18 June 2014
16 May 2014
Eye-opening
Yesterday I had my first experience at getting a real good glimpse of some of the conditions of the First Nations reserves, especially in these remote settings. Yesterday morning I embarked on a two-hour boat ride with my attending physician to do a clinic at one of the smaller, even more remote villages than where I am already stationed. They only have a nursing station there full-time, and he's the only visiting physician at the moment.
Their health centre there is impressive; it looks like it was built within the last decade and is still in rather good shape. My clinic had its interesting variation - MRSA impetigo, uncontrolled diabetes, an incision + drainage, etc.... but it was the home visits that made the most lasting impression on me.
Without going into too many details, I saw some of the worst conditions of poverty that I can remember in my life time. I'd like to think I've had my fair share of exposure to seeing people live in dismal conditions given my mother is from the Philippines, and ensuring I witness the realities of living conditions there from a young age, and the summer I spent in rural Tanzania a few years ago. But some of the conditions I saw yesterday... I couldn't remember the last time I saw some situations that hopeless. One particular household, I don't think I'll ever forget. Everything from the condition of this prominent non-mobile elder who we were treating, to the condition in which he and his family lived was not something you could make up. It was a confusing feeling too. They were not a conventional obvious lack of food, clothing or basic needs like you see in those World Vision ads. This household seemed to have these necessities; but its upkeep was non-existent. Clutter was scattered everywhere from old discarded electronics to food crumbs. There was food out, which had clearly been out for weeks given that it was covered in mold. Our patient only seemed to have his home-care nurse looking after him judging by the dry urine and flaking skin around him. Earlier that week, apparently a dog had to be removed from the property due to being severe malnourished. I spent that morning on a two-hour ride on a 17-foot boat in choppy waters after eating a gigantic egg and cheese sandwich, and it was after that home visit that I felt the most ill that day.
It's not a feeling of pity I took away from the home visits. While I did feel sorrow and sadness for these families, it was more than that. I felt embarrassed that these living situations occur regularly on these First Nations reserves within our country on which we pride ourselves on our strong social infrastructure, and that while we call ourselves a "first world nation", these pockets all over the country are clearly no better than developing nations.
I can't attach blame to these feelings though, or offer insight into what I've seen. My time here is also shedding even more light to me on the layers of complexity of the relationships between the government, First Nations people and other citizens of this country. Many fractures exist. In many ways I have seen the friendliness, openness and beauty of these First Nations villages and its people, but I have also learned more about the politics, tensions, dynamics and bureaucracy that exist at many levels. Some people dedicate their lives to these aforementioned areas.
There's still so much to learn.
Their health centre there is impressive; it looks like it was built within the last decade and is still in rather good shape. My clinic had its interesting variation - MRSA impetigo, uncontrolled diabetes, an incision + drainage, etc.... but it was the home visits that made the most lasting impression on me.
Without going into too many details, I saw some of the worst conditions of poverty that I can remember in my life time. I'd like to think I've had my fair share of exposure to seeing people live in dismal conditions given my mother is from the Philippines, and ensuring I witness the realities of living conditions there from a young age, and the summer I spent in rural Tanzania a few years ago. But some of the conditions I saw yesterday... I couldn't remember the last time I saw some situations that hopeless. One particular household, I don't think I'll ever forget. Everything from the condition of this prominent non-mobile elder who we were treating, to the condition in which he and his family lived was not something you could make up. It was a confusing feeling too. They were not a conventional obvious lack of food, clothing or basic needs like you see in those World Vision ads. This household seemed to have these necessities; but its upkeep was non-existent. Clutter was scattered everywhere from old discarded electronics to food crumbs. There was food out, which had clearly been out for weeks given that it was covered in mold. Our patient only seemed to have his home-care nurse looking after him judging by the dry urine and flaking skin around him. Earlier that week, apparently a dog had to be removed from the property due to being severe malnourished. I spent that morning on a two-hour ride on a 17-foot boat in choppy waters after eating a gigantic egg and cheese sandwich, and it was after that home visit that I felt the most ill that day.
It's not a feeling of pity I took away from the home visits. While I did feel sorrow and sadness for these families, it was more than that. I felt embarrassed that these living situations occur regularly on these First Nations reserves within our country on which we pride ourselves on our strong social infrastructure, and that while we call ourselves a "first world nation", these pockets all over the country are clearly no better than developing nations.
I can't attach blame to these feelings though, or offer insight into what I've seen. My time here is also shedding even more light to me on the layers of complexity of the relationships between the government, First Nations people and other citizens of this country. Many fractures exist. In many ways I have seen the friendliness, openness and beauty of these First Nations villages and its people, but I have also learned more about the politics, tensions, dynamics and bureaucracy that exist at many levels. Some people dedicate their lives to these aforementioned areas.
There's still so much to learn.
12 May 2014
Remote BC
Just finishing up my first week in a super rural remote First Nations village, Bella Bella, along the pacific coast of British Columbia. It's on a small island that actually faces east towards the mainland of BC but between the two land masses is a pristine ocean channel through which fishing boats, whales, kayaks and the occasional ship traverse.
The town's most prominent guests are its ravens, crows and bald eagles. On any given day, I can count a handful of any of the above either soaring high in the air, perched on a tall post or tall tree branch or flying low above the rooftops. I've never seen this many bald eagles in my life. On Sunday, when I think some fishing boats came in, I saw at least four bald eagles circling above. They're basically the pigeons of this town. Haha.
A pleasant custom I learned on arrival is you wave or greet anyone with whom you cross on the road. It doesn't matter if you're driving a vehicle or going a walk, a friendly wave is the norm, regardless of familiarity. It adds an extra element of openness and courtesy. Anonymity is not likely around here.
The band store is where people get any sort of groceries. It's not cheap to import anything so while I was looking to maybe have a half pint of blueberries today, I'm also not keen on paying $6 for it. It hurts paying $6 for a 1 L bottle of milk too. Unfortunately, the cheapest things in the store are canned or preserved meals, candies, sodas and junk food. Good luck making an affordable salad or snacking on fresh fruits for very long. Trying to bake an apple crisp would probably set somebody back at least $20 on the apples alone.
The people here are pleasant and actively interested in who you are, which makes the transition easier. They want to know your name and where you're from. It's been a week and I've stuffed myself full from two gracious dinner invitations.
I've spent an afternoon kayaking on the calm waters, watching the soaring birds of prey look like circling specs over certain areas of forests. You gotta wonder what kind of prey they're stalking. I'd love to catch one of them in the act of swooping down to catch a mouse or fish.
On a run, looking west of the town are rolling hills of coniferous trees as far as I could see. Of course, the rolling hills meant my pace was getting destroyed on that run, haha.
I hope to check out some hiking trails this week if the weather clears up, and of course more kayaking. What I would give to see a whale while I'm on the water...
The town's most prominent guests are its ravens, crows and bald eagles. On any given day, I can count a handful of any of the above either soaring high in the air, perched on a tall post or tall tree branch or flying low above the rooftops. I've never seen this many bald eagles in my life. On Sunday, when I think some fishing boats came in, I saw at least four bald eagles circling above. They're basically the pigeons of this town. Haha.
A pleasant custom I learned on arrival is you wave or greet anyone with whom you cross on the road. It doesn't matter if you're driving a vehicle or going a walk, a friendly wave is the norm, regardless of familiarity. It adds an extra element of openness and courtesy. Anonymity is not likely around here.
The band store is where people get any sort of groceries. It's not cheap to import anything so while I was looking to maybe have a half pint of blueberries today, I'm also not keen on paying $6 for it. It hurts paying $6 for a 1 L bottle of milk too. Unfortunately, the cheapest things in the store are canned or preserved meals, candies, sodas and junk food. Good luck making an affordable salad or snacking on fresh fruits for very long. Trying to bake an apple crisp would probably set somebody back at least $20 on the apples alone.
The people here are pleasant and actively interested in who you are, which makes the transition easier. They want to know your name and where you're from. It's been a week and I've stuffed myself full from two gracious dinner invitations.
I've spent an afternoon kayaking on the calm waters, watching the soaring birds of prey look like circling specs over certain areas of forests. You gotta wonder what kind of prey they're stalking. I'd love to catch one of them in the act of swooping down to catch a mouse or fish.
On a run, looking west of the town are rolling hills of coniferous trees as far as I could see. Of course, the rolling hills meant my pace was getting destroyed on that run, haha.
I hope to check out some hiking trails this week if the weather clears up, and of course more kayaking. What I would give to see a whale while I'm on the water...
28 February 2014
Costa Rica thoughts
On vacation in Costa Rica, and it is a rather intriguing country to visit. Its natural beauty is obvious and the Costa Ricans have done an excellent job (from what I've seen) in preserving much of it, especially given the immense tourism industry it possesses.
Some thoughts on things I've noticed while visiting:
Some thoughts on things I've noticed while visiting:
- On first impression in the airport, when arriving, it is absolutely flooded with tourists. I haven't been to Mexico or Hawaii so I can't speak in relative terms but I felt like I was in an American airport like in Florida or something. The crowd consisted mostly of tweens and young families with a few interspersed retirees.
- Poverty exists and is apparent in some areas, but it doesn't quite have the feel of typical developing nations, nor does it give off the vibe of it putting up a massive luxurious front to hide the rest of the population (more than other places, at least). There does appear to be some money floating around in its economy from the thriving tourism industry.
- I don't sense a strong resentment nor a will to exploit the tourism industry from the people here. More often than not, it more seems that the locals are proud to show off what their country has to offer, but are also fiercely defensive on preserving it... I appreciate both of those qualities.
- We asked one of our tour guides what has made Costa Rica safe for so long, and he quickly replied that their country has no army! A google search verified that it has been abolished since 1948 after the end of their most recent civil war. Since then, unlike any of its neighbors, there have been no further conflicts in over 50 years.
- Again on tourism - I think it's astounding that given the foreign money that comes in, the locals still don't expect tips. They are gladly appreciated of course, but unlike many other places I've visited with strong tourism, they haven't taken tips for granted to this point.
And I haven't even talked about what we've explored yet. Until next time!
18 February 2014
Blog adjustments in the dead of winter
Just my luck, my last winter in Ottawa is apparently one of the most miserable ones they've had here in years. I talked to a physician today who has lived here her whole life and says this is the worst (combination of cold, snow, cloud) that she can remember.
Despite that, I haven't really been keeping up with this blog. Finishing my research took up a lot of my time for a couple weeks in February, and studying for the big exam has begun.
With that said, I wanted to announce a "shift", I'll be making with what I'll be writing here. I wanted to make it more useful for the people or tumbleweeds who come across these parts. Self-serving blogs are a dime a dozen. The interesting, insightful and engaging blogs are the ones that people want to read. Every now and then, I'll still use this as a sounding board for something I'm going through in the raw moment because hey, it's the internet... but I feel that this blog should also serve some usefulness rather than me using this as a virtual soapbox half the time.
There still won't be a particular topic of focus. I keep myself busy with too many random things (at least for now) to commit to that. You can see on the right side the plethora of random labels I've assigned to blog posts over the years... but the focus will shift... I'm gonna try to see howeach most posts can be one or more of the following: a) a post of interest, b) a post of insight or something to think about, or c) a post of utility to you, the reader.
Despite that, I haven't really been keeping up with this blog. Finishing my research took up a lot of my time for a couple weeks in February, and studying for the big exam has begun.
With that said, I wanted to announce a "shift", I'll be making with what I'll be writing here. I wanted to make it more useful for the people or tumbleweeds who come across these parts. Self-serving blogs are a dime a dozen. The interesting, insightful and engaging blogs are the ones that people want to read. Every now and then, I'll still use this as a sounding board for something I'm going through in the raw moment because hey, it's the internet... but I feel that this blog should also serve some usefulness rather than me using this as a virtual soapbox half the time.
There still won't be a particular topic of focus. I keep myself busy with too many random things (at least for now) to commit to that. You can see on the right side the plethora of random labels I've assigned to blog posts over the years... but the focus will shift... I'm gonna try to see how
17 January 2014
Friday night music: Home call
Home call. Quiet evening. It's a Miles Davis/Nina Simone kind of night.
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