Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Saturday, November 23, 2019
The Mighty Pen Persuasive Writing
The Mighty Pen Persuasive Writing The Mighty Pen: Persuasive Writing Itââ¬â¢s said, ââ¬Å"The pen is mightier than the sword.â⬠To be sure, many heroes across the ages have inspired quiet revolutions with little more than words. Countless writers have impacted readers with their gift. Writing is a powerful tool for conveying thoughts, defending ideas, and persuading audience. What Comprises Persuasive Writing Persuasive writing is a serious form of writing about a debatable topic. Writing persuasively requires that you have a strong idea for which you are fighting. Persuasive writing benefits: Lawyers Politicians Activists Researchers Forms of Persuasive Writing While you often find persuasive pieces in the editorial sections of newspapers or magazines, they can also take the form of: Essays Research Papers Presentations Speeches Tips for Persuasive Writing: Choose a Stance When writing a persuasive piece, make your message clear so readers know the side youââ¬â¢re taking. Flip-flopping your stance create audience mistrust. Choose a side and defend it with well-researched facts. Rely on Facts Even if you are defending an opinion, it must be an educated one, based on hard truths. Find scientific studies and academic articles to back up your argument. Look for Credible Sources When choosing facts to support your argument, use credible sources. Quoting paid blogs or outdated research materials will repel those expecting a serious piece of writing. Credible sources of information may include, but are not limited to: Academic journals Official websites of credible institutions Recent peer-reviewed research papers Experts in the field ââ¬Å"Sandwich Techniquesâ⬠Psychology suggests that people are more likely to remember beginnings and endings, rather than the middle. This is called the ââ¬Å"primacy and recencyâ⬠effect. The sandwich technique employs this effect. With this approach, strongest arguments are made first and last and less powerful arguments are placed in the middle. This way, you begin and end your piece with strength. Persuasive writing is a science and an art. It requires both technique and grace to craft a piece that can convince a reader. If youââ¬â¢re having trouble creating a persuasive essay, donââ¬â¢t fret. Call at (647) 436-7280 for assistance.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Innovation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3
Innovation - Essay Example on X or Y worker; cafeterias, flexible working schedules as well as the 20% policy which allows each employee to make use of one day every week researching on a unique and innovative project of their own liking. Very few companies can afford such luxuries on their employees. Secondly, Google has built a product innovation culture. Thus numerous new products as well as services can be found from Google at present and engineers are persuaded to constantly create new ones. Google creates its own internal human resource together with talent management system, created on the conviction that Google can go on and do it ââ¬Å"better.â⬠Something that few organizations can afford to do (Carter & Ulrich, 2005). Some of Googleââ¬â¢s products have gone on to become market leaders such as Google maps, Google Finance as well as Gmail which all penetrated the market with strong deep-rooted competition. Thus through strong execution and innovation every one of these products has taken on a remarkable market share in a very short length of time. Additionally when the corporation notices an incredible opportunity to penetrate via acquisition, it wastes no time and thus takes the plunge (Blogger and YouTube).Clearly Googleââ¬â¢s long term victory is dependent on its ability to create a learning culture that embraces change, admits mistakes honestly, makes heavy investments in the winners and innovates continuously. Carter, L., & Ulrich, D. (2005). Best Practices in Leadership Development and Organization Change:How the Best Companies Ensure Meaningful Change and Sustainable Leadership. New York,NY: John Wiley &
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Animal Behavior on their Natal Territory Assignment
Animal Behavior on their Natal Territory - Assignment Example The reproductive success of a female mammal depends on a few factors such as safe territory, brood feeding area, and resources such as food availability (Stockley & Bro-Jorgenson, 2011, pg344). The male members of the mammalian species, on the other hand, wander far away from the nest in search of possible female mates who defend their own territories. Thus, we can say that the reproductive success among mammals depends largely on its female members. However, males of avian species are the ones that remain on or near the natal territory since in case of birds it is the quality of theâ⬠habitat that the male defends that determines the reproductive successâ⬠(Hill,1988,p379). Reproductive success among avian species depends on the male members and on the provisions available for the brood and attraction of female birds in the territory defended by the males. Therefore, remaining within or near the natal territorial range in case of male birds is more beneficial since they are able to attract females while in case of mammal males, remaining near natal territory is not beneficial since the reproductive success depends solely on the female members of mammalian species. 2.Inà theirà classicà paperà onà matingà systems,à Steveà Emlenà andà Lewà Oringà suggestedà thatà twoà ecologicalà factorsà couldà promoteà theà evolutionà ofà monogamy:à aà highà degreeà ofà synchronyà inà reproductiveà cyclingà withinà aà populationà andà aà highlyà dispersedà distributionà ofà receptiveà females.à Tryà toà reconstructà theà logicà ofà theseà predictionsà andà thenà makeà counterargumentsà toà theà effectà thatà synchronizedà breedingà couldà facilitateà the acquisitionà ofà multipleà matesà whileà aà relativelyà denseà populationà ofà receptiveà femalesà mightà actuallyà promoteà monogamy.Ã
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Does the General Sales Tax Impact the Personal Consumption Expenditure Research Paper
Does the General Sales Tax Impact the Personal Consumption Expenditure - Research Paper Example This paper seeks to study the relationship between sales tax and individual consumer expenditure and saving. Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 1.0. Introduction 1Sales tax is part of consumption tax, tax on imposed on spending on goods or services in various states. Sales tax is usually imposed to buyers during the purchasing of goods or services. The sellers are the one who collect the tax. Tax rates vary from one state to another. In United States, the sales tax has been increasing drastically since 1997 and this has led to rise of prices of both services and commodities. The people who are affected indirectly by sales tax are the buyers. Their expenses rise per month forcing them to draw narrow budgets. This is the same in the whole world and the economies of many nations are going down. What it exported or imported is also highly taxed. Sales tax is different from value added tax because it is only imposed once at the retail level. Different states in United States have diffe rent tax rates. There are some jurisdictions in these states that determine the tax rates to be imposed on various goods and services. Goods for manufacture or resale are usually exempted from sales tax. Some other jurisdictions also exempt sales tax on foods sold in grocery shops, agricultural supplies and prescription medications. Sales tax greatly affects the spending of consumers, changes their consumption behavior and marketplace at the household level. 2.0. Literature Review There are many researches that have been done to show how the increase in sales tax affects personal consumption expenditure. Most of the results got from these researches have showed negative impacts on personal consumption expenditure. As Kevin 2001 puts it, this has been the case in the 2United States of America and the rest of the world. In a case study conducted in California in 2007, it was revealed that the best sales tax rate was 7.25%. This was a rapid increase from 6.6% in 2004 while in 1990s it was less than five percent. Most of this was taxed because of transport expenditures that were incurred during transportation of the goods or services. The estimation for the next year after 2007 was 7.75% tax rate and this was observed to be the trend to be followed unless the economy in the whole world is restructured since the people in California must rely on imported and exported goods and services. In this case study, the main objective shall be to show the effects of increased sales tax on the well-being of people in California. The methods that shall be used shall help to come up with resourceful data that shall be analyzed in depth. From the analysis, it shall be clear on the real effects that are caused by increased sales tax. Increase in tax rate has been there in California just as it is with other states in America. Some of the effects may be positive; however, many of them are negative. To the unemployed the situation is worse thus, there must be proposals to look into the issue deeper before it goes beyond recognition. From another research done in the same state to identify the much that is used for consumption by individual persons, according to Kanbur and Spence, it was found out that 65% of the spending per individual was on consumption. It was not, however, constant as it varied with genders and age. There were many reasons that were given for the high spending in consumption and the main one was increased sales ta
Friday, November 15, 2019
Unusual Presentation of Ewingââ¬â¢s Sarcoma
Unusual Presentation of Ewingââ¬â¢s Sarcoma D.V.Prasad1, Sanjay Mulay2, Krishna Badgire 3, *Abhinav S.Jadhav4, Deepak Datrange5, Sagar Jawale6, Arun alex7 ABSTRACT: Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma is a highly malignant, round cell neoplasm of uncertain origin. It is the sixth most common malignant tumor of bone. It must be distinguished from chronic osteomyelitis and other malignant round cell tumors like lymphoma, metastatic neuroblastoma and small cell osteosarcoma. Most patients are between 10 to 25years old; rarely patients are younger than age 5 years and older than age 40 years. We report a 55 years female who presented with swelling over right shoulder with pain and inability to move right shoulder later diagnosed as Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma of proximal part of humerus right side. The earlier diagnosis at this age may help in better management of the condition and prevent further complications and have better prognosis. KEY WORDS: Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma, Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), Ewing family of tumors (EFT), round cell tumor. INTRODUCTION: Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma is a highly malignant, round cell neoplasm of uncertain origin. It is the sixth most common malignant tumor of bone [1]. Most patients are between 10 to 25years old; rarely patients are younger than age 5 years and older than age 40 years. The present report is about rare presentation of Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma in a 55 years old female who presented with swelling over right shoulder with severe pain and inability to move right shoulder. CASE REPORT: A55 years old female, housewife, was presented with progressive swelling over right shoulder and difficulty in shoulder movements. Swelling was accompanied with severe pain which increased gradually over a period of 6 months. On examination, she was an average built female with swelling over right shoulder and upper part of right arm. Swelling was of 25x20cm size. It was a solitary swelling with local rise of temperature over swelling. Swelling was tender and variable in consistency. It was a non-mobile swelling. Redness and prominent superficial veins were visible over swelling over right shoulder and upper part of arm (Fig.1). Her hemoglobin levels were decreased and she had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Her renal function tests and liver function tests were towards lower normal range. X-ray right shoulder with arm shows round lytic lesion in head and upper part of humerus (Fig.2). MRI of right shoulder joint was suggestive of a 8.76.76.5 cm well defined, lobulated, expansile, lytic, lesion involving head and proximal shaft of right humerus, causing thinning and erosion of the cortex with breach at few places and narrow zone of transition, adjacent soft tissue extensions with edema and moderate right shoulder joint effusion. These findings are suggestive of Neoplastic mass involving proximal humerus with pathological fractures (Fig. 3) Histopathology report shows sheets of small round cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, condensed chromatin and scanty eosinophilic cytoplasm with vaculisations with unremarkable bony trabeculae (Fig.4). Immuno-histochemistry is suggestive of Vimentin, CD99, S 100 positive and AE1/AE3 focally positive. Cytology report was suggestive of cytomorphological features positive for malignancy (Fig.5). Fig. 1: Clinical photograph of patient showing right shoulder swelling. Fig.2:X-ray right shoulder showing round lytic area in upper end of humerus. Fig. 3: MRI right shoulder T1W,T2W and STIR images showing expansile, lobulated, lytic lesion involving head and proximal part of humerus. Fig.4: Microscopic picture (40X) showing sheets of small round cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, condensed chromatin and scanty eosinophilic cytoplasm. Fig.5: Cytology report showing cytomorphological features positive for malignancy DISCUSSION: In 1918 Arthur Purdy Stout described a tumor composed of small round cells with rosettes in Ulnar nerve [2], later on it became known as Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). James Ewing described a tumor of diaphysis of long bones composed of undifferentiated cells and the tumor was radiosensitive [3]. Earlier Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma (ES) PNET were described as two separate entities, but in 1975 Angervall and Enzinger described extraskeletal tumor resembling to ES [4]and Jaffe et al. wrote an article on ââ¬Å"the neuroectodermal tumor of boneâ⬠in 1984 [5]. Now it is known that ES and PNET show similar translocations and are considered to be ends of histological spectrum of Ewingââ¬â¢s family of tumors (EFT). Analysis of molecular techniques not only provided better understanding of biology but also help in developing better techniques in diagnosis and prospective potential treatment. Epidemology: EFT comprises 5 to 10 % of total bone tumors and is the 2nd most common tumor of childhood [6]. It occurs predominantly in young adults and children and shows a slight predilection for males [7].75% cases are seen between 10 to 25 years age of life. Youngest case reported so far was of 4.5 months old [8] and oldest case reported was 61 years old. Infancy cases are to be differentiated from metastatic neurofibroma. Sites: In 55% long bones it is usually diaphyseal lesion but also metaphyseodiaphyseal lesion can be seen. Flat bone (pelvis and ribs) involvement can also be seen. Less common sites of occurance are skull, vertebra and scapula. Presentation of Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma: Pain, Swelling and fever are the presenting symptoms. X-ray shows permeative pattern of bone involvement (boundary between uninvolved bone and area of bone destruction and bone is broad, vague imperceptible). All types of periosteal reactions seen like onion peel, moth eaten, honey combed, fine and reticulated [1]. Biopsy Ideally core biopsy is done, if repeated attempts of core biopsy fails open biopsy is done. FNAC not recommended in case of Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma. Frozen section studies opted in selected cases only as freezing of tissue distorts the morphology. Fixation of tissue is done in 10% formalin. Inadequate fixation leads to loss of antigen, so inconclusive results on immunohistochemistry and also causes autolysis and degeneration of DNA thus making molecular analysis difficult. Ratio of specimen to formalin is 1:10. Histology: It is prototype of small round cell tumor growth. It is composed of sheets of small cells with increased nuclear to cytoplasm ratio. Cytoplasm is scanty, eosinophilic, and detected by periodic acid Schiff (PAS), contains glycogen and diastase degradable. Occasional rosette formation are seen and frequently undergoes necrosis and residual viable cells show perithetiomatous or perivascular distribution.EFT tumor cells can be large with irregular nuclear membrane and prominent nucleoli [9]. EFT cells show membrane expression of CD99 /MIC 2 on immunohistochemistry [10]. Antibody against FLI-1 is seen in nucleus of tumor cells which is specific for diagnosis of EFT [11]. Tumor cells may show neuron specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin and s-100 protein. Family of EFT includes -1)non hodgekinââ¬â¢s lymphoma 2)rhabdomyosarcoma 3)synovial sarcoma 4)messenchymal chondrosarcoma 5)desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) 6)retinoblastoma. False positive cd99 screening is seen in other cases as well hence CD99, FLI1 and NSE to be positive for diagnosis of EFT/PNET. Molecular genetics: Translocation t (11:22) (q24:q22) is seen in 85 % cases. Fusion of EWS gene on 22q12 with FLI-1 on 11q24 results in chimeric fusion transcript EWS-FLI1 [12]. EWS-FLI1 induces insulin like growth factor (IGF-1). Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) and Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 (PTPL1) are expressed in increased levels. Thus tumor cells escape from apoptosin and growth inhibition. Therapeutic targets: EWS-FLI1 fusion is to be targeted and split. Monoclonal antibodies against IGF -1 are being tried as it is associated with EFT growth [13] and PLD 2, PTPL1 are other conceivable candidates as both are highly expressed in EFT [14]. Chemotherapy in ES: There is no universally accepted staging. American joint committee on cancer (AJCC) suggests that primary bone or extra skeletal Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma may be included with their respective bone or soft-tissue sarcoma staging (STS) systems [15]. Although AJCC staging includes metastatic disease and tumor size greater or less than 8 cm; nodal status and grade are irrelevant for ES because it rarely spreads by lymph nodes and by definition of ES is high grade tumor [15]. Most of centers use presence or absence of metastasis at the time of diagnosis, as main tool for planning the treatment. Prognostic factors: 1) tumor site and size 2) age and gender 3) serum LDH levels ES in distal extremity has better prognosis than proximal extremity. ES in central location (pelvis) has worst prognosis [16] [17] [18]. Tumor volume 100-200ml- large tumor has bad prognosis. Girls have better prognosis than boys [18]. Increased serum LDH levels at time of diagnosis with large tumor with metastatic disease has worse prognosis. Metastasis in lungs alone has prognosis better than metastasis in extra-pulmonary sites. Patient with minimal tumor or no residual tumor after preoperative chemotherapy incline towards better prognosis. Evolution of chemotherapy: Adjuvant therapy: Vincristine + Actinomycin D + Cyclophosphamide (VAC). Intergroup Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma study (IESS): VAC + doxorubicin. IESS trial ââ¬âII demonstrated that intermittent high doses of VAC + doxorubicin was superior to continuous moderate dose therapy with this agents [19].VAC+ doxorubicin alternating with Ifosfamide and Eloposide (IE) has better prognosis. There is no role of dose intensification. Current trend: Alternating cycles of VAC IE every 3 weeks for 48 weeks with local control at 9-12 weeks [20] is to be administered. There is no role of dose compression (decrease in duration of cycles).There is some role of stem cell in preliminary stage of management. Local therapy: Surgical resection with or without limb salvage followed by Radiotherapy and then chemotherapy is given. Chemotherapy remains back bone of the T/t for Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma, local T/t with surgery /or radiotherapy has important role in management of ES. The outcome of management is better in localized ES as compared to elusive outcome in metastatic disease or local recurrence. This case is presented in view of rarity to increase suspicion index for the presence of Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma. Early detection of Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can limit further damage and progression of the disease can be done. REFERENCES: Joseph M. Mirra, Piero Picci: Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma In: Bone tumors- clinical, radiologic, and pathologic correlations, volume two, Lea Febiger, Philadelphia, London1989, pp. 1088-1094. Stout AP. A tumor of the ulnar nerve. Proc NY Pathol Soc 1918; 12:2-12. Ewing J. Diffuse endothelioma of bone. Proc NY Pathol Soc 1921; 21:17-24. Angervall L, Enzinger FM. Extraskeletal neoplasm resembling Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma. Cancer 1975; 36:240-51. Jaffe R, Santamaria M, Yunis EJ, Tannery NH, Agostini RM Jr, Medina j, era/. The neuroectodermal tumor of bone. Am j Surg Pathol 1984; 8:885-98. Gurney JG, Swensen AR, Bulterys M. Malignant bone tumors. In: Ries LA, etal, editors. Cancer incidence and survival among children and adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975- 1995. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer institute. SEER Program. NIH Pub. No. 99-4649; 1999. p. 99-110. Zamora P, Garcia de Paredes ML, Gonzalez Baron M, Diaz MA, Escobar Y, Ordonez A, et al. Ewings tumor in brothers. An unusual observation. AmJ Clin Oncol 1986; 9:358-60. Kim, T.E., Ghazi G. Atkinson G. ct al.: Ewings sarcoma of a lower extremity in an infant: A therapeutic dilemma. Cancer, 5c: 187, 1986. Nascimento AG, Unii KK, Pritchard DJ, Cooper KL, Dahlin DC. A clinicopathologic study of 20 cases of large-cell (atypical) Ewings sarcoma of bone. AmJ Surg Pathol 1980; 4:29-36. Khoury JD. Ewing sarcoma family of tumors. Adv Anat Pathol 2005; 12:212-20. Nilsson G, Wang M, Wejde J, Kreicbergs A, Larsson O. Detection of EWS/FL1-1 by immunostaining. An adjunctive tool in diagnosis of Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumour on cytological samples and paraffin-embedded archival material. Sarcoma 1999; 3:25-32. Delattre O, Zucman J, Plougastel B, Desmaze C, MelotT, Peter M, et al. Gene fusion with an ETS DNA-binding domain caused by chromosome translocation in human tumours. Nature 1992; 359:162-5. Ludwig JA. Ewing sarcoma: Historical perspectives, current state-of-the-art, and opportunities for targeted therapy in the future. Curr Opin Oncol 2008; 20:412-8. Abaan OD, Levenson A, Khan O, Furth PA, Uren A, Toretsky JA. PTPL1 is a direct transcriptional target of EWS-FL11 and modulates Ewingââ¬â¢s Sarcoma tumorigenesis. Oncogene 2005; 24:2715-22. Greene FL, Page DL, Fleming ID , A. Fritz, C.M Balch, D.G. Haller et al, eds. AJCC cancer staging Manual. 6th ed. New York, NY: Springer; 2002. Rodriguez ââ¬âGalindo C, Liu T, Krasin MJ, Wu J, Billups CA, Daw NC, et al. Analysis of prognostic factors in Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma family of tumors: review of St. Jude childrenââ¬â¢s research hospital studies cancer 2007; 1 10:375-84. Cotterill SJ, Ahrens S, Paulussen M, Jurgens HF, Voute PA, Gadner H et al. Prognostic factors in Ewingââ¬â¢s tumor of bone: analysis of 975patient from the European intergroup cooperative Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma study group. J clin oncol 2000; 18:3108-14. Bacci G, Longhi A, Ferrari S, Mercuri M, Versari M, Bertoni F. Prognostic factors in non-metastatic Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma tumor of bone: An analysis of 579 patients treated at a single at a single institution with adjuvant or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy between 1972 and 1998.Acta oncol 2006; 45:469-75. Burgert EO Jr, Nesbit ME , Garnsey LA , Gehan EA, Herrmann J, Vietti TJ, et al. Multimodal therapy for management of non-pelvic , localized Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma of bone :intergroup study IESS-II. J Clin Oncol 1990; 8:1514-24. Granowetter L, Womer R, Devidas M, Karlio M, Wang C, Bernstein M, et al. Dose ââ¬âintensified compared with standard chemotherapy for non-metastatic Ewingââ¬â¢s sarcoma family of tumors: a childrenââ¬â¢s oncology group study. J clin oncol 2009; 27:2536-41.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
The Assylum Seeker
My name is Ali and I come from Libya . After a week of roughing it on a empty carriage of a cargo train and then hiding on the deck of a fishing trawler I had arrived in England. Cold, frightened and hungry though I was, I had still made it! For the first time in many years a smile revisited my face. As a man and woman accompanied by two children, strolled past, that moment of triumph quickly passed and soon was replaced with a great sadness for the family that I had left back in Libya. My wife and my two children, how were they coping? hat were they doing at this moment? A yawning pit of dread opened inside me as I walked down the ramps and through the docks. I was climbing the ladder of uncertainty. Countless questions swirled in my mind none of which I had the answer to. Were the people here friendly? Were they going to accept me, but most importantly would all my efforts bear fruit? Pushing these thoughts from my mind I nurtured the determination within me, letting it flare brightly. I was going to get in, my familly was counting on me. I would not let them throw me out without a fight. As I wandered through the streets people cast ugly glances at me and muttered in hushed tones. Blanking them, I carried on. A tall man dressed in black and wearing a funny looking black domed hat approached me. Trying to avoid a confrontation I walked quickly in the other direction. Glancing back I saw that the man was talking rapidly into a device in his hand and had started chasing after me. Not knowing what else to do, I stopped and put my hands in front of me disarmingly. Walking briskly up to me, he searched me, not finding anything he then promptly shoved me against the nearest wall and handcuffed me. Feeling confused and helpless I shouted and struggled, no one moved to help. How could they let this happen? Where was the local law enforcement? This was a regular occurance in Libya, but here as well? Only later that night in a county jail cell, (a jail cell which was warm and dry! ) was it made clear to me that the man who had handcuffed me was a police officer. That night I was given food and water and there was actually meat! Along with filling bread which smelled so delicious, Mmmmmm. I had never been so grateful in my life for this and ate with great care. The next day I was interrogated agonisingly. ââ¬ËMe seek a-ssylum. ââ¬Ë I said quickly. ââ¬ËOk, ok. ââ¬Ë said the officer reassuringly. ââ¬ËWhat is your name? ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËMe Ali. ââ¬Ë I managed to stutter in broken English. ââ¬ËWhere do you come from? ââ¬Ë asked the officer slowly. Repeating the question again, ââ¬ËW-h-e-r-e-d-o-y-o-u-c-o-m-e-f-r-oââ¬âm-? After a long pause, ââ¬ËIââ¬â- Iââ¬âI, I c-ccome from Li-b-y-a. ââ¬Ë I said struggling. ââ¬ËDo you have any identification? ââ¬Ë asked the officer patiently. I shrugged helplessly, ââ¬ËMe see-eek ass-yââ¬âlum. ââ¬Ë I said again. At that moment the officer motioned to someone behind the door. A tall man with a hard set face entered the room. ââ¬ËThis man is from the Home Office. ââ¬Ë said the officer. ââ¬ËHe will evaluate your claim for assylum. ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËCome with me. ââ¬Ë said the man icily. I took a grateful breath of much needed fresh air as we stepped into the cold wet morning. Wasting no time we got into a black van and then drove for over an hour. Finally we reached our destination, a looming office building which rose over 30 metres in the air. My heart started beating faster as I got out of the van. Offering no reasurance and seemingly blind to my situation the man started for the building. Now heart in my throat, I quickly followed on legs that were about to collapse. All my previous resolve had dissapated and no matter how hard I tried I could not summon any back. An hour into the interview, I was sweating profoundly through every pore, by now my throat was parched and there was a vast wet patch on my backside and all along my back. The air itself seemed to be wrapping itself more and more tightly around me, suffocating me. Speaking in Arabic to the translator I made one last desperate speech. ââ¬ËPlease, there is no element of freedom in our lives, my family works for a 14 hour day and still find it hard to buy the basic necessary essentials. Most importantly we see no future for our children, they need to focus on their education but they can't, seeing as they have to work aswell as study in order for us to have enough money to live on. Rita who is ten years old wears the clothes that her sister has grown out of since we cannot afford new clothes. Neither I nor my wife want this life for our children. ââ¬Ë Slumping into my chair drained, I waited for the translator to translate what I had just said. The home office official stood up to make his decision, I tensedâ⬠¦.. As I stepped back into the fresh air I breathed out deeply. Being preoccupied with worry and anticipation, I became aware of the surroundings which I didn't notice before, the flowers, the line of trees and towering buildings in the distance. This was a world apart from where I had grown up. I would lay down a new life here. Now to get my family through.
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