I interviewed a woman I work with regarding her choice to be childless. She is in her mid twenties and married. She expressed to me that her and her husband do not wish to have any kids. At first I thought maybe she was just young and not ready for them, but after talking with her I realized that she was very serious about her decision. She went on to explain her concerns about her husband's health. Her husband has gentetic disease that both of them do not want to pass on to a child. While there is no guarantee that their child would inherit the disease, they feel that it is too much of a risk and that it is selfish to have a child. Also, she said that it would be too hard for her to take care of children and her husband when he is sick. She was very sure about her decision to not have children. She is currently using the pill as a birth control method. I asked why not sterilization. Her response was that she was affraid to have the surgery and it was out of the question for her husband.
Now I understand her decision and I respect that. If I was in her position I honestly don't know what I would do. If I was positive that I was not going to have kids ever, I would get sterilized. Why continue to take a pill every day when and worry about the slightest possiblity of pregnancy when you could get permanent birth control? I know she is afraid, but I think that she needs to seriously consider sterilization.

Sex Education

I believe that sex education should be taught is public schools. Many students in public schools do not have accurate information regarding sex. There is so much misinformation out there. Kids are getting information from friends, tv, and the internet. These are not necessarily credible sources. Some may be, but most are not. Lets face it, many kids and teens are going to have sex if they really want. If they were educated about the risks and conseqences of sex, then they may choose to wait. If they do not choose to wait, they may make better decisions such as using a condom or birth control. Many of these kids do not know about the risks of sexual activity. I think that if they did, there may be a decrease in sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies in public schools.

Preventative Practices

I answered yes to 7 out of the 10 questions on the preventive practice self-assessment. That's not too bad, but it could be better. I do not eat enough friuts and vegetables. I really need to include more fruits and vegetables in my diet. I have been trying to take at least one fruit to work each day to eat as a snack. The next time I go to the grocery store I will buy more. I also feel that I do not get enough physical activity. I usually walk my dog at least twice a week for about a half hour. That is only two days out of the week. Accoding to the self-assessment, I need some sort of physical activity at least four days a week. I would like to walk my dogs more often, but some days when I get off work I am just so tired. I have been thinking about taking a pilates class on saturdays. This would give me at least three days of physical activity. I also feel that I do not get enough sleep. I always feel tired throughout the day. I try to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night but I always feel tired. I have problems staying asleep. Maybe I need to talk to my doctor, or maybe I need a new matress. Overall, I feel that my health could be better and I should do more thing for my health.

Universal Healthcare

I believe that healthcare is a right. Every citizen should be entitled to universal healthcare insurance. Although it is minimal, every citizen should have the right to healthcare. And for those who would like more healthcare coverage, they can continue to purchase their own private health insurance. Universal healthcare insurance could have an very positive impact on this county. If everyone had the right to healthcare we may see people living longer, a decline in the spread of certain diseases, and a decline in the number of emergency room visits. How many times have you ever had to wait hours in an emergency room either for yourself or someone else? I know I have several times. Some of those people in the waiting room do not have insurance. They did not seek the proper medical care before because they could not afford it, but once their symptoms progressed they had no choice but to go to the emergency room. The last time I was in the emergency room there was a lady who had brought her child in for an ear infection. She did not have insurance and did not take her son in to see a doctor when it first began. The poor chid was in so much pain and was so sick. This could have been avoided if she had the minimal healthcare coverage to seek medical attention before the problem became worse. She could have taken him to a doctor before it got to this point. The point that I am trying to make it that universal healthcare can have a huge impact on hospitals. The more people that seek care earlier, the less emergency room visits that will be made. Therefore, people in the emergency room can have quicker access to emergency healthcare.

Health Concerns

Over the past year I have had some health issues that I have been dealing with. As a result, I have been doing a lot of research on a many different treatments that are available. I have read many books, asked my doctor and pharmacist many questions, and I have even researched the cost of different treatments. When I saw the prices, I was speechless. $2,000.00 for a one month supply! What about my insurance? Will they pay for any of it? I was so relieved to find out that they covered it 100%. Soon after hearing that, I met a woman who was receiving the same drug that I was. Unfortunately, her insurance company only covered a portion of hers. Her copay was $500.00 for a one month supply. Ouch! She was in a position where she could afford to pay this every month. This really concerns me. If I had a copay that high, I wouldn't be able to afford it. I would have to go without treatment. Then what would I do? What about all the other people who's insurance doesn't cover their treatment? Or the people who cannot afford to pay their copay? What are they supposed to do? Just go without it and try to live their life as long as they possibly can? NO! We need to fight it. But how? Appeal it through the insurance companies. If they turn it down, is that it? I am very concerned now, especially because of the economy. With unemployment rising, the number of uninsured is also increasing. What options do we have?

Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Jamie Cuoco. This is my first blog, so I hope that I did this right. This is my first semester at TWU as a transfer student. I am excited to be here. I am fairly new to Texas. I have lived here for about a year and a half. I moved from Arizona where I previously studied agribusiness at Arizona State University. Now I am not really sure what I would like to study.
I am not married and I do not have children, just my two dogs. They are my monsters. They are big and clumsy, but sweet and loyal.
Good luck to everyone! I hope you enjoy my blog!