Abandoned by our leaders
I’m still having a little trouble believing the Senate Finance Committee shot down two versions of the public option, but there was the headline above the beaming face of Max Baucus.
But then, they have health insurance and so do their families. They don’t have to choose between mortgage payments and life-saving medication. Not doctor will ever write in their records, “Patient needs a colonoscopy but can’t afford it.”
I’m so angry I can’t even put it into words. How can they abandon us? Don’t they have a conscience? Don’t they understand why we hired them?
Now what?
We start lobbying again. We hold rallies and letter-writing campaigns. We let them know they’re not going back to Washington unless they begin to do the work we hired them to do.
We run people against them wherever we can.
My congressman, Heath Shuler, is a Blue-Dog Democrat, wealthy and never having to give a thought to whether his children will die for lack of care. He told me in April he would support Obama’s plan, then backed off.
I want him held to account. I want them all held to account.
About 300 people died today, but they don’t care.
I’m just furious.
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.
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