What's said; what we hear

Much like the impact of punctuation - as illustrated so cleverly in the best-seller, 'Eats, shoots and leaves' - how words are spoken radically impacts their meaning and their interpretation. Everyone who's been in a relationship will know this. "The door was left open again." No names mentioned. Depending on the delivery, this can be a covert accusation or simply a statement. Why should conversations with our healthcare professionals be exempt from scrutiny of our own rules of engagement. Our interpretations have such immense repercussions, you'd think there'd be some training with role modeling or eavesdropping or video taping, so the sometimes subtle reactions to something we think we've heard that causes us to rear up, shut down, shut out anything else the good doc says. Like for instance, a simple: "Hmmmm" can be a killer. I recently heard this story, while tuned into CBC radio."They'd been married for 20 years, and drove together every day to work. At the beginning, they'd talk all the way. But eventually, their trips became silent. Each lost in their own thoughts. Each feeling the loss and loneliness of the silent ride. One day, he absentmindedly started humming, I've got you under my skin. 'What's that supposed to mean?', she snapped. And they lapsed back into silence. The power and the potential of what's said, and what we hear.

Back to health

Conceived a year ago, with the name coming to me whilst in a head-stand, my new baby, Ability4Life is launched. If you're in any way shape or form involved with caring for an elderly/aging person, this site's for you. The Story of Ablity4Life.. coming soon

Done with Dragons

I am very very frightened, as I watch this season's DD unfold. They're meaner. Editing speeds the pitches onto the kill. I shudder at what could be left on the floor - or worse - left in - if I make it into the last few shows before the season ends. And if I don't, I'll spill the beans here on the outcome which exactly met my goals. Until then here's breathing fire at you.

Post DD Taping Apprehension

I so enjoyed my taping day with the Dragons: was well prepared, was not intimidated, was confidently able to counter cynicism, skepticism, numbers questions, was only slightly thrown when the video excerpt broadcast waaay out of synch and even had a response (and was hoping!) for Kevin's: "This is the worst idea.." I did smack the microphone attached to my neckline that's a real 'ouchie' for ears (it was a moment of emphasizing something) on the other hand, I didn't lose the mic pack around my waist (to accommodate cartwheel) and I made them chuckle. I loved being behind the scenes again (impressed the heck out of the sound guy when I asked if he needed a sound check) and only think I looked moderately Charlie Chaplin-esque striding through the studio to my 'spot' on the stage (kind people comment that I walk like a dancer) Now, as I watch this season, I wonder if my confidence, well thought-out and thought-through pitch won't fit in the meaner leaner American Idol circus approach.

Diving into the Den

After much thought, my wardrobe decision is based on looking as professional as possible, while also accommodating various bits incorporated into my pitch (as a solo 'act', it's my mandate and mission to be as memorable as possible - whatever the ultimate outcome) I have severely restricted use of anything white (causes a camera's brain to imbalance) so it's just the collar of my shirt that crisply makes a statement under a snug navy blue t-shirt. A gently fitted faux blue-jean boyfriend jacket and an above-the-knee navy and bisque chiffon skirt with navy silk lining. Princess heels are navy, nylons are neutral. No-one would ever guess the spandex short-shorts until my cartwheel (lots of practicing went into that) Upside down, I thought I heard Arlene's "Well done" Right side up , Jim Treliving offered: "You're very spry". Later, they'd learn that while doing warm-up cartwheels outside the Pitcher's 'holding room' the woman assigned to keep a-watch on us Pitchers, spoke into her headset: "I'm off air for 30-seconds" whereupon she attempted a cartwheel (considering her age, I dunno, 21? nicely done). Then the KMPG business advisor arrive. He also felt the need (considering he's a guy: passable) At a certain point, the joint was careening with cartwheelers. If nothing else, that'll be my Dragon's Den legacy.

Melting make-up not a deal-breaker

OMG, OMG... Richard Maerov, quietly-confident producer, voice messaged: 'if you're still into it, we'd like to tape your pitch. O-M-G: 'IF I'M STILL INTO IT?!! You betcha I'm into it! Then, a dose of reality: 'we tape in three weeks' Three, count 'em, three weeks. Three weeks. To hone a business concept, take a crash course in internet businesses models (is there such a thing?) develop a business plan, have my numbers down cold, create a made-for-television pitch, not to mention the mind-boggling and ever-present what-to-wear headache. I ponder all these issues at aHuman Rights Watch fundraiser, where I shout my good news over the music to a couple of very tall men. Two words get their immediate attention: Dragon's Den. One's a VC who cautions: you don't want any of those Dragon's to invest in you. I know them all. Give me a call and we'll talk it through. [this warrants another OMG] Making it to the finals opens doors. Then, the men's wives arrive (both powerhouse women)I get their attention, too. But for a different reason: what am I going to wear.

The Audition Experience

CBC Atrium. I sign in, pick up the CBC-and-producers-are-released-from-any-and every-eventuality Agreement for signing, and get my number. It's #434. #200 is now being served. Sigh. I beeline for couch with just enough breathing room, and get busy releasing. This takes oh maybe 5 minutes. It's the same release as on the Dragon's Den website and I've already read it, sighed over it and realized - if you wanna be in the game, you have to play by the rules. Looking around, intense albeit quiet conversations: a well suited 40'ish woman with a briefcase is in serious discussion with a well-suited 30-ish man who seems to be giving selling tips. On the other side of the couch, on a cell phone is an elegantly dressed man who looks Ethiopian, talking animatedly on a cell-phone in completely unaccented English. The Atrium is awash with hopefuls, considering the acoustics - high high ceiling, lots of granite - it's a quietly murmuring crowd. I repair to the bathroom to check my camouflage. After, I walked past the barrier of desks in front of the audition area. Five producers wait to hear pitches, echoing the Dragon's Den set-up. One by one, pitchers pitch and exit. It finally dawns on me: there. is. no.camera. O-M-G. I am way too overly-made-up...but don't want to risk making a mess removing some of the layers. After 3+ hours: I'm up. After, I head to the bathroom and, to my horror, under my eyes, dissolving make-up has created a trail -- no, more like a constellation -- of black dots. My credibility and confidence equally dissolved I head for the exit. On the way out, Richard, who I was fortunate enough to be pitching to said, "Sounded good. We'll call you if we want you." Oh boy. There's hope. Heading home to wash my face. Verry exciting. Next post, I'll share my audition script.

The Audition

Been writing my audition script. Then, everything changes when I say it out loud (you try it) Incorporating tips from info session: we've perfected a product; we have a track record; we know our audience; we know our potential. Time to figure out what to wear. Yikes. Been a whole lotta years since last I auditioned. I used to know what to wear, how to 'make-up' and how animated to be or not to be. After much on-ing and off-ing of various outfits, hauled out the ancient Hi8 camera, shooed the cat off the bed, pressed record, shooed the cat again and talked into the camera. Rewound, watched, grimaced, and repeated. Finally happy with classic white collared shirt, and red sweater, script almost memorized, I head to the bathroom and shoo the cat away to apply make-up. Once again in front of camera, with cat on lap, shoot, rewind and see where I messed-up on the make-up. I'm exhausted. I head to CBC clutching script, make-up bag, and pick up mega coffee.

I've got it and they want it

I pitched to Richard Maerov: tall good looking, and island of calm in the waves of people wanting to know how to get on Dragon's Den (soon to be launched in US as Shark Tank). Richard looked into a television screen in his brain: "A patient education television network in hospitals... that'd make good TV.. and an established business? Woah. We don't get many of those" .....Yay hurray. Then, to Tracie Tighe, tightly focussed Exec, I answer, You betcha I can audition next week. OMG Total excitement. Am on Audition Script, as soon as I figure out Audition wardrobe.

Watching and listening in the information Den

While working up what the heck I was going to run by the DD producer, I observed and eavesdropped. The scruffy young fella sporting what looked like a hand-knit knapsack had been two ahead of me in the registration line. Guy between us asked "What's your product?" Scruffy point to his knapsack. Guy between us said "Oh yeah. I've seen them around" Scruffy wilted before our very eyes: "You can't have. It's an original." As Mayor David Miller walked through the crowd to the front to give his welcome speech, a well-groomed young man took advantage of the several second 'delay' to try to pitch Dragon Robert Herjavec on something that looked like a small skateboard. A woman said, to no-one in particular: "Look at that: he's just gotten right in there to give his pitch. " I note a man and woman circle each-other warily. Man says, "You were on last year weren't you?" Turns out they'd both pitched last season.. and were part of what I realized were 'Dragon Heads': devotees and groupies who come to as many Dragon events as they can. I learned that while the Dragon's were all 'in' on guy's pitch, he decided against taking their money. The woman also had the Dragon's 'all in'. As due diligence and negociations evolved, Dragon's wanted more of the business than had been offered... for way more money. "Of course we went for it." Interrrresting. The stage set for the session to begin; Miller says his bit (making a crack about CBC being one of Canada's two national networks.. sorry Global) and then right into Diane and Herjavec. The room is (temporarily) attentive...

Entering the Dragon's Den

Been intrigued by this show's concept - its mix of entertainment and (occasionally) a solid business idea gives entrepreneurs valuable insight into what investors require. But it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Decided what the hell, I'll go to an information session.. along with hordes in the hundreds, who could barely contain themselves as Dragon Robert Herjavec and DD host Diane Buckner went through what to do and what not to do (do know your numbers; don't insult the Dragons) My take away: if you're worried about your idea/concept being stolen, it's not much of an idea and.. even if something's already 'out there' perfecting it is what counts. OK: thanks for that. For me, what was equally (if not more) fun and interesting was observing and eavesdropping (which I'll get to next entry). I was just about to exit, when a CBC communications maven I'd been introduced a week before encouraged me to run my idea by a Dragon's producer. Sure. Now I had to come up with an idea.

A new venture, a new language

All my fulminating and (occasionally) fuming about inequities of health information offerings has led to a decision: it's time to start a new website. I can do all the things I think are missing -- like translations of medical terminology (just check out some of the sites and sources that purport to do this....good lord.... but more on that later) and ridiculously basic information. It's darned exciting. And how ironic: for all my gripes and snipes about the language of healthcare, I'm now in an immersion course in the language of technocrats and webmasters. Here's to new a whole new world acronyms and buzz words. As I used to say in my tv reporter days: stay tuned.

dinner with octogenerians

The most lively, engaging bunch of people I've had the pleasure of learning from and laughing with. Five plus moi (the only one at the half century mark). One thing we all had in common was taking medication. I'm on asthma, GI and Potassium Citrate (kidney stone prevention) and they're on cholesterol, blood pressure, thyroid, osteo-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and one is on several to control Parkinsons. I know because when one of 'em took out his pill container, I asked. Then everyone wanted to tell me about THEIR meds. Then everyone wanted to compare meds experiences with everyone else. Oh, if only a group of MD's coulda heard...

Speaking in tongues

I just came back from the first of what sounded like a must-attend series: University of Toronto’s Mini Med Course, 5 weeks of helping we, the great unwashed, understand something or another about medicine. Tonite, an Emergency Doctor billed as: Life and Death in the Emergency Room. I fully expected tips for getting into, and more importantly, getting out of ER quickly. I think Ms. ER Doc described decision-making mechanisms, critical conditions and improved diagnositic solutions – but all in the language learned in medical school. Which I have not gone to. And if I had, wouldn’t then need this course. At the end, I asked: "What doctor/patient communication training does your specialty get?” It may have been my imagination but I'm sure she winced as she hesitated before answering, “Largely it’s mentoring.” Great. Unless the mentor also speaks in tongues.

How are we supposed to know what we're supposed to know

"Every encounter between doctor and patient is a cross-cultural event". Thank you Dr Jeffrey Borkan – who makes this startlingly simple and yet startlingly astute statement in, 'Patients and Doctors', where doctors write about patients that changed their lives. By articulating this Truism, Borkin validates the struggle of being a stranger in a strange land: In the doctor's office, clinic, lab, hospital, hospice – we're the immigrants, and we're asked to on-the-spot learn a new language and culture. Yes, yes, there's tons and tons of health information here in cyberspace and beyond, but most of the billion search results assumes we the masses have been trained to research, evaluate, analyze, interpret, assess and apply what we've found. I'm bombarded with 'take responsibility for your own health' directives. There's a fatal flaw in this push for personal accountability "how are we supposed to know what we're supposed to know?