tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post60821192641274352..comments2024-03-27T21:04:55.416-07:00Comments on Regina Holliday's Medical Advocacy Blog: On Mirrors: The Continuing Conversation on Hospice CardsRegina Hollidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067714192642008661noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post-32390709021076190852013-02-24T02:39:12.579-08:002013-02-24T02:39:12.579-08:00Thank you Erin for sharing such a deep and persona...Thank you Erin for sharing such a deep and personal reason for why we should have hospice cards. It is stories such as yours that empower this request.<br />Regina Hollidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14067714192642008661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post-52319082353811714492013-02-24T02:36:57.497-08:002013-02-24T02:36:57.497-08:00I found that very humorous as we had just had a HI...I found that very humorous as we had just had a HIT conversation in patient safety that week in which a gentleman lampooned the phrase, saying it was a nice way to say you intended to do nothing to help solve the problem.Regina Hollidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14067714192642008661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post-60046404151718086612013-02-22T17:45:17.985-08:002013-02-22T17:45:17.985-08:00Regina - thank you for your work in this world. I ...Regina - thank you for your work in this world. I worked as a hospice nurse before returning to my art practice in the past few years, and have been processing ways in which these two paths of mine can bridge to help others... I am deeply inspired by your call to activism for advocacy and deeper understanding of the patient experience. Many blessings to you...halihttp://www.halikarla.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post-34179343356718156332013-02-21T10:58:05.951-08:002013-02-21T10:58:05.951-08:00I've always loved writing letters. I love sen...I've always loved writing letters. I love sending cards - usually from Hallmark - for St. Patrick's Day to Christmas to random unknown holidays or just because. I love receiving cards. I love the messages sent and the meaning that someone is thinking of you, loving you, taking time for you.<br /><br />I've written letters and sent cards since I was a child. And then the meaning of letters and correspondence in a society of internet communications took on an even greater meaning for me in July 2006. That summer I was in Amsterdam studying international human rights law. I visited Anne Frank's house. But there was another special exhibit in another museum featuring many of Anne's letters - both from and to her. Letters that expressed parts of Anne that I couldn't have imagined but related to in many ways. And I thought, had we never found her diary - these little pieces of herself would still exist, spread around the world, still making an impact and carrying the memory of her. And thus letters took on a new significance.<br /><br />Cards are letters. They are pieces of our hearts shared with the world. They are messages given not only to share love, concern, laughs, celebrations but to document a life. As I receive a card, I get to hold someone. I can keep their thoughts and carry them with me even in rooms that are black and dark.<br /><br />My grandmother died in hospice last November. There were no hospice cards for her when I wanted so badly to write her in her last days because I couldn't be with her in person. See my grandmother, like me, loved sending cards. She too sent cards for every occasion and every once in a while, a "good kid" card with $5. And as her family cleaned her house, they found that she kept every one of my cards and letters. Every last one. She would have kept close to her a hospice card. But my stationary wasn't right and I hadn't the right wording and in the end I only had an email for someone to read to her - an intangible message. <br /><br />Why can't there be hospice cards? Cards that allow us to share parts of ourselves with those we love. Cards that they can hold close. Cards that will last beyond a life lost. Cards that will bring light to a dark room. Cards that honour those suffering. Cards that give respect and dignity to the dying? Do they not deserve to have their journey recognized, their life documented? Through letters and cards, we live on forever. Without hospice cards, our story is incomplete.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post-70496565037435173292013-02-20T13:48:04.856-08:002013-02-20T13:48:04.856-08:00I am sure that the Hallmark representative means w...I am sure that the Hallmark representative means well "bless her heart" but we consumers have choice and we can walk. Regina, I would buy your creations! Joleen Chambershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16287810963418348672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post-37669507698462550402013-02-20T13:33:24.299-08:002013-02-20T13:33:24.299-08:00Thank You so much David to stating such a clear ca...Thank You so much David to stating such a clear call to action to Hallmark. This makes business sense and human sense. Thank you for joining the cause!Regina Hollidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14067714192642008661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post-38415521638752305422013-02-20T13:31:56.140-08:002013-02-20T13:31:56.140-08:00As you well know, the lessons we learn and the thi...As you well know, the lessons we learn and the things we see in End of Life care never really leave us. I hope we can help Hallmark be brave to lift that "flag" and march toward a tomorrow with better communication and less loneliness. Regina Hollidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14067714192642008661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post-2569531792661091142013-02-20T13:28:27.285-08:002013-02-20T13:28:27.285-08:00To Hallmark: I hope you are paying attention to Ms...To Hallmark: I hope you are paying attention to Ms Holliday. She (and your customers) are telling you very specifically that there is a niche to be filled here. With over 1.5 million people entering hospices every year, hospice-specific cards are not only needed, but should have been available long ago. <br /><br />If your company does not feel compelled to cater to your customer's wishes, perhaps the increased sales would provide motivation. You are still a business with a bottom line, and you've just received free market research. I hope you'll run with it.<br /><br />David Ferrara <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993740852730466692.post-1047214492067635242013-02-20T13:07:31.255-08:002013-02-20T13:07:31.255-08:00What a haunting series of images, Regina. Black mi...What a haunting series of images, Regina. Black mirror coverings are also the void into which we fall and the blankness against which we cannot penetrate.<br /><br />Hallmark, be brave. *Everyone's* talking about dying, their just too scared to raise their voices and often don't have the language tools. The Boomers are 65-ing, the Silver Tsunami's waves are coming ashore. There's plenty of citizen water to float a few cards that *directly* address dying. We're all part of coming out of this stifling closet. Death may have come into life via extended life support technology but life has yet to come to dying.<br /><br />Let's really get this skeleton, so to speak, outa the closet.Bart Windrumhttp://www.axiomaction.com/rapnoreply@blogger.com