You’re not alone, we can help. Sigh… such reassurance in those words. Medically Induced Trauma Support Services (MITSS), Inc. is a non-profit organization founded To Support Healing and Restore Hope to patients, families, and clinicians who have been affected by an adverse medical event or unintended outcome.
Linda Kenney, the founder of MITSS says: In November of 1999, I found myself at the sharp end of an adverse medical event that nearly took my life. There was no acknowledgement of the emotional impact that might follow, and I certainly wasn’t prepared. This event made me extremely aware of the lack of emotional support in place for patients, families, and care providers following these incidences. I knew that I was very lucky to have survived and felt a personal sense of responsibility to address this hole in the healthcare system. I made it my mission to see that the healthcare community and public were made aware of the emotional impact that exists following adverse medical events regardless of the cause. I also became aware that the medical community is not typically set up to provide the type of support needed following the hospital stay.
Three magic levers for best health reflected at MITSS:
- Unintended consequences – trauma – can lead to powerful, positive outcomes for individuals, organizations, and the community
- Continual learning depends on open and honest communication
- To benefit from the whole health team, the whole health team needs support
Health Hats off to Linda Kenney and the growing family of MITSS at the start of their second decade!
Fascinating stuff. In 92 I had c-spine surgery which resulted in about a week of quadriplegia due to cord swelling. The paralysis reversed as the swelling lessened, and some clever OT’s and PT’s taught me how to walk again. A support group would have been a wonderful resource in bouncing back from this adventure. My family and friends lifted me up, and some experience working with heroic patients in a rehab nursing setting helped me gain some perspective. Perhaps the great tool in life issues is community.
Thanks Mike. Good to hear from you!