Category — Health

At the writing of this blog, 39 states out of the 50 U.S. states have passed legislation to prevent women from having the right to make choices concerning their bodies. Thirty-nine states have passed laws to not allow women the freedom to choose their destinies or just to be. Those laws block a woman’s right to make decisions that only women who will be responsible for the results of those choices can and should be able to make. THE OVA NETWORK believes that when we know about something but do nothing about it, we are giving silent consent to the offense. We are therefore calling for the signing of a petition to protest the passing of these laws.

THE OVA NETWORK is a Facebook online support group created for women. The following is its description: “The Ova Network is dedicated to and for women everywhere. Its purpose is to provide a place and voice for women, and the men who care about and respect them, to connect, share and celebrate womanhood. Questions and answers and stories of triumphs and defeats, victories and losses are welcome to help each other grow and change.”

Members of THE OVA NETWORK, in representing all women, understand the seriousness and harm created in the making of laws to control the rights of women to choose. As women, they know how it feels to make decisions concerning protection or elimination of parts of their bodies in their own best interest. They know the stress of desiring sex, but not wanting to get pregnant, the abasement of having a pelvic exam or an ultrasound or an abortion and also their relief. Some have endured rape, familial sexual abuse, unwanted pregnancy, rape by strangers and loved ones, or just the mistake of a night of fun and pleasure.

Regardless of the circumstances, or socio-economic status, we believe it should only be the choice and decision of the women involved, and not that of any legislator, male or female. We, therefore, protest these laws which restrict any’s woman’s right to choose and ask that you support the efforts of our protest through the process of this petition.

http://www.change.org/petitions/legislators-stop-the-assault-on-the-rights-of-women-to-make-their-own-choices

I OCCUPY POVERTY, and I’m not alone. There are millions of Americans who have been or are becoming improvised because of the greed, arrogance, corruption and lack of compassion of both our government, and people with big money and power.

As far as the upper 1% of Americans are concerned, I am a non-entity except when it comes to utilizing me as an example, a scapegoat, or a victim to cut back on entitlements and government spending. Then my fixed income suddenly becomes un-fixed and is cut down to shore up mismanaged spending.

And because there was no voice crying out about the injustice to which I am subjected, there was no one to assist me in fighting this iniquity … until now. OCCUPY WALL STREET arrived and the entire picture of my condition and that of millions around the world has changed.

Now there are faces of outrage and demanding voices to speak for those who have been silently waiting; and there are tens of thousands to represent the file folders or case numbers to which we have been relegated. There are determined human beings insistent on obtaining equity, compassion and respect.

Although I OCCUPY POVERTY, I am not, nor have I been lazy or trifling. I have worked, paid into the system, gotten an education and training, never been arrested, been a home owner, tried to become self-sufficient, did volunteer work, voted in every election, and performed my civic duties to the best of my ability. I take full responsibility for my life.

But try though I might, I like so many others, have not been able to advance from my position. Some may say that it is our own fault, and we must take responsibility for the choices we made in life, and to an extent that’s true. However, the disadvantage of one’s origin of birth, color, sexual preference, class, status, age, health, sex, or beliefs should not be a reason to punish or penalize. Our humanity should be enough to qualify for equality.

Where does the labor pain go when it releases you? Is there a little pocket somewhere inside where it tucks itself away until the next time it holds you in its grip or until the doctors anesthetize you? Why is it that when it’s gone you can’t quite remember it other than that it hurt something awful?

Each time I went into labor with my six children, I waited with anticipation for the pains to begin, and longed for the occasion when I would be on my way to the delivery room. Most expectant mothers will tell you that by the time you get to the ninth month you relish the idea of your labor pains beginning, because it means that you will be able to reclaim your body from the little invader who has controlled your every waking and sleeping hours. You anticipate that finally you will be able to sleep on your back, tummy or side without a foot, elbow or knee demanding that you turn over to make “them” comfortable.

It is not, however, until the pains begin that you remember what it was like the last time when you swore to never put yourself in this position again. Rushing back to your core, the pain echoes the pressure, fear and excruciating squeeze and release of muscles left unused since the previous delivery. Like a steely Grinch, the pain carries away every smidgen of tranquility, relaxation and comfort you have been able to muster up for the big day. Replacing your excitement with only one desire…to get it out and over with as quickly as possible!

After everything is said and done and the baby is safely delivered, however, you realize what a great gift pain has given you. Staring down into the face of your newborn is one of the most fulfilling moments of your life and most satisfying. Those who have experienced it more than once can attest that wherever the pain goes, you are grateful that it resides in a place that keeps it safe, able and ready to help you deliver one of life’s greatest rewards ever.