HERO STATUS

noun

1. A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
2. NORTH AMERICAN: Another term for submarine sandwich.

I’m the second one. Really. In my head I’m a sandwich. A bunch of shit thrown together with a condiment or two, held together by squishy matter like bread. Cold cuts such as turkey and cheese. You all know that I’m a turkey and that my jokes are cheesy. Hell, I can be sourdough, a baguette, onion roll. Hungry yet? Sure you are.

My point is this: If anyone wants to speak to me of the first definition, I will argue against. I have not rescued anyone from a burning building. I have not taken up arms to defend freedom in America, and I have not opened my home to refugees. I have not adopted or fostered any kids, nor have I volunteered to die on Mars. Like most adults, I get up each day, work and play, and try to be a better human than I was yesterday. These are not noble qualities, outstanding achievements, nor do they have anything to do with courage, except for trying to convince my wife to change her mind on anything before she has had two cups of morning coffee. THAT would be an outstanding achievement.

Let’s also get this next point very clear: In my life, I am NOT a hero simply because I am a wheelchair user. I am not a hero because “I’ve overcome the odds!” What odds? Casino odds? THAT would be a noble quality if I could do it on a regular basis. I am not a hero because I’m disabled and work full-time. That’s an awful, backwards societal view in our country that needs changing ASAP. ALL adults can and should find meaningful work. Unfortunately, due to a broken system and unspoken prejudice, only about 20% of the adult population that has a physical disability can find full-time employment. Why? Maybe we are more expensive on the health care plan that somehow sets company rates for the year based on previous year “usage”. This is the way it is for my provider in New Hampshire; a big national health care insurance companies that employees a CEO making millions a year. I can cross state lines to buy a car, but not to “shop” for my health insurance? What? While I’m ranting, let’s also enact a law to eliminate ALL advertising for drugs on TV and the radio. I shouldn’t need to “ask my doctor if drugX is right for me.” THE DOCTOR HAS SEVERAL DEGREES. How much money would be saved and could be used for patient care, benefit coverage and research if the ads were gone? OK, rant over. I would call YOU a hero if you could make positive change in the world of health insurance.

I spend my waking hours a lot like you do. Are you a hero? Are you a sandwich?

And….cut…..that’s lunch.

Stay safe, stay awesome, and stay tuned.