Black Americans Look To Health Plan For New Hope

I don't take care of my self the way I should and I have not for a long time. But, an article posted on NPR today debates "whether the coming health-care changes will actually ease the health disparities that black Americans face."

Black Americans Look To Health Plan For New Hope

Today, I am going to be the pot and call the metaphorical kettle black. I am going to say "no" simply for these reasons. Having insurance coverage to see a doctor does not mean that you are going to heed his warning or take his advice when you leave his office. It does not mean that you are going to actually get more exercise or take your medication everyday like you should. It does not mean that you are going to bake your chicken this Sunday instead of frying it. Having health care coverage does not do any of these things. It simply provides you a tool (the doctor) to help you get yourself where you need to be health wise.

Until we, black folks as a collective whole actually start following the doctors orders, then it will not matter if he have no health-care coverage or free health-care coverage, we can not be a healthier people.

Credits: Cheryl Corley, NPR

What I am thinking!

Many days I awaken to the pitter patter of my two year old, Lauryn's feet coming through the house. Most days, she will wait until her mom has left for work and then she will attempt to "sneak" into bed with me. She will gently pull one of her mothers pillows down to the foot of the bed, pull the covers over her and go back to sleep. Little does she realize that she is not "sneaking" and that I am allowing her to get into the bed. I will lay there long enough for her to go back to sleep and then I will either go back to sleep or get up and begin my day.

Lately, due to a combination of working late and health problems I have found myself sleeping in with her and her 1 year old brother, Benjamyn. My wife and I have been so fortunate to have such amazing children. They are such a blessing in our lives. Ben turned one in December of last year and the week following his 1st birthday, we begin to work on moving him out of our bed. While this transistion was much easier for Lauryn, I am happy to report that after two months, Ben is sleeping in his crib in the room that he and his big sister share and my wife and I have reclaimed our bedroom. :)

As for the health problems... I was recently told that I have Hydrocephalus. I have an appointment with a Neurologist on Friday. I know this may sound crazy, but I am still up in the air as to whether or not I am going to the appointment. Before you starting drawing any conclusions, let me explain, I have spent the better part of the last 9 years sick. I have had my appendix and gall blagger removed. I have had heart surgery. I had a Pericardial Window cut into the sac that holds the fluid that surrounds your heart. I had a liter and a half of fluid built up that had to be removed. They never figured out what caused that. I had a battle with Meningitis and the most sever case of Vertigo that my Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist had seen in his nearly thirty years of diagnostic medicine. So, if I seem a little leery of starting down that path again it is certainly with good reason.

Finally, yesterday would have been my grandmother's 95th birthday! She died six years ago this past December. I miss her just as much today as I did when she first passed.

Well, it is time to get up from here and begin to get myself ready for work. I need to hop in the shower before the kids wake up from their nap. I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you here on my blog. More later!