Today I learned that the Editor-in-Chief of Health Affairs, the leading journal of healthcare policy and the main source of healthcare information for those on Capitol Hill, named three individuals who died in October whose "lives underscore the importance of improving health and healthcare worldwide." One was a Dean of Columbia University's School of Public Health for over 2 decades, one was a congressman who chaired the House Health subcommittee and championed a myriad of health reforms, and the third was my wife.
Michelle often wondered whether what she did was actually touching anyone, whether she really did make a difference in the vast often immovable sea of healthcare. For those of you who have read her blog, you already know the answer inside each of you. Now, so does the world.
http://healthaffairs.org/blog/
Bill Steinbach
Monday, November 3, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
32 comments:
That's just wonderful...
AWARENESS!
Seriously, Michelle's fame is getting ridiculous. :)
Did you see the article about scleroderma on CNN.com, where readers were adding comments about Michelle at the bottom?
Amy
bill,
that is awesome. i love the fact that michelle's story/message is getting out there.
hope all is well.
*annie.
Hello, family,
Last year my son was in a class with one of Michelle's friends sons. That is how I found this blog.
The Catholic mother's network at STM brought my family dinners when my fourth son was born.
The connection between the two is this: I joined the CMN to bring other mother's food. This year, we moved about 40 min. away from STM and I had planned to join another group.
I believe that God's hand is always setting events in motion. I feel He has been planning for me to know your wife and mom. He does work in mysterious ways and sometimes that may mean meeting over the internet on the first and only blog I've ever read. I feel as though I've lost a dear confidante and fellow mother (although the things that made her Michelle can never really die).
How I plan to honor her life is this: I am staying on the CMN, in fact I have just signed up for three new mommies. Each meal I prepare will be with God working through my hands to honor your Michelle. Each one from here on will be with Michelle's memory on my heart and delivered with praise, joy and respect for her short time here on earth.
I realize that this is a small thing: it's just that I have had my Heavenly Father whispering in my ear to do this and I want so much for Michelle's spirit to live on through this small gesture.
I hope this is okay with you. If it isn't, you can respond and I will stop.
My heart goes out to you. You are in my prayers.
His,
Jenn Switzer
Bill, thank you for continuing to provide us with updates. You owe us nothing (especially those like me, who know your family only because we were lucky enough to stumble upon Michelle's blog), and it is kind of you to share these things with us. I still think of Michelle every day. I can't tell you how many times I have heard in my head: "Is this the memory you want to make?" Her words have helped me be a better mother, and a better person. Thanks again,
Cathi
I got chills when I read that. When I see an update here, I smile--I miss Michelle and all her posts here--and I just adore the pictures you have put up top.
((Gentle Hugs, Mishelle's family)))
Thanks for continuing to sharing her story and updates. She seemed to have been an amazing person. I think it's great how you honor her in life and in death. I bet the world will have some wonderful things to say about the person that you are too.
It is still so strange to realize that she is gone... and yet, six months ago I didn't even know she was alive.
You and your family have been in my thoughts these past few weeks. I think about Aidan and Amelia quite a bit and hope that they are able to find peace and happiness again.
As Cathi said, you owe us nothing, but thank you for what you have shared.
Shan
She made a tremendous impact on the world.
Linda
Congratulations to Michelle! What a wonderful and fitting trbute.
Continued prayers,
Terri
Hi Bill, What an awesome honor to her and to you! She truly was an advocate for herself, scleroderma patients and to patients everywhere! I think of you and the kids every morning when I wake up and say a prayer for you. Today's sunrise was spectacular and I immediately thought of Michelle and her photographic talents--I grabbed my camera before its beauty faded away and said a prayer for her and you and all your loved ones. Be well and thank you for letting us know of this amazing tribute to Michelle. Love, Jennifer
Bill,
Thank you so much for letting us know this. I love the pictures you put up too. Michelle is still, and will always be, a huge part of many lives!
that's greatt great bill. thanks for updating the site. Been checking it to see if anything new was posted. I hope you are all doing well.
Bill,
How touching and how well-deserved. Of course you should not overlook the obvious and forget that she could not have done what she did without you. You both suffered and triumphed together. And we who received so much her life, owe you a big debt of gratitude, too.
Thoughts are with you and the children.
Take Care,
Chip
And she goes on helping. Love, Ana
Bill,
From what I have read about Michelle, she deserves this honor. Thank you for sharing this with us and you and your children continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
That's pretty amazing. I'm glad you posted that. I still check back here to see if anything new has been posted. I really like the addition of the pictures at the top. God bless you and your kids.
And so she lives on, that is so great...
Hope all is well with you and the kids....
Sorry about the duplicate messages. Michelle would have laughed at all of my typos in the first one :)
Thanks for sharing this with us, Bill. That's just wonderful news for sure!
God bless you all~
Ellen
I hope the memorial service went well.
Shan :+)
OH How I miss reading Michelle's daily updates. I hope and pray that Bill, Amelia, and Aidan are doing as well as can be expected. My heart aches for each of you. I never knew your wife & mother, but I miss her so much, so I can only imagine the huge hole that has been left by her passing. She was amazing, incredibly wise, & Just Amazing. She accomplished so much in her short time than most do with 2x her lifespan. I thank God for everyday that she had to share with Bill, Amelia, & Aidan, and I thank God that Michelle shared her last few months of her battle with the world. I am grateful for all of the words that she left, although I wished she could've started several years ago. Such a truly gifted writer, such an intelligent woman, such a beautiful person INSIDE & OUT, such a loss for the family, such a loss for the world!!! Bill please consider making Michelle's words into a book? And Could someone from the family, not necessarily Bill (I know he is so busy) Please let all of us know how everyone is doing? We understand that they wish to grieve in private, but just an occasional update on the family, would be so nice. Like it or not, we really love each of you, because of Michelle. We will never meet you, but our hearts are with you, because of Michelle. So we won't just stop caring just because Michelle is with Jesus right now. We All will continue to think about the 3 of you and continue to pray for your Peace of Mind and well being, especially thru the Holidays. And May you find some Joy this Christmas, in Christ Jesus. My words can never express how deep my sorrow is for you. May the Peace of God be With ALL OF YOU.
Love & Prayers,wj
bravo!
Just wanted to say to Bill I hope your family is doing well this holiday season.
I wish you, Amelia and Aidan all the best. If you haven't already, may you find comfort and peace.
Bill, just wanted to drop you a line from a stranger. You and the kids are in my thoughts always. Take care of each other.
I barely knew Michelle and am a stranger to the rest of her family, but I have read much of her blog. I wanted you to all know that you were in my thoughts this holiday season. Thinking of your family and the difficult year(s) you have endured has helped make me more aware of the blessings in my own life. Please know that Michelle's message and the impact of her life is still felt in so many more places than you may know. Thank you for your honesty and for sharing so much of your lives with so many of us.
bill, i hope you and the kids are hanging in there. i think of michelle and your family often. although i never met michelle, i felt like i knew her and now i miss her. take care.
I just wanted to let you know that I still think of Michelle and the lessons she taught me about how precious life is. I only knew her through her blog but I miss her and her wonderful words. I do hope you and the kids are doing well.
Hi Bill...just wanted to send regards & prayers to you and the kids. I think of Michelle often and am so grateful for her blog, her lessons and her beautiful life. Was just back East visiting my family in NE Philly & drove past Nazareth Academy and though again of Michelle. Although I never met her, our lives had such interesting commonalities. May God be with all of you always - I know Michelle is your angel in Heaven.
Take Care,
Caroline
This is an amazing blog. So many words of wisdom about life and the things that matter most.
I never knew Michelle in person...but, I came here often to read her post (still come here on occasion to re-read something). I know she has touched many people through this blog. She has touched my life and inspired me to continue on the path of my passion.
Bill I hope you, your children, family and friends are doing okay. Wishing you all peace, comfort and hope.
Misti
Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!
_____________________________
Buy Dissertation
I cannot believe it's been a year this week. I never met Michelle and I think of he very often. She taught me so much about love , life and parenting. I miss her so much.
Post a Comment