LETTERS
www.nanaimobulletin.com
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Editorial wrong about hospice palliative care To the Editor, Your Oct. 4 editorial (Endof-life care needs attention, Opinion) provided clear information on the very real challenges surrounding the delivery of quality end-of-life care and the need for more supports. What puzzled me was the sentence stating “not everyone wants to die at hospice where the staff are knowledgeable and compassionate, yet the atmosphere can seem like a hospital ward.” In my experience, the care provided in the all too few residential hospice facilities and palliative care units located in communities and hospitals around B.C. is exceptional. These programs are underfunded and yet their highly skilled and compassionate care teams made up of both medical professionals and hospice volunteers make a very positive difference in the end of life journey for both the patient and their family. My aunt died on the hospital palliative care unit four years ago. The renovations that make that unit such a beautiful place to receive care today were nonexistent, and the physical space was definitely lacking. But to us, the surroundings didn’t matter one bit. What did matter was the availability of expert medical care that effectively relieved my aunt’s suffering, and the incredible support we, as a family, received. We felt seen, heard, valued, and supported during a very difficult time. In truth, there is no “right place to die”. If it can be managed, most of us would probably opt to stay home. But when that’s not possible, then hospice and palliative programs, whether they are residential or hospital based, are second to none in providing exactly the right level of care that respects the needs of the “whole” person (patient) and their family. Some of the surroundings are more home-like than others, but it truly doesn’t get any better – the editorial was way off-base. Wendy Pratt Nanaimo Community Hospice Society
Nanaimo News Bulletin
9
University women’s group advocates for inclusive community ‘Occupy’ movement misses the point that most Canadians are among world’s most fortunate citizens, letter writer says. NEWS BULLETIN
Attitudes are main issue To the Editor, Re: Crowds ‘occupy’ downtown plaza, Oct. 18. Having attended the ‘Occupy Nanaimo’ event as an observer, I spoke with a goodly number of the participants and came away with the following conclusions. First, Canadians (including Saturday’s disillusioned), are not part of ‘the 99 per cent’, but rather part of the tiniest percentile who have won life’s lottery, fortunate to share one of the world’s finest countries. No one in Canada need go without food, shelter, medical care or an education unless they choose otherwise. Second, I noted a common theme, namely that most with whom I spoke were disappointed or unhappy with their lives. One carried a sign saying “This is not the future I was promised” and said he “did not ask to be laid off.” Which begs the question, who promised you a lifetime job?
Another young woman complained of crushing student debt, yet admitted she was not accepted for the Ontario Teacher’s College because “they thought (she) was too radical”. Neither mine nor their circumstances are the fault of ‘the rich’. We own the choices we make, whether we select training with good job prospects or buy a home beyond our needs and our income. Companies may offer us credit, but no one forces us to buy big screen TVs, smart phones or overseas vacations. What we require is not income redistribution, but the sense of personal responsibility that was the hallmark of generations before us. Free enterprise has created greater prosperity than at any time in history, but an attitude of entitlement has indebted all of us, squandering our children’s future. Randy O’Donnell Nanaimo
To the Editor, Housing has been a concern of the Canadian Federation of University Women dating back to 1992 when we passed a resolution to “urge all levels of government to co-operate in establishing comprehensive plans for land use, which will guarantee affordable housing within community developments”. Again, in 1999, 2000 and 2006 we urged all levels of government to address the issue of poverty and affordable housing. In 2009, CFUW-Nanaimo urged this city council “to develop a housing policy that includes the needs of all on the continuum, in all regions of the city – the homeless, the working poor, people with disabilities, the middle class and the wealthy – in such a manner that we are all part of one community not merely segmented ghettos linked by a highway.” Our city is now attempting to implement such policies. CFUW-Nanaimo applauds them for this action on this urgent and vital matter. The end result will be a more integrated and healthier community. It is incumbent upon us to support all citizens in such a manner as to maximize health, education and a sense of community within our boundaries. Clearly, appropriate housing is part of this equation. Constructive dialogue between the city and all citizens is required. The city website (www.nanaimo.ca/ EN/main/departments/CommunityPlanning/4302/49740.html) is one place to start. Let us all work toward an inclusive community. Sheila Boutcher, President, CFUW-Nanaimo
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Teachers struggling to support students To the Editor, Re: Class-size report fails to satisfy district teachers, Oct. 15. Hundreds of classrooms in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District are oversized with many students left without necessary supports. However, principals, our superintendent, and, ultimately, our board of trustees have deemed the conditions in all of our classrooms as “appropriate for student learning.” Teachers, along with parents, believe that the conditions in
many of these classrooms are not “appropriate for student learning.” The message being delivered by our district leaders is that the opinions of teachers and parents do not matter in the discussion. Quality public education, including guaranteed support, is the right of every child in British Columbia. With the support of our community, we have the opportunity to make this possible for all students. Derek DeGear, President Nanaimo District Teachers’ Association
Residents’ campaign fails on several fronts To the Editor, Re: People must be included in society, Letters, Oct. 11. “What’s Wrong With This Picture?” trumpet the ads. The biggest “wrong” I can see is not that the drug addict is present, but that she’s being ignored. Don’t these people see her? Don’t they care? She is someone’s daughter, or sister, or mother. Why don’t they offer to help? What’s wrong with all of us? Ruth Bard Nanaimo
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