Heading to DC again
I’m flying to Washington tomorrow for some protests, possible arrest and an appearance on The Ed Show on MSNBC on Wednesday.
Tomorrow is a travel day and then the big protest on Tuesday. We’re heading over to the hotel where America’s Health Insurance Plans is holding a meeting to plan its attack on health reform. Some of us will go into the hotel with “citizens’ arrest warrants” and present them to health insurance company executives.
That’s probably going to get those of us with the warrants arrested. Certainly worth it to get the point across. I’ll have photos of Mike and Rob with me.
After we get processed through and have dinner and a good night’s sleep, we’ll head to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for an informal Congressional briefing and one-on-one meeting with members of Congress.
I already have my appointment with Heath Shuler, and I plan to talk about the morality of reforming the system, no matter what the cost. I doubt I’ll get through to him, but I will try.
Then I’m booked on The Ed Show at 6 p.m. Wednesday on MSNBC.
I’m really excited about this trip. I promised Mike I’d do everything I could to make a difference in his memory. I promised him he wouldn’t be forgotten. That was two years ago last week, as we learned he would die soon.
“I guess whatever I was put here to do, it’s done,” he said.
“No it isn’t,” I said. “Your life and your death will be remembered.”
Mike is more than a statistic to me. He was a remarkable human being who died because of our broken, immoral system.
I won’t quit until it’s fixed.
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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