San Antonio College students' network for the 2008 election
The Election: From A Little Person's Perspective
The Election: From A Little Persons’ Perspective
There have been so many mixed emotions on this election term. I know that many have said that this election is going to be that most controversial of all elections. Barack Obama will not only be the first African American candidate, but if elected he 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. Color nor gender can no longer be a crutch or an obstacle you can be whatever it is that you want to be.
With setting the bar high, comes a responsibility of proving, that he can make a difference. Like Presidents before him, he has the burden of addressing various issues that have plagued our nation and a duty to see certain changes through while in office. One of those issues is the healthcare industry. To this day there are thousands that for one reason or another are unable to receive or obtain proper healthcare coverage. And because he had very strong issues on healthcare I myself have chosen to take the perspective of someone who wants to believe he will make a difference in this election because of his strong belief on healthcare and the struggle with the healthcare system.
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 a short 39 year old woman with a smaller frame than from the last time I saw her named Lyiah Robinson. Her green eyes had dark rings around them from her being sick.
From the time she was 18, she was no longer considered a military dependent. She was forced to have to fend for herself; not only to take care of herself but to find employment that provided proper healthcare that was conducive to her preexisting conditions. (I.e. irritable bowel syndrome, rectal prolapsed, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, seizures, urinary incontinence and retention, depression, endometriosis, cervical cancer, and breast cancer) This was very difficult for the young woman to achieve especially being so young.
After many interviews she decided to marry her best friend who was active duty in the military. That gave her some level of stability. However, without having the proper physicians, associated with systemic problem she was unable to trust or depend on any of them.
Though the marriage failed; she found a career that she was not only proud of but gave her necessary healthcare coverage that she needed to take care of herself and still maintain a rather comfortable lifestyle until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Sick from the treatments she still managed to hold her title as a Regional Manager for an insurance company overseeing 26 stores throughout Texas. During her six years into the company, they were bought out, she was then informed, “We are switching health insurance companies but you will not be on the insurance but you have the option to purchase Cobra at $300.00 a month. It is not fair to charge higher premiums to the other employees for your preexisting conditions so you will have to go on Cobra if you choose to be covered.” She was eventually wrongfully terminated. After three years of fighting she eventually won unemployment and then three years to get social security.
“You have endured many adversities throughout your young life. What are your expectations for the elections?” I marveled.
“I have been disabled since 1995. Through those years, I have managed to take care of myself and I am raising a nine year old daughter. I have gone from making almost $6000.00 a month to making not even a quarter of that. The rest of the money is not going towards my medical insurance. Last week I went to visit my Rheumatologist and he gave me a sample of a new patch to help with the inflammation in my back. When Medicare received my request they informed me that they needed a reason from my doctor as to why I needed it and how long I would be using it. My medications alone cost me almost $2000.00 a month from September to January. However, if I had to pay all of my medication out of pocket it would cost me $6000.00 a year. Meaning from January to September I am covered minus my deductible from Medicare. I am hoping that this election there will finally be someone who will not only address the healthcare distress that is affecting not only me but my daughters future-but will take action by placing policies that will fulfill the needs of so many families that are forced to have to sacrifice healthcare to maintain a function able household.”
“Why is this so important to you?”
“Every year from January to September I am able to maintain my household and some of my healthcare needs. I want to be able to maintain my household at 100 % without neglecting my healthcare issues because of poor healthcare options as well as insufficient funds available. There needs to be an equal amount of healthcare options for the rich and the poor; the sick and the healthy. I have been employed since I was 16 years of age and stopped at the age of 35. Yet, I feel that with all the dedication in trying to prepare for my future in case I would become unable to work I should be comfortable with my longevity of employment. Instead, like a lot of other people, I feel that the system has failed me, my child, and our future. What is the sense in working to have a stable life style when I have nothing to show for it? I have a daughter that is one day going to be a working class woman; I am rearing her to be a productive citizen. Too have respect for others and love her country and have pride too. Being an American gives her that. What do you think she thinks of her country when it cannot take care of her mommy?”
I sincerely hope that if Barack Obama becomes president he will put an end to the war against the sick, the elderly, and the children. To this day, thousand for one reason or another are unable to receive or obtain proper healthcare coverage; that the quality of live will be extended. I know that life is not fair that everyone in this life that hurts in this life will not hurt in the next. I was raised in church and I have a strong faith in God I hope the next president acts like he shares the same beliefs. Quality healthcare should not be for specific person nor should it be based on being rich with all the 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 everyone.
In regards to Lyiah Robinson, she spoke like a true American!!! She has never worried about herself 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 Mrs. Robinson; we are all praying for you 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 that most controversial of all elections. Barack Obama will not only be the first African American candidate, but if elected he 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. Color nor gender can no longer be a crutch or an obstacle you can be whatever it is that you want to be.
With setting the bar high, comes a responsibility of proving, that he can make a difference. Like Presidents before him, he has the burden of addressing various issues that have plagued our nation and a duty to see certain changes through while in office. One of those issues is the healthcare industry. To this day there are thousands that for one reason or another are unable to receive or obtain proper healthcare coverage. And because he had very strong issues on healthcare I myself have chosen to take the perspective of someone who wants to believe he will make a difference in this election because of his strong belief on healthcare and the struggle with the healthcare system.
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 a short 39 year old woman with a smaller frame than from the last time I saw her named Lyiah Robinson. Her green eyes had dark rings around them from her being sick.
From the time she was 18, she was no longer considered a military dependent. She was forced to have to fend for herself; not only to take care of herself but to find employment that provided proper healthcare that was conducive to her preexisting conditions. (I.e. irritable bowel syndrome, rectal prolapsed, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, seizures, urinary incontinence and retention, depression, endometriosis, cervical cancer, and breast cancer) This was very difficult for the young woman to achieve especially being so young.
After many interviews she decided to marry her best friend who was active duty in the military. That gave her some level of stability. However, without having the proper physicians, associated with systemic problem she was unable to trust or depend on any of them.
Though the marriage failed; she found a career that she was not only proud of but gave her necessary healthcare coverage that she needed to take care of herself and still maintain a rather comfortable lifestyle until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Sick from the treatments she still managed to hold her title as a Regional Manager for an insurance company overseeing 26 stores throughout Texas. During her six years into the company, they were bought out, she was then informed, “We are switching health insurance companies but you will not be on the insurance but you have the option to purchase Cobra at $300.00 a month. It is not fair to charge higher premiums to the other employees for your preexisting conditions so you will have to go on Cobra if you choose to be covered.” She was eventually wrongfully terminated. After three years of fighting she eventually won unemployment and then three years to get social security.
“You have endured many adversities throughout your young life. What are your expectations for the elections?” I marveled.
“I have been disabled since 1995. Through those years, I have managed to take care of myself and I am raising a nine year old daughter. I have gone from making almost $6000.00 a month to making not even a quarter of that. The rest of the money is not going towards my medical insurance. Last week I went to visit my Rheumatologist and he gave me a sample of a new patch to help with the inflammation in my back. When Medicare received my request they informed me that they needed a reason from my doctor as to why I needed it and how long I would be using it. My medications alone cost me almost $2000.00 a month from September to January. However, if I had to pay all of my medication out of pocket it would cost me $6000.00 a year. Meaning from January to September I am covered minus my deductible from Medicare. I am hoping that this election there will finally be someone who will not only address the healthcare distress that is affecting not only me but my daughters future-but will take action by placing policies that will fulfill the needs of so many families that are forced to have to sacrifice healthcare to maintain a function able household.”
“Why is this so important to you?”
“Every year from January to September I am able to maintain my household and some of my healthcare needs. I want to be able to maintain my household at 100 % without neglecting my healthcare issues because of poor healthcare options as well as insufficient funds available. There needs to be an equal amount of healthcare options for the rich and the poor; the sick and the healthy. I have been employed since I was 16 years of age and stopped at the age of 35. Yet, I feel that with all the dedication in trying to prepare for my future in case I would become unable to work I should be comfortable with my longevity of employment. Instead, like a lot of other people, I feel that the system has failed me, my child, and our future. What is the sense in working to have a stable life style when I have nothing to show for it? I have a daughter that is one day going to be a working class woman; I am rearing her to be a productive citizen. Too have respect for others and love her country and have pride too. Being an American gives her that. What do you think she thinks of her country when it cannot take care of her mommy?”
I sincerely hope that if Barack Obama becomes president he will put an end to the war against the sick, the elderly, and the children. To this day, thousand for one reason or another are unable to receive or obtain proper healthcare coverage; that the quality of live will be extended. I know that life is not fair that everyone in this life that hurts in this life will not hurt in the next. I was raised in church and I have a strong faith in God I hope the next president acts like he shares the same beliefs. Quality healthcare should not be for specific person nor should it be based on being rich with all the 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 everyone.
In regards to Lyiah Robinson, she spoke like a true American!!! She has never worried about herself 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 Mrs. Robinson; we are all praying for you victory over breast cancer.
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