My word for the #AtoZChallenge today is health, corresponding with the letter H in our alphabet list.

There has been a lot of discussion lately in political circles about the National Health Service in the UK. Many people complain about the reported ‘postcode lottery’ for health care, while others campaign tirelessly to keep their local hospitals and health centres open and operating within the community.

Hooray for our National Health Service!

Our nation has been very proud of our free health care service ever since it was introduced sixty years ago. I for one am very grateful to have it, since I receive regular treatment for a rare and chronic eye condition called Distichiasis (double row of eyelashes). I have associated Dry Eye Syndrome, and the whole thing can leave me with a lot of pain, a continuous sensation of grit in my eyes, and general tiredness on days when it flares up. I have scars on my corneas as a result of the eyelashes scratching my eyes, but fortunately I have received excellent care from doctors in the Midlands and North West NHS trusts.

We have every reason to be even more thankful for free health care now that my father-in-law will need months, if not years, of rehabilitation after his recent accident. Many people are quick to complain about long waiting lists for routine operations, or about not being able to see their doctors at short notice, and I do agree with those complaints to a certain degree. Ultimately, however, I know we are very fortunate to have access to such health care, and so today I say a big Thank You to everybody within the NHS for everything that they do for me and my family.

Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!

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