FAMILY HEALTH DAY II

As discussed earlier in a previous posting (Family Health Day:  April 22, 2012), my family hosted a Family Health Day on Saturday, April 28, 2012.  Various family members presented reports on selected health topics.  The topics presented and discussed were:  High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Benefits of Exercise, Depression, Medical Tests and Your Money, Your Health.

The purpose of our Family Health Day was to provide information and encourage my family to take more proactive and aggressive responsibility for our health.  As we age, we develop health issues which we could possibly dismiss or ignore when we were younger, but now can have debilitating or deathly consequences if left untreated.  Our quality of life really depends upon the quality of our health.  We tend to think if we had more money or had loving companions or grandchildren, our lives would be better.  But really, it is our health which drives the quality of our lives.  Health concerns can color our enjoyment of anything else we deem to be important, either positively or negatively.

The presenters took their assignments seriously.  That was evident by the details and thoroughness of the reports.  The event turned into a forum because of the interaction between everyone in attendance and the questions raised.  One of my brothers-in-law, an obstetrician/gynecologist, listened intently and confirmed the accurateness of each report and elaborated when various details were above our pay grade.

A local hospital provided volumes of informational hand-outs, in addition to tchotchkes such as stress balls, seed packets and chapsticks.  We gave away door prizes, had dinner and topped off the whole day with rice pudding made by my mother-in-law.  (Thank you, Georgia).

At the end of the forum, we all signed health commitment contracts - individually committing to taking responsibility for the maintenance of our personal health by scheduling and keeping medical appointments, starting with the scheduling of our annual physical examinations.  We each also chose a partner to be a support system for the year and to ensure we maintain our health commitment(s).

As a result of this health event, my family is organizing a committee in order to participate in next year's local Relay for Life.  I have committed to train so that I can run the relay.

One of my nieces will facilitate a Young Adult Sexual Forum.  My brother-in-law who is the obstetrician/gynecologist will be the presenter for that session.  I am hoping if he can show some of his graphic, nasty, color pictures of how some of the sexual transmitted diseases ultimately manifest, we might get some of our young people to slow down or at  least think before acting.

We are planning another health day later this year to focus on stress; how it affects us and ways to relieve it.  The plan is to have a yoga instructor and a masseuse in attendance.

My mother-in-law gave a report on the benefits of exercising and how daily walking heightens one's libido.  Okay, can I say TMI??  Did I mention she's 82??

Our first Family Health Day was a huge success thanks to many!  We will try very hard to maintain this momentum with the intent of achieving positive results because of our actions.

Have to go now...my husband's calling me to join him in a walk.

Peace

Michele