Now, I find myself realizing that in fact I was an idiot a few years ago and the correct answer is OF COURSE STUPID.
Through this teensy weensy little blog I have "met" some really great people. Not great in the sense that they have ended any wars, but great in the sense that if we met for lunch, we could talk and laugh, or bitch and cry, for hours.
I found out today that one of those friends found out she has cancer. Malignant Melanoma. I know many people think "oh, it's JUST skin cancer". Your skin is your body's biggest organ.
I know she is afraid. She has a husband and two adorable kids. Who wouldn't be scared? The worst part of all>>>>>even though I am certain she will be fine, she will still need treatment and she has no insurance. For a while now she has been unemployed. Where she lives there really aren't too many choices for her. (husband having insurance isn't an option)
She is part of "America's uninsured" that everyone talks about, but if you have insurance you really don't give it much thought. I have been thinking about that, and her, all day.
I am not too worried about her recovering from the medical aspect, but the cost of her care...ouch.
So, yes, you can be friends with strangers. It isn't odd at all.
10 comments:
Many of my friends I've never met in person, but certainly call them friends. I even photoshop myself into family pictures! :)
Sometimes you even like them as well :P
Yes you can be friends with a person you have not met in person. I have found quite a number of friends via the blogs.
Prayers for your friend... awful situation.
Sending prayers for your friend... can only imagine what she's going through the worry about paying for it all.
I love my blogger buddies and think of them often. In an lot of ways they know more about me then my real world friends.
So sorry for your friend. Thats scary. I too, am americas uninsured and I fell her pain.
Ugh. Yes I'm friends with her too and I hate that she is now having to deal with this. I won't even get into all the issues this country has with healthcare but it really is a sad situation.
I very much love my internet friends.
Oh, Babe. You are a sweet, sweet woman. Yes, we will be fine. *I* will be fine. I'm too freakin ornery to go without a fight.
Got good news today. Will post when I got some time.
Whether you have met them in real life or not, you can still care about another human being. And this is what everyone who has insurance seems to forget - what if someone you know DOES NOT? It's not a nice feeling, is it? People have an amazing capacity to reach out and connect in compassion.
I can't remember the exact date it goes into effect but there is now a high risk pool, thanks to health care reform, that your friend might qualify for. SHe will have to check with her state. It might be in effect as of September 23rd. Of course there are some pretty unreasonable criteria but it may turn out to be an option.
I certainly feel like I have online friends. I miss them when they go a while without posting and I feel like I have neglected my friendships when I don't comment on their posts. I wish the best for your friend. Cancer is cancer and not to be dismissed by insensitive yahoos.
Not only can you be friends with strangers, but they can sometimes touch your life in ways that people you see on a day to day basis don't. It's crazy, but true.
Affordable health care should not be a luxury in this country. Sending your friend positive thoughts.
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