The Map

My boys, like many others have those fabulous wipe-off place mats to contain all their stickiness and spills.  This morning, like many other mornings, my 8 yr old son, Owen, was examining his "World Map" in its laminated form.  He also directed his attention to the CBC news that is typically on while I settle into coffee and some form of consciousness.

Owen's nickname is "Little Lisa," he questions, he examines, he strives for truth and justice - and we normally argue - a lot.  He was focused on the part of the world that he only knows about via news reports - Middle East and Africa.  He wanted to know where the fighting was the most severe and what places were OK.  I told him that in most of those places, women did not have rights and that even in Saudi Arabia they are not allowed to drive a car.

He thought that was ridiculous.  

I also told him that some people think that if women had equal rights all over this world;  our wars, our poverty, our hate, would be diminished.  He agreed.

So the power of the plastic place mat - if change is to happen, it has to be taught and nurtured.
peace & love all, vagi xo

How's the Patient? Have we forgotten...?

This is an open statement to the media, to health-care practitioners and to the public at large concerning the lack of care and understanding in our medical system.  I believe, that we as Canadians have become so complacent with inadequate care, that we have ceased to question and merely accept the bad service.  

I have a young son with Autism, who does not currently have a primary care physician.  A “bonus”, when we moved back to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in December of 2006, due to his level of care, was  a nurse practitioner until age five,from the Infant and Child Program at Algoma Public Health.  It apparently ceased at five, because after five, you don’t need medical care.  

Aidan, recently developed a cavity problem and needs a tooth extraction.  We have dental coverage, he regularly visits his dentist and a referral was made to a dental surgeon.  We all agreed that the procedure should be done at the hospital and under anesthesia.  The process began, and one critical component is a physical examination and health questionnaire.  That presented a bit of a problem, he does not have a doctor, but I was confident that I could get assistance from someone to have this done quickly and efficiently.  

After a morning of phone calls, I am recommended to call the Superior Family Health Team.  Aidan does not do well with “walk-in’s” he needs preparation and needs predictable situations, especially in a medical environment.  I search our new 211 service and the information sheet for the Superior Health Team reads:
Eligibility:
“Must be an enrolled patient or an orphan patient seeking specialty appointments”

I call the appointment line and leave a message and my call is returned the same day.  I explain that my ten year old son has Autism and an infected cavity that must be extracted and requires a medical exam and questionnaire and further explain that a walk-in would not work for us.  She listens and says she will call me back.  About five minutes later my phone rings and the answer is no.  I am actually speechless, my shock and anger boiling, but I know that I should not “shoot” the messenger; not her decision, and not my style. The polite receptionist says we are welcome at the walk-in. I think Autism merits their advertised “specialty appointment.”

I  move on to the new Nurse Practitioner Clinic - and while he can get an appointment.  He has to do an intake appointment first, then schedule the physical.  So we are looking at about mid March before anything gets done.  

In all of this not one person has asked, “How is Aidan?”  Is he is pain, is the tooth causing him discomfort? What can we do?  I receive  better service at the deli counter, at least they ask how I want my meat sliced.