(no subject)

Thanks to summer_jackel for the wonderful video!  This is what it's like to be an atheist, why my version of atheism does not make me immoral or depressed or hopeless.  The universe is just too fascinating and too cool.  It far exceeds anything our puny monkey brains have been able to imagine, it's greater, more varied, more wierd, more complex than any mythological or supernatural explanation humans have ever concieved of.  And this is why I don't want to die, ever.

Another Test That Says I'm A Guy!

I'd heard about this a couple of years ago, but I never bookmarked the studies or articles and I kept forgetting to look it up.  But I'm listening to back episodes of The Skeptic's Guide To The Universe, and Dr. Steven Novella is talking about a study that shows that men's ring finger is longer than their index finger.  Women's hands are much more equal in length ratio.  Homosexual men have more of a female ratio in their finger-length than heterosexual men do.

A meta-study was published about 2 years ago that looked at the 5 studies done previously on this issue, and that meta-study confirmed the results.

The thinking is that the ratio of the index to the ring finger is affected by the level of testosterone in the uterus at the time the limbs are developing and that may also affect sexual orientation at that stage in development.

This means that sexual orientation is congenital, which just means something that's present at birth.  But it's not necessarily genetic.  It could still be genetic because a gene could determine the level of testosterone, but if testosterone levels were elevated for some other reason, that could also have an effect, even if it's not in the genes of the baby.  So it's more precise to say it's congenital, rather than genetic.

The finger length issue is only with regards to hetero vs. homosexual men.  Women who are gay do not revert to a male ratio.  What I find amusing is that my finger ratio is well within the hetero male range, which is very unusual for females.  My finger-length ratio is actually steep enough that I cannot wear gloves with fingers in them because any pair of gloves that fit the rest of my fingers leaves 1/2 to a full inch of extra space at the tip of my index finger and I can't manipulate anything while wearing gloves.  I've never tried men's gloves because they tend to be too big all around to fit me, but I wonder if male gloves in my size might better accomodate this finger length ratio?

Free Orlando Medical Care

http://www.shepherdshope.org/
Through the combined efforts of volunteer physicians and other health-care professionals, schools, hospitals, and churches, Shepherd's Hope Health Centers are able to provide quality, non-emergency medical care to those in need.

Patients who are eligible for services through Shepherd's Hope have income at or below 200% of the poverty level, are uninsured and not eligible for government assisted health care programs. For example, a family of four with a monthly income of approximately $3,500 per month would meet the income test.

Shepherd’s Hope provides the kind of health care services you would expect to receive in a family practice setting. Examples of illnesses commonly treated are upper respiratory infections, skin disorders, gynecological concerns, and urinary tract infections.

Shepherd’s Hope is not designed to serve as a permanent primary medical home for patients. Our goal is to provide basic, acute, non-emergency medical care, including some diagnostic testing for patients who do not have a regular source of care. Once patients have been treated, we help them find a permanent medical home, whenever possible.

Shepherd’s Hope does NOT handle emergencies. Patients with medical emergencies should go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Shepherd’s Hope does NOT provide obstetrical care or well baby care, such as child immunizations.

Shepherd’s Hope does NOT handle Workman’s Compensation cases.

Men, women and children of all ages are eligible to receive medical care at Shepherd’s Hope if they meet the following criteria:

~Patients must be uninsured
~Patients cannot receive Medicaid or Medicare assistance*
~Have family income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level

Trained volunteers at each health center meet individually with patients to determine if they meet the criteria.

All medical care is provided by volunteers at no charge to the patients.

Patients are seen at Shepherd’s Hope on a walk-in basis, although some follow-up visits may be scheduled. Shepherd’s Hope patients are encouraged to arrive early but no earlier than one hour before the center opens, since the facilities are NOT available until the volunteer staff arrive. Because all medical care is provided by volunteers, Shepherd’s Hope cannot guarantee that all patients will be seen. Patients who cannot be treated will be given a list of alternate providers and health centers.

DR. DIEBEL, JR. MEMORIAL SHEPHERD'S HOPE HEALTH CENTER
THRESHOLD FOR AUTISM, 3550 N. GOLDENROD ROAD
Between Colonial & University
Church Partners: St. Margaret Mary Catholic, Blessed Trinity & Sts.Peter & Paul Catholic Churches
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Evenings from 6 PM to 9 PM

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WALKER SHEPHERD'S HOPE HEALTH CENTER
WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL, 150 AMIDON LANE
SOUTH ORLANDO / FLORIDA MALL AREA
Church Partners: St. John Vianney & Holy Cross Catholic Church
Tuesday & Thursday Evenings from 6 PM to 9 PM

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DOWNTOWN ORLANDO SHEPHERD'S HOPE HEALTH CENTER
ORANGE COUNTY MEDICAL CLINIC, 101 S. WESTMORELAND DR.
DOWNTOWN ORLANDO AREA
Church Partners: Florida Hospital Seventh Day Adventist Church
& First United Methodist Church, Winter Park
Wednessday & Thursday Evenings from 6 PM to 9 PM
 

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I work with a girl who volunteers in the Oveido office and she claims that they do not require any "proof", that it's basically on the honor system.  Their website explicitly states that you do not need to bring any documentation with you on your visit.  My co-worker specifically said that they will not run your social security number or driver's license number unless you use Medicaid to help defer costs. 

I plan to ask if their OB/GYN proceedures include STI testing, but a regular checkup for free would be a huge improvement over my total lack of medical care at the moment, even if I still have to go to the clinic for STI (I'm skeptical of quality STI & contraception care at a faith-based medical service).  For other local STI testing options, I have a whole post about it here.