Posted in Community, Partnerships

Hierarchy in Illnesses?

Following the media is not necessarily the best thing for your health.  Having worked in the psychoneuroimmunology field for twenty years I’m well aware of the mind-body-spirit connection and am fascinated at the power the mind plays in health.  What I don’t understand is when people try and play “can you top this ” with their health.

How did our health become so politicized?  I mean I understand the importance of funding for research, but to does that mean that we have to create an illness hierarchy?  Do we wind up creating a system like in poker where a particular illness trumps another illness?

I listened to an interview with Michael Moore, the controversial filmmaker, about his new film “Sicko”.  He was showing how those who served after 9/11 and are now suffering from lung ailments are not receiving as good care as the prisoners we have in Guantanamo Bay.  I don’t understand how that could happen, but it’s true.

As pilgrims our voices have to be heard.  We walk a journey together and it’s important that those in decision making positions understand and hear our voices loudly so that nonprofits providing care for uninsured women with breast cancer can become a thing of the past.

No one should feel that their illness isn’t “bad enough”.  Compassion for those facing life-altering diagnoses will serve as a healthy dose of immune booster, it’s better than taking a spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down.

Author:

I've lived my life in service to others. I'm focused on mental health and how it impacts our relationships, culture, and society. Through creative expression and narrative I believe we can impact change.

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