Marie-Thérèse Charles

I believe that every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine.

Gadget Talk for the Non-Geek – (What App?)

Written By: Therese - Mar• 17•12

With over 550,000 apps currently available on the App Store, no wonder people don’t know which ones to download. Gadget magazines and websites love to do articles on popular apps, but they are aimed towards geeks. For non-geeks, here is a link to one such list that has some really cool apps. TechRadar – Top 50 Best Free iPhone Apps.

My iPhone is jammed packed with apps and I would have a very difficult time narrowing them down and talking about the best ones. So instead, I would like to briefly list a few apps at random that I have been using, many of which for many years.

Clear

Clear is a new app in the marketplace and if you like to-do apps then you will love this one. Clear is a touch-based to-do list app and its really easy to use. The video gives a great overview of the app, so enjoy.

iPeriod

iPeriod is a very handy program to track your cycle and I have been using it for a few years now. It is available on both the iPad and iPhone. iPeriod tracks periods, symptoms, notes, moods and much more. It also predicts periods, ovulation and fertility. The app is password protected and only displays “IP” so nosey people won’t know what the app is. Its also great if you need to share this info with a doc as it can be exported and printed out.

eWallet

eWallet is another app that I have been using for few years. It is a very handy password manager app and I use it to store information that I need when I am out and about. eWallet is created by Ilium Software, who are a trusted company with a proven track history, so the app is 100% legit. The app uses strong encryption to protect your important information. It also has a time-out lock to ensure your data is safe from prying eyes and a very useful password generator that creates extra strong password combinations.

Sleep Talk Recorder

Sleep Talk Recorder – Why? because its funny that’s why! I have been known to talk in my sleep and do other weird stuff. This fun app gives you the opportunity to eaves drop on your night time chattering. Before going to sleep, activate the app and when you make a sound the app wakes up and records everything. Enjoy…

StumbleUpon

StumbleUpon, is a fun, social website that now has an app.  If you are ever waiting at the doctors surgery or on a train, this app will entertain for hours. To start using the app, create a profile and choose what categories interest you. then simply, hit the StumbleUpon button and start surfing. If you land on a webpage that you really like, you can either give it a thumbs up or thumbs down. Essentially, StumbleUpon helps you find the right content, be it web pages, videos, photos or sites, which otherwise could have been difficult using a search engine. Give it a whirl, you won’t be disappointed.

Flixster

Flixster is a great app when you want to quickly check out what’s on at the cinema. Flixster enables you to select a list of cinemas close to your current location (great if you are away for the weekend) and then view movie listings. You can even buy tickets online from cinemas that have that facility. Flixster also allows you to share your movie ratings on Facebook and read RottenTomatoes reviews. Another great feature is the ability to watch high quality trailers and clips on your iPhone.

Flipboard

Last but not least, Flipboard for the iPhone and iPad has to get a mention. This app is incredible and really makes the most of your iPhone and/or your iPad. Take a look at this video.

Tips

  • Always check customer reviews. There is nothing worse than downloading an app, only to find it doesn’t do what it says it does
  • Its doesn’t always have to cost money. Loads of high quality FREE apps are available
  • Regularly go to the App store check out the top 25 free and the top 25 paid apps
Twitt
Posted in Gadget Talk for the Non-Geek , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

When I was a trainee builder…

Written By: Therese - Mar• 03•12

In 1989, I was the first female in Northern Ireland to enroll on a Construction course. To me this was a perfectly normal thing to do as I came from a family of builders that included my dad, several uncles and numerous cousins. To other people however, my strange career choice was subject to much discussion and debate. At Limavady Tech, I completed a First Diploma and then a National Diploma in Construction. I remember my first day, the only girl in a class full of boys and we had our first lesson in woodwork. Unfortunately, for me I had decided to wear a skirt and a pair of knee high black suede boots (all the rage at the time). By the end of the lesson, I realised that its very difficult to plane wood whilst wearing a skirt and my boots were full of shavings! The second day and every other day after that, I wore jeans!

During the two courses, I completed modules in Mathematics, Site Surveying & Leveling, Architectural & Structural Detailing to name a few. I enjoyed the practical modules but loathed the boring lecturers on concrete and roof tiles. I also got the chance to go on work placement twice each year. The first year, I was assigned to a local builder in Limavady and his work van was told to pick me up at the bottom of the road. I got ready that morning and put on a pair of ripped jeans (all the rage at the time). My mother was horrified and made me go change, telling me that you cant go to a building site wearing ripped jeans. I still dont really understand her logic, but I changed anyway. Traveling in a work van is an experience in itself. Builders read the Sun, fart alot and smell like a small animal has crawled inside them and died! On the building site, I quickly learned what a sky hook was, how to use a left handed screw driver and was sent for many a long stand. Whilst on my first placement, a local policeman who was walking past, had to do a double take when he saw me at the cement mixer. He stopped and asked me if I had permission to be on the building site and when I told him I was on work experience, he went straight around the corner to the local Chronicle office and told them what he had just witnessed. The following week I was in the Chronicle,  the Sunday World and the Sunday News!

Myself and Kenny Cummings outside the RoeBuck Inn. Sunday World - 1990

Sunday News - 1990

Chronicle - 1990

That summer, I went to work on one of my fathers sites in Belfast. I spent my time learning how to wire lights, plaster walls and point bricks. The builders on this site, thought it was highly amusing to have a female on the site and spent a lot of time trying to catch me out by sending me for tartan paint and long stands. Much to their annoyance I was wise to the old tricks. However, on one famous occasion, my father landed on site and caught a bunch of plasterers from Donegal chasing me around the site, trying to nail me 3 ft up a stud wall. Everyone got fired, including me, but he calmed down later. I was speaking to one of the guys recently and we had a good laugh about that day.

During my studies, I was also invited to my uncles building site on the Malone Rd in Belfast and got the opportunity to meet the World President of the Chartered Institute of Builders. At the time, there was a big push on to get more females into the building trade.

The World President of the Chartered Institute of World Builders and a very young me.

Ulster Business Man Article - 1990

A UTV camera crew showed up and interviewed me. The interviewer told me that the piece would be on the 6 o’clock news as long as there wasn’t a bomb. Turns out there wasn’t a bomb and I was on the news for the first time, but not the last.

UTV Camera Crew

I enjoyed my time at college studying construction however, in the end, I didn’t go to Jordanstown to study for a degree in Building Studies. That being said, building is still a huge part of our family life and I really enjoy going to my dad’s building sites to get a look around and watching and listening to my dad getting excited about a plan he has just drawn on the back of napkin over dinner. The sound of a digger will take me right back to my childhood and the sights and smells of a site bring back fond memories of jumping over foundations when I was 7 yrs old.

Update: The inspiration for this blog came from a brief chat with one of my lovely cousins who is in the building trade. She was telling me, that these days, loads of women can be found on building sites, doing all sorts of trades from plumbing to landscaping. Not to mention my lovely cousin who is one of the leading show-house interior designers in the Province.  Go-Girls!

Twitt
Posted in Random , | No Comments »

Gadget Talk for the Non-Geek (Fitness Gadgets)

Written By: Therese - Feb• 02•12

So Christmas is over and the January fitness regime didn’t go quite according to plan. What went wrong? Perhaps it was just too much effort figuring out a good plan of action and tracking your progress. For GEEKS that’s the easy bit, there are so many gadgets and apps available, there is literally nowhere to run and nowhere to hide! So here is a list of some of my favourites, all tried and tested of course! Also at the end of this post, I will explain how many of these gadgets now work together, so you spend less time updating each system.

Withings WiFi Scales

Told you there was nowhere to hide! With a normal set of scales, you get on, look down, frown and then forget the number as quickly as possible. The Withings WiFi scale looks and acts like any other modern digital scales however, inside it has a WiFi chip and USB port! This means that when you step on the scales it records your weight and then sends it to the Withings website via the WiFi network in your house. The scales can also detect multiple users and has Body Analysis info on Fat mass, Lean mass and BMI. Patsini watch this video, of you don’t like the scales the video has some nice relaxing music :-)

So what now, I hear you cry. Well you can either log into your Withings account via the website, or if you prefer you can login using a custom app on your iPhone or Android phone or iPad. This is where the magic happens. The application is well laid out giving vital information on your daily stats, but also a chart that enables you to track your progress over time. I have found this to be a very handy feature as it allows you to see trends in your weight loss. Whilst using this feature, my husband noticed that he spent all week losing weight only to gain it back at the weekend and then the process started again. The Withings WiFi scales can be purchased on Amazon although a tad on the expensive side, well worth it in my opinion.

Withings Blood Pressure Monitor

Withings also have a blood pressure monitor. If you are deciding to exercise more and you are not used to activity, it’s a good idea to monitor your blood pressure and there is no better way to do it than with this very handy monitor.

The monitor fits neatly around your upper arm and don’t worry about it not fitting, the cuff circumference is between 22cm-42cm. Simply plug the monitor into your iPhone (sorry not available on Android devices yet) or any other Apple device and open up the Withings app and press start. The results of the test are delivered about thirty seconds later, and alert users to unhealthy BP ranges. These results, including date and time for tracking purposes, can then be e-mailed to a Doctor via the app. I have found this monitor very easy to use and its handy to have weight and blood pressure information contained in one handy app.

Jawbone Up or Fitbit?

Self monitoring is a traditionally GEEKY thing to do however, in recent years some cool gadgets have come on to the market that make it a bit cooler. So what am I talking about? Well, you can purchase a device such as the Fitbit, Jawbone Up or a Nike+ and it will monitor your daily activity, food diary and even your sleep patterns. The information is displayed either through the web or App on a nice little dashboard were you can monitor the level of activity that you actually do, opposed to what you think you do. It can be quite a shock to find that sitting at a desk all day, can lead to as little as 3000 steps per day. Considering that the recommended daily target is 10,000, it is easy to see how keeping an eye on your activity in addition to your calorie intake is important.

I have personally tested both the Jawbone Up and the Fitbit so here is a little about each

Jawbone Up – Verdict: So close but yet so far!

The Up is a nice bracelet that is available in various colours. The bracelet has a removable cap which covers a phone jack. Using the phone jack the UP can be plugged into the ear-piece socket on your iPhone and synced with the custom App.

Features:

  • Pedometer which gives the option of setting a daily target
  • Join a team with your friends and share your progress
  • Add food to a diary, but doesn’t count calories
  • Gain points for completing activities and share activities with friends
  • GPS for workouts outdoors and enables you to choose music from your phone to exercise to

Good points

  • Interface is pretty good and your progress or lack thereof can be easily ascertained at a glance
  • The sleep function that supposedly uses patented technology to monitors micro-movements whilst sleeping to determine what stage of sleep you are in, is really good. I was quite surprised at how much detail it picked up
  • Sharing info with friends and family is a very motivating feature. Its just a pity that Jawbone’s attempt to gamify the process by giving users points for completed activities fails miserably

Bad Points

  • Well most GEEKS will already know that shortly after the UP was launched, Jawbone announced that all users who were not satisfied could ask for their money back. Apparently, major problems coupled with a deluge of unhappy customers prompted this decision ( I am still waiting on my refund)
  • Software is glitchy, activities not updating, sleep logs missing
  • The bracelet cap would not stay on and I eventually lost it (so did 2 other family members who also have UP’s)

Fitbit – Verdict: A well reviewed and tested piece of kit for the avid sportster, worth every penny.

The Fitbit comes with a handy clip and can be attached to various parts of the body. At night the FitBit can be placed in a cloth bracelet for sleep. The device is synced with your Fitbit account when the user is within 15ft of the base station that is either plugged into your PC or Mac. The Fitbit will track your activity, sleep, stairs climbed, calories burned and distance covered. It also has stopwatch and clock functions.

 Features:

  • Activity tracker using a pedometer. It also tracks the amount of stairs climbed
  • Tracks calories burned
  • Tracks distance covered
  • Stopwatch and watch functions

Good Points:

  • Well designed interface with clear snapshot views displaying your progress
  • Interesting and motivating prompts that help you stay on target
  • Handy screen display on the Fitbit lets you see your progress immediately without the need to sync with your Fitbit account
  • Compatible with other devices -By far the best feature!
    •  Fitbit activity and sleep can be synced with a free app called MyFitnessPal! (I will talk about this later)
    • Withings WiFi Scales can be linked to your Fitbit account and your weight will sync

Bad Points:

  • The sleep tracker isn’t as good as the Jawbone Up’s as you can’t zoom in and see the graph clearly
  • I have to leave my base station at work, so I am never synced in the evening when at home, therefore I’m never really up-to-date

 MyFitnessPal App

MyFitnessPal is a FREE calorie counter, diet and exercise journal that can be accessed either through the web or a smart phone app available for both iPhone and Android.

Features:

  • A fully searchable food database of over 1,427,000 items – and it’s growing everyday!
  • Connects to Fitbit and syncs accurate activity readings
  • Provides support and motivation by connecting you to family and friends and also through a community forum allowing you to share your progress

Good Points:

  • Using the camera on your smart phone you can scan the barcode found on food packaging. The app then searches the food database and then adds the food to your diary. These types of apps are usually geared towards the US market and UK users usually have difficulty finding anything that they actually eat. Not the case with MyFitnessPal, it is connected to all the major UK grocery chains and the database is very extensive. It also has the added option of allowing the user to add their own food items as well as meals
  • Easy to use and doesn’t slow you down whilst trying to get on with your daily activities
  • It’s great being able to share progress with friends and family
  • The motivational prompts and reminders are well timed and informative

Bad Points:

  • The app doesn’t sync with any of the Withings products which is a shame

Azumio Heart Rate Monitor App

The Azumio Heart Rate Monitor App is available for download in the App Store for the iPhone. When you activate the monitor, place your finger over the camera on your phone. The monitor will then begin to calibrate and show your heart rate on screen. You can then save the reading and add a note to remind yourself about what you were doing at the time of the reading.

Features:

  • Heart rate measurement
  • Real-time PPG (EKG-like graph)
  • Sharing on Twitter, Facebook etc
  • Timeline

Good Points:

  • I have found it to be very accurate
  • The timeline is an interesting feature and you can easily spot when your heart rate is abnormally fast or slow

Bad Points:

  • It doesn’t work if your dead!

To finish this post I would like to briefly mention two of my favourite cycling gadgets

Tunebug Shake

I love to cycle with music in my ears however, its a pretty dangerous occupation, especially in a recumbent trike. So recently I have been searching for a safer alternative and I came across this. The Tunebug Shake uses surface sound technology and once attached to your helmet it turns it into a speaker. The shake is pretty easy to install and connects via Bluetooth to your iPhone or music player.

I have to say, that this has to be one of the coolest cycling gadgets about. It works perfectly when out and about on my trike and I can listen to music and hear the traffic at the same time. Excellent buy!

Spooklight Wireless Cycle Indicator

Still on the subject of safety, this little gem is a great gadget. I have limited places on my recumbent for attachments, but I managed to fit this onto the back of my head rest. Spooklight makes your intentions clear to other road users by indicating left or right and has built-in flashing hazard lights. It also lights up when it senses braking. Yes, you read that correctly, it uses a built-in accelerometer to detect sharp changes in movement and brakes accordingly. Pretty cool! If that’s not enough it can charge your phone whilst out and about as it has a rechargable LiPoly battery.

 

 

 

 

 

Twitt
Posted in Gadget Talk for the Non-Geek , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Gadget Talk for Non-Geeks (To iPad or not to iPad?)

Written By: Therese - Jan• 31•12

Source:http://proud2begeek.blogspot.com/

Recently, I was asked by my very lovely cousin Patsini to start blogging about technology so she can get up to speed on various gadgets that seem to come unto the market practically every day. Normal people, (the non-geeky type) don’t feel the need to pour over technology magazines, blogs and websites to find out what’s hot and what’s not. Often, the techno-jargon can be off putting and confusing. Who really cares about how many quad cores a device has anyway!

So Patsini asked me this…

“I want to buy an iPad, what do you recommend?”

Hmmm, lets see…the easiest and shortest answer would be to wait and see if the iPad 3 is to be launched later this year and hold off til then. If this source is to be believed, the iPad 3 release date is early March 2012. You will then have three choices (a) buy a second-hand iPad 2 from a GEEK friend as they will jump at the chance to upgrade or, (b) buy a shiny new iPad 2, which should be cheaper than the iPad 3 or, (c) buy a shiny new iPad 3.

So what do the geeks say?

<<The newer version will have a quad-core A6 processor, better screen resolution and some may even be 4G LTE capable, and the rumours are that the new iPad may be slightly thicker to accommodate the 4G technology. Other sources are speculating that the new iPad will have a HD quality front-facing camera, the ability to run Siri and possibly near-field communication…>>

Say that in English!

<<The newer version will BE FASTER, have a BETTER SCREEN and some may even HAVE 4G (FASTER THEN 3G), and YOU WONT NOTICE THE 1MM EXTRA THICKNESS. Other sources are speculating that the new iPad will have a BETTER FRONT FACING CAMERA, the ability to run Siri (THE POPULAR VOICE-ACTIVATED PERSONAL ASSISTANT INTRODUCED ON THE iPHONE 4S, THAT DOESN’T WORK VERY WELL IN THE UK!) and possibly near-field communication (MAKES DATA TRANSACTIONS POSSIBLE IN STORES)…>>

What size should I buy?

That’s a good question and one that will be different for every user. In general, the average casual user doesn’t need the highest spec iPad, not unless you like to download films from iTunes, or intend to store large amounts of photos, music or games on the device. Currently, iPad 2 comes in three different sizes of storage memory, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB The 16GB iPad will be useful for people who primarily want to browse the Web and use apps. 16GB will be plenty of space for a small amount of music, images and video. If most of your media streams from the Web, you won’t need as much storage space.

So here’s a rough guide

  1. 16GB is the one for you if you have an iPhone and really just use your iPad for browsing the Internet and watching the odd iTunes movie.
  2. 32GB is more suited to you if your not sure how having an iPad will change how you currently use technology. This option gives you some grace, if storage gets a little tight as you discover iTunes movies for the first time or decide to store loads of photos to take to your friends house.
  3. 64GB is the bad boy for you if you really love technology and only feel comfortable knowing that wherever you go, you have a constant source of entertainment at your fingertips, ranging from films, games, photos and eBooks.

Just remember that iPad storage can be expanded using devices such as this one, but its rather cumbersome, so choose your iPad wisely!

Do I need just WiFi or WiFi and 3G?

Well Patsini, this question can really only be answered by examining your current browsing habits. If you answer yes to the following question then you cant do without 3G!

Q. Do you need to respond to emails in places where WiFi is generally unavailable?

BTOpenzone is widely available throughout the UK and free Wifi is becoming the norm in many cafes and other public places, so not unless you really need to be constantly connected you will find you rarely use 3G. Of course, one fantastic advantage of a 3G enabled iPad is that you can avoid hefty hotel WiFi charges, but of course, only if 3G is available.

Note* A special SIM card is required for the 3G enabled iPad and you will be required to top-up a minimum of £10/month.

So Patsini, I hope this answers the main questions about iPads, of course you could always invest in a Windows or Android tablet, but that’s another story for another day!

Twitt
Posted in Gadget Talk for the Non-Geek , , , , | 1 Comment »

Research

Written By: Therese - Dec• 31•11

My main research area is Serious Games and in particular ‘Games Inspired Learning’. My PhD research focused on harnessing the engaging elements of digital game design and transferring those elements into existing learning processes. I developed a prototype tool that assisted lecturers in creating a more engaging learning process using techniques common in game design. The tool, now called GEL, is currently being developed further by The School of Computing & Information Engineering (CIE) at University of Ulster, Coleraine.

Current commercial research includes:

  • Games for Health
  • Serious Games Applications (Web & Mobile)
  • Adaptive Virtual Learning Environments

———————————————————-

Publications

Thesis: PhD Thesis ‘Enhanced eLearning Engagement using Game Absorption Techniques’ (Email for a copy)

1.    Charles, T., Bustard, D.W. & Black, M., (2011). Experiences of Promoting Student Engagement through Game-Oriented Learning Framework In: Serious Games and Edutainment Applications: Springer Books.
2.    Bustard, D.W., Black, M., Charles, T., Moore, A.A., McKinney, M.E.T., 2011. GEL: A Generic Tool for Game-Enhanced Learning, ICEE: An International Conference on Engineering Education.
3.    Herbert, B., Charles, D.K., McNeill, M.D., Moore, A.A., Charles, T., Dynamic Virtual Learning Landscapes to Enhance Student Reflective Processes, 2011. EGBL: 5th European Conference in Game Based Learning. Athens, Greece.
4.    Charles, D.K., Charles, T., McNeill, M.D., Bustard, D.W. & Black, M., 2010. Game Based Feedback for Educational Multi-user Virtual Environments. British Journal of Educational Technology (Special Issue).
5.    Charles, T., Bustard, D.W. & Black, M., 2008. Game Inspired Tool Support for e-learning Processes. In Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on e-learning.  Cyprus: ACI.
6.    Charles, T., Bustard, D.W. & Black, M., 2008. Game Inspired Tool Support for e-learning Processes.   Cyprus: ACI. Also selected for Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 7(2), pp.101-110.
7.    Charles, D., Charles, T. & McNeill, M., 2009. Using player and world representation techniques from computer games to improve student engagement. In Proceedings of the First IEEE Conference in Games and Virtual Worlds for Serious Applications.  Coventry: IEEE, pp. 36-42.
8.    McGinnis, T., Bustard, D.W. & Black, M., 2008. Enhancing e-Learning Engagement Using Design Patterns from Computer Games. In Martinique, St. Lucia: ACHI. IEEE Computer Society.
9.    Charles, T., Bustard, D.W. & Black, M., 2008. Enhancing e-Learning Engagement using Game Absorption Techniques. In Proceedings of the Novel Approaches to Promoting Student Engagement (NAPSE).  Northern Ireland: University of Ulster, pp. 11-19.

Twitt
Posted in Research Related , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Acknowledgements

Written By: Therese - Dec• 31•11

When you complete a body of work such as a doctoral thesis you are obliged to thank people, so I did…

Life has thrown me many curve balls over the years and I would like to give special thanks to my parents for tirelessly supporting me through all the life changing events that eventually led me back to school. Thanks to my mum for being my rock and helping keep me in touch with reality throughout my studies. Thanks to my dad for letting me do it my way and for encouraging and inspiring me to reach for my dreams.

Thanks to my husband Darryl (IAMIMOM), for all the inspiring and motivating conversations, that helped me grasp a better understanding of all things game related. Thanks also for being my gaming partner and fellow geek and for all those hours spent unwinding playing co-op Gears of War and Halo 3. Thanks to Kaci, for choosing me as your mum and thanks for keeping me entertained at work when I sneaked you under my table, dressed as a witch pretending to be in a castle full of evil vampires. Thanks to the Charles family for warmly welcoming me and Kaci into their family and for supporting me throughout my studies.

Thanks also to both of my lifelong friends Julie and Monica for being by my side all these years, through all the good times and the bad. Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget. Thanks to my friend Debbie (aka Wee Elf) for rescuing me from 2nd yr and showing me that there is a life outside of university and it usually begins with a trip to Next, swiftly followed by a Starbucks! You helped keep my sanity intact although others may find this debatable!

Thanks to all my brothers and sisters, Richard, Brian, Niall, Peter, Danielle, Michaela, and Grace. You have all inspired me and helped me to remain focused and finish my studies. A special thank you to Grace for adopting Kaci as her own and babysitting for hundreds of hours so I could attend university.

Thanks to my excellent supervisory team, Prof. Dave Bustard and Dr. Michaela Black for making the process of doing a PhD both an invaluable and enjoyable experience. Thank you for all your support and guidance throughout the project. Thanks also to Dr. Roger Austin for his advice in the lead up to the write-up. Thanks to the University of Ulster, and also to all the staff from the School of Computing and Information Engineering. A special thanks to Mrs Pauleen Marshall who warmly welcomed me into the School as an undergraduate student and for looking after me so well all these years. I am indebted to you for your kindness. Thanks also to Mr Tony McLaughlin, without your banter I may well have thrown in the towel, or shovel!

Finally, I would like to thank Prof. Randy Pausch RIP for giving me perspective and helping me realise it was in fact a head fake. It was not about the outcome of obtaining a PhD but instead it was about the process of getting there!

“Experience is not what happens to a man, it is what a man does with what happens to him.”

– Aldous Huxley

Twitt
Posted in Research Related , , | No Comments »

I don’t believe it!

Written By: Therese - Dec• 30•11

Say the Blog Post title like you are Victor Meldrew… that’s who people sound like when I tell them I have Long QT syndrome. People who know me and know what I have been through in my life, with car accidents and other wild antics, can’t quite believe that I survived through it all with such a condition!

Let me explain…

In 2005 I discovered by chance that I had Long QT syndrome. I had been taking Sinutab for a sinus problem and over a period of a few days I noticed my heart was pounding hours (resting heart rate of 150 bpm) after a run out on my bike.  I have always trained using a heart rate monitor and had kept it on to monitor my heart and after a few hours I decided to visit the out-of-hours surgery.

The locum Doc put me on the ECG machine and said that more than likely there was nothing wrong. Boy was he wrong! The ECG machine printout had ‘Unconfirmed Long QT’ written on the side of it. The Doc looked at it and then pulled my medical records. Being a rally driver, I have had regular medicals and an ECG was usually part of them. To his surprise he checked all previous ECG’s dating back 10 yrs and found that they all said ‘Unconfirmed Long QT’. At this point in the consultation the Doc explained what was wrong, he said, “Its a rare heart condition in which delayed repolarization of the heart following a heartbeat increases the risk of episodes of torsade de pointes” . So what does that mean to me? Well, he said “Symptoms include fainting and sudden death! I would recommend not exercising as its a trigger, oh and no loud noises, don’t use an alarm clock and avoid stress“. I was stunned to say the least!

This nice little diagram courtesy of wikipedia explains what happens with my heart. Basically, the QT interval is a measure of the time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave and in my case, the interval is too long. An “abnormal” interval for men is above 450 ms, and in females, above 470 ms. When I was first diagnosed it was >600ms :-(

Turns out the Sinutab has an ingredient in it that prolongs the QT further, thus making my condition more pronounced. So what happens now? Well, nothing happened, I worried about it and Googled it! You really should not Google something like that, talk about stressing me out. I found countless Youtube videos, blog posts and websites dedicated to family members who died from Long QT before they knew they had it. That’s the worst thing about Long QT, its silent, with no visible symptoms. I was slowly realising that as terrible and as devastating as this diagnosis is, I’m still alive! That’s a pretty tough thing to come to terms with. On one hand I’m mourning the loss of the long list of things in my life that I will never be able to do and on the other hand I read the heart-breaking stories of other families who had loved ones dies unexpectedly.

While I was waiting to see a cardiologist and get an official diagnosis via a genetic test, I wanted to get some clarification from a Doctor, so one afternoon in a state of utter panic when I had convinced myself I might drop dead at any moment, I phoned the out-of-hours surgery and got the chocolate teapot Doc (see this post as to why he’s called that!). Hmmm…. chocolate teapot told me I was a hypochondriac and that there was no way on Earth that I could possibly have Long QT as it was incredibly rare. He advised me to get back training on my bike and not waste any more of his time! Over the years, I have questioned the medical system many times and this was one of them. If I had of been stupid enough to listen to him, I may not be here today.

Genetic tests carried out by the Royal Victoria, Belfast confirmed I did have Long QT (Type 1). They also went on to confirm 4 other family members. We had to wait 1 year for the test results to come through and in that time I slowly adjusted my lifestyle. Exercise was limited to gentle walking and leisurely bike rides. Noisy alarm clocks were banished and friends and family were warned not to ring me late at night or early morning for fear of startling me. All medications were checked using a website called QTDrugs.org. In November 2006, whilst in my first month of my PhD, the cardiologist decided I should get an ICD implanted. This is not a decision I took lightly. I felt like my life was one big catch 22. I was getting stressed about having Long QT and the stress was causing my Long QT to stay prolonged. It was difficult to go to sleep at night worrying whether or not a loud noise would startle me in the middle of the night and I would die, or whether I would push too hard on my bike and not recover. So, I got the ICD and it changed my life.

If you would like to find out more about Long QT and other heart conditions, I would recommend the CRY (Cardiac  Risk in the Young) organisation. In Northern Ireland a man called John Lundy has committed many years of his life to raising money for CRY after his son Aaron sadly lost his life to a similar heart condition. John needs help fundraising, but sadly my health has not allowed me to help as much as I would like.

So what can you do? Watch out for symptoms, such as sudden fainting episodes especially after exercising. Make sure your kids are playing sport in places that have external defibrillator machines and if not campaign to get them installed.

Every once in a while I watch this video of a Hungarian soccer star Miklós Fehér. I am so damn lucky to be alive and every heart beat is precious and I don’t intend wasting any of mines. What about you?

 

 

Twitt
Posted in Dodgy Body Parts , , | No Comments »

Smile!

Written By: Therese - Dec• 30•11

The Charles family has many budding photographers including myself. As children, my husband Darryl and his brother Denver were inspired my their mum Esme who loved to take pictures of family events and outings. Esme still takes pictures and has accrued a vast collection of treasured family memories.

We are a Nikon family and I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon. Darryl owns quite a few Nikon’s, but his favourite is his D7000. Denver currently has a D300 and between them they have an impressive collection of lenses.  I owned a Nikon D80 for many years, but I found it hard to carry, so I recently traded it in for a Nikon J1. The great thing about the J1 is that I can still use an assortment of Nikon lenses with a special lens adapter. The slow motion video is also fun! Darryl very kindly bought me a memory card with built-in Wifi for Christmas called a Eye-fi and its fantastic!

    Denver’s Birdy

As a family, we all enjoy taking pictures of the surrounding countryside and in particular the North West Coast. Darryl’s Flickr profile can be viewed here. In recent years Denver has developed an uncanny knack at capturing some fantastic photos of the local wildlife. Denver’s Flickr profile can be viewed here. I prefer to take pictures of people and up until now, I haven’t made my photos public. However, we are in the process of moving all our photos to a new website called Wild Ireland.

 

 

 

Twitt
Posted in Things That I Do | No Comments »

My Third Wheel

Written By: Therese - Dec• 28•11

I had been quietly considering a trike for quite some time, but it wasn’t until I came across Laid Back Bikes based in Edinburgh that I started to seriously think about buying one. Why buy a trike? Well for me, it was the most obvious solution that would keep me on the road, before I would have to give up cycling for good due to injury. I have been cycling for most of my life, but over the years I have had to change my bike several times as the rods in my back made sitting on a bike extremely painful. In March 2011 whilst in Edinburgh for a 6 week followup appointment after spinal surgery, I went to visit David Gardiner at Laid Back Bikes. Luckily for me, he had a very nice demo with the spec I was looking for in stock and I got to take it for a test spin in the local park. I have to say that anyone considering buying a trike should get a test run first as its a completely different type of cycling experience.

ICE Sprint RS

Full spec can be found here

David was fantastic from start to finish, not only did he patiently explain the trike spec in detail, he also demonstrated how to fold it up and take it apart. David also organised the trikes shipment to Ireland and expertly packed it up into a big box. I added a few extras to my trike, some of which I ordered directly from ICE Trikes and a few other bits and pieces I sourced on eBay, these include:

  • Mesh seat neck rest
  • SPD M520 pedals
  • Panniers
  • Flourescent covers for panniers (eBay)
  • iPhone Holder (eBay)
  • Mirror for helmet

So whats it like to ride? Well, its simply fantastic! The riding position is a lot lower to the ground and its a bit strange having your feet out in front. The Sprint RS is very comfortable and easy to manoeuvre. I have rods in my lower back and trapped nerves in both legs and I don’t have any pain when sitting in the trike. My feet do go numb after 30 minutes or so, but that is probably more to do with my trapped nerves than the seating position. If you are buying a trike either because you have decreased mobility, or perhaps you have injuries that prevent you from using an ordinary bike, there are a few things you should consider when riding a trike:

  • Always plan your route – The trike is a lot closer to the ground, so going over rough ground, or up unto steep curbs can cause a problem. Also, crossing busy roads can also be difficult if you have limited mobility as you have to twist around from a seated position to see oncoming traffic
  • Stick to cycle paths – The low riding position can be hard to get used to and you have to be very aware of other road users. To start with, stick to cycle routes until you build up confidence
  • Be safe, be seen – Other roads users may not see you coming along on your trike as you are so low to the ground. To make you and your trike more visible, get an extra flag, put some fluorescent strips on your trike and don’t be tempted to squeeze past cars stopped at traffic lights, they wont see you!
  • Get a HORN – Enough said!
  • Slime in your tubes -  Has been a lifesaver for me. I would not be able to change a tube whilst out and about

I haven’t ventured as far as I would like on my trike and usually stick to the North West coast cycle routes, but hopefully in 2012, I will get the chance to put some more miles on the clock. For me, investing in a recumbent trike has been a very rewarding experience. I can now get out and about with a lot less pain and enjoy the beautiful North West scenery.

Twitt
Posted in Things That I Do , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

So Are You Fixed Yet?

Written By: Therese - Dec• 24•11

Er…No! I get asked this at least once a week, usually by someone who means well. Most people assume that if you have a bad back and you get surgery, you are ‘fixed’. It’s also irritating when someone has a minor back ache for the first time in their lives and they say they understand how it must be for me. No you don’t! Its not something that goes away, its here in my life 24/7 and it doesn’t take holidays. OK, rant over.

My spinal saga started 20 yrs ago when a 78 yr old man, drove out in front of me and ‘wrote me off’. To add insult to injury, he was driving an orange Lada Riva! The old guy obviously didn’t mean to drive into me, but he was sitting at a junction with the clutch in and in first gear. His foot slipped and he careered across the road and straight into me. I was able to get out of the car and felt pain in my back and in my knee, but was able to walk. The police took me to the hospital and I was X-rayed and told there was nothing wrong with me. The next day, I couldn’t get out of bed, and from that day to this, I have been living in pain. My GP, who shall remain nameless was as useful as a chocolate teapot and for 3 long and terribly painful years, he prescribed bed rest and painkillers. He didn’t have the sense to send me for an MRI. During that 3 years. I continued to rally and had a few bad knocks that compounded the existing problem. One such knock can be seen here, when I hit a jump and landed on my headlights!

This jump cost me two discs in my neck! All that aside, I eventually went for an MRI and got some shocking and devastating news. The initial accident had prolapsed most of the discs in my lower lumbar and my spinal cord was compromised, surgery was inevitable. Thus ending what was the start of a promising rallying career and threw me on to a completely different path through life. So at the age of 21, I was lying in bed for 6 weeks to ensure my back fused straight and wondering what the hell was I going to do with my life now. Was it over? Was I just to sit around watching other people enjoy life.  I had a choice to make!

Over the next few years, I’ve had several surgeries ranging from a couple of laminectomies, chemo-nucleosis, spinal fusion with hardware, a couple of endoscopic laser foraminoplasty’s and more recently when my back fractured due to the strain of the rods, I got a spacer put in. I’ve also had several facet joint injections and other disgustingly painful procedures.

So what’s the outcome? Well, am still in pain, which I suppose some would class as a failure, but I don’t because I can still walk, albeit slowly and at times with a cane. I consider myself very lucky and I know that things aren’t going to get any better, so I have to get on with life. Sometimes, I look back on my life and think of all the things I couldn’t do and also envy able-bodied people and all the things that they take for granted.

Its a pain being in pain and the pain is relentless! I take a mixture of painkillers along with painkiller patches, but sometimes I don’t need to take anything and I’m grateful for those days. I go to a sports physio called Catherine (my lifesaver) religiously once a week and she gives me more pain!

On the bright side, whilst in Edinburgh for my most recent surgery, I bought an ICE trike and it really has given me a new lease of life. I love cycling, but over the years as my back has slowly deteriorated I was finding it really difficult to ride a bike. The trike pictured below takes the pain out of cycling and allows me to get out and exercise again. Just don’t ask me to get out of it, as I cant stand up too quick! :)

Twitt
Posted in Dodgy Body Parts , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Top 10 – People I Would Like to Meet (Dead or Alive)

Written By: Therese - Dec• 24•11

1. Bill Hicks (RIP) – Bill was a genius and ahead of his time. His comedy routines delivered hard hitting, painfully accurate but hilariously funny rants on Bill’s take on the world. Bill’s philosophy was simple, he believed that people are generally good at heart but evil forces were deliberately distracting us all from creating a better world using television, lies, tobacco and alcohol as opiates. Personally speaking, Bill has hugely influenced my attitude towards life and helped me keep my head when all those around me were losing theirs. His hard hitting sarcastic rants are forever burned into my brain. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Bill’s brother Steve and he graciously spent a full day meeting and greeting Bill’s fans and sharing some of his stories with us which was very much appreciated. Bill is loved and missed by many and his work will continue to inspire people across the globe. Oh Bill, I’m a reader, not a waffle waitress!

2. John Wayne (RIP) – What a cowboy! My childhood is filled with memories of sitting in front of a big fire on cold rainy Saturday’s, watching John Wayne galloping across canyons. As a child I thought all Americans talked like John Wayne. He talked low, and slow and tended not to say much! We owned a Bed & Breakfast and I remember being particularly fascinated by our American guests. I was annoyed to find out they weren’t anything like John Wayne, in fact they were quite the opposite. Here are some of my favourite John Wayne quotes:

  • “Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway.”
  • “If you’ve got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow.”
  • “Life is tough, but it’s tougher when you’re stupid.”
  • “A man ought to do what he thinks is right”
  • “Get off your horse and drink your milk.”

                                                       

3. Randy Pausch  (RIP) – Randy was a well known Associate Professor of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction and Design, at Carnegie Mellon University. One of his many achievements included being the founder of the Alice software project which I came across whilst researching for my PhD. When Randy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006, he started updating his personal blog with updates on his health. I started following his daily logs and along with many others, routed for him as he fought through his illness with un-faltered vigor and optimism. In September 2007 he gave an incredibly inspiring lecture titled “The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” and later co-authored a book called The Last Lecture. Randy showed immense courage in the face of adversity and has left a legacy that his three children will be extremely proud of.


4. Aryton Senna (RIP) – Formula One has never been the same since Aryton left for that big racing track in the sky. His extraordinary talent for driving inspired me in my own racing career. Aryton was in a league of his own, and displayed tremendous courage just before his tragic death in 1994 when he got back into his car after a fellow racing driver died on the track. My favourite quote from Senna has to be this:“And so you touch this limit, something happens and you suddenly can go a little bit further. With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and the experience as well, you can fly very high.”


5. Eddie Izzard – For a man trapped in a lesbian’s body, hes led an interesting life so far. Not only is he fantastically funny, but he also has a big heart and a bucket load of determination.  With no prior training, Eddie ran 43 marathons in 51 days for charity. A true inspiration!

“I wanna live ’til I die, no more, no less.”


6. Ffyona Campbell – If anybody has True Grit, its Ffyona! Over a period of 11 yrs she walked 20,000 miles around the world. I followed her progress with great interest as she struggled to get sponsorship and famously sold advertising space on her forehead. Ffyona is a fiesty and determined lady, who walked through war zones, across deserts and spent a great deal of time on her own. Whilst walking across America at the tender age of 18, she became ill and took lifts from cars over a period of about 1000 miles. She later admitted this and returned to America many years later to re-walk that stretch, but the media slaughtered her for it! Ffyona has greatly inspired me to find the courage and determination to carve out a new life for myself after I suffered a serious back injury as the result of a road traffic accident. On the morning of October 14th 1994, just before I was being taken to theater for major spinal surgery, I watched Ffyona on breakfast news finally reaching John O’Groats. I have never really been able to walk long distances due to the irreparable damage done to my spine, but some day I would like to take a walk with Ffyona and thank her for helping me get back on my feet and not look back.


7. Amelia Earhart (RIP) – I grew up on farm overlooking Eglinton Airport on the North West coast of Ireland and spent many hours watching various types of planes visit this small airport. In 1932, Amelia was the first woman to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic, taking off from Newfoundland and landing in Culmore, Co. Londonderry. Back in the 1980′s, Eglinton Airport organised a tribute to Amelia’s record breaking flight and this is when I first learned of Amelia’s extraordinary achievement in life and as a young impressionable tom-boy I realised it was OK to be different – just look at what you could achieve! Amelia once said “decide whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying….!”


8. Derren Brown – Derren has always intrigued me, not only is he a hugely talented mentalist, entertainer and writer, but he is also a fine artist. Derren, comes across as a guy passionate about his work and someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously. Considering he is now a household name, he is extremely modest about his abundant talents whilst other less talented mortals scramble in the dirt for every column inch.


9. Terry Practhett – Terry’s DiscWorld Series has provided me with many hours of entertainment and fun. I inhaled his books at a rate of knots. His unique writing style, captivated my imagination and swept me away to a fantastical world full of amusing characters and adventures. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

  • Always be wary of any helpful item that weighs less than its operating manual
  • In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded
  • Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it
  • The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it

10. P!nk (Alecia Moore) – Technically speaking, I have already met P!nk and it wasn’t a particularly pleasant experience. I won tickets to meet her at the Manchester show during her last tour and at the time there was a Swine Flu scare going on. She was tired and apparently petrified of catching the flu and probably sick to death meeting random strangers at meet and greets before her shows. Her security team (well one in particular) were a nightmare and ruined the experience for everyone involved. We were treated like criminals in the lead up to meeting her and I don’t think I have ever felt so damned unworthy in all my life. Despite this unpleasant experience, I still remain a fan and would like to meet her again but without having to be searched and pinned up against a wall like I just murdered somebody!

Image Sources

photos.lucywho.com, lauriepowerswildwest.blogspot.com, solehiphop.wordpress.com. sundarf1.wordpress.com. http://www.celebitchy.com, www.banteerns.ie, news.discovery.com, guardian.co.uk, fantasticfiction.co.uk, PinkBrasil.net

Twitt
Posted in Random , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »