Read this post by John Gruber, then consider following this link to give Shawn a helping hand.
21 thoughts on “Shawn”
My first ever contribution to GoFundMe, because of my respect and affection not just for Shawn but for this community.
I donated as well. Never heard of Shawn but had to do it.
Shawn is Canadian, no? Isn’t a big part of the appeal of living in Canada is someone doesn’t have to suffer for years with a debilitating physical ailment because they can’t afford to have it fixed? I’m curious why, with Canada’s national coverage, he was unable to get his teeth fixed. (No flames, I absolutely believe he needs the help, just curious as to why it’s not covered in Canada.)
I believe Shawn iis deserving of the care
Until the US accepts the fact that it needs a single payer system, we will rely on charity to provide health care that even the Chinese take for granted.
Dental care is not covered by provincial health care programs – only physician-delivered health services. Many other health-related services are also not included in the base services, either.
Common misperception of most healthcare systems (even socialized ones) is that dental care is part of the system. It’s a big deal with Obamacare that pediatric dental care is part of all the plans. Nobody “deserves” to be in a position where they can’t afford health care services. Thank you to The Loop and Daring Fireball among others in the Apple/Mac/iOS community for bringing Shawn’s situation to a larger audience. Good luck, Shawn!
No flames interpreted. Having said this, your (mis)understanding is a clear example of how/why Americans need to learn, understand and appreciate how healthcare works (and does not work) in the rest of the world. This lack of knowledge spans more than just healthcare.
I wonder if you’d have posted a link to the Gofundme if JG hadn’t made the post. Strange that you didn’t already considering Shawn posts here.
A fair question. First I heard of it was last night when I saw John’s post. It did feel a little funny finding out about it this way, but it took a lot for Shawn to go public with this and, I suspect, he didn’t want to ask for this help, especially in such a public manner.
So the answer to your wonder is yes. In a heartbeat.
I am not surprised. There are things that we all would not tell our family or close friends even if it is inevitable they will find out.
It was more of me thinking I didn’t want to take advantage of The Loop or the readership by using my posting ability to promote such a personal thing. No slight was intended by Dave or Jim nor do I feel slighted at all by them. As Dave said, he just didn’t see it and, as Jim is in Yosemite at a conference, I bet he was just too drunk to notice…. 🙂
Many thanks!
Shawn is a friend to everyone on this site and across the Mac community. Join me in supporting him.
Excellent.
Most Americans have a misunderstanding of the Canadian health care system. I’m Canadian but I’ve used health care systems all over the world so I’ve been lucky enough to see many systems so I have a better perspective than most. BTW, I’ve experienced better health systems than either Canada or the US.
In Canada your provincial health care coverage is your “basic plan” which covers doctors, specialists, non-elective surgery, emergency, major treatment (e.g. cancer), and recovery support such as rehab. It doesn’t cover medication, dental, eye glasses, and extras like massage or chiro (that varies by province). There is also lots of little things like ambulances or private hospital rooms.
The point is everyone gets the “basic plan” and you can’t be refused based on prior conditions. My premium for the provincial plan is about $150 for me and my spouse. I also have secondary private health insurance to cover the things listed above and travel abroad. Private insurance is more common than most people realize.
The public/private split in Canada is about 70/30. In the US the split is about 45/55. Canada spends about $US10,500 per capita on health care. The US spends about $US20,500 per capita. Note: there is some variance in these estimates but you get the picture.
Here’s the kicker. If you do the math Canada spends about $US7000 per capita of public money, while the US spends about $US9000. The US actually spends more per capita on public health care coverage than Canada, or probably any other country.
Hey Shawn, check with an accountant about whether this will be classified as taxable income.
Thanks John.
Great description, John.
Thanks!
Thanks John. I’ve checked and non-cosmetic procedures are deductible. But the entirety of the funds raised, minus the cost of the procedures, is taxable so I’ll have to set aside some funds to pay that next year. 🙁
My first ever contribution to GoFundMe, because of my respect and affection not just for Shawn but for this community.
I donated as well. Never heard of Shawn but had to do it.
Shawn is Canadian, no? Isn’t a big part of the appeal of living in Canada is someone doesn’t have to suffer for years with a debilitating physical ailment because they can’t afford to have it fixed? I’m curious why, with Canada’s national coverage, he was unable to get his teeth fixed. (No flames, I absolutely believe he needs the help, just curious as to why it’s not covered in Canada.)
I believe Shawn iis deserving of the care
Until the US accepts the fact that it needs a single payer system, we will rely on charity to provide health care that even the Chinese take for granted.
Dental care is not covered by provincial health care programs – only physician-delivered health services. Many other health-related services are also not included in the base services, either.
Common misperception of most healthcare systems (even socialized ones) is that dental care is part of the system. It’s a big deal with Obamacare that pediatric dental care is part of all the plans. Nobody “deserves” to be in a position where they can’t afford health care services. Thank you to The Loop and Daring Fireball among others in the Apple/Mac/iOS community for bringing Shawn’s situation to a larger audience. Good luck, Shawn!
No flames interpreted. Having said this, your (mis)understanding is a clear example of how/why Americans need to learn, understand and appreciate how healthcare works (and does not work) in the rest of the world. This lack of knowledge spans more than just healthcare.
I wonder if you’d have posted a link to the Gofundme if JG hadn’t made the post. Strange that you didn’t already considering Shawn posts here.
A fair question. First I heard of it was last night when I saw John’s post. It did feel a little funny finding out about it this way, but it took a lot for Shawn to go public with this and, I suspect, he didn’t want to ask for this help, especially in such a public manner.
So the answer to your wonder is yes. In a heartbeat.
I am not surprised. There are things that we all would not tell our family or close friends even if it is inevitable they will find out.
It was more of me thinking I didn’t want to take advantage of The Loop or the readership by using my posting ability to promote such a personal thing. No slight was intended by Dave or Jim nor do I feel slighted at all by them. As Dave said, he just didn’t see it and, as Jim is in Yosemite at a conference, I bet he was just too drunk to notice…. 🙂
Many thanks!
Shawn is a friend to everyone on this site and across the Mac community. Join me in supporting him.
Excellent.
Most Americans have a misunderstanding of the Canadian health care system. I’m Canadian but I’ve used health care systems all over the world so I’ve been lucky enough to see many systems so I have a better perspective than most. BTW, I’ve experienced better health systems than either Canada or the US.
In Canada your provincial health care coverage is your “basic plan” which covers doctors, specialists, non-elective surgery, emergency, major treatment (e.g. cancer), and recovery support such as rehab. It doesn’t cover medication, dental, eye glasses, and extras like massage or chiro (that varies by province). There is also lots of little things like ambulances or private hospital rooms.
The point is everyone gets the “basic plan” and you can’t be refused based on prior conditions. My premium for the provincial plan is about $150 for me and my spouse. I also have secondary private health insurance to cover the things listed above and travel abroad. Private insurance is more common than most people realize.
The public/private split in Canada is about 70/30. In the US the split is about 45/55. Canada spends about $US10,500 per capita on health care. The US spends about $US20,500 per capita. Note: there is some variance in these estimates but you get the picture.
Here’s the kicker. If you do the math Canada spends about $US7000 per capita of public money, while the US spends about $US9000. The US actually spends more per capita on public health care coverage than Canada, or probably any other country.
Hey Shawn, check with an accountant about whether this will be classified as taxable income.
Thanks John.
Great description, John.
Thanks!
Thanks John. I’ve checked and non-cosmetic procedures are deductible. But the entirety of the funds raised, minus the cost of the procedures, is taxable so I’ll have to set aside some funds to pay that next year. 🙁