Multi #4 - Can low SES lead to better health benefits for Hispanics?

When Jessica Rodriguez, 39, found out she had breast cancer she was scared.  She didn't know how she was going to pay for treatment and she was afraid of what stage the cancer was in.  Article can be found here.  According to the American Cancer Society, "more often in Hispanics than whites, breast cancer is detected at an advanced stage" (Landau, 2013).  Not everyone has access to health care and that is one of the reasons why there is a later detection of breast cancer in Hispanic women (Landau, 2013).  This was the case for Rodriguez.  She did not have health insurance and was classified as low SES.  A 2013 study in the International Journal for Equity in Health found that, "among Hispanics in Texas, mortality rates for several cancers tend to be lower among those with more socioeconomic deprivation. A low mortality rate does not correspond with low socioeconomic status in whites and African-Americans. The phenomenon associating Hispanics with better health outcomes despite lower average income and education rates is called the 'Hispanic paradox" (Landau, 2013).  When the word cancer is brought up in Latina families it is considered to be synonymous with death (Landau, 2013).  When things started to look grim for Rodriguez she found an ogranization called Nueva Vida.  Nueva Vida is a support network for Latinas with cancer based in Washington.  The organization tries to address needs such as breaking language barriers that Latinas have when consulting with doctors, paying for treatment, and finding support from others who are going through similar situations (Landau, 2013).  This organization has been a great source for Rodriguez.  The organization covered her surgery, chemo, and radiation.  The support has been great and she is now clear of cancer.  She is even a Zumba instructor through Nueva Vida and is giving back to the organization that gave her so much.  "The women in this organization have a lot of need and they are my survivor sisters," she says.

Being in this multiculturalism class has opened my eyes to a lot.  I thought socioeconomic status only had to do with how much money an individual makes per year.  I had no idea it included educational attainment and occupational prestige.  Our book defines socioeconomic status (SES) as "a comparative measure of class standing, or status, based on a combination of educational attainment, income level, and occupational prestige," (Erford & Hays, 2014, p. 161).  According to the article, Rodriguez was considered to be in a low socioeconomic status, but it didn't say anything about her education or occupation.  It just talked about her struggle to find a way to pay for treatment.  I find it interesting that the research said Hispanics with lower SES tend to have better health outcomes than compared with Whites or African-Americans.  I would think the outcomes would be the same for everyone.  To me I feel there are a lot of organizations out there for all races to help those in need and have a low SES.  Not just Hispanics.  A lot of people get angry at the fact there is so much support and help out there for individuals with low SES.  I'm a fan of organizations helping out but I am not a fan of those who take those organizations for granted.  Rodriguez is one individual that did not take the extra support for granted.

Article:

Landau, E. (2013, October 10). 'sister survivors': Latinas band together in breast cancer battle. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/10/health/hispanic-breast-cancer-disparities/index.html?iref=allsearch 

References:

Erford, B., & Hays, D. (2014). Developing multifulcutural counseling competence: A systems approach. (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.

Multi. #3 - Girls CAN Play Football

I have wanted to write about this story since it came out in March.  I wanted to write about it because I can totally relate to it.  A girl, by the name of Caroline Pla, loved the sport of football.  In fact she loved it so much she played it with the boys on an organizational football team.  She didn't care.  All I have to say is.....YOU GO GIRL!  When I was younger I did the exact same thing.  I wasn't on a team or anything but I was the only girl in my neighborhood who played football and basketball with the boys.  I liked it and wanted to prove that just because I was a girl didn't mean I couldn't do the same stuff they did.  Not to toot my own horn, but I was a tough little shit and could stand my ground.  This Philadelphia girl reminds me of what it means to stand your own ground when it comes to tough situations.  The situation she went through not many girls go through.  Caroline was part of a Catholic Youth Organization football team and loved it.  She loved playing and being with her teammates (Donvan & Thorry, 2013).   After two years of playing for her team someone filed a complaint and wanted Caroline off the team simply because she was a girl.  A video of the story can be found here.  Caroline was allowed to finish the rest of the 2012 season but would not be able to play the 2013 season.  Caroline's parents didn't tell her until the end of the season and fought for her to be back on the team.  Caroline didn't understand why she couldn't play the game she loved just because she was a girl.  "My mom told me and I was just really mad, because I just really wanted to play and I wanted to be able to have other girls be able to play," Caroline said (Donvan & Thorry, 2013).

Determined to play again Caroline's parents encouraged her to try and change the rules.  And that's exactly what she did.  She set up her own public campaign giving interviews, appearing on "The Ellen DeGeneres show," and she even started an online petition that collected over 100,000 signatures.  One of the reasons given to the "no girl rule" was that it was too dangerous for girls (Donvan & Thorry, 2013).  Given the fact that Caroline was the same size and had the same skills as the boys she played against she was fine to play.  When I played sports with the boys in my neighborhood I wasn't always the same size but I definitely had the same skills as them and I proved myself.  This is exactly what Caroline was doing.  She wanted people to know she deserved to play and COULD play even if she was a girl.  It's a shame this girl had to encounter sexism at such a young age.  Sexism is defined as "the oppression of individuals based on gender," (Erford & Hays, 2014, p. 108).  This negative message that girls can't play football simply because they are a girl could have had a big impact on Caroline.  She could have actually believed this crap, which is called internal sexism.  Caroline was tough though and did not want to believe it.  After campaigning and gathering many supporters the organization changed their mind and decided to let Caroline back on the team and will be able to play in the 2013 season.

Article:

Donvan, J., & Thorry, D. (2013, March 14). Girl, 11, allowed to play football, philadelphia archbishop rules. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/US/11-year-girl-allowed-play-football-archbishop-philadelphia/story?id=18732119

Reference:

Erford, B., & Hays, D. (2014). Developing multifulcutural counseling competence: A systems approach. (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.

Multicul. post #2 - Villain or Hero?

Crystal Kelley, a single mom, has been called both a villain and a hero for a decision she made about a year ago.  A video of the story is here.  Kelley was chosen to be a surrogate for a couple who wanted a baby and each party was very excited about it.  About half way through Kelley's pregnancy an ultrasound showed the baby Kelley was carrying was going to have mental and physical disabilities (Wilson, 2013).  Upon finding this out Kelley and the parents were devastated.  The parents came to the conclusion they did not want the baby to be born and suffer due to these health problems.  They offered Kelley $10,000 to abort the baby.  Kelley did not agree with what the parents wanted, even though the baby was not of her genetic make-up, and did not comply.  She refused to get an abortion, but at one point during a "weak moment" she said she told the parents she would consider it if the pay was $15,000 (Wilson, 2013).  After the parents refused, Kelley felt terrible she even considered it and packed herself and her kids up and moved to Michigan where law made her the legal mother of the unborn child (Wilson, 2013).  Kelley stayed in Michigan during the last couple months of her pregnancy and gave birth to a baby girl.  She did not keep the little girl, but found a couple whom adopted her.  Kelley still visits the little girl.

The article goes more in depth about cost and who is responsible for the child's treatment.  It also talked about a man (Peter38j) who adopted a little boy who had complex health problems (Wilson, 2013).  "He still faces a number of surgeries going forward, but he is the joy of our lives," Peter38j wrote. "He attacks the world with energy and a joy that is infectious to those around him. It is a completely different challenge than our previous three kids, but he's our son and not for a second do we look at him as anything but our son" (Wilson, 2013).  I think what this man said is great.  Yes, individuals are born with challenges and certain disabilities, but what's wrong about individuals who aren't normal?  This baby was already dealing with ableism before it was even born.  She was facing negative consequences due to the disabilities she was going to have (Erford & Hays, 2014).  A disability is defined as "mental or physical impairment that affects at least one of an individual's daily activities," (Erford & Hays, 2014, p. 9).  The little girl did have mental and physical impairments, but that didn't stop her from growing and staying on track with the rest of the infants her age.  She was grabbing for things and babbling.  She was becoming her own little person.  As a society we shouldn't focus on letting the disability define the individual, but let the individual define the disability.

Article:

Wilson, J. (2013, March 05). Surrogate mother: A new wrinkle in the abortion debate. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/05/health/surrogacy-comments-roundup/index.html?hpt=op_bn1

Reference:

Erford, B., & Hays, D. (2014). Developing multifulcutural counseling competence: A systems approach. (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.

Video:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVEweQr2KRA