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Summer 2017 Wow!





We are in the mid-summer season at KMHC and a lot has happened since my last blog post.  Let’s begin with some good news.  In my last post I mentioned we had a daylight burglary in the building and the odds of catching the offender are slim……unless he's stupid and makes a mistake.  One day the tenant who was robbed decided to have a few beers with his girlfriend at a local pub.  Call it Karma or just coincidence but the robber also entered the pub on the same day.  The tenant recognized the man from the captured building security photo he downloaded on his smartphone.  The tenant is a big man and he immediately sprung into action, he handled his situation Indian style.  He approached the man and confronted him on his crime then beat the shit out of him.  No cops, no witnesses and no scalps were removed yet I’m sure the man will never come near KMHC building again.  Way to go fellow tenant. :)

I’ve been asked many times what Native tenant elders like to do for recreation at KMHC.  Some keep to themselves, a few like to sit quietly in the courtyard while others like to gossip.  Depending who’s sitting at the benches the max I’ve spent in the courtyard is about 20 minutes then I move on.  The UNH programs are Meh!  If they are not health related then I’m not interested.  Then we have the active Natives who are out and about living life to the fullest.  ie: shopping or community volunteering or spending time with family.  

We have new tenants in the building.  One is ‘Judy on the third floor’ we have spoken a few times in the courtyard, an elder who holds her head high when she speaks of her people and the reservation.  Another new tenant is Darrin he accepted the unit down the hall.  On move in day he did it all by himself, now that’s what I call determination.  After he settled in I introduced myself and shook his hand at the building entrance. 

For the first time in my life I had to test my ability to be calm during a medical situation.  Yesterday afternoon a tenant was going through a mild neurological seizure and I was called to assist.  When I entered the unit the person was laying on the bed I had no idea what to do next, should I call 911.  Is there someone in the building with medical expertise!  It was a holiday so the KMHC office was closed. 
Fortunately the person was conscious and instructed me to sit beside her and hold her hand.  Her eyes were closed and looked like she was in pain and I could see and feel her trembling.  She described her discomfort like electricity going through her body.  All the while I didn’t panic as I sat calmly next to her.  I talked to her for a bit and waited and hoped for the episode to pass.  When she asked for a glass of almond milk I thought perhaps she’s feeling better.
Today I spoke to the tenant and shared my emotions on the incident.  I was thinking could I have done more and was fearful should she die while I’m holding her hand.  Surprising she didn’t sense how terrified I was.  After a short conversation with the tenant I know ‘what to do’ should a seizure occur again, I’ll be prepared.  

Whew!  Anybody out there offering hugs!  I could use one.

tk
Location: Hamilton, ON, Canada

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