Tag: David Thoele
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Struggles, gratitude, and love
Jeconda HarrisDavid G. ThoelePark 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 Struggles” reveals the…
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The boy with two dads
David ThoeleChicago, Illinois, United States 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 mother confirmed. Since half of people with Down…
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No good options
David ThoelePark 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 the difficult…