Earlier today, I wrote about what’s happening in Minnesota with Daniel Hauser. The 13-year-old boy is afflicted with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is considered to be a highly treatable form of cancer. Daniel’s doctor strongly recommended chemotherapy for the child, predicting there would be a 90 percent chance that the young man would survive the cancer with a combination of chemo and radiation treatment. Without, his doctor estimated only a five percent chance of survival.

However, as a member of the Nemenhah Band, Daniel Hauser and his parents refused the treatment, option for natural remedies more in line with the religious beliefs of the group, which run by an ex-con who goes by the name “Chief Cloudpiler.”

It is clear that during Cloudpiler’s period of non-employment (incarceration for fraud, perhaps even after), he was ineligible to apply for quick cash or secured loans. To get around this, he charged “spiritual adoptees” $250 to join the Nemenhah Band. Gotta make a buck somewhere…

Logic, not faith

I’m all for a person’s right to religious freedom, but there are questions about the Nemenhah Band (particularly as to whether they are a religion at all) and the wisdom of denying medical treatment if it is indeed the best option for health. I will always go back to one of my favorite Emily Dickinson poems:

Faith is a fine invention
when gentlemen can see
But microscopes are prudent
in an emergency

Now the court has ruled

AP reports that Hauser “must seek medical treatment over his parents’ objections.” In a 60-page ruling, Brown County District Judge John Rodenberg found that Nemenhah Band medicine man Daniel Hauser has been “medically neglected” and requires child protection services. The judge has allowed the parents to retain custody for now, but they have until May 19 to get Daniel “an updated chest X-ray” and choose an oncologist.

That’s OK, just sign an “X”

After one chemotherapy treatment (and its inevitable side effects), Daniel Hauser and his parents opted for alternative treatment more in tune with their faith. As a result, the parents were accused by CPS of neglect. Even though the court has ordered that Daniel receive the chemotherapy treatment, the mother has stated she will follow her beliefs instead of saving her son’s life.

“Daniel loves his parents and they love him. He should remain with them as long as he receives treatment complying with the minimum standards of parental care provided by Minnesota law,” Judge Rodenberg wrote. “If the Minnesota Legislature ever reconsiders the relevant statutes, I am confident that I join all of the others involved in this matter in hoping, and indeed in praying, that Daniel Hauser lives to testify at that hearing.”

Cloudpiling on tradition

Daniel’s parents say they support what they claim has been their son’s decision to use Nemenhah Band treatments only for the cancer in his body. The Missouri-based group believes in natural healing methods and has attached itself lamprey-style to sacred Native American traditions, despite being primarily a Caucasian group.

Philip “Chief Cloudpiler” Landis founded the group in 1990. He claims he did so as a way of dealing with his own cancer diagnosis. His reinterpretation of ancient traditions – like sweat lodges with air conditioning – have angered some Native American people.

The Hausers, who are Roman Catholic, have eight children. The mother, Colleen Hauser, told their local newspaper that their family faiths “do not conflict.” In fact, she’s used “natural remedies” all her life. At the very least, quick cash and secured loans can make a dent in that bill…

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Rumor has it that laughter can improve your health, and it is certain that payday loans can improve your financial health. Hospitals and medical centers across the country are implementing programs intended to make their patients laugh. Programs like “Strength Through Laughter”, “Caring Clowns”, “World Laughter Tour”, and “Rx Laughter” all employ different tactics to induce laughter in chronically ill patients because the effects of laughter seem to create positive results health wise. While not a matter of life and death, your financial health is still extremely important. There are a number of things that can improve your financial health; let laughter and payday loans be your medicine.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Laughter - the best medicine

Laughter and humor therapy is becoming more and more prevalent in medical centers across the nation. The techniques vary, but they are all trying to accomplish the same thing: laughter. The popularity of laughter and humor therapy is rapidly increasing because although it has not been scientifically proven (yet), laughter is beneficial for people suffering from illnesses such as cancer. The American Cancer Society claims that laughter minimizes stress and encourages relaxation because it improves respiration, decreases blood pressure, and boosts muscle function.

Laughter also serves as a coping mechanism; when suffering from a chronic or debilitating illness, it is easy to lose hope along with dignity. Patients that laugh more have fewer anxiety problems, and the laughter helps create a certain level of comfort—internally and with medical staff. Rx Laughter, one of the laughter therapy programs, focuses on managing patient pain and enriching mental health. Rx Laughter found that patients that watched funny videos while undergoing painful procedures were more relaxed and had a higher pain tolerance. Additionally, cancer patients that watched funny videos reported having less pain and getting better sleep.

What Makes You Laugh?

Different things make different people laugh because senses of humor are all across the board. That’s why there are so many different laughter therapy programs out there. Some of the programs utilize funny videos or comedic sitcoms while others employ clowns or vulgar joke-telling sessions. Find what makes you laugh because laughing is good for the soul and your health.

No Laughing Matter

It has been shown that laughter is good for the soul. Laughter reduces stress and anxiety and makes serious situations less daunting. However, laughter is simply a supplement to medicine. Laughter can help, but health problems also require real medicine and real treatment. Therefore, health issues and illnesses are no laughing matter. Financial health problems should be taken seriously, as well. Credit card debt and late payments aren’t nearly as serious as cancer, but they aren’t matters that should be taken lightly either. If you feel your financial health slipping away, there are ways to recover. Budgeting and saving are two great ways to maintain your financial health, but sometimes unexpected obstacles are put in your path. Payday loans can help you cover surprise expenses. So just remember, a good laugh and payday loans can minimize anxiety and can maintain stability when it comes to your financial health.