Superhero in the smoking shelter
Our staff and patients must go outdoors in order to have a smoke and the hospital has provided two “bus shelters” for that purpose. The smokers brave the wind, rain, ice, snow, or summer heat several times a day for their nicotine fix, often getting more exercise than the average person, who may sit in the same place all day eating jelly donuts. (I don’t smoke, nor do I recommend it!..but eating badly and sitting around does a body harm too.)
Off the pulpit, and back to my story...

One of my middle aged patients had a cervical spinal cord injury 30 years ago that has left him with a spastic quadriparesis. He can walk, a stiff, awkward gait, but relies on a wheelchair much of the time. He visits the smoking shelter regularly. A couple of weeks ago, he was there with another patient who had suffered a stroke which had paralyzed his one side. They were minding their own business, when a total stranger drove up, got out of his truck and started harassing them. The verbal exchange escalated and the stranger started physically assaulting my patient. This caused the hemiplegic to move from his wheelchair to attack the perpetrator. Now there were three in the fray. My patient stood up and managed to land a well-aimed kick in the groin of the stranger…so effective that it knocked him out of commission. The police arrived and arrested the deranged man, who had no relationship to the hospital at all. He was admitted for a psychiatric evaluation and then taken to jail.

My patient has many physical problems, and struggles with chronic pain and depression. This incident gave him more of an emotional boost than any of the drugs or psychotherapy he had received. In spite of his disability, he was able to defend himself and his buddy... a quiet and reluctant hero, but nevertheless, one who was very pleased with his efforts and the outcome.

I do not watch many action movies, am not a proponent of vigilante justice, nor do I recommend fighting crazy people, even in self defense. But I do know that the average male dreams of such encounters, his primal instincts barely hidden at all.
So hats off to my disabled superhero for living out his dreams!

(Sketch of Dare Devil by The Becka)

Market-able music of the masses

We have a number of fine farmers’ markets in our area and this is the peak time of year to visit them. The Becka and I went to the largest one today. The grey, muggy atmosphere and drizzle was brightened by colourful displays of mums, pumpkins, apples, other seasonal offerings, and of course, all those people! In previous posts, I have mentioned the “music idol” phenomenon and also the diversity of musical genres available that make group participation in music increasingly difficult.
Street musicians market their melodies all over the world with portable instruments and spontaneous, reproducible tunes. Canada has a large cultural diversity that can be described as a mosaic rather than a melting pot. These three musicians were at the market today, and each of them entertained the locals and tourists with well played, international music. The young woman with the violin was accompanied by her father on a guitar. She had a sign by her violin case saying that all donations received were for an AIDS clinic in Africa. Her Celtic jigs and light classical offerings inspired some to dance and clap as they walked by. The handsome piper had many admirers including this pair of Scottie dogs who visited with their master during a break in the music. The Scottish heritage in several surrounding communities is fiercely protected and Highland festivals attract large, enthusiastic crowds.
Finally, this recent immigrant played his Andean bamboo antara pan flute and had a table with handmade crafts from his native Equador.
Folk music is music by and of the common people. It emerges spontaneously in tunes and rhythms that identify times and cultures.

On the way home, we heard more street music…that heavy thump of amplified sound from sporty cars usually driven by young men...another form of portable, personal musical expression!

(click on photos to enlarge)

A list of some accomplishments this year…

Jaspenelle tagged me, so I shall be a good sport. I stopped making New Year’s resolutions a long time ago, and try to set myself small goals at frequent intervals instead. In middle age, it is easy to fall into a routine and stop learning new things. It really does get harder to accept change as you get older. But,
“It is necessary to try to surpass one's self always; this occupation ought to last as long as life.”

I have visited places this year that I had never seen before including some parts of northern Mexico and Manitoulin Island

I have worked to keep healthy with exercise, good eating habits and stress management

I love my job and look forward to work every day. It is so rewarding to help people gain strength and independence.

I have also learned two new computer charting and statistics systems at work since March (without too much complaining)

I can now understand some HTML codes

Blogging has given me a creative outlet for all the ideas and experiences I was going to write in a book (when I retired). It has allowed me to interact in a new way with family and new friends.

I read the manual for my digital camera! (my photos are getting better…surprise!)

I worry far less about what people think of me and have way more confidence than when I was half my age (why did that take so long??)

I rode a motorcycle

{I think my next list should be some goals that I want to achieve in the next year...a good exercise...thanks Jaspenelle}

dementia unit

locked doors
keep the wanderer safe.
small windows
restrict the outside view.
pace the floor
trying to escape.

can’t remember
place or time or date.
language gone,
how can you know my needs?
family visits,
i don’t recall their names.

hug me,
smile and talk and sing.
hold my hand,
please let me feel the sun.
love me.
remember who I’ve been.

this sweet lady was so sad today... our staff tried to comfort and cheer her.... i wonder what the world looks like to bubba... world alzheimer's day sept 21, 2006

Spiritual Identity

This Real Age tip came to my mailbox...
Taking time to nurture your spirit may be a path to better health, according to some researchers. But what does it mean to be spiritual? The truth is, it's not about what you do, but how you feel. Any activity that gives you hope and strength, adds meaning to your life, and comforts you could be considered a spiritual endeavor. And the positive impact that spiritual practices have on physical health is just one more example of the powerful mind-body-spirit connection…
Nurture your spiritual health, and the feel-good glow that results might light up your physical health as well. Meditating, spending time appreciating nature, attending religious services, and working with charities are just a few of the ways people care for their inner selves. And those who do so tend to be happier with their physical health than nonspiritual people are. So do what you can to nurture your spirit and find meaning in life . . . you'll feel better, inside and out.
Religion, spirituality, and health status in geriatric outpatients. Daaleman, T. P., Perera, S., Studenski, S. A., Annals of Family Medicine 2004 Jan-Feb;2(1):49-53.

My spirituality is important to me and if it is not nurtured, I feel out of balance.
In my reading, I have noticed there is a tendency for some people to “bash” Christians, painting them all with the same brush. In every era, Christianity has been an abusive tool for some, who have used it as an excuse for political empire building, for murder and war. Religious hypocrisy is abhorrent, and religious power, Christian or otherwise, can be used to inspire fear in order to control groups of people.

Jesus was a very popular individual during his time on earth.
He was loved by the masses,
hated by the religious establishment.
A life patterned after Jesus’ example is not offensive.
He mingled with all groups,
showed love and compassion to rich and poor,
sinner and self-righteous,
the sick, strangers and foreigners,
those marginalized by society.
He valued women and children and ministered to their needs.
He did not have a political agenda on earth,
signed no petitions against the Romans,
did not seek fame or power.

There are many true Christians in the world who have sacrificed time, money, ambition, and even their lives in order to reach out to others. “Jesus loves me” is not their focus, but rather, “I will love you, because Jesus loves me”.

Elizabeth Sloan

I am a Christian. Because of my faith, I will strive to respect and befriend others, even those different than myself. This may mean showing kindness to my enemies, caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and using my resources wisely. At my workplace my patients and coworkers should be recipients of my love and compassion. I should not expect recognition or reward for my deeds. There are days when I will fail to demonstrate my desired behaviour, but I will persevere in my efforts to be Christ-like.
I am not your judge. I want to be your friend.
1 Corinthians 13

Celebration of the Equinoxes

I re-read one of my childhood books this week, one that I received as a child in South Africa. Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories provided imaginative explanations for things that were part of my world. I read this book to my children when they were small and their absolute favourite short story was The Elephant’s Child. It was read so often that my youngest daughter could repeat it perfectly from memory at the age of four. Her preschool teacher was so impressed that she videotaped her doing so. The poetic rhythm, repetition, and clever alliterations that are used to describe the life of the little elephant who was full of “’satiable curiosity”, made the story a treat for the ear.

Each time the phrase “great grey-green greasy Limpopo River all set about with fever trees” was read, the girls would break out in giggles of laughter. Every equinox I remember that the Elephant’s Child's adventure starts in the middle of the precession of Equinoxes and continues when “there is nothing left of the Equinoxes, because the Precession had preceded according to precedent.”
Follow the links provided to read this story as well as others in the book. The site even provides the original illustrations by the author that are included in my book.

Happy Equinox!

(2006-09-23 04:03)

Chocolate Trade OffEvery day I stand here on the first floor of the hospital and make the decision whether to take the elevator or the stairs to my 4th floor office. I do not participate in organized sports or belong to a gym so my fitness regime is something I fit into my day. I take the stairs, walk during lunch hour, take the dog out in the evening, and do exercise videos at home. My patients are my inspiration as so many of them are suffering from lifestyle related illnesses. I am constantly reminded of how inactivity, poor eating habits, smoking, and stress can impair the body’s ability to perform the way it should.

My other motivation for taking the stairs is that it allows me to have a guilt free treat, usually something chocolaty. I found this Robin Hood recipe recently in our local newspaper and the chocolate and ginger combination is a winner. I modified it slightly with the changes in parentheses.

GINGER CHIP MUFFINS
1 egg
300 ml (1 1/4 cups) regular evaporated milk (plain soy milk)
75 ml (1/3 cup) vegetable or canola oil
75 ml (1/3 cup) liquid honey (maple syrup)
15 ml (1 tablespoon) grated orange zest (omitted)
625 ml (2 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour (half whole wheat)
15 ml (1 tablespoon) baking powder
2 ml (1/2 teaspoon) salt
5 ml (1 teaspoon) ground ginger (didn't have any)
375 ml (1 1/2 cups) chocolate chips (dark chocolate)
50 ml (1/4 cup) chopped crystallized ginger
Topping (did not do topping, but it would be good)
50 ml (1/4 cup) finely chopped crystallized ginger
45 ml (3 tablespoons) granulated sugar
Preheat oven to 180 C (375 F). Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line with paper liners.
In a large bowl, beat together egg, evaporated milk, oil, honey and zest.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and ground ginger. Add to liquid ingredients, stirring just to moisten. Stir in chips and 50 ml (one-quarter cup) chopped ginger. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
For topping: Combine ginger and sugar. Sprinkle over top of muffins.
Bake in centre of preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Makes 12 large muffins.

Niagara Tree Climbers

This is the end of a week of vacation from work, a week that has been interesting and restful. Our final day trip was to Niagara-on-the-lake, one of the prettiest towns in Ontario. On a clear day you can look across the lake and see the CN Tower and Toronto skyline. Today was a cloudy, misty day with a surreal atmosphere. The orchards and vineyards were loaded with ripe fruit and many people were involved in harvesting the crops. We drove up the Niagara Parkway to Queenston Heights. This is the other end of the same escarpment we climbed earlier in the week. The Niagara River was grey and misty as it emptied into Lake Ontario. The flowers at the Brock monument were vivid in comparison. I was surprised to come across a pair of sisters climbing a cedar tree with strong and well positioned branches. They were delighted to pose for a photo. It is a long time since I have seen children in a tree! So I was inspired to write a little triolet…

Descending from the tree above
Hear laughter of two titian nymphs.
Their view is shared by squirrel and dove
Descending from the tree above.
Grow strong and brave and free to love
Climb to the highest bough, triumph!
Descending from the tree above
Hear laughter of two titian nymphs.