Archive for August, 2010
A heartfelt thanks
Our race was a success in that it was fun for everyone attended and it helped to get our name and mission out there. We made a little money, but we also got some volunteers and support. So, thanks to the NC Arboretum for letting us use the facility, and helping us get set up. [...]
500 million eggs
500 million. That’s how many eggs are being recalled because of salmonella. Salmonela isn’t really problem among small-farm producers; it’s only when you get to these humongous farms where chickens are kept in tiny cages and never see the light of day when you get into trouble. All these eggs come from just two farms [...]
Give BCBS more and they’ll give us less
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NC has asked he state for an average 7 percent increase in premiums. Some comsumers, however, could see their rates increase by up to 30 percent, and a few will see a 50-percent hike. This comes just a week after the insurance company laid off 90 workers to cut costs. The [...]
Daddy’s birthday
Yesterday would have been my father’s 88th birthday. He died 21 years ago from COPD, the result of a lifetime of smoking. I wasn’t doing well — missing Daddy, missing Ellen and missing Mike — so I decided to go up to Black Balsam, where we scattered Mike’s ashes. I had to take a roundabout [...]
How to distract people from the real issues
When I heard a group of Muslims was going to build a 13-story mosque at Ground Zero, I wondered how they got the permits. I know New York and I know it can take months, if not years, to get all your permits in a row. Well, it turns out, the group wants to build [...]
A good half hour
I donated blood this morning for the first time since Mike died. I used to give every three or four months, but somehow I just didn’t get around to it — and quite a few other things — after Mike died. I had forgotten how easy and quick it is to give a pint of [...]
Become an expert
I spoke at a rally for MoveOn last night, talking about how corporations weakened health reform and how they’re still working with policy makers at the federal and state levels to weaken it even more. K Street is full of people who make a lot of money representing big business and they spend money freely [...]
Grown up little girls
Little girls as young as 7 are entering puberty, leaving them vulnerable to depression, eating disorders, obesity, increased risk of breast cancer and other health problems. Much of the problem is caused by our food supply. Milk and meats are laced with growth hormones, and our children ingest the hormones with the food. Burgers, milk, chicken, [...]
Party weekend
We celebrated Rob’s 60th (thank God) birthday over the weekend with family and friends from here, New England and New Jersey and New York. It really started Wednesday, when Faith and Alfred arrived. They were supposed to come on Thursday, but on Tuesday night, as they were camping in Deep Creek at the Great Smoky [...]
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.