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Hope for the present from TEDMED Live Athens

22 April 2013 / 15:04:10  GRReporter
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Research results show that the children of mothers who work in the public sector are healthier and their weight is more often within the norm than the children whose parents work in the private sector or are self-employed. The reason is that the mothers employed in the public sector work fewer hours per day and spend more time with their children at home.

Sedentary life proves fatal for our physical condition. An obese person sits approximately 2.5 hours per day more than a thin one. It appears that children in Greece sit in front of TV and computer screens three times longer than the average in Europe. At the same time, overweight people spend about 90% of their day sitting.

Scientists say that one way to control your food is to observe traditions. We should eat at the table with the family. Eating in front of TV makes us lose the measure and the quality of the food we eat. It has been proven that people eat better food and moderate quantities at the family table, they consume more fruits and gain less weight. A person should find a process of movement (exercises, physical work, dances, etc.) that appeals to him or her and exercise it at least three times a week.

"Leave your couches and arm-chairs. Start moving in any way you like. Go for a walk, dance, go in for sports. Return to the family table. Share the food with your beloved ones. It gives pleasure and delight," advises the nutritionist in conclusion.

The international forum presented the project Human Grid Athens, which is a digital map of non-governmental and social organizations involved. The website of Human Grid Athens contains and classifies by different characteristics various social initiatives that ordinary citizens and public / private organizations can support.

"We decided to make this e-map, mainly because so far, there has been no systematic description of voluntary organizations and the joint campaigns of active citizens in Greece," said Elena Papandriou, one of the founders of the network. The aim of the project is to create a guide of useful social initiatives, thus attracting more volunteers and ordinary citizens in socially useful actions. The three main words that can define it are empathy, dignity and optimism. "Find where to get involved" is the motto of the project, which wins new friends each day.

One of the strongest presences at Athens TEDMED was Stelios Kiboropoulos’. He is a young doctor, a psychologist, who helps people with disabilities overcome the obstacles the fate have brought to them and to seek the best in themselves in order to fulfil themselves in a world that is not suitable for different people. Stelios himself was born with genetic damage, which is called spinal muscular atrophy. He moves with the aid of a wheelchair, but that does not stop him from reaching his full potential. "My own experiences have helped me be closer to my patients. To understand them more easily and to be useful to them," says Stelios.

The psychologist explains that, in his eyes, Greece has been created only for people in excellent physical condition. However, he, with the unconditional love of his family, is now a successful scientist with a career and a wide circle of friends. After completing school successfully, he dedicated himself to science and graduated with honours from the University of Athens. The difficulties were many and his personal experience suggests that the integration of disabled people into the active part of society is still in its infancy in the country.

"I want to show with my story that people with disabilities do not want social benefits. Let's create the right conditions in which people like me will be able to develop their potential, to be useful to society and to be professionals, people with families like all of you." Stelios’ disease is fatal, but unlike other diseases, it comes at a much earlier age. "Never give up achieving your goals," he advises. According to him, "I want" has much greater power than "I can". Therefore, we should not hide our fear but accept it instead, because only this will give us the courage to take the next step, even if it seems impossible to others.

Tags: SocietyTEDMED Live AthensAlzheimer's diseaseTreatmentThessaloniki
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