Five generations of the Collins family have served in the Maine State Legislature. Both of my parents served as mayor of my hometown of Caribou. My father, a decorated World War II veteran, also served one term in the Maine House and four terms in the state Senate, and my mother has served on countless boards and commissions, always rising to leadership positions.
I had great role models at home who always taught me that I did not have the right to complain if I sat on the sidelines and did not get involved.
One specific experience that led me to follow in their footsteps occurred when I was a senior in high school and was chosen to participate in the U.S. Senate Youth Program. The highlight of my trip to Washington was meeting Maine’s Senator Margaret Chase Smith – the first woman elected to both the House and the Senate, and the first woman to have her name entered into nomination for President by a major party. Her courageous “Declaration of Conscience” speech took a stand against Senator Joseph McCarthy. Her integrity, determination, and bravery continue to inspire me today.Keep reading
I watched this commercial on TV and my jaw dropped:
This is personal for me because I had my own experience several years ago with the whooping cough vaccine. I was seeing a new doctor because my beloved primary care doctor had left the practice. As part of the visit, the new doctor offered me the Pertussis (aka Whooping Cough Vaccine), which I declined.
But she wouldn’t let it go.
She started to alternately re-offer it, to try to persuade me to agree to have it, and then to cajole me into it, without success. My decision was made prior to my encounter with her. And then she shocked me by forcefully making this statement:Keep reading
You can’t take 5 steps into the Walmart parking lot without encountering that many flu shot signs.
What the heck?
If you are considering getting a flu shot, please educate yourself first. To learn, really learn about the flu shot (what’s in it, what the potential side effects are, etc.), you owe it to yourself to set aside the time to watch at least one of the experts on the topic, such as Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, so that you can make an informed health decision. Note: This video includes valuable information about other vaccines as well, if you want to listen to it in its entirety here.
Karen Creamer
