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June 7, 2002
The struggle for health
KARL TAUSSIG SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
Karl Taussig suffered a serious stroke last week. He is recuperating
in hospital and is too weak to receive visitors. However, he wrote
this article before falling ill and we run it here with the hope
that he will soon be well enough to write for us again.
It has been more than a year since I was discharged from rehabilitation
hospital, following recovery after quintuple by-pass surgery, repair
to the mitral valve and a stroke. It is also about a year since
the Bulletin ran an article reporting some of my and my wife
Carol's comments on our experience in dealing with these events.
Many readers were concerned, even shocked, to learn of my setback
and the problems with which we would have to learn to live, and
they appreciated the firsthand insight offered on British Columbia's
health-care system. Unfortunately there are many people who are
confonted with similar situations. Therefore, it may be beneficial
to provide more recent information on life with and after stroke.
G.F. Strong, the hospital in which I spent some two and a half months,
has a solid reputation for therapeutic and restorative work for
patients suffering from stroke and brain injury. My rehab schedule
was intended to take care of my disabilities resulting from "left-side
neglect," affecting primarily left arm, hand and leg movement,
as well as, initially, swallowing and speech. Suitable daily therapy
was set up and proved successful quite quickly.
However, before long, the pending employee contract negotiations
started to affect aspects of service, resulting eventually in therapy
sessions being cancelled with short- and no-notice "job action"
by staff. This caused complete cancellations of scheduled daily
activities and a reduction of routine patient care to the extent
that Carol was expected to take care of me daily before bedtime,
as well as routinely take care of my laundry needs.
I still shudder to recall the night I spent with one leg stuck through
the side rail of my bed, unable to reach the call bell or extricate
myself, waiting for night staff who never came. I finally thought
to phone my wife on my bedside phone. She then phoned the nursing
centre to alert them of my plight. Fortunately, I got through the
night without need to use the toilet!
It became very evident that the hospital's priority was to make
beds available to new occupants. "Care" had been reduced
to the dispensing of medication; "therapy" to the preparation
of a simple breakfast, under the supervision of a therapist, followed
by making the bed.
In preparation for my return home, Carol had arranged for therapists
from the hospital to inspect our apartment and recommend alterations
that would be necessary for me to live there. This proved rather
more expensive than anticipated; costs that were not recoverable
from extended medical insurance.
Once discharged from the hospital, I needed a considerable string
of appointments with specialists, clinics and doctors. Since my
left-side deficiency had also resulted in my no longer being able
to operate my car safely, I had to become used to the use of public
transport, at the time when bus personnel were on strike and taxis
and Handi Dart were in heavy demand.
To illustrate the chaos at that time, we remember the evening when
Carol found me unconscious in my chair and her call for an ambulance
went without response. Apparently, I had suffered a TIA (transient
ischemic attack), which can be a warning sign of something more
serious but luckily was not, for no ambulance came.
Carol and I had hoped that I would be able to continue scheduled
therapy at a hospital as an out-patient, but this proved impossible.
Even private centres were unable to meet my needs.
Fortunately, I knew from a close connection that professional programs
for post-stroke patients, both gymnasium- and pool-based, were available
at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC). I was
able to participate in them because of transportation that was generously
provided by a number of JCC members who made themselves available
for regular trips to and from the centre.
These and other friends in the community helped us in the truest
sense of tikkun olam (repair of the world). Our heartfelt
thanks are due to all involved and we want to extend our warmest
appreciation and wishes for continued success to the JCC in its
continuing and growing role in our community.
Karl Taussig is a member of Beth Israel Synagogue, a past
president of the Jewish Community Centre and many other organizations.
His hard work and dedication to the community is to be honored at
the JCC Gala Sunday, June 9.
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