Health is a personal responsibility

Two of my children were born with congenital heart problems both of whom have gone through open-heart surgery. Both have made it through surgery looking healthy like normal kids. They are not. If per chance they neglect good health habits, they would have to deal with it down the stretch when I am around or not. I dread the thought of hardship they would face as a result of negligence.

I try to be on the positive side though deep in my conscience there’s that disquieting feeling of the distance between Honolulu hospitals and the NMI. There’s also nothing that we could do given the limited capability of our only ambulatory and acute health facility. Between preparing the patient for medical referral, there’s only the prayer hope that divine providence gives us the strength to deal with His disposition.

Yes, most young people or even those kicking fifty are often stubborn to listening to preventive health care messages about the essence of healthy lifestyles. We rationalize with that popular theme, “If my time comes, smoking, drinking or otherwise wouldn’t really make a difference”. And we smile with gratification at making such towering speech.

Certainly, we all have our own individual fate whether a smoker or non-smoker or a beer hard liquor drinker. I must admit that I also have my own bouts with cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. They have taken their toll. I wish I’ve never developed such deadly habits. However late I am kicking both of them out the front door.
I’ve measured my stamina against an elderly who never smoked but drinks alcohol moderately. He’s far healthier and stronger physically and much to my embarrassment.

I suppose health is similar to opportunities we never know we’ve lost until they’re gone. Being a diabetic headed into my twilight years and having gone through the deep valleys of hardship with two kids born with congenital heart problems, I definitely understand and appreciate the value of health. I understand since then that health is indeed a personal responsibility. As nutritionists say: “You are what you eat!” Your health being too is what you make of your lifestyle.

If you’re working in either sector, it pays to purchase high option health policies for that dreadful day when you begin dealing with long-term illnesses. While some may be spared the mind numbing experiences of helplessness (when a loved-one is afflicted with catastrophic illnesses) no one would be spared the subsequent certainty of having to deal with health ailments as we grow older or age.

Our health must always be our top priority. Interesting how families treat health bills on a survey once taken of a certain community. They first pay for cable television bills, cars, basic needs while health came in twelve. Such shouldn’t be the case. Paying for health insurance and medical bills should come first. Other expenses should come later. Paying for cable television first over health insurance policy? It goes to show how we rate our health, right? It’s not a responsible thing to do given the importance of staying healthy.

If anything, stay the course of a healthy lifestyle. You need not be a victim of catastrophic or long term illnesses to begin appreciating the essence of staying healthy. You owe it to yourself and siblings who need a set of healthy parents as they grow up. Let’s do it for health!