That does it. Now we're mad!

It’s no secret that we’re declaring war on bad medical treatment and care in Michigan prisons. We’ll do it in a calm, reasonable, and legal manner.

But sometimes, especially this week, when reading

-That a guy gave specific symptoms of a torn retina last February, when the physician says there was a 90% chance of saving his vision, but because they waited so long they think he’ll go blind…

-That a guy claimed he was having a heart attack, so they gave him Tums and sent him to his room, where he died of heart failure…

-That a woman with colon cancer who desperately needs surgery keeps getting postponements…

-That a prisoner with Crohn’s Disease is unable to get an appropriate diet…

-That a prisoner with sleep apnea was ordered to ship his CPap home when he was booked in, and now cannot get another…

-That a woman in the infirmary is complaining that her sheets are “awful…almost gray and black…”

That an inmate who suffered a torn ligament in his leg still cannot get treatment four years later…

…I feel like the guy in the 1970s film NETWORK. He was the guy who got so fed up with particular issues until he exploded: I want you to get up right now. Sit up. Go to your windows. Open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not gonna take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!

I promise to listen to our wonderful doctor, whose email messages continue to bear the beautiful, calm and insightful words from the founder of World Vision International:  May my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.

But---and I’m not a theologian---I call it “righteous indignation,” and we’re not gonna take this anymore! Things have got to change.

No question about it: We’re mad!

So are our doctors and lawyers.

In the battle of David vs. Goliath, I can assure you, David is selecting his stones!


Comments

Unknown said…
As a mom of an inmate, I want to cry for the people you have mentioned. I choose to call them people rather than inmates. I'm grateful every day that our daughter is healthy. May God hear our cries.
September 13, 2017 at 7:35 PM
Louise Reichert said…
I know several facing similar "care." Inhumane, extraordinary LACK of compassion! Contracts with ineffective results! Screw bureaucracy. Somebody somewhere needs to step up and CHANGE the system. Legislature, MDOC...IT ISN'T WORKING. The entire system is broken, and LIVES are at stake!
September 13, 2017 at 8:03 PM
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