Dottie Lamm

I know when you look at me you probaby think former first lady, Denver Post columnist, middle class woman married to the same guy for 45 years, two great kids, three healthy grandsons, enough money to spoil them and travel the world at will.

Well, yes, that's me. But that's really only half of me. Because I have had major traumas in my life, most of them medical. Diagnosed 27 years ago with breast cancer when I was first lady, I was told that my chances of living to see my children grow up were "about 50/50."

My cancerious lymph node count was 15 out of twenty five, which meant almost certain spreading to other parts of my body. I kept this devastating prognosis from the Press, my children, and even some of my friends, but I could not keep it from me.

Then, five years ago, I could have lost my sister, Jane, who is here tonight to West Nile disease. Told later, that her chances had been about 50/50, and that she might not have made it if she hadn't gone to her doctor and been hospitalized immediately, I realized we both had beat the odds! It was dizzying - I think I went into a state of total gratefulness and thanksgiving.

Many of you here knew some or part of our stories.

But few of you know this one: In 2006, my second grandson, was born with a skull abnormality which required three head surgeries in the first 10 weeks of his life. For me, this was not trauma, this was sheer panic.

Would he live? Would the surgery destroy his delicate brain? Would he have an "attachment disorder" being on all those tubes and not being able to be held by his parents as much as he should?

Well...............I'm happy to report that he will be two next week, a healthy happy chunky little walking talking machine! (:>)

Am I grateful? You bet, but not only to the great Him or Her up there! (motion to the sky) but for the health care he received.

That he was insured, that his mother had the wisdom to take him to the doctor when she suspected something wrong, that she did not wait our of fear of cost or take him to the emergency too late.

And I began to think and remember that Jane and I had the same ability, to not delay, out of fear of cost. For delay in each of our cases could have meant death, and in my grandson's case severe disability.

By now you know where I'm going with this. I support Barak Obama for president as he will find a way to provide insurance and assurance to everyone, not just those in the upper middle class - a system in which no one is denied, and no one has to delay to seek, basic and preventive health services. A system which gives every mom, dad, sister, spouse or grand child the best chance for a healthy life.