not a polite gentlemen with the devil and his crowd. While "...they leaped upon the altar...Elijah mocked them [derided them]" (1 Kings 18:26-27). The church of late has cowered before the powers of darkness due to the lack of holiness, for the Scripture tells us, "...the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1). Some will say, "But Jesus was meek — He never opened His mouth or resisted when they took Him to be crucified!" But that was because the hour of darkness had come, the hour He was to be given into the hands of the enemy. He was not silent in the temple when driving out the money-changers. He was not silent when calling religious leaders serpents — blind guides — whited sepulchers — a brood of vipers (see Matthew 23). He even told some boldly that Satan was their father!

Many churches today are full of silent, gentlemanly diplomats, not wanting to make waves! Nobody wants trouble! So the devil's kingdom goes unchallenged. We have more than enough smiling, mousy Christians! I heard the raging of a man who said to me, "Let's you and me make a bet — any amount of money! You people in the church can't stop anything! You'll get a little publicity, but nothing ever changes. You can't shut anything down! You're powerless in this league!" He was speaking of abortion and I could detect the mocking of Satan in his voice. It was a dare! It was as if to say to all Christians, "You're all spiritual wimps. You won't last — you'll give up when the opposition comes. You'll just run back inside your safe walls and hide!"

Let me show you how and where the apostolic men of God challenged the powers of darkness — the areas where we too must act.

Paul and Silas Challenged a Dead, Corrupt Religious System!

"...they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and...reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ" (Acts 17:1-3). The synagogue at Thessalonica had probably conducted quiet meetings for years, undisturbed. They diligently taught Scripture and in outward appearance they seemed very holy.

Then Paul, the troublemaker, came on the scene and in just three weeks of preaching the kingship of Jesus, he turned that whole area of Thessalonica upside down! He knew from experience that only a few devout ones would listen to Christ's demanding word, that the majority would not give up their hard-shelled religious traditions. He also knew they would be filled with envy and hate towards anything that disturbed their way of doing things. Paul declared that the preaching of his gospel caused contention: "...we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention" (1 Thessalonians 2:2). The New American Standard says "with much opposition."

What caused the contention, the violent opposition? Paul and Silas were not loud or provocative — they were not robbing churches? Later, in a letter to those in Thessalonica who went on with the Lord, Paul wrote, "For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile...not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness.... But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children...we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us" (1 Thessalonians 2:3-8). These religious people who had for years acted so demure and God-loving are now enraged. They became an angry mob, assaulting the house of Jason and troubling the people and rulers of the city. (See Acts 17.) The cause of all this contention was this one uncompromising word: "There is another king...Jesus" (Acts 17:7).

Paul's preaching on the lordship of Jesus was not like what we hear on that subject today! It was not a cheerleader's slogan or emotional hype. I believe Paul stood for hours before those religious Jews, laying down the whole cost of following Jesus as King. He preached the laying down of all idols and giving up the pleasures of sin. He preached self-denial and suffering for Christ's glory, even to martyrdom. His message of Christ's kingship included a warning to no longer follow men or teachers or their doctrines, nor be led about by men who make merchandise of others; but rather, to adopt a life of holiness and separation from all appearance of evil, having no fellowship with evil men.

I know of Christians who are absolutely in love with their pastor and church, even where it is known for certain there is pride, domination of spirits, manipulation, and flesh. But they say, "We hear the right message. We hear about holiness, about the lordship of Jesus! Sin is not condoned in our church! If that is so, why do those same ministers and congregations become so enraged and hostile to those others who begin to preach and live out the true cost of making Christ king in their lives? Why is there such opposition to believers who faithfully practice the Lord's uncompromising commandments?

"These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also" (Acts 17:6). Whose world is upside down? It is that religious circle where nobody takes the kingship of Christ seriously. A minister's wife here in New York City told me, "Times Square Church has upset just about every charismatic church in the city! You know that, don't you?" I did not know that. I don't know if in fact it is true. But if it is, and if it is because of arrogance in this pulpit or from people going out bragging that this is the only church preaching real holiness, then we would be in great error! But on the other hand, if ministers and congregations are getting "turned upside down" because we preach the uncompromising kingship of Christ — if people are leaving some of those churches because their sin was not exposed and challenged — if people go from here, becoming more like Jesus, walking in His purity — then we are Holy Ghost troublemakers of the right kind!

I can assure you from the Word of God that nothing shakes up or angers dead, compromising churches and preachers more than someone moving in the fullness of Christ who lives and preaches Paul's demanding gospel of holiness. It's a reproof! In every church you will find those few "devout Christians," as Paul called them. But the day you say with Paul — "The things of this world are as dung. I have turned from idols to serve my King. I will no longer serve two masters. I have seen a great light and have come out from among the wicked, the unbelieving, the apostate, the workers of iniquity" — that is the day you are marked as a troublemaker! Are you also to "go in unto them" as Paul did and share the light you have received, to pull others out of deception? Absolutely, yes! By phone, by visits, by tapes, in every way go in unto them, willing to even lay your life down for them.

"The brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night..." (Acts 17:10). Once again it looked like Satan won the battle with the two of them having to sneak out of town in the dark of night. Just imagine the proud boastings of the people on the next Sabbath: "Some revival that was! We were here before they came and we're here when they're gone. People just don't want that kind of preaching around here! Let us go on with God with no more interruptions from these holiness troublemakers!" But Paul and Silas had so turned the converts eyes off themselves and onto Jesus that they could leave town and the body still flourish there. Under persecution the church in Thessalonica became so strong in faith that they became a powerful witness to all of Asia — and the joy of Paul's heart!

Paul Stirred Things Up in the Market Place.

Paul stirred things up right on the job by preaching Jesus the King with resurrection power: "...in the market daily with them that met with him...he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection" (Acts 17:17-18). If there is any one place Christians hide their light more than any other place it is on the job, in their workplace. There are multitudes of Christians in this country who sit in God's house proclaiming their intense love for Jesus, yet when they go to their jobs, they're timid and ashamed of Christ! Like Peter, they say by their silence, "I don't know the man!" They fear losing their jobs as well as being ridiculed or rejected.

Why is there such cowardly silence about Jesus on the job by Christians who pray, devour the Word, and walk in holiness? It is because, unlike Paul, our hearts are not stirred, as we see all around us a people given to idolatry. (See Acts 7:16.) We dare not say, "But Paul was a preacher. He was called to this work!" We are all ambassadors of Jesus Christ and are all commanded never to hide our light under a bushel.

These Athenians were exactly like the people you work with nowadays, spending "their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing...in all things...too superstitious" (Acts 17:21-22). Many Christians were led to believe that the President was a born again believer in Christ, while all along it appears he and his wife were following stars! It is now apparent that those who live in the White House are superstitious and have been guided by spiritualistic channelers! I believe God is angry about it because we lied to the whole world by proclaiming "In God we trust." God's anger is expressed in Isaiah: "Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance...for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee...Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth.... Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries.... Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee" (Isaiah 47:3, 9-13). "Though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down..." (Obadiah verse 4). According to these Scriptures, such leaders will be put to shame!

So it is throughout this nation: the majority of those around you on the job are given over to idolatry, gossip, and superstitions of all kinds. On Wall Street the newest thing is "crystal power"! Intelligent, rich power brokers put thousands of dollars into a hunk of crystal or jade and place it in their office to receive "radiant rays" and "vibes" to imbue them with secret knowledge. Others are into yoga, meditation, the occult, and many now won't do anything until they consult their guru or stargazer!

Athens was a city wholly given over to idolatry. Their sin and wickedness had to be even more overpowering than what we have here in New York City because there was no gospel light, no church there. The population was under the sway of two powerful doctrines of delusion: the Epicureans and the Stoics — twin doctrines of devils! The Epicureans did not believe in life after death. They believed that death is the end of all things and that happiness is achieved by a meditative detachment, and joy is to be found only in friendship. The end result was sensuality, gluttony, and exotic pleasures. The Stoics, on the other hand, had a religion of human reasoning, of closeness to nature. They reasoned that to serve one's fellowman through love would cause one pain and sufferings; therefore they urged each one to find his salvation in nature, by aligning the will with universal wisdom." It was so hopeless that it often led to suicide. [Today we call it "new age" as Satan seeks to become the universal mind.] The Athenians ultimately degenerated into blood-thirsty sadists, finding pleasure in the gladiators' slaughterings.

In its time, Athens was one of the most modern, advanced, and intellectual cities in the world. It was palatial, busy, powerful, and godless! I can imagine Paul, a tentmaker, as he waited for Silas and Timothy to arrive from Berea, going to the marketplace to look over the latest needles and thread, comparing canvases. Paul had visited many cities and had seen it all: the drunkenness of Corinth, the homosexual spirit that ruled Rome, the spiritual darkness of Jerusalem. But he never let his heart get hard; he could still be moved by it all. As he walked through the Athens marketplace weeping, "his spirit was stirred in him..." (Acts 17:16). Paul had no strategy, no plan of evangelism, no scheme or tactic. He had only a broken heart full of the burden of Christ. He said to himself, "They're all going to hell. They're all lost, all blind. Someone has to do something!"

For those of you who live in New York City or who have visited, have you never stood in Times Square at midday and looked at the multitudes, at masses of business people going helter-skelter, or at night seen the wandering dregs of humanity? Have you not wept, "Lord, they are lost! This city is going to hell — the devil is having his way and no one seems to be challenging this mess!" Or have you become so used to the darkness, so burned out with all the beggars, the poverty, the crime, and the filth that you are no longer stirred? I know how it feels to be bombarded on all sides with beggars, knowing that handouts are going to drugs and alcohol. You can't keep up with it all; but there is the danger of allowing callouses to form over your heart, so that on the job you're no longer stirred by the sin and hurt all around you.

Paul Focused on the Resurrection Power of the Gospel.

Paul was not put off by the immensity of the problem. He wasn't overwhelmed by Satan's hold on the city because he knew he had a secret weapon against it: the gospel of resurrection power! Paul took his eyes off what the devil had done and focused on what Jesus could do in the resurrection might! It did not matter that they called him a "babbler," meaning a sponger, a loafer, a preacher of nonsense. Have you ever been called "a troublemaker babbler"? Has anyone ever said to you, "Stop infringing on my rights. Stop pushing your religion on me. Stop trying to make me believe like you do!" None of that kind of mockery could stop Paul because his heart was bleeding. Let them say what they will or call him any name they please — he knew if he didn't take his stand for Christ they would die in sin without a witness.

It is not enough to just live right or to "set a good example." For too long we have hidden behind the old cliche, "Actions speak louder than words." We claim to be silent witnesses living His life. The testimony must include the spoken Word: "Thy watchman shall lift up the voice..." (Isaiah 52:8). "...How shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).

There is a "Philip" Ministry for Every Believer Who Walks in Christ's Holiness.

"Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city" (Acts 8:5-8). Philip was a layman, full of the Holy Ghost. He was not a pulpit man, but a lay person who simply believed in Christ's power of resurrection life. So he went everywhere expecting miracles. He was a man of the marketplace. We will never impact this city or any other until every member of the body becomes a Christ-consumed Philip, a lay evangelist with faith to cast out evil spirits and with faith to pray for the salvation and healing of fellow workers. We can and shall stir up this wicked city!

If We Do Not Obey the Lord's Command to Preach the Gospel We Will Become Self-Centered and Obsessed with Our Own Problems.

The Plymouth Brethren started in Plymouth, England many years ago. They were a godly group who took the gospel to the streets. What a burden for souls they had! A great revival broke out and Christ was revealed to them as a glorified man in heaven. But they became so consumed in studying Christ, so focused on their form of worship, they lost their burden for dying souls. They split up into two groups, the open and closed brethren. The closed brethren ended up permitting no one to partake of fellowship with them except by invitation. Today all that is left of the original movement are the great writings of men like Darby, Stoney, Mackintosh, and Raven, all of which are wonderful teachings on Christ and holiness. But spiritual elitism had crept in, with no burning passion for the lost. We need the deep, pure Word and the burning passion for the lost.

You can hear so much preaching and teachings that you become "dull of hearing" (Hebrews 5:11). I receive reams of prophecies, long involved "spirit" writings, from Christians who claim to be spending days and weeks and even months in prayer. It is a barrage of "thus saith the Lord," much of it with no meaning at all! One husband asked me to set his wife straight. She had been telling people how she supposedly died and went to heaven, danced with Jesus, and went skydiving with Him! She claimed her revelation came to her after praying for hours.

Why are these dear ones not out among the people, preaching a resurrected Jesus? Why are they spending all their time reproving others, with no brokenness for the lost? The best cure for "flakiness" is getting out among sinners, preaching, healing, and casting out devils. We pray, "Holy Ghost, come!" But for what? To simply bless us and meet our needs? Or to equip us and reveal to us the broken heart of our Lord? The last words of Jesus before leaving this earth were, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

We have been praying that God will close down the transvestite bar next door to Times Square Church. The proprietor said to us, "You people are in real trouble. You don't know who you're dealing with?" No! He doesn't know with whom he is dealing! Jesus said, "All power is given unto me..." (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, "we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:6). Paul prayed that "ye may know...what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ...far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet..." (Ephesians 1:18-21).

"My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10). Satan has made some of you afraid: afraid of falling, afraid of a besetting sin or a hounding habit, and afraid of men. But the Word says, "...Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). You are not the one who runs! "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus..." (Acts 4:33). "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.... For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in His pavilion...he shall set me up upon a rock" (Psalm 27:3,5).

--- Used with permission granted by World Challenge, P. O. Box 260, Lindale, TX 75771 USA.

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bisexualmarvelmagnusbane · 7 years

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malec headcanons part two:

(part one for the curious)

alexander lightwood is a goddamn tease. he and magnus will be at a meeting at the institute together and the second that no one is looking at him but magnus, alec’ll be biting his lip or dragging his thumb across it or stretching so his shirt rides up. his absolute favorite thing in the world is to pull back in the middle of kisses to see magnus follow after him with closed eyes and parted lips and bated breath. and every time magnus does something that gets alec a little stupid, alec’s immediate instinct is to one-up him with a motherfucking vengeance. it all makes magnus nuts, but he’s really very good with that.

they have competitive sexathons periodically. (alec’s stamina rune gets a lottttttttt more use than he anticipated when he got it.) they compete to see who can get the other off first, who can get the other off most, who can get the other to moan their name first/the most times, who can get the other to swear the most creatively (alec has a personal goal of getting magnus to swear in at least three non-english languages but has gotten him up to as many as twelve in one sexathon, a few of which were even dead languages). magnus, of course, has magic which alec can’t compete with until he learns the power of saying magnus’ name in his husky mid-blowjob voice and grinning while biting his lip, at which point they’re on a much more even playing field. alec is very innovative with magnus’ weaknesses.

(magnus has known dozens upon dozens of languages in his lifetime and while he doesn’t remain fluent in all of them, the last things to leave him about a language are swears and pet names. alec has lovingly been called a lot of beautiful things he’ll never know the meaning of.)

they get married. they exchange rings in mundane fashion: plain platinum, the only understated piece of jewelry magnus owns. alec gets the marriage rune as per shadowhunter tradition. only shadowhunters can use a stele, so izzy acts as magnus’ surrogate for that part of the ceremony, his hand laying over hers as she lights the new stele and draws the rune. magnus magicks himself a permanent tattoo replica of it, alec’s hand laying over his as he draws it.

alec had tried to talk him out of the tattoo on the grounds that having it’ll make life in the downworld difficult for magnus, especially after alec’s gone, but magnus refuses to budge on the subject. “i can make it invisible to everyone but myself if i have to,” he explains, finally. “i probably –” he chokes. “i probably will. you’ll be mine alone, then.” alec nods. they don’t sleep that night, lying awake and quiet in each other’s arms til daylight.

maryse attends the wedding. she doesn’t cry, but it’s a near thing. magnus has saved alec’s life so many times in so many ways that she can’t help but accept him and who he is to alec for it, though them being on decent terms with each other was hard and painfully won. (one of the worst fights alec and magnus ever had was over her.)

lydia attends. she cries. she cries a lot. “i’m so happy for you’” she tells alec, hugging him at the reception. “so’m i,” he says when they part, nodding over her shoulder at her fiancee where she’s talking and laughing with magnus. lydia smiles, in tears all over again. alec gives her another hug and then so does magnus. “thank you,” magnus says, holding her hands in his. it’s weighted with so much sincerity and so sharply edged in old pain that lydia can only nod in response. magnus smiles and magicks a gift into her hands. it’s a framed picture of henry branwell as he worked on creating the portal with magnus, pulled from magnus’ memory. he’s smiling at magnus in it, having just discovered what will be the key to making the portals work. “he’d be very proud of you, pumpkin. he’d have admired your audacity,” magnus tells her. lydia cries some more.

alec asks magnus to try out make-up on him once on a night that they’re set to go to a rave at magnus’ club – just for kicks. (“really?” magnus asks, surprised. alec grins. “yeah, it’ll be fun.” magnus knows not to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he doesn’t ask twice.) magnus gathers every bit of make-up he has, glitter and eyeshadow and lipstick even, though he’s not been in a lipstick phase for a few decades now (he always keeps some just in case) and he’s pretty partial to the kiss-bitten red he can naturally induce on alec’s lips. anyway, he’s all geared up to go full-blown and then he gets eyeliner on alec and has to sit down. they miss the rave.

alec was never much for the party scene before magnus, but there’s nothing quite like dancing with magnus beneath those flashing lights. they dance so close that alec can’t see or feel anything else, which is honestly his preferred way to live. plus, magnus looks so goddamn elemental in the club, his cat eyes glittering beneath his smokey eyeshadow, blue light flickering over his skin. it takes alec apart.

during times when they haven’t been able to get away to verbally check in with each other re: their mental health (something that alec especially has worked hard to be able to talk about honestly in their relationship, learning the language he needs to express his experiences and needs and coming to understand that being open about them with magnus is good and necessary), they’ll place two fingers on the inside of the other’s wrist as though checking their pulse as a quick and unobtrusive way of checking in, especially when there are other people around. if one of them does need to talk, they make the time and space to do so if at all possible. if it’s not possible, they’ll hang a little closer to each other, maintaining physical contact as much as they can, hand holding, leaning against one another, hands on backs and upper arms and shoulders.

alec suffers chronic pain. he’s hard on his body, even for a shadowhunter, and he still can’t quite bring himself to use a healing rune when he doesn’t think he “deserves” it. magnus makes him ginger tea regularly, because ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory. alec accepts this based on the principal that magnus feels he “deserves” it and therefore it’s okay. it’s not really where magnus would like alec’s headspace to be on the issue, but it’s something.

magnus introduces alec to fall out boy – not even deliberately, he just lets his spotify saved songs shuffle– and alec loves them. his favorite fob album is folie a deux and he plays it full blast in magnus’ loft for days unto weeks, until magnus pleads with him to “at least choose a different album, alexander, i am begging you.”

(folie a deux does put a little extra…bounce in alec’s boxing work out though, which magnus – watching him hit the bag he bought for the loft while nursing a cocktail and lounging on the couch – can certainly appreciate. his loft is so much more aesthetically pleasing now that alec’s in it all the time.)

alec sleeps like a kid: kicking and pushing and taking over the entire bed. magnus finds this almost unbearably adorable and wouldn’t change it for anything – except that he does need to sleep sometimes. alec suggests that maybe touch will keep him from being the world’s worst bedmate. (he and jace used to sleep back to back as kids; jace had a lot of bad nights after the “death” of his “father” and was most comfortable going to alec with them. alec can’t remember jace ever complaining that he was particularly kick-y.) since magnus is a clinger, this ends up working well. they sleep pressed as close together as they can get most nights, although there are still some times when magnus wakes up with alec spread-eagle diagonally across the bed, one of his hands thrown over magnus’ face and a foot against magnus’ thigh trying to push him off the bed. magnus just laughs and gathers him up again; most of the time, alec doesn’t even wake up for that part.

#malec #malec headcanons #shadowhunters #shadowhunters headcanons #malec fanfiction #shadowhunters fanfiction #kinda #anyway lydia is bi; magnus said he 'got' her and a bi's bifi is never wrong okay it's canon #k.sh.hc

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brajeshupadhyay · 4 years

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Nearly two months after Delhi govt caps COVID-19 treatment prices, patients complain of overcharging by private hospitals

On 20 June, the Delhi government issued an order capping prices for COVID-19 treatments in private hospitals “with the proviso that all COVID-19 beds would be at rates given by the committee (formed under NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul) subject to upper limit of 60 percent of the beds of total hospital bed capacity".

According to the order, the prices for all National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers-accredited hospitals were to be capped at Rs 10,000, Rs 15,000, and Rs 18,000 for isolation beds, ICU beds without ventilators, and with ventilators support, respectively.

Similarly, for all non-NABH accredited hospitals, the prices were Rs 8,000, Rs 13,000, and Rs 15,000, respectively.

The order clarified further: "The rates for private hospitals beds would be all inclusive as a package. This will include, but not limited to: bed, food and other amenities, monitoring, nursing care, doctors' visits/ consults, investigations including imaging, treatment as per the national protocol for COVID-19 care and standard care for co-morbidities, oxygen, blood transfusion, etc.”

Despite the order, private hospitals have continued to not only violate the norms, as the following case studies show, they have often been kept in dark about the scheme.

The authorities, for their part seem reluctant to fix the flaws in the government order or take the violators to task as issues remain despite repeated interventions from civil society organisations.

Caught between insurance provider, hospital

On 20 June, 60-year-old Tarun Lata was admitted to Shri Moolchand Kharaiti Ram Hospital and Ayurvedic Research Institute, a NABH-accredited facility for COVID-19 with left side pneumonia and pleural effusion. After being kept in an isolation ward for 10 days, Lata was billed Rs 2,59,348.

The hospital bill included an average cost of PPE kits at Rs 4,477 per day and oxygen charges for nine days at the rate of Rs 1,400 per day even though she was not even administered oxygen.

When Lata's son Nitin Gulati objected to the bill and asked the hospital to charge as per the rates fixed by the Delhi government, the hospital claimed the order was passed a day after Lata was admitted to the hospital.

His father and brother also tested COVID-19 positive and were under home isolation.

“It was a very traumatic situation for me, running between my mother in hospital and two other family members at home, and then there was this fiasco with the hospital,” said Gulati.

On 8 August, when I spoke to people in the cash counter and the admission department, and the billing department, they said that Lata’s case was to be charged under insurance and not the Delhi government price capping.

The front desk executive then called back to give me email addresses to write to.

“Please send us your queries again. Our senior team will have to discuss and revert accordingly,” the executive said.

In the meantime, the hospital had already sent a response on the case on 7 August denying these charges.

Dr Madhu Handa, medical administrator, wrote that the billing was done as per the agreement between the hospital and the insurance company.

The Delhi government order, however, lays down no special exceptions for insurance cases.

Gulati explained that he sought help from the corporate insurance cover provided by his employer.

He says that there was a tussle between the hospital and the insurance company over the bill. At first, the insurance company had said that they would pay as per the Delhi government price capping only, and refused to adhere to the full billing, informed Gulati.

The hospital, however, refused to budge. As a result, the insurance covered only Rs 1.02 lakh of the bill. After Gulati's employer approached the insurance company, an additional Rs 80,000 was added to the amount covered.

“That still meant an out of pocket expenditure of Rs 80,000. But, the larger issue is that the hospital never bothered to inform us properly about the Delhi government price capping, let alone implement it,” said Gulati.

Lata's is not the only case involving overcharging by Delhi hospitals, though.

Representational image. AP

Selective redressal

Nitin Kumar, 22, had to take up against three different hospitals: Max Super Speciality Hospital Saket (East Block), Goyal Hospital and Urology Centre, and Max Smart Super Speciality in Saket over rampant overcharging.

He and his mother Binney Rani tested COVID-19 positive while the rest of their family was in isolation.

"It was difficult to continue challenging the hospitals in that situation,” he said.

Kumar noted that he was administered FabiFlu at Max Super Speciality Hospital without his informed consent.

“Even though I consumed FabiFlu for only two days (26 tablets in total), I have been charged for two boxes of the medicine (34 tablets each). I was not given any of the medicine to take home when I was discharged,” he said, adding that he had been charged Rs 6,998.

“This was all via Whatsapp!” he added and recalled that he repeatedly refused to give consent to these practices of the hospitals.

Additionally, he had also been charged for medicines and investigations that are a part of the standard care for COVID-19 patients at Rs 2,185.50 and Rs 8,850, respectively.

Kumar’s grievances with Max Super Speciality Hospital were drafted and sent as a complaint letter to the hospital authorities as well as members of the state and central health departments.

In fact, on 1 August, Arti Ahuja, additional secretary (MoHFW) forwarded Nitin’s petition against Max Super Speciality Hospital to Vikram Dev Dutt, principal secretary (Delhi HFW) urging him to "enquire into the matter and take appropriate action".

Thereafter, the hospital took cognisance of this and refunded the overbilled amount. The hospital asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement, which he had reservations against doing and thus only gave only a written acknowledgement instead.

The complaints regarding Kumar's mother’s treatment charges at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket (East Block) and Goyal Hospital and Urology Center, however, have still not been acknowledged.

She was overbilled Rs 75,947 at Max Smart, and Rs 28,000 on a COVID-19 package along with an arbitrary pricing of Rs 4,000 for ambulance transfer at Goyal Hospital.

On 30 July, when this author spoke to Shaleen Mitra, the OSD to Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain, he was not aware of these complaints sent to his department and requested that these be forwarded to him again.

On 4 August, Mitra replied that “Nitin's payment was returned by the hospital”. However, he gave no acknowledgement of the complaints about overcharging in Nitin's mother's medical bills.

Tanushree Roy Chowdhury, the deputy general manager, corporate communications and public relations of Max Healthcare, initially said the complaint was resolved.

Then on 1 August, Chowdhury replied again saying she would look into the matter after the 'long weekend'. There has been no response.

Pay or take the patient out

Mayanka Sanghotra’s mother Narender Kaur breathed her last on 17 July in Shanti Mukand Hospital. Kaur was admitted there since 24 June after being diagnosed as COVID-19 positive. This hospital too didn't inform Mayanka of the government orders, and asked her to pay for a COVID-19 package of Rs 4 lakh instead.

Later, she was asked to procure three injections costing Rs 40,000 each and six vials of remdesiver which is really not easy to find.

“When I went to search for remdesiver outside, there was so much blackmarketing happening! The prices ranged from Rs 30,000 to Rs 80,000. And, the doctors had asked for six vials of the medicine,” she said.

Malini Aisola from All India Drugs Action Network (AIDAN) said, "The (20 June) order does mention an exclusion from the rate caps for experimental therapies such as remdesivir and tocilizumab which can be charged separately. Similarly, the IL-6 test and COVID-19 diagnostic test are also excluded from the package rates. However, in spite of the order, hospitals have been tacking on charges for both medicines routinely used in COVID-19 treatment and for investigations and baseline tests that should have been included in the package. We have observed these violations repeatedly and in numerous private hospitals.”

When Mayanka was informed that the bills had exceeded Rs 7.5 lakh by 5 July, she was worried. She looked around for help and managed to contact Amresh Kumar, the Aam Aadmi Party, as well as Malini.

When conversations did not seem to yield results, she wrote a complaint letter on 11 July. On 14 July, when she went to speak to the authorities about the complaint, Malini accompanied her.

Dr Tejender Pal, a physiotherapist, and Dr Samrul Hoda, from the billing department, said that that these escalations would make no difference.

Mayanka claims that on On 17 July, Dr Hoda told her on a phone call to “either arrange the payment" or she could "take the patient out of this hospital".

Later that day, Mayanka received another call from the billing department saying that the hospital has finally agreed to revise her bills according to the government capping. The issues in her mother's medical bills were settled, but two hours later, the hospital informed Mayanka that her mother's condition was unstable. Kaur was declared dead by 9.30 pm that night.

On 26 July, the hospital directed this reporter to Dr Hoda for a statement about the overbilling in this case, however, he said that he couldn't discuss the details.

He further added that he does not particularly remember this case, and did not have access to the records as it was a weekend. He promised to get in touch with further details later.

On 7 August, he informed that he was not authorised to talk about these things, but still explained: "The patient had agreed to pay the hospital rates and was not admitted as a government category. It might have happened that they ran out of money later, and hence started saying that they want the government prices.”

He also informed that though a certain undertaking exists, access to that document is restricted to me as well as the patient’s family.

“It is a hospital document, after all. We can only hand it to authorised persons,” he said.

Representational image. AP

Month after order, issues remain

On 23 June, several CSOs including AIDAN, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), and twenty five others wrote to authorities welcoming the order capping prices for COVID-19 treatments and suggested immediate action points.

The capping restriction to only 60 percent of the beds seemed “arbitrary and incomprehensible” to them, and they suggested that this provision be extended to “all persons accessing treatment through private hospitals, and who are not covered under any laws or schemes that guarantee free treatment."

They also said that the order must apply to all COVID-19 patients including those who currently admitted and undergoing treatment in private hospitals.

In a press conference on 25 July, Inayat Singh Kakar of People's Health Movement noted that there has been no transparency or political will to implement the order.

On 25 July, these CSOs also organised a virtual press conference highlighting the continued violations of the order by private hospitals. They released another letter that highlighted problems in implementation and suggested remedial measures to the authorities.

The above mentioned testimonies are just the tip of the iceberg. More than a month after the order was passed and subsequent interventions from the CSOs, issues remain.

Crumbling infrastructure

According to the National Health Accounts estimates, released in March 2019, patients in India bear about 61 percent of the total health expenditure. The government’s health expenditure stands at an abysmally low 30.6 percent.

The Economic Survey 2020 shows that the government expenditure on healthcare was 1.6 percent in FY20 budget, a minuscule change from 1.5 percent in FY19. The National Health Policy, 2017, has recommended that health expenditure by the government should be 2.5 percent of GDP by 2025.

A 2018 study which analysed the financial burden of households’ out-of-pocket payments on medicine in India over a period of 2o years between 1994 and 2014 found that 3.8 crore Indians fell below the poverty line due to spending on medicines alone.

Jashodhara Dasgupta, from Sahayog, a non-profit voluntary organisation, explained how the term "out of pocket expenditure" concealed quite a few crucial facts about medical costs in India.

“Our public healthcare is immensely under-resourced and almost dysfunctional. In contrast, the private hospitals do have substantially more resources — both in terms of infrastructure as well as number of doctors. In times of a crisis like the pandemic, the people will be compelled to go to private hospitals,” she says.

Dasgupta informs that private hospitals function primarily with the support of private insurance and State-funded insurance companies, which allows them to hike prices astronomically.

She lays out two scenarios: “You see, when a minister gets admitted in a private hospital, the government covers the costs of that treatment, right? We, the taxpayers, pay for the treatment in private hospitals. The second situation is when corporate employees or PSU employees go to private hospitals, there’s the safety net of employer paid insurance. Concurrently, in both the cases, private hospitals use this to their advantage and their prices are hiked up astronomically.”

While the Delhi government did put together an order to contain some of the issues plaguing the private healthcare sector, the political will to implement it seems to be lacking.

When Amresh was approached about Mayanka’s case on 6 August, he said that he has followed the usual process of putting the patient in touch with the DMS of the hospital.

While that is an essential step, it still leaves the patient trying to fight for his or her rights against the hospital.

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ronaldxjen82 · 5 years

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A New Drug For The Treatment Of Skin Cancer Increases The Survival Of Patients. Scientists remark that a reborn drug to nurse melanoma, the first in its class, improved survival by 68 percent in patients whose disease had conserve from the skin to other parts of the body. This is big news in the field of melanoma research, where survival rates have refused to budge, without thought numerous efforts to come up with an effective treatment for the increasingly common and catastrophic skin cancer over the past three decades smoking syrian. "The last time a drug was approved for metastatic melanoma was 12 years ago, and 85 percent of bourgeoisie who take that painkiller have no benefit, so finding another drug that is going to have an impact, and even a bigger impact than what's out there now, is a prime improvement for patients," said Timothy Turnham, executive director of the Melanoma Research Foundation in Washington, DC. The findings on the drug, called ipilimumab, were reported simultaneously Saturday at the annual assignation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago and in the June 5 online issuance of the New England Journal of Medicine view. Ipilimumab is the gold in a new class of targeted T-cell antibodies, with imminent applications for other cancers as well. Both the incidence of metastatic melanoma and the demise rate have risen during the past 30 years, and patients with advanced disease typically have predetermined treatment options. "Ipilimumab is a human monoclonal antibody directed against CTLA-4, which is on the surface of T-cells which meeting infection ," explained lead study author Dr Steven O'Day, concert-master of the melanoma program at the Angeles Clinic and Research Institute in Los Angeles. "CTL is a very vital break to the immune system, so by blocking this break with ipilimumab, it accelerates and potentiates the T-cells vigrx satis. And by doing that they become activated and can go out and annihilate the cancer. This drug is targeting not the tumor directly, but turning the T-cells on by blocking their brakes and allowing the T-cells to do their work, which is very conflicting from chemotherapy and other targeted therapies directed at cancer cells". The hallucinogen was developed and the study funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Medarex. For this study, 676 patients at 125 centers around the people were randomly assigned to one of three healing groups: ipilimumab plus gp100, a peptide vaccine which has shown some benefit in melanoma cases; ipilimumab on its own; or gp100 alone. All participants had lap 3 or 4 melanoma, and had been heretofore treated. Those in both the combination arm and the ipilumumab-alone arm lived a median of 10 months vs 6,4 months in the gp100-alone arm, a 68 percent lengthen in survival time. "This is worthy because this is a disease where the average survival is six to nine months, so an increase on average by an additional four months is a very husky difference in this population," O'Day said. "Even more importantly than the median survival are the one- and two- year turning-point survivals, which were nearly doubled in the two ipilimumab arms, succeeding from 25 to 46 percent at one year and 14 to 24 percent at two years". Fourteen of the patients (2,1 percent) died because of reactions to the treatment, seven of those from inoculated system problems. It's not unexceptionally clear at this point which patients will benefit most but, Turnham pointed out, a adipose proportion of patients benefited from this therapy, whereas other therapies help only 5 percent to 15 percent of patients with metastatic melanoma for more info. The slip has not yet received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, but it is ready at many medical centers and some patients may be able to get access to it, O'Day said.

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iowastatedailyarchive · 6 years

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1918 Flu Epidemic in Ames: Hiding the Epidemic

1918 FLU EPIDEMIC: First Arrival | Hiding the Epidemic | The Quarantine | After the Storm

Entering October, the number of people admitted to the college hospital increased every day. However, reading the Ames newspapers you wouldn’t know it or have a good grasp on the flu epidemic’s extent. City and college officials were often quiet on the Spanish flu’s presence. Instead, they opted to give some unclear answers and spout how great hospital conditions were and that everyone was soon going to be fine.

What was actually happening in Ames was happening across the world. October 1918 was the deadliest month in American history. In 31 days, an estimated 195,000 people died. From the fall of 1918 to spring of 1919, 550,000 Americans died and an estimated 30 million across the world by the time the influenza pandemic ended.

This second part covers the early days of the epidemic in Ames.

The front page of the Iowa State Student from Friday, October 4, 1918:

OCTOBER 2 (Wednesday)

In between the first issue of the fall semester and this second issue (the paper published twice a week, Tuesday and Friday), the Student Army Training Corps (SATC) students had a quarantine placed on them beginning Wednesday morning. However, local newspapers reported the quarantine was only a precaution. The Student reported that none of the flu cases were Spanish flu, rather they were English flu or the common flu, and people shouldn’t worry. Everything was fine. The other SATC members would get shots to prevent the sickness from spreading, too.

The rules of the SATC quarantine as published in the Iowa State Student:

All members of SATC are confined to limits of post until further notice.

Members of the SATC shall not be allowed to attend any formal functions or any gathering, public or social.

There is to be no communication from barracks to barracks.

There will be no congregating in any individual room in any barracks.

All blankets and bed clothing will be aired daily.

That all unnecessary clothing and personal effects be disposed of or sent home.

All men be conducted from barracks to classes and from classes to barracks

Under no circumstances will a person without pass be allowed on barrack grounds or in barracks

The Student put down rumors that the SATC quarantine was limited to three weeks. It was considered indefinite and to be lifted when the scare had passed.

(And now for a little bit about the newspaper reporting of this era. When originally designing this series, I intended to rely solely on the Daily’s archive because that’s the main reason for this blog, but at only twice a week, the Daily (then called the Student) only covered some of the happenings since some items were quite dated days later, especially when they were critical for living through the epidemic. On the other side of Ames, there was the 6-day-a-week Ames Evening Times and the thrice-weekly Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. The Times carried several wire stories in every issue about the fighting during World War I and championed the Allies against the Germans and other Central Powers. In every issue, the Germans were retreating somewhere (and were usually referred to as “Huns,” not Germans). The Times ran local stories, but frequently, whatever the city and military officials said was taken at face value. This was a time when everything the leaders did was for the good of the war effort, so nothing was ever questioned. The Tribune had a stronger local focus but unlike the Times, its stories often included some editorialized/opinion content, occasionally talking about patriotism and the well-deserved trust the local and national leaders deserved. World War I was not a era to question authority. The newspapers certainly didn’t.)

Discussing the SATC quarantine, the Ames Evening Times quoted commandant Gen. James R. Lincoln as saying “the quarantine does not mean that there is an epidemic of any kind prevalent at the camp” and unless the situation becomes serious, he had no authority over what happens to all of West Ames. At the time, rumors of quarantining the west side was an immediate probability. It seems Lincoln didn’t say much else on the seriousness of the sick students because the Times then states, “it has been learned from an authoritative source that a call has been made on the local Red Cross, asking them to be ready in case of emergency.”

Also on Oct. 2: four new flu cases were admitted to the college hospital.

OCTOBER 3 (Thursday)

There were 43 new flu cases and nearby, Camp Dodge was reported to have 1,200 in the hospital with the flu, of which 558 were proven to be Spanish flu.

OCTOBER 4 (Friday)

At Iowa State, around 72 new cases of flu appeared at the college hospital.

In the morning, Gen. Lincoln and mayor E.H. Graves had a meeting and the final decision was to quarantine more students and end public gatherings in Ames.

Though this was the day of the Student’s issue, the big news was announced later in the day and dominated the Times, the evening newspaper. The mayor announced all public entertainment and churches in Ames were closed until further notice. Here is the mayor’s proclamation:

In view of the fact that there is a contagious disease prevalent in Ames and vicinity known as Spanish influenza, and in view of the further fact that at the present time it is the patriotic duty of the citizens of Ames, Iowa, to use every precautionary measure to prevent the spread of this disease.

It is here ordered by the Local Board of Health that all theatres, picture shows, public dances and all other public places of amusement and all churches be closed from and after this date in the City of Ames, Story county, Iowa, until further order of this board.

Dated at Ames, Story county, Iowa this 4th day of October, 1918, at 12 o’clock noon.

E.H. Graves, mayor

The proclamation is the first acknowledgement that the Spanish flu was present in the Ames area, though it didn’t come from anyone at the college. Mary Greeley hospital stated to the Times that there were no flu cases present, so its prevalence in the city wasn’t verified. (At least they tried to check.)

Oddly, unmentioned in this and future issues of the Student was a quarantine for all female students, likely designed by Lincoln and issued by acting president Edgar Stanton. The women were no longer allowed near the military barracks, their social events were cancelled, and they were banned from going downtown unless accompanied by a chaperone.

In the Times, Lincoln said around 40 students were in the hospital, but he didn’t confirm or deny the Spanish flu was on campus. According to hospital record book, more than 130 students were sick by the day’s end. To ensure no one questioned the latest limitations, Lincoln said the new quarantine was about patriotism — “should the epidemic appear,” the college will be ready. A Tribune story goes even further to make sure readers don’t question the quarantine, calling it a war measure “pure and simple. There is nothing alarming in the proclamation,” and it’s only preventative. “It should be understood that Ames is under dictation of the military authorities, if they care to enforce any action,” it wrote.

Master gunner Harold Pammel, one of the first to contract the flu, was released from the college hospital. It got a mention in both city newspapers. Meanwhile, Red Cross nurses arrived at the campus to serve but were turned away because the men at the camp were servicing as nurses’ assistants.

In the day’s issue of the Student, Dean R. E. Buchanan didn’t downplay the threat of Spanish influenza. His tips on protecting yourself:

Don’t use any drinking fountain on campus

Don’t use cups for drinking that were not scalded

Don’t touch desks, doorknobs, or woodwork unless necessary

Avoid crowds, drafts, and limits contact with others as much as possible

The newspaper also reported that the first two football games were cancelled because of the SATC quarantine. However, the government had indirectly ordered football games cancelled for the month of October. The only time a team can be away from its institution is Saturday afternoon, but Iowa State officials were hopeful to get a waive since there was a set schedule for play in the Missouri Valley conference.

(A blurb in the Student was “Idle dollars are pro-German.” Newspapers promoted money-raising war efforts on many pages.)

OCTOBER 5 (Saturday)

According to the hospital record book, 120 new flu cases were admitted, the most of any day during the flu epidemic. The number of people who had been release during the past five days was incredibly small.

Citing “unofficial sources,” the Times reported that Ames’ Drs. Budge, Tilden, & Rice were devoting themselves to influenza work full-time while Drs. Aplin and Templeton did part-time. It also wrote that the current flu epidemic was no worse than the Russian flu epidemic in 1889-90. However, it does complain about the cleanliness of the streetcar that carries residents between downtown and the college. It had a long history of being overcrowded and dirty — an excellent incubator for the flu.

OCTOBER 6 (Sunday)

There were about 95 new flu cases on campus.

Decades before students rioted for VEISHEA, Ames residents crowded Main Street at about 1:30 a.m. to celebrate the rumor that the Germans wanted peace talks with the Allies. A fire truck paraded down the street, church bells rang, motorcycles were heard, tin horns sounded, etc. Across town, even the Campanile was reported to have joined the fray. However, all this occurred at a time when public gatherings were forbidden, and the celebration, which included many speakers, including pastors, lasted until about 5 a.m. It was a prime event for the flu to spread.

In a brief statement with minuscule context, the Times stated that sorority houses and women’s dormitories were quarantined. None of the residents were allowed to leave.

OCTOBER 7 (Monday)

In the morning, the Ames Board of Health, which was chaired by the mayor, decided not to close the public schools, though the flu epidemic was in the vicinity. Mayor Graves was said to be waiting for the flu to be a serious threat to students, though attendance was down as more and more parents opted to not send their children to school. The nearby schools of Story City and Gilbert both closed, citing the flu scare.

There were about 89 new flu cases on campus.

With several quarantine stories coming from Iowa State, the Tribune ran a piece acknowledging the presence of the Spanish flu, but said it was no real threat. “There is no denial that Spanish influenza prevails at the camp, but the cases are so few and they are of such mild form that there is not considered the necessity of resorting to other means nor calling for other assistance than that which the officials already have at their command.”

According to college hospital records, more than 400 of 3,000 students (~14%) were sick with the flu and by this time, some cases would be turning into pneumonia. (Adjust that to today’s enrollment numbers, that’d be 4,900 or 35,000 students.)

In the Tribune piece, Gen. Lincoln said everyone with a cold was being treated as though they had the flu. It also said rumors of death on campus were false. “There have been no deaths and there is no person who is so sick that death is even expected. In fact the disease was taken in hand by medical men at the time when it first made its appearance and by this means there was the stamping out of any spreading to any great extent.”

In only a few days, death would be a daily event on campus.

OCTOBER 8 (Tuesday)

Pvt. Clarence Nelson, of Jewell, became the first student to die during the flu epidemic. It was reported he died around 9 p.m.

At the college hospital, there were about 50 new flu cases, and for the first time, it was reported in the newspaper that college hospital, State Gym, and the Collegiate Presbyterian Church basement were full of patients. The Times did a little digging into just how may sick were in Ames. Unofficial sources said the flu was in the grade schools, and guards were posted at all entrances of the college campus, which surely made the situation appear worse than what officials were saying. Yet the mayor said “I don’t know” to questions about specifics. “It is certain there are more cases here than the authorities intend for the public to know,” the Times wrote. At the college, it was reported that 100 were released and 60 new patients were admitted with an estimated 300 patients total. In Ames, there were an estimated 100 patients in a city of about 5,000.

When the Student went to press, there were no reported deaths. Lincoln said all cases have been mild, and the conditions at the college were better than any other camp. The good conditions and quarantine were the reasons Lincoln said he'd wait to send 90 students to an officers’ training camp. (The students aren’t contagious and staying on campus was for their benefit.) Vaccines that were supposed to be given a few days ago were not given due to fear they might make it worse in case a student already had the flu.

At some point during the day, Iowa State’s Board of Deans voted to segregate the men from the women. This was also a decision that was not reported in the city newspapers. The decision likely helped prevent many women from getting the flu because men were already more likely to be infected given the army camp and separating them from women put more space between them and the virus. While the decision was made Oct. 8, word of it didn’t reach some faculty until Oct. 14, and there were departments which were stated to have ignored it because of the lack of instructors and class space. Classes with one or two women were allowed to remain intact as long as the women were seated at least five feet from the men.

At this point, newspapers had to know the situation was getting serious — surely the Student did — but little is reported. Whether the information was censored by officials or newspaper weren’t reporting everything remains a mystery, but it wasn’t uncommon for the time. There was a fear that such bad news about a flu epidemic might get back to the Germans. However, at the same time, they were seeing the in a deadly second wave of the flu.

OCTOBER 9 (Wednesday)

At some point during either the night or early morning (the Times and Tribune don’t agree), the local board of health decided to close the Ames schools. Earlier stories hinted that most board members wanted to close the schools, but they didn’t want to go against the mayor so they stood behind his decision to keep them open. However, the decision to close the schools wasn’t necessarily mayor Graves’ idea. A telegram from U.S. Department of Health advised schools to be closed across the country and the Iowa Board of Health also favored closing public schools.

The mayor’s statement:

Pursuant to instructions received from the State Board of Health, the proclamation closing Moving Picture Shows, Theatres, Churches, Public Dances and other places of amusement is herewith made to cover the Public Schools of the City of Ames. Elsewhere find instructions from the State Board of Health

The flu also took center stage on a national level. The U.S. Health Department wanted to know all cases and created a system where local physicians reported cases to the town mayor, who reported to the State Board of Health, who reported it to the U.S. Health Department.

At Ames schools, there were either 6 teachers (Times) or 5 teachers (Tribune) sick with the flu. The Times said many students are thought to be sick while the Tribune said the opposite. Nevertheless, having the kids at home didn’t mean they were free to play. Children wondering the street would have “consequences.”

There were about 56 new flu cases at the college hospital. And despite the death yesterday, the Times ran a story with a subhead “Situation here is not alarming; physicians declared to be master of situation—no cause for alarm.” The number of places used to treat the sick now included Beardshear House and Alumni Hall. College officials were unavailable to comment on the number of sick, but "knowledgeable sources” said 500, which is somewhat accurate when compared to hospital logs. The story ran on page two, not on front. The Tribune continued to repeat the story that conditions at the college were great, the men were happy, and everyone was getting better.

The following day, all of West Ames would go into a quarantine, and for the next 10 days, there would be at least one death on campus.

Sources

Iowa State College Hospital record book for the Motor Corps and SATC. Oct 1918.

“Influenza has not broken out here say hospital authorities,” Iowa State Student. 4 Oct 1918.

“Customary two weeks quarantine of troops keeps boys in barracks,” Ames Evening Times. 2 Oct 1918.

“1200 cases of ‘flu’ reported at Dodge,” Ames Evening Times. 3 Oct 1918.

“Because of Spanish influenza, theatres and churches closed,” Ames Evening Times. 4 Oct 1918.

“War measure was adopted,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 4 Oct 1918.

“Influenza is serious says Dean Buchanan,” Iowa State Student. 4 Oct 1918.

“Missouri Valley freshmen can play varsity ball,” Iowa State Student. 4 Oct 1918.

“War Department’s action wipes out college schedules,” Ames Evening Times. 5 Oct 1918.

“City physicians are lending aid to stamp out influenza here,” Ames Evening Times. 5 Oct 1918.

“General Lincoln controls situation during celebration,” Iowa State Student. 7 Oct 1918.

“Personals,” Ames Evening Times. 8 Oct 1918.

“Peace demonstration rouses wrath of Ames people; object to call,” Ames Evening Times. 7 Oct 1918.

“Rumors rampant cause Ames to stage jollification,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 7 Oct 1918.

“Will not close public schools until disease makes its appearance,” Ames Evening Times. 8 Oct 1918.

“Closing schools was discussed,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 9 Oct 1918.

“Soldiers are detained at the training camp,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 7 Oct 1918.

“First death from Spanish influenza reported at college,” Ames Evening Times. 9 Oct 1918.

“Will not close public schools until disease makes its appearance,” Ames Evening Times. 8 Oct 1918.

“Quarantine postpones departure of men,” Iowa State Student. 8 Oct 1918.

“Influenza gives no cause for alarm says Gen. Lincoln,” Iowa State Student. 8 Oct 1918.

“First death from Spanish influenza reported at college,” Ames Evening Times. 9 Oct 1918.

“Special meeting of the board of health closes schools,” Ames Evening Times. 9 Oct 1918.

“Ames schools closed on government order,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 9 Oct 1918.

“Men and women put in separate classes,” Iowa State Student. 15 Oct 1918.

#Iowa State University #Iowa State Cyclones Football #ISU #ames iowa #wwi #world war 1 #flu pandemic #spanish flu #1918 #iowa #history

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theconservativebrief · 6 years

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President Donald Trump got up onstage at a Tuesday night rally and berated a survivor of sexual assault.

There is no other honest way to describe the president’s performance. He performed a mocking interpretation of Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony before the Senate, highlighting gaps in her memory and misrepresenting her testimony to try to discredit her story. In contrast to other Republicans, who had gone to great lengths to say they believed something had happened to Ford, the president dismissed her — casting the man she’s accused of assaulting her, Brett Kavanaugh, as the real victim, a target of a Democratic plot that Ford is presumably in on.

“A man’s life is in tatters. A man’s life is shattered,” Trump said. “They destroy people.”

His decision to go into full-on attack mode against Ford, which Senate Republicans had previously been so afraid to do that they refused to even ask her questions directly, shows exactly what we’re fighting over when we fight over Ford’s allegation: the role of sexual assault in American culture itself.

Feminist philosophers have long argued that sexual violence serves an insidious social purpose. The omnipresence of the threat — the intimate nature of it, the fact that any man could in theory be capable of such acts — serves as a form of intimidation. Behaviors as simple as going out alone at night or staying late at the office become laden with risk. The mere threat of rape, in the background, forces women into certain socially prescribed roles. It serves, in effect, to uphold male dominance.

“One of the most important aspects of rape as it occurs in our society is the way in which it is a moral injury to all women, not [only] to the woman who experiences it,” moral philosopher Jean Elizabeth Hampton wrote in an essay on sexual violence. “Rape confirms that women are ‘for’ men: to be used, dominated, treated as objects.”

This philosophical understanding of sexual violence, as a fundamentally social crime, has become more vital than ever in the days since the Kavanaugh and Ford testimonies. The hearings gripped the country; everywhere from nursing homes to the New York Stock Exchange, people stopped what they were doing to watch these two people speak.

The way Ford’s allegations are handled, then, will help define our national understanding of sexual assault for years to come. Do men enjoy superior standing, a presumption of truth-telling denied to female accusers? Just how seriously does our political system take accusations of sexual assault and violence? Are credible allegations disqualifying for the most significant legal body in the country?

Tuesday night, Trump presented one answer to this question: Women who come forward against powerful men can be mocked and disregarded. Their pain is not important in the face of a powerful man’s ambition. This is what will happen when they tell their stories.

If Trump gets away with this kind of rhetoric — if this is the argument that carries the day, that gets Kavanaugh a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court — then the consequences for American society could be profound.

The Kavanaugh case could inaugurate a widespread cultural backlash to the #MeToo movement — of people, from the elected level down to the grassroots, making a show of public resistance to the emerging norm of believing sexual assault accusers.

Even if Trump’s rhetoric is discredited and denounced, the foulness of the process surrounding Ford’s accusation will not go away. The past few weeks, which re-traumatized a lot of assault survivors, will not be erased from memory. But the backlash will be shown to be weaker than it might seem — giving at least some heart to the women struggling to change America’s culture of sexual violence.

The argument that sexual violence is a form of social intimidation has a long history in feminist writing. In 1971, the radical critic Susan Griffin described rape as “a form of mass terrorism”; in 1975, journalist Susan Brownmiller’s groundbreaking book Against Our Will argues that rape is “a conscious process of intimidation by which all men keep all women in a state of fear.”

This work, revolutionary at the time, laid the foundations for the now-familiar claim that rape is about power rather than sex. Men who assault women aren’t seeking sexual gratification, at least not primarily; they are attempting to assert their own dominance over their victim.

In her 2006 book Analyzing Oppression, Boston University philosopher Ann Cudd takes an even broader social lens on these arguments. Cudd is interested in the way that violence in general sustains oppressive social structures, like patriarchy and white supremacy. Violence, Cudd argues, is one of several ways in which dominate groups to keep subordinate groups down. “Systematic violence,” meaning violence directed against members of a marginalized group by a dominant, works to traumatize and terrify.

Rape and sexual assault might seem like individual crimes. But Cudd points out that it’s the effect, not the intent that matters. If the pervasiveness of sexual violence serves to intimidate women as a whole, then the effect of each individual attack is to reinforce women’s marginalized status.

The best way to understand sexual violence, in Cudd’s view, is as a quiet-but-constant campaign of systemic violence to preserve male privilege.

“Violence against women is covert, neither recognized as a systematic war against women by the victims nor by those who would be sympathetic,” she writes. “[Yet] all women act under the shadow of a social threat situation which is, statistically, credible yet tacit. It changes our behavior; it makes acquiesce to limitations on our liberty that men do not have, it alters our sense of what is possible.”

This creates a kind of tyranny of expectations, where women feel the need to tailor their actions very specifically to minimize the threat of sexual violence. A 1983 essay by Marilyn Frye, a professor at Michigan State, describes in vivid detail how this threat constrains a woman’s behavior down to the tiniest little details of behavior like what facial expressions she makes.

“all women act under the shadow of a social threat”

“Anything but the sunniest countenance exposes us to being perceived as mean, bitter, angry or dangerous,” she writes. “This means, at the least, that we may be found ‘difficult’ or unpleasant to work with, which is enough to cost one one’s livelihood; at worst, being seen as mean, bitter, angry or dangerous has been known to result in rape, arrest, beating, and murder.”

Sexual violence, these women argued, is not a purely intimate act between a victim and an assailant. It is a social phenomenon with much broader effects: it shapes how all women think and act. The greater the sense of fear, the more likely women are to to avoid taking risks. By contrast, if powerful institutions can assuage women’s fear — if they believe they are safe, or that, at the very least, their assaulters would be punished — then the psychological effects of sexual violence can be minimized.

For this reason, Cudd points to the way the legal system handles assault as playing an important role in the systemic effects of sexual violence. Rape, as feminists often point out, is not handled like robbery. Robbery victims don’t immediately encounter reflexive doubt that they were robbed at all. But rape victims often face a presumption that a crime may not have actually happened. Many women are reluctant to report their assaults for that reason — one factor in why they often go unpunished.

This is part of why so much attention has been paid to things like the Bill Cosby trial sentencing: They seem to suggest that they the Me Too movement is making some headway in changing the criminal justice system’s approach to sexual assault. But the Kavanaugh nomination, and the way it’s being treated by American political leaders, have the potential to turn this

The allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, like those against Harvey Weinstein, Donald Trump, and Bill Cosby, have ushered in another stage of America’s long overdue reckoning with sexual violence.

My colleague Ezra Klein called Kavanaugh’s fiery response to Ford’s allegations, and the white male Republican senators lining up to praise him afterwards, “the moment the #MeToo backlash truly took shape” — a sign that a certain segment of American society was fed up with what the movement had accomplished, and wanted to reassert male innocence and privilege.

In a Senate Judiciary debate last Friday, Sen. Lindsey Graham argued essentially just that. “I’m a single white male from South Carolina, and I’m told I should just shut up, but I will not shut up,” Graham said.

Trump’s mocking of Ford on Tuesday night further showed that white men in power are not going anywhere — that they will not listen, will not budge, and will not give ground to #MeToo.

At the same time, though, the Kavanaugh debate have yet again galvanized victims of sexual violence and their supporters.

A protest against Kavanaugh’s nomination is New York City on October 1. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

After President Trump blasted Ford for not doing so when the attack happened, thousands of women came forward to explain why that was so difficult under the hashtag #WhyIDidntReport. Sen. Jeff Flake, the key swing vote on the Judiciary Committee, changed his mind on immediately confirming Kavanaugh last week based on women coming forward about their experiences. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a swing vote in the broader Senate, says she’s receiving an unprecedented number of constituent calls about Kavanaugh — even more than she got during the health care debate, when she eventually opposed overturning Obamacare.

For a few months last fall, it seemed like the Weinstein story had ushered in a new era in which women were more willing to come forward about sexual harassment and assault, and the public would be more willing to believe them. The men they accused would, in some cases, face consequences — even if those consequences were professional and social rather than legal.

Even before Kavanaugh’s nomination, many of the men were making a comeback (Louis CK, for example). Now the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court nominee has brought the contest between the #MeToo movement and the backlash into relief. When should accusations be disqualifying? Under what conditions should accusers be believed? What kind of man can and should be held accountable for sexual assault?

That makes the nomination itself, and the way it’s handled, a defining moment for the way Americans see sexual assault writ large. Everyone is paying attention to this, and the implicit messages that America’s political leaders are sending about sexual violence.

“This has resonance,” Tim Malloy, assistant director of polling at Quinnipiac University, told my colleague Ella Nilsen. “This was dinner table conversation. People are going to talk about this today, people are going to talk about this tomorrow, it’s going to be in every political commercial.”

The up-or-down vote on Kavanaugh will matter the most in this perception. But so too will all of the things surrounding it: The seriousness of the FBI investigation. Whether or not Republicans condemn Trump’s attack on Ford. Whether stories like sexual assault survivors changing Flake’s mind become defining moments.

Nothing can reverse the damage that’s been done by comments like Trump’s, or the way Republicans lined up to defend Kavanaugh absolutely during the Ford hearing. The National Sexual Assault Hotline reported a 147% increase in calls over the average during the Ford and Kavanaugh hearings; since Ford first came forward, the average per-day increase has been around 46 percent.

The vicious debate is retraumatizing victims, sending a message to women that they will still struggle and face harsh resistance to coming forward. If this is what happens to a woman like Ford, a white college professor with means, what’s the lesson for less privileged women?

But if Kavanaugh is defeated, or Trump’s mocking of Ford prominently and roundly condemned, perhaps a little bit of this harm can be rolled back. Some women might even encouraged to come forward, getting a sense that their words really do have power.

How powerful an effect this could be is very hard to say. The kind of subtle psychological oppression we’re talking about here is tough to quantify, and there haven’t been a lot of similar situations as high profile as this one in the past.

But even a small impact is an important one. To understand why, I’d return to Frye, the Michigan State professor, who has particularly poignant way of describing the way that gender oppression works:

Consider a birdcage. If you look very closely at just one wire in the cage, you cannot see the other wires. If your conception of what is before you is determined by this myopic focus, you could look at that one wire, up and down the length of it, and be unable to see why a bird would not just fly around the wire any time it wanted to go somewhere. Furthermore, even if, one day at a time, you myopically inspected each wire, you still could not see why a bird would gave trouble going past the wires to get anywhere. There is no physical property of any one wire, nothing that the closest scrutiny could discover, that will reveal how a bird could be inhibited or harmed by it except in the most accidental way.

It is only when you step back, stop looking at the wires one by one, microscopically, and take a macroscopic view of the whole cage, that you can see why the bird does not go anywhere; and then you will see it in a moment. It will require no great subtlety of mental powers. It is perfectly obvious that the bird is surrounded by a network of systematically related barriers, no one of which would be the least hindrance to its flight, but which, by their relations to each other, are as confining as the solid walls of a dungeon.

America’s leaders and activists have the opportunity to bend one of these bars. Even if they does so very slightly a little, the bird inside is that much closer to making an escape.

Original Source -> Brett Kavanaugh, Donald Trump, and the chilling power of sexual violence

via The Conservative Brief

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zipgrowth · 6 years

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Are You Still There? How a ‘Netflix’ Model For Advising Lost Its Luster

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The “Netflix for education” analogy has become somewhat of a cliché for edtech companies using student data to recommend anything from courses to textbooks. The pitch is simple: Why waste time choosing, or leave it to chance of whether a human advisor will understand your unique situation, when an algorithm can tell what you want based on your academic history?

That idea relies on a technology known as predictive analytics, a statistical model that analyzes past data to make estimations about some future event or trend. In higher ed, that data often includes student grades, test scores, attendance and, in some cases, even demographics.

Located about 50 miles north of Nashville, Austin Peay State University in Tennessee has a downhome and cozy feel, sprawling with red brick buildings and some offices that look more like cottages. Yet the campus has gained a techie reputation as one of the birthplaces for predictive analytics in education through a tool dubbed Degree Compass. Officials at the college, which has just over 10,000 undergraduate students, built the platform to recommend courses based on how well students did in previous ones.

At first, Degree Compass was met with fanfare and praise—and data to back it up. Overall student graduation rates rose from 31 percent in 2010 to 36 percent in 2014, for example. But today, the tool’s hype has died down, and campus officials and students say it hasn’t lived up to all of its promise. Graduation rates haven’t budged much since 2014, and retention recently dropped to below the point it was when the tool was introduced.

Now, a college that helped pioneer predictive analytics is finding the technology’s limitations.

Degree Compass was the brainchild of mathematician and former professor Tristan Denley. While working at Austin Peay, and later serving as the institution’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, Denley noticed a problem: students struggled to find the right courses or degree path to take. And without choosing a focus early, many would take courses they didn’t need, reinforcing achievement gaps and delays in college completion.

The situation occurred more frequently for first-generation students, and Denley attributed the issue to an “information problem.” Essentially students whose parents went to college were more likely to find the resources they need to choose degree paths, stick on them and discover career options related to their field of study.

So, with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Denley built Degree Compass in 2011 as a way to alleviate that problem by suggesting what courses students should take. (Disclaimer: The Gates Foundation supports projects at EdSurge.) The system links with the campus degree audit system to help steer students to courses that satisfy their degree requirements, and, using a student’s grade history, applies predictive modeling to estimate which course the student might perform best in. Students see their best options through a university website, which displays recommendations using a star-rating system similar to Netflix.

The program was intended not only to help students perform better in individual courses, but also to increase the likelihood that they complete their degree. Denley wrote in 2012: “The system makes its strongest recommendations for courses that are necessary for a student to graduate, that are core to the university curriculum and the student's major, and in which the student is expected to succeed academically.”

Degree Compass quickly expanded to not only suggest courses but also recommend majors, with a system called MyFuture that would point students towards degree pathways and career options that their course history suggests they might do well in.

Loretta Griffy, math professor and associate provost for student success at Austin Peay, worked on Degree Compass with Denley and now oversees the tool.

At first, the system showed positive results. Early analysis of the tool looked at about 10,800 students at Austin Peay, and later, Denley and his team expanded Degree Compass to three other colleges in Tennessee, adding about 40,000 to the experiment. The algorithm was successful nearly 90 percent of the time at predicting if a student would pass a particular course. And student grades across the institution showed steady improvement from 2010 to 2014, according to an analysis by Denley.

During that time, six-year graduation rate increased from 33 percent to 37.4 percent, the report said, and noted even greater gains for low–income students (from 25 percent to 31 percent) and African American students (from 28.7 percent to 33.8 percent).

News and media quickly latched on: “Students who follow its course recommendations increase their number of credit hours and gain better grades,” the Economist wrote in 2013. “These gains largely erase the achievement gap between whites and minorities at those particular southern colleges.”

Private companies also took notice. In January 2013, education software provider D2L purchased Degree Compass to offer as its own version of the product.

It is simply a tool that's available for anyone to use.

Loretta Griffy, math professor and associate provost for student success at Austin Peay

Shortly after the acquisition, other changes slowly began to happen. For starters, Denley, who largely oversaw the tool and the research behind it, left the university in the summer of 2013 to become the vice chancellor for academic affairs at the Tennessee Board of Regents. After additional administrative turnover, Denley’s passion project slowly dropped on a list of priorities for student-success and academic affairs officials at Austin Peay.

D2L made changes to the product as well—albeit not always for proactive reasons. Kenneth Chapman, vice president of market research and strategy at D2L explains that the platform today does not show students their grade projections—to avoid discouragement or self-fulfilling prophecies.

The company also noticed that institutions weren’t as excited about a student-directed degree planning tool as they had expected. “We were picturing a student self-serve experience,” he said. But “for the large majority of institutions interested in Degree Compass, putting the recommendations in front of the student and leaving the student alone was not what they envisioned.”

There were technical challenges, too, specifically around getting Degree Compass to successfully integrate with a school’s course catalog and student information system. “It taught us the barriers and challenges institutions were having around how they get degree program requirements loaded into Degree Compass,” Chapman added, which is vital “to get historical data to make predictions accurately.”

Register now for the EdSurge webinar, “How Analytics Can Support Student Success in Higher Ed,” April 25, 2018 at 12 pm PT | 3 pm ET. Sponsored by Salesforce.org.

The Center for Teaching and Learning at Austin Peay is a cottage-like building and home to the office of Loretta Griffy, a math professor and associate provost for student success at Austin Peay. With walls studded with handwritten Post-it notes and a desk framed by stacks of papers, it may not be obvious that she has largely overseen Degree Compass and MyFuture in Denley’s absence. But in fact, Griffy has been involved with the tech initiatives since their early days, and began working with Denley on the project while he was still at the campus.

Austin Peay continued to use its original version of Degree Compass even after D2L acquired the product—and works with that same version today. Now, Griffy said it hasn’t had a revolutionary effect on the campus in the long run.

“It is simply a tool that's available for anyone to use,” said Griffy. “We have a decentralized faculty advising model, which means we have 385 academic advisors. They each have their own individual styles and how they interact with students and we have a variety of advising tools that they can use. This is just one of them.”

Griffy also said that the school no longer tracks how many students use Degree Compass or MyFuture—nor could they share any data on how many students have take the recommendations.

That’s a stark contrast to the kind of reporting and tracking Denley had done. “We had survey data to see how widely students were using the technology, the ways in which advisors were actually incorporating that as part of the conversations they were using in advising,” he said. “The adoption was quite widespread at Austin Peay.”

Center for Teaching and Learning at Austin Peay State University

Similarly, students have contrasting reviews. At Austin Peay’s campus coffee shop, Einstein’s Bros. Bagels, you might find students catching up for a caffeine boost between classes, or hunched over books prepping for an exam. In between meticulous glances back and forth from a laptop screen and hand-written notes, first-year student Sophia Potenza said she entered the college knowing she wanted to study nursing, and that she “didn't really use [Degree Compass].” Abbigayle Nepler, an undeclared freshman, only used the tool when it was required by one professor—but it didn’t sway her decision-making.

At the nearby school cafeteria, sophomore Montrell Harris paused from a late lunch to explain how he entered college less sure about his degree path, compared to students like Potenza. He said the tool helped him navigate course options: “Coming from high school, looking at all these classes will blow your mind.”

Either way, Chapman, of D2L, admits the tool wasn’t the company’s best bet. “Sometimes we really hit the mark and nail it early, and get it to the point where something is cultured in our organization by the time the market is ready for that,” he said. “I wouldn't call Degree Compass one of the applications that we saw as hitting the mark.”

Up Next

Austin Peay has seen improvements in retention, going from 67 percent in 2010 to 71 percent in 2016. But the school dipped back down to 66 in 2017—almost 10 percentage points away from the school’s goal of 75 percent.

“Coming from high school, looking at all these classes will blow your mind.”

Montrell Harris, sophomore at Austin Peay State University

But Griffy claimed the tool wasn’t designed to improve graduation and retention rates. “The software is a tool to help students make decisions on the front-end. It is not a retention tool.”

Because of that, she said it’s hard to know to what extent—if any—that Degree Compass influenced either the rise or subsequent fall in retention. “Here is the difficult part,” she said. “None of this can be attributed to that tool because we have had probably 20 students-success initiatives going on so which one do you attribute, how you do that?”

What is clear, she said, is that the system is limited by a catch 22: in order to most accurately to recommend courses and majors, the algorithm needs a student’s prior grade history. However, because the tool only pulls from college-level performance, a student can’t gain much from it until they have a semester or two under their belt. By then, a student might have already made up their mind up about their path, or missed the opportunity to get on-track for crowded and capped majors such as nursing.

Chapman said it’s an issue he has heard before. “That speaks to a conversation we have [with customers] whenever we stand up more complex and sophisticated tools,” he said. “Does it have enough data in a cold start to make any relevant predictions? Are the predictions themselves starting to bias the recommendations being made?”

Other ethical questions have emerged throughout Degree Compass’ history. Could suggestions systematically skew groups of students towards certain classes or fields of study, or push them towards easier classes rather than teaching students how to work through challenging academic material?

Another common concern about predictive analytics in education is that these systems have the potential to reinforce academic and racial stereotypes. Denley intentionally omitted demographic data from the algorithm in an attempt to mitigate that issue.

“We try to recommend to institutions to really soak in and understand the implications” of the data, Chapman said. “If predictions are not significant, then it won’t be an appropriate use case—and heaven forbid recommendations are made off of bad data.”

There are other reasons why the he thinks Degree Compass didn’t quite “hit the mark.” First, he said, the tool was tailored more towards supporting a college’s course catalog and student information system, which was “a little farther away from the teaching and learning focus of our company.” He also added that the company has noticed many of its customers are less often asking for pre-packaged tools and systems like Degree Compass, and requesting more support on how to make sense of the data and analytics already available and collected at the university.

This article is part of an upcoming EdSurge Guide exploring innovations in student success, publishing March 26. The guide is sponsored by Salesforce.org, which had no influence on the thoughts and opinions expressed in this story.

“I wouldn't call Degree Compass one of the applications that we saw as hitting the mark.”

Kenneth Chapman, vice president of market research and strategy at D2L

At Austin Peay, issues over the effectiveness of Degree Compass have been overshadowed by larger problems the university is trying to solve. “We have lots of other challenges that are going on. We have a growing freshman class, and freshman typically need more services and attention,” she said. “We also ran out of residential housing, so that's another big challenge to retention.”

Griffy describes the tool as “just one option” among a host of other student-success initiatives happening at the campus. For example, the school also uses an internally-made academic-alert system, where faculty can flag students showing early signs of struggle and have an academic-alert coordinator intervene before grades come in.

Even more popular than the predictive analytics tools though, she said, are low-tech paper degree-planning charts. Those, she added “are more powerful for everybody,” and that “first-time freshman like that better than really anything” when it comes to helping plan out courses and majors.

“But it's not fancy,” she added. “You print it and walk around with it. It's very simple.”

Denley now serves as the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and chief academic officer for the University System of Georgia. There, and in his previous position, he has worked on developing other predictive analytics systems.

He isn't shocked that efforts around Degree Compass have stagnated at Austin Peay. “There is a really important aspect of the use of analytic tools: they are only as good as the implementation,” he said. And while systems were put in place to keep Degree Compass running, it might not have been enough to keep the trajectory Denley initially hoped for.

“When there's a transition of leadership, there needs to be some asserted efforts to hand over, not only the reigns, but also the information and intellectual understanding as possible,” he said. “That happened when I left,” he added “but it doesn't surprise me that [Degree Compass] fell out and got lost in the shuffle. Maybe that's the way that things happen sometimes.”

As for D2L, Chapman said Degree Compass will remain on the shelf—for now. “I don’t expect we will see a large investment in taking it to market going forward, but I don’t know if the organization has decided what the next step is.”

Are You Still There? How a ‘Netflix’ Model For Advising Lost Its Luster published first on https://medium.com/@GetNewDLBusiness

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tortuga-aak · 7 years

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A hospital charged $1,877 to pierce a 5-year-old’s ears — and it shows why health care costs so much

Experts estimate the US health care system wastes $765 billion annually — about a quarter of all the money that’s spent. Of that, an estimated $210 billion goes to unnecessary or needlessly expensive care.

In one instance, a hospital charged over $1,800 to pierce a 5-year-old's ears during surgery.

This is just one example of the ways waste is baked into the healthcare system in America.

This story was co-published with NPR’s Shots blog.

Two years ago, Margaret O’Neill brought her 5-year-old daughter to Children’s Hospital Colorado because the band of tissue that connected her tongue to the floor of her mouth was too tight. The condition, literally called being “tongue-tied,” made it hard for the girl to make “th” sounds.

It’s a common problem with a simple fix: an outpatient procedure to snip the tissue.

During a pre-operative visit, the surgeon offered to throw in a surprising perk. Should we pierce her ears while she’s under?

O’Neill’s first thought was that her daughter seemed a bit young to have her ears pierced. Her second: Why was a surgeon offering to do this? Wasn’t that something done free at the mall with the purchase of a starter set of earrings?

“That’s so funny,” O’Neill recalled saying. “I didn’t think you did ear piercings.”

The surgeon, Peggy Kelley, told her it could be a nice thing for a child, O’Neill said. All she had to do is bring earrings on the day of the operation. O’Neill agreed, assuming it would be free.

Her daughter emerged from surgery with her tongue newly freed and a pair of small gold stars in her ears.

Only months later did O’Neill discover her cost for this extracurricular work: $1,877.86 for “operating room services” related to the ear piercing — a fee her insurer was unwilling to pay.

At first, O’Neill assumed the bill was a mistake. Her daughter hadn’t needed her ears pierced, and O’Neill would never have agreed to it if she’d known the cost. She complained in phone calls and in writing.

The hospital wouldn’t budge. In fact, O’Neill said it dug in, telling her to pay up or it would send the bill to collections. The situation was “absurd,” she said.

Phalinn Ooi/Flickr“There are a lot of things we’d pay extra for a doctor to do,” she said. “This is not one of them.”

Kelley and the hospital declined to comment to ProPublica about the ear piercing.

Surgical ear piercings are rare, according to the Health Care Cost Institute, a nonprofit that maintains a database of commercial health insurance claims. The institute could only find a few dozen possible cases a year in its vast cache of billing data. But O’Neill’s case is a vivid example of health care waste known as overuse.

Into this category fall things like unnecessary tests, higher-than-needed levels of care or surgeries that have proven ineffective.

Wasteful use of medical care has “become so normalized that I don’t think people in the system see it,” said Dr. Vikas Saini, president of The Lown Institute, a Boston think tank focused on making health care more effective, affordable and just. “We need more serious studies of what these practices are.”

Experts estimate the U.S. health care system wastes $765 billion annually — about a quarter of all the money that’s spent. Of that, an estimated $210 billion goes to unnecessary or needlessly expensive care, according to a 2012 report by the National Academy of Medicine.

ProPublica has been documenting the ways waste is baked into the system. Hospitals throw away new supplies and nursing homes discard still-potent medication. Drugmakers combine cheap ingredients to create expensive specialty pills and arbitrary drug expiration dates force hospitals and pharmacies to toss valuable drugs.

We also reported how drug companies make oversize eyedrops and vials of cancer drugs, forcing patients to pay for medication they are unable to use. In response, a group of U.S. senators introduced a bill this month to reduce what they called “colossal and completely preventable waste.”

But any discussion of waste needs to look how health care dollars are thrown away on procedures and care that patients don’t need — and how hard it is to stop it.

Win McNamee/Getty ImagesJust ask Christina Arenas.

Arenas, 34, has a history of noncancerous cysts in her breasts so last summer when her gynecologist found some lumps in her breast and sent her for an ultrasound to rule out cancer, she wasn’t worried.

But on the day of scan, the sonographer started the ultrasound, then stopped to consult a radiologist. They told her she needed a mammogram before the ultrasound could be done.

Arenas, an attorney who is married to a doctor, told them she didn’t want a mammogram. She didn’t want to be exposed to the radiation, or pay for the procedure. But sitting on the table in a hospital gown, she didn’t have much leverage to negotiate.

So, she agreed to a mammogram, followed by an ultrasound. The findings: no cancer. As Arenas suspected, she had cysts, fluid-filled sacs that are common in women her age.

The radiologist told her to come back in two weeks so they could drain the cysts with a needle, guided by yet another ultrasound. But when she returned she got two ultrasounds: one before the procedure and another as part of it.

The radiologist then sent the fluid from the cysts to pathology to test it for cancer. That test confirmed — again — that there wasn’t any cancer. Her insurance whittled the bills down to $2,361, most of which she had to pay herself because of her insurance plan.

Arenas didn’t like paying for something she didn’t think she needed and resented the loss of control. “It was just kind of, ‘Take it or leave it.’ The whole thing. You had no choice as to your own care.”

Arenas, sure she’d been given care she didn’t need, discussed it with one of her husband’s friends who is a gynecologist. She learned the process could have been more simple and affordable.

Arenas complained to The George Washington Medical Faculty Associates, the large Washington, D.C., doctor group that provided her treatment. Her request to have the bill reduced was denied. Then bill collectors got involved, so she demanded a refund and threatened legal action.

She said she never got to speak to anyone. Her demand was routed to an attorney, who declined her request because there was “no inappropriate care.” She also complained to her insurance company and the Washington, D.C., attorney general’s office, but they declined to help reduce the bill.

Overtreatment related to mammograms is a common problem. The national cost of false-positive tests and overdiagnosed breast cancer is estimated at $4 billion a year, according to a 2015 study in Health Affairs.

Some of this is fueled by anxious patients, some by doctors who know that missing a cancer diagnosis can be grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. But advocates, patients and even some doctors note the screenings can also be a cash cow for physicians and hospitals.

With Arenas’ permission, we shared her case with experts, including Dr. Barbara Levy, vice president of health policy for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and three radiologists.

Levy said there’s a standard way to treat a suspected breast cyst that’s efficient and cost-effective. If the lump is large, as in Arenas’ case, a doctor should first use a needle to try and drain it. If the fluid is clear and the lump goes away there’s no cause for concern or extra testing. If the fluid is bloody or can’t be drained, or the mass is solid, then medical imaging tests can determine if it’s cancerous.

Getty ImagesHowever, doctors often choose to order imaging tests rather than drain apparent cysts, Levy said. “We’re so afraid the next one might be cancer even though the last 10 weren’t,” she said. “So, we overtest.”

Levy and the radiologists agreed that at least some of Arenas’ care seemed excessive. But their opinions varied, which shows why it can be difficult to reduce unnecessary care. Standards are often open-ended, so they allow for a wide range of practices and doctors have autonomy to take the route they think is best for patients.

The American College of Radiology recommends an ultrasound for a 32-year-old — Arenas’ age at the time of the procedure — with an unidentified breast mass. Mammograms are also an option, but “most benign lesions in young women are not visualized by mammography,” the guidelines state.

Dr. Phillip Shaffer, a radiologist who’s practiced for decades in Columbus, Ohio, said he didn’t think Arenas needed the mammogram. “I wouldn’t do it,” he said. “If I did an ultrasound and saw cysts, I’d say you have cysts. In 32-year-olds the mammogram does almost nothing.”

Dr. Jay Baker, chair of the American College of Radiology breast imaging communications committee, agreed that the ultrasound alone would have “almost certainly” identified the cyst. But, he said, maybe something about the lumps concerned Arenas’ radiologist, so a mammogram was ordered.

None of the radiologists consulted by ProPublica could explain why two ultrasounds on the return visit would be necessary. According to Arenas’ medical records, the practice told one reviewer that two were done to make sure the cysts hadn’t changed.

Shaffer didn’t buy it. “They just billed her twice for one thing,” he said.

Levy, the gynecologist, said it’s “excessive” to do two ultrasounds. And, she said, there was no need to send clear fluid to pathology.

Arenas offered to waive her privacy rights so the practice that provided her treatment could speak to ProPublica. Officials from the practice declined to comment. Her medical records show that in response to reviews by her insurance company and the attorney general’s office, her doctors said the care was appropriate.

Since then she has her cysts drained without images in her gynecologist’s office for about $350. But Arenas said on two occasions she’s used a needle at home to do it herself. (Doctors do not recommend this approach.) She admits it was an extreme choice, but at the time she worried she would be subjected to more unnecessary tests.

“I was taken advantage of because I was a captive audience,” she said.

In a brick-and-glass office park just outside Roanoke, Virginia, Missy Conley and Jeanne Woodward have battled on behalf of hundreds of patients who believe they’ve been overtreated or overcharged. The two work for Medliminal, a company that challenges erroneous and inflated medical bills on behalf of consumers in exchange for a share of the savings.

The two women excitedly one-up each other with their favorite outrages. How about the two cases involving unnecessary pregnancy tests? One of the patients was 82 —decades past her childbearing years. The other involved a younger woman who no longer had a uterus.

Another case involved an uninsured man who fell off his mountain bike and hurt his shoulder. The first responders pressured him to take an air ambulance to a hospital when it would have been faster for his friends to drive him. He got charged $44,000 for the whirlybird. Such unexpectedly pricey flights — and the aggressive billing that comes with them — have been featured in stories by NPR, The New York Times and The Atlantic.

Medliminal gets dozens of calls a week from consumers who are fed up with the medical system.

Woodward, a nurse and certified medical auditor, regularly sees patients billed for unnecessary lab tests. A man with diabetes may only need his glucose measured, but the doctor may order a bundle of 14 unnecessary tests, she said. The extra tests inflate the tab.

If there’s a billing dispute it can take months of phone calls and emails to get a case resolved, said Conley, who gained an insider’s knowledge during years working for insurance companies.

Patients fighting bills on their own often give up and pay the bill or let it go to collections, she said. “The whole system is broken,” Conley said.

Saini, president of The Lown Institute, said profit is a major driver of overuse.

“Providers are getting constant messages from superiors or partners to maximize revenue,” Saini said. “In this system we have, that’s not a crime. That’s business as usual.”

Patients aren’t true health care consumers because they typically can’t shop by price and they often don’t have control over the care they receive, Saini said. The medical evidence may support multiple paths for providing care, but patients are unable to tell what is or is not discretionary, he said. Time pressure adds urgency, which makes it difficult to discuss or research various options.

“It’s sort of this perfect storm where no one is really evil but the net effect is predatory,” Saini said.

Once the service or treatment is provided, the bill is on its way, with little forgiveness.

Getty ImagesIn 2015, Dr. Dong Chang, the director of the medical intensive care unit at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a public hospital in Los Angeles, decided to see whether the care being delivered in his ICU was appropriate.

Resources were scarce in his ICU, and he suspected it might be possible to manage them better. So, he and his colleagues reviewed the records of all the patients in the unit over the course of a year to see whether the patients might have been either too sick, or too healthy, to benefit from intensive care.

The results shocked them. They determined the care may not have been beneficial to more than half of the patients. “ICU care is inefficient, devoting substantial resources to patients less likely to benefit,” their study, published in the February edition of JAMA Internal Medicine, concluded.

Chang and his team also reviewed the use of intensive care at 94 hospitals in two states, Maryland and Washington, focusing on four common conditions that can lead to treatment in an intensive care unit.

They found wide variation in the types of patients hospitals determined needed intensive care. One hospital put 16 percent of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can result in a coma, in intensive care, while another hospital did so with 81 percent of such patients. The range for patients with pulmonary embolisms was from 5 percent to 44 percent and for those with congestive heart failure, it was 4 percent to 49 percent.

Chang attributes the difference to doctors using intensive care based on their habits, hunches or training. Profit, he said, may also be a motive, but it didn’t appear to be a driving force.

“We really don’t have good standards and a good discussion going on about who should receive ICU care,” Chang said.

The unnecessary intensive care can also be harmful. The study found intensive care patients underwent more invasive procedures, like the insertion of catheters, including central lines, which carry the risk of infection. Overuse of the ICU is bad for patients who don’t need it, Chang said. Survival rates were also no better at the hospitals that used intensive care the most.

Reducing unneeded intensive care stays would save big money. Intensive care costs about $10,000 for a typical stay and accounts for 4 percent of national health care expenditures, according to research cited by Chang’s team.

NEC Corporation of America/FlickrIf the hospitals in Maryland and Washington with the highest rates of intensive care use had behaved more like those with lower use, it would save around $137 million, the study estimated. That’s the savings for fewer than 100 hospitals in two states. There are about 4,000 hospitals nationwide, suggesting that reducing unnecessary intensive care use could save billions of dollars a year.

Chang hesitated to call the overuse of intensive care “wasted” health care spending. He said the medical literature calls it “non-beneficial” care, which is maybe a nicer way of saying the same thing.

For O’Neill, her dispute of the fee for her daughter’s ear piercing was a trip into the hell of medical billing.

O’Neill is an attorney, so she knows how to weed through fine print. But it took her untold hours and phone calls to the hospital and her insurance company to root out the issue. The hospital had initially billed her insurer for the $1,877.86 for “operating room services” related to the ear piercing. The company rightly rejected payment for the cosmetic procedure. So, the hospital billed the family, according to her medical and billing records and correspondence.

The surgeon billed the family an additional $110, which O’Neill paid.

The operative report describes the piercing in obscure technical terms: “The bilateral lobules were prepped with betadine and a 18 gauge was used to pierce the left lobule in the planned position …”

O’Neill said she got nowhere in several conversations with the manager of the hospital’s team that deals with payments directly from consumers. Then in mid-July, O’Neill wrote a letter to the manager explaining that they were at an impasse and urged the hospital to cancel the bill.

In early August, ProPublica contacted the hospital and surgeon to inquire about the ear piercing. The hospital spokeswoman replied in an email that, generally speaking, ear piercings during surgery are rare and only done at the request of a family. (The medical records say O’Neill requested the ear piercing.) It would not result in a separate operating room charge, she wrote.

The spokeswoman’s explanation didn’t jibe with the hospital’s bill, which even listed the billing code for ear piercing. She declined to discuss O’Neill’s case or explain the discrepancy.

In mid-August, the self-pay manager sent O’Neill a letter saying, “the remaining balance of $1,877.86” would be removed “as a one-time courtesy adjustment.”

The manager added that the hospital hadn’t done anything wrong. The account was “correctly documented, coded, charged and billed according to industry standards,” she wrote.

And that’s just the problem. The hospital’s $1,877 bill for the ear piercing was within industry standards.

As for O’Neill, she and her daughter had to endure one additional insult. The surgeon’s piercing of one ear was off-kilter so it had to be redone. This time O’Neill had it done at the mall, for about 30 bucks.

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