Review: Diamond Edge SB-1 by Bowtech

As the first bow I’ve ever owned, I’m pleased to say the Diamond Edge SB-1 by Bowtech has lived up to and surpassed even my highest expectations. So much so, in fact, that my husband bought himself one this past weekend. 

Diamond Edge Sb-1 in Mossy Oak (Also comes in Black, Purple, and Blue)

There are two main concepts behind this bow that just put it miles above even the closest competitor -versatility and value. Not only is the SB-1 already priced in the lower range for bows with an average MSRP now of $399; you also have the added value of never needing to purchase new limbs for this bow to increase the weight.

Diamond has implemented a technology called the EZ-Adjust system. This allows an archer to go from 7lb up to 70lb with just a few turns of a wrench. This system is so simple to use, even the greenest archer can effetely adjust their own bow at home. Diamond even went the extra mile and created dedicated website and how to videos. Furthermore, you can set the draw length from 15-30 just as easily. With such a wide draw and weight range and being so well made, it’s perfect for passing down to future generations.

Upon holding the SB1 for the first time, I recall taking note of the extensive standard equipment

package preloaded onto the bow. This package includes: a 3-Pin Tundra Sight, Hostage XL Arrow Rest, DeadLock Lite Octane Quiver, 5" Ultra-Lite Octane Stabilizer, Carbon Peep Sight, BCY String Loop, and Diamond Comfort Wrist Sling. The SB-1 is lightweight at 3.6lb and has a 7 in brace hit.

My first time drawing this bow I clearly remember how awkward I was. Unable to pull it to full draw at 34lb the first day I had to settle for 28lb. After only shooting this bow for four days I was able to go up to 34lb. I even managed to pull 43lb to full draw twice -in four days. I was in complete awe at how much I was improving and so quickly for a beginner.

The ease of motion when drawing is streamline. The SB-1 has a let off around 80% but honestly it feels closer to some of the 75% let off bows I’ve tried. Figuring out how to adjust a sight on a bow for the first time was piece of cake.

The precision and accuracy of this bow are unmatched as it’s powered by Bowtech's Synchronized Binary Cam System offering a speed rating of 318 fps. I was able to get grouping in a four-inch circle within a week and a half of shooting.

After raving about this bow I should come clean and tell you about the one flaw I’ve found. Brace yourself, it might be a deal breaker… I occasionally have to turn my peep hole back to center. Devastating news, I know.

All joking aside, when everything is said and done you absolutely cannot beat the overall value of the SB-1. The only way you’re going to get a better bow for your money is by spending more and buying a higher end bow. This bow can be fitted to anyone, and it’s so easy to use. I would recommend the bow to a beginner as quickly as I would a seasoned archer without hesitation. And trust me I have.

By Fontana Smith

August 23, 2016

Uproar Over Under Armour Dismissal of Sarah Bowmar’s Sponsorship

It’s been well publicized this past week that Under Armour decided to drop a contract and cut ties with Sarah Bowmar. I must say when I first read the story on the Mirror, before I saw the video linked in the same article, I questioned the ethics of the Bowmars myself. The written evidence seemed convincing in the beginning so many anti-hunters and even non-hunters would have no problem rallying behind Under Armour’s decision. Upon further reading, I discovered that this was not an article based on fact, but purely based on an incorrect description of the events that had occurred.

I took this directly from the Mirror article linked above, “Animal campaigners said it could have taken up to 20 hours for the bear to die.” Wow. That is some intense investigative journalism with zero crediability behind it. It is as far away from any actual evidence you can get. But yet, it reads well. So unfortunately I can understand where all the mass confusion is coming from. Here is our side of the story.

Sarah and Josh Bowmar

The bear was killed legally and ethically. No laws were broken; every effort was made to successfully retrieve the bear. We as hunters have a very specific standard of hunting that we hold ourselves and others that hunt accountable to.

In the video, you watch as a bear gets away in the beginning because Josh Bowmar could not get in ethical range to make a clean kill. He made the right decision, and withheld throwing his spear. As a hunter, we don’t take a shot unless we believe whole-hearted we can make it a clean kill. Realistically does that always happen? No, but no one is perfect. Josh competed professionally in the javelin throw. He had all the skills and experience necessary to make a good ethical choice while hunting with a spear. He did it not once, but twice in the video show this. Visibly upset, Josh states in the video, “All that time, all that preparation, all that hard work, practice.” The first bear could have been his only chance but he let him go. In Josh's mind, it was the right thing to do. Hunters are NOT the mindless killing machines we are made out to be. We care as much if not more how our actions effect our prey. We all do our best to ensure mistakes are minimal. No true hunter would ever condone prolonged suffering of an animal.

People are so disconnected from reality that they believe hunting is with a spear is not adequate or humane way to kill a bear. We have only had the technology to mass produce store bought meat products for less than a century. To equate that to thousands and thousands of years we spent as hunters and gatherers and deem hunting with a spear as inhuman is as ridiculous as it is downright ludicrous considering the treatment of animals on meat farms.

Bottom-line: Josh Bowmar took an ethical shot with a weapon that he not only became proficient with, but he was also able to deliver a mortal blow and retrieve the bear. He was in front of the bear. That means that bear had just as much of a chance to escape as the first bear. Sarah Bowmar supported her husband during this legal, ethical hunt, (something Under Armour said they supported as well until now). Why then was Sarah ultimately punished for that? Sarah Bowmar is guilty by association in Under Armours eyes. Even though she did not actively participate in killing the bear. Her and her husband did nothing wrong.

As hunters, we already see a lot of back-lash for what we love to do. You can't stand with us, claim to support ethical hunting, and then quickly change your tune when 4,000 anti-hunters sign a petition under ignorant and false pretenses. The actions taken against Sarah were downright shameful. We are a family and we stand united. If you can’t support us, we can’t support you.

By Fontana Smith

August 22, 2016

Fighting Fire with Facts: The Anti-Hunter and Public Opinion

When I watch TV shows, read articles, or listen to podcasts related to hunting, a common concept almost always occurs. Hunting is not a right, it is a privilege. That privilege can be taken away, and most of the time far too easily. It is almost a given that we will not change the minds of those against hunting. But we can be ambassadors for Hunting in the non-hunting community’s eyes.

Imagine for a moment witnessing an interaction between two strangers. One is a bully who is spouting nasty remarks, name calling, and putting down another person down. But the other person is calmly and politely trying explain their intentions with hardcore facts. Which person are you likely to side with as the bystander? The truth is, we as hunters have a choice. We can choose to be either the bully or the person with good intentions.

I’ve learned that when conversations like this arise, the quickest and most efficient way to defend oneself and our sport is through cold hard facts. Opinions are easy to debate, facts are not. However, what we need to remember is that bystander who is witnessing our choices is always the non-hunter. This is the group of people who make up the majority of voters nationwide. If we want hunting to remain a privilege, we need to make sure we are setting an example that make them want to take our side.

Here are some facts I personally like to use when I come under fire from an anti-hunter:

As of 2012, Hunters have contributed over $7.2 Billion dollars since 1937 via The Pittman-Robertson Act (also known as Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act). Also consider that on average through licenses, taxes, tags, and fees, hunters paid $1.3 billion toward conservation in 2013. Being 2016, that number has surely grown.

Hunters themselves fund more than any federal grant or contributions private organizations combined. Effectively, if hunting disappeared, so would the majority of funding to maintain national and statewide parks. Any programs that repair damaged habitats for wildlife or receive funding for preservation through hunters would also cease to exist.

Hunters support over 680,000 jobs for American’s nationwide. When the average unemployment rate of 4.9% in the United States, nothing more needs to be said.

Legal hunting has NEVER caused an endangered species to go extinct. When the words, “due to over hunting” appear next to an extinct animal’s description, it is easy to assume that we are the cause. That’s why it is vital that we make the critical distinction between us and illegal hunters.

We, the real hunting population, are just as against poaching and illegal hunting practices as the rest of the population. Poaching hurts everyone, but it especially hurts us as hunters. People who have not been educated in our ethics will almost always throw us all together. Use any and every opportunity to denounce these people and practices. This is my go to statement to make a separation between us and the unethical illegal hunter is: We love to hunt and the renewable resource it provides to our table. We would have to be downright mad want to jeopardize something we love due to over hunting. That’s why we take conservation and following the laws and regulations so seriously. We want to continue to hunt, and I want to be able to share this experience with my children one day.

Hunting promotes conservation and preservation of wildlife by helping manage a population of game animals that the natural habitat is able to sustain. Any given habitat has a maximum number of animals that it can provide for. When a population of a species exceeds that limit, the habitat will suffer and there won’t be enough food or water to support the remaining species. Through hunting, we are able to keep habitats at a sustainable level so all wildlife flourishes, not just the game we hunt.

Hunting legally in underdeveloped countries provides food for native people and puts money back into their economy. Hunters pay a lot of money to hunt in other countries *legally*. They have to apply for a license, tags, and when their done that meat is donated to a local tribe for food.

You’re not likely to change the mind of an anti-hunter. But the public’s view of us is always up for negotiation. I have already seen my fair share of ill-treatment and nasty comments to people who openly display their pride as hunters (from both sides unfortunately.) I agree with you; we absolutely shouldn’t be ashamed or apologize for our actions as ethical hunters. But, we don’t need to stoop to the same level as anti-hunters, especially when all the facts are on our side.

Sources: America’s Sporting Heritage: Fueling the American Economy (2013) & Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation (2013); US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; National Hunting and Fishing Day: Hunting Facts; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2016)

7 Steps to Becoming a Hunter: For a Beginning by a Beginner

Navigating the world of hunting can be tough. It’s even harder if you don’t have friends or family that you can ask for advice or information. I know this better than anyone. I started this way, and I’m still on the journey to my first hunt this September. I found that the key is to taking it step by step and try not to rush it. These are also the personal steps I have used to get where I am now. So here are the basics of what I have found:

Step One: Be really sure you this is something you want to do.

Do your research, and then do some more. If your reading this then you’re probably thinking this step is pointless, but try to hear me out. Hunting like any sport, can be pricey (Like thousands of dollars pricey). I’m not saying it isn’t possible to do it on a budget, but your likely starting with nothing. That means a weapon to hunt with, ammo, camo, camping equipment, backpack, boots, emergency supplies, the lists can be endless and expensive. Make sure your budget can handle the expense and your schedule can open up the time require to become proficient with whatever weapon you choose.

Step Two: If you are absolutely sure hunting is for you, get your Hunter Safety Certification.

No matter where you are nationwide, you will need this to purchase a hunting license. No license means no hunting. This also gives you tons of information on the equipment used in hunting as well as proper and safe hunting practices. Ask questions when you take the course! The men and women instructing these classes have a wealth of knowledge that most of times surpasses the basics of hunter safety. This course is the best foundation for any new hunter to start on. It will also help you narrow down what weapon you think will be the best fit for you as it goes over a variety of hunting weapons.

Step Three: Purchase Your Chosen Weapon

Great, you are now a knowledgeable potential hunter. The next step is to research and find out what you have to do to purchase the gun or bow you’ve chosen. Each state will have different laws, regulations, and requirements needed to purchase a gun or bow. It will save you a lot of time if you make sure you meet all the requirements or fill out any forms available online before you enter a shop. Also keep in mind the cost is not limited to just to weapon. You will need ammo, a case or cases, possibly a gun safe, a scope, or sight for a bow etc. Your local retailer will be able to help you get all the necessities to get started.

Step Four: Practice, practice, and practice some more.

If you aren’t a good shot, you will likely not make an ethical kill. I spend 5-6 days a week at a range shooting for a minimum of an hour or more. Do you have to do this? Of course not! Do whatever your schedule allows. Just make sure you spend enough time shooting your weapon before you go hunting to know it inside and out. As you spend more time in the hunting world you will realize how important it is to all hunters alike that we make a clean kill. Also becoming proficient with your weapon means you will know the proper way to handle it safely. Nothing is more important than your safety and those with you.

Step Five: Plan your hunt.

What are you going to hunt? Is that game in your area? When are you going? Did you want to be with a group locally or did you want to hire a professional to guide and teach you? When went to go to buy your weapon, did take note at the people behind the counter? They are often hunters or they potentially know some. They can help point you in the right direction, and I personally have always found them to be more than happy to help. On this note, clubs and organizations in your area for hunting or the weapon you have chosen will be a great resource as well. Don’t forget to purchase the tags for any game you will be hunting. Again, each state is different. Make sure you know your states regulations and laws and any state you plan to visit for hunting. Every hunter is responsible for themselves. My greatest resource to finding the right person to help me was google and social media. I feel like I got extremely lucky to find my mentor and guide for my first hunt this way. This may not be the norm for everyone. Where you live will often determine what will work best for you.

Step Six: Purchase the necessities.

This includes but is in no way limited to: camo, cooler for meat, camping supplies. Something things you can use for multiple game and some you won’t use but for one particular game animal. You won’t need a 4-person tent and a 60lb hiking backpack if you are only hiking a few miles in or it’s only a day hunting trip. Make sure your buying what you NEED not what you want. Something things you can save money on, others you really need to choose quality over quantity. Just remember, you get what you pay for.

Step Seven: Enjoy yourself!

This is the step I’m currently on myself. I know you will be nervous. I will definitely be too. But try to remember what appealed to you the most when you decided to start this journey! This should be a fun and rewarding experience. After all you’ve done to prepare, all the articles, books, classes, and time you’ve devoted, you deserve this moment! Now all that’s left is to go out and get it!

By Fontana Smith

August 21, 2016

Example: North Korea: When Your Actions Speak Louder the Words

By: Fontana Smith on July 23rd, 2016

Isn’t it curious how we as people tend to be so caught up in our own lives that so many of us have no idea what is going on outside our own realities? I admit, I thought I knew the just of the horrors happening in North Korea. Just this year North Korea launch, successfully I might add, a hydrogen bomb. This unnerved me but only because I was worried about my own safety. Never once have I stopped and considered the treatment of the people living there. I had heard of the brainwashing but I honestly thought it was because they had to want to keep the Kim family in power. I saw reading the book Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden as an extra unneeded task to complete this class.  I was so completely, irreversibly, and unmistakably wrong.

To start, I’ll give a brief history of the semi newly divided Korea, I’ll start with Kim IL Sung, “eternal leader” of North Korea. Kim IL Sung fled with his parents to escape Japanese rule. After joining a youth communist group in school, was arrested and released for his ideology. He joined the Korean resistance fighters against the Japanese. The Soviet Union took notice and sent him to train with other operative in combat. Upon the end of WWII and the surrender of Japan, Korea was divided into North communist Korea, and South democratic and U.S. supported Korea. In 1950, after becoming the first premier of North Korea two years’ prior, Kim IL Sung launched an unprovoked evasion of South Korea. Britannica Encyclopedia article on Kim IL Sung states, “Hoping to reunify Korea by force, Kim launched an invasion of South Korea in 1950, thereby igniting the Korean War.”[1] The Korean War was a civil war much like our American Civil War. It put brothers against brothers, and North and South Korea are great examples of what could have been the United States if the South would have won.

As with our own American history, the differences between North and South Korea are as different as night and day. Let’s begin with North Korea who tries to completely contain and brainwash its people as I previously stated. Kim Jong Eun as well as his predecessors, his father Kim Jong IL and grandfather Kim IL Sung, have been fairly effective at keeping their people in their dark about anything they find threatening to their rule. Let’s start with the age old saying that ‘knowledge is power.’ North Korean leadership limits the amount of information available to their public and censors or bans anything they don’t like. Instead they use things like propaganda and lies to paint a very dim and dark picture of the rest of the free world. They limit any and all publications or sources that would defraud their government or ideologies. North Korean leaders have effectually placed their people in a glass box. The population is lead to believe that as bad as the situation may get in North Korea, the outside world is much worse and they should be thankful have such a loyal and protective leader. North Korea wants their people to believe that to be a strong nation they should be self-reliant. However, history shows that North Korea has only survived through the continuous help and generosity of other nations, both friendly and foe alike.

South Korea is a democracy well on its way to being an extremely wealthy country. It’s average current citizens not only make staggeringly more money than North Koreans, but they also have a better standard of living than most of the core elites of North Korea. “An elite family in Pyongyang does not live nearly as well –in terms of material possessions, creature comforts, and entertainment options –as the family of an average salaryman in Seoul.”[2] For many years South Korea tried to ease tension between their nations with the Sunshine Policy[3], a program that gave North Korea over half a million tons of fertilizer each year for free. South Korea has successfully provided for their people, especially in the way of food. Boys from South Korea are taller and weigh more than their Northern malnourished counterparts. Basic nutrition needs and other fundamental human rights are met in South Korea. They not only have funding and food to feed their citizens with a diverse and booming economy, but they also have programs set up for North Korean defectors that offers defectors classes, rent free place to live, job training, and a 2-year monthly allowance to get on their feet.

In North Korea, a South Korean would find absolutely none of the same curiosities. If they weren’t killed after being tortured for information, they would lucky be sent to one of the many incarceration camps. Their lives would then consist of torture, hard labor, fighting for survival, and ultimately an early death. With that said, North Korea does not only reserve this ‘special treatment’ for South Koreans specifically, but for any defectors caught and anyone who has committed crimes against North Korea’s current or past leaders. If you can’t be used to further their agenda, then you are worthless. These crimes can be anything, like having a relative defect to South Korea as in Shin’s case.

Shin’s uncle defected after the Korean civil war, and because of that the rest of his family remaining in North Korea was put into an incarceration camp.[4] It is North Korean law that up to three generations can be punished for a crime committed by an ancestor. Shin’s parents were chosen to be a couple, not by choice and untimely Shin was bred of those actions.[5] The thought of someone breeding other human beings makes me feel sick. Other crimes could be anything from getting into a fight with someone above your station to taking advantage of trading to support your family, because any form of capitalism that takes money out of the hands of the government is obviously distained by North Korea. It is what one would come to expect from a totalitarian government. Kim Jung Enu, like his forefathers before him, have no limit on what he can exercise complete control over. They are utterly above the law, and sometimes extend that that curtesy to other members of the core caste as well.

Korean’s caste system consists of there are main groups. “To identify and isolate his perceived political enemies, Kim IL Sung created a neofeudal, blood-based pecking order in 1957”[6] Ironic to me that a communist government would create such a strict caste system since communism is based on complete and total equality of all citizens, but more on that in a moment. The core or elite upper class, “numbering between 100,000 and 200,000 out of 23 million,”[7] is a list of family bloodlines proven to be loyal to North Korea through war or farming, as well as proven prison guards and certain military personnel. These members can go to school at the University, are entitled to first pick of luxury items like fruit and liquor, and receive a substantial portion of rice over the average citizen. In Escape from Camp 14, Blane explains the importance of rice and how it is seen as a sign of wealth and status to Koreans.[8] North Korea fails to provides enough rice to feed its people each year that many people, especially living in the camps, have to live without it in their day to day diet.

Under the core class is the neutral or what I would consider to be the middle to poor class consisting of soldiers, teachers, and technicians. “At the bottom was the hostile class, whose members were suspected of opposing the government.”[9] The type of people in this caste includes but isn’t limited to: former property owners, Christians, families of defectors, those who worked for the Japan government prior to World War II. These people and their descendants are not allowed to attend the University in Pyongyang and either work in mines or factories if they aren’t imprisoned in a camp.

Going back to the irony of North Korea’s claim to communism, even though the caste system is an excellent example of inequality among citizens; I have plenty more to tell you about. The Kim family alone “maintains at least eight country houses.”[10] Most include several amenities familiar to America’s upper class such as basket courts, media rooms, indoor pools, bowling, skating rinks, shooting ranges, just to name a very small few. During the 1990s famine when North Korea received donations, Kim Jong IL demanded to control the donations.[11]World Food Program survey found that even after the donations which should have made a tremendous difference to the state of starvation across the country. Bottom line, people were still starving. Along with this, Korea has defrauded multiple insurance companies on false claims that resulted in over 100 million dollars being sent directly to the Kim Jong IL.[12] So why then doesn’t North Korea have the fuel to power its own electric grid more than two hours a day, but plenty of power to power the electric fences of the prison camps? Or better yet, where are the funds to help feed its people?

On top of this, North Korea calls itself the Workman’s Paradise. People are imprisoned and punished for sometimes minor mistakes in mines and factories. The society the Kim dynasty has created first makes thieves and then punishes them for it. Living conditions in North Korea are deplorable at best for anyone specifically the working class. Imaginary faults have landed quite a few of the lower hostile class –all the way up to people from the core class –into North Korea’s 50-year-old prison camps. Places like this where generations are forced through slave labor, torture, starvation to repay a previous generations implied fault are a complete mocker of human rights. As well as every organization who says they are against the inhumane treatment of people and yet are standing by while these people suffer.

Nothing in North Korea is equal. From classes, to laws, housing, food, and education, the best privileges are reserved a very small fraction of people while the rest of the population lives starving and sometimes inhumane condition. Nothing about that screams equality to me. The real question is: if we wouldn’t stand for innocent people to be rounded up, enslaved, tortured, and kill for their beliefs during WWI and the Holocaust, why are we allowing this to happen now North Korea?

---

[1]Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. "Kim Il-Sung", accessed July 23, 2016, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kim-Il-Sung.

[2] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 41.

[3] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 23.

[4] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 57.

[5] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 17-18

[6] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 34.

[7] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 37.

[8] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 52.

[9] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 35.

[10] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 41.

[11] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 87-88.

[12] Blaine Harden, Escape From Camp 14 (New York: Penguin Group, 2012), page 38-41.

Example: Academic Research Paper- Does the Quality of Life Rise with Life Expectancy in Cystic Fibrosis Patients?

 By: Fontana Smith on August 10th, 2016

Have you ever met someone diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis? They are often times mistaken for someone with Asthma. More commonly than not their condition is often described as just ‘a lung disease.’ It is much more than that. “Cystic fibrosis is a rare genetic disease found in about 30,000 people in the United States and 70,000 worldwide. Most children are now screened for CF at birth through newborn screening and the majority are diagnosed by age 2” (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation). Genetic diseases are cause by mutations in our own DNA. Diseases like this are not easily remedied. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation goes on to describe the mutation in greater detail saying, “Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the gene that produces the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This protein is responsible for regulating the flow of salt and fluids in and out of the cells in different parts of the body” (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation). With more knowledge and research being done every day, it is not surprising that the life expectancy of patients with CF has continued to raise. But it is rising at a high cost to patients with increasingly invasive procedures. The true question is, has their quality of life decrease as a result?

Cystic Fibrosis can affect multiple organs and systems in the body. These can include but are not limited to: the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, pancreas, reproductive system, and most publicly known, the respiratory system. Patients often have to allot an hour or more each day to clearing their airways of the thick sticky mucus formed by Cystic Fibrosis. People living with Cystic Fibrosis are more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections related to having that mucus, especially those that are airborne. On top of this, each person as a different and extensive list of daily medications needed for day to day survival. “In 1962, the predicted median survival for CF patients was about 10 years, with few surviving into their teenage years” (NIH-National Institute of Health via Cystic Fibrosis News). Today, the median age of survival is estimated around 40 years old. That is a very drastic change in 40 years. “Despite significant progress treating CF, infections remain a serious problem and can lead to worsening lung disease or death.” (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation). In order to give a person with Cystic Fibrosis more time, invasive procedures like the lung transplant have been implemented. But what does this mean for each person living with Cystic Fibrosis as far as their quality of life?

The older a person with CF (Cystic Fibrosis) becomes, the higher the likelihood of them needing a single or double lung transplant in their lifetime. “Today, antibodies exist to fight infections; other medications slow the progression of lung disease; and new mechanical chest physical therapy devices loosen the mucus and make it easier for patients to clear the lungs. Lung transplant has also become an alternative for the treatment of CF patients with severe lung damage” (Cystic Fibrosis News). Receiving a lung transplant for Cystic Fibrosis is not a cure, it buys that person a little more time here with us. Lung transplants have become a common procedure today to replace a CF patients damaged lungs when lung function dips below a certain percent. Some never make it off the transplant list. If they somehow manage to survive the procedure, the road to recovery is long and rough one.

Dr. Stephenson takes an optimistic viewpoint saying, “People think when you have cystic fibrosis and need a transplant it's a death sentence," and continues to say, "But our paper shows that one-, three-, and five-year survival rates following lung transplantation are really quite high" (St. Michael's Hospital ). This makes receiving a lung transplant seem like a positive experience. In reality, this doesn’t tell you that the rate of survival just on year after the surgery is 80% and your chances of survival dwindle 10% or more with each additional year, (WebMD). It also does not explain the continuous time consuming physical rehabilitation, and complicated list of new medications added in addition a normal CF medications and treatments regime. WebMD claims of those receiving a lung transplant including CF patients that “Among people surviving five years or more, up to 40% continue to work at least part time,” (WebMD). With all of this increased therapy, recovery time, new medications, and frequent doctors’ visits, what time is left if any for someone with Cystic Fibrosis to focus on themselves.

Physically a person living with CF devotes hours or more a day to the necessary treatments needed to maintain lung function. Once the function decrease, it extremely difficult to improve it and the lungs never heal after damage is done. This study done by the Department of Rehabilitation in The Netherlands found, “A The majority of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) will grow into adulthood. Despite this improvement in survival, the disease is progressive, especially with respect to the decline in pulmonary function, which in turn may have an impact on a patient's quality of life. In this study we evaluated the quality of life in CF adults and examined the relationship between quality of life and pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and dyspnea.” and “These results show that CF affects quality of life in adults primarily due to a limitation in physical functioning” (Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital, The Netherlands via NCBI PubMed). This study found that due to the physical limitations associated with Cystic Fibrosis that increases throughout the subject’s lives, caused the research participates to feel they had less quality of life. This study clearly states that it found actual physical evidence that the quality of their live has decreased, while the life expectancy has increased.  

Simply put, the life expectancy is rising, but the quality of life is not. What is a life that cannot be lived? Emotionally and mentally, Cystic Fibrosis is a very lonely disease. People diagnosed with CF cannot be in the same room as another person with CF due to the high chance of cross contamination. The degree of distance is shorted outside to a 6ft radius but no physical contact is allowed. Family of those with CF have to take like precautions to make sure they do not bring something back to their family member with Cystic Fibrosis. There are no support groups or hugs from others that know what it feels like to fight for every breath like they do. That said it is not very surprising that, “People with chronic diseases, such as CF, are at greater risk for developing clinical depression” (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation). A study has also been done and published in the Cystic Fibrosis Journal with the following results, “After controlling for lung function, patients with symptoms of anxiety reported lower on vitality, emotional functioning, social, treatment burden, health perceptions and respiratory symptoms. Those with depressive symptoms reported lower HRQoL scores for emotional functioning, eating disturbances and body image” (Trudy Havermans). Multiple studies have shown that depression, anxiety, less self-worth and self-image options of CF patients are still prevalent even with lung quality improving some patient’s quality of life is not. Even after the symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis are being ‘controlled’ people living with CF cannot truly enjoy living their lives.

So much time is taken away from each one of these people daily. Time they cannot afford to lose. They have to follow a daily routine that only gets more time consuming and complicated as they contract new infections and grow older. The reasons why continuing funding and support are endless. We should strive for better, more manageable forms of treatment to increase the quality of life with the life expectancy, instead of rising one and denying the other. “The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure, funding promising research and working to provide access to quality, specialized care and treatments for people with CF. Nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of the Foundation's support” (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation). These people, these sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, deserve better than a 67% chance at life (St. Michael's Hospital ). They deserve to pursue their happiness without the physical and emotional barriers limit them in accomplishing their dreams. They deserve to live, period.

Works Cited

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "About Cystic Fibrosis." March 29 2016. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Website Article. 10 August 2016.

—. "Depression and CF." 29 March 2016. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Website Article. 10 August 2016.

—. "Why Are Some Germs Particularly Dangerous for People With CF?" 29 March 2016. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Website Article. 10 August 2016.

Cystic Fibrosis News. "Cystic Fibrosis Life Expectancy." 2016. Cystic Fibrosis News. http://cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com/cystic-fibrosis-life-expectancy/. 10 August 2016.

Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital, The Netherlands. Quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis. 22 Febuary 1997. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9065946. 10 August 2016.

St. Michael's Hospital . "Lung transplant survival rates good for cystic fibrosis patients." 15 June 2015. Science Daily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150615191516.htm. 10 August 2016.

Trudy Havermans, Kristine Colpaert, Lieven J. Dupont. "Quality of life in patients with Cystic Fibrosis: Association with anxiety and depression." November 2008. Cystic Fibrosis journal. http://www.cysticfibrosisjournal.com/article/S1569-1993(08)00101-X/abstract?cc=y=. 10 August 2016.

WebMD. "Lung Transplant Surgery." 22 November 2015. WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/lung/lung-transplant-surgery?page=3. 10 August 2016.

Example: Informative Essay- What Happens When Politicans See Dollar Signs Instead of People: The Flint Water Crisis

By: Fontana Smith on April 28th, 2016

This quote was taken from Michael Moore’s open letter to America and article entitled ‘Don’t Send Us Bottles of Water,’ “Many of you have contacted me wanting to know how you can help the people of Flint with the two-year long tragedy of drinking water contaminated by the radical decisions made by the Governor of Michigan. The offer is much appreciated by those who are suffering through this and who have not drank a glass of unpoisoned water since April of 2014.  Unfortunately, the honest answer to your offer of help is, sadly, you can’t. You can’t help.” (par #1-3) While this quote may seem morbid, it shows the shear daily reality of the people living in Flint. People like Michael Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Pennsylvania's Representative Cartwright, CNN Elliot McLaughlin, Michigan’s Attorney General Bill Schette, myself, and countless others are using any resource available to ensure something like this never happens again. To give a little backstory, in April of 2014 the tap water of residents of Flint, Michigan was changed from Lake Huron to the Flint River. Immediately residents reported a bad smell, discolored water, and bad taste. Even before the switch, the Flint river had a reputation for being polluted and unsafe to drink or use. [Moved]The government reassured citizens on multiple occasions that the water was indeed safe to drink. The government, in agreeance with Governor Rick Snyder, did this to save money other than costlier yet safer options.  Students from Virginia Tech performed a test that found the water to be corrosive with extremely high levels of lead.  From then until now the residents of Flint have had more than just their water polluted; they have been poisoned by those in office who swore to protect them. Homes are beyond repair, children could be forever handicapped, and town that was already in poverty is left with nothing. The people of Flint, Michigan have had their entire lives, their basic human rights, ripped away and there is nothing we can do to change the damage that has been done.

We all have the basic human right to not be subjected to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The people of Flint, Michigan were all poisoned by lead when their water was changed to the Flint River. Lead poisoning is a major contributing factor to the health problems. Some of the symptoms of lead poison in adults include but are not limited to: vomiting, irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, hearing loss, miscarriage in woman., in the worst case death.  Elliot C. McLaughlin reported via his article ‘5 things to know about Flint's water crisis ‘that, “Lead poisoning is dangerous for anyone -- the related woes include skin lesions, hair loss, vision loss, memory loss, depression and anxiety, according to a class-action lawsuit -- but Weaver seems equally worried about the future.” (par #22) This article goes on to explain the research that has been done on lead poisoning in children with some findings pointing to lower IQ and developmental delays. As parents, we strive to ensure our children’s safety, health, and happiness above all else. In one swift movement, the government has irreversibly changed these children at the core of their genetics, denying them the future they could have otherwise had. [Removed sentence and placed as topic sentence edited]

Under Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, found on the U.S. States Department website it states, “1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. 2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.” The damage has already been done to the pipes, that even now being back on Lake Huron water, the plumbing in homes and delivery pipelines are now irreversibly contaminated and damaged beyond repair. The cost to replace each homes plumbing entirely would cost thousands of dollars. The cost to replace the entire town would be in the hundreds of thousands if not millions. The values of the homes in Flint are now reduced to nothing, worthless. Who would want to buy a home that was damaged beyond repair? The answer is simple, no one in good conscious would buy a home that could poison them or their family. Just like that, the people of Flint have not only lost their basic human right to not only health, but now to own property.

Access to shelter or property that we use every day to survive were also taken away from house and home in Flint. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights also states “1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.” State Attorney General Bill Schette is quoted in the article, ‘5 things to know about Flint's water crisis’ saying, "The situation in Flint is a human tragedy in which families are struggling with even the most basic parts of daily life." (par #10) The most basic parts of daily life, things you and I probably take for granted. Imagine for a moment: bathing, drinking, cooking, washing clothes anything and everything to do with water or plumbing in our homes; you now have to live without those or risk further poisoning.  On top of that, the plumbing is contaminated, nation and worldwide people know of the crisis in your community so you are looked down on. You were already struggling but now you are displaced and people treat you differently. [Moved quote to reinforce topic sentence.] Age, sex, race, religion, no one was spared the horrors that are still ongoing today.

Mark Ruffalo wrote an article titled ‘Flint isn’t an anomaly. We’re heading toward a national water crisis’ and he states, “Flint must be a clarion call for a new era of routine water testing, full transparency and a commitment to ensuring that all citizens have safe drinking water. Renewed federal investment in our crumbling, lead-ridden drinking water systems is also necessary to help ensure that the tragedy taking place in Flint isn’t replicated elsewhere.” (par #13) His call to action can help future communities. Flint can’t be saved by any doctor, lawyer, or amount of money. Nothing will ever repair the irreversible damage done to the residents of Flint. What we can do is band together, create solid solutions, and choose more carefully those we choose to carry out these plans. Representative Cartwright says to Governor Snyder in the video ‘Rep. Cartwright: ‘I’ve had enough of your false contrition’, “People who put dollars over the fundamental safety of the people do not belong in government. And you need to resign too Governor Snyder.” Self-seeking people are a dime a dozen, we need to find those selfless ones that don’t want power. We need people who still have a conscious and see making the right decision more important than making dollar signs. After all, if even one person has to die for someone to profit, if even one person has to give up one human right; the risk is already too great. We are people, not price tags.

Bibliography

Cartwright, Representative. "Rep. Cartwright: ‘I’ve had enough of your false contrition’." 17 March 2016. MSNBC. Internet, Video. April 21 2016.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Author. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Website. 10 June 2014. Internet. 21 April 2016.

McLaughlin, Elliot C. "5 Things to Know About FLint's Water Crsis." 21 January 2016. CNN Website. Internet, Article. 21 April 2016.

Moore, Michael. "How Can You Help Flint? Do Not Send Bottles of Water. Instead, Join us in a revolt. A letter to America from Micheal Moore." 27 January 2016. A Micheal Moore Website. Internet, Article. 21 April 2016.

Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. States Department. "Appendix A: Universal Declaration of Human Rights." 10 December 1948. U.S. States Department Website. Internet, Document. 21 April 2016.

Ruffalo, Mark. "Mark Ruffalo: Flint isn’t an anomaly. We’re heading toward a national water crisis." 5 February 2016. The Washington Post Website. Internet, Article. 21 April 2016.