Teresa C., 64, is one of our most devoted supporters – she volunteers at least 5-6 hours per day, 5 days a week. As a neighborhood team leader, she leads a group of 20 active volunteers, organizing phone banks and voter registration drives. She’s also a seasoned canvasser, willing and ready to knock on doors to talk to neighbors about the President.
Her organizer says it best: “Teresa is amazing. I usually give her a walk packet of 60 doors, but some days she’ll tell me, ‘I want to go big, give me 80 today.’ Her dedication and can-do attitude inspires her team members, volunteers from other turfs, and even the office staff.”
And if that weren’t enough, Teresa has chosen to take three weeks off from work to donate more time to the campaign. But we want you to get to know Teresa yourself – so read her story and why she’s in for Obama 2012.
I’m a health care provider working at the hospital with the second highest percentage of uninsured patients in the Las Vegas valley. As a nurse, I see every day how many people in this country need health care – or just better coverage. The typical patient at my hospital has a low-paying job with no health care benefits. Most of these patients will try to pay for their care, but they simply lack the resources to afford it. In trying to save money, they will delay doctor’s visits and regular check-ups until it’s too urgent, or too late.
I’ve also been personally affected by health care reform. A few years ago, my 88-year-old mother became ill, so I switched from full-time to part-time to take care of her. Because my job no longer provided health benefits, I had to buy my own insurance. The company claimed I had a “pre-existing condition” after an exam showed I had a slightly low bone density, so they drastically reduced my coverage.
Then they raised the price on me. I was paying hundreds of dollars for insurance that wouldn’t fully cover me. Until August 1, when it became illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions thanks to President Obama’s health care reform.
That’s why I support the Affordable Care Act – because I’ve already seen the changes it has made in people’s lives. Now, many patients don’t have to pay for preventative care, so they aren’t afraid of seeking it. They can treat an illness before it becomes a critical condition requiring emergency treatment. And I can afford decent health insurance without worrying I may need to work longer hours and leave my mom unattended. To me, that’s what’s at stake in this election – protecting the progress we’ve made.
When I was younger, I was an avid hiker. I would climb and climb a hill until I was tired. I’d stop and look at my watch, then look wistfully at my destination. I would always feel like I was so far away and I’d want to turn around, but then I’d realize – you have the wind at your back. Why turn back now?
If, like Teresa C., you want to take our country forwards not backwards, sign up to join our Nevada Call Team: