Faces of the Fight from Dr. Susan Bobbitt: I wish the unbelievers could see where we are at

By Dr. Susan Bobbitt, Developmental Pediatrician, Medical Director, Alvin Buckwold Child Development Program, Saskatoon

Today, I sat in my office and cried. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately, it seems. Tears of frustration, tears of anger, tears of helplessness.

I cried because some people think things are going fairly well as far as the pandemic goes, when everywhere I look in health care, I see a different story.

I cried because the majority of our Developmental Pediatrics program was put into the COVID-19 redeployment pool this morning.

I cried because, this week alone, I’ve had to give devastating, life-changing diagnoses to children and their families, and been unable to offer any meaningful forms of support because everything is on hold.

There are people that still don’t believe COVID is a problem: I wish that they could come spend time in my clinic.

I wish they could see the crushed faces and slumped shoulders of parents when our team tells them their child needs therapy, but they will be unable to access it.

I wish they could be there when I tell families that, normally, I would be ordering a specific battery of investigations and tests, but because there are lab shortages, I can’t.

I wish they could be there to witness the devastation within my team when we can’t offer what a child needs and deserves.

At this point, I’m pleading with the people of Saskatchewan: Think of the little ones that may suffer indirect effects of this pandemic long after it’s over. Think of those in health care. Think of families who are missing family members due to this horrendous pandemic. And take appropriate action. Get a vaccine if you haven’t already. Wear a mask. Most of all, be kind.