Free medical care is an oxymoron. There is no such thing. Publically funded? Most definitely. Funding for the most recent and proven better treatment methods? Absolutely not.
I am not sure why we Canadians constantly say our medical system is free. Oh, sure, we don't have to pay out-of-pocket to see our family doctor. Or make frustrating insurance claims. Yet, medical care is anything but free. A portion of our taxes fund this system. Some provinces pay a small portion each month to their provincial health care. Not to mention certain medical treatments are not covered "free", but, rather, patients in dire need are charged exorbitant amounts to get well -- or perhaps stay well. Don't forget the amounts we pay for employer insurance, and the difference not covered by this insurance.
As a parent of a Type 1 Diabetic child, one such example is an insulin pump, averaging $7000. This price does not include the $600 for monthly supplies, such as: infusion sets, reservoirs, insulin, and meter strips required to maintain my child's health -- thank goodness for employer benefits! Many provinces do not fund the cost of an insulin pump that significantly lowers several long-term side effects of Type 1 diabetes. Not to mention, greatly improves the quality of life for a child with this chronic disease.
Why isn't our medical system providing the lastest and greatest treatments to those who need it? Why must children suffer through multiple injections per day, simply to stay alive? Why must cancer victims beggar themselves to receive the best treatment possible to send their disease into remision? Why are medical treatments and supplies so ridiculously expensive? Why must those in need involve the media to obtain expensive treatments before the government or drug companies will help? Why do we give these same treatments to people in our country on refugee statuses for nothing?
This is wrong. If there is a better treatment, one should not have to sink into abject poverty to receive it. Or never know the freedom an insulin pump can give their child because of lack of money. No doubt if Steven Harper's child suffered from Type 1 Diabetes, he'd see to it every child at least had the choice for an insulin pump. He'd ensure every diabetes clinic - large or small - had an A1C collection system that required a simple finger "poke". I doubt he'd want to watch his child tense with anxiety, tears running freely, during blood work, if there was an easier way.
Why, then, do we Average Joes, allow this to continue? Whether we like it or not, our medical system is very much two-tiered. It's time that changed. We deserve better.
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Public Safety
In the wake of extreme tragedy in Newton, CT, it is quite difficult to watch the news. Not for the grief that paralyzes us from such senseless loss, but, rather, the gross misdirection of the main issue. Public safety, most often spouted in the guise of gun control.
Gun control is merely a band aid. It prevents nothing, but soothes the minds of the public. After all, guns do not fire themselves. A law cannot protect a country's citizens from a person intending to do harm. Illegal weapons seem to be easily acquired, despite well-meaning laws.
I believe we need better measures taken against criminals. More laws to protect the innocent. Punishment that suits the crime committed, not just a few years in a cushy jail cell where society educates them in the name of rehabilitation. Real consequences. Society should instill a little good, old-fashioned fear of consequences into its citizens.
Why do we as a society glorify the criminal? The media is the worst culprit of this. They speak incessantly of the young man who committed this travesty, but little of the school's principal who attempted to defend her school - barehanded - against a madman. Why aren't we hearing about what an amazing woman she was? About her ultimate sacrifice? What of the other school staff members who gave their lives trying to save the children? I want to hear about their lives. I want to see them held on the media's pedestal. What of the childrens' families? They have made a terrible sacrifice to society. My heart breaks for these families, completely devastated by one random act of violence.
We must stop glorifying evil. Stop the infamy of Jesse James, Bonny and Clyde, the culprit in the Columbine shootings, and this young man. We keep evil alive by allowing the media to dictate these details. We will never understand - or know - the reason for this insanity. We serve to promote more of this behaviour by giving it our attention.
I applaud the adults who lost their lives trying to save these children. I applaud the families who now have such a heavy burden to bear. All of you are true heroes.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Bullying
Outrageous bullying has, unfortunately, become an enormous part of society. Fingers are constantly pointed with no viable solutions to this growing problem among our children. I believe it is a combination of all three of the constants among our children: parents, schools, and society. Let's start with society's role in this fiasco, as I believe this is where the problem begins.
It began with the human rights movement. This movement gave the human race rights it had not had before: freedom of actions, told us how to conduct our personal disciplinary beliefs, that we are all invaluable. While all of the above was a step in the right direction, society forgot to say what is inappropriate with the gaining of these rights, such as cruelty, lack of discipline and respect.
Society took parents' right to discipline their children away, which led to a total lack of respect and no self-worth among our children. Without discipline, children no longer feel loved or guided. They feel insecure and this leads to random acts of cruelty toward others in an attempt to gain the love and discipline they need.
There is also the need for a two income home these days. A state also created by society's constant competitiveness for "bigger and better", driving the cost of living skyward. This takes one parent away who used to oversee the children's behaviour and correct it immediately, rather than hours, days or weeks later.
Next is the parents' refusal to believe their child is capable of such inhumane, awful behaviour. You can only help your child if you are willing to acknowledge the wrongness of their actions. This is a huge problem as no parent wants to accept their child may be on the cruelty fast-track, rather than the kind, loving baby the child used to be. Each and every parent has been guilty of this at some point.
Last, but certainly not least, is the responsibility of teachers and the school system. It is pitiful, indeed, when teachers stand by idly while a group of children is cruel to one. How can you possibly call yourself an "educator" when you stand by and allow the abject cruelty to continue while doing nothing? I know many wonderful educators who willingly go the extra mile, but we have all heard stories on the news of those who do not.
Years ago, my step-son was being roughed up during a no-contact game at recess. Finally, he swore at the boy who was playing rough. The teacher standing by -- who had watched the entire altercation -- hauled him to the office and called my husband. Once the story became clear, with the teacher admitting honestly to her lack of action until inappropriate language was used, my step-son was released and the other child disciplined for his despicable behaviour. Hopefully, it was a lesson she learned well enough never to repeat. Thankfully, the issue ended there. Many times, it does not.
So what is the solution to ending the reign of bullies? Simple. Consequences that fit their crime. Support from society. Support from parents. Support from schools. This cruelty must end before countless children are forever scarred.
It began with the human rights movement. This movement gave the human race rights it had not had before: freedom of actions, told us how to conduct our personal disciplinary beliefs, that we are all invaluable. While all of the above was a step in the right direction, society forgot to say what is inappropriate with the gaining of these rights, such as cruelty, lack of discipline and respect.
Society took parents' right to discipline their children away, which led to a total lack of respect and no self-worth among our children. Without discipline, children no longer feel loved or guided. They feel insecure and this leads to random acts of cruelty toward others in an attempt to gain the love and discipline they need.
There is also the need for a two income home these days. A state also created by society's constant competitiveness for "bigger and better", driving the cost of living skyward. This takes one parent away who used to oversee the children's behaviour and correct it immediately, rather than hours, days or weeks later.
Next is the parents' refusal to believe their child is capable of such inhumane, awful behaviour. You can only help your child if you are willing to acknowledge the wrongness of their actions. This is a huge problem as no parent wants to accept their child may be on the cruelty fast-track, rather than the kind, loving baby the child used to be. Each and every parent has been guilty of this at some point.
Last, but certainly not least, is the responsibility of teachers and the school system. It is pitiful, indeed, when teachers stand by idly while a group of children is cruel to one. How can you possibly call yourself an "educator" when you stand by and allow the abject cruelty to continue while doing nothing? I know many wonderful educators who willingly go the extra mile, but we have all heard stories on the news of those who do not.
Years ago, my step-son was being roughed up during a no-contact game at recess. Finally, he swore at the boy who was playing rough. The teacher standing by -- who had watched the entire altercation -- hauled him to the office and called my husband. Once the story became clear, with the teacher admitting honestly to her lack of action until inappropriate language was used, my step-son was released and the other child disciplined for his despicable behaviour. Hopefully, it was a lesson she learned well enough never to repeat. Thankfully, the issue ended there. Many times, it does not.
So what is the solution to ending the reign of bullies? Simple. Consequences that fit their crime. Support from society. Support from parents. Support from schools. This cruelty must end before countless children are forever scarred.
Friday, 28 September 2012
Re-Visiting Painful Emotions
This week our friends' little one was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Since it is not my place to tell their story, I will continue with mine.
This horrible news sent me back to my own daughter's diagnosis a year and a half ago. My heart shattered that day. While it has mended, there is a great deal of scar tissue. I hope the scars get tougher with time. A piece of my heart cracked off for my friends' little one. I have spent twenty-four hours putting it back in place, choking back tears and a huge lump in my throat. This is a life-long journey, and it is not an easy one. Only another parent who has walked a mile in T1D shoes can truly understand the grief, anger, and the acceptance that comes with time.
Does it ever get easier? Yes, but at the same time, a very loud, resounding no. Management gets easier with gained knowledge and experience. Emotions become less raw. What never seems to get easier is knowing I could lose my child to this disease. Even if we are very careful and do our best to control it, one wrong step could turn into a nightmare.
Back then, words meant to soothe, full of others' beliefs didn't anger me the way they do now. Don't tell me it was god's will (or not) that my child has a life long disease. Or my absolute fav -- god only gives you what you can handle. Well, then. I have a few choice words for god. None of which are fit to put on here. I don't want my baby to "handle" this for the rest of her life. How do you even know there is a god? And if he is so kind and caring, why is it his will to hurt little children? Yet another un-ending argument...
Be careful with your words to a parent grieving over a child's disease. At first, it was easier not to acknowledge or talk about it, especially in the initial coping stages. There is nothing worse than crying in public - at least for me.
Now, ask me what you want. I'm happy to share my knowledge, and, with some, the emotional journey this disease has sent us on. A cure needs to be found so no else has to suffer needlessly.
This horrible news sent me back to my own daughter's diagnosis a year and a half ago. My heart shattered that day. While it has mended, there is a great deal of scar tissue. I hope the scars get tougher with time. A piece of my heart cracked off for my friends' little one. I have spent twenty-four hours putting it back in place, choking back tears and a huge lump in my throat. This is a life-long journey, and it is not an easy one. Only another parent who has walked a mile in T1D shoes can truly understand the grief, anger, and the acceptance that comes with time.
Does it ever get easier? Yes, but at the same time, a very loud, resounding no. Management gets easier with gained knowledge and experience. Emotions become less raw. What never seems to get easier is knowing I could lose my child to this disease. Even if we are very careful and do our best to control it, one wrong step could turn into a nightmare.
Back then, words meant to soothe, full of others' beliefs didn't anger me the way they do now. Don't tell me it was god's will (or not) that my child has a life long disease. Or my absolute fav -- god only gives you what you can handle. Well, then. I have a few choice words for god. None of which are fit to put on here. I don't want my baby to "handle" this for the rest of her life. How do you even know there is a god? And if he is so kind and caring, why is it his will to hurt little children? Yet another un-ending argument...
Be careful with your words to a parent grieving over a child's disease. At first, it was easier not to acknowledge or talk about it, especially in the initial coping stages. There is nothing worse than crying in public - at least for me.
Now, ask me what you want. I'm happy to share my knowledge, and, with some, the emotional journey this disease has sent us on. A cure needs to be found so no else has to suffer needlessly.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Clouds of Negativity
It is really disappointing to return to a city, only to discover the same clouds of negativity choking the life out of what could be a wonderful place to live. Attitudes define you. They define your community. The City of Grande Prairie is drowning in unhappiness and rotten attitudes. With everyone's help, we can change this.
I recently lived in another province. It, too has many issues, as does every place one might choose to live. However, there were a few life lessons I learned there:
a) Slow down and enjoy life.
b) Do your best to be kind.
c) Don't sweat the small stuff.
d) And, last but not least, public castigation for someone's mistakes is completely unnecessary.
Why would I want to address such a topic? Reading local newspaper articles with name-calling in the public comments section. Comments full of castigation for someone's mistake (as if they don't feel bad enough already). A person in a position to change the value of these contents doesn't believe one person calling another "stupid" is vulgar. Really???
A link that allows pictures to be posted of people who park too close to a line or take two spots. Yet another has a picture of a young girl stating she is ugly when she clearly has a medical condition causing her appearance.
Public forums and media have a responsibility to moderate, delete and -- if needed -- legally charge people for their verbal cruelty. There is no difference between these hurtful words and pictures than a schoolyard bully's actions or words.
Change is imperative. I choose to be happy, kind, and to report inappropriate comments on public forums. Just because your screen name gives you anonymity, does not give you the right to be cruel. If I have to walk an extra three feet because someone parks weird, oh well.
A little kindness goes a long way. State your opinion -- with dignity and respect. Put yourself in that person's shoes before you castigate them. Opinions and debates mean nothing if they are a mud-slinging match.
I recently lived in another province. It, too has many issues, as does every place one might choose to live. However, there were a few life lessons I learned there:
a) Slow down and enjoy life.
b) Do your best to be kind.
c) Don't sweat the small stuff.
d) And, last but not least, public castigation for someone's mistakes is completely unnecessary.
Why would I want to address such a topic? Reading local newspaper articles with name-calling in the public comments section. Comments full of castigation for someone's mistake (as if they don't feel bad enough already). A person in a position to change the value of these contents doesn't believe one person calling another "stupid" is vulgar. Really???
A link that allows pictures to be posted of people who park too close to a line or take two spots. Yet another has a picture of a young girl stating she is ugly when she clearly has a medical condition causing her appearance.
Public forums and media have a responsibility to moderate, delete and -- if needed -- legally charge people for their verbal cruelty. There is no difference between these hurtful words and pictures than a schoolyard bully's actions or words.
Change is imperative. I choose to be happy, kind, and to report inappropriate comments on public forums. Just because your screen name gives you anonymity, does not give you the right to be cruel. If I have to walk an extra three feet because someone parks weird, oh well.
A little kindness goes a long way. State your opinion -- with dignity and respect. Put yourself in that person's shoes before you castigate them. Opinions and debates mean nothing if they are a mud-slinging match.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
War on Drugs
As I watched a documentary yesterday about drug-abusers, it angered and sickened me. In today's society, we have enabled an illegal habit by providing free syringes and a "safe" place to administer these illegal substances. Yes, I understand the concept is to prevent communicable disease.
Why does this anger me so much? Simple. Addicts have choices -- just like the rest of the free-thinking world. If you choose to take illegal drugs, then accept the consequences of sitting in a dirty back-alley with rats for company -- or worse -- when you "shoot up".
Why does the government provide syringes to addicts but not the citizens of this country with injection-required diseases -- such as diabetes?
As the parent of a child with diabetes, I am well aware of the cost of syringes, needle tips for insulin pens, and infusion sets for insulin pumps. The government certainly does not give us any supplies so my child can LIVE. She has no choice but to accept the consequences of this disease. She cannot choose to quit taking her insulin. If she did, she would die. Not withdraw. Die.
An addict can choose to stop. They also choose to continue this self-destructive habit. Why help them? The only help they should receive is a one-way ticket to rehabilitation, each and every time they are caught in possession of illegal drugs. There should be no court date required.
Ditto for the traffickers. No court trial. No jury. Just a judge sending them directly to prison. Most are caught red-handed. What more proof do you need? If you are a trafficker, not born in Canada, you go back to your motherland. Done deal. Do not pass go; do not collect $200.
The government does not support the war on drugs when it supplies syringes and "safe" places for addicts to practice their self-destruction. It enables them.
Stop enabling addicts and start spending money on those with real, medical diseases. Start providing the most up-to-date treatments for those who need them but cannot afford them.
Enough already. Quit dancing around the topic and deal with it.
Why does this anger me so much? Simple. Addicts have choices -- just like the rest of the free-thinking world. If you choose to take illegal drugs, then accept the consequences of sitting in a dirty back-alley with rats for company -- or worse -- when you "shoot up".
Why does the government provide syringes to addicts but not the citizens of this country with injection-required diseases -- such as diabetes?
As the parent of a child with diabetes, I am well aware of the cost of syringes, needle tips for insulin pens, and infusion sets for insulin pumps. The government certainly does not give us any supplies so my child can LIVE. She has no choice but to accept the consequences of this disease. She cannot choose to quit taking her insulin. If she did, she would die. Not withdraw. Die.
An addict can choose to stop. They also choose to continue this self-destructive habit. Why help them? The only help they should receive is a one-way ticket to rehabilitation, each and every time they are caught in possession of illegal drugs. There should be no court date required.
Ditto for the traffickers. No court trial. No jury. Just a judge sending them directly to prison. Most are caught red-handed. What more proof do you need? If you are a trafficker, not born in Canada, you go back to your motherland. Done deal. Do not pass go; do not collect $200.
The government does not support the war on drugs when it supplies syringes and "safe" places for addicts to practice their self-destruction. It enables them.
Stop enabling addicts and start spending money on those with real, medical diseases. Start providing the most up-to-date treatments for those who need them but cannot afford them.
Enough already. Quit dancing around the topic and deal with it.
Monday, 25 June 2012
Politically Correct??
Why have we, as a society, become so concerned about political correctness that our country's traditions are being swept under the carpet? Why are we expected to cater to immigrants' beliefs, while ours are pushed aside or buried? Why do we allow this? Yes, we have become a multi-cultural society with a huge variety of religions, but I don't see why we should have to change the traditions we grew up with simply to please those who did not. When you immigrate to a new country, aren't you supposed to embrace the country's traditions and begin anew?
Now, I'll tell you what got me thinking about this subject. A school, which both my daughters attended, had to send a petition to parents to keep the Lord's prayer recital, after singing the national athem, each morning. Canada is a country founded in Christianity, and the Lord's prayer has been recited in schools for many generations. Why must we give up a good, solid tradition simply because it offends someone's opposing faith or perhaps atheism? People need something to believe in.
Why did Canadians allow Seiks to wear their turbans rather than the traditional RCMP hat back in the '80's? I don't think it is racism (which, by the way, I believe governments create) to ask someone to honor our traditional uniform. It is not progress. It is erosion.
Yet another politically correct conversion is "Happy Holidays", instead of "Merry Christmas". Why? Since you are living in Canada, I assume you are Canadian; therefore, "Merry Christmas" should be okay rather than offensive. Even Christmas is not what it used to be. It has become a commercial farce, geared to spend, spend, spend. Christmas used to be about kindness and love.
Change is a good thing. Moving forward is a good thing. The slow erosion of this country's values are not.
Now, I'll tell you what got me thinking about this subject. A school, which both my daughters attended, had to send a petition to parents to keep the Lord's prayer recital, after singing the national athem, each morning. Canada is a country founded in Christianity, and the Lord's prayer has been recited in schools for many generations. Why must we give up a good, solid tradition simply because it offends someone's opposing faith or perhaps atheism? People need something to believe in.
Why did Canadians allow Seiks to wear their turbans rather than the traditional RCMP hat back in the '80's? I don't think it is racism (which, by the way, I believe governments create) to ask someone to honor our traditional uniform. It is not progress. It is erosion.
Yet another politically correct conversion is "Happy Holidays", instead of "Merry Christmas". Why? Since you are living in Canada, I assume you are Canadian; therefore, "Merry Christmas" should be okay rather than offensive. Even Christmas is not what it used to be. It has become a commercial farce, geared to spend, spend, spend. Christmas used to be about kindness and love.
Change is a good thing. Moving forward is a good thing. The slow erosion of this country's values are not.
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