2010 January

Parent’s Plight Demonstrated in Film

Harrison Ford and Brendan Frazier star in Extraordinary Measures opening this Friday, Jan. 22,2010. This movie is based on the true story of John and Aileen Crowley, who supply the money and energy to search for a cure for a rare disease that is killing two of their children, Megan and Patrick. John Crowley chronicled the whole experience in Chasing Miracles: The Crowley Family Journey of Strength, Hope and Joy.

Having your child diagnosed with a serious illness is a parent’s worst fear. Carla Oliver, MSW, CCLS, published tips for when you have an ill child with Web MD magazine, inside the article about Pompe Disease and the CBS film Extraordinary Measures. One of her tips says: “The family of the child is the expert … they are in collaboration with their doctors. A lot of the time Mom really does know best.”

The medical drama Lorenzo’s Oil staring Susan Sarandon is another excellent film that exemplifies the struggle that parents experience with health care. Sarandon plays the mother of Lorenzo a typical young child whose life is shattered when he’s diagnosed with a terminal disease. His parents feel helpless as they watch their son slowly succumb to the illness. Not satisfied with modern medicine, they research the disease and turn to a controversial remedy for help.

Bucking the system, creating your own solutions is sometimes what is required. Not all parents have the resources, knowledge, or other abilities required to do so. Parents face challenges every day in providing the best they can for their children whether it be food, shelter, clothing, spiritual guidance or any one of many more issues. I am glad that some parents are brave enough to blaze the trail for the rest of us to follow. My gratitude extends to those who work hard to share these exceedingly exhausting feats with the public so that we are able to avoid some of the same entanglements others have suffered.

Interview with Dr. Florence Sandmann MD – Pediatrician

Pediatrician symbol Several physicians have graciously consented to interview on my Save the Child blog. It is my pleasure to introduce the first today. She is Florence Sandmann MD – Head Pediatrician at Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital OPD (out-patient department) on the Gila River Indian Reservation.

Margaret: How does working for a government-run facility differ from private practice, vs hospital owned clinic?

Doctor Sandmann: There are a lot of policies and procedures! And MEETINGS!!!! Also, nothing fancy by way of exam rooms and offices. Just the usual Government Issue furniture. Not bad though. Sometimes simplicity is what you need. This facility is excellent because there are many different services in the building, such as lab, X-ray, Pharmacy, some specialists, Physical Therapy, Eye Clinic, and Dentistry! They even have Behavioral Health Services in a building next door.

Margaret: What do you view is your role as a pediatrician?

Doctor Sandmann: A dispenser of knowledge and to keep the kids healthy and safe.

Margaret: You work with a Native American population. How does your office try to accommodate their culture, beliefs or native treatments when they prefer to use them?

Doctor Sandmann: First of all, I think we are hired because of our personal cultural sensitivity. A lot of our handouts/booklets use traditional pictures and often include a few of the traditional ways of doing things. There are times, however, when we have to talk to the parents about some of the old practices and how they can actually be detrimental to the child. For the most part, we can combine traditional and conventional medicine in a way that is understandable by both sides – and very helpful. [Read more...]

Parent’s Plight Demonstrated in Film

Interview with Dr. Florence Sandmann MD – Pediatrician

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