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Pa ge 2 8 T hu rs da y, Ja nu ar y 15 , 2 01 5 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a C C T I L EE RAM I 416-989-7809 905-877-1936Dave LoDuca • Ceramic & Porcelain Tile Installation • Bathroom Renovations • Kitchen Backsplashes • Heated Floors Favourite Contractor 3 years in a row! Mon-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6 68 Main St. N., Georgetown MOORE PARK PLAZA 905-873-0176 • BUY • SELL • TRADE Visit Us This Winter! X-COUNTRY DOWNHILL SNOWBOARDING New & Use d! Boots, Boa rds, Bindings & more! • Professional Eye ExamsArranged • Eyeglasses • Sunglasses • Contact Lenses • Safety Glasses GEorGEtown 280 Guelph St., 905-873-3050 BoLton 905-857-5556 Over 24 Years of Experience $50 OFF Prescription glasses. Limited time offer. 5 Armstrong Ave., Georgetown PHONE 905-873-2989 OR EMAIL FOR FALL BROCHURE danceco@sympatico.ca | www.georgetowndancecompany.com Dancing is like dreaming with your feet • lessons for all ages and genres • recreational and competitive programs • convenient local recital • over 20 years experience Ample Free Parking ve., Georgetown 5102 ,81,71,61 YRAUNAJ 818 SEGA SDIK  SNOITIDUA snoitcudorPebolG/moc.koobecaf.www ac.snoitcudorpebolg.www 5102 ,01,9,8,3,2,1 YAM / SECNAMROFREP LACISUM SNOITCUDORP HTUOY EBOLG ac.snoitcudorpebolg.www STNEMERIUQER NOITIDUA COMMENT It is counter intuitive, but it seems there is a lack of understanding and empathy within our medical system when dealing with disabled patients. After all, these professionals must of ne- cessity, and as a possible consequence of their work, deal with a wide range of people with varying disabilities. I recently called an ambulance due to an extreme gall bladder attack. Fellow sufferers know how excruciating and un- relenting this pain can be. While the para- medics were very professional and under- stood I could not see well, this information seems to get lost at the hospital. Upon ad- mittance, the hospital was made aware of my disability but this fact was not passed along with me. During staff shift change, they seem not to inform the new staff. But do they need to? Is this information not put onto my admittance and chart partic- ulars for reference? Is it read by the staff? I was eventually treated and released. The nurse said I could go and simply walked away. Where are my shoes? My shirt? My white cane? I broke my ankle, had surgery and was placed in a cast. Before being released, staff wanted me to demonstrate I could use crutches to go up and down the stair- well. I told them I needed a walker not crutches because I can't see well enough to maneuver. Their response was that they don't have walkers. A pharmacist once enquired about my white cane. "Is that a golf club?" "Yes." I responded. "You should see my handi- cap!" When entering the hospital I asked where a department was and was handed a paper map. Not even an X marking the spot? Not very useful. I think courses in sensitivity and an overview of patient disability issues should be mandatory when acquiring a degree for all health care professionals. Andrew Tutty is a member of the Hal- ton Hills Accessibility Advisory Committee Do hospital medical professionals need sensitivity training? Andrew Tutty