Some inspiration as of late has prompted me to include perspective from patients and front-line staff. With all the differing settings I have practiced in, I can make comparisons. While those working in the U.S. and only ever having worked in the U. S. will not have a reality context in which to base assumptions and/or perspectives that are fair or reasonable to make…since they have not practiced or worked in Canada. The same must be clarified for those in Canada…and have never worked in the U. S. your voice will be biased and not grounded in “what is real”…as far as “what is the U.S. reality. So…may this blog be here for Canadians to comment on Canada…if you in fact have worked here. Those living in the U.S. your perspective of U.S. Health-care is respected also. I deeply encourage all, who like me have lived and worked in both countries…both realities, we really would like to hear from you.

Meanwhile, we wish to hear most from you…”the patient”…and if you rather be called “the client” please just let us know. If you prefer to be recognized as a “person” in search of greater understanding of health…and think that health care could be so much better, with different assumptions, different biases and different Agenda’s as what has been suggested, we desire greatly to hear from you also.

There will be voiceless persons by default. These large numbers include the youngest, the oldest and the unborn. They also include those with literacy challenges, no access…to internet, telephone or any ear that cares to listen. Single mom’s with their busy lives raising children…little money for bus fare, no less a computer and internet service…even a phone may be missing from your life. WE do wish to advocate for and empower you to have “a voice”, with your perceived concerns and solutions. BIG profile stories for news shows, newspapers, magazines and that which the search engines perpetuate…will always leave the quiet, lowly voices of the most vulnerable…to some journalist or author to share…they themselves seldom get to share their stories. Those Homeless, those with Mental Illness, those living with a disability…inclusive writing and even language acquirement…well we know they will not be speaking up.

Those that did not feel loved as a child, often is struggling with coping with addictions, domestic violence, exploitation, and victimization (and a judicial system that we know is discriminatory and lacks sensitivity to these social issues)…will not be granted a fair voice either.

So, while there are many differing faces to patient populations…or to those persons who health care stereotypes, stigmatizes and otherwise disables…or they have no access..no bus fare…no baby-sitter, we wish to Advocate for you. Nursing struggles to find its own voice, so that will be discussed here also. If oppressive or disempowering cultures of health care persist…we can not claim to have a just society.

May this invite and distribute seeds of social justice…and germinate perspectives and inspiration for change. The intent will be to start a new website and a new organization (not-for-profit) that will support this advocacy of which I speak. May this represent a platform for which the voices of nursing can be heard. I also would like to write a book…perhaps with that very title…”Invisible Nurse, Voiceless Patient.”

Wanted immediately:Website developers…foundation/committee members for “Board of Directors” positions.

BE well,

Dave