Fall is just around the corner and the month of September had the following national observances: Library Card Sign-Up Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month and National Biscuit Month.
Labor Day was on Sept. 1. The fall semester for Patten College began on Sept. 2, Catholics celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Sept. 11, autumn began on Sept. 23 and the Jewish community observed Rosh Hashanah at sundown on the 24th. With much activity comes a call for maintaining good health, and many of the men in blue participate in activities that help keep them in good shape.
Notably this year was the 11th annual Health Fair, put on by the San Quentin TRUST and Centerforce — in collaboration with the Alameda County Health Department, San Quentin Medical and various outside medical groups.
Centerforce and representatives of the Alameda County Health Department educated men on various health issues such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. The Bay Area Black Nurses Association and San Francisco State University nursing students administered glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure, vision and hearing screenings. Many other men were also invigorated by chiropractors from Chiropractic of Marin. Men also had an opportunity to meet with dental hygienists and staff from the San Quentin Dental Department for a workshop on good oral care.
Men in blue were asked, “In which Health Fair activities did you participate, and what did you enjoy most about the Health Fair?”
One of the most popular activities was with the chiropractors and acupressure.
Among the hundreds of men who saw a chiropractor were Duane Holt, Hieu Nguyen, Erick Nelson, Darryl Aikens, Claudius Johnson, Brijido Mariscal, Aubra McNeely, Mike Thompson, Richard Zorns, Jose Rivera, Eddie Hollingsworth, Louis Hunter, Darrell Williams and Benjie Obsuna.
“I was a helper in the acupressure station, and I enjoyed it very much”
Nguyen, McNeely, Thompson, Zorns, Rivera, Hunter and Obsuna also got some relief from pain through acupressure.
Holt said he liked everything about the Health Fair. As a TRUST alumnus, he volunteered to work with the chiropractors in the gym.
Nguyen said, “I got what I came for, and I’m happy. Everything about the Health Fair was great! I got to spread the news to outside people that we are human just like everyone else.”
Aikens enjoyed the camaraderie and the education he got from the Health Fair booths in the education area.
“I enjoyed the professional atmosphere that was conveyed.” Johnson said. He also got screened by the nursing students and participated in the dental workshop.
Mariscal said he enjoyed getting his “back cracked” by the chiropractors. He was also grateful for the toothbrush giveaway.
McNeely is a TRUST alumnus who said, “I was a helper in the acupressure station, and I enjoyed it very much.”
Thompson said that he liked the “cheerful volunteers” the most and all of the gym activities (chiropractors, acupressure, University of California at San Francisco physicians).
Zorns said he liked “everything” about the Health Fair. “I worked in the education area, and I totally enjoyed the day.”
Hollingsworth commented, “The chiropractors’ line went very, very smooth. I had a blast. I got my back cracked twice.”
Williams said, “Things were well put together — really organized.”
Several other men just enjoyed everything about the Health Fair.
Fidel Salcedo said he like everything, especially the “setup” of the fair.
Christopher Lewis said he enjoyed the “kindness and positive participation of everyone who volunteered.” He also liked the quiz on HIV, AIDS, hepatitis B, C and other infectious diseases.
John Neblett especially liked the camaraderie among the men. As a TRUST Fellow, he was stationed in the education area.
Kamsan Suon enjoyed learning something new. “I learned how to do qi gong and tai chi.”
George Britton liked the toothbrush and toothpaste he got from the dental station.
Lam Le liked the atmosphere. “I saw that a lot of people were really enjoying themselves. I was happy to see everybody was happy.”
One man named A.G. said, “I liked the candy and the nurses the most, and the chiropractors were awesome!”
