Wednesday, June 29, 2016

A MODern Society


When a woman is sleep deprived, constantly fighting ignorance and insurance or both, balancing many plates in the air and always worrying about the life of their child(ren) with Type 1 Diabetes, and has social media access, you do NOT go and tell said woman with already raw nerves to go anything-yourself.  

Mississippi State Rep. Jeffrey Guice, R-Ocean Springs, because a basic lack of decency, crossed that line this week. Looking for help getting through Medicaid red tape for supplies her daughter needed to, well, stay alive, this asshole representative fired off a quick email telling her to get a job to pay for it herself. Already qualified for Medicaid even with a husband working two jobs, Nichols was looking for help navigating and improving the system, not a handout. 

The reaction in the DOC (diabetic online community) was explosive. Mr. Guice has been feeling the wrath of many a MOD (mother of diabetic) as word spread of his insensitive and butt-face ignorant reply. Poor guy (not really, not an ounce of sympathy), I'm betting he doesn't know what hit him.




Increasingly, the collective force of the DOC in educating, changing technology, pushing forward treatments, and supporting each other amaze me. It reminds me of bonobos. Yes, you heard right: the smaller, cuter cousin of the chimpanzee. Bonobo females experience less physical aggression and violence from males than the female chimps because bonobo females band together and prevent it. They prefer mates that are nicer. As a result, over time, as a society, bonobos have self-domesticated and become a less aggressive, more peaceful species.

If apes can do that, why can't we humans also chose representatives that show compassion and concern for the welfare of our children and country? 




Monday, June 27, 2016

Judge Not

My impatience grew. Why were they coddling this child, letting a toddler bring offertory gifts up the main aisle of Church? Either the basket was too heavy or the child was resisting. We all sat and waited. From where I sat, I couldn't see the child. Why didn't they just pick the child up? We all sat waiting. And waiting. 

I looked at the deacon. He was smiling, not impatient. Then, I saw her. A tiny girl struggled up the aisle. She was not carrying any gifts for her hands gripped tightly the handles of her tiny walker. (I didn't know they made them that small.) Each step took great effort, her back hunched over, her legs not quite cooperating. Her mom, dad, and brother turned and smiled at her. She made it the whole way! She must have been new to the walker for their joy was unmistakable. 

More than one churchgoer wiped away tears. Several minutes of sitting seemed inconsequential now. The parents, not permissive and indulgent, were exalted.

Truly, I don't remember much of the homily that day. I just remember the lesson I learned from a little girl - Judge not. You can't always see exactly what is going on in someone's life. You can't always understand all the challenges that each family faces with their children. Have patience, and maybe, the light will shine down and show you that we each struggle. We each rejoice with small achievements. We are all truly blessed. 

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