San Antonio College students' network for the 2008 election
What the Electon Means to Me
What the Election Means to Me
There have been so many mixed emotions on this election term. I know that many have said that this election is going to be the most controversial of all elections. I am we heard that before. Never the less, this term has broken two barriers that this country has not seen coming in years.
The first is the gender barrier. Hillary Clinton was the first woman to run for presidency. This was quite a milestone. Woman, have at least for the past 15 years have move and are rapidly moving up the ladder in the athletic, corporate (blue and white collar), and now politics. She set a very high bar for all young and old women alike. She has shown the world that there is no reason for failure. That if you believe it then you can achieve it.
The second is the race barrier. Barack Obama will not only be the first African American candidate, but if elected, will be the first black president. Won’t that be something? As a black man, he will have set the bar high for all black men both young and old. He will have proven that you can achieve anything if you believe it. That color or gender can no longer be a crutch or an obstacle to be whatever it is that you want to be.
With all of that in mind, what does this mean for the rest of the world? Well, upon talking to a variety of people. There seems to be mixed feelings about the candidates that are currently running; Barack Obama, and John McCain. Not much has come up about the color issue. The concerns vary from lowering the economy, to bringing our soldiers home, and how healthcare will be affected in a manner that can only be hoped for as a positive to give patients both present and future to take care of themselves and their families.
I myself have chosen to take the perspective of someone who all but lost their faith not only in her government but in her self-worth.
The following perspective comes from a 39 year old woman named Lyiah Robinson. From as far back as 1995 she has struggled from surviving cervical cancer to fighting breast cancer.
The sweet music of chimes echoing in the wind filled the air as I walked up to the quaint house. As the door opened, out of the shadow came short women with a smaller frame then from the last time I saw her. Her green eyes, has dark rings around then from her being sick.
“How are you feeling, today?” I asked.
“I’m doing alright today.” She replied. Walking in the doorway, the fresh smell of sandalwood and vanilla incense filled the air. All around were pictures of family as well as African art. “I was very surprised that you would do a paper on me.” She sounded genuinely surprised.
To tell the truth, I could not think of anyone else who would more deserving to share her journey and how the election will either have a positive or a negative impact as far as her medical benefits and her fight with all of her underlining medical conditions.
“How long have you been disabled?”
“I have been fighting for so long I cannot remember. I can say at least since high school. I was not able to get much help until I got out on my own and was able to afford the proper insurance.”
“When did the difficulties with medical coverage started?”
“It started after the age of 18 because I was no longer considered a dependant with my parents. That was one of the reasons that my best friend wanted to marry me. I guess he figured that while I had proper medical care he in turn would receive a supplement from the military. I was very appreciative. Still I thought his intentions were selfless. However some of the issues I had I never had a doctor that I could actually say that they knew what was going on. That they followed me as far as progress and help. At that time you did not have a specific doctor all the time. It varied, especially the hospital being a training hospital. Despite making the best of what, I still was not able to have the underlying issues that had plagued my young adult hood ever resolved.”
“You mentioned that you had/have medical issues that were not resolved. What are the medical issues that you have had to deal with and you are still dealing with?”
“I have severe bladder dysfunction that I had a pacemaker placed in my bladder in order to stop the frequency and the retention of urine. I have had 7 bladder surgeries. With the pacemaker being replaced 2 times, I still have difficulties. I have diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome and 2 knee surgeries. The second surgery I had to have total reconstruction of the ACL. I have titanium plate and screws in it. I have fibromyalgia. I am in pain seems constantly. I have to use a fentanyl patch to help with the doing daily functions. Along with medications that help with the inflammation. I just found out that the pharmaceutical company has a lawsuit pending due to the patch causing suicide, and death. I have irritable bowel syndrome. I either suffer from diarrhea or constipation. Either one of them cause severe stomach cramping and pain. I have seizures. They use to be pretty scary. I use to be so afraid when I would come out of them not know what happened. I could hear voices but, I could not talk. It was being in a sound proof room. I am a cervical cancer survivor.
“I do not mean to interrupt, but, how long have you been in remission?”
“I have been in remission for about 5 years. I now have to fight against breast cancer. I got diagnosed December 2007. I have already gone thru some chemotherapy and radiation. However my medical insurance has not been the most supportive for what I have going on with me. I also suffer from severe depression.”
“Damn! I cannot believe that someone so young has all of these medical problems and with the work history that you have not be able to receive the medical care and coverage that is deserving of someone that has worked since 16.”
As I took a long look at her moving like someone who decided to get a personal trainer. She truly is amazing to me. With all of this turmoil she is raising a 9 year old daughter, and is still able to put food on the table and clothes on her daughters back. Though she is currently on social security she was denied 2 times before going in front of social security benefits board to grant her permanent disability. This is a woman who went from making almost $6,000 a month to making not even a quarter of that. The rest of the money definitely is not going towards her medical insurance. Just last week she went to visit her rheumatologist and he gave her a sample of a new patch that was to help with the inflammation. When Medicare got her request they told her that they needed a reason from her doctor as to why she needed it.
I am trying to understand how an organization that is nationwide has to call a patient or a client and expect them to answer a question that they need verification from the doctor himself. I also, have a hard time stomaching the fact that this is a young woman who has been fighting for most of her adult life to live to raise her daughter to be a good person. To believe that when you work hard you will be rewarded with the luxury of not only having the things that you want but when you cannot take care of yourself that you can always rely on the medical benefits that you put your money into to take care of you. It is almost like she has been fighting a lost cause. She does not make enough money to pay for her medications and take care of her household. So her medical care has been suffering.
In fact, every September she reaches the end of her deductable and has to pay almost $1,300 for her medications until the beginning of the year. This has been going on for 5 years. For example, because she cannot afford to pay for the name brand of her pain patch which is $300 she has to use the generic version which costs $5. I do believe that you get what you pay for. However, the medicine does not have the same lasting affect that the name brand does and it loses its potency by the second day of use instead the full 3 days. This is a medicine that has to be changed every 3 days. One of her seizure medicines cost over $100 per 30 day prescription. She has to do without because she cannot afford it with the other medications. I am sure by now you know that her cancer treatment has had to be placed on hold due to lack of funds to cover her under her insurance. I am truly saddened and angered at such a disgrace that our medical insurance agencies have displayed to her and many other victims.
“So, Lyiah with all that you have been facing with the breast cancer as well as the other health conditions, what would the election really mean to you?”
“I sincerely hope that this election will bring an end to the wars. The war on drugs; crimes against humanity Iraq, gang violence, education, abuse against our children, sick, and the elderly. The war against everything that takes away from our quality of life I have seen and been thru a lot. I know that life is not fair. That everyone that hurts in this life will not hurt anymore in the next. I was raised in church, and I have a strong faith in God. I hope that the next president acts like he has the same beliefs. Medical care should not be for a specific type of person, and excellent medical care should not be for the other type of person. With all that working folks that have sacrificed to be comfortable in knowing that they are taking care of when they cannot take care of themselves. I want that not just for me but, for my daughter.”
Now that was spoken like a true American!!! She has never worried about just her but for the welfare of others. She not only knows what she wants her future president to do for her, but what he can do for her country. Stay strong Ms. Robinson; we are all praying for your victory over breast cancer.
There have been so many mixed emotions on this election term. I know that many have said that this election is going to be the most controversial of all elections. I am we heard that before. Never the less, this term has broken two barriers that this country has not seen coming in years.
The first is the gender barrier. Hillary Clinton was the first woman to run for presidency. This was quite a milestone. Woman, have at least for the past 15 years have move and are rapidly moving up the ladder in the athletic, corporate (blue and white collar), and now politics. She set a very high bar for all young and old women alike. She has shown the world that there is no reason for failure. That if you believe it then you can achieve it.
The second is the race barrier. Barack Obama will not only be the first African American candidate, but if elected, will be the first black president. Won’t that be something? As a black man, he will have set the bar high for all black men both young and old. He will have proven that you can achieve anything if you believe it. That color or gender can no longer be a crutch or an obstacle to be whatever it is that you want to be.
With all of that in mind, what does this mean for the rest of the world? Well, upon talking to a variety of people. There seems to be mixed feelings about the candidates that are currently running; Barack Obama, and John McCain. Not much has come up about the color issue. The concerns vary from lowering the economy, to bringing our soldiers home, and how healthcare will be affected in a manner that can only be hoped for as a positive to give patients both present and future to take care of themselves and their families.
I myself have chosen to take the perspective of someone who all but lost their faith not only in her government but in her self-worth.
The following perspective comes from a 39 year old woman named Lyiah Robinson. From as far back as 1995 she has struggled from surviving cervical cancer to fighting breast cancer.
The sweet music of chimes echoing in the wind filled the air as I walked up to the quaint house. As the door opened, out of the shadow came short women with a smaller frame then from the last time I saw her. Her green eyes, has dark rings around then from her being sick.
“How are you feeling, today?” I asked.
“I’m doing alright today.” She replied. Walking in the doorway, the fresh smell of sandalwood and vanilla incense filled the air. All around were pictures of family as well as African art. “I was very surprised that you would do a paper on me.” She sounded genuinely surprised.
To tell the truth, I could not think of anyone else who would more deserving to share her journey and how the election will either have a positive or a negative impact as far as her medical benefits and her fight with all of her underlining medical conditions.
“How long have you been disabled?”
“I have been fighting for so long I cannot remember. I can say at least since high school. I was not able to get much help until I got out on my own and was able to afford the proper insurance.”
“When did the difficulties with medical coverage started?”
“It started after the age of 18 because I was no longer considered a dependant with my parents. That was one of the reasons that my best friend wanted to marry me. I guess he figured that while I had proper medical care he in turn would receive a supplement from the military. I was very appreciative. Still I thought his intentions were selfless. However some of the issues I had I never had a doctor that I could actually say that they knew what was going on. That they followed me as far as progress and help. At that time you did not have a specific doctor all the time. It varied, especially the hospital being a training hospital. Despite making the best of what, I still was not able to have the underlying issues that had plagued my young adult hood ever resolved.”
“You mentioned that you had/have medical issues that were not resolved. What are the medical issues that you have had to deal with and you are still dealing with?”
“I have severe bladder dysfunction that I had a pacemaker placed in my bladder in order to stop the frequency and the retention of urine. I have had 7 bladder surgeries. With the pacemaker being replaced 2 times, I still have difficulties. I have diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome and 2 knee surgeries. The second surgery I had to have total reconstruction of the ACL. I have titanium plate and screws in it. I have fibromyalgia. I am in pain seems constantly. I have to use a fentanyl patch to help with the doing daily functions. Along with medications that help with the inflammation. I just found out that the pharmaceutical company has a lawsuit pending due to the patch causing suicide, and death. I have irritable bowel syndrome. I either suffer from diarrhea or constipation. Either one of them cause severe stomach cramping and pain. I have seizures. They use to be pretty scary. I use to be so afraid when I would come out of them not know what happened. I could hear voices but, I could not talk. It was being in a sound proof room. I am a cervical cancer survivor.
“I do not mean to interrupt, but, how long have you been in remission?”
“I have been in remission for about 5 years. I now have to fight against breast cancer. I got diagnosed December 2007. I have already gone thru some chemotherapy and radiation. However my medical insurance has not been the most supportive for what I have going on with me. I also suffer from severe depression.”
“Damn! I cannot believe that someone so young has all of these medical problems and with the work history that you have not be able to receive the medical care and coverage that is deserving of someone that has worked since 16.”
As I took a long look at her moving like someone who decided to get a personal trainer. She truly is amazing to me. With all of this turmoil she is raising a 9 year old daughter, and is still able to put food on the table and clothes on her daughters back. Though she is currently on social security she was denied 2 times before going in front of social security benefits board to grant her permanent disability. This is a woman who went from making almost $6,000 a month to making not even a quarter of that. The rest of the money definitely is not going towards her medical insurance. Just last week she went to visit her rheumatologist and he gave her a sample of a new patch that was to help with the inflammation. When Medicare got her request they told her that they needed a reason from her doctor as to why she needed it.
I am trying to understand how an organization that is nationwide has to call a patient or a client and expect them to answer a question that they need verification from the doctor himself. I also, have a hard time stomaching the fact that this is a young woman who has been fighting for most of her adult life to live to raise her daughter to be a good person. To believe that when you work hard you will be rewarded with the luxury of not only having the things that you want but when you cannot take care of yourself that you can always rely on the medical benefits that you put your money into to take care of you. It is almost like she has been fighting a lost cause. She does not make enough money to pay for her medications and take care of her household. So her medical care has been suffering.
In fact, every September she reaches the end of her deductable and has to pay almost $1,300 for her medications until the beginning of the year. This has been going on for 5 years. For example, because she cannot afford to pay for the name brand of her pain patch which is $300 she has to use the generic version which costs $5. I do believe that you get what you pay for. However, the medicine does not have the same lasting affect that the name brand does and it loses its potency by the second day of use instead the full 3 days. This is a medicine that has to be changed every 3 days. One of her seizure medicines cost over $100 per 30 day prescription. She has to do without because she cannot afford it with the other medications. I am sure by now you know that her cancer treatment has had to be placed on hold due to lack of funds to cover her under her insurance. I am truly saddened and angered at such a disgrace that our medical insurance agencies have displayed to her and many other victims.
“So, Lyiah with all that you have been facing with the breast cancer as well as the other health conditions, what would the election really mean to you?”
“I sincerely hope that this election will bring an end to the wars. The war on drugs; crimes against humanity Iraq, gang violence, education, abuse against our children, sick, and the elderly. The war against everything that takes away from our quality of life I have seen and been thru a lot. I know that life is not fair. That everyone that hurts in this life will not hurt anymore in the next. I was raised in church, and I have a strong faith in God. I hope that the next president acts like he has the same beliefs. Medical care should not be for a specific type of person, and excellent medical care should not be for the other type of person. With all that working folks that have sacrificed to be comfortable in knowing that they are taking care of when they cannot take care of themselves. I want that not just for me but, for my daughter.”
Now that was spoken like a true American!!! She has never worried about just her but for the welfare of others. She not only knows what she wants her future president to do for her, but what he can do for her country. Stay strong Ms. Robinson; we are all praying for your victory over breast cancer.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Laurie Lopez Coleman on -
Miche,
Thank you for your report. It is a very telling of the kinds of attitudes that many American have regarding our government. We do feel detatched and underrepresented in a system that seems to reward the influential lobbyists and special interest groups. But, I suppose we have our selves to blame for failing to engage in letting our elected officials know when we don't agree with failed or missing policy that would help us with our quality of life.
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Permalink Reply by Stella on
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I agree, this election will be in the history books. I hope the next president changes America for the better, he will have to be really strong to fix our problems. We need change especially since our economy is going down. Bush as president really brought us down, and now the next president has to fix everything. Americans are going down little by little, and we need help. Hopefully the next president can bring our troops home for relief, give us affordable education, healthcare, put minorities in thought, and help americans in need. We truly do need a strong president in this election. Americans need some type of relief for living paycheck by paycheck, americans deserve some rest.
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