Thx to @morethanmySLE. I’ve been following him for years. Today watching this I cried and I’ll tell you why. 1/ https://twitter.com/morethanmySLE/status/1299145368295403520

As a freshman in college (where I’m driving my 18 yo to in a few hours), I developed severe arthritis in every joint. Over the years I was given diagnoses of lupus, MS, rheumatoid arthritis & more. Eventually my diagnosis was none of these but 38 yrs later, I’m still ill.2/

I’ve lived a beautiful happy life. Not pain free, not always easy, but I could never have asked for more love from family & friends nor more professional fulfillment.

But @morethanmySLE’s video reminded me of my early struggles. 3/

I was a premed student with a vision and energy when the disease took over my life. I fought and was able to graduate college on time through twists and turns but my MDs & parents told me I couldn’t be a doc. Too strenuous & risky.4/

So I went for doctoral studies-still wanted medicine. Worked in healthcare financial IT & climbed a corporate ladder quickly-still wanted medicine.

I applied without telling anyone until I hit interviews. Then I told my mom & dad, who had spent years worrying about me. 5/

My mom looked at me and said : I knew you had to do this. I’m still worried but I’ll support you. But I’m not sure how dad will take it. You’re an adult. Talk to him. 6/

They’d done SO much for me.

Dad listened & said. “It’s good. I worry that you won’t get the healthcare you need as time goes on. At least if you’re a doctor, you might have the financial ability, connections, & advocacy skills to get access to healthcare.”

7/

I’m crying right now.Not because COVID killed my dad on June 9.

But because my dad had to worry about his baby’s healthcare access because of my preexisting condition in the 1980s!

I’m a pediatrician for kids of color & immigrants who have limited healthcare access IN 2020! 8/

So we ALL need to do exactly what @morethanmySLE asked. Take time TODAY to call our 2 Senators & 1 House rep & say:

“We can’t stop until we don’t have to worry about healthcare access OR an individual’s ability to pay for healthcare!”

It’s not over till we all have access.9/

I’ve lived a privileged life that my parents worked hard to give me. Privileged in ways that my patients will never get. But I still had to worry every day about health insurance.

#HealthCareIsAHumanRight.

I stand with MY @MassMedical :

http://www.massmed.org/News/Massachusetts-Medical-Society-asserts-health-care-is-a-basic-human-right/#.X0jtGCVq3Ds

@SenWarren @SenMarkey @RepMcGovern @MassGovernor

Please watch the video of @morethanmySLE and welcome him every time he visits you in DC. Each trip must exhaust him. I know because I try to lobby once a year.

We need HIS VOICE but we also need EVERY VOICE.

#HealthCareForAll