By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd.
Having worked in health care and senior living for the past 35 years, my ears really perked up as John Shaw began reciting his poem entitled “Health Care.”
John, who is a master story teller, poet and comedian, was performing at the Heritage Woods affordable assisted living community that BMA manages in his hometown of Centralia, Illinois.
He says he has done probably 375 of these types of programs, telling stories and reciting poems that he has written for his own pleasure.
There is an Old Southern Saying, he told those in attendance. “You can say anything about anybody as long as you say ‘Bless Your Heart’.”
He noted that his happiness seems to be his wife’s biggest concern because “she always telling me, I hope your happy now.”
He says he wrote “Health Care” when President Bill Clinton gave wife Hillary Clinton the job of coming up with a health care plan.
John was kind enough to allow us to share his poem with you. I thought his observations would be a great way to spark debate about health care reform.
Health Care
by John D. Shaw
Mr. President, I called today
To discuss my medical need
But they said you were getting a physical
By a team of specialists at Walter Reed
So I’m writing about the promise you made
That guarantees us all health care
And I’d like to raise an issue
If you think I might dare
When it comes to choosing a doctor
You said we would have no choice
Well I’ve seen the doctor you picked for me
And I have an opinion I’d like to voice
He seemed to be a friendly sort
I thought I might have been in luck
Til he picked up that big thermometer
And you can guess where that got stuck
He checked my ears for ticks and fleas
He checked the color of my gums
He drenched me with a rubber hose
And gave me capsules with a bolus gun
From distemper I am now immune
From rabies I’m protected
And the thought of being neutered
Has left me feeling dejected
One of the goals I had for my life
Was to become an octogenarian
But I fear I’ll never make it
Under the care of this veterinarian
I know I’m not important to you
You don’t even care if I’m a Democrat
But don’t you think that I deserve better
Than what you’re giving Socks, your cat
All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
