Archive for December, 2009
The natural order of things
My mom died at 11:30 tonight (technically, last night). She was 85 and her husband died three days ago. She is where she wants to be. She received excellent medical care, beyond what she needed. I had to ask them to stop one treatment tonight because it was bothering her and there was no need [...]
We’re not there yet
The Senate finally managed to squeak through a deeply flawed bill this morning, and I will admit it does accomplish some reform, but not enough. I’m eager to see what happens in conference as the House and Senate bills are forged into one. The main issue is an alternative to insurance companies; something to make [...]
Off the grid and goodbye to Millie
We got over a foot of snow last Friday and it’s going to take weeks to clean up the mess. The power went out Friday afternoon and wasn’t restored until Monday night. We have a kerosene heater and a propane camp stove, battery- and propane-powered lamps, oil lights and candles. But the heater really only [...]
The current bill
Something needs to be done now about health care in this country. Five people die every hour because they’re uninsured. However, the closer I look at the current bill before Congress, the more I believe it shouldn’t pass. I tend to watch insurance company stock prices, and they’re rising. It’s a gimme to them with [...]
I’m on the Internets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQjj4yErw9M That’s video of my talk in Washington last week. Watch it and then get out and tell your own story. There’s another vigil in Waynesville, NC on Wednesday. 6 p.m. in front of the courthouse.
A long week
I got home from the candlelight vigil Wednesday afternoon to find a tree on my house. Plus, the power was out in the entire neighborhood with the coldest weather of the season approaching. In fact, it was out all night, came on in the morning and went out again, came on in the afternoon [...]
‘Blessed be the bothersome’
“Blessed be the bothersome for they shall receive health care,” a speaker at tonight’s rally said, after exhorting all of us to call our legislators again and again and again on the issue of health reform. Another mother, whose son survived cancer despite the worst efforts of insurance companies, spoke about her ordeal after I [...]
‘I saw it on TV’
I’m on my way to Washington to speak at a candlelight vigil, and I stopped for gas in Virginia. I went in for a snack and on the radio was a comercial urging Virginians to tell their senators to vote against anything to do with health care reform. I told the clerk how much that [...]
Candlelight vigil
I’m headed to Washington, DC, to speak at a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of our horribly broken health care system. It’s hard to believe there still are people trying to block access to care for all Americans. I don’t understand how one could oppose it. How can anyone believe we have the best [...]
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.