A Healing Place
A Living Memorial Garden for the Victims and Survivors of Medical Harm was created in Maine by Becky Martins. Becky is one of the newest members of the board of CAPS (Consumers Advancing Patient Safety) and a member of the Worldwide Patient Safety Day Committee. When I first met Becky in Washington DC in 2007 she spoke of this garden. I wasn' t sure at the time if the soft-spoken yet determined demeanor was why I appreciated the concept so much, or if it was just because I personally needed a place to go that I "belonged". People who know about preventable medical errors experience string feelings of distrust, stupidity, trauma, devalued, annoyance, anger, denial, sadness, jealousy, and an earnest desire to save others from a similar fate. And as many different ways there are to get to be a member of this distasteful "club", there are that many ways to address the effects of it. All along I have sought peace. I realize now it is a fleeting state. When I d...