By a vote of 263-171, the House this afternoon gave final approval to the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (HR 1424). President Bush is expected to sign the legislation late today or early tomorrow.A Triumph for Consumers and FamiliesThis victory in the House ends a nearly 20 year effort to
Victory on Parity!
October 3rd, 2008 — , NAMI, bipolar, depression, healthcare, mental health, mental illness, parity from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Parity Passage Is ONE Vote Away
October 2nd, 2008 — , NAMI, bipolar, depression, discrimination, mental health, mental health america, mental illness, parity from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Last night the Senate passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, which includes mental health/addiction parity legislation and a financial rescue package. The bill is expected to be taken up in the House of Representatives on Friday. The upcoming House vote on the Economic Stabilization Act may be the last chance to pass parity legislation this year. It is likely to be a close vote, given
Don’t let mental health parity bill die
October 1st, 2008 — , Health, NAMI, bipolar, depression, discrimination, healthcare, mental health, mental illness, parity from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
WRITE TO CONGRESS———>>>>>
Remember the federal mental health parity law that’s set to pass Congress and be signed by the president? The House and Senate have STILL not reached agreement on how to get mental health parity/addiction equity legislation to the President’s desk. Time is running out. We can’t allow this legislation to die.
We are all aware of the economic crisis being decided
Thank You!!
September 15th, 2008 — , AFSP, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Out of the Darkness Community Walk, bipolar, depression, mental health, mental illness, stigma, suicide from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
$64,203
That’s how much was raised in the Out of Darkness Walk on Saturday. Although I did not meet my projected goal, every little bit helps. I wanted to thank each person who donated. Overall the day was a success. Tons of people showed up, many with their pooches, to participate. I wasn’t able to do the walk itself, but I sure had fun meeting so many new people.
There are still plenty
Mental Health Parity Rally Sept. 17th?
September 12th, 2008 — , Brazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Mental Health Liaison Group, bipolar, depression, healthcare, mental health, mental illness, parity from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
ATTENTION
RESIDENTS OF THE WASHINGTON D.C. AREA
The Mental Health Liaison Group Invites You to Join Advocates for Fairness at a Rally for Fairness on September 17 at the Cannon House Office Building Terrace
The public is invited to a rally for mental health parity legislation that will be held at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, Sept. 17, on the Cannon House Office Building Terrace. That is at the
National Call-In for Parity Wednesday
September 9th, 2008 — , NAMI, bipolar, depression, discrimination, empowerment, mental health, mental illness, parity from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
With Congress back in session this week and only a short time left, it must pass mental health parity legislation. This is the moment to remind lawmakers that parity legislation is critical, unfinished business.
Never in the almost two-decade fight for parity have we been closer to victory. If Congress fails to bring parity to a vote before adjourning later this month, we must restart the push
Invisible Illness Awareness Week
September 8th, 2008 — , Invisible Illness Awareness Week, WLS, bipolar, chronic illness, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, health problems, invisible illness, mental health, osteoarthritis from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Today kicks off the Invisible Illness Awareness Week.
What is an invisible illness?
When you first meet someone with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) you likely have no idea that person is sick. Same goes for people with arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, eating disorders, depression, endometriosis, diverticulitis … the list goes
Out of the Darkness Community Walk
September 6th, 2008 — , AFSP, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Out of the Darkness Community Walk, mental health, mental illness, online donation, out of darkness, suicide from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
UPDATE
Alabama Walk
September 13, 2008 at Heardmont Park
Dear Friend,
I will be joining with thousands of people nationwide this fall to walk in AFSP’s 2008 Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I would appreciate any support that you give me for this worthwhile cause.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront
Are You Blogging for Invisible Illness Week
September 4th, 2008 — , Stress, blogging, chronic illness, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, health problems, invisible illness, mental health from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
But you don’t look sick.
I hear this quite frequently from friends and family members. Living with a chronic illness or a mental health illness is difficult. Simply because there is no outward symptoms. I haven’t reached the point some suffers have. I am still able to get around okay. But the pain is there. It saps all of my strength, so much so that my sis has hired someone to come help me
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Health Beauty Advertising Collectibles
Continue reading → Are You Blogging for Invisible Illness Week
Apparently I’m a Socialist
September 3rd, 2008 — , liberal, politics, presidential elections, socialist from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
I always knew I had very liberal views politically. But I was truly surprised when it stated I was a Socialist. Head over and see where you stand. Leave a comment with your own results.
You are a
Social Liberal
(66% permissive)
and an…
Economic Liberal
(11% permissive)
You are best described as a:
Socialist
All about me….
September 2nd, 2008 — , WLS, bipolar, complications, depression, diet, fat acceptance, health problems, mental illness, nutrition, vitamin d, weight loss from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
It’s been awhile since i gave an update on what’s been going on with me. Still dealing with the fibromyalgia pain, as well as osteoarthritis. Some days I feel a 100 years old. I had a lump removed from my breast—it was benign thank goodness. Saw my hematologist this past month—good news on that front—my iron levels are finally up as well as my blood counts. I go back to see her in November.
Happy Labor Day
August 30th, 2008 — from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Weighing in on the Alabama Obesity Debate
August 27th, 2008 — , Exercise, advocasy, causes, employment, empowerment, fat acceptance, fat phobia, fatblogging, healthcare, nutrition, obesity, unhealthy eating, weight loss from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Here is a headline from Alabama in mid-July:
Alabama Obesity Ranking (WBHM - NPR News and Classical Music)
Montgomery — Alabama has once again been ranked as one of the most obese states in the country. The latest survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that Mississippi was the most obese state, with 32 percent of adults having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
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US Alabama License Plates Automobilia Transportation Collectibles
Continue reading → Weighing in on the Alabama Obesity Debate
Take This Survey!
August 26th, 2008 — , NAMI, SAD, advocasy, bipolar, causes, depression, empowerment, health problems, healthcare, mental health, mental illness, stigma from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is preparing to grade each of the 50 states on public mental health services in 2009 and needs your help. Please take this online survey and forward it to others. It includes a Spanish version.
Anyone age 18 or older who has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness or who has an adult family member with a diagnosed mental illness can take the
Out of the Darkness—Community Walks
August 4th, 2008 — , advocasy, bipolar, causes, depression, mental health, mental illness, suicide from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
2008 Out of the Darkness Community Walk registration is now open! If you haven’t done so already, please visit www.outofthedarkness.org to register for a walk in your area!
Thank you for your dedication and participation in the AFSP Out of the Darkness Community Walks
VISIT MY PERSONAL DONATION PAGE
I will be participating in a walk in September of this year. Please take a few
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
July 4th, 2008 — from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Outta Here!!!!
June 28th, 2008 — from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Now that I’m feeling much better health-wise, it is time to get out in the great outdoors. So I’m off to do some camping. I’ll be gone for quite awhile this time, 2 whole weeks. So y’all enjoy your holiday time. Life is too short to waste it sitting inside on the computer.
Vote to Stop Abuse in Teen Residential Programs
June 16th, 2008 — , bipolar, blogging, discrimination, empowerment, healthcare, mental health, mental health america, mental illness, stigma from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
The House will vote next week on legislation to stop child abuse and neglect at boot camps, wilderness camps, and behavior modification facilities that work with children who have behavioral, emotional, or mental health problems. While tens of thousands of teens attend private residential programs, many go unregulated, allowing practices ranging from sexual abuse to denying youth food, water,
Continue reading → Vote to Stop Abuse in Teen Residential Programs
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
June 15th, 2008 — from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Just for fun…..
June 10th, 2008 — from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
1930s Marital Scale
14As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Poor (Failure)Take the test!
Moratorium on Medicaid Rules at Risk–Calls Needed Now
June 4th, 2008 — , bipolar, depression, discrimination, empowerment, healthcare, mental health, mental illness, stigma from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Calls Needed for Delay of Medicaid Rules Please Mobilize Calls to Legislators Today June 2, 2008–Grassroots advocacy is urgently needed to help secure the moratorium on the seven Medicaid regulations in the supplemental spending bill, approved before Memorial Day by both House and Senate in both versions of the Iraq supplemental funding bill. The rules would greatly reduce access to
Slide Rules Engineering Science, Medical Collectibles
Rules, Tapes Carpentry, Woodworking Tools Tools, Hardware Locks Collectibles
Continue reading → Moratorium on Medicaid Rules at Risk–Calls Needed Now
Mental Health America’s Advocacy Network
May 30th, 2008 — , Health, Motivation, NAMI, SAD, bipolar, blogging, depression, empowerment, mental health, mental health america, mental illness from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Mental Health America - Take Action
With your help the Senate passed legislation last week to delay the seven controversial Medicaid regulations as part of the supplemental war funding bill (H.R. 2642). The amendment adding this delay on the harmful new rules to the bill passed by a vote of 75 to 22, exceeding the two-thirds vote needed to override a threatened Presidential veto. Don’t
Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
May 26th, 2008 — , All Purpose Sauce, Country Bob's, Sauces, babecuing, grilling, online shopping, steaks from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Grilling is a way of life in my neck of the woods. I’ve been known to throw some meat on the grill at any time of the year. I’m also pretty picky when it comes to sauces I use, I usually make my own. So it is rare that I will use a store bought product. I just have to share this great new find, Country Bob’s.
This weekend I did tons of grilling so wanted to try out the Country Bob’s All
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
May 24th, 2008 — from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
The Senate’s Turn to Act on Harmful Medicaid Regs
May 20th, 2008 — , advocasy, bipolar, depression, health problems, healthcare, mental health, mental health america, mental illness, stigma, suicide from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Last week, the House again approved legislation to delay a series of federal regulations that would severely limit Medicaid coverage of rehabilitative, case management, and school-based services. The amendment to the supplemental war funding bill that included this delay on the regs passed by a vote of 256-166. Thanks to all of you who contacted your representative - you helped make a
Continue reading → The Senate’s Turn to Act on Harmful Medicaid Regs
Critical Vote this Week to Delay Harmful Medicaid Regs
May 14th, 2008 — , bipolar, causes, depression, healthcare, mental health, mental health america, stigma from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Mental Health Month:
Get Connected
Mental Health America - Take Action
Legislation to delay a series of federal regulations that would severely limit Medicaid coverage of rehabilitative, case management, and school-based services is being opposed by certain Republican Senators. To counter this opposition, Democratic leaders are seeking to incorporate this legislation into a supplemental war
Continue reading → Critical Vote this Week to Delay Harmful Medicaid Regs
Out of the Darkness—Community Walks
May 12th, 2008 — , advocasy, bipolar, causes, depression, mental health, mental illness, suicide from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
2008 Out of the Darkness Community Walk registration is now open! If you haven’t done so already, please visit www.outofthedarkness.org to register for a walk in your area! If you do not see a walk in your area and would like to start a walk in your community, please contact Mike Lamma, Director of Field Management, at mlamma@afsp.org or 1-888-333-AFSP (2377) x16. Please include your
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
May 10th, 2008 — from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
The other side of the story……
May 7th, 2008 — , WLS, eating disorder, fat acceptance, fat phobia, health problems, obesity, regain, review, weight loss from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Junkfood Science has a couple of great posts about the 60 Minutes WLS episode.
Junkfood Science: The other side of the story — Part One
Junkfood Science: The other side of the story — Part Two
As usual, Sandy does an outstanding job at sorting through the fluff and showing the hard scientific facts.
Time for reflection once again…..
May 5th, 2008 — , Personal, WLS, advocasy, empowerment, fat acceptance, fat phobia, mental health, suicide from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Yesterday was the 4th anniversary of my WLS.
WOW……what a difference a year makes.
I had a heck of a post all planned to post yesterday. Going into all the new problems that have cropped up for me thanks to the WLS. But in writing that post I wanted to go back and read what I wrote last year. I won’t post it all but here is a part that made me stop and think…..
A question was posed in the
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
May 5th, 2008 — , Health, accountability, advocasy, causes, hunger from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
2008 Food Drive is letter carrier blitz against hunger
Letter carriers, with help from their sisters and brothers in the other postal crafts and thousands of other volunteers, will stage a blitz on Saturday, May 10, to combat hunger in America, conducting NALC’s annual “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive in every U.S. state and jurisdiction.
The drive, in its 16th year, is the largest one-day food
60 Minutes Report—My Point of View
April 23rd, 2008 — , Diabetes, Low Carb, WLS, diet, health problems, mortality, nutrition, obesity, truth, weightloss from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Now that I have had time to reflect. I want to share my point of view on the 60 Minutes show. I still believe it was just another attempt to sell an elective surgery, a totally biased one-sided report.
Nothing was said about how your entire life is turned topsy turvy after the surgery. Did it tell how many people end up losing friends they have had for years? Did it show how many couples end up
WLS on 60 Minutes
April 21st, 2008 — , WLS, complications, fat acceptance, health problems, mental health, mortality, obesity, rant, suicide, unhealthy eating, weight loss from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
The Bypass Effect On Diabetes, Cancer, Surgery Can Send Diabetes Into Remission, And May Reduce Risk Of Certain Cancers - CBS News
WOW!!!
And here all this time I thought 60 Minutes was a news program.
This crap is nothing but a friggin’ infomercial…..
And don’t even get me started about the WLS cheerleaders throughout the comments section. Many of them I know. Let them walk a few days
Bipolar Speaks
April 19th, 2008 — , Motivation, bipolar, blogging, empowerment, inspiration, mental health, mental illness, positive thinking, stigma from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
A great site was brought to my attention by a fellow blogger. I have just finished reading some of it and felt compelled to write a post. Here’s the comment she left on my blog describing the purpose of the site.
Bipolar Speaks said… Most of you know me as “Dreamwriter.” I recently
Launched a new blog called, “Bipolar Speaks.” One day something came over me as I was reading websites called
So much to do so little time
April 18th, 2008 — , WLS, complications, depression, discrimination, eating disorder, empowerment, fat acceptance, health problems, mortality, obesity, weight loss from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
I have found many things I would like to blog about. But time is not a luxury right now. I’ll just give you some really great links.
Junkfood Science: News updates: Decisions guided by fears, misinformation and insecurities
An investigative report for the Courier-Mail learned of a doctor who has performed more than a dozen bariatric surgeries on underage teens in the past year. Most disturbing,
New Guestbook
April 15th, 2008 — from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
I’ve added a guestbook feature in the sidebar. Please take the time and sign for me. I wanna hear from you!!!
Also you will see I’ve changed the blog layout once again. Some people try on shoes/clothes for fun. some people rearranged their livingroom. I try on blog templates. LOLOLOLOL
A good reminder….
April 10th, 2008 — , depression, empowerment, health problems, inspiration, mental health, weightloss from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
I found this on one of the many blogs I read and just had to share……
Is there something you have always wanted to do, but keep putting it off for whatever reason? Are you so caught up in the day to day grind you’ve forgotten how to relax?
Bottom line, is real life kicking you in the a$$……
Let go of some of that excess baggage —-I’m talking the mental baggage here folks—-forget
Good News
April 8th, 2008 — , Low Carb, Personal, WLS, anemia, complications, health problems, ketogenic, mental health, recipe, weightloss from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
Nice to have some good news for a change. My follow-up EGD done last Friday was GREAT!! Following the soft bland diet and the new meds made a world of difference. My stoma ulcer is completely healed as well as the fistula. This means no revision surgery. Yippee damn skippy!!!
You just don’t realize how happy that made me.
Another plus is now I can eat some decent food.
By decent food I mean
Lunatic Asylum: A Popular Attraction?
April 7th, 2008 — , Health, Motivation, NAMI, bipolar, depression, mental health, mental illness, rant, stigma, suicide from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
From NAMI:
Last summer, Joe Jordan, an asbestos demolition contractor, bought the Weston Hospital in West Virginia, which is registered as a national historic landmark.
He has renamed it the “Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum,”(trans-alleghenylunaticasylum(dot)com–because I REFUSE to link to it) which was its name in another era. Constructed in 1864 as a psychiatric hospital, it housed more than
Real Life is getting in the way……
March 24th, 2008 — , Stress, WLS, blogging, complications, eating disorder, health problems, nutrition, obesity, protein from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
I’ll be away from blogging for awhile…..real life is kicking my ass right now…..all these WLS complications…..
Be back when I feel able…..
Historical Facts About Easter
March 22nd, 2008 — , Chritianity, Easter, easter bunny, equinox, pagan from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
A HISTORY OF EASTER and the EASTER EGG Delve into the history and origins of the Christian festival of Easter and you come up with a few surprises. For instance, Easter eggs do not owe their origins to Christianity and originally the festival of Easter itself had nothing to do with Christianity either. A closer look at the history of both Easter and the Easter Egg reveals a much earlier
Anatomical Gift–Donating a Body to Science
March 20th, 2008 — , Anatomical Donor, Diabetes, Health, WLS, advocasy, bipolar, causes, depression, mental health, mental illness, mortality, nutrition, obesity, weight loss from BamaGal @ Back Across The Line
I can just hear the majority of y’all out there going EWWWW!!!!
If you feel that way based on your particular spiritual beliefs, then don’t bother reading further. I respect your beliefs. Just wish more respected mine. That’s another post for another day.
I am an Anatomical Donor.
I’m sure many of you out there are organ donors. Here again you may not be, based on your spiritual beliefs. Yet
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Gift Sets Kits Garden Tools Equipment Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
Continue reading → Anatomical Gift–Donating a Body to Science