Mission 4: Modesto is SICK! (not in the good way kiddies)

 Well here we are at the dawn of the age of health care reform. Not a minute too soon I'm afraid. Right now many of us are without proper health care and those who have it are being manipulated by corrupt insurance providers and hospitals. I know for many a trip to the hospital for a simple injury would be a catastrophe for their wallets (this super hero included). Unfortunately, health care reform is a little too late for a nation that needs immediate attention. What can be done now, here in Modesto?.......

Corrupt Angel Investigates: You know where the healthiest city in America is? San Jose. That's right our neighbor in the South Bay. According to a study conducted by Centrum, San Jose is ranked the healthiest city in the country. Why? you may ask. This super hero has done her homework. The city is part of the Healthy Neighborhoods Venture Fund. This organization was founded in an effort to reduce physical illness, promote wellness, and prevent smoking and drug use within their communities by providing programs promoting health, wellness, and nutrition. Very noble efforts for the non-superhero types. Hmmmm I wonder if this is the work of some San Jose super hero alliance??

Act: Hey if all the non-super-powers-havin' types in San Jose can make their city healthier, then surely with the help of a super-hero Modesto has this thing in the bag. Modesto needs exactly what San Jose has; a program that instills a sense of pride in one's own health and fitness (lord knows my alter-ego could use it......that's right Chani get off your keester!!!!) Seems I have found another mysterious super-hero type wandering the neighborhood [(Calls himself Masked Justice (if you ask me he's totally bogarting my gig)]....anyhow, he wants in on the saving Modesto action. Together we've decided that prevention is the best medicine for our people. 

Remember how I mentioned that we live in a seedy neighborhood? Well, many of the families here can't afford food that would be considered healthy. It's easier and cheaper to feed your family dinner out of a box than fresh healthy foods. So we have decided that we need more local fresh grown fruits and veggies at a cheap price. Heck why not free!! The solution: community gardens. Why not have a communal garden for everyone on your block to share or have a garden in each person's yard for specific fruits and vegetables? It's cheap and would bring the community together......healthy food problem solved.

Now on to the physical fitness part. Let's face it a lot of us here in Modesto aren't physically healthy and many of us can't afford to go to a gym either. This inactivity is killing us and putting a strain on the health care system. What should we do? Well there are lots of parks and bike and walking trails here that aren't even used. Let's promote fitness by letting people know you can ride your bike or even walk to stay healthy!

Imagine: Modesto's alliance to get healthy has grown by leaps and bounds! What started as two super heroes trying to make a difference in the health of our town is now 500 people strong. We've set up successful gardens in our neighborhood that are providing plentiful harvests of fresh, delicious vegetables and fruit. More importantly we're showing our neighbors that healthy food is easy and good for you. More people are now using the bike trails to walk, jog, and bike their way to health. Hopefully, these small changes will make everyone healthier, happier, and less dependent on failing health care. It may not be a solution to providing medical care for everyone, but remember prevention is the best medicine!

Here's comic showing how Modesto got healthier!