Hw 26 - Looking Back & Forward In Unit

Insights:
- Health care systems are based solely on making a profit as opposed to the greater medical good of the people they are insuring.
- The U.S spends more money per person, per year on health insurance, yet in other countries such as England, less money is spent per person, per year and their citizens live longer, and have better success with their health care. (Sicko by Michael Moore)
- Although illness and dying are inevitable aspects of each of our lives, in our society, it is still a business of power, wealth and establishment. (i.e. doctors vs patients, health care companies vs citizens)
- Doctors treat patients as best they can, while also adhering to what the patients want as well as what they need. However, they have a preference and try to persuade the patients to share the same preference as them.

Out of the multiple sources we've gone through for this unit, the most helpful to me have been what I've seen so far from the film "Near Death". Although we have explored a lot on the people who encounter the problems with losing someone, or their own sickness, we haven't gone through the other side of the illness and dying "system", the doctors who treat sick patients. In "Near Death" I've gotten deeper insight into the doctors, and learned about how they go about treating illness and dying, they want to satisfy the patients needs along with their wants, however a lot of persuading and strategy is used as well.

I feel that we should explore deeper in to other institutions of illness and dying, and specifically, nursing homes. With "Sicko" we've explored the subject on a political level, and somewhat personal level; in "Near Death" we are exploring the subject from a doctors/patients aspect, and a major area we have left to explore is from the perspective of the elderly. I feel it is important to identify differences in the people who are old and sick, and, old and dying, from the people who are plagued at a relatively young age such as Morrie, from "Tuesdays With Morrie" by Mitch Albom. To explore deep in to how nursery homes operate, we can search for a good book or film that identifies with nursery homes as well as "Near Death" did for hospitals. We can analyze the film/book and discuss it to gain an additional aspect on the subject of illness and dying.

Hw 25 - Response To "Sicko"

The movie "Sicko" is not a story about people without health care, but about people with health care. Comparisons are being made throughout the entire movie between the universal health care of other countries, such as Canada, England and France; and the United States.  The film exploits how the U.S.'s health care companies operate for their own profit, by rejecting thousands of people for their health needs. "Sicko" also explores the societies' views on their health care along with their thoughts about other countries' health care systems.


Evidence: 
1) Michael Moore used the fact that health care companies paid political activists to stay quiet and stop advocating for universal health care. 
This is important for Moore's argument because it shows that health care companies are aware that they are operating for profit over the well being of the people they're insuring. They pay off the politicians who advocate against them to get rid of any threat before they can no longer handle it, such as Hilary Clinton; who was paid over $800,000 to stay quiet.


2) Moore used doctors as a piece of evidence for his claim. He used a doctor who testified that denying health care, gave him a bonus, and that the same was true for every doctor working at his hospital.
By using this evidence, Moore has direct evidence from a doctor who works for the very same government that denies universal health care. 


Moore's response on CNN was fueled by the fact that CNN itself has its own bias on the health care situation in America, and he was bringing up that they would of edited his interview to make them look better, and that he wanted an apology for CNN's criticisms on Moore's film "Sicko".


According to (Wikipedia.org) Dr. Sanjay Gupta's claim that America spends about $6,096 per person, per yea on health care, is not entirely correct, but very close. Wikipedia stated that in the same year as Dr. Gupta's claim (2007) America spends $6,714 per person, per year on it's citizens' health care. Moore's claim seems disproven, since he stated on the CNN interview that the number is well over $7,000. Both Moore's and Dr. Sanjay Gupta's claims were inaccurate, however Gupta's claim was closer to the number given on Wikipedia.


 Sicko by Michael Moore strongly shifted my views on illness and dying. Prior to watching the film, I've never thought about my health care, I knew I had it, but I never imagined what if I didn't? Or what about the many other people who don't have health insurance? The strongest concept that the film made apparent to me, was that our health care system in the U.S., is for profit, and that as Americans we need to be aware of this. It was an amazing insight to me, that people's lives can be in the hands of companies that want their money before they offer it to you, even if it'll save your life. 

Hw 24 - Illness & Dying Book, Part 3

Tuesdays With Morrie
Mitch Albom
Published by Doubleday
Year of Publishing: 1997


It seems to me that Mitch Albom wrote this book with the intent on changing the way people view death. He took the reader on a journey that started with his healthy college professor, and ended with his demise. Throughout this journey, Mitch illustrates how Morrie seemed to slide easily in to his new life as a dying man. The wisdom of Morrie, and the unique point of view that he has on dying gets passed on to Mitch. Throughout the book, every so often a flashback of one of Mitch's classes with Morrie would be displayed to an even deeper analytical perspective of both Morrie and Mitch as Morrie faces his condition head on. An overarching theme of "Tuesdays With Morrie" can be that, even with the withering of your body, can come the strength of your heart and mind. Morrie is the perfect advocate for this theme. 


(Page 161) Morrie says: "Ted, this disease is knocking at my spirit. But it will not get my spirit. It'll get my body. It will not get my spirit."
This quote directly connects to my overarching theme, that even with the withering of your body, can come the strength of your heart and mind. Through the dozens of aphorisms  that Morrie has shared with Mitch, he seems to always make sure that the message of mind over body is stated. This quote was  said to Ted Koppel during Morrie's last interview with Nightline, and even during his worst times of his condition, he manages to still state that he will not let it get his spirit. 


(Page 167) Morrie says: "Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Don't wait, Mitch. Not everyone gets the time I'm getting. Not everyone is as lucky."
This quote was the second time in which Morrie used the word "Lucky"  to describe his situation, Mitch always questioned this, and in my opinion he is referring to the time he has. After his diagnosis, Morrie has had over 6 months to put his own ending on his life. He got the opportunity to spread wisdom and inspiration, and spend his last months with a person he cares greatly for, Mitch. A lot of people don't get a diagnosis that gives them time to choose there ending without being in a hospital, and Morrie was blessed with that chance. That can be described as lucky. 


(Page 175-176) Morrie says: "Lets see . . . I'd get up in the morning........." - " And then I'd go home and have a deep, wonderful sleep." 
This was the reply that Morrie gave to Mitch after he asked him what would a perfect day be for him if he was healthy. Stunned by the average response Morrie gave him, Mitch questioned it initially, and than realized that the sum of Mitch's aphorisms all lead to a greater message, that life shouldn't be occupied by material things such as exotic meals and trips around the world, but by relationships and the love that people should have for each other.


After finishing the book, and gathering in all of its messages, I believe that the books portrayal of illness and dying during the final - third of the book is, that dying does not mean the end of you entirely. The purpose of life is to build up things around you that do not "Die" with you. Inspire people, inform people, help people, and according to Morrie, love people. Illness and dying should not be viewed of as the end of everything, it should be viewed of as a test for what you have left behind. If you've lived your life to the fullest (according to the books portrayal) than your death should reveal the love you've left behind.  As Morrie said himself "Death ends a life, not a relationship" (Page 174).

Hw 23 - Illness & Dying Book, Part 2

Tuesdays With Morrie
Mitch Albom
Published by Doubleday
Year of Publishing: 1997


For the second- third of the book, Morrie's condition has worsened, meanwhile his "mind" and "soul" as he would say it, was just fine. Through his worsening condition, Morrie's calm demeanor seems to be providing Mitch with some much needed time to reflect on himself and take in even more of Morrie's life lessons. To sum it up the most simple way; along with the progression of Morrie's ALS, came the progression of Mitch's mind. 


(Page 116) Morrie says: "It's like going back to being a child again. Someone to bathe you. Someone to lift you. Someone to wipe you. We all know how to be a child. It's inside all of us. For me, it's just remembering how to enjoy it." 
Morrie is connecting his dependency on others and Charlotte, to being a child again. He is putting  his dependency in a positive spot for him.  


(Page 101) Charlotte says: "There's already so much food. He hasn't eaten any from last time."
I found this quote to be extremely significant because it was one of the first signs of Morrie's ALS slowly draining his life away. This was one of the first indicators to both Mitch, and the reader that Morrie is actually dying. This quote was almost a reality check on the actuality of Morrie's condition. 


(Page 126) Morrie says: "There's a big confusion in this country over what we want versus what we need,"...."You need food , you want a chocolate sundae"
I find that this quote by Morrie basically means Americans have a tendency to be materialistic, and go above and beyond what they need, and get a refined, upgraded version of what they need just to make them happier for the moment. This  message in particular can be directly connected to Mitch, because Mitch valued the power and money he gained with his job. He chose everything job related over the traditional values in his life, such as his family and even Morrie himself. I believe without a doubt, that Morrie intended to get this message in particular through to Mitch, and that Mitch got this message across the strongest of all of Morrie's messages.


In the second- third of "Tuesdays With Morrie", I feel that the portrayal of illness and dying has shifted slightly. Initially illness and dying was portrayed as something you need to make a positive out of, and do the best with your situation, however; now it seems that the insights Morrie is giving to Mitch is giving Morrie a deep sense of responsibility and relevance. I believe the message that "Tuesdays with Morrie" is sending across according to illness and dying is, with the rest of your time, it is necessary to hand down the information and experience that your life (along with illness and dying) has given you to a person worthy of the information. Mitch is this important person for Morrie. Morrie is aware of his allotted time, and feels that it is his responsibility to give Mitch every bit of wisdom and knowledge he has, in hopes that Mitch will do the same for someone else.   

Hw 22 - Illness & Dying Part 1

Tuesdays With Morrie
Mitch Albom
Published by Doubleday
Year of Publishing: 1997

During the chapter, "The Classroom", Mitch comes to the realization that his old professor, Morrie is an overnight media magnet. After the infamous "Nightline" interview that Morrie was the subject in, he was the target for many other interviewers and took the interest of many people after his diagnosis of ALS. Mitch criticizes himself as a man who is in want of nothing more than money and power, his values weren't as deep as Morrie.

(Pages 32-33) - Morrie said, "People see me as a bridge. I'm not as alive as I used to be, but I'm not yet dead. I'm sort of . . . in -  between."  This quote demonstrates that Morrie feels as if he can't be alive since he is soon to die, but not dead since he is still grasping on to life.

(Page 38) - Mitch said, "I promised I would, and I tried not to think about the last time I promised this."
Mitch said this after Morrie told him to visit him again, Mitch knows that he had let Morrie down once before already and has remorse for it. Mitch knows the type of person he is now, yet doesn't seem to necessarily be proud of it.

(Page 61) - Morrie said, "Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel."
This quote can be changed to an overarching theme. Applying this quote to Mitch, you can say that Mitch initially looked at Morrie as an old man dying and withering in to nothing, and suffering the entire time. However it is not until Mitch spends more time around Morrie, that he realizes that Morrie is not thinking about what he sees in the mirror, but more of what he feels inside.

The way that Tuesdays With Morrie portrays illness and dying, is through positivity. Morrie doesn't emotionally wither up and quit during his last months of life, instead he chooses to spread his insight and thoughts for the end of his life. This is pretty similar to how my family has handled illness before death. A very distant relative through marriage, had a lump in her breast found and during the time before they biopsied it, she chose to be much more at peace and giving to others. Both my relative and Morrie used the fear of death to give them much more value for their lives.

Hw 21b - Expert #1 - T/V comments.

To Jessica C. :


You should add some of your own insight, include your perspective. Explain a connection you may have to her situation, and if you don't have one than you can use a friends loss as an example. Just try to give a connection.




To Lora :


I think you did very good with your list of Ms Woods important insights, but just try to proofread your blog before you post it. "In-brace" should be embrace, on your list "Ounce" should be once, etc, and "granited" should be granted.

Hw 21 - Expert #1

List of Important insights shared by Ms Wood
- Her and her husband initially had no health insurance
- "Honeymoon from death"
- The idea of time passing by much quicker after her husband's diagnosis

The term that she used for the time passing by after her husband's diagnosis was "Snowballing", with reference to time passing by quick. I can deeply connect to this because I have had the sense of time passing by rapidly upon tragic news. Although just my pet, when I was 7 years old my beloved dog started growing ill. My grandmother took her in to the vet, and after tests and observations, she was diagnosed with bladder cancer. My dog was very old so she was on borrowed time before the diagnosis, however once I heard that she won't live for much longer, I wanted time to slow down so much just to get the most out of every last second but time did just the opposite. I felt that one day passing, was equal to three or four days prior to my dog's diagnosis. So I fully understand what Ms Wood meant when she said  "Time was snowballing".

I find her idea of health insurance something I think about whenever I'm at a doctors appointment. Ms wood and her husband had no health insurance available to them at first, which seems unacceptable for any American citizen, but it was a harsh reality in her case. Whenever I am at a clinic, and my grandmother goes to the front desk to handle the paperwork and sign in, the clerk behind the desk always asks her "What type of health insurance?" and my grandmother responds "Affinity". As a child, I  never thought about it, but as I grew older and learned about health insurance, I always find myself asking, what if I didn't have health insurance? How much money would be spent on my doctors visits? How much would have to be sacrificed? I grew opinions on health insurance, and to this day, I believe everyone that is a U.S citizen should have health insurance with no tolerance for the lack of it. Health insurance was always taken for granted by me, but listening to Ms Woods' story, I am thankful for having health insurance and can't imagine the struggle she went through.

Ms Woods' presentation pushed me to think more about the time that we have available with our loved ones and that we should make the most out of it. On a deeper level, I now find myself more prepared for the realization that although someone of astronomical importance and significance to you has become ill or passed away, the world isn't going to change around it. The world moves on, cars keep moving in traffic, stores stay open, emergency rooms get ready for the next set of people coming in, nothing changes.

Hw 19 - Family Perspectives On Illness & Dying

I questioned my grandmother using my personal opinions about illness and dying as a control, and using my grandmother as almost an experiment. I asked her, "Do you think illness and dying is talked about that much in society?" My personal opinion on this topic, was that it was actually avoided many times, and the topic of illness and dying makes people feel uncomfortable so they choose not to mention it when it isn't necessary. To round up what my grandmother stated, she thinks that people don't want to be reminded of the fact that death and illness exists everywhere around them. She also strongly felt that most people don't like to talk about death/illness because it almost always reminds them of a tragedy that has happened or is happening now within their family and friends.

My grandmother and I also agreed on one thing, however. We both felt that death and illness is an issue that people like to isolate from the living. An example my grandmother used, were cemeteries. The idea I believe she was trying to get at was that most cemeteries are out of the city, and never surrounded by much civilization, they're hardly any buildings neighboring cemeteries. I agreed with her because I feel as another good example, would be Elderly "homes" which are never seen in the city, nor come in much contact with the rest of society.

I believe the most interesting insight that my grandmother made, was that although cemeteries, along with hospitals and elderly institutes are companies, and offer jobs and are large organizations they never have advertising. You never see a commercial air for Beth Israel Hospital or a cemetery. Why would any television network want to air a commercial advertising something on a topic as negative as death and illness? Why is it that two of the inevitable things in life (death/illness) aren't advertised or spoken of widely in society?