Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Double Crown: Famous Athletes Who Have Won The Ncaa And Nba Championships

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Winning a championship is an athlete’s dream. They train, work, and play hard for it. So winning it at different levels of competition -- the NBA and college -- is a rare distinction. Here are some of the famous NBA players who have a knack for winning championships:

Bill Russel

If being the G.O.A.T is determined by the number of rings you have, then Bill will easily take that spot. He led San Francisco to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, then won 11 titles with the Boston Celtics.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem is arguably the best center of all time. Having led the UCLA to three championships – 1967, 1968, and 1969 -- he then brought the cup to the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson

Magic Johnson not only has NCAA and NBA rings, he has won titles at every level: high school, college, the NBA, and the Olympics. He won an NCAA championship in 1979 with Michigan State and is a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers.

Isiah Thomas

Before becoming the captain of the Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys” and winning two NBA Championships with them, Isiah Thomas brought the crown to Indiana in the 1988 NCAA championships.

Michael Jordan

Even as a freshman, Michael Jordan had it in him as he scored the game-winning basket which gave the North Carolina the 1982 NCAA trophy. As a professional basketball player, he led the Chicago Bulls to six championships.

Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor who follows college basketball and other tournaments. Visit this blog for more interesting reads on college sports.










Tuesday, December 20, 2016

In Focus: Coach Mark Richt And Ending Miami Hurricanes' Decade-Long Bowl Drought

A year ago, when Coach Mark Richt moved to Miami to lead the Hurricanes, he and his crew had much ground to cover: from getting to know the players, to building relationships with topnotch recruitment prospects, and of course, giving the college team its first bowl in a long time. It had been a rough journey for the new coaching team. If the team's performance up until October had been any indication of what the future held, any feelings of renewed faith in the Hurricanes would have been extinguished.

Image source: hercampus.com

But it ain't over till it's over. Toward the end of the season, Coach Richt cleared any doubts about the revamped program. The Hurricanes finished the season strong with a 9-4 record, closing the year with five straight wins. It was the team's victory over West Virginia at 31-14 that finally awarded the Hurricanes a bowl after 10 long years. The promising outlook for the new program has landed the team one of the best recruiting positions leading to National Signing Day: Miami has already received 20 verbal pledges and had admitted ten early enrollees for 2017.

Image source: cbssports.com

Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor from Florida, is also an avid follower of NCAA football and basketball. For more news about the league, visit this page.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Top Ncaa Basketball Title Contenders Of The 2016-17 Season

Image source: sportingnews.com
In a few months, another iteration of the NCAA tournament will be played out by 68 qualified teams. And while practices have just begun for many college programs, there already are championship favorites expected to contend for the 2017 national title, some of which are the following:

Villanova Wildcats: Every other team is gunning to wrestle the national title away from the Wildcats, whose 2016 campaign was one of the most dominant tournament runs in NCAA history. The defending champion boasts an experienced roster as the team lost just two starters this past offseason. Villanova is out to prove that their success last year was no fluke.

Duke Blue Devils: Not listing Duke in the title favorites discussion would be a major mistake. Year after year, Duke continues to show that their program is top notch, and the upcoming season would be no different. Especially with coach Mike Krzyzewski patrolling the sidelines, key players returning for another championship run, and a couple of the best freshmen.

Kentucky Wildcats: Last season Kentucky was full of disappointment; and if there is something that legendary coach John Calipari has shown in the past, it is that his team does not stay out of the Final Four for long. With a handful of four- or five-star recruits, a national title would not be surprising for the team.
Image source: youtube.com

Kansas Jayhawks: A potential top NBA draft pick, arguably the nation’s most elite backcourt, a solid frontcourt, and one of the best coaches in Bill Self – being equipped with all these will undoubtedly help the Jayhawks once again make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor who keeps track of college basketball teams and tournaments. Visit this website for more interesting read about college sports.




Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Caring for the Alzheimer’s patient

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that poses a most peculiar set of challenges that unavoidably runs across the different aspects of human life. Not only is it a daunting challenge to the one who bears it, but it may even be a greater challenge to loved ones and close family members. 

                                              Image source: doc-advice.com

It is important to note that Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease. This means that it gets worse over time for the patient. In the same way, it gets incrementally challenging for the family member who takes on the role of caregiver. 

To most caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients, the reality is that the job can be overwhelming. Often, the caregiver is forced to make huge mental adjustments to the difficult tasks ahead. This is not to be taken lightly as those afflicted will exhibit changes that may include impaired language, disorientation, mood swings, loss of motivation, and even behavioral issues. 

However, there is one attribute that is especially straining to the caregiving kin, and this is dementia. This causes short-term memory loss, and the natural challenge is for the caregiver to manage what may be a lifetime of frustration. 

Alzheimer’s afflicted families are mostly in dire need of a support system from other such families as well. Caring for people who suffer from this disease could well find themselves in a selfless vocation that requires all the patience that they could muster, and, perhaps, having the support of like-minded individuals can make the undertaking easier to bear, even just a little. 

                                         Image source: medicalnewstoday.com


Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is a supporter of the Neuroscience Clinics of Florida Foundation Inc. (NSCFF), an institution that is at the forefront of the effort to develop treatments for many neurodegenerative diseases that plague America and the rest of the world. For more information about Alzheimer’s, follow this Twitter account.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

The Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s Disease

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans today are living with Alzheimer’s disease. And the number of Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is projected to grow exponentially in the coming years that by mid-century, someone in the U.S. will develop the disease every 33 seconds.

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 Image source: awdnews.com

What’s more disheartening is the fact that 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s. In the U.S., the disease is the sixth leading cause of death. Today, 1 in every 9 people age 65 and above is living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, medical experts project that the number of individuals aged 65 and above with the disease will reach 13.8 million. Such gloomy scenario is prompting organizations such as the Neuroscience Clinics of Florida Foundation Inc. (NSCFF) to advance research on the disease. In addition, educating the public about Alzheimer’s is one of the ways NSCFF and other organizations are spreading awareness about the disease.

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 Image source: gazettereview.com

One important step toward understanding the disease is identifying its early signs. There are three stages of Alzheimer’s -- mild, moderate, and severe. But despite the different stages, people who are developing Alzheimer’s will experience one or more of the following symptoms:

i.Forgetfulness and memory loss that disrupt daily life

ii.Problems with words or writing

iii.Difficulty completing usual tasks at home or work

iv.Disorientation or confusion with time and dates

v.Mood and personality changes.

These are just some of the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. It is important to see a doctor immediately if one of these symptoms is observed.

Patrick Dywer, a financial advisor, supports the Neuroscience Clinics of Florida Foundation Inc. (NSCFF) in its quest to develop treatments for various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. For the latest research news and updates about the organization, follow this Twitter account.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Medical Science Exploring Use Of Eft In Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis

Image source: mercola.com
Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT, is a form of acupuncture that uses human touch to release negative energy buildup. This is done through "tapping" or repetitive hand taps done in specific areas around the body. Similar to acupuncture, the taps are meant to improve the energy flow within the body and help the healing process. This is part of the treatment plans of integrative medicine currently being studied by clinicians for the treatment of neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Numerous research has been conducted on the neurological illness, and health professionals are still determining the best treatment course. Each plan would vary per individual – as no two cases are the same – yet neuroscientists are highly recommending the use of both Western and integrative medicine. EFT, and its claimed benefits have gained the attention of medical experts and is now being studied further. As of this writing, there has yet to be a clear medical conclusion regarding the use of tapping and its subsequent alleviation of certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis. There are many success stories available online that claim its efficacy.
Image source: zenlama.com
It is unknown whether the effect is similar to the placebo effect. Doctors are hesitant to reach this conclusion as there are tangible and real results of EFT and symptom alleviation of neurological disorders. The exact mechanics are unknown, yet there is a clear relationship between the two. It is estimated that a few more years of thorough study will shine a light to the connection.

Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is a staunch supporter of the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF). For the latest on the many treatment plans for various neurological conditions, follow this Twitter feed.


Monday, May 30, 2016

Multiple Sclerosis: Exercise As a Doorway To Improvement, According To The Nscff

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. In people with MS, their immune system targets the myelin sheath that covers the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, thereby degrading it. This, in turn, causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the peripheral organs. Over time, however, a severe degree of MS can cause not only damage to the myelin sheath but also to the nerves. 

With irreversible damage to the nerves, the person affected with MS may never be able to utilize his muscles normally ever again. MS does not have a cure as of the moment, but the competent scientists at the Neuroscience Center of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) are now looking into different ways how they can effectively manage or even cure the disease. 


 Image source: webmd.com

The team at NSCFF are providing a band exercise program to help patients manage symptoms associated with MS. The program consists of exercise regimens that use resistant elastic bands which are adapted to the different levels of disability. There has been research that band exercising can improve the hip strength of MS patients, helping them boost their motor skills. It directly addresses hip weakness since it is the primary deterrent that negatively affects the patient’s way of life. 

Patients undergoing the band exercise process learn to exercise effectively without incurring any injuries or traumatizing their muscles. Additionally, patients can improve their overall core strength and balance and as well as combat fatigue and weakness. 

Image source: nscff.org


Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is an active supporter of the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF), an organization that provides comprehensive and coordinated care to patients with neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. More on the organizations he supports here.