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.

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.
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.

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

People from Western North Carolina at Union Station on the way to the rally

 

Terra Dunn Maney shot footage of our trip.

Terra Dunn Maney shot footage of our trip.

 

David Ireland outside Union Station.

David Ireland outside Union Station.

 

Tom and Barbara Coulson hold signs written by me and made by Life o' Mike board member Chrystal Cook.

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.

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?

Bridget McCurry of Canton holds one of my favorite signs: Who would Jesus insure?

 

I loved how clever some of the signs were.

I loved how clever some of the signs were.

 

Another clever sign

Another clever sign

 

Cindy Soesbee of Franklin, a member of our group.

Cindy Soesbee of Franklin, a member of our group.

 

Just telling the truth.

Just telling the truth.

 

Another horror story

Another horror story

 

Clever, and a little icky

Clever, and a little icky

 

A man and his dog

A man and his dog

 

This young man spoke about his mother, whi is going blind because she can't get cateract surgery.

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.

People wait to speak to the crowd. Each had a story about the abuses of our broken health care system.

 

Good point

Good pointHealth care advocacy is patriotic.

Did you know a birth defect is a pre-existing condition?

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.

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.

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. 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. 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.

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.

 

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In Loving Memory

Life o' Mike has participated two memorial services to remember those who have died from our broken health care system, one in Asheville and one in Raleigh. If you would like to organize more of these services, please contact lifeomike@gmail.com and we will help put it together. The services include stories, prayers and information on how people of faith can make a difference. About 45,000 people die each year because they don’t have health insurance, according to a recent study by Harvard Medical School and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That breaks down to one American every 12 minutes. Those people can be honored in the service by a bell chime and a moment of silence every 12 minutes in the service. For more information, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712.

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