Health Care For All
From Kathy Squires
“My niece, who worked all of her adult life and was very independent, became ill at her last job under which she had no insurance. (Sound familiar?) She delayed seeking health care, and when she finally agreed to some help she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer (called GIST) with a 17 cm tumor, and it metastisized and is now inoperable. It is in numerous places in her body. She is such a lovely girl and is handling this unbelievably well!
”She felt sick after taking a pill for a while (that they neglected to tell her was chemotherapy). She stopped taking it. She is feeling OK for the moment and wants to remain feeling OK. She finally got Medicaid for her health care, and will receive SS Disability in July. She will have lived for 8 months by then with either no income, or the $6XX a month from SSI which kicked in recently. Needless to say, our extended family has pitched in to help her keep her little house, and her car. Jeanne served in the Military (National Guard), but has not received any help from them, so far.
“Besides Jeanne being my niece, and us being close, this is another example of someone who “always had” insurance and never used it. Now her job didn’t offer it and she did without. The ripple effect of having no insurance and therefore being unable to address her symptoms is horrific. My family has always been fortunate that Mike’s job has had us covered and we are able to address any health issues at all. Besides Jeanne having this illness, even when she was able to receive Medicaid she was not treated well by the two Oncologists who agreed to see her. They were condescending because she was unable to pay. Yes, I know the reimbursement for Medicaid is pitifully low. But human kindness costs nothing.
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.
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