Derek Bolen has been unable to walk since mid-June after suffering a spinal cord injury. He has lost months of his life lying flat on the floor, the only position that brings him any comfort. For his entire life Derek had been a proud advocate of the Canadian healthcare system. His wife – an American looking forward to relocating to Canada – would listen as he spoke graciously about Canada’s government health care monopoly..After eight weeks of chronic pain and loss of mobility he finally received a referral for spinal surgery, but the B.C. Ministry of Health told him that it could take months or even years before he hears from the surgeon. Desperate, he decided to raise money through Gofundme so he could have the surgery done at a private clinic and many of his friends and family members were eager to contribute. .When looking at his options he was told that “Due to the recent court decision, we have been advised that we are unable to continue to see B.C. self-pay patients for an assessment at the Specialist Referral Clinic or surgery at the Cambie Surgey Centre”..Derek has lost freelance clients. He has had to temporarily give up custody of his son. Even a date – an idea of when he will be able to live his life normally again – that one simple thing would do so much to curb the frustration and depression that accompanies the loss of mobility. Instead, opioids are expected ease the pain and appease his trepidation. .Most Canadians believe in publicly funded healthcare. When asked what they appreciate most about living in Canada, healthcare often tops the list. The idea that any Canadian can go to the hospital and be given the treatment they require without receiving a giant bill provides comfort. With that type of reputation, what good reason would the public healthcare system have to take an otherwise able-bodied 40-year-old man – a father who is employed and has proudly contributed to that system approximately $12,500 a year through taxation – and leave him in pain and despair. .Then, the B.C. Supreme Court rules that it is illegal for this man to seek private care – which would only alleviate the financial strain and manpower shortages within the public system. The Supreme Court of B.C. has condemned Derek and many others to months or even years of chronic pain, loss of income and personal impacts such as time lost with their children and loved ones..And to what end? For fifteen thousand dollars – raised voluntarily by people in his community – Derek could have had the surgery within 72 hours. When asked about the B.C. Supreme Court ruling, B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said, “I have to say this is a really important day for public health care, for Medicare in Canada”. And with that – those who fall between the cracks of the public system are reminded that ideology drives the decisions and not compassion. The leftist “health care is a right” argument has become incompatible with the liberal ideas of autonomy and self-ownership. A man is not allowed to get the care he needs..Derek is also the founder of VanSober – an organization focused on promoting an alcohol-free lifestyle in the Greater Vancouver area. The neglect shown to him from the B.C. Ministry of Health has far reaching impacts in a city that suffers tremendously with drug and alcohol abuse and which is concernedly evident in Adrian Dix’ riding of Vancouver-Kingsway..From Derek’s Twitter account: “… I’ve been the most frothing-at-the-mouth advocate for the public health system my entire life; after this I will never stop fighting for two-tier again”..And then later: “The Irony is spending your entire relationship bragging about the Canadian Health Care system to your American wife, and then having to explain how losing the ability to walk for four months is actually preferable to paying for health insurance”..His wife’s thoughts on relocating now: “Kinda scared to live in Canada. Hope I never have a medical emergency”..Darcy Gerow is a columnist for the Western Standard
Derek Bolen has been unable to walk since mid-June after suffering a spinal cord injury. He has lost months of his life lying flat on the floor, the only position that brings him any comfort. For his entire life Derek had been a proud advocate of the Canadian healthcare system. His wife – an American looking forward to relocating to Canada – would listen as he spoke graciously about Canada’s government health care monopoly..After eight weeks of chronic pain and loss of mobility he finally received a referral for spinal surgery, but the B.C. Ministry of Health told him that it could take months or even years before he hears from the surgeon. Desperate, he decided to raise money through Gofundme so he could have the surgery done at a private clinic and many of his friends and family members were eager to contribute. .When looking at his options he was told that “Due to the recent court decision, we have been advised that we are unable to continue to see B.C. self-pay patients for an assessment at the Specialist Referral Clinic or surgery at the Cambie Surgey Centre”..Derek has lost freelance clients. He has had to temporarily give up custody of his son. Even a date – an idea of when he will be able to live his life normally again – that one simple thing would do so much to curb the frustration and depression that accompanies the loss of mobility. Instead, opioids are expected ease the pain and appease his trepidation. .Most Canadians believe in publicly funded healthcare. When asked what they appreciate most about living in Canada, healthcare often tops the list. The idea that any Canadian can go to the hospital and be given the treatment they require without receiving a giant bill provides comfort. With that type of reputation, what good reason would the public healthcare system have to take an otherwise able-bodied 40-year-old man – a father who is employed and has proudly contributed to that system approximately $12,500 a year through taxation – and leave him in pain and despair. .Then, the B.C. Supreme Court rules that it is illegal for this man to seek private care – which would only alleviate the financial strain and manpower shortages within the public system. The Supreme Court of B.C. has condemned Derek and many others to months or even years of chronic pain, loss of income and personal impacts such as time lost with their children and loved ones..And to what end? For fifteen thousand dollars – raised voluntarily by people in his community – Derek could have had the surgery within 72 hours. When asked about the B.C. Supreme Court ruling, B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said, “I have to say this is a really important day for public health care, for Medicare in Canada”. And with that – those who fall between the cracks of the public system are reminded that ideology drives the decisions and not compassion. The leftist “health care is a right” argument has become incompatible with the liberal ideas of autonomy and self-ownership. A man is not allowed to get the care he needs..Derek is also the founder of VanSober – an organization focused on promoting an alcohol-free lifestyle in the Greater Vancouver area. The neglect shown to him from the B.C. Ministry of Health has far reaching impacts in a city that suffers tremendously with drug and alcohol abuse and which is concernedly evident in Adrian Dix’ riding of Vancouver-Kingsway..From Derek’s Twitter account: “… I’ve been the most frothing-at-the-mouth advocate for the public health system my entire life; after this I will never stop fighting for two-tier again”..And then later: “The Irony is spending your entire relationship bragging about the Canadian Health Care system to your American wife, and then having to explain how losing the ability to walk for four months is actually preferable to paying for health insurance”..His wife’s thoughts on relocating now: “Kinda scared to live in Canada. Hope I never have a medical emergency”..Darcy Gerow is a columnist for the Western Standard
