Teddy Bears Picnic - Shining Example for our Health Care System?

The kids had anticipated this annual pilgrimage to Assiniboine Park for weeks but when the big day came, so did the big thunderstorm. It seemed like all was lost but then the weather slowly began to clear and I figured that since the conditions were less than ideal that the crowds would be small. I was wrong.

I found a parking spot just a short 3 or 4 km hike from the park and began the trek along with the kids and their wounded stuffed animals. When we set foot in the venue it was obvious that the turnout was huge.

There were in the neighborhood of 50 tents of varying sizes set up in an easy to follow layout with something for everyone. Souvenirs, crafts, displays by the police and fire departments and local media and plenty of entertainment on two stages. Since we arrived later in the day some of the venues were pretty craptacular, such as the 'teach your bear' tent and the Mcdonald's 'Mcfun tent' that seemed pretty McClosed and McBoring respectively. It didn't matter though as the kids got junk food and painted faces and the opportunity to hug a myriad of mascots. In fact you couldn't swing a teddy bear without hitting a mascot, and most gave out stickers or candy.

The highlight of the picnic as always is the B*A*S*H*, (Bears Ambulatory Surgical Hospital) tent. This masterpiece of Health care ensures that within 20 minutes or so of being admitted, your stuffed animal has been treated and released. That is waaaaaaay better than the 6 months I waited for a specialist appt, or the 7 hours my son waited to get treatment for a broken nose.

A very slick scheduling system lets you make an appt and then visit the other displays until it's your turn. That way there are much shorter line-ups.

Finally the moment arrived that the kids got to see the 'Health BEAR Professionals' and not a moment to soon. My son's dog (Gidget) suffered from a broken eye while it was skateboarding, and my daughter's monkey (Bonsai) contracted bacterial tracheitis, (My daughter suffered from this lung infection earlier and thought it fitting to afflict her monkey). Not a broken leg, or a cut, or a sore tummy, but bacterial tracheitis. I digress.

The tent was set up similar to the workflow of a regular hospital with admitting, followed by referral to many different areas such as Orthopedics, Surgery, X-Ray and others. After that it was on to Rehabilitation or the Pharmacy to pick up the required medicine. The volunteers were wonderful, dressed in their hospital gear and surrounded by real hospital equipment to let the kids have a great experience. There were coloured IV's and cute little teddy bear x-rays as well as a little health record that showed kids the diagnosis and various treatments their stuffed animals received. All in all a fantastic experience for everyone.

I couldn't help but think about some additions they could have for next year like an addictions centre, or perhaps a 'Teddy-Morgue' but then I am twisted and find humour in strange things.

The bottom line is that the kids had fun while learning about health care, and lots of money was raised for the Children's Hospital Foundation. A great charity and a fabulous event that I can't wait for next year.

Wouldn't it be nice if the real world was as efficient as the B*A*S*H* tent? By the way, even though Gidget has a little scar over his eye, he is expected to make a full recovery while Bonsai is taking antibiotics and is expected to pull through.

Until next time remember, no Payne no gain!