Medical Bullies

“We have been trained to be nice dead people or bullies. When you are in a position of authority you are justified in being a bully. You don’t call yourself a bully—you call yourself an authority. In domination systems authorities are given legal power to bully through the system of deserve, in which punishment, rewards and other forms of coercion get you to do things.” -- Marshall B. Rosenberg

As mentioned in a previous post, I had an accident this weekend.  It isn't enough to have to endure untold physical pain it seems, you also have to put up with the "mistreatment" of those who supposedly should be "treating"you.

A  gentle demeanor sometimes seems to bring out the predator in others, especially those in privileged positions. I remember a movie about this subject where a successful doctor had to suddenly face the horrid, impersonal medical system he once worked for (and had never questioned) until his health was at risk and the tables had turned against him.

Anyway, here was my personal "Jackal"experience:

First Jackal doctor: "What happened to you?
Me: "I fractured my wrist."
1st Jackal Doctor: *retorts in a distastful, angry demeaning parental tone* "NO. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU (IDIOT)? DID YOU FALL? WERE YOU IN A CAR ACCIDENT?"
Me: *shell-shocked*  "blah, blah blah..."

2nd Jackal Doctor:  "WHY ARE YOU HERE? WHO SENT YOU?

Me: "Another doctor from another hospital."

2nd Jackal Doctor: "NO. NO ONE DID ANY SUCH THING... and why do you have those MEDICAL REPORTS with you? You should have left them with the 1st doctor."

Me: "No one told me anything about any papers."

Jackal Doctor's Assistent *as he reads medical report*: "Doctor, it says the man was sent here by another hospital."

2nd Jackal Doctor: *totally silent*

-- Refle