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Where are you for me now?
I was reading my local newspaper this morning, and as I read the letters to the editor, I let them get to me.
One writer indicated that reform just wasn't justified. Others have said that if people don't have insurance it's their fault. Apparently, if you don't have insurance you're lazy.
Nope. Not lazy. I have a chronic illness, called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Lupus for short. I did not get it because of poor choices in my life. I was told by two different physicians that I would not see my 35th birthday. I'm 46 today, and healthy. Very healthy. Because I take care of myself. You wouldn't know to look at me that I've suffered a massive heart attack, pneumonia more times than I can count, nephritis, massive skin sores, plurisy, on and on.
Over all the years I've known I've had this disease, what have I done?
I've helped you. I've helped you with your children. Provided for them when you couldn't, or wouldn't. Protected them - sometimes from you.
I've rescued the pets you abandoned, and sometimes the ones you abused. I've rehabilitated others so that you could have a lifelong friend - one who was totally devoted to you.
I've made sure that there were things in this community for your enjoyment. For your quality of life. And you really, really enjoyed them!
I've stood longer, argued longer, and held my breath longer, so that you could get what you needed.
Your business is here because I thought you should be able to have it. Your home is liveable because I got involved when others wouldn't.
I've stepped out and provided you opportunities you didn't have without me.
In disasters, I was there when others weren't. And I was likely sick at the time. But I was still there. And your home still stands because I was.
I've paid for your meal & I've paid for your groceries, when you couldn't.
I've made sure that the least among us had what they needed. And I've not done it nearly enough. Neither have you.
I've stood between you and "the man", when you were about to be deprived. And you weren't.
I've found myself in the most amazing situations, and I rarely tell anyone about any of it. Some who know me well, know of some of these things. Even my husband doesn't know about everything, but he knows I'll always do something that needs to be done.
I've never, ever asked you for anything. Sometimes, when you had the opportunity to thank me, or asked me what you could do for me in return, I told you, "pass it on". I hope you have. But it wasn't required. I gave to you because I love you.
But - somehow, my health care isn't justified.
It's called heartache, because it actually hurts your heart.
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Your heartache is everyone's. If people don't feel that ache, then there is a void at their very core. I wish you would consider sending this in response to your local newspaper.
ReplyDeleteWow, Blondetwit Which I'm sure you're not).
ReplyDeleteI have mild Cerebral Palsy, and it's causing a premature aging syndrome that tires me out. But nothing like you've been through. I think part of my fatigue is discouragement, and somehow you've managed to transcend the worst symptom of chronic disease in an awesome way.
Do you have any advice? What's your spiritual discipline, if you have one other than service?
Thanks for all that you do, and very best wishes,
Marina
I've been a registered nurse for many years and my legs are failing. I fear the next 7 years until I am eligible for medicare.So I suffer along working in a system to help others, as I have done my entire life.I know if I quit working I am doomed without insurance.Who will be there for nurses like me? I must give up my home and wait 5 years for any benefits. Do they understand our pain?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that. I feel the same way, but you're much more eloquent. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you have had to be exposed to this craziness. We have become so opinionated and so easily influenced as to those opinions that neighbors forget that they are talking about real people. When I moved to my small town..I was in the habit of yelling at people not driving up to my standard..cursing, fist shaking..one day after I finished a rant, we both pulled into our local post office. My kindly elderly neighbor and his wife got out of the offending vehicle..their crime: not talking the turn fast enough for me. That recognition that everyone I yelled at was a real person shamed me into better behavior. Your townspeople may mean no harm, they've just forgotten that foolishly shouted or written opinions affect real people in hurtful ways.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this. I hope and pray we can fix our sorry health care system soon. And that people learn to look at life without their blinders on.
ReplyDeletethank you for writing this...well said...Obama once said that there is an Empathy deficit....and now we see it...it's real...but there are more that do have compassion and do care..and they are rising up to speak for all of us...have hope...
ReplyDeletewe will have healthcare for all....inspite of hate and greed...
Thank you for sharing this heart felt sentiment. I love following you. Keep up the good fight. People are in a rage on the right at this moment. The last 8 years has taken it's toll on us all. They figure "let's take it out on the next man" without thinking about the hurt in it's wake. Don't let them destroy your spirit. Your friend BONEKNIGHTMARE.
ReplyDeleteReading all thius from London, England. We have been doing our best over here to get the message across the pond that lies are being told to you about our free health care system. Sure it's overstretched and sure we moan about the waiting lists and sure they make mistakes - but it's there. I have never paid a penny for a doctor in my life. I have a daughter of 25. I have been in hospital once for an operation, once to have a baby and once to get a double fracture fixed. (Broke both bones in my wrist falling off a motor-bike) my daughter had to have her appendix removed when she was a child and spent a week in hospital. I've never paid a penny. Of course it's harder to cure cronic problems but I know - if I get run over tomorrow no-one will ever say 'do you have Insurance?' and I know that if I'm sick they will do there best to make me better regardless of the state of my bank balance. The fight for this in the US should be won - along with the best possible research into health and how to maintain it.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all health x isabel losada
God you're a beautiful person. Yes, I will pay much more attention to paying it forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am completely revived with energy to fight for a single payer system because ultimately no one should go without healthcare and it is a right. I'm tired of the dehumanization of the 46 million uninsured in this nation!!
ReplyDeleteHere's the thing...all of us should be sharing REAL Stories...stories about real people...because this is not a just an Issue about the Budget or money etc..it's about REAL people...
ReplyDelete50 Million of us are UnInsured...and Millions more UnderInsured...and 14,000 a day, losing Healthcare,...and 22,000 per year dying without care, ( over 167,000 died without care during the Bush Regime years)....This is Our Chance to make sure Millions of really good people have Healthcare....and let them know they matter...
thanks for writing this. will continue to share and send...
No fight is better than the good fight and in this you seem a champion.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this. I too am a background help person. By that I mean a person who quietly does what needs to be done and rarley gets credit for it. In fact, I've seen others get (and sometimes take) credit for what I do. I too have a chronic disease. Two years ago at age 46 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I've been in pain for longer than I can remember, but now it is different and slowly working its way through my body. I am also at a point in my career where I am looking to start anew. I fear this because I am afraid that the RA will force me into an early "retirement" or that when I start anew someplace different, I will not get insurance because I have the dreaded pre-exisiting condition. However, like you, I will continue to do the work in my community that needs to be done because this is who we are and what we do.
ReplyDeleteBTW, you should see the looks I get from people when I park in a "handicapped" (how I loath that word) parking spot and get out of the car with 2 arms and 2 legs and a disability that doesn't present itself visibly.