I was distressed by the experience and viewpoint of your recent correspondent regarding the Chilliwack Hospital emergency department.
I was not going to comment, as I assumed that many in the community would do so. However at our church service today, I think “someone” pushed me to write .
Faith, hope and charity and the greatest of these is charity. The word charity meant love. The Christian religion does not have a monopoly on charity/love, other religions also emphasise charitable works and love for your fellow human being.
However, speaking as a Christian, I wonder what Jesus would do if he visited Chilliwack Hospital emergency department? Maybe he would heal wounds, cure the sick and ease troubled spirits. That’s speculation, however one thing he would certainly not do, is ignore those in distress, the unwashed and the troubled in mind. He would talk to them, engage and offer some hope.
As a physician, I work with wonderful caring teams that provide some healthcare to the homeless. We know that 20 per cent of our citizens don’t have access to a family doctor. For the homeless that figure jumps to 100 per cent. The emergency department is the only place that most of them can get any degree of health care.
None of them choose to be homeless. They have very limited if any access to showers, laundry and comforts that we take for granted. Living outside is tough and I’m amazed that they survive the challenges of rain and cold. Survival requires wearing two to three layers of clothing that is rarely removed.
Our teams do what we can, but some problems are insoluble without housing. We have seen some great success and a turnaround for many who do achieve stable housing.
We treat our clients with respect and if we can do little else, we listen. Most of the homeless had a life before their descent. Amongst this group we meet qualified mechanics, chefs, carpenters, etc. Circumstances such as divorce, unemployment and spiralling substance use, led to a precarious existence of couch surfing, living in a vehicle to finally living on the street.
The issue of homelessness has complex origins, and complex problems require complex solutions. I’m pleased to say that the City of Chilliwack and in particular Mayor Ken Popove has a compassionate and caring attitude to our homeless, that contrasts with the attitude of some other municipalities.
Like a poster on a wall, the homeless become invisible. Survey after survey indicates their distress at being ignored.
Faith hope and love; What can you do? Consider contributing to agencies that volunteer and care for these people. At the very least, a kind word, a “good morning,” or a “how are you today?” goes a long way.
Dr. Ralph Jones
READ MORE: LETTER: Consider yourself blessed to not need urgent care