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Saturday, December 12, 2009

Thank You Wendy




Thank You for becoming a Carlsvilleproject Contributor.



I consider Wendy to be a friend, although we have never really met. She continues to reach out  with her messages, to touch people as she can, and to find her own way as her present recovery from cancer promises to be a long, arduous journey.
Never-the-less with pauses in her communication and the support of her many friends she continues to maintain a positive and wonderful spirit. Wendy is full of humanity and provides a kind word for anyone who would be in need of support. She lives the following definition of "life" which is: “The purpose of life is a life with purpose.” In the spirit of this creed we have published a portion of Wendy’s most recent post.
Carl




Wendy:
Just finished watching the movie Prairie Giant, a made-for-TV movie about the life of Tommy Douglas. Wow, what a great movie! Every Canadian should watch this film, and probably every North American, come to think of it.

When Baptist preacher Tommy Douglas (Michael Therriault) takes up his new post in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in 1930, he's dismayed by the injustice he sees. Soon, his desire to address the problems drives him to take his message beyond the pulpit. This drama tells the true story of how the beloved Canadian reformer went from being a parish pastor to leading the first socialist government in North America (as premier of Saskatchewan).




Tommy Douglas (1904 – 1986) is the founder of Canadian Medicare. Tommy's daughter is Shirley Douglas, Shirley married Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, and their famous son is Kiefer Sutherland.


Prairie Giant is a wonderful chronicling of the political fight Tommy pursued to ensure all Canadians had access to free health care. He was a Baptist pastor, but had to resign when the denominational heads told him he could not be a pastor and a politician simultaneously.

Contrast that with Michael Moore's movie, Sicko. Moore's documentary focuses on the greed of the HMOs - Health Maintenance Organizations - and the absolute misery they allow to happen to their members.


Of course, Canada and the States have very strong ideas about each others' medical systems. Americans seem to hear horror stories about Canadians and their socialized medicine, while Canadians hear the sheer awfulness of their victimized neighbors-to-the-south and the despicable practices of these health insurance companies. Any Americans or Canadians care to comment below or clear up some of the myths surrounding either system?

I, for one, will forever go on the record as being grateful for socialized medicine. Even though there are many obvious flaws in our system, and even though doctors in Quebec in particular do not get anything close to a fair deal from our provincial government, I cannot tell you what an enormous relief it is to be receiving free health services at such a time as this.


“We are all in this world together, and the only test of our character that matters is how we look after the least fortunate among us. How we look after each other, not how we look after ourselves. That’s all that really matters, I think.”

Tommy Douglas

It is bad enough to be faced with constant health concerns, without having to worry about bills, payment deadlines and the like.

And so, while Kiefer Sutherland is a famous actor and gets lots of notoriety, it's his grandfather tonight that I am celebrating, and tonight I am thanking God for His humble, persistent servant Tommy Douglas, who took pity on the plight of the sick and the dying and who, at great personal cost, pushed for Medicare until he saw victory in the political arena, and saw Medicare established on a federal level. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Tommy!
Sincerely,
Wendy


To contact Wendy or read Adventures With Wendy click near the arrow at the top of this post or find it on the blog roll on this site.

6 comments:

  1. Carl, thank you for the info..it was a very touching pose. I lossed my father recently to cancer and seen personally how touch it is for the individual as well as the people in their lives when living with cancer. I wish her much health and much happiness her way;)

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  2. Hi Kyungmee, you are welcome but you know ..when I read Wendy's article I just felt the need to put it on. I am so sorry that you reciently lost your dad. It is very difficult, I know. I will past your well wishes on to Wendy. Thank you.
    Incidently the child on your post is adorable! Is he yours?:)
    Warm regards,
    Carl

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  3. Hello, Carl, thank you for your kind comment in my website. The yours is very intersting too, unfortunately, my level English isn't very good now, and there are many things I cannot understand here :-( I study English five months ago, and I must learn very much still.

    I will come here for practice :-) and for reading your beautiful texts.
    Have a nice day. See you soon.

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  4. Hola Ana,
    Muchas gracias por visitar mi sitio y me dejó sus comentarios:) sí sí te amaré para practicar Inglés aquí. Sabes Ana .. estoy encontrando los españoles no se traduce perfectamente al Inglés así que tengo que trabajar en él, especialmente con la poesía.:) Entonces no estoy muy seguro si lo tengo justo derecho! Pero yo hago lo mejor que puedo .. Ana, aumento Me encanta tu trabajo y estoy muy contento de que me visitó. Por favor, vuelva a verme otra vez.
    Un cordial saludo,
    Carl

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  5. Hi Carl,
    Sicko was a great movie. Michael Moore speaks the truth, although at times can be a bit obnoxious. However, he does great work, thus the reason that the right vilifies him.

    Thoughts and prayers to Wendy, who is someone we can all learn from. Interesting info about the Canadian healthcare system and the Sutherland's.

    Thanks for the great post.

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  6. Lauren,
    Thanks so much for visiting me. I am very concerned about our healthcare now! Although I do not really want to get too political here this begs to be addressed,I think. When I hear from people like Wendy I have to listen and wonder about our news and Washington....
    By-the-way I think your site is great( and of course your writing):)
    I will pass your sentiments along to Wendy.
    Take Care,
    Carl

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