tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post7289700629568236721..comments2023-11-02T03:40:09.064-07:00Comments on Human Perspective on Development and Environment: Doctor VisitsCIEE - Thailandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00702040572805817922noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-75493261987409008542010-05-01T03:31:07.025-07:002010-05-01T03:31:07.025-07:00Becky,
This was a heart wrenching post. When I r...Becky,<br /><br />This was a heart wrenching post. When I read, "The problem is not one of biology; it is political and economic. Meh will die in 5 years because she cannot afford the cost of living," my heart stopped. I have also been insanely frustrated with the world and its sickening commodification fetish. Why do we assign a price for everything? Why do we feel like we need to quantify everything into cold hard cash? I have always believed that basic things such as food, water and health are basic human rights that every single person inherently deserves. Sometimes, I wonder: <br /><br />If these rights had been honored throughout history, would some of the serious issues we face today still exist? <br /><br />For example, if we had ensured that everyone had the right to life and the concrete things required for that (food, water, healthcare), would we fall into the same capitalistic frenzy? Or would we develop a different, more sustainable economic/political system, in which everyone could at least live?<br /><br />And what does money ultimately mean any way? Why are we so obsessed with profit and commodification? Why do we ascribe ourselves to this system? <br /><br />I mean, we created this system that values pieces of paper more than human life. We chose to live this way. But my question to the world, is WHY???Michelle Nguyennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-51403561233529036192010-04-30T03:16:58.088-07:002010-04-30T03:16:58.088-07:00Becky, I think you really touch on a number of cri...Becky, I think you really touch on a number of critical issues in regards to universal healthcare reform but more importantly, the basic human right of access to care and treatment. I think the most frustrating component of the whole system of inadequate access to treatment centers on the idea that treatment does exist, and is available to the select few who are privileged enough to received treatment. For example, 5 million children go blind in Sub-Saharan Africa every year due to a lack of vitamin A. This simple nutrient, accessible in foods like eggs, milk or spinach is readily available to so many people and yet people literally lose one of their senses due to a lack of proper nutrition. The same analogy can be drawn for access to medical treatment. In your post, you discuss that your Meh takes vitamin supplements as a natural remedy for her health issues but in reality, she really does need medical treatment. While some people may chose to go the holistic or more natural route, given her socioeconomic circumstances, she does not even possess the option to access adequate medical treatment. Thus, she is forced to slowly suffer as the result of a treatable illness. The politics of circumstance and how your environment shapes your opportunities in life is a difficult concept to grapple with; however, I think your insights and your internal struggle is a beautiful and powerful tool you can use to seek out new information and work to better understand the very systems which have given you so much good health care treatment. <br /><br />MeganMegan Keaveneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03932462884433849908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-54952690191311126562010-04-22T19:44:08.962-07:002010-04-22T19:44:08.962-07:00Becky,
I really enjoyed this post and after hearin...Becky,<br />I really enjoyed this post and after hearing your Mae speak in our exchange, I was also deeply troubled by the unfairness of healthcare and accessibility. It's frustrating that all these systems, economics, healthcare, environment, consumption, etc. are all so intertwined, that fixing one means having to fix all of them. It's a tough change to make and one that seems daunting. Every time I go into a homestay, I am constantly reminded of my privilege and the accessibility to things that I have in my life. I am still a student but compared to the work that these wonderful people are doing, I am not working hard enough. They work so hard yet are denied basic rights because of how societies and politics have been built up. What I try to keep in mind is that we and the next generations are the future and if our minds continue to shift in the direction of equality and accessibility for all, hopefully we can recreate this world before its too late.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-80749943197590853912010-04-20T10:48:13.883-07:002010-04-20T10:48:13.883-07:00Insightful post, Becky. As a premed student hoping...Insightful post, Becky. As a premed student hoping to attend medical school in the near future, I am very interested in the current universal health care debates that have been occurring in the United States and abroad. I agree that health care is a human right that all global citizens despite ethnicity and socioeconomic status, and I also find it challenging to “place that vision of human rights into policy terms” when stories like Meh’s are so heart wrenching and seem so unjust. Similar to Thailand, Mexico’s health care system is unaffordable or inaccessible to many particularly those in rural and indigenous communities. Countless people rely on chain pharmacies like Farmacias Similares which provide consultations and medications. Although the medicine sold in these stores are cheap, they are not approved or regulated by national or international food and drug organizations. Also, partially due to their economic constraints, many Mexicans particularly women and those of a lower socioeconomic status have turned to traditional medicine for common illnesses and injuries. In my internship, I have spent several weeks shadowing a woman who practices alternative medicine, and I have learned that using this holistic type of medicine is a way for practitioners and patients alike to reclaim their indigenous culture and heritage.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683460847567613120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-53369080200373717662010-03-26T12:09:12.970-07:002010-03-26T12:09:12.970-07:00Thanks for sharing your powerful experience. I kno...Thanks for sharing your powerful experience. I know if can be overwhelming, but if you focus on what you can do now then y'all can make a difference in forwarding the work of past and future ciee students. I'm excited to hear about the final projects! Is anyone thinking about doing a human rights report in the landfill community?<br /><br />-Alvin ciee fall 08'Alvin Sangsuwangulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13238567831034273951noreply@blogger.com