Letters, Dec. 19

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/12/2023 (997 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Belief in justice

Re: Is it possible to achieve true justice? (Think Tank, Dec. 18)

Kudos to John Wiens for his thoughtful essay on justice and its limitations. One perspective that may be helpful in these matters is a consideration of how our collective sense of justice has changed over time.

For example, in most of the world, a father who steals bread to feed his children is no longer incarcerated to hard labour and justice systems, though never perfect, continue to attempt to be more nuanced in its rulings. Slavery is now universally condemned, and in at least in much of the world, women’s rights are affirmed. One even hears of “rules of war,” as oxymoronic as that may sound.

Like most worthy ideals, humanity’s sense of justice has evolved and will continue to do so. Though it will always be a receding horizon, people around the globe continue to dedicate their lives towards awakening societies’ sensibilities to what is “just.”

Though “true justice” may never be achieved, I do believe that justice will continue to flourish. While backward steps are to be expected, we can live in hope that the forward steps will keep inching us along towards a more fair and equitable world.

Edwin Buettner

Winnipeg

Shining light where needed

Re: Shining a gaslight on ‘what women go through’ (Dec. 18)

I highly commend Jen Zoratti’s extensive research and explicit educational article on one of medicine’s misunderstood diseases, endometriosis.

The case studies of the women presented in the article are heartbreaking examples of how our medical system is failing them.

The excruciating pain and life-altering symptoms these women must experience for so many years of their lives, is totally unacceptable. The misdiagnoses, lack of understanding and dismissive attitudes from the physicians they’ve encountered in their treatment journeys are nothing short of inhumane.

We hear more often of treatment for painfully debilitating conditions are being sought by Canadians in far away countries. Quick access to surgery is not found in Canada, rather in Croatia!

We certainly need to improve research, funding, education, physician training and timely access to the diagnostics required to improve endometriosis care.

Perhaps a disease not spoken of publicly in the past is now a publicly acceptable condition. No woman should suffer in debilitating pain during the majority of their lives. Painful and heavy flow periods are no longer something we should “have to live with.” Missing work, sports and life in general, every month, does not need to occur.

Thank you Jen Zoratti for your well researched and written article, and raising awareness of not only the complexity but the frequency of endometriosis in our society.

Karen Zurba

Winnipeg

Re: Shining a gaslight on ‘what women go through’ (Dec. 18); Lost in transition (Nov. 20)

Kudos to Jen Zoratti and AV Kitching for their excellent recent reporting on endometriosis and peri-menopause. There is a shameful lack of societal awareness (not to mention needless stigma and shame) when it comes to women’s health issues, and these two pieces are an important contribution towards changing that.

Bravo to the subjects who shared their sensitive stories with candour and the health-care professionals who are working towards a system that believes and supports women.

Emma Durand-Wood

Winnipeg

Climate change everyone’s problem

Re: Debating carbon price exemption as temperatures rise (Dec. 16)

I would like to comment on an article by Laura Rance that, in very simple terms, explains the contentious relationship between the farming community and carbon pricing.

As she states, most of what farmers do is already exempted from carbon pricing. As farmers are very conscious of maintaining sustainable land related agricultural practices the most recent focus on the expense of grain drying has drawn a lot of attention.

As of March 2023 the federal government has committed $1.5 billion to agricultural emission. Through the Agricultural Clean Technology Program vast amounts of money have been committed to subsidizing more efficient grain drying equipment and fuel switching initiatives. As she so aptly states the bigger threat farmers face is not the carbon price on fuel for drying equipment but the problem of production shortfalls due to air pollution and the resulting climate change which in the last few years has resulted in devastating drought.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre would do well to reconsider his stance on carbon pricing, to which he attributes all the ills of the nation. Pollution should not be free and it would be nice if at some point he could distance himself from the fossil fuel industry and acknowledge the fact that climate change does exist and is an existential global threat. The escalation of food pricing will only continue if at some point this situation is not addressed. This problem should not be politicized but should be tackled in a bipartisan manner as we are all going to be affected.

Brian Dyck

Winnipeg

Hoping to be heard

Re: ‘Speak up, make some noise’ (Dec. 17)

I was encouraged to read Karen Bennet’s story, and discouraged that she has not yet made the list for spine surgery. I know her pain.

I’ve suffered with similar issues since January 2017. Unknown to me, a birth defect has resulted in significant anterolisthesis, when bone spurs that were connecting L5 to S1, broke off and have no possibility of healing. I have been living with chronic nerve pain ever since.

In February 2022, my condition started to deteriorate, and I was referred to the spine clinic. It took 18 months, but I was finally assessed in July this year. Unfortunately, since September my condition has worsened, to the point where my left leg goes numb and gives out. After a fall in October, I was rushed to HSC for an emergency MRI, when they confirmed my symptoms and have referred me for surgery and cortisol shots into my spine. I now use a walker, and I have yet to hear from either the spine clinic or when I will get my first cortisol shot.

I am only 50 years old, and as my condition deteriorates, so does my general health. Seven years ago I was a physically active teacher, who had no issue keeping up with my students, coaching, and playing sports. My mobility has decreased so much that I am now taking more medications than my 78 year old mother! I now take nerve blockers, painkillers, antacids, have high blood pressure, am at risk for Type 2 diabetes, and am fighting off depression — all because of my spine injury.

When surgery is delayed, our physical and mental health deteriorates and we become more disabled. One of these days, I will fall and then surgery will be moot, and I will be a parapalegic. Maybe, just maybe, by being squeaky wheels, Ms. Bennet and I will get the surgery we need.

Sincerely,

Gail Glanfield

Gillam

Disaster in the making

The newly completed construction at the corner of St. Mary’s Road and Dakota Street has left a no right turn for the northbound traffic on to Dakota Street. I get that this was done to avoid collisions with riders using the new bicycle lane.

However, as I sat at the lights in Friday, I saw no less than a dozen cars zip through the hotel parking lot in order to access southbound Dakota. This is not only illegal, but highly dangerous to the people who are legitimately using the lot to access the businesses there. a sign needs to be erected and some enforcement needs to happen before there is a tragedy.

You would think that the powers that be would have taken this into account.

Ken Warkentin

Winnipeg