A Break

There is a small group of people out of the many people that I know that I have created a category in my mind for called "people who just cannot seem to catch a break."  These are the people that you know that in addition to one life struggle, another adds on, and another, and another, when they've barely recovered from the first.  I'm not saying that life is harder for them than others, but there seems to be the strangest kind of universe-dumping happening in their particular sphere than in other places.  Health problems, car problems, family drama, work concerns, house problems, etc. all at once.

Well, we have a few friends that are in just that camp.  To cap off a number of concerns, one of them has had major heart surgery recently.  

It makes me absolutely furious to see how much just trying to stay healthy can bankrupt any family.  An accident at work or a genetic component that you have no control over shift the tide from functioning to limping overnight.  At one time, I was getting a medication every eight weeks that cost $28,000.00 a dose.  And yes, I did put the correct number in there.  If I were on an insurance plan that covered 80%, that's still a huge chunk of money every two months.  When I studied abroad in Scotland on a student visa, the National Institute of Health took care of everything but the medication itself--insurance would not make an overseas payment so we put in for a reimbursement of (after all foreign transaction fees, exchange rates, etc.) about $3,000.  For the exact same medication.  Recent changes to see more people insured is a great bandaid, but we truly need to look at why a procedure costs many times more in the States than it does ANYWHERE else.  Between medical costs themselves or losing a job because of health concerns, how are we collectively supposed to keep up when our health is held for ransom?  In the end, the money has to come from somewhere, be it food bills, electricity, whathaveyou.

I have a lot more to that rant, but that's not the main point right now.  I have some friends that need help.  Prayers are appreciated, most certainly.  However, I would ask people to take a step further than that and be prayers in action.  Please take a look at the link below.

This link.

It takes a great deal of courage to ask for help.  It's hard to admit that you need it, let alone put it out there.  They don't feel entitled; they just need a break.  

Whatever you can donate to them would be appreciated more than you know.  Please click on the link and share what you can.