My story on the Huffington Post

Posted on by AB

I’m frequently overwhelmed with the amount of information that we have access to these days. Countless websites, social media sources, plus 1s, “likes”, reviews, surveys, posts, tweets, tags, and beyond. But there are moments, like now, when I feel so lucky to live in a time with so much connectivity and communication with others around the world. I was recently contacted by another blogger Arthur (link to his blog) who has written a book and deals with his own recovery and medical challenges. After a few back and forth emails sharing our respective stories, he mentioned the chance of getting our frustrations with the US medical system out to mass media. Thanks to his contact at the Huffington Post, they wrote an article about the shortcomings of healthcare and sited my story and his in the article.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gregory-g-allen/its-time-congress-stands-_b_2563497.html

I am just one of thousands – if not millions – of Americans who feel abandoned and shortchanged by the inadequacies of profit based insurance companies that run healthcare in the US. I would be honored if you can read the article and share with your respective communities. Thank you in advance, and to Arthur in particular.

Published by

AB

42 thoughts on “My story on the Huffington Post”

  1. Arash, so cannot believe this! Great news! Big shout out again to all your followers to get on The Huff and comment, like, make some noise for a regular column! I am in the UK and as well as The Huff lobbying The Times for your story!
    Big love
    Divine Secrets
    X

    1. I couldn’t believe it either at first! Please let me know if I can do anything to help lobby the UK times as well. This is such an important issue that deserves so much more of our efforts and attention. Thank you again for your efforts and support. -AB

      1. Arash, it’s simple contact The Times, make contact with the lady who has a column, get your followers to do this same,
        Big Lurve,
        X
        PS Keep wiggling those toes, smiling and get yourself a vision board!
        Xxxxx

  2. Arash, it was my honor to help put this together. When I heard the comment from Divine Secrets stating, “A call to action is required!” I thought, I’ll make the call. And this Huff Post article came together so fast – the stars were aligned. Thank you and thanks to Gregory G. Allen, the reporter who wrote the piece. Yes, everyone needs to comment and tweet and blog and email and shout this from the rooftops. We CAN change things!

    1. You rock Arthur. It is amazing how quickly and effectively we can unite and initiate an effort like this. I only hope it’s the beginning of many more conversations and initiatives we can engage in and actually enact a change. We can and WILL change things. -AB

    2. Yay! A call to action is a wonderful thing! Lets keep going! I have contacted Melanie Reid of The Times Spinal Column! A transatlantic blog exchange is required! Check her out she is one gritty, determined woman – she took a grim prognosis to something her medical team did not expect! Never underestimate the human mind, I learnt from this woman!

  6. Arash…I was so delighted to see this in my inbox….Wow, the Huffington Post! Way to go! Glad that these medical atrocities are being brought to light….Hugs to you! I’m sharing on FB and Twitter!

  8. Sadly, Arash, even in Britain with the NHS… a wonderful system in principle… the situation can be just as bad. My son has had no therapy for the past two years that he has not paid for privately.. no consultations with brain injury specialists or doctors. It seems the ‘system’ made the call that the injuries were too severe, recovery ‘unrealistic’ so why waste resources..? The progress he has made, the fact he is now beginning to walk.. that he, who could not see to read nor control his hands enough to type wrote the blog post (Possum ergo facit) the other day… just shows that the system can be wildly inaccurate in its assessments.

    1. Your son’s story is so inspirational and I’m so glad he’s proving them all wrong. I don’t think there’s an ideal system out there whether it’s the NHS or the profit based US model but these cases just show that there are too many exceptions to the rule for practitioners to ignore. It’s not right for them to deny or prevent help to people because they believe someone can’t or won’t do something. Much love to your son. Let’s keep up the good fight -AB

      1. You’re not so bad yourself on the inspiration front 😉 But I agree. It is a simple shift in attitude and the willingness to back that with treatment and funding. Even on economic grounds it makes sense to support and encourage people back to independence.. without the ‘as possible’ tagged on the end.
        x

      2. That willingness is exactly what’s lacking. And in the US, where everything is emphasized on a short-term basis, it’s nearly impossible to take that kind of approach. They don’t realize that investing extra time and resources now can have a long-term impact and save them money in the future. Instead, it’s purely just based on doing the least they can to get you out of their hair right now, and then if they have to deal with it in the future they will. So frustrating… -AB

      3. Same here, I’m afraid. It is left down to the individuals to study, innovate and explore possibilities.. even silly ones ( you’ve no idea how well two ice cream tubs and ratchet straps work for keeping feet on footplates work 🙂 ) Recovery is left up to the individual.. and they either sink into the institutionalised mindset that accepts what they are told.. which is almost entirely limiting, or they strike out on their own and shine a beacon for others to follow. You are a beacon. Don’t let the system extinguish that light 🙂

      4. I hope to be a beacon that can recover and allow others to tap into their full potential. Thanks for the support. I guess it’s not comforting to know that other medical systems are as pathetic as ours, but hopefully all of that could change. Best to you -AB

      5. What is comforting is that in spite of the failures and flaws of the medical systems, there are those, like yourself, like my son and many others that we have met who can not only continue to succeed against the odds but to inspire others with their stories to do the same. Thank you.

      2. Double sadness, that the system has exhausted you son, but I do understand.
        No need for thank you, I am just passionate that people get the care they need and we treat each other ad we would treat ourselves. Not to mention public accountability,
        X

  11. I say sock to them! The insurance companies are so full of themselves that they, not the actual policyholders, are the beneficiaries. We’re talking BIG MONEY!!! And, boy, oh, boy! Do they ever squawk if they stand to lose even a penny!

    1. You’re absolutely right. They don’t want to do anything beyond the minimum to help people. That’s what happens when a medical insurance system is based on profit and not adequate care. I will definitely do my best to sock it to them! -AB

  12. This is INCREDIBLE and I’m so thankful to see media picking this up. It’s absolutely an issue that needs to become more widely discussed. Huge props to you Arash for paving the way. You are an inspiration to us all!

    1. I’m doing ok, just working hard everyday and trying to will other body parts to start moving. Still battling with insurance to try to get them to do anything to help me but it seems like it’s a losing battle. Best to you -AB

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