Monday, February 21, 2011
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Bad Habits
I was walking down Sheridan/Broadway on my almost-daily trek to Loyola Lakefront library, and I was dying for a smoke. I'm a pretty moderate smoker, but when I'm cafeinated, the urge increases.
I had finsihed my last pack the night before, and had no money, so I decided to look around and see who might have one to spare. There was a thin, solemn-looking older black gentleman who crossed my path, a fresh cigarette dangling from his month.
"Excuse me, sir, do you happen to have an extra cigarette, by chance?" I asked.
"No, I don't have any, I borrowed this one from somebody else."
"Oh, ok. Sorry to bother you..."
"How old are you?"
"Ummmm... why do you ask?" I said, puzzled, as I didn't see how my age had any relevancy to my asking for cigarette (although I have been weirdly mistaken for 18 more than a few times, and still sometimes get carded for cigarettes).
"I started smoking when I was 41. I'm 53 now. You really should stop smoking... just some advice."
I took this opportunity to explain my usual "I'm a moderate smoker" line, but ultimately agreed that he was right, and it was a bad habit.
He said, "You don't need them. The relationship problem will work itself out."
I, taken aback, said, "Hey, now how do you know if my smoking has anything to do with a relationship??"
"He looked me in the eye and , nodded a little and said:
"I just told you, I'm fifty-three years old," and started to walk away. "Chris," he said, holding out his hand.
"Amanda," I said, shaking his hand and laughing at the irony.
He had a point...
I had finsihed my last pack the night before, and had no money, so I decided to look around and see who might have one to spare. There was a thin, solemn-looking older black gentleman who crossed my path, a fresh cigarette dangling from his month.
"Excuse me, sir, do you happen to have an extra cigarette, by chance?" I asked.
"No, I don't have any, I borrowed this one from somebody else."
"Oh, ok. Sorry to bother you..."
"How old are you?"
"Ummmm... why do you ask?" I said, puzzled, as I didn't see how my age had any relevancy to my asking for cigarette (although I have been weirdly mistaken for 18 more than a few times, and still sometimes get carded for cigarettes).
"I started smoking when I was 41. I'm 53 now. You really should stop smoking... just some advice."
I took this opportunity to explain my usual "I'm a moderate smoker" line, but ultimately agreed that he was right, and it was a bad habit.
He said, "You don't need them. The relationship problem will work itself out."
I, taken aback, said, "Hey, now how do you know if my smoking has anything to do with a relationship??"
"He looked me in the eye and , nodded a little and said:
"I just told you, I'm fifty-three years old," and started to walk away. "Chris," he said, holding out his hand.
"Amanda," I said, shaking his hand and laughing at the irony.
He had a point...
Monday, July 13, 2009
My Healthcare Perspective
My father, Zenephon A. Abraham, Sr., was a victim of the current failed healthcare system... He passed away from prostate cancer in 2005. Prior to his passing, he was on Medicare and could not afford health insurance.
When his illiness was discovered and had to enter a nursing facility, he was denied entrance to the higher-end facilities that we're within our hometown of Rolling Meadows. He was sent to a state-run facility (Glenbridge in Niles, IL), which needs to be investigated for abuse and neglect of their residents ASAP (in my father's case as well). Doctors kept telling me there was nothing I could do but watch him suffer and eventually die... yet I hear stories of celebrities that get cured of cancer after only a month just because they have the money?? In addition to this experience, personally being a young woman that currently living alone by circumstance, my own health is being neglected.
My current health insurance and outstanding medical bills (one costing over $1000 because my insurance company REFUSED to pay out) are so costly, I may as well not have health insurance! I have not been able to afford the required co-pay for each time I visit the doctor, nor go to the dentist OR eyecare professional (I've been wearing the same pair of contacts since October 2008!)... I understand the need for taking reponsibility for your own health, but how is this not being considered a problem to some, when so many others share the same dilemma?
It sickens me that everyone does not get a fair and equal chance due to financial status- this is the root of our problem that we all can change my HELPING EACH other, which is what Obama has always said we need to do. Doctors and insurance companies need to stop looking at sick people as dollar signs, and more as HUMAN BEINGS!
In memory of my father, I hope our words and actions can help in this reform, and am willing to support however possible.
When his illiness was discovered and had to enter a nursing facility, he was denied entrance to the higher-end facilities that we're within our hometown of Rolling Meadows. He was sent to a state-run facility (Glenbridge in Niles, IL), which needs to be investigated for abuse and neglect of their residents ASAP (in my father's case as well). Doctors kept telling me there was nothing I could do but watch him suffer and eventually die... yet I hear stories of celebrities that get cured of cancer after only a month just because they have the money?? In addition to this experience, personally being a young woman that currently living alone by circumstance, my own health is being neglected.
My current health insurance and outstanding medical bills (one costing over $1000 because my insurance company REFUSED to pay out) are so costly, I may as well not have health insurance! I have not been able to afford the required co-pay for each time I visit the doctor, nor go to the dentist OR eyecare professional (I've been wearing the same pair of contacts since October 2008!)... I understand the need for taking reponsibility for your own health, but how is this not being considered a problem to some, when so many others share the same dilemma?
It sickens me that everyone does not get a fair and equal chance due to financial status- this is the root of our problem that we all can change my HELPING EACH other, which is what Obama has always said we need to do. Doctors and insurance companies need to stop looking at sick people as dollar signs, and more as HUMAN BEINGS!
In memory of my father, I hope our words and actions can help in this reform, and am willing to support however possible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
