Growing up, I was fortuitous enough to have all the essentials given to me in terms of my health. Water was easily accessible, food was always on the table, and clothes were always on my back. As a young child, I had thought everybody was living like this, and therefore I wasted more than I should have. My roots trace me back to the Philippines, where a lot of the citizens are not as fortunate as I was. Children were fending for their lives off of food they found lying around, or if they were lucky enough, spare change was given to them. With no protection on their feet, they walked around barefoot, exposed to all the dirtiness of the streets. If you turn on a corner of a province in the Philippines at night, you are guaranteed to see children laying on cardboards, hoping the next day is better. The children did not choose this life, I mean, who would? Living a life like that, does not offer the most comfort in the world, but does make the people who do not have it like that, think.
It is from these stories, that my mother has taught me the sole value of gratefulness. However, that is not enough for me. Being thankful is one thing, but doing something about it, requires an ounce of boldness and compassion. Health disparities in terms of financial situations are hurting these children’s potential for a better future. The dearth of resources that is evident in their lives is what is forcing them to live this way. Lack of proper medical attention that is clearly needed is due to their strict poverty that they cannot control. As citizens that have this opportunity of being in a fortunate situation, we should be ambassadors of bringing blessed opportunities to those who do not have it.
Health disparities, nine times out of ten, are not the person’s fault. No one can expect that person to start from nothing, and automatically rise to the top. Most do not have the ability, nor chance to be able to do that, thus leaving them behind in terms of health and financial statuses. I have personally seen the struggles that vulnerable populations, such as Filipinos, go through on a day to day basis. I find it unfair that they have to live like that, while I live my life soundly. The least I can do, is touch base with healthcare and hope to help those who need it in the future.
IMAGE CREDIT: @princeton on IG
