Bear and Golly Family. Small art fridge magnet, by artist, Kathy Shell.

'Take lots of naps", small art fridge magnet featuring the art of kathy Shell

Get the Facts about this Common Sweetener 
By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

If you had asked me five years ago if I thought there was something unique about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that could lead to weight problems, I would have said “yes.” In fact, I was one of those Registered Dietitians who encouraged families to beware of the "evil" high fructose corn syrup.

Today I am here to confess that as a trained, nutrition professional, I blatantly ignored the No. 1 rule of providing reliable nutrition education for the public. I forgot to rely on published research and evidence for my nutrition recommendations! So today, I am going to set the record straight after reviewing not just one research study but all of them. Read on to find out whether high fructose corn syrup deserves its bad rap and how it really compares with regular sugar.

What is High Fructose Corn Syrup?
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a calorie-providing sweetener used to sweeten foods and beverages, particularly processed and store-bought foods. It is made by an enzymatic process from glucose syrup that is derived from corn. A relatively new food ingredient, it was first produced in Japan in the late 1960s, then entered the American food supply system in the early 1970s. HFCS is a desirable food ingredient for food manufacturers because it is equally as sweet as table sugar, blends well with other foods, helps foods to maintain a longer shelf life, and is less expensive (due to government subsidies on corn) than other sweeteners. It can be found in a variety of food products including soft drinks, salad dressings, ketchup, jams, sauces, ice cream and even bread.

There are two types of high fructose corn syrup found in foods today:

• HFCS-55 (which is the main form used in soft drinks) contains 55% fructose and 45% glucose.
• HFCS-42 (which is the main form used in canned fruit in syrup, ice cream, desserts, and baked goods) contains 42% fructose and 58% glucose.

Sugar & High Fructose Corn Syrup
Table sugar (also called sucrose) and HFCS both consist of two simple sugars: fructose and glucose. The proportion of fructose and glucose in HFCS is basically the same ratio as table sugar, which is made of 50% fructose and 50% glucose. Both sweeteners contain the same number of calories (4 calories per gram).

But the fructose and glucose in table sugar are chemically bonded together, and the body must first digest sugar to break these bonds before the body can absorb the fructose and glucose into the bloodstream. In contrast, the fructose and glucose found in HFCS are merely blended together, which means it doesn't need to be digested before it is metabolized and absorbed into the bloodstream. Because of this, theories abound that HFCS has a greater impact on blood glucose levels than regular sugar (sucrose). However, research has shown that there are no significant differences between HFCS and sugar (sucrose) when it comes to the production of insulin, leptin (a hormone that regulates body weight and metabolism), ghrelin (the "hunger" hormone), or the changes in blood glucose levels. In addition, satiety studies done on HFCS and sugar (sucrose) have found no difference in appetite regulation, feelings of fullness, or short-term energy intake. How can that be?

Well, the body digests table sugar very rapidly. And both HFCS and table sugar (sucrose) enter the bloodstream as glucose and fructose—the metabolism of which is identical. There is no significant difference in the overall rate of absorption between table sugar and HFCS, which explains why these two sweeteners have the same effects on the body.

HFCS and Obesity
HFCS hit the food industry in the late 1970s, right when the waistlines of many Americans began to expand. During this time, many diet and activity factors where changing in society. It is a well-researched fact that the current obesity crisis is very much a multi-faceted problem. The American Medical Association (AMA) has extensively examined the available research on HFCS and obesity. This organization has publicly stated that, to date, there is nothing unique about HFCS that causes obesity. It does not appear to contribute more to obesity than any other type of caloric sweetener. However, the AMA does encourage more research on this topic.

But Is It Natural?
High fructose corn syrup has received a lot of blame and bad press lately. Recent marketing campaigns funded by the Corn Refiners Association have tried to improve the reputation of high fructose corn syrup, calling it "natural" among other things. However, it's important to note that the word “natural” doesn't mean much. This common food-labeling term is NOT regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Let’s face it: Neither table sugar nor HFCS would exist without some human interaction. Both require processing. You cannot just go to a field and squeeze corn syrup out of corn or sugar out of sugar beets or sugarcane. "Natural" or not, too much sweet stuff can't be good for you—even if it comes from what you might think of as natural sweeteners like honey, agave syrup or raw sugar.

Spark Action: What This Means for You
At least for the past five years, I have been providing accurate nutrition education by stating, “We are eating too much of the sweet stuff, no matter what the source.” When it's added to your morning coffee, hidden in your can of soda, or baked into your chocolate brownie, sweetened foods are everywhere. The typical American over the age of two consumes more than 300 calories daily from sugar and other caloric sweeteners. That's 19 teaspoons (75 grams) a day! One-sixth of our calorie intake is coming from a food ingredient that provides absolutely no nutritional benefit! This is definitely affecting our weight and overall health. It is time to take charge and cut back! The most recent recommendations suggest:

• Healthy adults who consume approximately 2,000 calories daily should limit the amount of all caloric sweeteners to no more than 32 grams (8 teaspoons) of sugar daily.
• For SparkPeople members who are consuming approximately 1,200-1,500 calories daily, this would equate to about 19-24 grams (5-6 teaspoons) of sugar each day.

Please note that doesn't only apply to sugar that you to your morning coffee or oatmeal; it applies to all "hidden" sugars, too, which are found in other processed foods and drinks that you may purchase.

To help curb the sugar monster so you can keep your weight and health in check, follow these tips.

• Always read the ingredients list. Foods you might not even realize are sweetened (like bread, dried fruit and crackers) might be hiding added sugars. Learn to identify terms that mean added sugars on the ingredients list, including sugar, white sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, confectioner’s sugar, corn syrup, crystallized fructose, dextrin, honey, invert sugar, maple syrup, raw sugar, beet sugar, cane sugar, corn sweeteners, evaporated cane juice, high fructose corn syrup, fructose, malt, molasses, and turbinado sugar. Try to limit foods that have “sugar” as one of the first three ingredients.
• If you take your coffee with sugar, try adding a small piece of cinnamon stick or vanilla bean to your cup. It adds flavor without adding caloric sweeteners.
• When baking, reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. Most of the time you can reduce the sugar by up to one-third without noticing a difference in the taste or texture of the final product. Now that's sweet!
• Sweeten other food items with vanilla extract or other "sweet" spices instead of caloric sweeteners. Many times cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice can naturally sweeten a recipe.
• Substitute homemade fruit purees for sugar and syrups in recipes. Applesauce (look for varieties made without added sugar) can be substituted for some of the sugar in muffins, breads and baked desserts.
• Top your breakfast waffles or pancakes with fresh fruit compote instead of syrup.
• Limit the amount of regular soda and caloric-sweetened beverages. While artificially sweetened "diet" beverages aren't exactly health foods, they are one way to cut calories. The healthiest choice is always water. To add a splash of flavor to your water, add lemon or lime juice, other types of 100% fruit juice, or pieces of frozen fruit.
• Skip the calorie-sweetened yogurts that use sugar, honey, syrup, fruit juice, fruit juice concentrate, sugar and HFCS. Buy plain, natural yogurt and sweeten it yourself with fresh fruit, frozen fruit or fruit canned in its own juice.
• Select breakfast cereals with 5 grams of sugar or fewer per serving. Add sweetness with fresh, frozen, or fruit canned in its own juice. Try sliced bananas, canned peaches, frozen blueberries, or fresh strawberries.
• If you're a juice drinker, buy 100% fruit juices and limit it to 1 cup daily for adults and ½ cup daily for children. Beware of juice "drinks," fruit punches, and juice cocktails; these contain only a small amount of juice and the rest is water and added caloric sweeteners.

Selected Sources:
American Dietetic Association. Use of nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2004. 104:255-275.

American Medical Association. Report 3 of the Council on Science and Public Health. The health effects of high fructose syrup. July 23, 2009.

American Medical Association. AMA finds high fructose syrup unlikely to be more harmful to health than other calorie sweeteners. American Medical Association Press Release. June 19, 2008.

Forshee RA, Storey ML, Allison DB, Glinsmann WH, Hein GL, Lineback DR, Miller SA, Nicklas TA, Weaver GA, White JS. 2007. A critical examination of the evidence relating high fructose corn syrup and weight gain. Critical Review Food Science Nutrition. 47(6):561-82.

Melanson KJ, Angelopoulos TJ, Nguyen V, Zukley L, Lowndes J, Rippe JM. Dec. 2008. High-fructose corn syrup, energy intake, and appetite regulation. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 88(6):1738S-1744S.

Soenen S, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Dec. 2007. No differences in satiety or energy intake after high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, or milk preloads. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 86(6):1586-94.

 

"Be concious of your appearance" small art fridge magnet, by artist, Kathy Shell.

Extreme obesity can shorten people's lives by 12 years

By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY

Extremely obese people — those who are 80 or more pounds over a normal weight — live three to 12 fewer years than their normal-weight peers, a new study shows.

Just being overweight or moderately obese, however, has little or no effect on life span, the research found. The finding adds to the growing body of evidence that being slightly overweight may have no influence on life expectancy, but being severely overweight trims years off people's lives.

Overall, about 66% of adults in the USA are either overweight or obese. About one-third of people are in the obese category, meaning they have a body mass index of 30 or greater.

Body mass index, or BMI, is a measure based on height and weight. About 6% of people are extremely obese — that is, they have a BMI of 40 or greater.

Economists with RTI International, a non-profit research organization in Research Triangle Park, N.C., analyzed national data on 366,000 people. Among the findings being published online in the journal Obesity:

•Overall, excess weight was responsible for the loss of roughly 95 million years of life in the USA in 2008.

•Non-smokers who are obese — those who are about 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight — have a shorter life span by a year or less.

•Non-smokers who are overweight — about 29 pounds over a healthy weight — do not have shortened lives.

•Smoking takes a toll, too, and very heavy smokers are affected most. An 18-year-old white male who is normal weight and does not smoke can expect to live to age 81. If he's extremely obese and a smoker, his life expectancy is 60, a difference of 21 years.

The effect of extreme obesity appears to be greater for men than women and for whites than blacks, says Derek Brown, a health economist with RTI International and co-author of the study.

Lead author Eric Finkelstein says being moderately overweight may not affect people's life span because there are so many effective treatments to manage the health problems that often come with extra pounds, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.

For instance, of the top 25 most prescribed medications, 10 target high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, he says.

Finkelstein and obesity experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have conducted additional research that shows the high medical costs of extra pounds. They recently published a study that showed obese Americans cost the country an estimated $147 billion in weight-related medical bills in 2008, double the amount a decade ago.

Obesity now accounts for 9.1% of all medical spending, up from 6.5% in 1998, they found. Overall, an obese patient has $4,871 in medical bills a year compared with $3,442 for a patient at a healthy weight.
 

"Best Friends", small gift card featuring the art work of Kathy Shell

  Health News FDA Investigating Weight-Loss Drug Over Reports of Liver Damage 32 cases reported since orlistat came on market in 1999 By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Aug. 25 (HealthDay News) -- As U.S. health officials announced Monday that they are investigating the weight-loss drug orlistat for possible incidents of liver damage, experts noted the drug might not even work well enough to warrant such potential risks.

Orlistat is available in the United States, both as a prescription product (Xenical) and as an over-the-counter medication (Alli).

Depending on the findings from the investigation, this could dramatically change the risk-benefit ratio of taking the drug, experts noted.

The weight loss gleaned from the drug is quite modest, about 5 kilograms, said Dr. Timothy Pfanner, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and a gastroenterologist with Scott & White, in Temple, Texas.

"It's not a really effective drug. The benefit is not so great to begin with," he said, and additional risks might simply make the drug that much less attractive.

The other problem is that many obese people already have underlying liver problems, added Dr. Eugene Schiff, director of the Center for Liver Diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

"If they [the Food and Drug Administration] feel there is a subgroup, albeit a small one but a real one, that gets a serious liver injury, [that] often will be compounded by the fact they have underlying liver disease," he said. "It's very important that this be resolved quickly."

The issue is complicated by the fact that some patients are taking the drug in its over-the-counter form, meaning they are likely not being tracked and monitored by doctors for side effects.

At this point, there is no reason for consumers to stop taking the drug if they're already on it -- as long as they're using it as recommended -- and no reason for physicians to stop prescribing it, U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials stressed Monday.

But the agency does recommend that patients tell their doctor if they are having symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, fever, jaundice or brown urine. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, itching and loss of appetite might also signal trouble.

Monday's move follows reports of 32 cases of serious liver injury, including six cases of liver failure, between 1999 and October of 2008.

More commonly, patients reported having jaundice, weakness and abdominal pain. For 27 patients, the symptoms were severe enough to require hospitalization.

Two of the cases occurred in the United States, the rest originated overseas.

In 10 years of being on the market, this isn't a great number, Pfanner noted.

The Drug Safety Oversight Board, part of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, first looked into the issue in April. The agency stressed that there is no established association or evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship at this time.

The FDA first approved orlistat as a prescription medicine in 1999. In 2007, it became the first nonprescription drug approved to treat obesity in American adults.

The prescription version of the drug comes in 120-milligram capsules while the over-the-counter version is available in 60-milligram pills. Both versions are designed only to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet by overweight adults aged 18 and older.

In 2006, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to remove Xenical from the U.S. market, not because of liver-related issues but because it might increase the risk of aberrant crypt foci, believed to be precursors to colon cancer.

The FDA's approval of the first over-the-counter drug for weight loss came as the United States and other western nations are struggling with an unprecedented obesity epidemic.

According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, 30 percent of American adults aged 20 and older -- more than 60 million people -- are obese. Another 36 percent are considered overweight.

Orlistat is also approved in some 100 countries, with an over-the-counter form available in the European Union.

More information

The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on orlistat.

Beautiful women on a beautiful day. Carla radiating high self esteem, on her wedding day with her wonderful bridesmaids, the moment captured in oil pastels by artist Kathy Shell. 

This morning my wake up message from Spark People was this article called
An Exercise in Self-Esteem Exercise Your Way to Feeling Better About Yourself -- By Dean Anderson, Fitness & Behavior Expert
Quote 
If you’re like most people who want to lose weight, you probably think that shedding a few pounds will help you feel better about yourself. And chances are, you see exercise simply as something you need to do to accomplish that goal. But here’s something you may not know: this "necessary evil" approach to exercise may actually be preventing you from feeling better about yourself right now—even before the number on the scale or reflection in the mirror matches up with your ideal.

A simple attitude adjustment may help you start feeling a lot more comfortable in your skin right now—and this, in turn, can make your weight loss journey a lot easier and more pleasant. Here’s what you need to know to decide if you need to adjust your exercise attitude, and if so, how to do exactly that.

Making Friends with Your Body: The Roots of High Self-Esteem
There’s no doubt that feeling comfortable in your own skin is an important part of that “feeling-good-about-yourself” goal (also known as high self-esteem) you're trying to achieve. But the more you learn about the roots of self-esteem, the clearer it becomes that what helps the most has very little to do with achieving some abstract ideal, like a certain weight or look. In fact, there are many, many cases where people work very hard on goals like this—and even achieve them—only to find that they're still unsatisfied and unhappy. What does seem to have major, positive effects on self-esteem is the process of moving yourself—the right way—from where you are towards where you would like to be.

The journey is more important than the destination.

To be a little more precise, the best way to increase your self-esteem is to actively and effectively engage in something that is both good for you and consistent with your expressed goals. Both of these are key elements. If your goal isn't good for you, because it's unrealistic or strongly based on what you think other people want or expect from you (like trying to look like a model when your body can’t naturally achieve or maintain that), then you are going to face problems feeling good about yourself. Nothing you do will ever be good enough.

You’ll have the same problem if your actions aren’t consistent with your goals, like going on an unhealthy crash diet to achieve a healthy weight. To feel good about yourself, you have to treat yourself as if you are already someone worthy of respect and good treatment. If that means “faking it until you make it,” then that is where you need to start.

Exercising the “Right” Way, for the “Right” Reasons
If you are carrying a lot of unhelpful baggage in the form of poor body acceptance, negative body image, or even body-rejection due to excess weight, then exercising the right way and for the right reasons may well be your shortest, fastest, and easiest path away from these problems.

But you’ll need a particular kind of attitude and approach, one that will help you begin appreciating your body for what it can do right now, and allowing it to be your guide and teacher on your journey towards change—not an object of your contempt and ridicule. Here are the basic elements of such an attitude:

• Exercise for the “right” reasons. There aren’t many bad reasons to exercise of course, so in a pinch you should take advantage of whatever gets you going. But certain attitudes and approaches will help you get a better self-esteem boost. It helps a lot, for example, to tell yourself that you are working out because it is good for your body and you want to take good care of your body. When you do that, you affirm that you and your body are friends—not enemies—and you open yourself up for healthy communication with your body, allowing it to tell you what you need. This will work much better than setting out to burn calories so you can get rid of all that ugly fat you can’t stand.
  
  
• Don’t just mark time. Make exercise a challenge and notice how you respond. The simple act of setting personal performance goals and watching yourself achieve them can work wonders. Keep a journal where you record what you do during your exercise sessions, noting the improvements in your capacities over time. Hold little competitions against yourself, trying to improve on your personal bests (not world records) a few times a month, and reward yourself when you succeed. Pay special attention to how exercise affects your mood, and let your body teach you how to use the type and intensity of the exercise you do to influence your state of mind.
  
  
• Turn some exercise time into playtime. You are, among other things, an animal with a body that needs to play. Notice how happy and excited your dog or child is when he gets to go out and play—especially when you physically play together. There is a part of you that still feels the same way. This need doesn’t go away just because you get older, become more serious, or are a little out of shape. The more exercise you can do in the form of sports, games, and other activities that are fun and rewarding themselves, the better. So be creative—turn some of those daily walks into roller skating, ice skating, golfing or Frisbee, racing with your dog, or even belly dancing!

Research shows that individuals who exercise feel better about themselves and their bodies. Once you start a workout program (or begin exercising for the "right" reasons), you'll soon experience the positive changes in self-esteem and body image that regular exercisers of all shapes and sizes enjoy. It's never too late to start feeling better about yourself!'
Unquote.

There isn't much I could add to that, it's an excellent article and I reprinted it here in my blog, so I personally could re read it and use it for my motivation and because I would like as many people to read this type of positive,' you are beautiful NOW and your making positive choices because you love yourself', message as high self esteem gets to the heart of what it takes to become and be, naturally slim.

You can get your own motivational messages from SparkPeople 

Art of slimming naturally, forum The art of slimming is not achieved by dieting, nor painful excessive exercise.

Food is not love.

Food is not a substitute for self love and nurture.

In this forum there are:

No diets!

No correct BMI!

No calories or points counting!

No programs or meal replacements!

No weigh ins or measuring. 'YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL NOW'!

The art to being naturally slim is all about learning and developing a balanced lifestyle that grows from self love.

When you love yourself, you avoid deprivation diets or self abusive overeating.

Loving yourself is not about denial of pleasure - or apathy - or self neglect.

Most people who are overweight, or obese, fully understand about a healthy diet and healthy active lifestyle. No goal to lose 500 grams to 1 kilo a week, or meal or gym program is tackling the real issue, is it?

The real issue is - 'what is happening in your life that you have felt the need to self abuse yourself with excess nutrition'?

Dieting will not help you resolve this issue. Diets FAIL.
Weight loss surgery does not resolve these issues.

The only person who can give you self love, is YOU.

If you are ready to make a positive commitment to self nurture and self care and would like to share your journey with us and encourage others on their own journey to self love and nurture, then we would love to have you join our positive, self help forum as we all strive to develop the skills and the art of being naturally slim.

This is your forum, enjoy using it.

We are all artistic and creative, the need to create, is strong within us all.
 
"Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best."   --  Henry Van Dyke
 
OK, this is my fields of expertise having been a professional artist for 50 years, now retired.

I have created a Loving Ourselves, Forum, in my web site, it is not a weight release forum it's abou self nurture and fulfilmant and as a part os this forum I will be offering  FREE  ON LINE ART LESSONS. 

This  is to encourage people to take up art for self fulfilment and creative art therapy purposes and the information I will strive to supply will be aimed at guiding my friends from beginner through to intermediate standard art.

The art lessons will begin in this web site, here, in early spring. begining around the third week of September. 

I will being creative, on line 'information tutorials from my http://www.kathy-shell.com

Book your spot in my FREE ART ON LINE CLASS, and let’s have fun being creative together.
  
NO Talent Needed.

Beginners WELCOME!

It is the teacher who needs to have the talent, the student simply needs the desire to want to do it.   This is meant to be a fun and learning experience for all who become involved.

I will also conduct, private, tuition for a fee, from my home and travelling studio for those interested.

Sunday 25th October 2009,

PRINCES PARK, Carlton at 10am

Route: 3km or 6km, or 6km Run

 Run to start separately

 

An ideal warm down for anyone participating on the Melbourne Marathon. 

 You can also organise your own Great Strides in your local Area - contact Cystic Fibrosis, Victoria,  for details


Sausage sizzles, music, entertainment and post-event massages are all part of the festivities!

 
Great Strides is a lot of fun. It is not strenuous and the emphasis is on going at your own pace – it’s not a race, well except the run!  Great Strides is for all ages from young children through to energetic octogenarians

 

The Course: is completely flat allowing many people to choose to do 3km or go around twice for 6km. 

Afterwards: join in the sausage sizzle, chill out to the music, and even enjoy a massage and picnic in the park.

How do you choose your Health Insurance?

I plan to review my private health insurance cover. I am currently insured with Australian Unity, (not a paid for plug, I am actually a very happy customer) when I last checked it was the cover that seemed to suit our senior needs best I am unlikely to change, but it’s been a while since I’ve looked at any options, so I will be reviewing all my insurance covers and looking for the best deals for our current needs.   There is a chance that a minor change in my health insurance policy might give me a discount off a gym membership that could be worthwhile.

Reg has never been happy about the amount we pay for health insurance, if he had his way, he would not have any.

I on the other hand, I feel it’s worth the cost. I have had surgery for serious issues on a less than a 24 hour notice because I was able to go private and if I am to believe the aesthetician’s version of events, that private cover providing two specialists doing the surgery and having it done, fast, as in, go home, fast, turn up at hospital in the morning and we operate at 1pm, sort of fast, not here is your outpatients appointment in the public hospital in 6 weeks time where you will get to go on a waiting list for surgery, sort of fast.

Another of these ‘rapid into surgery’, journeys I’ve taken was when I was found to have a tumour in the thigh.  I had less than 12 hours to be concerned about it before I knew that the tumour had been a harmless benign growth.  The public health option would have been to wait for 6 to 12 weeks wondering if I had a malignant tumour and also knowing if I did, it could potentially be growing beyond the curable stage, while I was waiting on that public hospital waiting list. Private health insurance came to the rescue of my peace of mind, and for me that was more than worth the cost. 

This year I have been assisted greatly by my private health care cover by using the free, bone health advisory service they set up for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.  I am very indebted to my advisor, she has been far more help in steering me in the direction of preventative and regenerative natural bone health and general health care than any of the doctors I have seen during this time.  What value can I place on great health care advice?

So this is how my private health insurance cover has served me in recent years and I am a fan.

Do you need private health insurance?

It depends on your own financial situation, health concerns and what gives you peace of mind.

Some people feel because in Australia, they are already covered by Medicare in emergencies don't get sick very often, they do not really need private health insurance and many seniors tell me they believe they can join a private insurance company a year in advance of when they are going to need a replacement hip or knee, so carrying a private cover all the time is not justifiable to them.  It is obviously a very personal decision.

How do I get private health insurance?

There are a couple of ways of choosing which company and policy suits you best. The easiest option is to use a free service such as (for Australians), iselect and cheap health insurance .

My personal conviction to always be covered by health care was formed when I was 21.

I was nursing at that time, in the gynaecological wards of the Royal Women’s Hospital.  I realized that you do not always get 12 months advance warning that you will need surgery to arrange for private cover when you may need it.  I also learned that public health care has not always been free.

I’ve seen political change in this country for long enough to know that just because something is free, now, this does not mean it will always remain so.  Never once have I taken for granted that public hospitals will always be free. 

It was part of my nursing duties to take patients after treatment for illness in the hospital, through discharge. This involved wheeling them up to the discharge office where they would be given the bill for their treatment.   I saw so many people’s lives crushed from the double whammy of having first of all been diagnosed and treated for a serious illness and then receiving a bill that was so huge it meant bankruptcy.   21 is a very impressionable age to have seen this happen.  

I love and use aspects of the free health system but I will never trust that it will always be there not want to place my dependence on it.   That can be seen as emotional, misguided and financially foolish as anyone else wants to think it, but it’s a part of me I don’t want to change.  Reg knows how strongly I feel about this and reluctantly has kept up our joint private health cover every year.  J,

Thanks Reg for understanding my needs. J

Your comments are welcome.