By: David Conde
The Mile Hi Veterans, VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, 9Health:365 and the Denver Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses will be hosting a Health Fair Saturday, May 14, 2022. The event will be held from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at North High School, 2900 N. Speer Boulevard in Denver.
Planning for this gathering, that is open to veterans and the general community, has been going on since September 2019 but delayed because of COVID and the circumstances it created. Now that we can, it is important that we check our medical condition in the moment because we are all in this together.
The organization of the Health Fair brought to ligh a very personal and yet, common experience that involves people, especially men, not wanting to show weakness by taking the time to undergo checkups that could be lifesaving. That is what happened in the life of Deana Gallegos, the coordinator of the Fair and a member of Mile Hi Veterans.
She received a call telling her that her nephew had only a few days to live because he neglected to check on the metal rod placed in his leg some years back due to a bad fracture. It had began to hurt, but he endured the pain until he ended up in the hospital with a major infection that caused his death.
Like all of us that can find ourselves in this situation, she began to question characteristics of the family experience and culture that would lead to something like this. “A delay in getting health care,” she writes, “could have been attributed to his pride and Machismo. The pain can be tolerated. Men don’t complain about pain. I can handle this. Men don’t cry.”
Deana also writes that, “Perhaps it started when we were growing up. We seldom went to the doctor and only in emergencies mainly due to no insurance. My mother also did not have a high opinion about the medical profession. She would say, ‘if you go to the doctor, they will find something wrong with you.’ My father who was a World War II veteran had to have surgery in the 1960s and according to him, they stitched him up with non absorbable sutures that caused a major abdominal infection which required a lengthy hospitalization.”
The loss of her brother is immeasurable to his wife. Gone are the possible moments with the children and grand children and a life that provides guidance, morals, values and the role of a key member in his generation.
“The message I would like to share with men,” states Deana, “is how valued you are. Don’t underestimate your significance to your family. Take care of yourself and when your loved ones suggest that you get care, listen to them. Yes, Machismo is important, but it also means stepping up and caring for yourself so you can care for your familia who need you.”
For more information on the Health Fair visit: https://9health365.org/health-fairs/spring/590/index. Those who would like to have blood screenings may register at: https://9health365.org/health-fairs/spring/590/index and click on “Attend this Fair.
A limited supply of blood chemistry vouchers are available for uninsured veterans and other participants. For more information on vouchers email LVCHFVOUCHER@gmail.com.
Deana Gallegos can also assist those that need more information and directions at cdrgallegos@yahoo.com or by phone at (303) 433-9696.
