By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Health Chair, health@nfbpwc.org 

Apologies for taking so long to get organized for future Health Committee meetings and  communications. There’s been a few technical delays that by the time this report is posted,  should be in the process of moving forward. I thank those of you who have answered my  emails, and I have contacted. I hope once we get started that we can become an active and  viable part of NFBPWC. 

One issue I’d like to personally highlight is October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is very personal  to me since I lost my mom about 2 ½ years ago to Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. I’m sure some of you feel this  way too whether you are a survivor, are currently fighting the battle, or have lost someone. You don’t have to  just get a mammogram in October but anytime of the year. And if it is your first time, let your radiologist know  and they will make your experience as comfortable as possible. 

PSA – Please make sure to check your deadlines to renew your Medicaid and Medicare. They come up quickly  and you might lose it if you don’t make the deadline or submit the right information. 

If you are a former member of the health committee or would like to find an area where you could be involved,  please contact me at soser@nfbpwc.org or health@nfbpwc.org and I will put you on my list.  

Nermin Armad, Chair of Women on the Move Committee and current NFBPWC Secretary submitted a  contribution I want to share to give you an idea of what I am looking for with contributing articles: 

Women's health is as portable as women are, but each of us is responsible for ourselves.

Health is critical for all women, but ironically most women do not have the time to really look after themselves,  especially those who are on the move. Any woman who relocates will spend time finding good doctors for her  children, but for convenience will go to the doctor her spouse selects (through work), provided by her job or  school, or if she moves without a framework of support, the first doctor recommended by her insurance company.  As a working woman, I did not have time to check out doctors, and to invest in planning my holistic approach to  my health. Fortunately, my mother had found amazing doctors for us in most of the places we lived (we moved  every 2 years). As a result, I knew and understood my body, and could gauge when I needed professional help.  Now, I am fine tuning my approach to health. At 67 I want to be independent for as long as possible - and started  to work on my mind and body as a whole. I research doctors, and I talk to them to understand what they believe  is important. For me, a doctor is not like a car mechanic, who fixes an emerging or apparent problem. A doctor  is a collaborator, who explains changes to the body before they happen, who helps one be mentally and physically  prepared for the next steps. I also am aware of my body, and changes - such as I should have less milk products  as I age (whole fat or not), but I need more protein for my memory (150 grams a day is my calculation for myself).  I need to have 45 - 60 minutes of sustained level 2 cardio workouts at least 3 times a week. The result after a year:  I went windsurfing in July (first time since 1985), I went horseback riding in August (first time since 1974, and I  go hiking again. I have lost 32 kilograms by changing when I eat (and by giving up food with growth hormones,  and making my own bread), and can easily walk (despite arthritic knees).  

Looking after my husband for 5 years, 10 years on his walker, and sitting in an office chair every day, being a  passenger on too many long-haul flights were killing me. I lost all the muscle of my more sportive youth. I did  not need a Doctor to tell me that. But I did not understand that my body welcomed the chance to do a lot of things  that my mind had given up on. Women on the move do not need health infrastructure as much as they need  resource to build a healthy outlook on life. That is critical. NFBPWC's Health Committee is an opportunity to  provide resources to internalize that vision. 

Health Awareness Dates: 

October is – 

AIDS Awareness Month (President Reagan), American Pharmacists Month, Antidepressant Death  Awareness Month, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month,  Bullying Prevention Month, (World) Blindness Awareness Month, Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month,,  Celiac Disease Awareness Month, College Students with Disabilities Advocacy Month, Contact Lens Safety  Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Dyslexia Awareness  Month, Eat Better, Eat Together Month, Eczema Awareness Month, Emotional Intelligence Awareness  Month, Emotional Wellness Month, Eye Injury Prevention Month (Note: There is also one in July.), Go  Sober For October, Health Literacy Month, Home Eye Safety Month, Long Term Care Planning Month,  National AIDS Awareness Month, (Note: July is HIV Awareness Month also.), National  Audiology/Protect Your Hearing Month, National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, National  Chiropractic Health Month, National Critical Illness Awareness Month, National Dental Hygiene Month,  National Depression Education & Awareness Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month,  National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National Down Syndrome Month, National Dwarfism  Awareness Month, National Family Sexuality Education Month - Let's Talk!, National Liver Awareness  Month, National Medical Librarians Month, National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, National  Orthodontic Health Month, National Pescatarian Month, National Physical Therapy Month, National  Protect Your Hearing Month, National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, National Spina Bifida  Awareness Month, National Stop Bullying Month, National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, National  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month, Organize Your Medical Information Month, Positive  Attitude Month, Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, Talk About Medicines Month, Vegetarian Month,  World Menopause Month