A Salute to an Ophthalmological Pioneer 

Whether it is for bragging rights or to get it all over with, there is just something about being first isn't it? Just ask a lil motorman's daughter by the name of Patricia Bath from the mean streets of Harlem.

Patricia Bath is the first African-American woman to receive a patent for a medical purpose. Mind blowing right! The first! Her father was the first black subway motorman for New York City so being first seems to run in her veins. It is only right for her to become the first woman on faculty at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. She was also served her residency in ophthalmology at the prestigious New York University--the first African-American to do so! Madam Bath was on a roll. Somebody, like me, loves being first ya dig?

Can you read this post? Can you read it clearly with or without glasses? Ok well.....does your granny have cataracts? Grand-pappy? Ya dog? Oh whatever, I'm sure you know at least one entity with cataracts right? I know a few--ok more than a few but my point is that this woman of distinction--this doctor--this educator-- this innovator invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment and she did it way back in 1986 and patented the device in 1988 making her the first African-American female doctor to receive a patent for a medical device! Now, why did we not know know this? Don't pretend you knew! Social media definitely wasn't around then and we know that it is the main source of information these days.  Let me hip you to some African-American game real quick.

The gorgeous and talented Dr. Patricia Bath

For the innovative American Institute for the Prevention of Blindess co-founder, earning her first award for scientific research at the age of sixteen, the sky wasn't the limit--there was no limit for this determined New Yorker. To prevent obscurity through unreachable barriers created by society for minorities, Dr. Bath grabbed her determination and research and headed to Europe! With support from the Laser Medical Center of Berlin, the Rothschild Eye Institute of Paris and the Loughborough Institute of Technology in England, Bath was able to achieve what she states as her "personal best" in research and laser science. Her cataract research and passion preventing blindess led her towards the invention of the laserphaco-probe.

Now, what in the dickens is a Laserphaco whatcha-call-it anyway? Hey, be respectful. She's an creator and she is sensitive about her s**t! It called the La-ser-phac-o Probe! 

The Cataract Laserphaco Probe was designed to painlessly remove cataracts from a patient's eyes in an efficient and timely manner through laser technology. This method quickly replaced previous methods within the medical field and went on to change the game of eye surgery. Within time, Dr. Bath was able to restore the vision to patients who had been blind for more than 40 years. Wait--what!? Man, that is long time without being able to see the flowers and sunlight. The laserphaco probe is now used internationally to treat the cataract eye disease. 

//signed//

Elle-the FIRST blogger to introduce Dr. Patricia Bath

(don't judge me-I'm not petty. I'm just the first.....ha!) 

The Secret Is In The Sauce!

I woke up this AM with a memory of some kids excluding me from their punk ass click in primary school because I didn't want to play a certain schoolyard game called "Mama's Bread Burning". That game was a group of kids, usually all girls, that would get in a circle, lock hands or arms while surrounding another individual. That individual would try to break through the circle while the group of kids taunt them singing "My mama's bread is burning and she can't get out. My mama's bread is burning and she can't get out" over and over and over again. They would lock arms real tight, lock their legs together or do anything to prevent that person from breaking through, Hell, I've even seen some kids cross their damn eyes. Now, how in the hell can a crossed-eye prevent a damn prison break? SMH Teachers would watch closely enforcing discipline when necessary, gossip about the teacher's aides and work on lesson plans. As a kid I would always wonder if they were ever really listening--not hearing us--but listening to us. I don't think they really were.

Even as a lil Diva I thought so deeply about things. Some of the things didn't deserve the thoughts I gave them and some of the things did. At this particular time I remember telling them--and showing them- that I didn't wanna be a part of their little psychotic, matricidal game! Now, why did I just get upset while typing this? I have no idea. Maybe it is because I feel that people don't really listen to the games children play or really see the shows the kids watch because if so one would ask why the hell would you want to trap ya moms in a house and prevent her from making it out alive? Who on earth even came up with this darn game and why wasn't she or he even questioned about the goings-on in his or her head? What happens when the child play this so much in their heads that they decide to actually trap mom in the house and prevent her from escaping? What then? 

Do we understand that our mouths are true manifestors? Is that even a word? I don't care. It will be a word today.  Our minds will think and believe anything we vocalize. What we think will often come to fruition whether it is negative or positive which is why we should be more cautious of what we say and thing. We want to carry out what we see sometimes, too. It's like a deep ass conditioning. It's why, when babysitting, I don't allow kids to watch cartoons or any of those shows that claim to be for children. I feel that cartoons start the initial programming of people (secondary to the shenanigans of the parents). This is where we learn to ostracize others that are not like us or accept and pair ourselves with one that we are familiar with--because they are like ourselves. While watching Alvin and the Chipmunks I noticed that Alvin, the popular chipmunk is paired with Brittany, the beautiful chipmunk. Theodore, the pleasurably plump chipmunk is paired with Eleanor, the one of HIS likeness. Then you have Simon, the smart one with glasses and known to be a nerd is paired with another bookworm of his caliber. The crazy part is I only remember Alvin's girlfriend's name because she was the 'main' damn female chipmunk! The one pushed in our faces as a kids b/c she is the one society accepts more. Am I looking too deep into this? Is it just a game the kids are playing? Is it really just a cartoon? Are there no hidden messages in there? Are they there on purpose? Maybe or maybe not but I won't chance it. No ma'am and no suh! These aren't just  obso's. This is real life programming we are talking 'bout here. Pay a-damn-ttention folks! Stop drinking the kool-aid and stirring the damn sauce. Watch out cuz the secret is there! I could go on and on about this subject buy my stomach is growling. Until then.....Look beyond the pretty colors, baby talk and animations and dig into the sauce!

//Signed//

The Cat's Meow