Blog Your Blessings Sunday - The Hospital

Despite living in the most populated region of Canada, many communities in southwestern Ontario are under serviced for doctors and many are having their small community hospitals dealing with severe cutbacks combined with threats of closure.  Yes, Dalton McGuinty's government has not been very kind.  Ours is one such community.  Many here including my husband do not have a doctor.  There is no walk-in clinic so our small local hospital's emergency room fills in the void.  It's not ideal and wait times can be long, but it is better than nothing.  Our hospital is facing the chopping block even though we are under serviced.  Many services that were once performed at the hospital (eg. obstetrics, overnight and extended sick care) have been moved to the next largest hospital in the system.  Our hospital has now become a 2 bed overnight and extended sick care, palliative care, emergency care and ambulatory care facility.  The cafeteria offers a meal on Thursdays only but you can get a sandwich, salad or small entré from the vending machine as well as beverages.  It now costs $4 per day to park there.

We try very hard not to abuse the emergency room services.  I have used them for serious injuries requiring x-rays and my husband last used the ER for severe unexplained leg swelling later followed by an unexplained gastrointestinal infection though to have been contracted at one of the airports while traveling.  Last Wednesday, we rushed him to the ER in severe and I do mean severe abdominal pain.  After a blood work, a quick ultra sound, IV (morphine, anti-spasmotic, antibiotics, saline) they admitted him where he remains today.  He has had amazing care!  I have been able to be with him most of the time, driving only a rather short distance (less than 10 minutes) home for a short break and at night to sleep.  They aren't sticklers about visiting hours which is really nice.

We are so very blessed to have such a wonderful hospital that was built by the community, for the community and that is a real asset to the community.  It is too bad that Dalton McGuinty and his cronies want to take it away from us.  Our hospital is a huge part of our community.  It keeps our loved ones in the community, keeps members of our community employed, and strengthens our community by attracting industry.   It provides medical care to an under serviced area that would easily see folks going without medical care if the hospital were closed.   Our community needs our hospital!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Volunteering

Our last home was in a rural location so it was difficult for me to do much in the way of volunteering especially if I had to drive to where I was needed.  Driving can be quite difficult for me at times so I really only drive if I have to.  When we moved into our new urban location, I decided it would be good to get involved in the community.  So I started volunteering and since the first of the year have been a volunteer with the school breakfast program on a regular basis (3 days a week) as well as volunteering in the evenings occasionally for various events.  A couple of months ago I joined our local Neighbourhood Watch committee as a volunteer.  I figure I'm home a good portion of the day so I can help where the help is needed.  Then I spearheaded a new community project that is just getting going.  It was my idea and I am very blessed to have a wealth of community support.

Volunteering is so much more than simply helping out.  It is an opportunity to develop life-long friendships with like minded folk.  You don't get paid and sometimes you don't even get thanked but trust me it is always very much appreciated.  Thanks comes in the form of smiles, shared laughter and friendly chit chat.  Volunteering is a way to show the younger generation that giving back to the community makes the community stronger.  It is a wonderful way to get out there and meet others, rather than sitting home alone.  Volunteering really does put a whole new perspective on life.  I really look forward to spending that bit of time with the kids in the morning.

If you are lonely, bored or just have a bit of time on your hands, please consider donating a bit of time via volunteering...

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Are Your Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?

I'm a go getter who has no problem taking action where needed.  It's in my make-up, that bit of stubbornness mixed with attitude fueled by a heart that really does want to make a difference in this world.  My pet peeve has always been childhood hunger or hunger of any kind.  Years ago when our kids were young, I can't tell you how many kids I fed.  They were always at our house and at least two of them there because they would not have got fed at home.  It made no never mind to me.  I will not see anyone go hungry if I can help it.  Food insecurity is one of Canada's growing concerns.  It is surprising how many Canadian children go hungry on a daily basis.  As a Canadian this really bothers me.  I can't sit by twiddling my thumb, doing nothing.

Little did I know what I was doing by feeding those kids, something that just came naturally, was part of the solution.  I never thought of it that way.  Fast forward to 2012 and I have an amazing community project underway.  If all goes according to plan, it will be part of the solution to feeding the hungry in our community.   I'm excited and yet scared.  I'm not scared of failing but more of letting down those who are looking for help so come hell or high water this project is going to fly!  I am determined to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  Failure is not an option!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Wordless Wednesday - Luminaries of Hope

Luminaries of Hope

June 24, 2011

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Deadhead

Deadhead
June 14, 2009

Floating and hidden debris is always a problem for boaters though-out the boating season however, it is particularly problematic during the spring and after heavy storms. Deadheads are sometimes referred to as sinker logs. These can be very dangerous as they can punch a hole in a large boat and destroy a small boat. Deadheads are almost impossible to see at night. We found out about deadheads first hand a couple of weeks after we bought our boat. We hit a deadhead taking out our outboard. We were extremely lucky to be able to limp our boat to shore where were were able to secure it to a dock. From there we had to find a way home then arrange to have our boat towed and repaired. This brings up a couple of issues.

Some residents living on waterfront property toss yard waste into the water without realizing the danger branches and larger pieces of wood floating in the water present. This should never be done and in fact in most areas residents tossing debris into the water can be fined. It is quite common for residents living on waterfront property to have fire pits close to the water's edge as well as a variety of furniture on their docks or beach. During periods of high wind or storms it is common for firewood and any unsecured items on docks to end up in the water. It is very important that items on the dock be secured to prevent this from happening. Firewood and other items on the beach need to either be secured or removed when not in use. Unfortunately parks along the water are sometimes the target of vandals who toss picnic tables and/or garbage bins into the water. While boating you have to be constantly observant for any kind of debris in the water.

As a boater you have a legal and moral responsibility to help another boater in distress. There is a greater risk of serious harm or death on the water for boaters who suddenly run out of gas or breakdown. Any boater that comes across this situation should tow the disabled boat to the closest shore to get the boat out of harms way. In the event you come across a disabled boat with people in distress in the water, immediately call for help as you approach, get floating devices to them if they don't have one on, cut your motor then if possible pull them onto your boat without you getting into the water. Apply emergency first aid if necessary. Remain with the disabled boat until further help arrives.

Boaters also have a responsibility to help make the waterways safer for all. That means not dumping anything from your boat into the water and removing anything from the water that doesn't belong there. It goes without saying that the same rules that apply to drinking and driving apply to drinking and boating! Whenever we see something in the water that shouldn't be there we remove it if possible. This pay it forward environmental stewardship applies not only to our daily lives living but also when we are boating. If we can't remove the hazard (eg. picnic table, large tree trunks, other large debris) we report it to the Coast Guard who will remove it.

Last Sunday we encountered several smaller pieces of debris and the pictured large log. The floating log definitely could have done a fair amount of damage had a boat been going fast and hit it. My husband decided to try and get it out of the water. The problem was the log was almost water logged and very slippery. Pulling the log out of the water definitely was not as easy as it sounds! He managed to get a loop of rope around the log and pull it up onto our swim platform then secured the rope to the tow bar. Once the log was tightly secured we putzed to a safe spot where the log could be dropped of onshore. Notice the putz? We had to putz because if the log broke free plopping into the water there was the potential of damaging our boat. After enjoying that bit of fun we continued on to enjoy a wonderful day of boating including stopping in St. Clair, Michigan to enjoy a lovely, relaxing meal (read more here) and do a bit of sightseeing.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2009

My Commentary on the Tamil Protests

I had a great spammers post idea for today but decided to address the Tamil protest in Toronto instead. If you haven't been following the various Tamil protest they have been holding rallies in front of the United States Consulate on University Avenue in Toronto. At times their numbers have actually delayed and/or prevented people from getting to out patient clinics at the hospitals. They have disrupted traffic in the downtown core of Toronto for several days. Yesterday almost 2,000 Tamil protesters decided it would be a great idea to close down the Gardiner for 6 hours because they want Canadian government action to stop the genocide/civil war against Tamils in Sri Lanka. It took more than 5 hours to clear the backlog due to this closure. Public safety was clearly endangered. Today they continue to disrupt traffic.

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Canadian government just sent $3M dollars for humanitarian aid for the Tamil cause in Sri Lanka. That's $3M that could have been used to keep our local hospitals open. That's $3M that could have used in Canada to help those who are very much hurting from the recession. That's $3M that could have been used to help the Canadian homeless situation. That's $3M of our hard earned tax dollars that we pay to our Canadian government on our behalf. They are even resorting to calling anyone who doesn't support their cause a racist! Enough!

The reality of the situation and while I do empathize with the Tamil plight is Canada cannot intervene and has no way of being able to enforce any sanctions against Sri Lanka. The Canadian government has no legal jurisdiction in Sri Lanka. So far Canadians have been very tolerant of the Tamil protests not only in Toronto but in other major cities BUT our patience is wearing thin! Last night the illegal seizure of the Gardiner was the straw that broke the camel's back. Occupying a Canadian road or highway is such a fashion is illegal regardless of the cause! Each and every participant in this seizure should have been arrested and removed. They definitely should be investigated for putting their children in harms way. I believe that is called endangering the welfare of a minor that is also a chargeable offense. As newer immigrants they rely heavily on our Canadian welfare system without contributing to our tax base YET are at the moment costing us thousands of dollars over these protests. Don't forget the Tamils support the LTTE a know terrorist group. Yet when the Tigers were doing the killing and maiming over the 26 yr old war the Tamils had no complaints. It's only since the Sri Lanka government started winning the war that now the Tamils in Canada complain! Like as if blood is not already on their hands? They came here as refugees wave their Tiger flags NOT Canadian flags even though they are supposed to be Canadian YET have no problem holding a city as hostage. It is our tax dollars they are wasting!

Here's what I'm thinking. I'm sick and tired of our tax dollars being wasted and diverted out of Canada. I'm sick and tired of our tax dollars being wasted with our men in blue and mounted police trying to congenially keep the peace over illegal protests. I think what we need is a huge group of like minded folks to get together and shut down every single highway in Canada! Unfortunately that is not the Canadian way to get things done.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2009

Wordless Wednesday - Victoria (Tori) Stafford

Garden Gnome
©2006-2009

Help Save Our Local Hospitals

[Important information from my email files. Please support the cause.]



ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29th, JOIN THE GIANT HOSPITAL RALLY AT QUEEN’S PARK & HELP SAVE OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS!!

GET ON THE BUS!!!

This past Saturday, concerned citizens from communities across Ontario showed their anger and frustration over local hospital cuts and closures by waging protests outside the offices of their local MPPs. From Sudbury to Niagara Region, protesters’ rallying cries were the same: Save Our Local Hospitals: Hospital Cuts Threaten Our Health! This is a critical time in the fight to protect local hospital services, and as these protesters recognize, the future of health care in Ontario really does rest in our hands. This is the time to make the government aware that you will not stand idly by and let them put your health, and the health of your loved ones, at risk.

A strong and visible challenge to the provincial government’s hospital restructuring plans will be the only thing that will change the government’s current direction.
Together, we can stop the cuts and closures!!

On Wednesday, April 29th, we will continue our quest to stop the cuts with a MASS RALLY at Queen’s Park, in Toronto at 11:30am:

Thousands of people from cities and towns across Ontario facing major hospital cuts or closures are joining in solidarity to demand that McGuinty protect our local hospitals.

The legislature will be in session--
This is our chance to make McGuinty listen to the concerns of our communities!

The rally has been called by the Town of Fort Erie, working in alliance with municipalities across Ontario. The Ontario Health Coalition and local Health Coalitions across Ontario are supporting this important endeavour.

We have about 40 buses already booked, and we want to increase that number substantially--
If you can help arrange buses, carpools, and/or can help get a group together, we want to hear from you.
Please contact us at 416-441-2502 or at ohc@sympatico.ca.

People in TORONTO: Please join in solidarity with us at Queen’s Park. Your hospital services are being threatened too!!

**PLEASE RESERVE YOUR SEAT IN ADVANCE (where applicable)!**

BUSES WILL BE LEAVING FROM:

St. Catharines:
Buses leave St. Catharines at 9:30am from CAW Local 199 (124 Bunting Rd.),
returning by 3pm.To reserve a seat, contact Sue at 905-932-1646 or Susan at suzanha@yahoo.ca.

Strathroy:
Buses leave Strathroy at 8am from Food Basics at Kenwick Plaza (Front/Head Streets)
returning by 5pm. To reserve a seat, contact Joyce at 519-245-3633 or Sandra at 519-245-8829.

Wallaceburg:
Buses will leave Wallaceburg at 7am SHARP from the Sobey’s parking lot,
returning by 5pm. To reserve a seat on the bus, contact Shirley at 519-677-4474.

Hamilton:
Buses leave Hamilton at 9:45am from Limeridge Mall: corner of Upper Wentworth St (across
from the Legion Hall and near The Bay), returning by 3pm. To reserve a seat, contact Nancy at 905-385-1933.

Welland:
Buses leave Welland at 9am from Welland Market Square and will be back by 3pm.
To reserve a seat on the bus, call Fiona at 905-788-0756.

Sarnia:
Buses leave Sarnia at 7am from the north municipal parking lot at Centennial Park (across from
Stokes By The Bay) To reserve a seat, contact Arlene at 519-542-1895. A $10 reservation fee is required.

Petrolia:
Buses leave Petrolia at 7:15am from the parking lot across from the VPP, returning by 5pm.
To reserve a seat on the bus, contact Helen at 519-882-0357. A $10 reservation fee is required.

Belleville:
Buses leave Belleville at 8:30am from the Quinte Mall, behind the Shell Station/Denny’s, returning by 4pm.
To reserve a seat on the bus, contact Michael at 613-968-5550.

Port Colborne:
Buses leave Port Colborne at 8:30am from West Side Arena on Hwy 58, returning by 3pm.
To reserve a seat on the bus, contact Pat at 905-835-8249.

Picton:
Contact Barb at 613-476-4097 for information about the bus leaving from Picton & to reserve a seat.

Fort Erie:
Buses leave Fort Erie at 8:30am from the Leisureplex (1 Municipal Centre Dr.), returning by 3pm.
To reserve a seat, contact Al at 905-871-1600 x2543.

Trenton:
Buses leave Trenton at 7:45am from the Holiday Inn parking lot, returning by 5pm.
For more information, visit www.city.quintewest.on.ca

Rally together your friends, your families, your neighbours, and your coworkers, because the reality is, that when we get sick or have a health emergency, each and every one of us counts on there being a hospital close by that is able to help us in our time of need.

---
Garden Gnome
©2006-2009

The Invisible People (The Homeless)

As we enter the holiday season we need to be mindful of those less fortunate than ourselves. These are very trying times for many with more layoffs, job losses, home foreclosures and rising cost of living. Even if you cannot help financially you can donate your time to help those in need. I found this wonderful video produced by BetterWorld4YouAndMe on YouTube regarding those less fortunate and how to help. It is 7 and a half minutes long but is well worth watching. I hope you enjoy it.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2008