Your Health Care Stories
All over the country - including here on the Central Coast - people have been telling their stories of the need for health care reform. Click to share your story at barackobama.com - and to take action for reform! Or click the button below to email, print or share this page on social networks:
News
My Story: I Gave My Scholarship to an Undocumented Friend
As delivered by Leticia Garcia Romo at the Immigration Reform Forum with Congressman Sam Farr, July 2, 3009: My name is Leticia Garcia Romo. I am third generation American. I was born in Salinas, California. I am here as a very proud daughter and friend.
My father works in the fields and my mother works caring for children.
My family and I are here to support Hector and his family. I’m happy to share that I too will also be the first in my family to attend college – Princeton University. But, I will never forget the summers, working alongside my father in the fields or my friend, Hector.
Many of us, whether you are a high school student, or an adult, have a friend like Hector. Some of you know it and some don’t. It could be that student that sits next to you in your high school English class or that nice family who lives next door. They are hard working, honest, people.
Congressman, I could’ve taken that scholarship and looked the other way. But, I didn’t. I believe in the American value of rewarding hard work.
Why does Washington punish these hard working families by defending a broken system?
Congressman, God bless you for trying to make real Americans out of hard working families, like the Rojas’, like mine.
Thank you, sir.
My Story: My Family Was Undocumented, but I Am Succeeding & Going to College
As delivered by Hector Rojas at the Immigration Reform Forum with Congressman Sam Farr, July 2, 2009: My name is Hector Rojas. I came to the U.S. at the age of 5.
I can’t imagine living anywhere but the United States. It’s all I know.
My parents left my brother and myself in Mexico with my grandparents when they came to the United States. We didn’t see our parents for three years. My parents weren’t able to hear me say my first word or take my first step. My brother, only an infant when they left, called our father “uncle”, when we were reunited, because he didn’t recognize him.
Congressman, how would you feel if your son didn’t recognize you?
My parents work hard and I love them. We don’t rely on public assistance and never have. My mother worked in the fields for years until my father found a small space to rent and start a family owned meat store. But, despite my father working two jobs and my mother working, together, they barely make enough for our rent and food.
Is this the American dream?
My parents’ journey inspires me to work hard. I graduated in the top 21, was involved in sports and many other clubs. I am not a gang member or any of the stereotypes that come with those who are undocumented. I will be the first in my family to graduate from college, but, I don’t qualify for financial aid and there are little to no scholarships for students in my situation.
My Story: Our Health Care Day of Service
From volunteer Nancy Peden, as part of our MyStory series: On Saturday June 27 I joined others in our community for a day of service as the President and First Lady have asked of us. I chose to work with health care as I have had lots of experience with surgeries, not enough insurance and my father was a family doctor.
Our offering, The Five Wishes, which we gave away freely, is a medical directive for how one would like to be treated if unable to speak for oneself. It was recommended by Shary Farr, our Congressman's wife. I felt my personal experience and our offering would be a good way to connect deeply with our community. I was not wrong. With the health care issue, people seem hungry for understanding and empowerment.
The location I chose was the Wellness Fair, the first ever, at The American Tin Cannery. This small shopping mall is just a block from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but has lost many tenants due to the downturn. I imagine now that there will be more Wellness Fairs in the future as it seemed a very good use of the space.
The Wellness Fair was a good match also for our table with our banner asking, in Obama-like design, What are your five wishes?
Where Stimulus Money is Going on the Central Coast
Wondering what effect the stimulus spending is having locally? Congressman Sam Farr's office has put together this map that shows you - click on it to learn more:
View Stimulus Funds at work in the Central Coast (Rep. Farr CA-17) in a larger map
Celebrating 100 Days of Change at the Center For Change
The festivities Saturday May 2 included the raising of a flag that flew over the Capitol on Inauguration Day, a performance by the Monterey Peninsula Community Gospel Choir and speeches by Assemblymember Bill Monning and others. Click to start the slide show:
Click to go to the photo gallery.
My Story: The Stimulus Saved Our Home
Submitted by John and Carol Chatters:
Obama saved our home. We were within days of losing our home and due to the economy my contractor husband had not worked in 5 months. Then Obama became our President and the bank did an unbelievable loan rewrite on our home. They dropped the principal by 120K and dropped our payment to 1K/mo and lowered our interest rate and fixed it for the life of the loan.
We are blessed and thankful President Obama is in office working for the families of the United States. God bless President Obama.
More on our My Story page.
