Empowerment…. Education…..The series continues…..
Hi Friends,
This past week I saw a preview of a documentary called Not As I Pictured It, by John Kaplan. It’s a short film about the effects of cancer thru a photographers lens. It was provoking and yet easily relatable, especially with yours truly. I don’t think the photographer had any particular sex in mind when he filmed it, and that’s what made it unique, the message came across universally.
If you get a chance to see it, please go! We need more films like this. Let’s face it, half of us out there are visual, we learn by sight.
After the film I met several interesting people involved in community outreach. These are the men and women that go into the communities and have health fairs, bring info to masses, and so on. Their job is often thankless, their only satisfaction is from direct contact. As an outreach advocate supporter, I often find that talking with people about cancer is a hard sell. Oh, people want to hear about your story, but only in phases. You see, I’m standing there telling someone about my journey, but all they can see is that I survived. And that’s the real message to them. But in my eyes, my message says you have choice in your ‘quality of life’ after diagnosis. It is up to the individual to be aware of the options of treatment available, to be open to new challenges for their health.
This is a challenge in the minority communities. I’m not sure, but perhaps the idea of health takes a back seat to daily survival. Not long ago, health care was only for those that could afford it. Hospitals didn’t welcome minority patients. This held true in Asian, African American and Hispanic communities alike. I can still see doubt and fear in some of the older members of our society even today when I speak to them about personal health. My mom has a saying, ‘we don’t speak about the unpleasant’. She grew up in dust bowl poverty. In her childhood, when a woman was sick, her options were limited. Going to see a doctor was not even a discussion. And I won’t go there as to the reasons ‘why’.
Thankfully, times are improving. And the reasons ‘why’ are constantly changing as well. A women’s first option is self education. She needs to be aware of her body changes and grab time for herself to address those changes with a doctor of her choice. Women are now encouraged to ‘speak about the unpleasant’.
I find it easier to speak to older minority women. They didn’t grow up with all the bling and media blitz. They are from a simpler time. One where people sat down and talked. A world of one on one education. That is why it is very important to support all forms of education. Be it print on paper, a seminar, video or photos, what ever it takes we need to do it to get the word out.
Women, take note! All around are resources. Walk into a clinic, ask for help. Don’t be afraid to look out for yourself. If you aren’t satisfied, get a second opinion. There are free mammograms, free breast exams, free physicals and even free lab work. There are social workers that can set you up with medical insurance, nurses that can refer you to patient assistance programs for prescriptions, even Wal-Mart has jumped on the band wagon and offers life threatening meds at a very low cost. I applaud them, yours truly didn’t have that option back then. Call your local hospital, ask for the social worker. They have a list of current programs in that facility, if not they can point you in the right direction.
Some of the neighborhood health centers have assistance as well. Local civic groups, fraternities, and churches are trying to get the word out too. You can even call the American Cancer Society. If you find a cancer education program in your area, tell someone else. Share your knowledge. Hand out flyers on free health info. Even the radio sky jock himself Tom Joyner, says ‘Take A Loved One to the Doctor!’ Go to free health fairs, ask your doctor more questions, and step up to your health.
Most of all, you can talk to each other about your health concerns. Sister, we are each others’ strengths and weaknesses. We are linked together and cut from the same cloth. Encourage the older women in your family and neighborhood to be informed.We may look different outside, but inside we are moms, sisters, daughters, grandmothers, aunts and friends.
We work together, we cry together so why not get empowered together?
Remember, Support Your Survivor….
American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345 Just give them your zip code and ask for the programs in your area.
They are researching new meds to treat and cure cancer! And very nice too!
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