Open Arms would like to thank those who have supported us. Following are a few of the testomonials we have received ...

  I wanted to thank the Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society for providing me with guidance and assisting me to get closure through my whole experience. It began when I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. Trusting my doctor’s findings, I decided to have the thyroid removed, but once it was, I was told that they found no cancer in the thyroid.
 
They had misdiagnosed me and basically sent me on my way after breaking the news to me. I began to wonder how this could have happened, so I tried getting the answers that I felt I needed. This process made me feel frustrated and stressed because I was getting no where within the medical system. This is when a friend told me about Open Arms. I contacted them and Rick Lundy immediately helped me feel at ease and confident that I could get the answers I needed. He provided me with information on how to work within the medical system to finally get a meeting scheduled with the Health Region.
Going into the meeting with my family, we all hoped for honesty and transparency. Those things were given to the best of their ability and it did provide closure for us.
The one thing I learned through this experience is that you are in charge of your own health. If diagnosed with something and you are second guessing it, you as the patient have every right to question the diagnoses and ask for a second opinion.
I am truly grateful to Rick Lundy and the Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society. Without them I do not know if I would be where I am today. 


 
Darlene Durand
Calgary, AB

"I want to applaud Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society for all their efforts to help people sort out their medical issues in this province. If it was not for Open Arms advocating on my behalf with Alberta Health Services I do not know what I would have done.

My story begins in the fall of 2007, being a teacher; I was getting ready to go back to school. I went in for a colonoscopy that turned out to be fine. However, during the procedure, my spleen was ruptured. After the surgery, I felt terrible where I could not even sit up without feeling faint. They gave me something to eat and sent me home. I felt extremely nauseous and had a rest. When I awoke, I felt worse and started to vomit where I returned to the hospital in an ambulance. I was in the emergency department for around 6 hours before they admitted me. They could not determine what was wrong with me and thought maybe it was just my electrolytes. They did some x-rays and determined that my colon was not ruptured. It took another 8 hours before they realized that I was internally bleeding and my spleen was ruptured. I needed 5 blood transfusions and a splendectomy but I was already in kidney failure. My kidneys were only functioning at 30% and I now need a kidney transplant or dialysis.

I wondered why the surgeon on call or the surgeon who did the colonoscopy was not called. Why did I have to wait so long before they realized how severe my condition was or to properly diagnose me?

It took me a long time to recover and I was angry, frustrated, confused, distressed, and shocked and grief stricken. Why did this happen? My advocate (Rick Lundy) was the only one who understood my difficulties. He gave me the tools to stand up for my rights and fight back.

When I finally met with the Health Region, they admitted my care was not ideal and they made changes to the system that has been implemented so this does not happen to anybody else.

Marlene Kovacs
Lethbridge, Alberta

"My story started by experiencing excruciating pain in my lower back and testicle. The pain worsened where I ended up in the Emergency Room. I was diagnosed with varicose veins and sent home with pain medication. My condition deteriorated and I was rushed back to the ER by ambulance where I waited for 51/2 hours in the hallway and eventually coded. I ended up having an aortic aneurysm not varicose veins. I was resuscitated and made a full recovery. After the incident, I needed to know how this could have happened. My first meeting with the Health Region was not successful as I did not get the answers I need. We then found Open Arms and things started to go in the right direction. My Advocate helped get us organized and his presence in the meeting with the Health Region was amazing. He assisted us in getting acceptable answers for us and helped to stimulate changes to the Health system so this would not happen to somebody else. Open Arms assistance was fantastic."

Mac Brown
Calgary, Alberta

"I discovered Open Arms through some research on the internet while I was dealing with a very difficult complaint against a family physician. When I found Open Arms, I had already submitted my complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, they were initially very good about keeping me informed but were taking a long time to conclude their investigation. The original complaint was regarding the complete lack of care my father received from his family physician during his prolonged illness. Sadly my father died before the complaint investigation was concluded and the circumstances changed, so did the previously professional treatment from the College of Physicians. I found myself not only grieving for my father's tragic loss but determined more than ever to be his voice and stand up for him. I contacted Open Arms and Rick immediately listened to our family's story, remained a contact for me throughout the very long process and helped me organize my thoughts at a meeting with the College of Physicians. I am so grateful for this help and support. Open Arms is a very important resource for anyone who may not know how to deal with a complaint themselves or even just to give you the sense that someone has your back.

Thank you Open Arms."

Sandra Surbek
Calgary, Alberta

"I wish that I found Open Arms before my first meeting with the Health Region. When I did discover Open Arms, they provided with the support I needed to fight against a very complicated health care system. Dealing with the medical system was very intimidating and discouraging and having Open Arms on my side made it much more bearable."

Marina Smeu
Calgary Alberta

"I, Stephanie Grivicic, and my family are very happy to be a part of Open Arms. It has been most helpful to connect with others who have been in a similar situation as I have. Open Arms has both helped and guided me through the proper procedures for getting answers and changes made from within the Alberta Health Care System. For three years my late husband and myself have suffered through many mistakes involving the care of my husband; treatments that should have been done, yet were not, may have saved his life. I have hopes to resolve and get further answers that I feel I deserve.  I believe Open Arms will continue to lead me on the right track."

Stephanie Grivicic
Calgary, Alberta

"Since the passing of my Father, Open Arms has supported me emotionally in trying to get the answers I have needed for closure to my family tragedy. Changes need to be made in the areas of transparency and accountability within the Health Care System. Power in numbers will help to shape the future of the Alberta Health Care System. One mistake is often one too many."

Rhonda Goldberg
Calgary, Alberta

"My wife passed away in Calgary, in February of 2007. I experienced so much frustration with the process of trying to get answers surrounding her tragic death. I found Open Arms on the internet and contacted them for their assistance. This organization helped me with the process in dealing with the Health Region; my Advocate walked me through it step by step. Without the help of Open Arms, I can say I would not have gotten as far in the process as I did.  I highly recommend this group to anyone who is in need of answers regarding adverse events within the medical system.  My Advocate knew all options available to me and was extremely helpful."

Jamie Seymour
Toronto, Ontario

"My son was involved in a work accident in 2000 and caught a staph infection; he then developed MRSA. We had been banging our head against the wall for several years trying to get proper medical attention for him. I had heard of Open Arms through a family member and decided to contact this group.

Once Open Arms became involved in our case things finally started to progress; prior to this groups involvement we were left in the dark. I would not have gotten anywhere without the help of Open Arms because I was not taken seriously nor paid attention to. It left me feeling that I was pretty much told to go away. 

There were a couple of occasions that my son almost died; I could not live with the knowledge that the medical system failed my son. Open Arms had the necessary connections and experience that made the difference.  They helped my son.

Thank you Open Arms,"

Angela Munson
Kelowna, B.C.

"Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society assisted me in lodging a complaint with the Chinook Health Region. My Advocate was knowledgeable with the complaint process and was very helpful in assisting me to get the answers that I so desperately needed. My Advocate assisted me in preparing the necessary information needed for my meeting with the Health Region. As well, my Advocate was present with me and supported me when I met with the Health Region’s medical representatives. This was all very instrumental for a successful outcome.  Keep up the good work Open Arms."

Shawna McDonald
Lethbridge, Alberta

"Recently, I got in contact with Open Arms with the hope of getting their help in fighting for my health. Due to a pre-existing condition and medical errors, I was left with a horrible medical condition which only became worse. Without the assistance of Open Arms, I would not have had a chance at a normal and healthy life.

Alberta needs groups like Open Arms; they have been long overdue with all the mistakes and problems happening in this world of medicine. They are a sight for weary eyes. The citizens of Alberta should be happy that there is a group willing to help them to fight for better health care. I thank Open Arms for everything you have done for me and are doing for others."

Rayden M. Nash
Calgary, Alberta

"Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society has helped me in my quest to get answers from the Calgary Health Region regarding the untimely death of my husband, Don.  Open Arms is Calgary's only independent Patient Advocacy Group that has and is assisting me through a stressful period in my life.  My advocate had first hand experience with navigating through the policies and procedures of the Health Region and also had medical and other professional resources available. I would not have known about these had I had to do this all on my own. My advocate helped me to decipher Don's patient records and helped me develop a line of questions I needed to ask the Health Region.

I look forward to having my advocate with me when my questions are presented to the Health Region with hopes of getting answers and closure to my ordeal.

Thank you Open Arms."

Maggie Branton
Calgary, Alberta