The rally and the trip home
Joe and Barbara Coulson hold signs made by Life o' Mike board member Chrystal Cook and written by me. Her photo was taken by dozens of photographers as she held the sign.
I know it’s Tom Coulson and I can’t get the photo caption to update. Sorry, Tom.
What a day yesterday was. We had 1,000 people and we’re going to do it again in October. No date was set yesterday, but I’ll post it as soon as I know.
I felt like an 18-year-old hippie again. We chanted and waved our signs and told our stories. It was amazing.
We got on the bus at 6 p.m. and changed drivers in Roanoke. Our first driver for the evening, Joe, was courteous, friendly and respectful — and probably more ready for a party than we poor, tired folks were.
Our second driver was different.
I have to admit I lost it when, knowing who was on the bus, he was talking on the phone in a loud voice, espousing hatred toward Obama, claiming Joe Wilson has apologized all he needs to because he was right and talking about how this crisis will result in the “population reduction” we need.
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.
I’m so sorry about that Leslie! I had no idea that was going on, because I was at the very back of the bus! You handled the situation wonderfully. While you may have been greatly pained by this man’s insensitivity, maybe he will think about what you said, and it will turn his “ugly” heart around. One can only hope!
I am so glad I found out about your bus trip and didn’t drive, as originally planned. I was tired and a bit achey by the time we got home, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world! It is a day I will long remember!! Thank you for all you do! Blessings upon you…
We were concerned when the bus stopped and knew that the bus driver’s explanation of a fuel stop did not make sense. I regret that you had to handle this after all the work you did to make this event a success. I’m appreciative of your efforts and felt our work was worth the trip. What an adventure!
Actually, it was a fuel stop. There was some kind of problem with getting fuel at the first station.
The rally was a wonderful experience for me. I have really been getting tired of all the negative press about health care and I was happy to actually DO something. I enjoyed meeting people from all over the country who think the way I do. People like the lady who flew in from Kansas by herself, or the wonderful little oriental lady whom we ran into on the bus parking deck. She had driven down from New York and was just arriving and the rally was already over. So Sorry! We told her there will be a bigger one in October. I hope she comes back.
Leslie,
As always, I am so proud to call you “Friend”!!! Good for you to set the disrespectful driver straight about his on the clock behaviours!!! If more people would speak up, our world would surely be a better place.
Thanks,
Marey Coates