One of the problems with the American medical system is that the commitment to 'never do harm' has become misunderstood. Never do harm has largely become interpreted to mean 'never give up'.
The commitment to never do harm does not equate to a commitment to sustain life at all costs. In practice the unwavering commitment to sustain life can actually cause harm.
The choice to not sustain a life is not the same as intentionally ending a life.
Choosing not to act cannot be equated with doing harm.
If the medical system wants to be committed to 'never do harm' it needs to expand its focus beyond just sustaining life and work towards enhancing the quality of life.
The Week in Review
- Finished my ninth full week of training for the Ocean Drive 10 Miler and the Long Branch Half Marathon. 25 miles of running and 2 days of biking. One more week of intensive training (Bike on Monday, Intervals on Tuesday, Swim Wednesday, 9 mile tempo run on Thursday and a 13 mile long run on Saturday - it makes me tired to just type it) and then two taper weeks before the Ocean Drive race.
- Still reading The Tipping Point and Freakonomics. They are more similar than I thought they would be and I am confusing them with each other. I think I need to just pick one and finish it then get back to the other.
- The Second Connor's Courageous Kids book fair was a huge success (despite a March snowstorm that shut us down on Monday). Over $4,300 of books will be donated to the two organizations Connor's House supports through this event.
- The person I Interviewed last week to be my new boss decided to take another position so the search goes on.
- I learned that if you live overseas you can't buy tickets through livenation for concerts in the United States. On the surface that may seem like it makes sense but for people that want to go to a concert while in the US for vacation it stinks unless you have a friend (like me) who will get your tickets for you.
- We passed on Connor's beloved wheelchair to another young boy who needed one this week. It was very difficult because it was like losing another piece of him but that was outweighed by being able to help another child in need. You can see pictures of Connor in his wheelchair here.
- If you are shipping books to someone, go to the Post Office and ask for the Book Rate. It is way cheaper (but it is the last option they tell you about at the counter).
A little sad
I was at the library this morning and the following book was on the popular book shelf: How to file for divorce in New Jersey. Even though I know all the statistics about divorce I still found it disturbing to see this book on the popular shelf.
Marriage is so beautiful and wonderful and in my opinion so easy to get right (both people committed to putting their spouses' needs before their own) that I am deeply saddened by how many people get it wrong (please accept my apologies if this offends or upsets you, I am not passing judgment on anyone and I understand there are situations where divorce is the only safe option).
Marriage is so beautiful and wonderful and in my opinion so easy to get right (both people committed to putting their spouses' needs before their own) that I am deeply saddened by how many people get it wrong (please accept my apologies if this offends or upsets you, I am not passing judgment on anyone and I understand there are situations where divorce is the only safe option).
Question the 'Experts'
It is not uncommon to have experts give statistics to support the claims they make. It is also not uncommon for reporters, politicians and others to quote those experts when trying to support their points of views, positions, etc...
One problem, the facts don't always support the experts statistics.
Twice in the past week President Obama has quoted the following statistic: "Every 30 seconds in the United States, someone files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem."
This statistic originally came from a study, conducted by researchers at Harvard’s medical and law schools, based on interviews with 1,771 individuals who filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Of these filers, 931 cited medical causes for their financial woes.
The statistic was then quoted in a 2005 article entitled Sick and Broke written by Elizabeth Warren and published in the Washington Post.
So, if every 30 seconds someone in the US files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem that would mean each year 1,051,200 people would file for bankruptcy for this reason. However, in the 12 months ending June 30, 2008 only 967,831 total people in the United States filed for bankruptcy, which was an increase of 29% over the year before. So according to Harvard, the Washington Post and the President more people are filing for bankruptcy each year in the aftermath of a serious health problem than the total number of people filing for bankruptcy in either of the past 2 years.
It is a good idea to check your facts and statistics, even if they are from the 'experts', before you quote them (especially if you are the President and they can be proved wrong with a calculator and a Google search).
One problem, the facts don't always support the experts statistics.
Twice in the past week President Obama has quoted the following statistic: "Every 30 seconds in the United States, someone files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem."
This statistic originally came from a study, conducted by researchers at Harvard’s medical and law schools, based on interviews with 1,771 individuals who filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Of these filers, 931 cited medical causes for their financial woes.
The statistic was then quoted in a 2005 article entitled Sick and Broke written by Elizabeth Warren and published in the Washington Post.
So, if every 30 seconds someone in the US files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem that would mean each year 1,051,200 people would file for bankruptcy for this reason. However, in the 12 months ending June 30, 2008 only 967,831 total people in the United States filed for bankruptcy, which was an increase of 29% over the year before. So according to Harvard, the Washington Post and the President more people are filing for bankruptcy each year in the aftermath of a serious health problem than the total number of people filing for bankruptcy in either of the past 2 years.
It is a good idea to check your facts and statistics, even if they are from the 'experts', before you quote them (especially if you are the President and they can be proved wrong with a calculator and a Google search).
Reach for the Stars
"When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either." - Leo Burnett
Two Weeks in Review
- Got to go away for three great days with my beautiful wife last weekend so this week you get a double dose of the week in review.
- Finished my seventh and eighth full weeks of training for the Ocean Drive 10 Miler and the Long Branch Half Marathon. Week eight was a light week which was good. Now the final push begins before the Ocean Drive race. Two more weeks of intensive training (long runs of 11 and 13 miles) and then two tapper weeks before the race.
- Started reading The Tipping Point and Freakonomics while I was away last weekend.
- The Second Connor's Courageous Kids book fair started today and will run through March 3rd. Whether you are close by or far away, click the link and find out how you can be involved in providing resources for children with complex health care needs.
- The Connor's House Awareness Bracelets are now available. I'm really happy with how they came out. Order yours today and show your support while you help spread the word.
- Interviewed someone this week to be my new boss. It is really interesting to turn the interviewing process on its head like that. I'm not really sure if it is a good idea or if it improves the results of the process.
- We got the first draft of the Connor's House incorporation documents back from the lawyer. Not to many issues so we should be starting the filing process in the next couple weeks.
- Had a good introductory meeting yesterday about how to begin marketing Connor's House to corporations and large net worth individuals.
Happy Birthday Connor
My wife can express what today is like far better than I can, so I will just recommend that you read her blog http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/connorscott99.
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