Sustainability Health and Healing

Sustainability, Health, and Healing

1. The reading from Gaia education was very insightful. Often when we think of health we think in individual terms (what ‘I’ have to do to be healthy). The reading presented health with in the terms of systems theory where yes health exists on the individual level, where the individual has ‘self responsibility” and is the ‘core to this approach of healthcare’ but health care also exists at the larger community level. At the individual level health care as seen in the terms of self responsibility offers “empowerment and freedom...Self-care is a positive and nurturing aspect that brings healthcare into daily life. To counteract the stresses of modern life we can choose to have”. The freedom comes with understanding that we have the choice and responsibility to decide what we eat, and how we choose to live. In the system theory health also depends upon others, community health. When viewing health in these terms the individual has a vested interest in the health of others as well as a keen understanding of how others support and contribute to individual well being. Health as a system described in the reading centers around healthy living in the community. For positive functional health other aspects must work within the system to support the central goal. The same ecovillage concept of community mindedness is used to approach health care. Everyone works together for sustainable health goals. What surrounds these goals is the same things that facilitate sustainable living within the ecovillage; food production, education, spiritual practice, care in the community, medical care, health care, work, governance, youth, ecology, economy, leisure. Essentially health depends upon the individual self responsibility to effectively contribute and support community health. Health on a larger global system can also work this way. In order to slow environmental devastation we must have a global community minded understanding and commitment to health. Where we all function to promote sustainability so that the planet can continue to provide a place for our civilization to continue. What was very insightful was the power and freedom we each have to contribute to health on individual-community-and global levels “In the ongoing process of change, health is not a static condition. There are many things we can do to enhance our present state of health. To bring positive change it is important to identify the small, manageable next steps we can realistically take to improve our health, be that a change in diet, activity levels or relationship patterns. The next step is to make a commitment to that change and establish a support and review structure that will allow it to become anchored in the daily routine. Community support is essential for this – not only the infrastructure that offers a broad range of opportunities but also the social support to sustain the change.”

2. Something that surprised me about the state of our healthcare system was a fact that was listed on the Sicko fact sheet, and that was the number of health care lobbyists there are. “There are four times as many health care lobbyists as there are members of Congress.. According to the Center for Responsive Politics....in 2005 there were 2,084 health care lobbyists registered with the federal government. With 535 members of Congress, that's 3.895 lobbyists per member.” I really believe the American government is corrupt. The fact that paid lobbyists can exert weight in political decisions that should represent the common good of the people is such a despicable tragedy. There are lobbyists for media conglomerates, tobacco companies, the NRA etc... it seems to contradict a free democracy if our government can be bought and bribed. It is a tragedy that as of yet we still do not have a universal health care system. Growing up in England health care was a right for every citizen. Here in the Unites States health care is a luxury for the wealthy or a working class that can barely afford it. I really hope that the American public sees the benefits of having a healthcare system that is just that, a system that provides health care for everyone and not what it is now, a profit based system for those who can afford it. Just the fact that insurance companies can pay lobbyists should be a huge wake up call to the American public that something is wrong lobbyist work to ensure profitability of the companies that support them. Profitability at the expense of the American public’s health is a tragedy and should be a crime.

3. At the World Healing Institute website three systems were mentioned that needed to be connected for world healing; environmental issues, children’s growth and healing, and cutting edge healing modalities. What I found very interesting was the concept of children’s growth and healing. In our studies so far this was the first time that this was mentioned as an integral factor of world healing. It makes such obvious sense; our children will inherit the planet we leave them. We can either continue to teach them and lead them on a path of destruction or we can teach and provide healing. Through this healing comes growth and positive progress. This is an essential aspect of looking foreword with the intent of creating positive solutions. We can change the consumer culture for our children, we have to. The aim of the Institute as mentioned on their webpage “is to develop an Ecology of Wellness—to steadfastly help individuals to participate in ongoing transformation. We address solutions for healing the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual dimensions of our lives, and our children’s lives. Above all, we want to harness the courage to change—to move beyond our limiting fears, and to make changes which will bring us greater fulfillment, peace of mind, and enhanced self-esteem both individually and collectively.” What a terrific and necessary aim, we should all travel in this direction!

4. There were several terrific sites that were provided in this assignment. I have had personal experience with the North Hawaii Community Hospital which was one of the sites listed. My youngest son was born at this hospital in 2007. As a mother of three my birthing experience at this hospital was truly supportive. Throughout my pregnancy I saw wonderfully supportive midwives. The labor rooms are private quiet and relaxing catering to not only the mother but additional family or support persons. There were water tubs to ease labor pain. The doctor really was open and supportive of my birthing plan, and my son stayed in the room with me the whole time. It was the next best thing to a home delivery. While at the hospital I received a basket from another site that was listed for this assignment; Five Mountains Hawaii. Part of what this organization does is to deliver newborn baskets to hospitals throughout the island. These baskets provide information on drug prevention. In Hawaii drugs are a very big problem any effort to bring awareness and avenues of support are necessary for our community to be healthy. By giving the baskets to all women who deliver a baby the organization tries to reach as many families as possible. The baskets for a new mother whose life may be impacted by drugs receives information about support organizations that can provide help. A baby carrier and parenting information is also provided for all mothers. Several of the other sites provide information and access to traditional Hawaiian healing practices. As I have experienced alternative holistic health care is an important factor in overall health. Traditional healing practices can increase health by promoting the use of spirituality in the healing process. What is critical for the success of community (island) wide health and drug prevention programs is garnering the cooperation of the entire community. Often people look at drugs as someone else’s problem when in fact it is all of our problem because it exhibits a community that is not well. A community that is not well in any area affects the overall health of the entire island wide community. Health promotion through alternative methods encourages individual choice, freedom, and directive in health care needs. Often society does not value alternative therapies and only promotes pharmacological measures. Fortunately here in Hawaii many of us can see the use and effectiveness of traditional healing methods. Several of the sites that offered such services provide a special outreach to patients who may be fearful of mainstream health services. Again these sites have a common goal of supporting the island community. Full support of the entire community is necessary to eliminate preventable community health problems and to provide support and access to anyone that is in need of health care services.