On Toy Trains, Drugs and Global Justice
Posted March 22nd, 2008 by Diana
On good days at work, which really are most days, I feel
like my grandson Zach’s favorite storybook train, Thomas. Thomas is happiest when he feels really
useful, and being a Community Acti-punctur-ist * definitely gives me that
feeling. I feel way more useful than I
did for 10 years of conventional practice.
Beyond that, I feel useful to folks who, due to class status, income or
age, have fewer options.
On the less good days, I worry how I will ever learn to
treat faster than five patients an hour while making sure folks feel cared for
and attended to, and yet feel that the clinic’s ability to be really
financially stable in the long run may depend on me doing just that.
In other news, I have some excellent books to
recommend. “Mountains
Beyond Mountains”,
the true story of Dr. Paul Farmer, describes the life work of a man who
continues to bring health care and justice to some of the poorest places on
earth. This guy is just about my age,
and can take personal credit for some of the world health policies that no
longer write off folks with Multi Drug Resistant TB in Peru
or Haiti as “too
poor to save”.
Another great book is “Our Daily Meds” by NY Times
investigative reporter Melody Petersen. Turns out a lot of the Medical Journal articles that doctors rely on to learn about new treatment options are written by PR firms hired by the drug companies. It may be kind of depressing, but it beats not knowing.
Which brings me back to feeling useful. I love bringing a drug free, affordable
option to my community. Even if I don’t
feel powerful when it comes to getting my government, or my health care system,
or my insurance company to listen to me, in our little clinic, I am mighty
indeed.
*Actipuncturist: an
activist acupuncturist
Go Thomas
Keep on chugging up the mountain little clinic that can (Diana), and running on Pure Chi which, like trees, sucks hydrocarbons out of the atmosphere, transforming them into oxygen and community justice.
At least the story book Thomas lives on, untainted by the ugliness of the world (the Mattel toy Thomas trains manufactured in China had lead paint on them until recently).
The stories in the media - like the PR firms, whether for the drug companies or presidential politicians, twist the truth into pretzels until the average person can't discern reality.
Glad my living as a Community Actipuncturist doesn't depend upon spinning lies and polishing fools gold. A few words exchanged, a brief but dedicated period of listening, a few needles, and then it's on to the next mind-body garden.
Jordan
Cynicism is a smokescreen for laziness and fear. Clear light mind awaken! Pierce through all layers of doubt and delusion! Inspire me onwards in ceaseless waves of selfless activity.