Health Care For All
Lynn Pace
Lynn Pace became ill in India and discovered care was much more accessible to her there.
LYNN PACE
Lynn Pace has been a social worker for many years, and three years ago, she decided to take some time off and travel.
Of course, when she left her job, she lost her insurance, but she has always been healthy.
Last year, while traveling in India, Lynn fainted.
“I believe I might have died,” she said. “I saw bright, sparkling lights. It was more than passing out.”
But she came to, and later passed out again.
“This time was more like fainting,” she said.
Far from home and worried about what might be wrong, Lynn went to the city of Puna to see a cardiologist.
He was fabulous,” she said. “He was just fabulous.”
The doctor ran a battery of tests, including a stress test.
“He was in the room monitoring the tests,” she said. “And I got the results before I left that day.”
Her cost for all of it was $75.
If that had happened in the United States, she would have had to go without the care or go deep into debt.
“I would have had to wait a week or 10 days for my results,” she said. “My experience there was so good that if I get sick again, I’m getting on a plane and heading to India.”
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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