Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.~ Margaret Thatcher

This past week has been mixed emotionally. I’m finding more people who are struggling with the healthcare facility I am no longer allowed to use. These people were treated badly…in some cases to the point where they left the facility in worse condition than when they started. What’s going on is at a minimum morally wrong. It could even be perceived as malpractice in some cases. And now I know that this facility is planning to abandon even more patients under the guise of providing those patients “better” care by “allowing” them to choose private providers. Those quotes are because the added expense of the co-pays will bankrupt many families.

So, what is right and important? As I explained to someone last week, raising awareness is the key. Bringing attention to the situation is not easy. I know that eventually someone will come across these writings or read my story elsewhere and it will make my life difficult because doctors can be a pretentious lot. I was told last week that my self-awareness about my disease processes actually works against me because doctors don’t like patients who have more knowledge than they do. I find it truly sad that there has been so much emphasis put on “partnering” with patients and now I know that it was never an even partnership. It was always going to be a very lopsided relationship with my opinion having very little value.

Pride is what inhibits growth. It is almost impossible to grow when you think you’ve already reached your peak. Telling people that their knowledge is invalid because they lack a medical degree is asinine. With all the information available at our fingertips, people are able to research their diagnosis and bring that knowledge to their doctors. I’m not advocating trading “Dr. Google” for professional training and knowledge. But, I have more time to focus on my conditions than my doctors do. Why shouldn’t I ask questions?

I’m not being prideful in my quest for raising awareness. I will admit that I am hoping for some personal satisfaction when I’m done. No one should be allowed to degrade people in the name of “helping” them. As this country moves toward universal healthcare, we need to watch out for each other. We need to call out the practitioners who choose quantity over quality. There is no shame in sharing knowledge and asking questions.