It seems as of late I have had a number of people passing judgment on me and my family. It is nothing to do with this blog or any of that sort of thing (although I know of other bloggers who have had this happen, but that is another post entirely). Now, I know that we all make and pass judgments on each other, I can be realistic about that. What I do have a problem with is when someone I do not know, I have had no interaction with until that very moment and they make a judgment based off of the one thing though know about me.
I, my family and I that is, are on public assistance at this current time. Why you ask? My husband just graduated from college in May, the economy is rough, he does not have a job in his career field, he is working, but does not make enough for our family. Now, having said that. We made the decision to have children when we did, when he was in college. We felt that this was the right decision for us. Why you ask? None of your business :) Actually, I am comfortable saying that we decided to have children because of our faith. We prayed about children and we know what is right for our family. We also never intended to be out of work, but guess what, crap happens. The economy changes, people lose jobs, but families still have to eat and life still goes on. I can say without a shadow of doubt that we will not always be on public assistance, this is a temporary deal for us.
Now, you ask, why the soap box? On more than one occasion in the past week, when asked what type of insurance I have, the health care provider (be it a nurse, doctor, or front desk personal) upon hearing that I am on medicaid have been completely and utterly rude. I have had people assume the worst, that I am just using the system. I have had people completely disregard what I am saying because they assume that I am uneducated. Now, I am not uneducated, nor did I grow up in poverty. However, so what if I had! That does not mean that they deserve to pass that judgment on me and my family. My husband is a hard worker, as many people who are on medicaid and food stamps are. We have decided, as a family, that it is senseless for me to return to work because of the cost of daycare. We are doing the best that we can do for our family. I know (trust me, I KNOW) that there are people who do use and abuse the system. It is sad to me that we cannot simply love our neighbor. Fine, don't love me, at least keep your darn mouth shut and put on a happy face. :)
6 comments:
I think what you choose to do to keep your family healthy, fed and happy is nobodies business but your own. It's sad to be judged by your insurance before you are even treated. I had the best experience recently with Providence hospital, they didn't even ask about my insurance until they were finished treating me, that was a first. I think you should receive the same care regardless of the money you make or assistance you receive.
Kudos to you Stephanie for having the balls to share your situation with everyone despite the fact that you are sure to get some flak from it. I am happy you are staying home and do what is right for your family :)
Thank you Wild Flower :) This is my point exactly, people may take issue with it. However, I do not care what people's political stance is on public assistance, the fact is that sometimes people need help. It would be nice if we lived in a world where people took responsibility for each other, but we don't and that is sad. Further more, I am not less than human for needing help and seeking help. I sure as heck do not deserve to be treated as less than human and I will be darned if my children are treated that way.
Well said. There are so many people who are unemployed that I don't understand how anyone can pass judgement on someone trying to take care of their family the best way that they can. I have seen people in the newspapers and on the news who own homes that cost up to $300K but are no longer employed and having to rely on medicaid and food stamps and I was really shocked that some of them choose to be interviewed. But I think your post was well written and well said and I am pretty sure that they (medical staff) want to get paid so they should be happy that you have insurance instead of no insurance.
The thing people fail to realize is at any given moment they could be there too. So to pass judgment is just ridiculous. Heck, we are in that part of the "middle class" where we make too much money to get assistance but not enough to get by half the time. Sucks. I wish we could get some sort of assistance sometimes!! No judging here. If you have been keeping up with things happening in my State (Wisconsin) you will notice that our dictator uhhh I mean Governor is trying to bring the middle class down even more and bring the upper class up even higher. He is taking away a lot of funding for a lot of things including assistance to the people who need it the most. So sad.
I say we pay taxes to use these services if we need them; that's why they are there right?? {HUGS} Hold your head up high and just ignore those naysayers!
UGH! that stinks! I had a sibling laid off for a YEAR. Had tons of interviews, but nobody was hiring - he was always way overqualified for the jobs so he didn't get picked. Had to be on assistance too. Why people think the worst is beyond me - in THIS economy especially (not that it's right at ANY time but especially when it's so OBVIOUS that the majority of Americans are hurting).
I am so sorry this has happened to you! Keep your head up!
I'm with you. Even my mom likes to make comments about people on public assistance (our family receives some benefits). It makes me crazy. It was not our plan, but it helps us get by. And, why can't I see a doctor before I finish my first trimester --- I just told you I'm diabetic and I need to be on insulin when I'm pregnant! (sorry, that was a problem I had a year and a half ago.. I couldn't believe it - then the doctor didn't even want to deal with me so he sent me to a specialist).
Sorry you've experienced difficulties too.
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