Many people over the years have asked me why Health Action Network Society is here. As only one of the original Directors, my reasons for staying the course for 28 years may differ from the others, but I thought I'd give you a glimpse (only one story of many) of what keeps me here.

Somewhere in the early 70s, when I was in my early 20s, and in the middle of a social work career, I experienced the unexpected suicide of a close friend. A gifted teacher, wife, and mother, who had suffered a nervous breakdown, she was heavily medicated and saw no other way out. This led me to wonder why there were no options other than eight different drugs being taken at the same time. So, I went looking. Who was doing what for health in general, and maybe mental health in particular, and what were the results?

I got the name of a pharmacist who coincidentally happened to be practicing acupuncture on Kingsway Avenue in Vancouver. As I was face down with needles stuck everywhere, he was telling me about the difficulty that he, and others, were having practicing acupuncture without the sanctioning of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. One of his colleagues had apparently been harassed so much that he had committed suicide.

I did not understand. I could not believe that something as easy, and helpful, and free from side effects as acupuncture could be faced with obstacles.

My journey of discovery continued from that point. Then I heard of an upcoming, weekend-long workshop called "The Changing Medical Paradigm Conference," with sponsors including the federal government, and University of British Columbia. I thought "Great. I'd really love to hear what they think."

I was probably the last person to register before they sold out. The weekend was quite fascinating and a fine sample of an integrated approach to healing people. Illustrated were concepts such as shiatsu, reflexology, Traditional Chinese Medicine, different forms of body work, and more. Nearing the end of the weekend, enthusiasm was high. We GOT IT! I was impressed, and said to myself, "Fine. They are going in this direction, so I can go back to my social work, family, and rest assured that integrative medicine, with all approaches working for the best benefit of the people, is on its way."

Our final speaker, however, was a representative from the Canadian Medical Association. I sat in the middle of a huge and inspired audience, as he essentially said that it had been a very entertaining weekend, and applauded the organizers for their efforts, but that the integrated approach proposed, was not going to happen. Healthcare, he explained, would not  be delivered in such a way until one thing happens - the public demands it.

My answer to this was: "Well, ok then."

The public deserves to have its hard-earned money spent in the best and most efficient ways possible. We are paying the bill. It deserves to have all practitioners working for the best benefit of the patient. It deserves to have access to simple rights such as the right to freedom of choice in healthcare. And that is why I, and HANS, are here.

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