Diabetic Macular Edema Essays

Diabetic Macular Edema Essays Diabetic Macular Edema Essay Diabetic Macular Edema Essay Diabetic macular hydrops ( DME ) is considered to be one of the chief causes of vision decrease in people with diabetes. The chief purpose of the article is to prove if intravitreal Aristocort ( IVTA ) followed by optical maser intervention is an effectual intercession to command DME in comparing to laser intervention merely. Study design: Randomized, Double Blind, Prospective, placebo-controlled survey Population: 84 eyes of 54 patients with DME ( either type 1or 2 ) and who have with macular thickness more than 250 micrometers were included. Intervention: IVTA followed by optical maser ( intercession group ) VS optical maser intervention merely ( placebo group ) Primary Result: bettering Visual Acuity ( VA ) of 10 letters or more at 24 months. Apparatus/materials: an injection of 0.1 mg/ml on the twenty-four hours of the baseline was given to both groups but an empty syringe without a acerate leaf was used to mime the feeling of force per unit area on the oculus for placebo group. Data aggregation process: Patients with DME, aged over 18, ocular sharp-sightedness ( VA ) of 19-68 letters ( 6/12 6/120 ) and retinal thickness more than 250 micrometer were included in survey. Patients with uncontrolled glaucoma, glaucomatous ocular field defect, retinal optical maser intervention within 4 months, and intraocular surgery within 6 months, or any status impacting follow-up or certification were excluded from the survey Type of informations collected: every 3 months for 12 months VA, cardinal macular thickness ( CMT ) and intraocular force per unit area ( IOP ) were measured utilizing Goldman applanation tonometry, optical coherency imaging and tonometer severally. Consequences: At 24 months, betterment of 10 or more logMAR letters was seen patients with intercession group in comparing to placebo group. Study quality: Random allotment and allotment concealed: Eligible eyes were indiscriminately assigned to either intercession or placebo group, so that any possible bias/biases while choosing participants for survey is/are avoided. In order to avoid subjective bias the staff members who were involved in handling patients were non allowed to apportion patients to their groups. Patients were involved in the survey utilizing consecutive numbered, sealed opaque envelopes prepared from a list of computer-generated pseudorandom Numberss of variable block size. The allotment was concealed. Two groups of participants were formed and indiscriminately 42 eyes were assigned to interventionand42 were assigned to placebo group. Double masked survey: the survey was dual cloaked and therefore participants involved in survey were blind to type of intercession they were having. Because sometimes patient s consciousness about the intercession they are having could take to witting or unconscious prejudice subjective prejudice, hence has the ability to annul the consequences. The staff involved in intervention was blind to patient s group allotment in order to avoid observer bias. Because perceiver prejudice has menace to analyze s internal cogency. Therefore information about patient s group allotment was concealed in a filing cabinet of another clinical coordinator in the section who was non involved in survey at all. Adequate followups: All participants were reviewed at the same clip. Participants from both groups were seen after every 3 months for every 12 months and their IOP, best-corrected VA and CMT were measured utilizing the same method/technology. 11 instances had uncomplete informations: 8 topics were lost to follow- up after their 12 month visit 1 topic missed his concluding visit 2 topics passed off ITT analysis: it was an intention-to-treat analysis because all the participants results were analyzed by the groups to which they were originally included. Quality of the survey: Even though it was a RCT, dual masked, placebo controlled survey, but the quality of the survey quality was reduced to due to little figure of participants ( merely 42 per group ) involved in the survey. Even though the survey was able to accomplish its primary purpose, but there was no statistically important difference between the 2 groups ( p = 0.47 ) with regard to some of import primary results including average VA and CMT. Consequences: The survey found that IVTA followed by optical maser intervention is an effectual method to command DME comparison to laser intervention entirely. In order to prove effectivity of IVTA plus optical maser intervention all patients VA, CMT and effects of cataract surgery were measured throughout the whole survey period. At 24 months, 36 % patients ( 15/42 ) of intercession group had addition in logMAR VA of 10 or more letters ; whereas merely 17 % patients treated with optical maser intervention merely had increase in VA of 10 or more letters. Based on logistic arrested development analysis p value of 0.47 was obtained, which which indicates that the odds of accomplishing an betterment of 10 letters or more of best-corrected VA in eyes treated with Aristocort before optical maser is 2.79 times higher ( 95 % assurance interval, 1.01-7.67 ) than in eyes treated with optical maser merely. Throughout the survey period, regular lessening in CMT was besides noticed. Participants of intercession group showed a regular lessening in CMT whereas the IVTA plus optical maser patients showed instant decrease after 3 months. But there was no statistically important difference in average CMT decrease between the intervention groups (P=0.349 ) . To prove if cataract surgery had an impact on VA, consequences of VA collected at baseline were compared with the consequences achieved after 24 months and a p value of 0.86 was achieved, which indicates that cataract surgery did nt hold a important consequence on ocular result. Clinical or practical importance: A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; A ; shy ; Restrictions: little figure of patients were involved in the survey ( 42 per group ) . Although the survey successfully reached it aim but there was no statistically important difference between the 2 groups One possible beginning of prejudice which influenced the ocular result was high rate of cataract surgery in the IVTA plus optical maser group ( 61 % ) compared with optical maser merely group ( 0 % ) . Approximately 13 % patients were dropped out trough out the survey period. Strengths: the survey is utilizing RCT to apportion patients to either intercession or placebo group in order to avoid prejudice every bit much as possible. The survey is dual cloaked hence topics, research workers and outcome asserors were blind to the survey. Objective results standards was used to apportion topics to their groups every bit good as when consequences were recorded. Sing the P value ( =0.047 ) every bit good as the strengths and failings it is believed that the survey can be used clinically. Over 2 old ages, IVTA plus optical maser intercession has the ability to better vision by dual comparison to laser intervention merely. Even though there were few inauspicious effects associated with IOP and cataract surgery but the research suggests that usage of IVTA followed by optical maser intervention is an effectual intercession to pull off DME in certain eyes, hence to better VA.

Medievel Glass at Corning Museum of Glass Assignment

Medievel Glass at Corning Museum of Glass - Assignment Example . People who do not normally see glass as an artwork will be surprised to know that a museum of glass exists. The medieval glass collection of the Corning Museum of Glass (CMG, 2012a) displays a wide range of glass objects that had decorative and functional purposes during medieval times. After conducting a virtual visit of this museum’s â€Å"Medieval Glass for Popes, Princes and Peasants,† this writer realized how much glass can depict cultural and social beliefs, divisions, and struggles. Glass signifies cultural values and social divisions because its transformation across time depicts social stratification and social transformation. Medieval glass begins somewhere, and its humble beginnings reflect the practical needs and social concerns of its users. A 425-dated olive green glass, a Byzantine Cone Beaker, demonstrates a simple design that reflects its functional purpose (see Figure 1). After the Roman Empire disintegrated, tastes in glass varied. In locations where the Franks lived, simpler shapes and decorative styles were the norm. This Byzantine Cone Beaker is designed for convenience, which suggests how this glass expresses the pragmatic needs of its users. Glass art can be used as a â€Å"medium of learning† of another time and culture (Diffey, 1997, p.27). One can only imagine the working-class drinking their wine in pubs or homes and relaxing enough to forget their troubles. This glass stands for the practical demands of people making a living for survival. Nothing is simple with this simple glass. It is simple because life is hard. Figure 1: A Byzantine Cone Beaker, dating 425-599 Source: Corning Museum of Glass (2012b) The latest example of medieval glass in the exhibit is impressive because of its intricate design that depicts strong social changes and inequalities. A Baroque Ewer (see figure 2), a colorless glass with green tinge and numerous bubbles in color combinations, suggests aesthetic beauty and creativity. The top of the handle has a thumb rest, which is an innovation (CMG, 2012b). It signifies the changing society that demands creativity in its products. Moreover, this ewer has evolved a great deal from initial glass designs because it is multi-colored and intricately formed. Even when these things have simple functions, people craved for more beauty in their everyday objects. This beauty essentially represents their social identity. Their demand for more beautiful things in their lives connotes their need for asserting their social importance. Bourdieu talks about social and economic capital that reinforces social inequality (Dillon, 2010). Only the rich can afford this ewer, and design that is important to them becomes something coveted, and yet to the masses it is unimportant. Nevertheless, glass becomes a unique differentiating tool of their social status. Figure 2: A Baroque Ewer, dating 1550-1600 Source: Corning Museum of Glass (2012b) Glass objects represent a groups’ social status and identities. For instance, figure 3 shows a Behaim Beaker that might have been specifically made for a rich merchant’s daughter’s wedding. The wedding took place on July 7, 1495; it was the nuptial of Michael Behaim and Katerina Lochnerin, the daughter of a rich merchant, whose company monopolized the trade between Nuremberg and Venice (CMG, 2012b). This object shows that even the simplest things say something about the owner and his/her culture and society. The name Behaim Beaker belongs to a prominent family and its drawings of saints, birds, and helmets signify pow er. These are objects that help conceive self-identity with â€Å"images [that] shape an individual self-concept† (Freedman, 2003, p.2). It demonstrates power and majesty in

Job Analysis; Descriptions and Specifications Case Study

Job Analysis; Descriptions and Specifications - Case Study Example Job analysis can be conducted using qualitative tools such as interviews with existing clients or quantitative tools such as surveys or comparison to similar job roles in the competitive job market at other companies. Once parameters of the skills and knowledge needed to perform a job have been identified, it becomes easier for HR professionals to determine new pay categories that are competitive or directly in-line with job role function. New performance appraisals can also be developed to help human resources track performance of the employee in this job to determine whether goals are being met based on research findings. The entire process can be research intensive, however it helps leadership understand each job role and have a form of documentation available that helps the business identify with strengths or weaknesses of the job or how to better allocate resources if redundancies between job roles are identified. After conducting research, the skills, knowledge and abilities needed to successfully perform the job are documented. This could include educational credentials or the mental and physical needs of the job, depending on the environment and the complexity of the role. For example, research might indicate that typing speed of at least 60 words per minute is required to manage multi-tasking activities in the job, therefore the new job description will indicate that interviewers should be looking for people with high manual dexterity and speed. Either through observation, interviews or other measurement tools, the description is designed to best fit what has been discovered about the skills needed to accomplish the job tasks successfully. Pay grades are then determined based on what has been identified related to skills and the job role. Job analysis would also determine whether performance goals are being met properly based on research

Debate on a GP Fee Policy

Debate on a GP Fee Policy Essay Question: What do you think about the prospect of a $5 fee to see a GP? The topic of a $5 patient co-payment for GP visits is an ongoing debate that is currently being argued from individuals to health care providers. Under this proposal, pensioners and concession card holders are exempted, and families are allowed 12 bulk billed visits before co-payment applies. So, why would the government slug patients with a $5 co-payment for GP visits? The Australian Centre for Health Research (ACHR, 2013) claims that by implementing this proposal, the government would save an approximate $750 million over 4 years and that the co-payment proposal would: Reduce avoidable demand for GP services Reduce incentives for GPs to over-service Remind people GPs are not free Reduce moral hazard risk by making people consider visiting a GP for minor ailments Remind people that maintaining good health is an individual’s responsibility However in order to take a stance, it is important to first understand Health. Should Health be a right, or is it a privilege? If Health is a privilege, health insurance would only support emergencies and not day-to-day healthcare maintenance, which would be detrimental to those in financial hardship (J L. Marshall, 2011). Hence, Health should be a right, a right â€Å"based on need and not the ability to pay†, where everyone can have equal accessibility and treatment to health care, which is why the $5 co-payment should not proceed (Public Health Association Australia, 2011). Expenditures and efficiency So why does the government intend to cut expenses from the health sector through a co-payment? Are we spending too much? According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare AIHW (2013), total health care expenditure in 2011-2012 amounted to $140.2 billion, which is 7.6% higher compared to the previous year (AIHW, 2013). Since GP visits are covered by Medicare, which is funded by the Government and through a levy, GP visits would be included in this $140.2 billion. However, it was reported that the total Medicare expenditure was $16.3 billion in 2010-2011, â€Å"total† meaning that it included GP visit along with various services covered by Medicare Benefits Schedule – MBS (Australian Government – Department of Human Resources, 2011). Thus, it is reasonable to consider that Medicare is only a small portion of the total expenditure. According to The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australia’s health expenditure stands at $3800 per person, which is 8.9% of the Gross Domestic Product – GDP. In comparison, USA’s health expenditure per capita was $8508 per person, or 17.7% of GDP. Does this perhaps mean that life expectancy in USA is better due to the extra cost to health care? This does not seem to be the case, but rather statistics demonstrates that the highly privatised health care system is inefficient as shown in Figure 1. From Figure 1, by comparing USA to Australia or Canada, it shows that USA has a slightly lower life expectancy, but the health spending is almost double the figures of Australia and Canada’s. It should be noted that both Australia and Canada have universal health care systems in contrast to the privatised health care in USA. Given that a privatised system is evidently less efficient but yet costs more for individuals, would it then be wise to implement the co-payment, a move seen by many as a means to slowly â€Å"dismantle† Medicare (C King, 2014)? According to Catherine King (2014), the government would reduce expenditure for healthcare by means testing Medicare, but Australians will have to carry the tab. Means testing access to primary healthcare will lead to greater privatisation, which will restrict access to GPs for most Australians, more so on older people, the vulnerable ones in our population and families with children (C King, 2014). King (2014) states that â€Å"GPs are the cheapest within health systems, experts at diagnosis and able to detect potential health issues in their infancy†. Thus, if GPs are restricted, people would end up in hospitals, the expensive side of the health care system, increasing the expenditure rather than saving. Reduce avoidable demand for GP services Besides the intention of cutting costs for health care, one of the reasons provided by the ACHR for the co-payment proposal was to reduce avoidable demand (over usage) of GP services. However, the solution to this issue would not be to introduce a $5 co-payment for GP visits, as there are concerns that the co-payment would â€Å"jeopardise equitable access to clinically appropriate healthcare† (J Swan, 2013). This can be explained with a few questions by considering the targeted audience and the effects of the solution: According to J Swan’s article â€Å"John Glover voices fears GP fee will make poor suffer† (2013), Professor Glover, who led Australias most detailed analysis on the relationship between a persons wealth and their willingness to visit a doctor, states that there is â€Å"very strong† evidence that poorer people are already under using healthcare in proportion to their level of illness. Through his analysis, it is shown that only 5% of residents who lives among Sydney’s wealthiest neighbourhoods – Mosman, Woollahra and Hunters Hill, claimed they had delayed medical consultation due to financial issues. In contrast to less wealthy areas, Penrith had 13.5%; Nambour 23.4% and Ballarat had 17.9% residents claiming they would delay visiting doctors due to cost. From these statistics, it is clear that the poor would be most affected. John Glover, director of the public health information development unit at the University of Adelaide describes that the $5 co-payment for doctor visits would â€Å"discourage the wrong group of people from visiting the doctor while doing nothing to dissuade those who are already over using GP services† (J Swan, 2013). The co-payment would cause those likely to get seriously ill to unreasonably avoid preventative care which is a step towards reducing what we have as a universal healthcare system privatisiation (J Swan, 2013). Disadvantage to certain group of people (delay seeking medical help) Would the $5 co-payment disadvantage certain groups of people? The co-payment would have dangerous consequences for the poorest and sickest This then comes down to the issue of cost and equity. Health Program director of Grattan Institute, Stephen Duckett states that â€Å"In the healthcare system theres a trade-off between costs and equity, the government might save money in the short-term at the cost of equity, but Emergency departments would soon fill up with patients delaying to visit GPs† (J Swan, 2013). Clogging up ED (caused by delay in seeking aid from primary health care) Potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPH) have been defined as those hospitalisations which could have been avoided with access to quality primary care and preventative care. Rates of PPH for selected conditions, such as chronic conditions and vaccine preventable conditions are being used nationally and internationally as an indirect measure of problems with access to care and effective primary care. In contrast it is well established that hospital admissions can be prevented by primary care. Australian data show that there are around 33 hospitalisations per 1000 people per year or 10% of hospitalisations could be prevented by effective primary care5. These primary care preventable hospital admissions are increasing in recent years. The ACHR report suggests that the introduction of a co-payment will reduce all GP attendances, both those regarded as necessary, and those that are perceived as unnecessary1. There are inadequate data to know how this will affect hospital admissions. However, the co-payment may increase rather than reduce overall government health expenditure. I support the reasoning provided by ACHR for the introduction of co-payment to remind people that maintaining good health is an individual’s responsibility, which requires investments in comprehensive primary health care (Public Health Association Australia (2011). I also support the overall aim that health care expenditures must be properly managed, to ensure an accessible, equitable, safe, effective and efficient health service provision (Public Health Association Australia, 2011). However, introducing co-payments for GP visits is just one of many solutions available to reduce Health expenditures. Is it a good solution for the reasons provided by ACHR? In my opinion, I do not think it is a good solution. The co-payment would disadvantage the poor, ill and families with children greatly. It is an inefficient method not only to increase health care funding, but ineffective mechanism for reducing demand. The introduction of a co-payment for GP visits is a regressive move toward s a privatised system. Given that a privatised system has been shown to be inefficient, â€Å"means testing and privatisation would only spell the end of Medicare and it’s not how the government should manage health expenditure† (C King, 2014). It is my belief that this proposal has been inadequately investigated and more research would reveal better options to constrain health expenditure while encouraging individual responsibility for health. If further investigation are to be carried out, I would strongly recommend the government look into the management of successful countries with universal health care system such as Canada; or they could make slight adjustments to the Medicare levy, which would help increase health funding as well. References: Jonathan Swan (2013, December 31). â€Å"John Glover voices fears GP fee will make poor suffer†. Retrieved 13 March 2014, from http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/john-glover-voices-fears-gp-fee-will-make-poor-suffer-20131231-304go.html#ixzz2p8w8aZ3vAs Australian Centre for Health Research (2013, October 18). â€Å"A PROPOSAL FOR AFFORDABLE COST SHARING FOR GP SERVICES FUNDED BY MEDICARE† Retrieved March 18, 2014, from http://www.cormorant.net.au/images/18%20oct%202013%20achr%20gp%20copayment%20paper%20final.pdf Sue Dunlevy (2013, December 29). â€Å"Health groups fear $5 GP will hit hospital emergency departments†. News Corp Australia Network. Retrieved 18 March 2014, from http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-groups-fear-5-gp-fee-will-hit-hospital-emergency-departments/story-fneuz9ev-1226791543887 John L. Marshall (2011, February 3). â€Å"Is Healthcare a Right or a Privilege?†. Retrieved 20 March 2014, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/736705 Public Health Association Australia (2011, September). â€Å"Policy-at-a-glance – Primary Health Care Policy†. Retrieved 20 March 2014, from http://www.phaa.net.au/policyStatementsInterim.php#p Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW, 2013). â€Å"Health expenditure Australia 2011–12†. Health and welfare expenditure series no. 50. Cat. no. HWE 59. Canberra: AIHW. Australian Government – Department of Human Resources (2011, July 8). â€Å"Medicare Australia Annual Report 2010-11†. Retrieved 25 March 2014, from http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/corporate/publications-and-resources/annual-report/resources/1011/medicare-australia-annual-report-2010-11-full-report.pdf OECD (2013). â€Å"Health at a Glance 2013: OECD Indicators†. OECD Publishing. Retrieved 5 April 2014, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/health_glance-2013-en Catherine King (2014, February 24). â€Å"GP co-payment would man the end of Medicare†. Retrieved 7 April 2014, from http://www.alp.org.au/gp_co_payment_would_mean_the_end_of_medicare What are the equity arguments against the proposal? Unfair to poor and frequently ill people What are the literatures from overseas on this topic? Supporting evidence: University of Adelaide expert on health inequality Professor John Glover Report: The cost of care One in seven Australians has delayed seeking medical help because of cost, with Queenslanders more than twice as likely to find cost a barrier than people in NSW. Increased Ambulatory Care Copayments and Hospitalizations among the Elderly Amal N. Trivedi (M.D., M.P.H) increasing the patients share of the cost for ambulatory care may not reduce (or may even increase) total health care spending and may result in worse health outcomes. Elderly patients may be particularly sensitive to cost sharing because they have lower incomes, are more likely to be in poor health, and have greater out-of-pocket spending on health care than nonelderly populations In conclusion, increasing copayments for ambulatory care reduced the use of outpatient care among elderly enrollees in managed-care plans, but this decline was offset by an increase in hospitalizations, particularly among enrollees with low socioeconomic status and those with chronic disease. Increasing copayments for ambulatory care among elderly patients may have adverse health consequences and may increase spending for health care. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmsa0904533#t=articleTop accessed date 13/3/2014 intro (250) para 1 (650) para 2 (650) para 3 (650) conclu (350) (2550)

Aggressive Behavior Equals Man :: essays research papers

Aggressive Behavior Equals Many Rewards A little boy in Eastern Oklahoma is riding a bicycle for the first time, when suddenly he falls to the ground. His father running behind him tells him to get up and not to cry. A little girl from the same city is playing on the playground at school; she falls out of the swing and scraps her knee. She cries for hours, while her mother tells her, â€Å"It will be okay.† From the time little boys are young they are taught to be tough, to withstand pain, and not to give in to anything. In today’s society males are rewarded for aggressive and intimidating behavior. Intimidation takes place in many aspects of life, even though it is not always caused by aggressive behavior. Athletic events always seem to reward males for aggressive and intimidating behavior. Football games are a great example of the kinds of rewards males receive for their aggressiveness. Coaches teach their players to be physical and tough, but two of the essential elements of football are aggressiveness and intimidation. Football is an aggressive sport in many ways; a ball carrier must attack the line of scrimmage aggressively, or he will be tackled in the backfield. Defensive players must be aggressive also, so that they can make tackles. Basketball is another athletic event that rewards aggressive behavior. Although basketball seems harmless, it is a sport that requires a tremendous amount of aggressive behavior. When I was younger, before basketball game I would always get a pep talk from my dad. He would tell me to be aggressive and to take the ball inside. He always told me to play tough, work hard for rebound, play good defense, and when somebody came into the paint make them pay for it. Our basketball coaches in junior high taught us that when a player came inside the paint, knock them down and next time they would not be as eager to take the ball inside on us. When we would exhibit this behavior we would be rewarded with a pat on the back, a high five, and sometimes even a water break. It seems like every time the television is turned on, there are at least three wrestling programs going on at once. At one time, wrestling was on the television only once a week, but now it is on three or four times a week.

Promoting the Integration of Therapeutic Touch in Nursing Practice Essay

1. Describe the patient group in the study. English speaking adults with Dx of cancer expected to be on the unit the day following the intervention, whose medical conditions did not preclude their ability to comfortably receive TT or participate in the interview, and were able to give informed consent; 34 patient-participants completed the research process (16 women and 18 men), age range of 22 to 77 with an average age of 52 years 2. What was their health problem? Bone marrow transplant Patients. The focus of the study? Explore the experiences of nurses and patients on an inpatient oncology and bone marrow transplant unit when nurses had time preserved for exclusive offering of TT. 3. Who was providing the care? Two staff nurse-interventionists who were experienced and participated in TT education, and three nurse-interviewers who discussed the TT intervention with patient-participants the day following TT treatment. 4. What was the setting for the care? The study was conducted in an academic medical center on a 26 bed hematology/oncology in patient unit with bone marrow transplantation program. 5. What were the findings? 1) TT is a vehicle for comfort, caring, and presence that creates possibility and healing 2) TT invites a shift from disease-state focus to personhood focus that is freeing and reawakens the essence of nursing 3)TT is an intervention that illuminates the transformative power of nursing theory-research-practice. 6. What were the recommendations? Having a complementary nursing strategy, such as TT, that allows nurses an additional way to offering care that facilitates comfort, assists with anxiety reduction, and enhances sleep is of major significance. 7. How practical/useful is this information to a practicing nurse? I am not sure how practical TT is. First, you would have to have additional staff to allow for the time to educate seasoned nurses in TT and then to perform TT on the patients. You would also have to have the support of the administrative staff. However, I do believe that laying on of hands is an effective therapeutic tool. 8. What I wonder is†¦.. would there be a similar outcome in other specialty areas that patients have not had the opportunity to establish a trusting relationship with the nursing staff prior to TT.

A Literary Criticism of The Three Little Pigs Through a...

Every enduring object or idea lasts because ordinary people focused on their goal and ignored the temptation of taking the easy path that leads to failure. History illustrates that great feats require arduous labor and wise preparation. During World War II, the Allies attacked a less than fully prepared German defense in Normandy on D-Day, which became a foothold in Europe for the Allies. The Chinese spent over 1,700 years developing the 3,700 mile-long Great Wall that successfully protected their country from Mongol invaders. The key difference in the outcomes of these events lies in the determination and preparation of the opposing sides. In the end, the more prepared side exploited the shortcomings of its opposition. Many†¦show more content†¦Welfare beneficiaries receive money given by the Americans who have built their foundations â€Å"on a rock†, the individuals who have lived responsibly and built up a firm foundation and sufficient protection against fi nancial wolves that appear every day. In parallel, the third pig offered his home as a refuge for the foolish pigs because it is the purpose of the wise and fit to protect the weak until they become â€Å"fit† enough to survive and return the service to another. Humanity is destined to continue to grow because each generation will pass on the traits and qualities of its fittest members. Eventually, most people become the third pig by creating a brick house out of their failures. They may have once been the first little pig who focused solely on pleasure and paid the price, or the second little pig who thought he had learned everything but really needed another lesson in humility. People respond to the three pigs because either they have been in the pigs’ position, or they are ready to learn from the pigs’ experience. Everyone faces his own personal â€Å"wolf† that bares its teeth and threatens to blow away his foundation, but â€Å"The Three Little Pigs† offers hard work and determination as a solution to any problem that seems insurmountable. Proper preparation prevents poor performance regardless of the situation, and the three pigs show that sometimes, a poor performance might be the last one. Works Cited Darwin, Charles. The