Archive for June, 2008
Going through Mike’s stuff
I drove out to Cary today to help James go through the last of Mike’s stuff. He’s still struggling, and it’s not easy for him to do this. But being there and seeing things in his handwriting, looking at the photos he took, just touching his things — it was comforting. I didn’t bring a [...]
When you get close …
Let me start by saying I’m a firm believer in people coming back to visit the ones they loved after they’ve died. My grandmother believed it, and I guess she passed it on to me. Her sister, Eunice came to her when she was dying to tell her it was OK. I remember my father [...]
Take a look at the magnet
We’re going to order ribbon magnets. Since they’ll cost us $4.50 each, we’ll likely sell them. Here’s the design we’re choosing. It’s the blue-green plaid he so loved, and the blue is closer to Duke than Carolina. That’s important, too.
People with diabetes
Just saw this online: The number of Americans with diabetes increased by 15 percent in two years to 24 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 8 percent of the population now has the disease, mainly Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and sedentary living, the agency said in [...]
All we need is a place
We’re trying to organize a healthcare rally in Savannah, Ga., for Aug. 24. We have a whole lot of people interested in coming — we just need to know where to tell them to gather. We decided we’re going to keep it positive — we have no intention of blasting Memorial Health. They’ve blown me [...]
Juiceman says …
I had supper with my friend, Liz tonight. Monday night. Rob works late, so it’s often girls’ night out. Liz runs a nonprofit that takes care of people with developmental disabilities, and she loves those she calls “my people.” She has a wonderful sense of humor and finds such joy in these people others don’t [...]
Insurance company games
The American Medical Association came out with a report card this week, assessing the claims processing performance of Medicare and seven national commercial health insurers: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CIGNA, Coventry Health Care, Health Net, Humana and United Healthcare. So, who most often pays the rate they’ve contracted to pay? Medicare. Our national single-payer [...]
Father’s Day
As Mike’s stepfather, I can’t say why it’s taken me so long to visit this site or post anything. I guess in my own way I’m working through feelings and memories, and even though I freely talk about it with Leslie, other family and friends, I find myself at a loss to adequately express how [...]
Tort “reform”
As a daily newspaper reporter for more than 25 years, I’ve learned to be wary whenever I hear the word “reform.” In today’s America it usually means making things worse for average people like me. Mental health “reform” here in North Carolina took a system that was working and shut it down. It wasn’t perfect, [...]
If they’d killed him quicker …
Danny talked me into talking to a lawyer about the horrible treatment Mike got at Memorial Health in Savannah, Ga. Apparently it isn’t malpractice unless the patient dies then and there. Because Mike suffered terribly but survived their mistreatment for a couple of years, there’s no lawsuit. It may be immoral to not tell a [...]
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities.
We aim to reduce isolation and fear among people who have conditions, including psychiatric illness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, mild dementia or other cognitive disorder or disability, thereby reducing depression and complications as people learn to improve self-management of their medical conditions.
Patient Pals help alleviate feelings of isolation and frustration. They can help people develop a list of questions to ask the doctor and then accompany the person to the doctor to make sure all the questions are answered, taking notes to be sure the person understands the doctor’s answers.
Our trained volunteers also accompany their “Pals” to art exhibits, movies and walks outdoors, meet for coffee, call to check in and more.
Our Pals have experienced weight loss, improvement in diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, depression and more, just because they have someone who cares about them. Some relationships develop into longer-term friendships; other Pals move on to more independent lives.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.