Carol Anne Costa: Telling The Truth About The Navy Yard Shootings
Thursday, September 19, 2013
We have grown used to the pressers where Governors, Mayors and Chief Law Enforcement Officers debrief the public on the ongoing situation. We listen as the hospital officials, public information officers and surgeons turned spokespersons give us the HIPAA allowed patient progress updates. We all know now “what shelter in place” means. Our kids come home with tales of code red exercises and lockdown drills in their classrooms, gymnasiums, lunchrooms and libraries. Pundits, profilers and law enforcement experts all agree this will not be the last tragedy on a mass scale. With each incident, with every code red practiced in a classroom, with the bombardment of headlines rife with violence, we are becoming more and more desensitized. The numbers of victims used to shake us, then the boldness of the gunman would unnerve us, then the age of the victims shocked us and it seems to me with each event part of the news cycle the pause taken grows shorter. What follows are the same questions the same responses and we are indeed tired and frustrated. Regrettably, this is quickly becoming the new normal. But, did the voice of a dedicated doctor amidst the Navy Yard madness bring a new focus? I think so…
A Voice from the Trenches….
On Monday afternoon, I like many others began the routine of listening to law enforcement, criminal profilers and the chief medical officer/chief operating officer for MedStar Washington Hospital Center where 3 of the wounded were taken. On my car radio I tuned in live to the press conference given by Dr. Janis Orlowski, CMO/COO of MedStar and what I heard gave me great hope. In what is usually an antiseptic presentation of the medical status of the wounded in the end turned to an emotional plea, which to me was a clarion call. Her shaking voice uttered truths we are not used to hearing at these events. She said, "There's something evil in our society that we as Americans have to work to try and eradicate." Floored by this candor I was immediately stirred by her authenticity and impressed by her experience. The tone of her voice made me pull the car over, as I really wanted to hear what she was saying, “I would like you to put my trauma center out of business. I really would. I would like to not be an expert on gunshots. Let's get rid of this. This is not America." This message was clear, concise and filled with emotion and toil of a person steeped in the blood of victims.
Growing Ranks of the Impacted
Dr. Orlowski is a singular voice which comes from the perspective of a human being whose job it is to heal, brings a new authority and holds much influence in the ongoing conversation about guns, violence, and mental health. Janis Orlowski’s opinion is now added the ranks of the impacted. Like any contentious issue in America the conversation is shaped by growing numbers of people willing to speak out on both sides. Perhaps the growing numbers of people prepared to take a stand for more sensible gun laws will empower palpable change for our nation. Maybe it will move Congress to action on background checks and better screening of mental health records for those who wish to be gun owners. It seems to have, as Toomey/Manchin is being mentioned again. That is a good thing. When the doctor gives an order to reexamine a problem, we all should listen.
To me it is unimaginable how gut wrenching this is for the people ripped apart by this brutal violence. With every new story regarding guns and gun violence they must feel it reopening their grief and pain. The Newtown Families, Mark Kelley and Gabby Giffords, and every victim of gun violence have a new ally in Dr. Orlowski. Will it make a difference? Only time will tell. For the moment, let us take time to mourn the dead and remember all victims of gun violence.
Related Articles
- Carol Anne Costa: Title IX, Tennis + The Power Of Women
- Carol Anne Costa: Voice of Democracy, VFW’s Homerun
- Carol Anne Costa: American Politics Needs Women More Than Ever
- Carol Anne Costa: What Antoinette Tuff + Miley Cyrus Teach Us
- Carol Anne Costa: Baseball, Blowhards and Baloney
- Carol Costa: Consensus in Congress? Maybe!
- Carol Anne Costa: Boston, Oklahoma City, & Remembering Baylee
- Carol Anne Costa: Let Baby Messiah Keep His Name
- Carol Anne Costa: Race + Justice Collide Again in America’s Courts
- Carol Anne Costa: Syrian Crisis Makes Strange Bedfellows
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It