Ecological Model

Health and the environment, what an interesting class. Honestly, I wish many adults would take your class. The presentation of the ecological model of health was done well and I believe this is something that so many people in the United States would benefit from learning about. It is amazing how some people think just because we were all born in the United States that we all have access to the same opportunities when there is clear statistical data that proves otherwise.
At the age of 35, I am well versed in my family health history. I have watched several family members suffer from heart disease and lose the battle with age, I have seen a new trend of breast cancer begin with my mom and aunts. Cancer hasn't been an issue in the family until

that generation, it has always been heart disease on both my mom and dad's side of the family. Given the history and a nurse for a mother, I grew up with more knowledge than most about what I should be watching for and how preventative care it extremely important. In other words, I grew up eating "cardboard" as my dad would say when referencing the food, he prepared for us. With early detection, and medication from the age of 30 my dad still experienced his first heart attack at the age of 50. Ironically this is the same age his father had his first heart attack and passed away.
Nevertheless, I did learn about the factors that I can control pertaining to cancer, previously I believed cancer to be mostly genetic and something I didn't have control over. Clearly by this point everyone knows the link between cancer and smoking, sun exposure or lack of access to health care. However, drinking, high fat diet, exercise were all factors I had not considered and given the new trend of breast cancer in our family I should consider all these factors in my life.
Throughout the years I have implemented several behavior changes for the benefit of my health and to combat these risk factors. Exercise has been a difficult one for me to sustain through the years, most years I am moderately active through the warmer months. The trouble comes as soon as the weather drops below my age, I become extremely sedentary. Some years I have been able to maintain exercise through the winter when I had gym memberships. After completing the assessment's, I can see the investment in my physical health will not only increase my heart health it will also combat cancer. New studies are showing a link between breast cancer and drinking alcohol. Choosing wine more carefully or choosing to abstain from drinking could help fight my risk of cancer. Red wine does help with risk I have with heart disease, given these points I will ponder my wine consumption in the future.
My husband and I experienced similar childhoods, I grew up in the middle of the road, not a lot of advantages, but I never had to worry about food or a place to live. I didn't have to worry about going to the doctor, if my parents could afford that bill. I grew up on a farm learning the value of hard work, and every year we managed to squeeze in yearly family vacations even if it was only visiting an aunt in Wisconsin. She had an indoor pool so us kids were happy. Before we all left home to pursue adulthood, we made a trip to Washington D.C, were we visited the Holocaust museum, Ford's theater, and the Smithsonian. Growing up I never once questioned my value to my family or wondered if they would be there to support me if I failed. Growing up in a double wide trailer in the country as a child, I thought we were poor. It wasn't until later when I heard of families who appeared to have more money than us taking fancy vacations, but leaving the kids at home, it was then at that moment that I realized how truly blessed my life was. To quote my father "it isn't a vacation without my kids."
Growing up the way I did afforded me so many advantages in life. When it was time to experience college, I didn't have any financial help, but I was able to take out loans, maintain a part time job to pay for all my living expenses and when money was tight my parents always seemed to know, they would appear for a quick visit and my fridge would be full of food for the next month. At the beginning of the semester a check would arrive from my parents and maybe an aunt with some money to help cover the cost of my books. I always knew if I needed help they would be there. Support like that is priceless when venturing off into the world as a young adult. I am continually amazed by the individuals who can set off on a journey with no support, I don't know if I could ever attempt a journey alone, I fear my anxiety would get the best of me.
When it came time to be finding a partner for life I had a distinct advantage of having parents who were still married, who showed me how a marriage worked through day to day life. Marriage it is not always easy, consequently for better or worse that is your person. Learning that communication, compromise and compassion are the cornerstone of marriage. To my advantage my husband was modeled the same behavior. There were periods in my college days and early in my marriage that we struggled, particularly with health care, after the birth of my son during job changes we had some difficult times. During this stage in my life, I received the diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease, which required more doctor visits than we could afford, collectively our parents were present insisting my health was a priority and when the bills came, they would be there to help us financially. Without this reassurance my husband might not have had the courage to leave his low paying, good insurance job to take a chance at a job with greater potential for growth.
Looking at my current "environment" I consider myself to be very blessed. We don't have extra, while we have a house with character that we love, we sacrificed having a yard to get that character. We live in an older neighborhood with little access to outdoor space, this limits our ability to be outside easily. Finally, our youngest learned how to ride a bike well enough last year that, we hope to spend this summer on the Red Jacket Trail, we cross Stoltzman road to get to the trail which is why he needs to be able to ride proficiently. We have two working vehicles that are paid for, my parents and in-laws are alive and married, my marriage is strong, my children are healthy, I have insurance, access to health care, a strong support system. My husband has a good job that pays enough for me to stay home with our boys and currently invest in going back to college without accruing any more debt. Sure, I could work, and we could then drive new cars, have a bigger house, but we would be missing out on what we both value, time together as a family. My husbands on call shifts and working late, make his time at home very valuable and when I was working full time we couldn't get everything done and spend time together.
Our house may not be perfect, but it is close to school and the lack of yard work leaves us plenty of time for adventures together as a family.

Physically our environment won't change. Be that as it may a healthy change I can make is to purchase a gym membership with my son, he is eager to work out and at the age of thirteen, he must be accompanied by an adult. This step would help motivate me to get to the gym. I know it is healthy for me to exercise, having Jerry be a primary reason will make it much easier to go during this stage in my life, it's always easier to do something for your kids than it is for yourself. Although cognitively I do know that putting my health first does benefit my kids because it increases the odds that I will be here for them longer. Regardless, that is easier said than

done.
Food glorious food, in the past six months I have made the commitment to cut meat from my diet. Combine my family history of heart disease and my husband's family obsession with red meat for every meal was starting to weigh on my conscience. Cutting meat out of my diet entirely was easier than just trying to cut back. Despite this change my diet is still lacking in vegetables. On the positive side this is a realistic goal I can set for myself. We live in close proximity to a grocery store, by changing my shopping habits to more frequent visits I will be able to purchase more fresh fruit and vegetables. We live close enough that walking to the store is a viable option. Increasing my vegetable intake will reduce my risk of heart disease and cancer. Furthermore, eating recommended amounts of vegetables will reduce risk for diabetes, they are a natural mood booster, and increase my immunity.
Food and learning ways to cook healthy food for myself has been an interest for me over the past few months.

I can use this interest to further enhance my goal to eat healthy for myself and expose my children to better food choices. In addition, by making a commitment to my son, to take him to the gym is playing upon my strength as a mother. As a mother of an adopted child with Reactive Attachment Disorder, I am proving my loyalty to my son daily. Any opportunity I get to show him support and love I must take full advantage of. Not only will going to the gym with Jerry strengthen my body, reduce my risk for heart disease and cancer, it will also strengthen my relationship with

him.
Reviewing the information gained from the assessments afforded me the opportunity to take a step back and view my life from a different perspective. How my life could be dramatically different; had I grown up in a different area, a non-supportive family, a poor education. The ability to change the way I view my situation has given a new meaning to the behavior changes I can make. As a result, changes I once viewed as tedious, I now see as a potential opportunity to teach and spend time with my children, ultimately shifting these actions to an area of strength.