Health is one of the most critical parts of who we are as human beings. Which makes me wonder why so many people have to fight for the basic human need, and right, of health care. The health care needs of many individuals and families have been at the forefront during the pandemic. Many vital issues about the current health care system have been spoken about during COVID. I have experienced firsthand what a health crisis encompasses and the heart-wrenching feeling of not having health insurance during a time of great need. When the pandemic first started in early 2020, my body had gradually become weak. I became very ill with symptoms that hindered my everyday capabilities, such as standing, sitting, eating, walking, and many other day-to-day activities. I became a shell of myself and a different person, emotionally and physically, compared to how I was before the sickness.

From my earliest memories, I’ve always had mental and physical health concerns, but certainly, this time was different. I couldn’t pick up a glass of water without my hands shaking, wasn’t able to eat without my friends cutting my food for me, had to be helped out of chairs, and was not able to walk without a cane. These were just some of my symptoms, among many other difficulties navigating a “normal” life. My once bubbly personality became deeply depressed, angry, confused, anxiety-ridden, and ashamed. I told myself nonstop throughout this time that I was a burden to everyone around me. What made everything much worse was that I did not have health insurance at this time. I began to have these challenging symptoms and could not seek professional help because of the lack of health insurance. The only way that I could walk was by purchasing a fifteen-dollar cane from Amazon. The cane was a vibrant purple, and I ended up naming my new friend Violet. I could only walk a couple of feet with Violet, but my cane gave me a tiny ounce of mobility. Violet became my companion and the only health aide I had. I would receive confused and concerned looks from people when I walked past with Violet. I was twenty-five, and many people did not know how to handle someone young walking with a cane. In society, we have this picture of what youth should entail, but this was not my case or the case of many other young people I’ve met.

I could only picture what a doctor might say throughout this challenging time, and daydream of the medications that could relieve some of my pain. After months of not seeing a doctor, my physical and mental health suffered. Even after receiving physical health resources, I was still not able to receive mental health assistance. The middle of 2020 was the tipping point for my mental health, and I was admitted to a crisis stabilization unit. Adequate health care would have changed the trajectory of my early stages of severe illness and disability. The picture of young people at the height of their health, invincible, able to do anything, is far from the truth for many of us. Young people need health care, and the resources to receive the help they need for both physical and mental health. Nobody should ever have to go through a health crisis alone and without adequate care. We need to make protecting disabled people a priority within the health care system and beyond. My pain is chronic, flare-ups occur, and I have days where Violet accompanies me everywhere. When I inevitably have a severe flare-up again, I hope to have the health care needed to address the pain of having a chronic illness.

Sidney is passionate about advocating for the disabled community and the need for better accessibility within society.