It's Funny That Way

I have noticed a strange problem. The more politically fired up I am, the better my blog. However, when I get to a certain threshold of fired-upness (for lack of better word), I get so overwhelmed that I can't write. Like the other day, for instance, in my Community Health class. I had a simple paper on helping to solve our rising population growth problem, and, having gone to a summit in DC about just how access to the family planning services women want can help curb that, I knew what my position was. However, it took me a long time to actually write the paper (up to the night before it was due) because I was so overwhelmed. The same thing happened this week on a paper about the economic crisis. And, in a place where I write the rules and nobody really can dictate what I do, I have trouble focusing my efforts. Maybe it's because I've already submitted a bunch of papers about I want to blog, but I have turned them into my community health class, and I don't want to screw up Turn-It-In if he uses it, but I don't see the point in re-wording myself. It's my hyper-conscious PLAGIARISM SUCKS mentality, I guess. Maybe I should be documenting my PNES recovery, but I guess that's what my livejournal is for.

Anyways, here is a list of my "hot-button" issues of late, in no particular order. Let's do the top five of today.

- Health Care Reform. Okay, this is a no-brainer for anyone who knows me. We need health care reform, and we need it now. I wish we could look adopt a single-payer program like Canada's eventually, I know we need to take baby steps. I'm just worried about the attack on women's health coverage, though, and the gender rating system, which increase our costs as women. And the fact that eight states (plus DC) consider domestic violence to be a "pre-existing condition"...that's just downright inhumane.

- The fact that abortion is still illegal in Massachusetts. ...I know, right? It's an archaic law that is obviously not enforced. Let's just take it out of the good ole MGL for now (and forever).

- Title V Abstinence Only Education Funding. I like scientifically accurate and non-biased information with my morning coffee, thanks.

- Domestic violence stigmas. It's so unfortunate that many women are afraid to speak out about domestic violence because it is such a sensitive issue. But if we don't report it, who are we protecting? It's not okay. Unfortunately, this will probably be something i battle for the rest of my life.

- Body Image Issues. Guilty as charged, guilty as charged, but it's so unfortunate that our culture promotes this self-hating mentality. I recommend the Love Your Body Campaign, To Write Love On Her Arms, and Operation Beautiful for resources.

These are good places to start.

Take care everyone!

<3Althea

Updates and Health Care

Okay, it's been over a month- time to write again.

I moved into a huge high-rise building at UMass Lowell two weeks ago, to start my classes here. Overall, I like it. On the 13th floor, I have a beautiful view of the river, parts of North Campus (though, disappointingly, I can't see the nuclear reactor), and some of downtown Lowell. My window is at the perfect angle. My bed's up against that window, and my two roommates and I (we have a fourth bed in case another shows up!) all have a little alcove with our desks and such, so we can have privacy when we need it, but we're pretty social. We all get along really well.

This semester I'm taking chemistry, psychology, sociology, and community health & the environment. They're all really good (chem is way better than I expected, psych and sociology are just pretty interesting fields, and community health, as you can imagine, is absolutely amazing). Additionally, I am in marching band and the jazz/rock big band (which also serves as the hockey pep band, which is extremely exciting)!

Though it's no New Orleans, Lowell is a much more interesting city to live in than I thought it would be. I forgot how extensive the downtown is, and, though I haven't ventured there yet, I feel like it's a place I will have a lot of fun. I want to catch a Spinner's game (assuming we win tonight's game against Staten Island), and I want to do all of the historical stuff again, since it's been a while (Alymay trivia: when I was a kid, I went to Boott Camp here). I am excited about the close proximity of the Tsongas Arena, and I look forward to public skating :-)

UMass Lowell has three main campuses: North, South, and East. North is where (traditionally) all of the science-ish classes are held, most of the humanities-based (and health science/nursing) classes are on South, and East is where you find the most dorms (though there are a few dorms on North and South). I live on East, have a class on North (right across the University Ave bridge), and have three classes on South (which take a little longer than 20 minutes to walk to I think, but I haven't ever timed it). Though there is a shuttle bus (which I take if my trombone's on me), I much prefer to walk. As a result, I've already lost the weight I gained when I had sciatica and I feel healthier than ever (I've also been mostly seizure-free)!

On a completely separate sidenote...watch this if you haven't already (I know it's 47 minutes long, but if you're an American, I consider it your civic duty).



I am happier about President Obama's health care proposal than I thought I would be. No, I wasn't one of those "I HATE OBAMA'S COMMIE OUTLOOK" people, I was one of those "why won't he push for universal health care?" people. But he's right. We need to have a bipartisan approach to this if it's going to work, because we need reform now. I like that more financial assistance will be provided for people who need it. I like that nobody can get dropped or denied because of pre-existing conditions (which is a HUGE fear of mine for when I get off my parents' plan). Something important that people aren't talking too much about is that insurance agencies will be required to cover diagnostic tests like colonoscopies or mammograms, which will save them SO MUCH money and keep us healthy.

The only thing that concerned me about his plan was his little sidenote that the government insurance would not cover abortions. Reproductive rights should know no economic boundaries, and it makes me upset that since a large number of abortions are due to financial issues, the economically feasible option will not cover that procedure. I also worry that, if the President was so quick to say "no abortions!", what reproductive health care will be covered? Some people consider EC an abortion, and others think birth control itself is immoral. Where's the line for us as a nation? What will be covered and what won't?

Certainly something to think about.

STI Testing

I hope this becomes a national thing.

What do you think?

Boycotting Marriage

Hey everyone!

I decided today to join The National Marriage Boycott, and took a pledge that I waive my right as a heterosexual female to marry, until The Defense of Marriage Act is repealed. Though it feels a little like the opposite of an abstinence pledge (I may live with my partner out of wedlock, share finances, and/or have kids, but NOT marry them through the government!), I think it's noble to give up one's rights for equality. It feels strange boycotting an institution I am not joining anytime soon, but I bought myself an "Equality" not-wedding ring to wear on that finger, so I can remind myself to stay faithful to my pledge...like an abstinence ring, only abstaining from marriage instead of intercourse before it (note: I am not hating on abstinence rings, even though I don't believe in abstinence-only education, it's just the closest analogy I could make). I know I live in Massachusetts, where any two consenting adults can get married, but the Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage this way:

`In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word `marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word `spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.'

That leaves gay/lesbian couples out of a lot of federal benefits, like social security pension or immigration benefits, along with a LOT more.

So, since people probably won't be asking me why I'm not married anytime soon, being 19 and only having dated my boyfriend for two months, here's my announcement of why!

<3Althea

In Your Opinion...

Is this ad offensive? Please leave comments, and respond in the poll on the right-hand column of the *estrogenet*.

<3althea

Adults: Back To Sex Ed Class?

The other day, I was in the waiting room at my doctor's office and having forgotten my current book, O Magazine caught my eye. The cover mentioned a story about adult sex ed, and being a sexual health advocate and all (and a maybe someday wanna be OB-GYN), I had to read it (as you should, too). I was happy to learn that it was about the OWL (Our Whole Lives) program that my church, The Unitarian Universalist Association puts out.

I never got to do OWL, because the class near me was too far away when I was a high schooler, but a lot of the lesson plans they use are ones that I've taught in the classroom before. OWL takes a non-judgemental look at sexuality that cares not only about pregnancy and health, but psychology and healthy relationships. Sexuality isn't merely about putting a penis in a vagina and how pregnancy or STI transmission can occur. There are so many psychological aspects, realtionship factors, alternative sexual behaviors, and decision-making skills that need to be covered. The OWL curriculum does a great job of covering that.

The interesting thing about sexual health is information is always getting more and more accurate as scientific advancements/research studies/new STIs or birth control methods come out. For instance, fifteen years ago, there was no such thing as a NuvaRing, but it's now one of the hottest contraceptives on the market that women should be aware of. Less than thirty years ago, HIV was called "GRID", and heterosexual people did not know that they could contract it, nor did people who have blood-to-blood contact by sharing needles. Now, I spend at least a week on HIV alone whenever I have the chance to teach a class. The other interesting thing about sexuality is we are sexual beings from the day we are born (need to cuddle with parents) to the day we die, though we are not always sexually active in the ways we societally tend to think about sex. OWL really stresses that point. For these reasons, it makes sense that people should keep learning about sex ed throughout their lives, and I am very honored to belong to a church that radically expresses this idea.

<3 Althea

PS- Check out this review from Feministing, and if you are a woman who has had kids, please fill out this survey (whether or not you are currently sexually active), based on Betty Friedan's ground-breaking questionaire that led to her revolutionary work The Feminine Mystique, focusing on sex after children. I really wish I could help, but I don't quite fit the demographic.

PPS- Check out the poll on the right column

How To Take Care of Teens So They'll Talk

Hey everyone!

I think I have "teen-issue" health down. I am a certified family planning counselor, so I am constantly asked about sexual health issues, I have many friends who have had issues with self-harm, I've read up on steroids, too many of my friends are current smokers, and I know a lot about the drug and alcohol issues my friends have dealt with. I also am very experienced at being a teenager in this millennium: I turn 20 in a little less than six months, so I'm on my "home stretch" of being a teen: I am still in it, but I'm on the "older, more mature" side of it all. I'm legally still an adult, but my allies lie with the teens, and I'll continue to advocate for them as long as I remember what it's like to be this age, I really really hope.

I personally think there should be set protocols for seeing teenagers in health clinics. It is crucial that doctors know things like sexual activity, medications, drug/alcohol use, and thoughts/actions of self-harm so they can receive the best medical care possible, without exposing them to treatments that could be dangerous or not protecting them to the best of their ability. I think doctors would get better answers and teens would be more protected and comfortable if some quick, basic, age-appropriate actions were taken.

1. Never ask a teen about things like smoking, drugs, sexual activity, self-harm, and steroid use in front of their parents- ever, even if they're older. Even though I tell the truth when they ask in front of my mom, at the age of 19, I know many of my friends would not if put in that situation, and for younger teens, the risk and fear of getting "in trouble" for telling the truth are high. I think, by the age of 12, parents should be "kicked out" for part of the physical. If it were a mandated protocol, that would even further protect the teen.

2. "you won't ask any leading questions, right?" A leading question is a question that has an expected answer, usually with a statement and a "right?" or another sentence that implies an assumption. I know kids who have smoked cigarettes at nine, others who have gotten pregnant at 12. When you're young and you think you might get in trouble or "lectured", you're less likely to tell the truth. Instead, ask, "are you sexually active?", "have you ever tried any tobacco products, like cigarettes?", instead of "you aren't sexually active, right?" or "I'm assuming you don't smoke?" It's hard when you're actually doing a session with someone, but trust me: the answers will be much more honest.

3. Use a non-judgmental tone. Though there are certain behaviors we all know are dangerous for teens to engage in, and doctors can certainly do what they can to correct those behaviors, most teens won't talk about it if they feel threatened or looked down upon.

4. Educate, don't lecture. If a teen admits to smoking cigarettes at sixteen, and you reply with, "you shouldn't smoke cigarettes, it's really bad for you", they may not tell you about the marijuana they've been smoking at seventeen. Try, "have you considered quitting? Smoking can cause lung cancer, problems in pregnancy, and other risks, and the sooner you quit, the lower your risks later in life." Plus, us teens like being treated like you grown-ups, and this is one way that we feel trusted.

5. Start asking young. I know, nobody wants to think about a twelve-year-old having unprotected sex and it's not very common, but if it has happened, it could happen again and you never know. Plus, if you've been asking since 12, a 16 year old might feel more comfortable saying "yes" when they get to that point.

6. Ask about sexual assault, regardless of gender and stated sexual activity. Even if it's as simple as "has anyone ever touched you in a way that made you feel uncomfortable?", it gives teens an opportunity to tell a story they may not have told so far. Though this is certainly not "lie-proof" and not everyone who has been will say "yes", it reminds the teen that there is support out there, so they may go home and call the rape crisis hotlines and get what they need.

7. Ask if they are taking birth control- even if they aren't sexually active. It's scary how easy it is for teens to get a hold of the good ol' BCPs, and even if it's "just in case" or "for my acne", it's important to note for drug interactions, and if it's much safer for a doctor to write an Rx than the teen to be acquiring them on the streets.

8. Prescription drug abuse may not qualify to teens as "drug abuse", so ask about it separately. I know a lot of people who buy adderall, vicodin, or klonopin from friends or on the street, but far too many don't consider it a "drug" in the same way as heroin or cocaine because it's not illicit, yet it still can be as (or sometimes more) dangerous.

9. Ask about witnessing/experiencing violence- in the home, and out. It is a doctor's legal priority to keep their patients out of abusive situations- especially at home- but beyond that, psychological damage can cause major health issues later on. It's important for the teen to be able to talk about the gang fight they saw in their psychology appointments and to tell their doctors that their parent has been beating them up.

10. Ask them if they want to mention "anything else" when you're finished with the health intake. Sometimes, that's when the crown jewels of information come out, from the weird abdominal pain that could be serious to the incessant bullying that could cause suicidal thoughts and should be referred to a psychologist, even if they may have been overlooked or confusing when they were asked originally. If the patient thought to bring it up, it's a real issue for them.

These guidelines are far from "lie proof", and it may take longer to do an intake session, but doctor-patient communication is key, and letting people know they can talk, even if they don't, is crucial for trust. Not trusting a doctor is scary for a patient and may cause the patient to discontinue a medication improperly (been there) or blatantly not listen to medical advice. Trust is a crucial key to better, personalized, medical care, and proper medical care is a right of teenagers.

<3 Althea

PS- Speaking of violating teen's rights....