Archive for August, 2008
Harry and Louise are back
This is not good news. You might remember Harry and Louise as the fictional couple in the medical-industrial complex ads when Hillary Clinton was trying to figure out a way to get access to health care for all Americans. They planted fear into Americans’ heads and defeated health care reform. What if we can’t choose [...]
More Americans have insurance now
A recent article from NPR’s All Things Considered reports that the number of Americans with health insurance went up this year. According to a recent Census Bureau study, in 2006, 47 million didn’t have insurance; only 45.7 million didn’t have coverage in 2007. The 1.3 million who now have coverage are mostly children under Medicaid [...]
One down …
It wasn’t 2,000 people, but about 75 people showed up and we had a good rally. We told stories about Mike and about other people. Danny talked about his experiences with the system, and a dozen others got up and talked about theirs. Even Trey took the microphone for a second to say he misses [...]
Almost there
It’s 1 a.m. and I’m about to fall asleep. I’m exhausted from all of this, but I was doing fine taking care of last-minute details — until this afternoon when I would up looking for something in the utility closet. I turned around to see all the kids’ measurements on the back of the door. [...]
Plaid and proud
We’re just a few days out from the rally now and I’m starting to wonder how I’ll fit everything I need into my car. The banner, the table, the amp, the carpet for underneath the table, photos, luggage, my guitar (so Trey and I can play a little). And then there’s the details. I’ve never [...]
It wasn’t a choice
From the time I was a kid, I questioned authority. The late 1960s was a good time for me to come of age because other people were questioning authority too. This time reminds me a lot of that, except nobody seems to care as much about corruption in high places and there’s nobody like Bobby [...]
Other People’s Stories
We’ve been hoping to get some people to tell their own stories here — a couple of friends have told me they don’t want to be the first, or they don’t think having to stay in a job they hate because of the insurance compares to losing a kid. All the stories are valid. People [...]
One in three uninsured people have a chronic illness
According to a study from The Annals of Internal Medicine, out of 36 million people without health insurance, 11 million have been diagnosed with a chronic illness. How many more suffer with chronic disease that don’t know because they haven’t even been able to get to a doctor to get diagnosed? How much more will [...]
At least somebody’s comfortable
This press release from the N.C. Justice Center landed in my inbox the other day: “Every year more North Carolinians join the ranks of the uninsured, and every year elected officials fail take the necessary steps to expand access to health care in the state. Perhaps the reason politicians are sluggish to respond to the [...]
Getting closer
We got the official approval to use Daffin Park in Savannah in the mail yesterday. I’m excited and I’m scared, and I miss Mike so much. I know he would have loved all this attention, although none of this would be happening if he had lived. The US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mike [...]
Second annual Eat at Mike’s
Reserve now
Life o' Mike sponsors its second annual Eat at Mike's, an evening of good food prepared by local chefs, at Tingles Cafe in downtown Asheville. The event also features silent and live auctions with items from Highlands Brewing, artist Angela C. Alexander and more.
Tickets to the dinner are $25; $20 for children 3-12 and free for children under 3.
To reserve, e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com. For more information, call 828-243-6712.
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
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.