Being a writer can be a great gift and holds many blessings.
It can also cause great hardship though.
No, I’m not talking about deadlines, although they can be stressful at times. No, I’m not talking about the endless editing, proofing or publicity needs that take place away from the actual writing. No, I’m not talking about balancing a real life filled with friendships that understand a writer’s neuroses.
I’m talking about something serious—deadly serious at times.
Right now, at least in the United States, there is a growing debate that will soon become a firestorm of controversy: Should the United States pass legislation that gives healthcare to all citizens? 46+ million people (16% of the population) in the US do not have health insurance and we rank the highest in cost per person. It has been estimated that nearly one fifth of the uninsured population is able to afford insurance.
Despite what readers believe, the overall majority of publishing writers are not wealthy people—in fact they are usually scraping by. They barely make enough to have families. Since writers are self-employed and aren’t employees of a large corporation that offers affordable healthcare insurance, all healthcare costs fall on them.
Star Wars author Aaron Allston has discovered this the hardest of ways.
In April 2009, Aaron was out on tour supporting the release of Star Wars: Outcast when he had a heart attack. Thankfully he recognized it quick enough and the medical services in the Dallas airport and surrounding hospitals were top-notch. Aaron survived, had a quadruple-bypass, and you can read the entire account on his Live Journal.
As he recovered and still recovers, the sad reality of his situation has been growing.
He accrued a huge medical bill for the services that saved his life, a bill that is still growing.
And as a writer, he doesn’t have health insurance.
That means he must pay for his outrageous bills out of his own pocket.
Some fans have taken issue with that! The Fandom Association of Central Texas has set up The Aaron Allston Donation Fund and Auction, a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to collect donations for Aarons’ medical bills. They are seeking items to auction off on July 19th to raise money, and they are accepting donations.
Since writers give so much enjoyment to so many people, I am calling on everyone who reads this post to help Aaron out. He is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet and he has left an indelible impression on the Star Wars universe. Even if you only donate the cost of a paperback book ($8) to his fund, you will feel warm and fuzzy inside and help out a class guy.
Until the US Congress figures out how to help cover people like Aaron with health insurance, it is important for all of us to protect our own geeks!
Visit The Fandom Association of Central Texas for more information!
And please pass this information around to your friends!
I just made my PayPal donation. Have you? :)