By The Survivors Club Staff
February 3, 2010

Young New Zealand resident Lydia Ward was playing with her brother in the water off Oreti Beach when she was suddenly attacked by a shark that grabbed her hip.

Amazingly, the 14-year-old kept her wits about her and managed to fight off the big fish by hitting it on the head with a body board. In the end, she only suffered superficial bites and did not even require stitches, according to the Huffington Post.

Ward later told reporters from National Radio that her quick reaction was prompted by an account she had read of a surfer who chased a shark away with her board. "That's what she did, and that's what you're meant to do," she said, quoted by the news provider.

Though not as frequent as in Australia and New Zealand, shark attacks have also occurred in the U.S. In fact, data from the University of Florida suggest that between 1916 and 2008, a total of 100 people have been attacked by sharks, and 12 died, in American coastal waters.

Experts from the university's Museum of Natural History suggest that staying in groups, avoiding swimming after dark and far from the shore can minimize the risk of being attacked.

Moreover, individuals who are bleeding should refrain from entering waters where the predators might be present. The experts also recommend taking off shiny jewelry that sharks may mistake for fish scales. Similarly, excessive splashing can lead a shark to mistake a swimmer for an injured animal and attack.

Survivors and their families may access valuable information that can help them thrive in the wake of a predator attack on the Trauma Resource Institute's website.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 3, 2010

A 40-year-old nature lover walked on the ice covering the North Sea near St. Peter-Ording in Germany to photograph the sunset but became lost as the night fell. The adventure may have ended tragically had it not been for a woman watching the same shore on her webcam.

The disoriented man - who was in danger of freezing to death or falling through the ice - demonstrated true creativity and a survivor spirit when he used his camera to send a series of flashes that allowed the woman sitting in front of her computer 350 miles away to notice him and contact police for help, according to media reports.

"He was very lucky that this lady was sharing the same natural phenomenon from the warmth and safety of her own home," said local police spokeswoman Kristin Stielow, quoted by the Daily Mail.

The German tourist's story contains a valuable lesson in survival, as experts stress the importance of proper equipment, including a compass, for those who set out to explore unfamiliar regions. Moreover, warm clothing, especially during winter months, and a supply of food and water are critical.

In addition, the police spokeswoman suggested that frozen coastal waters pose a serious risk of disorientation after dark as the snow and ice-covered land becomes hard to distinguish, and she cautioned against the impulse of watching spectacular sunsets from over frozen water.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 2, 2010

Otto Lee, a Sunnyvale city councilman and Navy reservist, spent most of 2009 in Iraq where he survived a rocket attack that was launched by insurgents about 90 feet from his barracks. Now back with his family in California, Lee is working on reopening his law practice and preparing to return to Sunnyvale City Hall, according to Mercury News.

The 42-year-old recalled the challenging deployment to Camp Liberty in Baghdad, saying he and fellow soldiers worked 60 to 100 hours a week on the "draw down" of forces ordered by President Obama.

"It was hard on the body and a lot of stress, and that's not counting the bombs and rockets coming at you," he told the news provider.

However, Lee does not regret the experience and says he is inspired by his grandfather, a naval veteran who served at sea during World War II. He also told Mercury News that his priority in Sunnyvale will be to revitalize the downtown and help turn it into a popular place to visit and shop.

There are still more than 100,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and 978 American soldiers have lost their lives there since 2001, according to iCasualties.org.

Among the many resources that can help assault survivors live thriving lives is the Trauma Resource Institute, which also accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 2, 2010

When the NFL suspended New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove in 2008 due to alcohol and drug abuse, his career was in serious trouble.

However, after undergoing months of treatment in Florida, the 26-year-old is putting the difficult past behind him and getting ready for Super Bowl XLIV.

The survivor takes the challenge so seriously he told the New York Times he does not even go out with his teammates at night for fear that "something may happen."

"This is a Super Bowl," he told the news provider, "I might only have one shot at it. I don't want to come all this way and blow it."

Statistics suggests that some 14 million Americans are addicted to or abuse alcohol.

Overcoming addiction is among the most difficult struggles in anyone's life, but experts say with proper motivation it is possible. Seeking help with appropriately trained physicians and addiction specialists is key to success, but a trusted network of family and friends who can help customize and support the treatment program is also crucial.

There is a variety of resources available both off and online that can sustain recovering and recovered alcoholics and their families and prevent a relapse. Interested individuals may visit the website of Recovery Connection for more information.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 2, 2010

British teenager Zara Hartshorn is only 13, but a rare and disfiguring disorder called lipodystrophy - which causes her fat tissue to progressively degenerate - is making her look like she is 50. Yet, despite having to struggle with emotional anxieties and endure people's stares in the street, the young girl is determined not to let the condition stand in the way of her plans for the future.

In a recent interview with MSNBC, Zara admitted that she is often teased by other kids about her appearance, but said she nonetheless hopes to have a fulfilling career as an aesthetician and an educator.
"I want a job; a part-time job in teaching and a part-time job in beauty therapy," she said.

Although the hereditary type of lipodystrophy - which affects only about 2,000 people in the world - is not preventable, experts say cosmetic surgery may be helpful in alleviating some of its symptoms.

The condition can also be acquired in those who take antiretroviral drugs or in diabetics who inject insulin in the same spot for an extended period of time. For that reason, doctors suggest rotating injection sites, and they caution against excessive reuse of needles.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 1, 2010

Togolese soccer player Kodjovi Obilale was on a bus carrying the Togo national football team to the African Cup of Nations last month when they were attacked by a group of rebel terrorists from Angola armed with machine guns.

In the ensuing shootout, the players lost their their bus driver, an assistant coach and a press officer, but Obilale - who was initially reported dead - is recovering at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he underwent emergency treatment for gunshot wounds to the lower back and abdomen, according to ESPN.

"I'm a miracle," he told the French sports publication L'Equipe, adding that he wanted to go back home "to see my children again and be back with those closest to me."

Since vast areas of Central Africa are controlled, or otherwise threatened, by anti-government rebels, the State Department recommends that U.S. citizens travelling to that continent check the department's website for safety information and refrain from travelling to the countryside, especially if unaccompanied by security forces.

Among the many resources that can help assault survivors regain control of their lives is the Trauma Resource Institute, which also accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 1, 2010

When she was seven months pregnant, Eliz Greene suffered a massive heart attack that nearly killed her and her twin daughters. Following an emergency C-section and an open-heart surgery, Greene's road to recovery was long, but in the process she discovered a new passion for a healthy lifestyle.

In fact, in the wake of the dramatic events the new mother undertook a gym routine that helped her lose the more than 80 pounds she had gained during pregnancy and has become an amateur triathlete.

Today, her motto is "to engage life rather than just endure it!," and Greene travels the country giving speeches and participating in wellness programs designed to encourage people to introduce physical activity into their daily schedules, eat better and manage stress.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, and it killed 631,636 Americans in 2006.

Although the causes of the condition are complex and involve both genetic and environmental factors, medical experts say a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats but high in fish oils and fresh produce can significantly reduce the risk. Smoking and sedentary lifestyle are other major contributing factors and should be avoided.

Heart disease survivors can find informational resources on the website of the American Heart Association, which also accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 1, 2010

Before the start of the 2004 football season, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard began experiencing symptoms of Crohn's disease, including significant weight loss, and missed several weeks of pre-season training. Following a successful treatment regimen, Garrard returned to the playing field and in 2007 led the team to its first playoff win in eight years.

The athlete is also determined to make a difference in the lives of fellow survivors, and has used his fame to help raise money to fund Crohn's disease research and education. For the purpose, he has partnered with The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and, as part of the program, $10,000 was donated to the CCFA for each of the 18 touchdowns Garrard scored during the 2009 football season, for a total of $180,000.

Garrard said that the initiative gave him an additional incentive to score touchdowns and that "it has been my goal to raise awareness of this debilitating disease and to help inspire other people who are living with [it]."

"I want people to know that if I can overcome this condition and still live a happy and healthy life, they can too," he added.

According to researchers, Crohn's disease affects between 400,000 and 600,000 people in North America. The cause of the condition is unknown, but patients can take steps to reduce its severity.

WebMD.com suggests that a healthy diet, refraining from smoking as well as regular exercise can significantly improve the quality of life. Meanwhile, keeping in touch with the healthcare provider and taking medicines regularly can help keep the disease in remission.

Survivors and their loved ones may consult the CCFA website to access valuable resources that may help them live thriving lives.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 29, 2010

Zippora Karz was a 21-year-old member of the New York City Ballet in 1987, when she began to experience extreme thirst, constant hunger and frequent urination that soon began to interfere with her performances.

The subsequent diagnosis of type 1 diabetes resulted in the need to carefully balance her treatment with her dance regimen and career development, which often left Karz emotionally and physically drained.

However, the artist was careful not to let health problems stand in the way of pursuing her dreams.
"I almost quit many, many times; it was a very difficult thing for me," Karz told the newsletter published on the website of the American Diabetes Associations, which accepts donations for research.

"But I stayed and didn't use diabetes as an excuse, and really gave my insulin regimen a chance," she added.

Six years after being diagnosed, Karz was promoted to be a soloist ballerina in the company. Today, the retired dancer teaches, works as a repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust and travels the world to stage his famous works.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 23.6 million Americans have diabetes.

Experts say that type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component and cannot be prevented. However, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise or smoking may lead to complications that may include eye, kidney, heart, blood vessel and nerve diseases, and should therefore be avoided.

Survivors and their families may turn to the American Diabetes Association for resources that may help them manage their condition and thrive.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 29, 2010

The romance between high school seniors Johanna Orozco and Juan Ruiz Jr. lasted for a year and a half before Ruiz became violent and possessive. After she broke up with him, he shot Orozco in the face, a crime that resulted in years of suffering and reconstructive surgeries for the young woman.

Doctors said the fact she survived at all was nothing short of miraculous, according to ABC News.
However, Orozco said that throughout her ordeal she never felt sorry for herself. "This happened for a reason, and right now it must be terrible and horrible, but [there is] a good reason why it happened," she told the news provider.

In fact, the 20-year-old now works to turn her story into an example for others by speaking to groups of teenagers, urging girls to leave violent relationships and lobbying for legislation that would provide protection orders for threatened teens, according to the news network.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control suggest that nearly 9 percent of high school students have experienced physical abuse during a date.

Experts from the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence recommend teenagers consider double-dating the first few times they go out with a new person.

Before leaving on a date, it is good to know the exact plans for the evening and make sure a parent or friend knows these plans and what time the teen is expected to be home.

ACADV also stresses students should be aware of a decreased ability to react under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Survivors and affected individuals are encouraged to explore the resources of the Dating Violence Prevention Center or the National Teen Abuse Helpline.