For Sarah:
"I really enjoyed reading your post! I found the post very detailed in imagery and grabbed my interest in reading it thoroughly. I agree that though death is unavoidable we should not fear death itself. I found this line very interesting, "Although what happens to our body isn’t always up to us, our minds and spirits are in our complete control. By knowing this the defeatist attitude about getting old, should be altered." I found this very insightful and I do agree that our negative attitude towards the elderly really needs to be changed. There is no shame in age."
For Stephanie:
"I found your post very insightful and I agree on your ideas-our society is indeed greedy and its silly how we do not have free health care. Its actually not that difficult because a lot of other countries as you mentioned-have universal free health care. A line in particular I liked was,"Overall America should be more opened minded about how they plan on helping American medical patients in the future." I found this very deep-and I do agree that by being more accepting we can have a better system for the ill and dying."
For Jay:
"I actually liked this post a lot because it took on a point of view that was not only different but also full of confidence. I especially liked the line, "I see it as capitalism at it's best. People seeing oppurtunity to profit where others do not." You make a good point about Capitalism and the point of the system is to profit. I found a lot of insights in your post and found it very interesting."
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Comments on my HW#32:
From Mom:
"I really enjoyed this post. It was very clear and showed your reflection on what you felt toward the unit and the fear of death that still exists. I found this line very thoughful: "But, at the same time maybe there's no escape-and I'll just end up dying on a hospital bed wishing to be home surrounded by my family." We want our last moments to be a happy one, and sometimes its just scary to even think that it probably won't be. I agree that realistically as we grow old, we become more lonely while also hoping that the end of our lives won't be as lonesome."
From Stephanie:
"I was very impressed by this post, I sensed growth and a new level of maturity while reading through your final post about the unit. Just like you I am afraid what the future holds but I;m sure of one thing, I will not be dying in a nursing home or hospital. Your final thoughts were really strong and I enjoyed reading all your post about dying and illness. Keep up the great work!"
From Sarah:
"I found your post honest and real. Although you seem to have grown you still are unsure about how you want to lead your life, which is perfectly fine. I thought it was interesting that even after all we know about hospitals you still would go to one in a time of need. Honestly, I would probably do the same. I think your writing and insights have grown, and this is very evident especially in this post. Great Job Megumi! :)"
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
HW#32: Thoughts following the Illness and Dying Unit
I felt this unit was important on a personal level. It was something I wouldn't have even tried to think about because 'death and illness' always seemed like a topic that should never be discussed. The unit made me feel a bit sad, because of the attitudes society as a whole has on sick people. It also makes me sad because I'm not sure if I'll be able to make changes just because I learned that going to the hospital isn't always the right answer. I was shocked learning that hospitals recommend patients to stay even when there's no more hope of getting better. Who would want to spend their last days in a hospital bed? But, at the same time maybe there's no escape-and I'll just end up dying on a hospital bed wishing to be home surrounded by my family.
I understand that death is unavoidable and that I should just accept it. And, I do, but the fear still lingers. I think it still lingers because I realized that there's more nightmarish things about illness and dying. Dying on a hospital bed is one thing. What about a nursing home? What happens if I end up in a nursing home where nurses keep their distance and don't keep me company? I can't help but think that when I become really old I'll end up feeling really lonely and away from the rest of the world. There's also 'stigmas' towards the ill which is something I don't want to go through but probably will. Why do we live in such a society that looks down on sick people? It's not like we want to be sick.
I understand that death is unavoidable and that I should just accept it. And, I do, but the fear still lingers. I think it still lingers because I realized that there's more nightmarish things about illness and dying. Dying on a hospital bed is one thing. What about a nursing home? What happens if I end up in a nursing home where nurses keep their distance and don't keep me company? I can't help but think that when I become really old I'll end up feeling really lonely and away from the rest of the world. There's also 'stigmas' towards the ill which is something I don't want to go through but probably will. Why do we live in such a society that looks down on sick people? It's not like we want to be sick.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
HW#31: Comments 3
For Sarah:
I can tell from reading this whole post that you really put the effort in this project, and I enjoyed reading it a lot! Before reading the post, I only knew that alzheimer was an illness of 'forgetting everything'-but after reading your post I had a better understanding of the disease. I laughed a little when I read the little tips to prevent alzheimer and found that good to know. One line I found particularly insightful was, "however, if death is what our final destination is than are we really living or just dying? Society seems to make living out to be as normal and dying is completely not normal. Dying is completely normal, so why do we put such a strain on the step?" You brought up a good question here, and its a question up for discussion. When thinking and really analyzing death and living, we find the weirdness among what the general public just categorizes as 'normal.'
For Stephanie:
I enjoyed reading your post, and found it very descriptive. It helped me get a better understanding of what a nursing home is like. I found it ironic that people think its for the best to send ill patients to a nursing home without really putting ourselves in their shoes. I honestly don't even think the nurses care about their patients-they just do their 'job.' A line I liked specifically was, "This experience helped me realize I rather just take care of my parents when they need help instead of sending them to a nursing home, because I feel like its hard for the nurses and doctors to keep track of all the patients." I completely agree with you, and I personally don't like the idea of nursing homes-it makes me question if its really 'homelike.
For Jay:
I enjoyed reading your post-
I liked how your group focused on technology, which is really important. I liked the examples and quotes from different AIDS patients. In particular I liked the lines, "Another man we spoke with treated it like a death sentence at first but eventually came to be able to live with the disease, without modern technologies he wouldnt have had the time to learn to cope with his lifestyle." Technology has helped many patients with living with their diseases and lifestyles and I find that really insightful.
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Comments on my HW#30:
From Mom: (Older Reader)
I thought your post was very organized and clear. I found your statistics on Depression in the U.S. interesting and you also showed the seriousness of the condition through a family member. The line, "These insights connect to what I did for this project, because I think the social practice of allopathic medicine caused many to not take depression as a serious condition," actually caught my attention. I found your opinion interesting-that it is in our culture that dosn't take Depression seriously.
From Sarah:
Megumi - I found your choice of topic very interesting. I would of never considered depression to fall under the category of illness and dying, however after reading your post I see why it does. The line that stood out to me the most was, "The illness and dying unit made me uncomfortable most of the time, but helped me confront the things I have been avoiding." Being able to admit you feel uncomfortable is actually very mature, and shows that you accept your emotions and are willing to work with them. I think by exploring a topic that has affected you personally you continue to go up mountains that are unknown at first. The tone of your voice in this post was very clear and well written. Great Job! :)
From Stephanie:
Your first paragraph pulled me right in, I agree that if an illness doesn't affect someone first hand they tend not to pay to much attention to it. "The seriousness of depression and the statistics for it matters because it shows in the numbers. If depression is treated more often, suicide rates will decrease greatly." I found this statement to be very powerful because if people/ doctors help themselves/patients more often then the outcome would be tremendous and benefit a lot of people. Thank you for giving such great detail with you r research and ideas.
I can tell from reading this whole post that you really put the effort in this project, and I enjoyed reading it a lot! Before reading the post, I only knew that alzheimer was an illness of 'forgetting everything'-but after reading your post I had a better understanding of the disease. I laughed a little when I read the little tips to prevent alzheimer and found that good to know. One line I found particularly insightful was, "however, if death is what our final destination is than are we really living or just dying? Society seems to make living out to be as normal and dying is completely not normal. Dying is completely normal, so why do we put such a strain on the step?" You brought up a good question here, and its a question up for discussion. When thinking and really analyzing death and living, we find the weirdness among what the general public just categorizes as 'normal.'
For Stephanie:
I enjoyed reading your post, and found it very descriptive. It helped me get a better understanding of what a nursing home is like. I found it ironic that people think its for the best to send ill patients to a nursing home without really putting ourselves in their shoes. I honestly don't even think the nurses care about their patients-they just do their 'job.' A line I liked specifically was, "This experience helped me realize I rather just take care of my parents when they need help instead of sending them to a nursing home, because I feel like its hard for the nurses and doctors to keep track of all the patients." I completely agree with you, and I personally don't like the idea of nursing homes-it makes me question if its really 'homelike.
For Jay:
I enjoyed reading your post-
I liked how your group focused on technology, which is really important. I liked the examples and quotes from different AIDS patients. In particular I liked the lines, "Another man we spoke with treated it like a death sentence at first but eventually came to be able to live with the disease, without modern technologies he wouldnt have had the time to learn to cope with his lifestyle." Technology has helped many patients with living with their diseases and lifestyles and I find that really insightful.
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Comments on my HW#30:
From Mom: (Older Reader)
I thought your post was very organized and clear. I found your statistics on Depression in the U.S. interesting and you also showed the seriousness of the condition through a family member. The line, "These insights connect to what I did for this project, because I think the social practice of allopathic medicine caused many to not take depression as a serious condition," actually caught my attention. I found your opinion interesting-that it is in our culture that dosn't take Depression seriously.
From Sarah:
Megumi - I found your choice of topic very interesting. I would of never considered depression to fall under the category of illness and dying, however after reading your post I see why it does. The line that stood out to me the most was, "The illness and dying unit made me uncomfortable most of the time, but helped me confront the things I have been avoiding." Being able to admit you feel uncomfortable is actually very mature, and shows that you accept your emotions and are willing to work with them. I think by exploring a topic that has affected you personally you continue to go up mountains that are unknown at first. The tone of your voice in this post was very clear and well written. Great Job! :)
From Stephanie:
Your first paragraph pulled me right in, I agree that if an illness doesn't affect someone first hand they tend not to pay to much attention to it. "The seriousness of depression and the statistics for it matters because it shows in the numbers. If depression is treated more often, suicide rates will decrease greatly." I found this statement to be very powerful because if people/ doctors help themselves/patients more often then the outcome would be tremendous and benefit a lot of people. Thank you for giving such great detail with you r research and ideas.
Friday, January 14, 2011
HW#30: Illness and Dying-Culminating Experiental Project
I decided to focus this project on the condition of medical 'depression.' There are people who don't consider it as an illness so I wanted to conduct more research and gain knowledge about it. Even if depression is medically approved as an 'illness' its hard to take that as a fact unless actually knowing someone with that condition.
The illness and dying unit made me uncomfortable most of the time, but helped me confront the things I have been avoiding. Hospitals and medicine are the dominant social practices surrounding this unit. These methods don't always work in favor of the patient and their family members and yet our society continue to grow dependency on this system. When people are sick, the first place we think to go to is the doctor. And, when the 'sickness' is not simply treated, we are constrained in a hospital until we are cured or pass away. Depression is not easily cured, especially when the person's environment worsens her condition. Medications can be taken to help depression, but since it dosn't have to be taken-some people may not even consider depression as a sickness. These insights connect to what I did for this project, because I think the social practice of allopathic medicine caused many to not take depression as a serious condition.
But, just because I know someone who struggles with depression does not mean that I know a lot about it. I researched the basics I should know about the condition and found statistics that I found important. From a small pdf from pbs I learned that about 15 million American adults are diagnosed with depression, and yet about 80% of depressed patients are not being treated. 90% of people who commit suicide could have been treated from a depressive disorder and is the third leading cause of deaths for ages 10 to 24. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/pdf/dep_stats.pdf)
On About.com I found more statistics that confirmed the facts. Depression has doubled in the past 15 years, and yet medline of 2000 stated that 30,000 deaths from suicide happen annually. Suicide is also the 8th leading cause of death.
(http://depression.about.com/od/drugsalcohol/a/alcoholanddep_2.htm)
Depression is life threatening, and yet I can't take a plane to Japan multiple times just because I worry for her. I have a loving aunt that I always found a little 'too nice' even before she became depressed and took medications for it. Before I went to visit her two summers ago, she had constantly called my mom to ask when she was coming over. When we finally met her, she was really happy and was her usual self. I was relieved, but when we returned to New York a call came in from my uncle who said her condition worsened. She didn't want us to leave her and yet it wasn't possible for us to fly to her every so often. Her medications had not worked and she continued to take different pills. My cousins who are in their 20's still depend on my aunt despite her illness. She drives one of my cousins to work which makes no sense to me. I don't even know if the other cousin has a job and she comes home in the middle of the night from who knows where. She also takes care of my uncle's mother who is bedridden. And, I am in a place where I can't support her in any way.
Before she was diagnosed with Depression, she was a very bright aunt, and I was still able to see that side of her when I flew to Japan two summers ago. Once in a while, the house phone would ring. When I picked up the phone, I didn't recognize her. Her voice was low and I thought my phone was broken or something. When I finally realized the person on the other side of the phone was my aunt, I was a bit upset. Her voice on the phone made me question if she was always afraid of something-like she could not be left alone.
Depression can happen to anyone-and it makes sense. People have emotions and become sad at certain moments. If bad things happen one after the other-who wouldn't end up becoming depressed? An individual struggling with depression should be in a supportive environment that understands that she is ill. Depression is also life-threatning, and can lead to suicide. Our dominant culture with illness and dying has factors that are upsetting, and I think not treating enough depressed patients is another reason for dissaproval. Hospitals should be spending more money on curing conditions that can save more lives.
The seriousness of depression and the statistics for it matters because it shows in the numbers. If depression is treated more often, suicide rates will decrease greatly. Depression is hard to detect, but it is treatable. It also matters because I don't think people are aware enough. Society should become more understanding about conditions that seem like the individual is weak-when really it is an illness that needs a lot of support.
Sources:
Depression Statistics. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/pdf/dep_stats.pdf
What you need to know about Alcohol and Depression.
http://depression.about.com/od/drugsalcohol/a/alcoholanddep_2.htm
The illness and dying unit made me uncomfortable most of the time, but helped me confront the things I have been avoiding. Hospitals and medicine are the dominant social practices surrounding this unit. These methods don't always work in favor of the patient and their family members and yet our society continue to grow dependency on this system. When people are sick, the first place we think to go to is the doctor. And, when the 'sickness' is not simply treated, we are constrained in a hospital until we are cured or pass away. Depression is not easily cured, especially when the person's environment worsens her condition. Medications can be taken to help depression, but since it dosn't have to be taken-some people may not even consider depression as a sickness. These insights connect to what I did for this project, because I think the social practice of allopathic medicine caused many to not take depression as a serious condition.
But, just because I know someone who struggles with depression does not mean that I know a lot about it. I researched the basics I should know about the condition and found statistics that I found important. From a small pdf from pbs I learned that about 15 million American adults are diagnosed with depression, and yet about 80% of depressed patients are not being treated. 90% of people who commit suicide could have been treated from a depressive disorder and is the third leading cause of deaths for ages 10 to 24. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/pdf/dep_stats.pdf)
On About.com I found more statistics that confirmed the facts. Depression has doubled in the past 15 years, and yet medline of 2000 stated that 30,000 deaths from suicide happen annually. Suicide is also the 8th leading cause of death.
(http://depression.about.com/od/drugsalcohol/a/alcoholanddep_2.htm)
Depression is life threatening, and yet I can't take a plane to Japan multiple times just because I worry for her. I have a loving aunt that I always found a little 'too nice' even before she became depressed and took medications for it. Before I went to visit her two summers ago, she had constantly called my mom to ask when she was coming over. When we finally met her, she was really happy and was her usual self. I was relieved, but when we returned to New York a call came in from my uncle who said her condition worsened. She didn't want us to leave her and yet it wasn't possible for us to fly to her every so often. Her medications had not worked and she continued to take different pills. My cousins who are in their 20's still depend on my aunt despite her illness. She drives one of my cousins to work which makes no sense to me. I don't even know if the other cousin has a job and she comes home in the middle of the night from who knows where. She also takes care of my uncle's mother who is bedridden. And, I am in a place where I can't support her in any way.
Before she was diagnosed with Depression, she was a very bright aunt, and I was still able to see that side of her when I flew to Japan two summers ago. Once in a while, the house phone would ring. When I picked up the phone, I didn't recognize her. Her voice was low and I thought my phone was broken or something. When I finally realized the person on the other side of the phone was my aunt, I was a bit upset. Her voice on the phone made me question if she was always afraid of something-like she could not be left alone.
Depression can happen to anyone-and it makes sense. People have emotions and become sad at certain moments. If bad things happen one after the other-who wouldn't end up becoming depressed? An individual struggling with depression should be in a supportive environment that understands that she is ill. Depression is also life-threatning, and can lead to suicide. Our dominant culture with illness and dying has factors that are upsetting, and I think not treating enough depressed patients is another reason for dissaproval. Hospitals should be spending more money on curing conditions that can save more lives.
The seriousness of depression and the statistics for it matters because it shows in the numbers. If depression is treated more often, suicide rates will decrease greatly. Depression is hard to detect, but it is treatable. It also matters because I don't think people are aware enough. Society should become more understanding about conditions that seem like the individual is weak-when really it is an illness that needs a lot of support.
Sources:
Depression Statistics. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/pdf/dep_stats.pdf
What you need to know about Alcohol and Depression.
http://depression.about.com/od/drugsalcohol/a/alcoholanddep_2.htm
Thursday, January 6, 2011
HW#29: Reading and noting basic materials
1. Development of Insurance
The developement of insurance can date back to Ancient times. Even though it is unclear how the idea of insurance got started, it was definitly something that had been happening for many years. "...historians generally trace its development back to ancient babylonian traders who feared that their shipments across the desert might fall prey to bandits, dust storms, or camels with shoddy knees." (Page 5, Sick)These traders needed a method to cover the loss in case its shipment became lost or destroyed. They ended up creating a 'fund' to cover these losses. This idea developed further into financial support and, "Eventually companies dedicated exclusively to providing insurance came into existence." (Pg. 5, Sick) And, eventually, using insurance to cover costs for the ill came into existence in the 20th century.
As the use of insurance became more common, the system itself created problems over time. "We devote about 17 percent of our gross domestic product to health care, far more than any other developed nation...ours does not guarantee every other wealthy industrialized democracy, ours does not guarantee health insurance. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 45 million of us lack coverage." (Page 65, Landmark) Also, in the film 'Sicko,' Michael Moore discusses the issues and flaws within the U.S. health care system. Many Americans do not have health insurance for ridiculous reasons that makes us question how selfish the system is. Profit is more valued then the will to support as many sick people as possible. Moore brings up about the many reasons people are denied. There is no universal health care in the U.S. and ironically, many Americans are dissatisfied because it is clearly unfair.
2. The Culture of Hospitals
"In the United States during the twentieth century, death moved out of the home and into medical institutions. Today, more Americans die in hospitals than anywhere else, and the most frequent response to critical illness there is to try to starve off death with the most sophisticated technological means available." (Page 25, And a Time to Die) Hospitals have become the dominant practices revolving around illness and dying. However, do people realize the contradictions and culture-like actions within hospitals? "The contemporary hospital, with its remarkable tools and complicated ways of organizing health professionals work and moving patients and families through the system, is on the cutting edge of culture-making. Its system, techniques, and logic shape the forms of dying that occur there." (Page 28, And a Time to Die) When giving the idea of hospitals a second thought, it feels a bit strange that hospitals are indeed shaping our culture when dealing with death.
The culture of hospitals are also illustrated from the film, 'Near Death.' Ill patients are kept on white beds in white surroundings. Doctors are in white clothing and check in with the patients. While patients and their families should make decisions about their sickness and nearing death, they are given choices to decide upon by the hospitals 'rules.' It is a culture in itself because of the rules set by the hospital, and the common all-white setting. Tubes and machinery are used to give the patient more time to continue living.
3. Isoloation of the Sick
Today, people have a natural tendency to make themselves look better than others by society's standards and to feel bad when they are seen as the ousider of the stero-type of what we believe to be 'normal' from a person. "He posses a stigma, an undesired differentness from what we had aniticipated." (Page 5, Stigma) Unfortunantly, one major group of people who are stigmatized are those who are severly ill. This leads to isolation and feeling 'not normal' and as though they are unhuman. Even for those who are cured of that illness, they continue to live with the label of the person who had experienced that disease. "Where such repair is possible, what often results is not he acquisition of fully normal status, but a transformation of self from someone with a particular blemish into someone with a record of having a corrected a particular blemish. In other words, those who experience an illness or disability are labeled with that name, instead of as a normal individual as everyone else.
The isolation of the sick is also revealed within hospital grounds. "The institutional response to these cutbacks has been for nursing homes to transfer dying patients to hospitals to avoid the cost of intensive treatments, and for hospitals to discharge patients, once they are labeled "dying," so as not to incur the cost of palliative care. Simply put, at this point in history, dying people are not wanted in medical institutions, and it shows." (Page 29, And a Time to Die) Sick people are looked down upon by 'stigmas' and are also unwanted by hospitals and institutions to avoid costly care.
Source Citations:
*Cohn, Jonathan. 'Sick'. Harper Collins. Ny. 2007.
*Goffman, Erving. 'STIGMA: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity'. Prentice Hall. NJ. 1963.
*Kaufman, Sharon R. 'And A Time to Die: How American Hospitals shape the End of Life'. Simon & Schuster. New York. 2005
*Michael Moore. 'Sicko'. (Film). 2007.
*'Near Death'. (Film)
*Staff of Washington Post. 'Landmark'. Public Affairs. New York. 2010.
The developement of insurance can date back to Ancient times. Even though it is unclear how the idea of insurance got started, it was definitly something that had been happening for many years. "...historians generally trace its development back to ancient babylonian traders who feared that their shipments across the desert might fall prey to bandits, dust storms, or camels with shoddy knees." (Page 5, Sick)These traders needed a method to cover the loss in case its shipment became lost or destroyed. They ended up creating a 'fund' to cover these losses. This idea developed further into financial support and, "Eventually companies dedicated exclusively to providing insurance came into existence." (Pg. 5, Sick) And, eventually, using insurance to cover costs for the ill came into existence in the 20th century.
As the use of insurance became more common, the system itself created problems over time. "We devote about 17 percent of our gross domestic product to health care, far more than any other developed nation...ours does not guarantee every other wealthy industrialized democracy, ours does not guarantee health insurance. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 45 million of us lack coverage." (Page 65, Landmark) Also, in the film 'Sicko,' Michael Moore discusses the issues and flaws within the U.S. health care system. Many Americans do not have health insurance for ridiculous reasons that makes us question how selfish the system is. Profit is more valued then the will to support as many sick people as possible. Moore brings up about the many reasons people are denied. There is no universal health care in the U.S. and ironically, many Americans are dissatisfied because it is clearly unfair.
2. The Culture of Hospitals
"In the United States during the twentieth century, death moved out of the home and into medical institutions. Today, more Americans die in hospitals than anywhere else, and the most frequent response to critical illness there is to try to starve off death with the most sophisticated technological means available." (Page 25, And a Time to Die) Hospitals have become the dominant practices revolving around illness and dying. However, do people realize the contradictions and culture-like actions within hospitals? "The contemporary hospital, with its remarkable tools and complicated ways of organizing health professionals work and moving patients and families through the system, is on the cutting edge of culture-making. Its system, techniques, and logic shape the forms of dying that occur there." (Page 28, And a Time to Die) When giving the idea of hospitals a second thought, it feels a bit strange that hospitals are indeed shaping our culture when dealing with death.
The culture of hospitals are also illustrated from the film, 'Near Death.' Ill patients are kept on white beds in white surroundings. Doctors are in white clothing and check in with the patients. While patients and their families should make decisions about their sickness and nearing death, they are given choices to decide upon by the hospitals 'rules.' It is a culture in itself because of the rules set by the hospital, and the common all-white setting. Tubes and machinery are used to give the patient more time to continue living.
3. Isoloation of the Sick
Today, people have a natural tendency to make themselves look better than others by society's standards and to feel bad when they are seen as the ousider of the stero-type of what we believe to be 'normal' from a person. "He posses a stigma, an undesired differentness from what we had aniticipated." (Page 5, Stigma) Unfortunantly, one major group of people who are stigmatized are those who are severly ill. This leads to isolation and feeling 'not normal' and as though they are unhuman. Even for those who are cured of that illness, they continue to live with the label of the person who had experienced that disease. "Where such repair is possible, what often results is not he acquisition of fully normal status, but a transformation of self from someone with a particular blemish into someone with a record of having a corrected a particular blemish. In other words, those who experience an illness or disability are labeled with that name, instead of as a normal individual as everyone else.
The isolation of the sick is also revealed within hospital grounds. "The institutional response to these cutbacks has been for nursing homes to transfer dying patients to hospitals to avoid the cost of intensive treatments, and for hospitals to discharge patients, once they are labeled "dying," so as not to incur the cost of palliative care. Simply put, at this point in history, dying people are not wanted in medical institutions, and it shows." (Page 29, And a Time to Die) Sick people are looked down upon by 'stigmas' and are also unwanted by hospitals and institutions to avoid costly care.
Source Citations:
*Cohn, Jonathan. 'Sick'. Harper Collins. Ny. 2007.
*Goffman, Erving. 'STIGMA: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity'. Prentice Hall. NJ. 1963.
*Kaufman, Sharon R. 'And A Time to Die: How American Hospitals shape the End of Life'. Simon & Schuster. New York. 2005
*Michael Moore. 'Sicko'. (Film). 2007.
*'Near Death'. (Film)
*Staff of Washington Post. 'Landmark'. Public Affairs. New York. 2010.
Monday, January 3, 2011
HW#28: Comments 2
For Sarah:
"I found your post very insightful and deep. The post painted a great visual that made me want to read more. I found this line particularly insightful, "It was as if this woman was slowly turning back into an infant with no sense of her surroundings." This line moved me, along with the whole post in general."
For Stephanie:
"I found your post very moving and explicitly showed your reactions and emotions toward this figure. A line I found very insightful was, "It is possible that she doesn't want to feel like she is relying on medicine to keep her alive and she wants to die "naturally" and if it's her time to go she wants to just go." I also found it ironic that this figure was the complete oppostite as my grandmother who relies on medicine because she's afraid of death. The post made me question how we should use medicine."
For Jay:
"I actually found this post interesting, and brought up a few things that caught my attention. One line that I liked was, "I think its wrong, people should be allowed their privacy. Yes, sure the have the right to say no, buy even if they had said yes, even if they wanted to be interviewed I'd still feel wrong about it." I do agree with you on this, because I also felt it was too personal about doing this particular homework assignment. It just feels wrong to observe and analyze ill people."
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Comments on my HW#27:
Mom:
I thought your post showed your emotions and was a moving post in general. I thought you painted the person well through your perspective. I found the line, "Watching her sometimes frustrates me-especially on those days I sleep in late and end up doing nothing productive. Having an ill person so close in my life makes me question myself if I'm making my own life meaningful at all," very thought provoking ad grabbed my attention. I guess when people are healthy and not ill, people tend to value less about our lives.
From Sarah:
Megumi - I found your blog post very captivating and personal. You really went into depth with your own feelings about what was happening. I liked that you connected it directly to the other sources used in this class. The line, "I was shocked but I knew I had to stay strong so I could reassure her that everything will be okay." It made me think about how whenever I am around someone who is very sick I often get more emotional than they are. It seems like the person who isn't sick is more scared than the person actually suffering. I enjoyed reading this nicely written story.
From Steph:
While reading your post two sentences really popped out to me. The first being "Right now, I see her as a strong independent figure that continues to teach me the importance of living." I was impressed by this sentence because it is very strong and powerful and I personally would feel great hearing this from a loved one it would give me the courage to keep fighting. The second sentence that popped out to me was "I was shocked but I knew I had to stay strong so I could reassure her that everything will be okay" This popped out to me because although your sad you know you have to stay strong for your loved one because the struggle is a lot harder for her. Your post was very inspirational and drew me in great job.
Crissy (Younger reader):
when i read your post 1 sentence POPPED OUT TO ME.I WAS IMPRESSED BY THE SENTENCE BECAUSE IT WAS VERY STRONG AND POWERFUL
"I found your post very insightful and deep. The post painted a great visual that made me want to read more. I found this line particularly insightful, "It was as if this woman was slowly turning back into an infant with no sense of her surroundings." This line moved me, along with the whole post in general."
For Stephanie:
"I found your post very moving and explicitly showed your reactions and emotions toward this figure. A line I found very insightful was, "It is possible that she doesn't want to feel like she is relying on medicine to keep her alive and she wants to die "naturally" and if it's her time to go she wants to just go." I also found it ironic that this figure was the complete oppostite as my grandmother who relies on medicine because she's afraid of death. The post made me question how we should use medicine."
For Jay:
"I actually found this post interesting, and brought up a few things that caught my attention. One line that I liked was, "I think its wrong, people should be allowed their privacy. Yes, sure the have the right to say no, buy even if they had said yes, even if they wanted to be interviewed I'd still feel wrong about it." I do agree with you on this, because I also felt it was too personal about doing this particular homework assignment. It just feels wrong to observe and analyze ill people."
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Comments on my HW#27:
Mom:
I thought your post showed your emotions and was a moving post in general. I thought you painted the person well through your perspective. I found the line, "Watching her sometimes frustrates me-especially on those days I sleep in late and end up doing nothing productive. Having an ill person so close in my life makes me question myself if I'm making my own life meaningful at all," very thought provoking ad grabbed my attention. I guess when people are healthy and not ill, people tend to value less about our lives.
From Sarah:
Megumi - I found your blog post very captivating and personal. You really went into depth with your own feelings about what was happening. I liked that you connected it directly to the other sources used in this class. The line, "I was shocked but I knew I had to stay strong so I could reassure her that everything will be okay." It made me think about how whenever I am around someone who is very sick I often get more emotional than they are. It seems like the person who isn't sick is more scared than the person actually suffering. I enjoyed reading this nicely written story.
From Steph:
While reading your post two sentences really popped out to me. The first being "Right now, I see her as a strong independent figure that continues to teach me the importance of living." I was impressed by this sentence because it is very strong and powerful and I personally would feel great hearing this from a loved one it would give me the courage to keep fighting. The second sentence that popped out to me was "I was shocked but I knew I had to stay strong so I could reassure her that everything will be okay" This popped out to me because although your sad you know you have to stay strong for your loved one because the struggle is a lot harder for her. Your post was very inspirational and drew me in great job.
Crissy (Younger reader):
when i read your post 1 sentence POPPED OUT TO ME.I WAS IMPRESSED BY THE SENTENCE BECAUSE IT WAS VERY STRONG AND POWERFUL
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