Forgiveness
Being an advocate can be super stressful. Sometimes we blame ourselves for things we have no control over. We become our own worst critic.
Today my journal prompt had me thinking about forgiveness. Forgiving myself has been such a healer for me.
So my question for you all today is what do you need to forgive yourself for?
Thanks for those great tips, Raquel!
no problem hope it helps some ~Racquel~ Team Member
For me, as a caregiver, forgiveness has been a hard one.
Forgiving myself, I could have done better
Forgiving of the healthcare system that caused harm,
But I found a place deep in my grief to move forward.
I turned the healthcare harm to Quality Improvement.
In the last 5 years after the loss of my late wife, I have found my calling in working to improve healthcare.
The act of forgiveness was the catalyst, as I was falling in to the deepest pit of despair, that I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to climb out of.
Forgiveness, along with authenticity and vulnerability has been the healing journey that has moved me from the darkest days of grief, to contributing to Patient Safety locally in one of the hospitals that caused harm, in my Provincial, and National Healthcare System, to globally with the WHO.
Forgiveness is still something I work on, one of the hard things to do.this is awesome. I love how you allowed forgiveness to push you into action. I know your late wife would be proud. ~Racquel~ Team Member 
, I'm so glad that you were able to turn your pain into something positive. The forgiving yourself part is the hard part. Sending love and light. - Warmly, Donna (Team member)
With medical conditions, I don't feel we need forgiveness. To quote Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”
Years after my kids and I were diagnosed with asthma (and my two youngest had been in the hospital 12 times for asthma), I returned to college to earn another - this time in Public Health. I went on to become nationally certified in public health and as an asthma educator.
Asthma medicines have changed in 24 years, as have treatment recommendations and recognizing severe asthma as a different type of asthma. Those with severe asthma often need an injectible biologic (which wasn't available when my kids were little.)
Now I provide asthma education to other families - and even other professions. I ensure the education I provide is evidence based and at appropriate literacy levels for those I help.
I didn't know any of this 24 years ago, and I did the best I could (even Asthma doc was stumped.) Now that I know better, I do better!
Andrea Jensen,
Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C) and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)Andrea M. Jensen, CHES(R), AEC sure most definitely we can only operate in the experiences that we have. I think sometimes forgiveness can be just realizing how important it is to give ourselves grace. I love how you turned to action it’s an amazing way to look at it all and do better for yourself. Thanks for that. ~Racquel~ Team Member
