In terms of UK medical, I think there are two problems. One is that it is socialized medicine rather than socialized insurance. Hybrid systems like Canada or France tend to provider better care than either private dominated systems like the U.S. or overwhelmingly public systems like the UK. (Even most doctors who are not direct employees are paid on the list system, which kind of messes up incentives and price signals and things.) The other problem is that the UK has tended to operate health care on shoe string, putting a lot smaller percent of GDP into health care than other rich nations. You can get away with that better in a mostly socialized system than you can in others, because you can tell providers, "here is your budget, do the best you can with it." That actually is pretty money saving, but again does not produce the best care. The U.S. system is so awful that the UK is slightly less bad for a fraction of the cost. But not the same thing as good.

God, yes, Typo Boy.

I've noticed US airlines getting worse about accommodation. Some of them are trying to monetize pre-boarding so it becomes confusing whether you have to pay extra to be pre-boarded even though you're supposed to get it as accommodation if you need that for your disability. So boarding procedures are changing and I think it's upsetting the routine.

A flight attendant and a passenger bitched at me not too long ago because I needed help getting my bag in the overhead (as I'd stated beforehand) and they'd not given any extra pre-board time before letting the impatient regular passengers on.

I still do the exercises the PT gave me, way back when, in bed before I get up. It's the perfect time - I get it done while I'm still warm and comfy and haven't woke up enough to bitch about it and put it off. Now if only I could walk a mile *before* I get out of bed in the morning!

May the job answer your questions speedily and allow you to say yes, smonster.

Seska, your frustration is entirely understandable. People who've never been disabled or in chronic pain, and never had a loved one who was, just don't comprehend the situation sometimes. They could if they tried, but it's easier to complain and throw blame.

I'd be surprised if I could complete two push-ups.

The growing bitchiness of airlines is another strong reason why I prefer not to fly.

I "comparison shop" between driving, Amtrak and airlines every time I fly now because it has become such a goddamned unpleasant and sometimes humiliating experience (says the fat gimpy chick).

So I finally got the birthday dinner with the old man and he was either a. stoned on cough syrup or 2.worrying about losing his nouveau financial status and balancing his checkbook in his head.

His loss. Saner people cherish the opportunity to talk with you.

Typo, your brother really should write the higher ups at the airline about that. There's no reason why a folding walker couldn't fit in the closet area, and I assume that at the other end, the airline had to get a wheel chair, wheel him to baggage claim and hope the walker wasn't part of the large percentage of luggage that gets misplaced.

Well fucksteaks. The "check" came today, but there's nothing in it. Just the form to send in (which I have done). I made too much during the Halloween install (which is now all spent). This is going to be a nasty, tight week. And I'll have to listen to my poor kitty whine every day about not having any wet food. Spoiled brat.

Ha. Kitty can suck it, Sean!

That's what I'm sayin'!

However, saying that unfortunately doesn't make him stop whining, or take away that particularly annoying pathetic quality to the whine.

It's a damn good thing he's cute.

It kind of doesn't matter if it's truly his loss or not...there are times when I wish I could "Spotless Mind" him out of my memory...I'd lose maybe ten good memories, lifetime, versus all the times I expected something I never got, all the fights and criticism...I just want to forget the whole thing.Just pass him on the street and wonder if the tall guy with no ass looks familiar cause he did a guest shot on Rockford Files.