This will be the “beyond SICKO”…written by a Canadian Male Nurse, who has worked in multiple settings, multiple hospitals in the Detroit area, through the 1990’s and beyond 9/11. I started my nursing career from a diploma program, in Canada, practiced in Windsor Canada, in Oncology/palliative care, before venturing into Cardiac Rehab, then Intensive Care, for 5 years in the mid to late 80’s.

I have been teaching now for three years, after finishing 2 Advanced Practice Degree’s from two different orientations to Primary Health Care. Windsor Ontario for my BScN, the Ontario COUPN Nurse Practitioner program…and my Master’s Degree in Primary Health Care with focus on Community from Athabasca University Alberta Canada. I hope to very soon, extend my “global perspective”. I have vacationed in some of the most wonder-filled destinations of the world…but they represent the “pristine” unspoiled nature settings or the “Posh” resorts. Each time I have kept my eyes and ears open to see the contrasts and the disparities of how the poor “survive”, while the rich thrive. I too wish to come to an understanding of what is available, and what the perspectives are of the “locals” of those countries represented in SICKO and others as well. It has been helpful to visit Japan, have my son live with multiple families and then host a guest from Japan (treating him to a Grand Bend Christmas…snow-shoeing, making a snow-fort, snowman and the fun it was tobogganning) He enjoyed sharing his thoughts on the perspectives of those from Japan…and enjoyed our explanation of Native Culture as we interpreted our take on the “Dream-catcher” we presented him with. (Gift giving is so very customary in Japan, for those who have not had such a great opportunity).

While giving my children “the Gift of Hawaii” one of the most memorable “back-country trips” revealed a world few visitors stretch themselves out to see. Lush but challenging trails through Rain Forests, Private Beaches…and secluded native communities…what an insight…what an adventure. Straying off “the beaten path” of life will always provide you with a greater understanding of the real world, the “real” people, the real struggles and the real treasures. We should always inspire our children to “venture”…beyond the typical adventure…it facilitates a growth that is aligned with this diverse planet and it’s many people’s and cultural interpretations and values.

So, in short, I have practiced in many diverse settings, hospital, home, Wellness Centres (on both sides of the border), as well as what additional settings I have taken students…home, community agencies for children, new immigrants, those living with disabilities, Long Term Care, Community Health Centres. I have trialed being a Nurse Practitioner in a Family Health Team, envisioned by Physicians. This years after being through the process from the very beginning, sending in the Proposals for funding…the rejection of Proposal for a Family Health Team that would serve the homeless, the disabled, those with children and families living with Mental Illness, those living with Hep C …rejected on the basis that it was “too Nurse Practitioner focused”. This proposal was submitted by Two Nurse Practitioners known for their orientation to Health Promotion, known for their focus as “patient-centred”…who had hand-picked the most conscientious of Physician’s and other Health Provider Partnerships. We had each worked at a local Community Health Centre…gained insight and experience with the most vulnerable of groups. A Health Assessment of Windsor Essex County, and the identification of the most vulnerable, the gaps in care…and suggested solutions, will remain as a reminder of what the issues were then (we included the border traffic issue as one of those items that are still on the radar screen…with ever growing concern and detriments to health.

As a valued member of multiple committees over the past 20 years, for the sake of those with Health issues poorly addressed, of the most vulnerable, for Windsor/Essex county, but reflective of the challenges faced by all communities. hold great insight, from multiple sources. I have been involved in my community at many levels…most will agree, Health Promotion is my strong orientation, an expert in Primary Health Care and Community Development, a role model of health living.

I have listened to many, from community members, family of patients I have taken care of in the Hospital…and from my family…the disillusionment of seeing “only one problem each visit” posted on a physician’s doors. I had watched the origin and evolution or the “Urgent Care Centre” and the Walk-in Clinic Model of care that perpetuates the “orphaned patient” assuring many of the most vulnerable are not known by the Doctor that sees them that one day…hold no record or accountability of a full and complete Medical History…and who makes a very Rapid diagnosis, with Prescription Pad in one hand and the other hand on the door nob…10 minutes being the more lengthy of “time of examination”…many stethoscopes remain around their necks…many blood tests go under-investigated or mis-communicated. There will be an entire chapter dedicated to just one experience…my time in Mexico and the multiple implications of being told by the Doctor, the first time I called “your tests are negative”…the double diagnosis being made by yet another Doctor all together…E-coli and Giardia infection…an ordeal I wish on no one. I am deeply sensitized to the vast numbers now that are acquiring C- Difficule.

It is my hope that you as the reader will see how many different “exposures” there has been to the “inside story” of Health Care, Social Service Agencies, “Charitable” Organizations, and the Educations Systems, from Junior Kindergarten, French Immersion, Montesori, “Extended- Ed” offerings through the public school, religious and other specialty schools Public and Catholic Schools, Creative Arts Schools…Community Colleges, Business Colleges,…and multiple Universities…inclusive of more than Ontario…and Michigan.

There is “industry insights” I hold as well, as one who was contracted to support “Health Care Industry” Research. I have come to terms that I have been in many environments that can or should come under more ethical scrutiny…yes in short…I am an “insider” to the Health Care, Education and Social Service sector as well as inside, ” Charitable Organization’s”…stay tuned. So much more than you can imagine…I have seen…I have lived.

Time to purge my soul, you may be thinking,

Time for us all to do some soul searching…defining the Legacy we wish to live.

Till next time, next chapter,

Opening Chapter, “Mayhem in Mexico” sneak peek…the same resort that I had gotten so very ill…was taken out by a Hurricane. Other reflections inclusive of…the death of the Canadian couple in a Mexico Resort just kilometres away from where we stayed. The Murder of Lori Dupont…the attendance of her memorial with my daughter who had just entered nursing…followed within a year of the Slaying of a Police Officer within a kilometre of where I lived. Since I reflect back…and upon these graphic disturbing “pictures” of “close to home” tragedies…in technicolour…I am sensitized to the issues of social unrest, social injustice and the disparties that do exist between genders, between nations and between generations. Who is looking out for the other…who stands on the ethic of protecting, who pays the price with their life…in the face of our changing society. Can Canada be proud and pleased of the direction we are heading? By its nature the horse reared up…by the nature of “crowded quarters” the mix of beast and spectator… a “crushing” outcome for many. More explanation of what I am referring to to come, this is to represent an expansion of the analogy…’THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.’
Be Well,

Dave
I add here today December 7th, the metaphors and story that conveys the concept…”The nature of the beast”. As I had briefly summarized one of the interesting occurrences that are included in the story of why I felt it was time to write a book…and how the opening chapter would begin, I reflect on the “real drama” of the “Horse Incident” at a Mexican Fiesta, and follow with the “real drama” at Leamington Hospital which prompted me to share with students, the “Nature of the Beast” who sharpens it’s teeth on “old bones” that otherwise should remained buried…Health Care Culture, the metaphorical beast…with “fresh bones” unearthed during the Lori Dupont Inquiry.

So the story behind the horse…it was a very large show horse that had rider and a “dancing” performance, when it was their turn in the spotlight (you have to pretend you can hear the vibrant trumpets and guitars and cassinettes). Well the horse and rider returned up the centre ailse, during the Grande Finale…and there were fireworks lining the stage and “spinning pin-wheels” of fireworks…and then to progressive ‘exploding booms’ in which startled the rose…it “rearing up” dumped the rider off, and falling side-ways as its front legs were high in the air, and neck twisted to the side from the falling rider…took the horse down…and into the crowd…crushing several in the audience under its massive weight. It was a Female Doctor, the one most hurt with fractures and possible haemorrhaging that I spent the most time and attention to,while “scattering crowds” with screams and “frantic panic’ led to more getting pushed or hurt…a total of five who needed urgent attention and could not get up on their own accord.

The “Nature of the Beast” is to startle…in the presence of such dramatic noise, even though well trained, the Beast reared up…the nature of the rider to pull back on the reins…little room to move…the nature of the fiesta…the panic and chaos…the human nature of many such tragedies.

Was this show ever done like this before, I will never know…I am quite certain, this resort would not be hosted a horse and fireworks show again.

I will scan the internet to see if I can find the “scorpion and the frog” story…that I had first heard told by Anthony Robbins…if not I will write it out.