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PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

Started by districtweekly · 7 months ago

Part-time waitress and nursing student Delena Belanger is in health care hell. But the tumor in her brain is the least of her problems
One autumn morning, a little more than a year ago, Delena Belanger woke up with a headache, an oozing ear and a fat lip.
The headache was old news. For mor ... Continue reading »

13 comments

  • Allene

    7 months ago

    This little lady has been a hard working girl all her life.Has a big heart.A great American citizen and deserves more than she is getting from our social workers.It just plain sucks.
    Her grandmother Allene Belanger Seattle Washington
    reply
  • The1Chief

    7 months ago

    What Delena is going through is an example of our broken health care system that must be fixed. This could happen to you or someone you love at any time. Delena is a caring and courageous person who has not given up, and she is an inspiration for those who are suffering and enduring the nightmare of our current system. I believe that God has very special plans for her.
    reply
  • wrongbeachJohn

    7 months ago

    How disturbing! Shame on us.
    reply
  • Sarah Lopez

    7 months ago

    Delena is an amazing person who has conquered a great feat. She has more determination than anyone I know and has aspired to the best at everything. She is a brave, intelligent, and exuberant woman who will forever be in my life. I look up to her as a friend and a woman who has fought and struggled to become who she is today. One of my first grade students wrote a thank you letter for Thanksgiving. He quotes, “I am thankful to be alive so I can come to school and play with my friends.” Amidst his innocence, I cried and told him that his paper speaks deeply into the hearts of many unfortunate people unlike himself and that is something to be thankful for! I love you Delena! Her dear friend....Sarah Lopez
    reply
  • Amanda Bernard

    7 months ago

    As a person who has known Delena for almost ten years, I can say how truly blessed I am to have her in my life. She is absolutely the most brave and inspiring person to be around and I'm lucky to have her as not only one of my best friend's, but my roomate as well. Watching her struggle the past year and seeing how she not only bounced back from each negative obstacle, but also turned it into a positive - is just one of the traits that makes Delena such a special person. Living with her is a daily reminder that we are all so lucky and nothing in life should be taken for granted. Everyday is a new experience filled with new goals, dreams, and discoveries. Thanks Delena for being apart of my life and being an amazing friend.
    reply
  • Suzanne

    7 months ago

    THAT'S MY GIRL!!!
    reply
  • Juan Pardell

    7 months ago

    The blame for her calamity, and that of so many who are uninsured, can be placed with the politicians and lobbying groups (the AMA in particular), who have long fought to create a national health care system that provides universal coverage.
    reply
  • Michaela Lee

    7 months ago

    Delena is an insperation! We thank God for her.
    reply
  • bb

    7 months ago

    Great story, very well told.
    Thank god we have an alternative to the press telegram.
    reply
  • Jeanette

    5 months ago

    Delena-

    You are a beautiful person! Congratulations on your graduation. I pray that "the system" gets your insurance figured out SOON!

    Jeanette Shelly, FNP, LAC Student Health Center
    reply
  • PJ

    4 months ago

    Each of the politicians who pushed to have "Health Care" and "Education" programs dropped from President Obama's stimulus package should read this story. As an RN who graduated from the same program (LBCC Class of 1987) and as a parent who helped my young adult daughter who was working, yet uninsured, recover (over a few months' time) from a vehicle vs bicycle accident, I know that the prevalence of this devastating situation is all too common in a nation that boasts of being one of the wealthiest, most powerful nations in the world. We can't take care of our own people's basic needs for heath care and provide quality education to all of our children, our future.
    reply
  • Michelle (stanton) Miller

    4 months ago

    Delena is the picture of strength and courage. Your story inspires me and i would love to help you in any way that i can. I hope that you will remember me from when we lived together at Orton Hall at Washington State University. I am on facebook and I would love to send you money to help you if I could. I thank God for you, for your life and for influencing my life. May God continue to strengthen you and bless you as you continue your journey.
    reply
  • hydrocephalus doctor

    3 months ago

    Very inspiring. I hope that Delena's story will serve as an eyeopener for everyone to not give up the fight no matter how hard it may seem. She's such a role model to follow and she never let the daunting ordeal she faced, to slow her down. What an amazing woman!
    reply

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