POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Ann on July 12, 2011, 09:19:30 am
-
Yesterday, July 11th*, marked one year since we lost Maggie (real name Bobbi) to hiv-related suicide. She was extremely depressed and much of that depression was caused by her lack of sufficient health care. For some reason (which I no longer remember the details of) she did not qualify for any assistance programs but had no insurance and could not afford the high cost of American health care.
Bobbi was a very kind, gentle woman and I miss her terribly, as I'm sure her family also does.
Every time I think of Bobbi, I can't help but wonder how many other Americans have taken their lives in despair over their lack of basic healthcare. She - and every other American - deserved better. Healthcare isn't a luxury, it's a basic human right.
Bobbi, I hope you're now at peace.
With Love,
Ann
xxx
*For some reason I thought it was today, the 12th, but reading her thread in the In Memoriam forum (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=33492.0), I realised I was mistaken. :(
-
It is a sad anniversary. I didn't get to know her very well, but she always seemed to be a very decent, caring person. When forum members disappear, I wonder if they've suffered the same (or similar) fate. However, I wouldn't limit it to only Americans, but to other countries with poor health care, even worse stigma, etc. Live and let live.
-
Bobbi was so desperate. She didn't want to burden her family. And even though she had very little in terms of financial resources, she still did not qualify for help and she feared losing her house, etc. Uggh.
It could happen to any of us. Any of us in the US, that is.