Alone in the Dark

CORRECT ME IF I’M WRONG!                                   August 9, 2013

 By author Bryce A Baker                                                  15^th Edition

Alone in the Dark                                               

One’s ability to be heard is paramount to relinquish self-doubt, anxiety and burden. It is remarkable how much weight off one’s shoulders can be lessened. We have all had times when just talking about an incident or problem releases the muscle tension in the back and has a resulting sigh of relief. The issue may not be resolved but reasonable counsel may open avenues illusive to the subject.

Personally, there have been many issues miss-scrutinized by people we look to for their professional expertise.  It is not only sad for the diagnosis, but the real damage is the related mental and physical, not only to the victim, but to the family. Several years ago I was struggling with some substantial health problems. To maintain my career I was forced to mask symptoms to keep working. When the symptoms over shadowed, it could not be hidden any longer.

Because of the position I was in, a claim was put in to WCB, or Workers Compensation Board. Thus started a ten year battle with this IDIOTIC bureaucracy.

To substantially summarize the battle against a system designed to kill you if your injury didn’t; I fought with the same tenacity I hunted bad guys with. Their overpaid doctors followed WCB guideline’s to the letter. The form letter starts with a 100 percent denial, and then buries you with enough paper work and frustration so you just give up. Trying to find a lawyer was another joke. Policy is with WCB is to extend the BS if a lawyer gets involved.

Even with substantial ‘physical’ medical support and reports from my attending doctors, their ‘doctors’ denied the issue anyway. Toward the end of my ten year battle I contacted a branch of the provincial government in Edmonton and laid out my story. I asked to talk with the governing agency over WCB. There is none. They operate at their own discretion. I was advised that there would be someone contacting me regarding the claim. I GOT A CALL BACK FROM THE AJUDICATER I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT!

After ten years of extreme frustration, not only to me but my family, I won a settlement. Then two weeks later, they changed their mind. After the forth appeal, I was paid much less than settled.

During this episode of the ‘Twilight Zone’, there was NO ONE to turn to. The media, lawyers, Ombudsman, and government were temporarily insane so they disappeared back into hiding. 

Now the point of this story is a case brought to my attention about a friend’s mom.  First I should say that, the great bunch of apples in the basket, are always seen as the only rotten one amongst them. That said, I have had great doctors save my life MANY times, this is about the ROTTEN one. I’m going to copy and paste this lady’s story. It is a sad state that innocent people suffer because of our disgusting ‘support system’. 

“My daughter is Dawn and she said that I should tell you my story.

Dr. Terry O'Farrell operated on my right hip for the third time in the middle of July 2011.Right after the operation I had no feeling in my right leg and I could not move my foot sideways. I asked every medical person that came into my room why I had no movement in my foot and no one gave my answer, and I never seen the Dr. again. I found out from a Neurologist that the sciatic nerve has been cut or nicked, as a result I have drop foot. I must wear a brace to hold up my toes if not I will trip and fall. Wearing this brace is not a thing that is pretty. I must wear runners at all times so I can never get dressed up, and I must walk with a cane at all times. This does hamper me from doing some of the easiest of tasks as I cannot get down on my knees and I cannot sit in a bath tub. There are a lot of little things that I no longer can do and it has made me change the way that I live. Drs. like this should have to pay for their mistakes some way. I have talked to several people who have had him operate on them only to find that something went wrong. It’s not fair that we should have to suffer and suffer we do because of their blunder. Thank you for taking the time to want to hear my story.  Anne

Bryce: yes you may use my story in your column. I have been to a lawyer and was told that it would probably cost me more than I would ever get. My age for one thing is against me and the fact that I am not employed and dependent on my wages I would not get very much. I would also have to go elsewhere to get a doctor to say that it was his fault. I was told that I would have to pay for this Dr. to come to Kelowna and that I would have to cover all of his expenses. I don't think that it is fair that he gets off scot free and not have to prove anything. Good luck with your column and thank you for your advice.  Anne”

We are not alone. There are thousands that have gone, and are going through battles that are similar with NO one to turn to. It can be extremely hard to tell the story like Anne’s. Reliving the horror takes courage on her part. Thanks Anne. So, in a small way, two people have shared their stories and hopefully even just being heard, this lady can find some particle of peace.

Please... CORRECT ME IF I’M WRONG!

Bryce A Baker

www.bryceabaker.com