Today, I’m going to let everyone in on a little secret. It
comes from an utterly unexpected source – a television game show – and it
offers a surprising bit of hope, and perhaps may be a comfort to those who are angered
and saddened more often than not when switching on their TVs. But first, a
little backstory of how I came upon this secret and how it’s made an unexpected difference in my life.
I’ve watched "The Price Is Right" all my life, with Drew
Carey, Bob Barker, Tom Kennedy, Dennis James, and even the wonderful Bill
Cullen, and always enjoyed its playful, colorful vibe and pricing games. Like
most people, I viewed the show on occasion – home from school in the summertime
or when in bed nursing a cold, in-between work tasks and in need of a coffee
break, while playing with my kids on the floor or feeding a baby in a high
chair, and even on vacation in the fanciest of hotels. But just over four years
ago, I became a daily viewer, locked into a new routine at home that I did not
like and did not want.
The day after Christmas, 2014, I was rushed to the emergency
room in full diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition. I was
absolutely stunned to be given a diagnosis of the auto-immune disease Type I diabetes, often known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. Four
months later, I received a diagnosis of another auto-immune condition, Crohn’s Disease, and a year after that, a heart aneurysm. It seemed like my body was
rejecting me, and I went from being a healthy mom of three and concert
photographer to someone who had to be managed by a team of doctors, tied to
special diets and needles and monitors that beeped at me 24 hours a day and
endless waits for endless medical appointments. Far more cruel than any of this
was the loss of my mom in 2016, my champion and dearest friend. All of this was,
and is, tough to bear. But I am not a quitter, so I get up every day and do
what I have to do.
One thing I have to do now is get up and eat and take
insulin pretty much on schedule. This schedule happens to coincide with “The
Price Is Right” broadcast time, so this has become my little morning routine,
my food and pot of delicious Seattle coffee and an hour with TPIR. And this is
where, after a couple of years, I came to understand why instead of dreading
getting up, I started looking forward to it and my time watching the show.
On its face, the show is a simple consumer-culture entertainment vehicle, a celebration of all that we buy, or wish we could buy. But beyond the bells and buzzers and bright colors, beyond the
games and excitement of the winners or losers, there is an attitude on “The
Price Is Right” that acts as a subtle antidote to the vitriol of our divided
country. For at least one hour a day, I see all kinds of people -- from rich to
poor, men and women, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, athletes
or the disabled, hipsters to military personnel, gay or straight, 18-year-olds
still in high school to 90-year-old grandmas who can still give the wheel a
good spin – and they are not only getting along, they act as a family. There are hugs and cheers and high-fives for
all. There are congratulations and graceful exits. When one wins, it is a
triumph; when one loses, they are equally embraced. A family, made up of all
the beautiful shades of humanity, acting like we all
should act toward each other every day.
Over time, I realized that I felt better after watching TPIR, that the fun and camaraderie was
making an impact on me in ways I never would’ve expected. The underlying message of
tolerance and support in the show was heartening, and helped me face the day
feeling happier and stronger. For me, this is huge, and is now part of the daily
self-care that makes me feel empowered to do more and do better for myself and
others.
© Copyright 2008- Marianne Spellman