(ThySistas.com) As a Black woman on a fixed income due to debilitating illnesses, voting during this past presidential election was vital. I sat back and watched the discourse on television and social media, and it was concerning. I know that Black people in this country are not the majority by far, and there are other groups with family & friends battling illness and the need for expensive medication. There are those of us that literally must take our medicine or expire. Everything about Trump is detrimental to Americans like me. He is detrimental to many, but if I can just look at healthcare specifically it was jarring to read Project 2025. I was not one of those people that sat home hoping it was not real. I got up regardless of the pain and struggled my way to the polls. On election day I could not watch. I had a horrible feeling that the electing of Trump, given my illnesses, could immediately put my life and the lives of millions of Americans in danger. The next morning, I woke up to the horror that Trump would be the next President. It has been a nightmare, and it just began.
If you think this is an exaggeration it is time you look at what is rapidly happening in healthcare. Millions are being kicked off their Medicaid. The healthcare of the disabled, elderly, and children are being played with as we speak. Right here in Louisiana urgent cares are closing all over the state and in rural areas. This matters because in some rural places it can take over an hour for those residents to get to an emergency room, or to a doctor’s office. This is serious and it can cause delays in care which for some can be life threatening. The stress of physical health conditions exacerbates mental health conditions that already exist and can create new ones. This is not a joke nor is it the voices of people that are just upset their candidate lost. You know this to be true by the degree of voter remorse that is running rampant. The hatred of some, and lack of care for others has literally led to behaviors that has cause a national healthcare crisis.
I admit I became depressed after the election. I sat back and watched my Medicaid be threatened. I have sat on the phone for countless hours trying to manage how to afford medications and have had to have some of them changed or adjusted. This took a toll on me physically leading to brief hospitalizations as my doctors find alternatives to the medications I was previously on. Unfortunately, I am not the only one…and I’m not the worst case. There are countless horror stories of patients trying to figure out how to stay alive under this administration. Think about it, we are not trying to figure out how to manage…no it’s how are we going to keep breathing. Check on your friends with health challenges because we are not ok. It is hard enough feeling like a burden due to being ill and or disabled.
Yes, family will tell you they love you and you are valued, but you see the strain your condition causes. Many of us wish we could just get up and work, but physically we are unable, and this adds to the feeling of worthlessness. Now we have added pressure from an administration that does not care about its citizens to the point where we are not only being targeted on the streets, but in healthcare as well. Many of us are distanced from family because everything just became more expensive. Unfortunately, some citizens will choose to leave this earth verses fighting for help. They are tired.
The reality is too any Americans were selfish and hateful during this last election. Too many were racist to the point they finally did cut off their own nose despite their face. Unfortunately, the nation is paying the price…not just the people that voted for this madness. Though it is ridiculously hard, we must come together as a community and care for our sick, disabled, elders, and children. Those of us with health issues must fight to remember our life has value. We are worth fighting for, and we must continue to show up for ourselves. Though I found myself in a dark space…I had to get up and get back out into creation. I deserve the right to continue living my life like many others challenges with health issues. Illness under Trump is frightening and difficult, but we can survive.
Staff Writer; Chelle’ St James
May also connect with this sister via Twitter; ChelleStJames.