Archive for July, 2009
Tired and sad
I’m speaking at another rally tomorrow, telling Mike’s story. I miss him more every time I tell it, but it makes people aware that something needs to be done. I’m so tired of listening to the crap of politics. President Obama’s press conference tonight was almost silly with the questions from the media about whether [...]
Harry and Louise are on the other side now
I saw a new Harry and Louise ad last night, sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry. But they weren’t scared of health care reform this time. In fact, they were hoping it will happen. Huh? I mean, wow. The proposed legislation isn’t perfect, but it is a start. I just want to see steps in the [...]
How they voted
When the Senate HELP Committee (Health Education Labor & Pensions) voted on health care reform the other day, it was pretty clear who they represented. The more campaign money they accepted from the health care industry, the more likely they were to oppose the plan. Check out http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/07/help-committee-members-opposin.html for an analysis and a chart showing how [...]
‘I talk to Mike’
We’re on vacation this week, visiting friends and family. Our last stop was Matt and Shannon’s new house in Rhode Island. Shannon was Mike’s favorite cousin, and Mike and Matt took to each other as soon as they met. Matt often drove Mike to chemo at Duke, more than an hour from where he lived [...]
I survived the layoffs
We lost about a dozen people to the big layoffs at Gannett today. Rob and I survived, but a few friends didn’t The one I’m most upset about is my colleague, Jennifer. Her boyfriend lost his job last summer, then was diagnosed with cancer. He doesn’t have health insurance and he’s been told he’ll have [...]
Spending sensibly
As Congress debates the future of health care in America, the focus is on the insurance companies, but they aren’t causing the entire problem. It’s more complex than that. David Leonhart of the New York Times explains in a column (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/business/economy/08leonhardt.html?partner=rss&emc=rss) why he uses prostate cancer as a benchmark for reform. Doctors can choose from [...]
If only I had this kind of money …
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/05/AR2009070502770.html?hpid=topnews The Washington Post calls it a record-breaking effort to influence lawmakers — a $1.4 million PER DAY effort. Think about how many people that much money could help with health care bills. That was more than it cost to treat Mike — once he finally was diagnosed. That would pay to reomodel a dozen [...]
Independence Day thoughts
Rob and I passed a “tea party” demonstration on our way to the city’s July 4th celebration yesterday, and I watched for a moment and wondered why so many people would vote against their best interests. But then I realized I do agree with them on some things, as liberal as I am. The working [...]
What else can we do?
As everyone wrangles with health reform legislation, let’s also talk about ways we can reduce our own risk of getting sick. Apparently some of us need some real motivation to live healthier lives. Here at the Asheville Citizen-Times, people who smoke cigarettes are charged more for health insurance than people who don’t. I’m just waiting for [...]
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.