Tag: David Thoele
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Struggles, gratitude, and love
Jeconda Harris David G. Thoele Park Ridge, Illinois, USA Poet’s statement: Jeconda Harris, my patient for 17 years, gave me a collection of her poetry and expressed her desire to have it published. Regretfully, this did not happen within her lifetime, but, with her mother Barbara’s consent, her wish has finally come true. “Life’s…
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The boy with two dads
David Thoele Chicago, Illinois, United States Martin pictured with his two dads The first time I met Martin in my clinic, the 7-year-old seemed friendly, but shy. He was a bit chubby, with dark, short-cropped hair, rounded fingernails, and blue-tinged skin. He was short for his age, with features of Down syndrome, which his…
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No Good Options
David G. Thoele Park Ridge, Illinois, USA Poet’s statement: This poem is about my patient Aaron, who was born, immediately became very sick and blue, and later the same day, died in his parents’ arms. Aaron had severe congenital heart disease, which we ultimately concluded was not compatible with life. Aaron’s parents and I made…