#3 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- WONDERFUL HEALTH CARE

Thanks to Tommy Douglas a wonderful Canadian and politician who advocated and brought the whole notion of Health Care many decades ago. Canada has some of the world's best Health Care Professionals. Always room for improvement, new ideas and technology continues to help it grow everywhere across the country. Each province owns their own program with funding from the Canadian government. Looking to be fiscally responsible is the goal of all CEOs of any hospital or health care area. The tax payer holds us responsible which is a good thing. We are all tax payers! Canadians take this great perk for granted sometimes. But we all should remember as we celebrate our 150, to celebrate our wonderful Health Care System.

CANADA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS BUT NOT FOR SALE

Is a sign I would like to put on my front lawn. As I listen and watch business reports and hear of yet another billion dollar offer to buy yet another Canadian company or resource, I always wonder once done will the profits stay in Canada or go to the foreign ownership? Yes, trade between nations keeps economies flowing and workers employed, but are they our Canadian workers? Some of our Free Trade agreements work like with the United States and Mexico. We have expenses here- Health Care! Are these foreign owners taxed so the money goes back to keep Canada afloat? If our resources are profitable, why not keep them Canadian with Canadian owners? Does foreign ownership give those individuals a say in our politics and our health and social services which are in place? We are a democratic country with wonderful human rights. Do I trust other nations are the same? No! Money talks and the one with the biggest wad, often speaks the loudest! Reciprocal trade-yes! Ownership- please think before you sign the dotted line! Canada may be at stake! What do you think? Do you feel there are enough safeguards in place to protect our future? The future of our grandchildren?

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME

But the people I need to help. Many times I am asked how I can do the job I do. The emotions, the situation, the feelings. We are taught as Social Workers, Therapists to be objective. To put our feelings aside. For me, I have learnt to say this phrase in my head- it's not about me but what does this person need. It's their anger, not mine, what does it mean. By not personalizing the pain, and dealing with the pain, it allows me and other therapists to facilitate, help the person/family/situation to be given what they need, not what I need. Debriefing, talking to team members, normalizing my feelings as a caregiver help to deal with the situation after the crisis has passed. Helping others, means helping others and not projecting my feelings on a situation. I work in Health Care and it never seems to amaze me how simple it is or complex it is to be there for the other person and help them obtain what they need. I do not cry at funerals as it is about the family and allowing them to grieve. It is not about me but what I can bring to the situation to help the situation. I do shed some tears at weddings as they are happy, new beginning situations. What about you? Can you put your feelings aside to help someone? A hug! Support! It is about the other person- just be there, support, be a friend! With care, love, compassion- be human!