[Jess]

After finally giving in and going to a doctor, I met the most amazing man. An aging hippie doctor who runs a true "free clinic". It was awkward at first, as with my history of chronic illness, he was at first ready to usher me on to another venue, but after a brief conversation decided I was "too interesting to let get away". LOL! ( I think he was excited to meet a Butch Dyke where so few exist!)

A slight, quirky fella, retired from what he deems the "for profit business of doctoring", having relocated to this remote wasteland of economics in the foothills of the blue ridge from Canada via Maryland, he spends his retirement assisting locals with the small ailments/ nuisances that would cost them a small fortune at a regular MD or "doc in a box" establishment.

Admittedly ill prepared to offer much in the line of pulmonary illness treatment, he continued to examine me, talk through my history, make notes, suggestions for where best to seek medical care, fill me in on his political views regarding healthcare reform vs universal healthcare ( for which he is an avid proponent), and give me a much needed script for antibiotics and prednisone for my current exascerbated condition.

As of late, I have felt very alone in my sense of fairness in world views, and this chance meeting gave me hope. He reminded me that we are truly a brotherhood of man.. we are our brother's keeper and it is our duty to seek fairness and elevate the just in the midst of the games of politics, even at the risk of placing ourselves in the line of fire.

I am still under the weather but I know the much needed meds will kick in in a couple days, so there is light ahead. I am still in a state of flux with my personal beliefs, but I know I am not alone. This is joy.

Thanks for the thread!