Minorities Harmed by Medical Errors - MHME

So I was thinking this morning, how amazing God is. Even in my worst moments, the most painful moments of my life, in places where I felt like as a human being my children and I, had been violated and robbed of our most basic human right to exist and to experience life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, in that moment when I would have let go, God held on to me and assured me that I would make it.

As an African American mother, I cannot even explain to you how I felt when I realized what happened to Robyn and the deception and injustice that followed. Maybe because I was somehow in denial about the condition of this nation. I was working and attending school to complete my Master’s Degree. My kids were doing well, in school, no problems. But then we met up with a doctor who had very little regard for the life of a 13-year-old African American girl, and our lives turned upside down.

When I consider what I have gone through, not only did God work a miracle with Robyn, He kept me sane through an ordeal that was so overwhelming to my spirit that I often asked Him, “How are You going to work all of this evil for good?” My advocacy work is the good. I realize in the African American community we are more likely to be affected by adverse events. We are most likely to have limbs removed when they could have been saved. We are most likely to not be referred on for more testing etc. We are being harmed and the statistical data supports this. So my question to my facebook community is where are all the patients and families like mine? Their voices need to be heard too and they need to be standing with us. I created a facebook page (Minorities Harmed by Medical Errors - MHME). I could make the page private because I know that some people don’t want to be identified, but our voices need to be heard. Please like the page and pass it on.

Patient Rights Movement March-Washington DC

I have been thinking, and have come to one conclusion. In order to get the changes we need, we (Patient Safety Advocates) need to come together collectively and present our issues to the legislative body of this nation. We are so spread out that, yes, they recognize us, but they have not passed any legislation that will affect the kind of changes we need in regards to patients rights. When I attended a patient safety summit in January former President Clinton stated that it was time to bring the legislative body of this nation on board with the movement. Anytime something controversial has every gotten the attention it needed from Washington DC, it did so because people took the issue to Washington DC and they not only awaken the conscience of some politicians but they also awaken the people of this nation. My belief is we need to take this movement to DC. Patients have rights and they are not protected. The Patient Rights movement needs to move on Washington DC. I know it will take a lot of planning and hard work, but it is not impossible.

What I know About My Father God

Thought for today,

What I know for sure about God.  There have been moments when I was truly angry with Lord.  I kicked and screamed, "how can any of this work for good?"  What I know is that our pain and anguish is not lost on him.  He knows better than we do the pain and anguish we feel when our lives are destroyed by unjust practices.  But he also uses the intended destruction by others to bless us and reveal these sinful sick practices. It should encourage us to know that our Father God is all powerful and his grace ever shines upon us.  I know that God's hand is on my life and I am grateful for his presence because I would not have made it this far without him.

News article on my son Rodrick


http://www.dailypilot.com/news/tn-dpt-me-0218-questbridge-20150217,0,3230808.story

Be Blessed!!

Poem: My Sisters Humanity is Calling

I am thankful to the Orange County Heritage Council for allowing me to share on of my original poems at their 35th Annual Black History Parade and Cultural Faire.

My Sister Humanity is Calling

Patient Safety Summit - My Thoughts

I attended the Patient Safety Summit on last weekend.  I had no idea what to expect.  When I first looked at the cost to register, I was like, I don’t have $1000.  So I emailed Jim Bialick and to my surprise received a scholarship to register.  I then wrote back and asked if Robyn could attend with me and received one for her too.  We live near Irvine, California so this was not a problem for us because we did not have to travel.

For me, and I am not advertising for the Patient Safety Movement, it was very encouraging.  Although, they did not present on the issue that Robyn was faced with, those presented on were Sepsis, Resuscitation and IT issues, which are also very real to families who have lost loved ones due to errors in these areas.  So I could not be selfish and say, what about Robyn.  My viewpoint is, that there are so many avenues to address when it comes to medical errors that the fact that someone outside of us, is willing to stand up and say this is wrong and needs to be acknowledged, is a plus for all of us. 

The only way to eliminate medical errors is that we all come together in this fight against the mighty giant that so many have refused to acknowledge and stand up to.  The goal of the Patient Safety Movement is to eliminate medical errors in hospitals by 2020.  When I heard this, I said to myself they have a long road ahead.  Those of us who have met with the corruption in the medical community know that this is going to be a long road to hoe.  However, if the federal government gets on board, as former President Clinton suggested during his speech, then it will propel the movement forward and make that goal more attainable.  It was also encouraging that Vice President Biden recognized the issue and offered his and President Obama’s support.

Now if someone admitted to a hospital acquires a hospital borne infection during their stay the cost to treat this infection is the responsibility of the hospital.  Medicare will no longer pay for this cost. This encourage hospitals to be more responsible in their reporting and treatment of patients. It is pretty obvious that the negligence is on the part of the hospital.  For many years, because hospitals were making profits off of these infections, there was no urgency in preventing them.  But now that they won’t be reimbursed and stand the chance of losing revenue, they are waking up to the call to prevent these errors.

As I said these are just a few areas of patient errors, but it is a step forward and someone is hearing our call and doing something.  For many patients, like Robyn, it is too late to correct what happened, but at least we can try to make sure it does not happen to others.  I was encouraged by the summit.  There is so much work to be done in the area of medical negligence/errors that one person cannot do it all.  I think each year the summit selects a different issue as their focus.  We all want to be heard and the way I see it, as the movement grows, the more issues will be addressed.  We cannot do this alone.  Like many of you who have been affected, I am skeptical too.  But to see that someone, outside of us, cares enough to start the ball to rolling on this issue and is garnering the attention and support that we have not been able to get, gives me hope.

Families of Children in the Idaho Falls Area

.Good morning, Robyn and I attended a Patient Safety Summit last weekend. It has left me thinking about the medical community in Idaho Falls.  I have always wondered why the neurologist in Idaho Falls prescribed drugs to Robyn for conditions she did not have.  Then I thought of some of you, who I know have children on powerful drugs prescribed by doctors in Idaho Falls.  I am wondering if it is some kind of ring there.  Getting these kids addicted to these powerful drugs and forever changing the course of their lives.  I want you to think about that.  I actually received a response from the department of justice prior to attending this summit. I doubt Robyn's case was coincidental. Once I started pondering over this, I said to myself, there are probably many families in Idaho Falls who have been affected by this.  Anyway, please inbox me if you know specific cases.  I don't want anyone to compromise themselves.  My thoughts are they are placing specific demographics in that area on drugs, labeling the kids as having behavioral issues.  They can't help but have them after taking drugs for conditions they don't have.  Anyway, my Idaho friends think about it, because I know that you all know kids who have been placed on drugs.  When I moved there I always thought it was strange the percentage of children in the social services programs and being prescribed drugs for behavioral issues.  If you think this is farfetched, there is an article about a doctor who prescribed cancer treatment to patients who never had cancer, he did it for monetary gain.  He was not in Idaho.  I have forgotten where it was but I will find it and share it.  I know it happened to Robyn, and I don't believe she was a lone case.  Just think about the social services in that area and who makes up their patients and the monetary gain from all of these patients.

Believe in what you asked God for

Good morning! Good morning!  I know I have been quiet.  I have been taking care of some other things that the Lord led me to address.  I have also moved into the book of Matthew. Just moving along as the Holy Spirit directs me.  It’s a New Year and I am being more purposeful with God and my study of the word.  Listening and moving forward in spite of the appearance of opposition.

Everything that happens in the lives of the children of God should bring us closer to him.  Even the things we bring on ourselves work together to accomplish what God purposes for us.  The lessons learned help us become bolder in our walk.  As I look forward to the coming year, I anticipate a new season.  This is the year for new beginnings. 

This morning my study was in chapter 14 of Matthew.  My focus this morning was on the disciples. When they were in the boat, in the midst of a storm, and thought Jesus was a ghost walking on the water.  Peter asked him, if it is you Lord command me to come to you on the water.  The Lord responded to Peter,” come.”  Peter stepped out and was walking on the water.  Peter knew it was storming before he left the boat, but I imagine he did not realize how great the storm was until he was on the water.  As he started towards Jesus, he looked at his surroundings and started to sink.  This was because his faith wavered.  But Jesus was watching, and as soon as Peter cried out to him, he rescued Peter.

So as we go forward in this New Year, remember this, whatever you have asked God for, the journey towards it is not going to be without challenges.  Don’t get in the midst of the journey and turn around because of the storms, they will come.  If the Lord is calling you towards it, then he has prepared the way. He already knows what opposing forces will come against you.  He has already equipped you for it.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and don’t be afraid to take on whatever he is calling you to do.  Let this be a year of unwavering faith to overcome the lies of the deceiver who does not want you to receive all that God has for you. 

God has already changed the course of one chapter of my life where the odds were insurmountable.  I am stepping out of the boat again in 2015 and anticipate this will be another year where he changes the course predicted by the deceiver.

My challenge to you, get out of the boat and do whatever God has called you to do.

Be blessed and keep the faith.  Remember Jesus is always near, and like Peter, all you have to do is call out to him.

My First Challenge of the New Year

January 2, 2015,

So yesterday was going really good and then, boom, one of my ducks fell out of line and challenged me. Wow! Just when I thought I had this train ready to pull out of the station. Well, here's my thought for today, when the enemy can't get you to respond, be careful and watchful because he will go to and fro until he finds an inroad. Our challenge is to love and disarm the one he attempts to come through. Wow! what a challenge of love.

I Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.