I keep thinking that, were she white or male, they'd be a hell of a lot more willing to follow her doctor's orders. And then I get really mad.

I suspect a black man in ita's situation would be treated no better. But that's just me speculating wildly.

I can't believe this is happening to OUR ita !

She used to be able to kill them with her pinkie!

I have had this thought a few times but have always resisted because it feels like it might cross boundaries. But realistically, what is a medical advocate and who does that sort of thing? Are there people besides friends/family? I'm not that kind of lawyer but I have seen "I'm a lawyer" open doors before.

I have had this thought a few times but have always resisted because it feels like it might cross boundaries. But realistically, what is a medical advocate and who does that sort of thing? Are there people besides friends/family? I'm not that kind of lawyer but I have seen "I'm a lawyer" open doors before.

Joe and I are supposed to be in court Monday because he doesn't want to pay child support.

Wow. I really can't think of a polite thing to say about this, other than hoping it forces Joe to be a goddamn grown-up.

I suspect a black man in ita's situation would be treated no better. But that's just me speculating wildly.

That was supposed to read white *and* male. I will let my thinko stand.

Oh jeez, Stephanie. I hope Joe gets his shit together.

I still check in here when there's been trouble. Today was just awful.

I hope its is on the mend and that the hospital and her docs get their acts together, because WTH?

I've been thinking about mental illness and stigmas thereto and... I've dealt with depression most of my life now. I'm pretty comfortable with the notion that if I wanted a gun I should have to go through some additional scrutiny to get it - or possibly not get it -- just as someone with a seizure disorder needs their seizures under control to have a driver's license.

And I don't think this would inherently lead to stigmatizing me. Actually, I think discussing it reduces the stigma just as it has with epilepsy and diabetes and other chronic conditions that when I was a kid (back before the earth cooled in the 70s) were much more feared and before that were frequently kept secret - much to the detriment of all.

For now I am going to make a very nice dinner and eat entirely too much of it. And I'll drink a little bit more than I should. And I'll have baklava and tea and catch up on a bunch of Daily Shows.

Jon Stewart is of the good (except for the fact that he's usually off on days when I most need him).