September 13 rally in Washington
Photo by Connie Toops. Handmade signs relayed the sentiments of peaceful advocates for health care reform as they gathered within sight of the US Capitol on September 13, 2009, to support affordable, accessible, accountable updates to the nation's health care system.
- The Washington Post took this photo of the back of my head as I spoke at the health care rally in Washington.
Colette Corwin and Margaret Stockard-Goering talk at Union Station, before we even found our way to the exit.
People from Western North Carolina at Union Station on the way to the rally
Terra Dunn Maney shot footage of our trip.
David Ireland outside Union Station.
Tom and Barbara Coulson hold signs written by me and made by Life o' Mike board member Chrystal Cook.
It was my turn to hold the grandma sign. Barbara carried it most of the day and dozens of people stopped her to shoot photos.
Bridget McCurry of Canton holds one of my favorite signs: Who would Jesus insure?
I loved how clever some of the signs were.
Another clever sign
Cindy Soesbee of Franklin, a member of our group.
Just telling the truth.
Another horror story
Clever, and a little icky
A man and his dog
This young man spoke about his mother, whi is going blind because she can't get cateract surgery.
People wait to speak to the crowd. Each had a story about the abuses of our broken health care system.
Good pointHealth care advocacy is patriotic.
Did you know a birth defect is a pre-existing condition?
Joe the bus driver gets ready to drive us halfway home. He was more ready for fun than most of us were, and we enjoyed his company.
Participants arrive at Upper Senate Park for health care reform rally. Oklahoma organizers unfurl their banner. Photo by Connie Toops.
Photo by Connie Toops. I was interviewed by the ABC affiliate in Washington.Photo by Connie Toops. Participants from many states joined the health care reform march near the Capitol. People marched around the park, chanting and waving signs before the program began.
Photo by Connie Toops. Peaceful demonstrators gather near the US Capitol in support of a public option for affordable, accessible, accountable health care reform.
Photo by Connie Toops. It was easy to imagine President Obama was at the rally. The young woman next to him talked about how her sister is afraid to become pregnant because she doesn't have insurance.
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.
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