People who are emotionally well, have fewer negative emotions and are able to bounce back from difficulties faster. Per my personal life experiences, I wasn’t prepared to deal with my serious eye health issues during the pandemic. It just hit me by surprise during 2020. However, since I had good health, I had hope and that hope helped me to endure with all the medical treatments and other challenges afterward because I strongly believe that my health is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. My inner strength radiated outside of me to help the people who need my services in the community regardless of my impaired eyesight. For over four decades of my life in this beloved city of Long Beach, I never felt lonely because, besides connecting with my own family, I have so many surrogate families and dear friends that I can find ways to spend time with them and get involved with all types of community events or special activities. That made me forget about my eye health issues that are constantly nagging me. I claimed my life back the same way when I had my two sharp, healthy eyes.
Studies have shown that good social connections are vital to good mental health, and are linked to having a longer life because people in your community can help you build resilience. Thank you to all of you for taking your time to attend this health forum to learn from generous medical and professional experts who took their Saturday time off to share vital information and tips for you to take home to your families, so you can take charge of your families and your own health. Remember, when every family is healthy, our wholecommunity will be healthy, happy and prosperous. Thanks to our long-term Community Partners, the Port of Long Beach, co-sponsors, donors, planning committee, Language Access Department, Long Beach Department of Health & Human Services, event MC and our wonderful volunteers who made this event possible today.
