[NFBMT] Christie Briggs

[Rik James]

Oh dear, this is sad news, to learn of the passing of Christie Briggs.
I feel like, as some others of us who have reached a certain age, we are
each hearing these types of notices, far too often, than we would like. I
know it is just the nature of things. But sweet is the sorrow. And
remembrances are our best way to say a fond goodbye.

Christie was just a bit more than one year older than me. So it goes. I
guess I hear the knocking at the door.
But I have lost many friends in our community, over the years, too. And each
time I think of them, I treasure the memories. Yes, even some of the
unpleasant ones. For they are all part of this big collection, this
collection of our shared humanity.

I know we, many of us, had the pleasure and honor of spending time with
Christie over these many years.
Most often it was, for me, on the phone, speaking with her about the library
services. Or it was at one of our blind organization gatherings. I remember
some good laughs we had, and some more serious conversations, discussing
things we could not easily resolve. Christie was an engaging, and very
caring person. I think that almost to a certainty, that her contributions
will be remembered for a generation, as to her role as a provider of
services to the blind and print impaired community.

There have been, over all of these years, many times, when the how and why
of things would be discussed and negotiated. I think that more often than
not, Christie tried her best to do the right thing, for us, and for the
department.
Not an easy pathway.

But let me just say this, apart from the sorrow of losing Christie.

The larger picture, is upsetting to me as well.

So many times now, I am sad that our society has such a system of when he
hear that someone has a catastrophic health issue, we have to think first
about, well how in the world can they be assured of having all of the best
way to treat and receive the care that is needed, and warranted, both for
recovery, survival, and comfort.

In other words, how good is the insurance? Oh, and if they are not in a
position with good coverage, all of the friends and family, are at the mercy
of the for profit corporations, and the for profit medical providers.
And so, in recent years, how many times are we to learn that funds are being
raised by some crowd sourcing online thing, or whatever.

I am sad, that we have not yet moved toward changing things.
We should really be living by now at a time when no one would have to worry
about how to navigate through the complexities of getting the needed care
and treatment when faced with medical needs.

When we let those providers steer us away from affordable and rightful
health care, I for one, do realize that they are mostly motivated by
protecting the for profit systems. 
I see them as paying for our lawmakers to avoid the changes that could make
our health care systems more efficient and affordable. And I will always
vote to elect officials who I believe are advocating independence from those
lobbying interests.

There are of course, many complexities, and things to iron out in a truly
reformed health care delivery system.
There are certainly going to be many slogans and quick phrases, and what I
will just call plain lying propaganda,  in the campaign dialogues we are
sure to hear in the coming months toward the next election.

Money. What do we do with what little we have? What do we do with the wealth
we accumulate?
Is there a role for continuing to advocate for the Commons, the things that
all should be fairly able to access? Or is it privilege we should seek, and
shut out those whose lot was not to gain wealth?


There I have said my peace.  I hope that it made a bit of sense to some of
you on this list.
And in my heart, I say, rest in peace, Christie. And all the other friends
and loved ones who I have said goodbye to, or who are currently fighting for
their lives.

Rik James
President, Treasure State at-large chapter
The National Federation of the Blind of Montana