tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4377011905665036046.post8261253339636937824..comments2023-10-30T03:58:29.285-07:00Comments on Islands of Excellence: It's The One you FeedPat Mastorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12572742020333587763noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4377011905665036046.post-4985815293736823482010-11-21T13:45:04.158-08:002010-11-21T13:45:04.158-08:00Often our Healthcare and Legal Systems feed the wr...Often our Healthcare and Legal Systems feed the wrong wolf. I was nearing the end of a brutal deposition concerning my care when the Defense attorney asked. "Is not not true Mr. OConnell that you have described falling off the ladder as the Stupidest thing that you have ever done?" "Yes" I replied. "Then being so stupid don't you certainly deserve the subsequent injuries that befell you in our Healthcare System?" I really wanted to punch him but at a very perverse level I knew he had a point. Patients do spend a lot of time blaming themselves for medical harm, often providers are quick to reinforce these thoughts, feeding the wrong wol, building bitterness and anger.Forgiving youself may be the hardest thing we ever have to learn in life.Kerry OConnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18142035071704533240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4377011905665036046.post-47050528741122407022010-11-16T13:15:01.637-08:002010-11-16T13:15:01.637-08:00Healthcare Reform...thank you for the eloquent and...Healthcare Reform...thank you for the eloquent and profound thoughts. Did we connect in Austin? I hope you will stay in touch. Your words bring comfort, and further evidence there are gifts in hardship. Would love to know who you are. My email is pmastors@gmail.com.Pat Mastorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12572742020333587763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4377011905665036046.post-43035417502564337622010-11-16T11:02:21.803-08:002010-11-16T11:02:21.803-08:00Hi Pat, here is the article featuring Light a Cand...Hi Pat, here is the article featuring Light a Candle, and The patient Pod.<br /><br />Keep up all the hard work.<br /><br />www.examiner.com/children-s-health-in-providence/medical-errors-and-patient-safety-protecting-your-familyAimee Keenan-Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07221908787223305109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4377011905665036046.post-52365292763306728152010-11-16T09:41:03.233-08:002010-11-16T09:41:03.233-08:00"What is the truth?
The truth is that there ..."What is the truth?<br /><br />The truth is that there are no good men, or bad men. There are good deeds, and bad deeds. Men are just men – it is what they do, or refuse to do, that links them to good or evil. The truth is that an instant of real love, in the heart of anyone – the noblest man alive or the most wicked – has the whole purpose and process and meaning of life within the lotus-folds of its passion. The truth is that we are all, every one of us, every atom, every galaxy, and every particle of matter in the universe, moving toward God."<br /><br />- ShantaramAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03961274249721468704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4377011905665036046.post-15493501209493565542010-11-15T20:03:52.550-08:002010-11-15T20:03:52.550-08:00Kerry's observations are very thoughtful and w...Kerry's observations are very thoughtful and well expressed. His "Old Cherokee" story is one I have posted in front of me at work. You gotta feed the right wolf.<br /><br />He is absolutely right about forgiveness. There is usually much to be forgiven when a child dies of medical error. However, one that needs no forgiveness is God. After my son died I was livid at God because I had been taught that God controls. My anger lasted about 3 weeks until I realized that God was there all along when my son was dying. God came in the presence of many people who showed us uncommon love during the three days of my son's dying. No one wants to be where someone's child is dying, yet hundreds came from far away and shared our vigil.<br /><br />I undertook a no-nonsense reevaluation of my faith and what I had been taught. I came to understand that God does not control events as we might believe from the Christian Old Testament or the Jewish Torah. In the Gospels and letters of Paul I saw emphasis on Holy Spirit that will allow us to respond with forgiveness and love to whatever life hands us.<br /><br />Why do bad things happen to innocent people? I believe that God created this world so that there would be plenty of suffering. God knew that many of us would take more than our share of his creation and others would suffer because we refused to share. The suffering we witness is nothing more than God's invitation to pour on some love. God has never specifically caused suffering, but God knows that we need suffering as a target for our love.<br /><br />After the first night of our conference in Austin I was unsettled. After hearing the awful stories of suffering caused by healthcare, and knowing that these were a tiny fraction of the collective suffering, I was sad, so sad I could not sleep. The wolf of woe had been fed. As the conference continued the next two days I noticed that we came together as a team under the leadership of Lisa, Suzanne, and Daniela. I believe the fabric of our team is love born of our shared suffering. Together we shall make a difference and heal healthcare. You my brothers and sisters fed my wolf of forgiveness and peace. Thank you.john jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12891654671762675079noreply@blogger.com