I usually don't post pictures of myself here, but this one is very special to me. It was taken last night at a fundraiser for MITSS, Medically Induced Trauma Support Services. That's Linda Kenney on the left. She founded MITSS out of her own terrible medical experiences. Margaret Murphy, who flew over from Cork, Ireland, to give a talk at the dinner, created a patient advocacy organization after watching her son die as a result of a series of medical errors.These two women are extraordinary. They had every right to be bitter and angry from their absolutely awful experiences. Yet, they reached down deep into their hearts and souls and transformed those events into programs that will help patients and providers for years to come. In so doing, they set an example for us all. I was honored to be asked to join them last night.
(Thanks to Bob Bennett of Bob Bennett Photography in Middleboro, MA for the use of the picture.)
We were equally honored to have you join us! You helped drive our theme home this year - "Together, moving forward"
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Linda Kenney
I hope you'll let us know whether the fundraiser was successful!
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe patients need to be invited to the table when providers talk about medical error and patient safety. For too long, we have been excluded. It's as if the providers believe we have nothing worthwhile to contribute, or that we are incapable of overcoming our anger and trauma and therefore can't be trusted to behave ourselves during the discussion.
Well, guess what? Most of us really, sincerely want to work with you to make things better. And we would be so grateful and so honored to have the opportunity to do so.
Thank you for your support of MITSS.