Children’s Hospital Association of Texas (CHAT)

Friday, October 9th. No better way to recognize the 16 year anniversary of the loss of my sight than to help the profession that helped me to recover. The Childrens Hospital Association of Texas is comprised of nurses and hospital representatives from hospitals specializing in pediatrics across the great state of Texas. Hey, you never have to twist my arm to go to Texas, but this was especially cool!

On the Corpus Christi Bay, with salty winds and muggy air, I met some fine, fine nurses who have such passion for helping young people. At the top of this list is Dee Evans, my client, contact and now friend! Couldn't ask for a finer person to work with and I'm trying hard to schedule some time to get to her hospital and observe the great work they do!

And, you'd think at a conference about children’s hospitals, there'd be some kids...but one of my favorite new acquaintances wasn't a kid at all, but Dee's mom! So much fun getting to know the relations of my clients!

Shriners Membership Seminar

On Oct. 3, I got to live out a dream: a presentation for my fellow Shrine Nobles. The annual Shrine Membership Seminar gives Shriners and Masons the skills, tools and motivation to help increase membership in our fraternity. And why is that important? To help insure the financial viability and future support of the Shriners Hospitals for Children. I was honored to share the stage with Tony Dungee and, best of all, my favorite Shriners kid, Leigh Dittman. I'll write more about Leigh later, but I promise you this is one of the coolest kids you'll ever meet – and Carson loves her, too!

Special thanks to Imperial Sir Gary Bergenske and Imperial Potentate Jack Jones for the opportunity to help inspire and motivate our brethren!

Central Florida Health Educators

Okay, so this was just such a fun program! Sept. 11, I was honored to present for the Central Florida Health Educators in Daytona, FL. This is a group of professors, nurse educators, etc. etc. etc. who instruct any and all students into the world of health care. Plus, it was the first time I've ever presented with a mannequin laying behind me on stage!

Special thanks to Leilani Bautista-Keene and Linda Misko for being such fantastic hostesses! We filmed this program for my upcoming health care promo video and Leilani and Linda did an awesome job of finding just the right educators to interview for their feedback on my program! Thank you!

Indiana University Culture Fest

What do you get when you put 3200 Hoosiers and one Marcus in the same room? Fun, that's what!Indiana University's Culture Fest is a huge component of the freshman Welcome Week experience - and an opportunity for students to learn the value and excitement of diversity.

So, what's a small town white boy from Missouri doing talking about different cultures? A lot, actually! See, as we discussed at Culture Fest, everyone has a story. And every story has a message behind it. IU freshmen learned my story and, hopefully, that gives a little inspiration to share their stories-and to learn from those of others.

Special thanks to Melanie Payne, Patrick Hale, Tyler Coward and Kaley for being such awesome hosts! Oh, and to Melanie for running around Culture Fest loading me up on ethnic food – yummy! Thanks for all the FaceBook sign ups and awesome comments, too-totally makes my day to know I'll be remembered at IU!

Go Hoosiers!

Relationship Based Care Symposium

On July 31, I had an almost surreal experience. See, for years, I've been touting the benefits of insights and strategies for excellent patient care. I want to promote the fantastic care I’ve received, and teach other health care pros how to give their patients as much dignity and independence as the hospital can bring! Creative Health Care Management: http://www.chcm.com/ Is an organization with this mission... and more! CHCM created the first national Relationship Based Care Symposium which was held outside Syracuse, NY in late July. I was one of the keynote speakers for the event, along with Stephen Covey and the author of "Kitchen Table Wisdom." (Quite an honor to be asked to speak alongside two such professionals!) Relationship Based Care Symposium highlighted changing the dynamics and culture of health care institutions to promote relationships-with everyone! Caregiver to patient, patient to housekeeping, housekeeping to pharmacy, pharmacy to maintenance, purchasing to techs – anyone and everyone under the canopy of the hospital is in relationship with others. It's a huge undertaking to create this culture, but it gets things done in a more nurturing, compassionate environment! Just wonderful! I'd like to say a personal thank you to Jayne Felgen, CHCM's president, Mary Kalaroutis, Donna Wright, Susan Edstrom, Sue Welliver, Chris Bjork and Gen Gwancie (sorry, Gen, I probably misspelled your last name!) Such a fantastic experience to work with a group of folks who are so committed to such a worthy cause! Thank you, CHCM, and all the attendees of the Relationship Based Care Symposium!

On July 31, I had an almost surreal experience. See, for years, I've been touting the benefits of insights and strategies for excellent patient care. I want to promote the fantastic care I’ve received, and teach other health care pros how to give their patients as much dignity and independence as the hospital can bring!

Creative Health Care Management: http://www.chcm.com/

Is an organization with this mission... and more! CHCM created the first national Relationship Based Care Symposium which was held outside Syracuse, NY in late July. I was one of the keynote speakers for the event, along with Stephen Covey and the author of "Kitchen Table Wisdom." (Quite an honor to be asked to speak alongside two such professionals!)

Relationship Based Care Symposium highlighted changing the dynamics and culture of health care institutions to promote relationships-with everyone! Caregiver to patient, patient to housekeeping, housekeeping to pharmacy, pharmacy to maintenance, purchasing to techs – anyone and everyone under the canopy of the hospital is in relationship with others. It's a huge undertaking to create this culture, but it gets things done in a more nurturing, compassionate environment! Just wonderful!

I'd like to say a personal thank you to Jayne Felgen, CHCM's president, Mary Kalaroutis, Donna Wright, Susan Edstrom, Sue Welliver, Chris Bjork and Gen Gwancie (sorry, Gen, I probably misspelled your last name!)

Such a fantastic experience to work with a group of folks who are so committed to such a worthy cause! Thank you, CHCM, and all the attendees of the Relationship Based Care Symposium!

Columbia University

Wow, second year in a row to have an awesome event with Columbia University nursing students! Thanks to all who took part in the day's events and especially to those future nurses who've signed up to be Facebook friends!

A HUGE "Thank You!" to Dr. Norma Hannigan for believing my medical programs have enough info to warrant a second trip to Columbia! (And for being the kind of educator we are fortunate to have shaping the healthcare profession – she makes me want to go back to school)!

It’s hard to express the mindset the day put me into – somewhere between ecstatic, humbled I'm able to help and realization that this is why I do what I do. Thank you!

When It's Simply Not Your Fault

A perfect storm....that's what I call the situation of Lisa Strong of Davie, FL.

Several years ago, with a history of kidney stones, Lisa went to the E.R. due to discomfort and fever she associated with her last bouts with kidney stones. Proactive? Absolutely...and quite necessary since kidney stones and kidney infections can (if left untreated) lead to death.

When she arrived at the E.R., Lisa explained this is probably a kidney stone...but this is where the water gets murky. Did she emphatically state this point? Was her 106 spiking fever causing any type of hallucinations? Did the doc on hand not hear Lisa's statement?

No one knows for sure, but it's well documented that Lisa's proclaimation of her history with kidney stones was not written down. This led to a misdiagnosis...a misdiagnosis that ended in a horrible way.

It seems the doctor, working on limited information, diagnosed a completely unrelated gall bladder issue. The result? Infection set in and, ultimately, all four of Lisa's limbs were amputated.

Folks, can you even imagine? I cannot. To lose one's limbs is one thing. To lose it due to a misdiagnosis is another. But to have been proactive in taking care of oneself and THEN to have a doc's mistake cost one their appendages? Unthinkable.

What does this teach us? Communication, communication, communication. Check, then double check and triple check. And listen to the patient!

Miscommunication will happen. After all, every interpersonal relationship will, at some point, lose the message sent somewhere between the speaker's mouth and the listener's ears. Yet, when something is as potentially deadly as the situation in which Lisa Strong found herself, there is no excuse for not checking, double checking and triple checking.

Learn more about Lisa at:

www.LisaStrong.org

Best of luck, Lisa...and if your situation teaches other health care pros to be more diligent in their diagnosis, I hope that will, in some small way, create something good and meaningful out of a senseless situation.

This I Used To Believe

I'm a big NPR junkie, especially of the show, "This American Life."

On a recent episode, there was a short segment on people who have changed their strongly held belief...and why they changed. One essay was by Courtney Davis, FNP. Her essay regarded her former belief: patients need happy, upbeat caregivers. From this guy (who has seen way too much happy sappy B.S. from caregivers), I'm happy to hear Courtney changed her belief. Her reason for the switcheroo? Evaluating her own actions as her mother lay dying.

"I didn't know then that I could have climbed into bed and held her, that I should have wailed when she was gone. I no longer comfort others with false cheer."

Just a few nights ago, I was at a reception with some acquaintances. One of the gentlemen asked (in that all-too-skittish way) how I'd lost my sight. I've perfected a quick answer to this question, one that gives the entire story in as few words as possible, but one that leaves the door open if that person wants to know more. However, the biggest thing I want to convey in my answer is that I'm okay. This experience didn't break me. Instead, it reinforced me.

When I gave my usual answer, it was obvious this person had more questions. I assured him I was happy to answer anything he wanted to know. Yet, he still felt the need to ask questions that punched like kid gloves. "Um, you don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but were you angry?" and "I don't mean to pry, but how did you get through that?" and "Please don't think I'm trying to insult you, but how do you use a computer?"

The overall feeling I got from this person was that he believed his questions could possibly make a bad situation worse. Not possible. And if questions are respectful, they're always welcome. Yet, he clung so tightly to the notion that questions are disrespectful or hurtful. Kinda like the mom with the kid at the store who sees an amputee and has questions. Almost always, the parent will hush the child. Why? As if the amputee doesn't know his/her legs have been removed? As if a legit question about my computer will mean I'm more blind?

Caregivers-do not be afraid of the truth. To dance around reality highlights just how horrible the situation is for the patient. They're not stupid, they're not oblivious...and it's insulting to have no one recognize and legitimize that their situation, well, just sucks.

False cheer...there's no place for it in a hospital setting. Thank you, Courtney, for your words and attitude and respect of patients.

279 Tweens And One Better Person

Did you like high school?

Note: If you’re in high school now (or will be in a few years), disregard this question for now, but come back and answer it around 2025, okay?

So, did you like high school? Usually, this question gets one of two polar opposite reactions. Most folks either loved it… or loathed it. There’s not much in between!

However, when you ask about middle school, the response is almost always unanimous: “Hated it!” I know I sure did! I mean, this is when I so, so, so wanted to talk to these strange beings known as “girls,” yet I had all the communication skills of a Rhesus monkey hopped up on No Doz. I tripped over my own two ginormous feet, forgot to wear deodorant on a daily basis, my voice had more cracks than a plumber’s convention and, to top it off, I had hair growing in weird places (my apologies to all you visual learners).

So, when I was invited to go back and speak at my old middle school, I accepted… and promptly felt my face break out with zits.

When the day rolled around, I’ve gotta say, middle school isn’t nearly as traumatic as I’d remembered! Either that or 20 years means I’ve forgotten all that embarrassment… NOT!

Okay, serious stuff here… When I was doing Q & A with my Montgomery County R-II Middle School audience, I got one of those really profound (and unexpected) questions that make me love working with middle schoolers:

“Marcus, do you think you’ve become a better person since you lost your sight?”

I’m not sure I’ve ever had this question from this age group before, so I didn’t have a ready answer. Yet, every so often, I open my mouth and something appropriate pops out (not like that time I accidentally spat in my date’s eye at my first dance… ahhh the flashbacks continue!)

Okay, back to serious stuff again…

Question again: “Do you feel like you’ve become a better person since you lost your sight?” Answer? “Yes, absolutely! And I hope I’m a better person today than I was yesterday. And I hope tomorrow I’ll be a better person than I am today.”

For years, I’ve been a big advocate of constant self improvement. Yet, I’m not sure I’ve ever thought of it in this day-to-day realm. To be a better person than yesterday means I have to do something (anything, really) today. Right here and now. And tomorrow? Third verse, same as the first.

Ya know, the horrors of middle school were nothing compared with those life-changes after high school… but they DID help me become a better person. Yet, even if I didn’t have such a dramatic story, I hope I’d still be the kind of person who wants to make daily improvements. But that means putting forth a conscious effort. Every day, I want to learn something new, do something healthy, teach something important and experience something different.

As a 13 year old middle schooler, I was just happy to get home at night with my underwear still intact. Some days still feel like staying in bed might have been a better option – but now I know the bigger picture. A person’s actions, attitudes and choices… these are things we each control. Every day, sometimes even moment by moment! Each experience brings an opportunity to have that moment shape a positive tomorrow.

Years, life experience and a desire for daily improvement. These things add up to helping create a happy life. I hope you embrace the same goals and determination. And thank goodness middle school isn’t even close to the best years of life!

"This Will Be My Biggest Challenge"

A few weeks ago, one of the teeth on my bridgework broke off. This happens every so often and it's a quick run to the dentist to get it fixed. The thing is, my dentist is now 1000 miles away.

So, when this happened a few weeks ago, I was headed out the door the next morning for seven days of speaking engagements. Oh, what to do? Stand up in front of thousands of people with a giant tooth gap? Or visit a "regular" dentist nearby who isn't a super specialist like my guy back in STL? I chose the local option.

Well, that fix lasted for a couple of weeks until some chicken tenders for lunch on Wednesday gave me a recurrence of the issue. This time to another dentist.

However, this dentist I visited yesterday turned out to be an awesome experience! Not only does he have a state of the art office, complete with flat screen monitors everywhere where you can see your own X rays and medical history, but his staff was about as warm and welcoming as I've ever experienced. Where some doctor's offices balk at Carson, this office had at least half a dozen office employees who stood in line to pet him!

So, back to the dentist himself... after looking at my X-rays and visually inspecting my bridgework, I asked him how long this current bridgework may last. "At least a couple more years," he said. My dentist back in St. Louis is retiring this summer, so there's every chance someone else will be creating the new prosthetics. When I told my new Orlando dentist this, he was very honest and humble:

"Marcus, when that time comes, I can try. This will be the most difficult prosthetic I've ever created. I can't promise it will work, but I can try. If you'd prefer to go to a super specialist that does projects like this regularly, that's certainly your decision, but please know I'd be happy to try."

I LOVE his honesty! My mouth is my money maker, and I don't want to waste his time. So, imagine when the time comes, I'll turn to the super specialist. Still, I appreciate his humility of informing me this isn't his usual area of expertise. I want to know that my doctor knows his limitations and won't go in guns a-blazin' if he's not 110% certain there will be a favorable outcome.

This type of humility and honesty is what will keep me coming back to this doctor. No arrogance, no promises he can't keep, just a true desire to do what is best for his patient. And if you need a dentist in my hometown – I know a guy!

How Can I Help?

February has always been Grammy month. For a music lover like moi, this is a big thing. When I was 14 and smack dab in the middle of my O.G. phase, I'd fire up the old VCR (remember those?), tape the Grammys and watch L.L. Cool J and Run DMC over and over and over again. Ah, good times!
But this year I admit I just wasn't that interested. This could mean I'm getting old, or that the glitz just isn't as impressive without Adidas sweat suits and ginormous gold chains. Yee-ahhh, boyz!
Either way, the day after the broadcast I heard a story from behind the scenes that made me wish I'd paid more attention. A couple hours before the curtain lifted, one of the acts pulled a No Show. The panicked producers began to brainstorm on who could pull off a last minute - Grammy worthy performance. Justin Timberlake had just finished his dress rehearsal when the producer cornered him. Seeing the look of panic on the producers face - before even knowing the problem, Timberlake immediately asked, "What can I do to help?"
Within half an hour, they'd pieced together an all-star duet by the Rev. Al Green and Justin Timberlake, backed up by Boyz II Men with Keith Urban on guitar. Even if you're not a fan of any of these musicians, ya gotta admit, it's a ton of talent for one stage to hold!
In a moment of crisis, when someone steps up to do something that isn't required, we usually call that person a hero. I may not go so far as to call Justin Timberlake a hero, but the producer sure might!
Truthfully, I'm not even real familiar with Justin Timberlake's music (other than "In A Box" from SNL - one of the funniest moments on that show... EVER!)
But, I am a HUGE fan of the, "What can I do to help?" attitude.
The reality is, we're living in some tough times. Some may even call it a crisis. No doubt about it, the economy and all the stress revolving around, well, pretty much everything might make you want to be the one looking to receive help. But here's something I believe is important: If you're feeling vulnerable - stop! Help someone else!
Having the "What can I do to help?" attitude immediately makes one feel prosperous and fortunate. And the help doesn't have to be financial; there are so many ways to offer assistance to another. And when you do, you'll automatically feel a little more stable and secure.
Anyone with any amount of success who is honest will tell you they didn't do it alone. We all need a little help, now and then. When you see another's crisis and step in to offer help, it creates a reciprocal attitude that will come back to help in your moments of need. That's just how the universe works.
Lend a hand. Give a dollar. Share your prosperity. Step in at the last moment to do a duet with Al Green (wouldn't mind doing this myself!) Whatever you can do to help another is assistance that benefits... everyone!
Marcus Engel is a professional speaker/author who inspires audiences to achieve success by making intelligent choices. Blinded by a drunk driver at age 18, Marcus battled through two years of recovery and 300 hours of reconstructive facial surgery to reach his goal of returning to college. After graduating from Missouri State University in 2000, Marcus began sharing his story professionally to audiences nationwide. In 2002, Marcus founded his own publishing company with the release of his autobiography, "After This...An Inspirational Journey For All the Wrong Reasons." His latest book, "The Other End of the Stethoscope" was released October 2006. His messages of empowerment and motivation have been witnessed by hundreds of thousands through his keynotes, his autobiography and his monthly newsletters. Marcus Engel is a speaker, a message, a story you will never forget! Visit http://www.MarcusEngel.com for more information!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Engel