What Forbes says about MLM's and the future

     In an article in Forbes, Robert Laura, talks about MLM’s being a solution for the boomers that are facing  retirement . He believes that  the industry is poised for explosive growth and can be a major solution  to the current retirement savings crisis. AARP estimates that half of all baby boomers (76 million) are interested in starting a business. The average 50 y/o has less than 50,000 in retirement savings, and people will need to find a way to save more money or generate more money   and continue these practices throughout retirement.  Many boomers are looking for solutions.  Most MLM and direct selling programs provide training and support. As retiree’s realize they need to keep busy, need to feel needed, and connected to others, these companies are very appealing.

     Daria M. Brezinski PhD, a psychologist and former marketing director of a marketing magazine, says that “many people don’t realize that MLM companies are successful because they satisfy many important human needs, such as feeling significant, connections, learning new things, and making a difference.”  He relates that “when human needs are being met, they don’t focus solely on the financial aspects.”

     The author believes that starting a business for retirement income will become a significant trend in the 21^st century. He estimates that the industry will experience larger than life growth, spurred by baby boomers wanting to affect their retirement.

~Forbes

Veterans and traumatic blast injury

     I found this article in a Veterans suicide support group. It was written by a neurologist. She has dealt with many active duty military returning from deployment.  As she goes through the interview process, she has  found that many insist they do not have TBI (traumatic brain injury) as they have never been struck in the head or lost consciousness from a blast explosion.  She has identified that does not mean they do not have a TBI.  When she has studied them with a brain MRI~ the evidence of injury is present.

     She relates that when you use a high-powered gun/weapon or are exposed to a blast (even from a distance of 150 yards or more), and you feel the impact of the blast, there is the potential for an injury from that event.  The high pressure wave that is created is similar to the pressure you would feel if you were deep sea diving. Many Veterans are exposed to explosion, after explosion, after explosion, and the brain injury is cumulative.

     Protective body armor worn by troops may increase the brain-blast injury. The helmets protect from bullets, but may reflect the pressure from inside the helmet.  She reports that even sending injured military by life-flight may increase the injury. She identifies that if they have a decompression injury, it is harmful to transport them in an airplane or helicopter at a high altitude. Many injured, have been transported by air to hospitals in Europe.

     The more exposures and closer in time they are, the more the injury. Symptoms of TBI overlap with PTS(post-traumatic stress). If the Veterans are not aware of the connection between the blast and their symptoms, they may be falsely diagnosed with PTS or other conditions.

    Even one concussion/TBI blast injury increases the risk of suicide. The number of military Veterans that take their own life, is 22-35 daily.  That is between 8030-12,775 a year; many more than have been lost in combat in the recent wars.

      This information was taken from an article by Carol L. Hendricks, MD, titled “Insights into military traumatic brain injury.” I got this article from the group called Stop Soldier Suicide.

     The Veteran Crisis line is 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)