[Kenna]

I've made some really awesome accomplishments lately, that I'm quite proud of, especially given my current barriers to affordable and appropriate health care.

I'm a fiercely independent woman, one not accustomed to "leaning on or relying on" any one else. Just because I deal with a painful disability doesn't mean I'm less independent or that I "need to depend" on others. I'm very accustomed to doing things for myself...just with barriers to appropriate heath care for such a complex issue (needing a Rheumatologist/ Neurologist/ and Ortho) and the messed-up "ObamaCare" that is FAR FROM Affordable...I haven't been able to address issues for over 2 years.

About a year ago, I got frustrated and fed up which made me think "just let nature take it's course; I'm done fighting "the system".

But something happened this summer that inspired me to start fighting again. For several months my partner had tried to convince me to move in with them and promised me they would get me medical care. I wasn't comfortable with that, so they said they would "move us to an east coast state that allowed same sex marriage", since late February they frequently said "I'm gonna marry you, and put you on my insurance!"... I still wasn't comfortable with that, maybe because of my fierce independence and I want to do stuff for myself. ...so this summer they (unknowingly) inspired me to start fighting the system again and improve my quality of life. While driving me to the airport on my last day of our visit, they said "You know you're not as independent as you like to think." (They said this as if they were angry with me and disappointed in me) ....that one statement made me realize how much I had allowed my poor health to rob me of things that are an important part of my identity....

My accomplishment that I'm so proud of: On my own, without getting married before I was ready, without "loading a U-haul" to move to a totally different State before I was comfortable, and without insurance of any kind, I have been approved at a special health care facility that's VERY HARD to get into because they only take 15-20 new patients per year..and many people are on a waiting list for 2 years...
Through this facility, in just 2 visits, they have set up all the appointments with several specialist and will also be addressing the recently diagnosed diabetes. I feel such accomplishment because I had given up trying and given up hope that I would find a doctor.

What I have got done "fighting the system" and getting the ball rolling with the right people just since June/July makes me very proud that I didn't need to depend on anyone else. Their statement about my independence really hit home and made me examine what was important to me.

Every day is a new day to make an accomplishment towards my quality of life and goals.

(Sorry for the ramble, but wanted to explain why this is important to me)