Healthcare Settings

Hi this is Maria from the Over 60 Health Center

Please press Zero to speak to a Human Being

Health

What does that really mean

The physical mental social

and not merely the absence of disease

and not merely the absence of infirmities

but in this environment

where the “mentally challenged” are seen as weak

where it’s easier to hide our vulnerabilities

because that’s what we were taught

to repress our thoughts

to live problem-free

or at least appear to be

we encourage patients to exercise

but look at our diets

look at our diets

if health is wealth

then many of us are poor

but we continue to ignore

this

is an issue

we’re taught empathy

and at the same time to not take things so personally

the personal crosses dangerous boundaries

so we depersonalize

we desensitize

we detach ourselves from the crowd

outside longing for somebody to notice their pain

and the reminder calls begin to sound the same

like customer service looped tapes

"Hi this is Maria from the Over 60 Health Center,

how may I help you?

Your appointment’s at 2

Your appointment’s at 8

Have a good day!"

Next! The medical assistant calls

There goes the patient treatment assembly line

One pill here, one pill there.

Next!

and this goes on every 15 minutes

and this goes on every day

They open their doors to those

with gold and silver

But if he can’t afford health

they don’t deliver

If every human life has equal value

why does the term, “pediatrics,” rings bells

but the word, “geriatrics,” sings silence

If every human life has equal value

why are some still at the sidelines

And to be healed

How long must we wait?

And to be healed

Are pills the only way?

Health isn’t just bandaging a paper cut

or casting a broken arm

It’s also about mending spirits

and sending “Are you okay?” messages

to those that need to hear it

and health doesn’t merely happen in clinics

with doctors and stethoscopes

and formal white coats

health happens in our homes

a place to feel warm and safe

to return to at the end of our days

health happens in schools

when the 6th grader gets ready for PE

and when the 5th grader finally stands up to his bully

health happens when we’re outdoors

inhaling fresh air (inhale)

and exhaling despair (exhale)

health happens at the grocery stores

will it be carrot sticks on aisle one?

or corn chips on aisle four?

So if you tell me that health happens in a 10×10 exam room

I’d say, “Well – homes, parks, and schools..”

these are healthcare settings too

these are healthcare settings too