|
Ron Jackson's Perspective
The Sunday Journal -
Think
Kankakee, Illinois
October 16, 2005
Charity begins at
home for local family |
 |
|
Big natural
disasters produce even bigger human responses. Aiding our fellow
man in time of need is a characteristic of the American spirit. We
give and we give. We give because it makes us feel good. Consider
the undetermined millions of private donations that were given in
support of deserving victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Think
of the unaccounted-for billions of government dollars intended for
the same relief efforts that will be wasted.
Americans in general will waste no time reaching into their
pockets, wallets and bank accounts when large numbers of fellow
humans are in dire need. It tends to touch us more when the victims
are unknown and of a great distance away.
Hopefully, that same giving spirit will unfold to help with a
couple of local victims of a man-made disaster. Like floods,
hurricanes and earthquakes, the inability to get health insurance or
government assistance can be just as devastating to a family as
anything Mother Nature can do to us.
The Anthony Buckner family is just one recent example. Mr.
Buckner died August 28 this year after suffering from dilated
cardiomyopathy, a group of disorders in which the heart muscle is
weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently. The disease affects two
out of 100 people of all ages and both sexes, but it is most common
in adult men.
Mr. Buckner was just 36 years old and left behind a wife and
seven year-old son. Nothing can compare us to lose someone,
especially at such a young age. In addition to the wonderful
memories he left his survivors, his family was left with final
exorbitant expenses that must be paid.
Because Mr. Buckner's sickness caused him to lose his job as a
mechanic and because he could not be insured under his wife's health plan due to
his pre-existing condition, the family incurred an extremely
outrageous health care bill. His wife's income as a hair salon
manager made them ineligible for any government assistance.
His wife and son now find themselves victims of another man-made disaster - trapped
between not earning enough to pay for health care and earning too
much to qualify for assistance.
In the typical, wonderful, American fashion, friends and family
have come to the aid of the Buckner family. An Anthony Buckner
Memorial Benefit is planned to help raise funds for his final
expenses. The public is invited to join in a night of fun, food,
and music set for Saturday, October 22 from 4 p.m. to midnight at the Bradley American Legion
at 835 W. Broadway. A $3 donation at the door will be appreciated. For
those wishing to help but can't attend, contributions can be made to
The Anthony Buckner Memorial Fund at Municipal Trust & Savings Bank,
720 Main St. NW, Bourbonnais, IL 60914.
We don't expect hurricanes or earthquakes here in the Midwest.
However, health care disasters can hit uninsured residents at any
time; and their lives can be totally destroyed in a heartbeat. Like
the citizens of New Orleans, the Buckners’ lives have been forever
changed. They, too, are trying to rebuild.
Unlike the millions of unaccounted-for and misused dollars
raised for natural disaster victims in Mississippi, Alabama and
Louisiana, the friends putting together the Buckner fundraiser say all proceeds
will go directly to the family. Mrs. Buckner, a private and proud
person and mother, and her son Alex are very grateful for the
support they have received and wish that no other family would have
to endure what they have. |
|
|
Thanks for stopping by! |
|
|
Home
| About | What's New |
Books | Columns |
Archives |
Seminars | Search |
Contact |
| |
|
|
|
