The Environmental and Health Hazards of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

Photo: National Observer

This morning, as the sun rose over the city, a common yet increasingly problematic scene unfolded outside the steps of our city hall. The peaceful morning was shattered by the roar of engines—six contractors, each equipped with a gas-powered leaf blower, were busily clearing the front lawn. But what they were really doing was more than just “tidying up.” They were participating in an activity that is harmful to our environment, detrimental to public health, and an added burden on city maintenance.

The noise was deafening and the smell putrid, as these blowers forcefully expelled leaves and dirt, not just clearing them but also relocating these elements from one place to another—specifically, from the post-winter filthy lawns to the streets. This method of “cleaning” doesn’t eliminate waste but merely redistributes it, ensuring that the problem persists elsewhere.

Later, while walking on Mackle Road, the issue presented itself again. Four workers, also armed with these noisy and smelly machines, were blowing dust and debris directly onto the street from a nearby parking lot. Surrounded by a cloud of dirt, the immediate impact on air quality and cleanliness of the immediate area was unmistakably negative. It was yet another example of how these machines contribute to urban pollution.

Why Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Are Problematic?

Environmental Impact

Gas-powered leaf blowers are notorious for their inefficiency and environmental footprint. They emit high levels of pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter at a rate significantly higher than that of cars. The expulsion of these pollutants contributes to smog formation and poor air quality, affecting the broader ecosystem.

Health Consequences

The pollutants do not just harm the environment; they also pose serious health risks to humans. Exposure to the particulate matter and chemicals emitted by these machines can lead to respiratory problems, heart disease, and other serious health issues. The noise generated by gas-powered leaf blowers also contributes to hearing loss and can lead to increased stress and associated health problems.

Urban Maintenance and Cleanliness

The practice of blowing leaves and debris onto urban streets might seem effective, but it is quite the contrary. This debris often ends up clogging storm drains, contributing to urban flooding. Moreover, the scattered leaves and dirt are likely to be swept back onto sidewalks and into other private and public areas by winds and passing vehicles, creating a never-ending cycle of cleaning and recleaning. This not only adds to the workload of city maintenance crews but also to the cost borne by taxpayers for repeated cleaning efforts.

Photo: Edhat

Reflections on Policy Challenges and the Path Forward

During my tenure on the city council, we confronted this troubling issue multiple times. My colleague, Councillor Dida Berku, even proposed a complete ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. However, finding a solution that satisfies everyone proved to be complex, and, ultimately, we remained with the status quo.

The solutions to this problem are indeed complicated. While outright bans can be politically and practically challenging, the health and environmental costs of inaction are too great to ignore. Maybe it’s time to reconsider our approach.

Towards Better Solutions

1. Electric Leaf Blowers: Switching to electric leaf blowers can significantly reduce noise and air pollution. Although they still blow debris around, their environmental impact is considerably less than that of gas-powered versions.
2. Manual Tools: Encouraging the use of rakes and brooms for small areas could eliminate pollution entirely from the cleaning process. This method is not only quieter but also provides a healthy physical activity and reduces the airborne dust significantly.
3. Mulching and Composting: Instead of blowing leaves away, converting them into mulch or compost can be a sustainable way to deal with yard waste, enriching the soil and helping reduce waste.

While the scenes at city hall and on Mackle today might seem like trivial parts of urban life, they represent a much larger issue concerning our approach to urban maintenance and environmental responsibility. As residents and stewards of our cities, it is crucial to advocate for practices that are sustainable and health-conscious to ensure cleaner, quieter, and more pleasant communities. Let’s not settle for the quick fix at the expense of our health and our environment. It’s time for a change, and perhaps, a new push for better policies could pave the way.

Photo: C.H.A.S.E

Shoutout on Dr. Judy Hagshi’s Fourth Trimester program

Kudos to my incredible wife who has launched her much anticipated program, The Fourth Trimester at the Herzl Family Practice Centre at the Jewish General Hospital.

This program got a shoutout in the Montrealer magazine this week, featuring the very energetic and creative Dr. Mark Karanofsky.

A new initiative made possible thanks to seed funding from the JGH Foundation is The Fourth Trimester program, developed by Dr. Judy Hagshi as part of a multidisciplinary program to assist parents in adapting to the many challenges of a new baby. “It’s intended to help parents cope better through what can be a very tough, if exciting, time,” Dr. Karanofsky said.

Congrats to Dr. Karanofsky and to Dr. Hagshi on their dedication to improving public healthcare and commitment to their patients.

Finding Confidence and Community Through Krav Maga at The Y

From Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA

En français

2024-03-28

Have you ever thought about taking up self-defense classes, but hesitated to take the leap? Maybe you were unsure where to start or whether it would truly make a difference. 

Well, we invite you to be inspired by one family’s journey into the world of Krav Maga at The Y, and how it not only brought them closer together, but how it helped bolster both a sense of self and a sense of community. 

But first, a brief primer on Krav Maga, a self-defense system developed in Israel designed with the aim of swiftly and efficiently neutralizing threats. Drawing inspiration from boxing, wrestling, judo, and karate, it emphasizes instinctive movements and counterattacks. But perhaps most importantly, Krav Maga is designed specifically to suit individuals of all ages and fitness levels, fostering both physical strength and mental resilience, which can then be applied to challenging situations out in the real world.

“We had been searching for a Krav Maga program for a while,” says Judy Hagshi, whose family of five, including husband Glenn Nashen, their two daughters (ages 20 and 23), and son (age 15) all currently meet each Monday for Krav Maga at the Y.

“I wanted my daughters, one of whom lives outside the house, to feel safe and comfortable on campus,” Judy continues. “And it’s turned out to be such a confidence booster, for all of us. Immediately, the first thing we learned was how to hold yourself, how to walk, and right away, it made you feel like, Okay, I’m in control.”

Eventually, the family found itself immersed in a welcoming community of people from all walks of life. And while initially it was all about learning self-defense techniques, the family quickly discovered what amounted to an incredible bonding experience. 

Indeed, what truly sets The Y’s Krav Maga program apart is the sense of community it fosters. “In our classes, we found people of all ages and backgrounds coming together to learn and grow. There’s something special about seeing families train together, cheering each other on, and supporting one another through every drill. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together, regardless of our differences,” says Judy.

“There are times where before a session, we’ll feel a bit sluggish from the day,” she continues. “But as soon as we step onto that mat, that energy shifts. There’s a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air, knowing that we’re about to challenge ourselves and learn something new. And after each session, we leave feeling energized and empowered, ready to take on whatever comes our way.”

“What keeps us coming back to The Y isn’t just the quality of the instruction or the effectiveness of the techniques,” says Judy. “It’s the sense of belonging and support that we find here. Despite diverse backgrounds and skill levels, we come together as one community, sharing our energy and learning from each other.”

Rolling up our sleeves to save lives

We had the privilege of participating in the Hema-Quebec blood drive in Hampstead, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the experience. Nathalie, a U de M medical student, was particularly excited to make her second donation, finding the process both fascinating and rewarding.

Dr. Judy, a dedicated donor with an impressive 46 donations under her belt, continues to encourage our family for regular contributions at local drives. Her commitment is a testament to the importance of donating to help save lives. In fact, each donation can save three lives!

As for myself, this marked my 66th donation. Each time, the sense of fulfillment and the knowledge that our contributions directly contribute to saving lives are immense. Together, we celebrate the collective effort to make a meaningful difference in our community’s health. We encourage others to join us in this life-saving journey at future blood drives.

CSL blood donor clinic sets new record

Cote Saint-Luc’s annual blood drive, aptly named in honour and memory of my dear departed friend, Ruth Kovac, was a resounding success this week. A record-breaking 162 donations were received and will help save countless lives.

My daughter Nathalie and I were warmly greeted by Peter Kovac, CSL Communications Chief Regine Banon, and a host of brightly clad volunteer Citizens on Patrol. This was my 65th donation and I look forward to returning again and again.

Ruth would have been so proud. Her profound efforts in the annual blood donor clinic and other emergency services speak loudly to the Talmudic phrase that, “She who saves one life as if she has saved the entire world.” Ruth was and continues to be a life-saver by enabling others to give.

Peter Kovac greets Nathalie and me

Proud to give for the 65th time

GoFundMe launched for stricken CSL First Responder

By Joel Goldenberg The Suburban Jan 21, 2023

Clifford Jordan, CSL EMS

An urgent GoFundMe campaign was launched last Thursday for longtime Côte St. Luc Emergency Medical Services (EMS) First Responder Clifford Jordan, who was on life support as of Friday after being stricken with what may be necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease.

“Please donate to help a hero in our community who needs our help now,” CSL Mayor Mitchell Brownstein posted on Facebook.

The campaign, launched by CSL EMS Chief Eddy Afram on behalf of Jordan’s wife Dayanara Brito, has raised nearly $30,000 as of Sunday Jan. 22. Afram explained on the GoFundMe page that on Jan. 13, “while on vacation in Barbados to care for his family, Jordan was found unresponsive and rushed to the hospital.

“From there, a difficult observation was made: it looks like necrotizing fasciitis – commonly called the flesh-eating disease, combined with a potential parasite, which affected his right leg. It had to be amputated. He is currently in the ICU, intubated and extremely unstable. The problem is that to this day, they don’t know exactly what the exact problem is.”

On Friday, Afram posted that while Jordan’s condition improved to the point where an air evacuation plan was possible, “this means an additional financial toll on his family of approximately $100,000.

“Our dear Cliff is still hanging on to life despite being on life support, and for that we’ll keep fighting for him. Our network of professionals at EMS is entirely dedicated to provide him the best care, support and intervention through his insurance. Clifford’s family and coworkers would like to extend their gratitude and love for the incredible response to their cry for help. On a personal note, this unreal story reminds us of how lucky we are to serve such a beautiful community (Côte St. Luc and Montreal West). Cliff, hang in there brother, you’ll soon be home!”

On Saturday, Afram posted that Jordan “remains on life support, but the medical staff in Barbados has begun to increase his level of care. As for his flight, we are still working with his insurance company to arrange a medical evacuation to Canada.”

joel@thesuburban.com

More:

CSL EMS Chief Eddy Afram on Andrew Carter, CJAD, Jan. 23, 2023

GoFundMe campaign: Helping a medic in distress

One mom’s love and inspiration for 50 years, bringing smiles to kids at the Shriners

Phyllis Nashen with Jennifer Bradley and Andrea Poupart of the Shriners Hospital in Montreal for her 50th annual gift giving visit

Just prior to Christmas, my mother paid a visit to the Shriners Hospital carrying a colourful bag of neatly wrapped gifts for kids she did not know and would never meet. Slowly making her way across the lobby with her walker, heading toward the large, beautifully decorated Christmas Tree, mom was comforted in remembering that this act of loving kindness is what she did every year, for the past 50 years!

Mom is now 94 years old and while the creeping march of dementia challenges her daily, she has never forgotten her love of children and compassion for the kids at the Shriners. Like clockwork, she spent the last few months picking out gifts, wrapping them with care and reminding her caregiver and I to drive her for this most important delivery: Her 50th annual visit to the Shriners!

For mom, it’s not about the size of the gift, but the value of giving and caring. It’s about her knowing that one child would not miss out on receiving something for the holidays, that one child without family close by should not be forgotten. These thoughts preoccupy her and cause her concern as though these kids were her very own.

And that’s what the holidays are all about: Selfless acts of loving kindness. Just like the candles of the Chanukah Menorah brightening the darkness, mom seeks to spread light, hope and happiness.

There are many injustices in life. Dementia ravages so many lives. The aging process is not always graceful and far from easy. My mother is trying to find her way without my father, her husband of 71 years, who passed only three months ago.  Yet, this loving matriarch of our large family, and her life story, gives us all hope and inspiration just as it does to a few kids at the Shriners.

As we look forward to a new happier and healthier year, I hope my mom’s story will brighten your day and give you an extra reason to smile. Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Happy New Year.

 

Phyllis Nashen with her grandchildren, Jeremy and Nathalie, dropping off Holiday gifts with Stephanie at the Shriners Hospital (Dec. 12, 2018)

 

Granddaughters Nicole and Nathalie Nashen (aka Phyllis’s Elves) deliver gifts at the Shriners Hospital (Dec. 3, 2010).

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Read more:

One thousand lives touched by the kindness of a quiet mom

Phyllis Nashen with Shriners Public Relations Director Kelly Thorstad (Photo Jeff Nashen 2021)

Not what I expected when I was expecting

How does a doctor admit she’s drowning under the pressures of new motherhood, Judy Hagshi asks

• JUDY HAGSHI
• CONTRIBUTED TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL
• PUBLISHED DECEMBER 7, 2016

Facts & Arguments is a daily personal piece submitted by readers.

I should have been prepared. As a family doctor specializing in normal labour and delivery, I follow women during their pregnancies and then deliver their babies. And yet, the birth of my first child threw me for such a loop that by the six-week mark I felt as drained as I did after four years of medical school.

Before kids I was an independent wife and physician. I dealt with patients’ physical and mental health issues by day and juggled house chores and volunteer work by night. I was very organized and had little patience for people who were not. I was not sympathetic to patients’ tardiness, regardless of the excuse, which usually involved their kids.

I never imagined that my level of efficiency would fall drastically once I had a child. But suddenly, my understanding of and respect for the delicate balance parents manage every day became much more salient. As it turns out, that was only one of the important lessons I learned once I entered the mysterious realm of motherhood.

My pregnancy and delivery were as expected, and I became a mother to a beautiful baby girl. The unexpectedness came three weeks later when my mother, who had moved in to help with the baby, returned home. I was suddenly so profoundly overwhelmed that I questioned if I had made an enormous mistake by having a child.

Outwardly, I was coping. I greeted my husband with a smile when he came home from work. I took the baby to check-ups and playgroups. Inwardly, I was screaming but nobody could hear me. I kept lists of all the things that I had to do, but never had the energy to get anything done. I would frantically walk up and down the aisles of the grocery store grabbing necessities and willing my daughter not to cry. Showering was sometimes my biggest accomplishment of the day. If I managed to empty the dishwasher, too – I felt like I had climbed Mount Everest! All mothers feel overwhelmed to some extent by the birth of their first child. But it took me many months to recover. How could I admit that I was drowning when I was supposed to guide other mothers through this difficult transition? To be clear, I was not suffering from postpartum depression. I was, however, having significant trouble adjusting to my new role as a mother and caregiver.

What surprised me the most, though, was that no one else seemed to be having the same problems: All my girlfriends seemed happy and well adjusted after the birth of their babies. Occasionally, I would hear a mother whisper at the park that she was having trouble, such as getting the baby to latch easily. And there always seemed to be an apology: “We just moved,” or “My husband just got a new job.” It was not enough that she just entered a significant new stage in her life – she had to invent excuses for why things were not going smoothly.

Many months later, when I finally had the courage to admit to a friend that I was having difficulty (and even then I minimized how I truly felt), she responded: “If I had told you in advance what motherhood was really like, would you have believed me?”

My friend was right. And that to me is the crux of it all: Why do we not embrace the new mother and give her all the support she needs to make the leap as gentle as possible? Instead we heap more and more responsibilities upon her and ignore the consequences both short-term (e.g., postpartum depression) and long-term (e.g., discipline issues). When you go over to visit a new mother do you expect to chit-chat over coffee or do her laundry? Which do you think she would truly prefer?

As the proverb goes: It takes a village to raise a child. It does not take a lone, exhausted, anxiety-struck woman to raise that child while vacuuming with one hand and preparing supper with the other. We must talk more openly about the challenges that new mothers face so that they will feel empowered to ask for assistance whenever they need it. The consequences of not supporting these women trickle down to include significant physical- and mental-health problems in the entire family, for years to come.

The silver lining is that I am now able to anticipate this adjustment difficulty in my patients. Before they even get discharged from the hospital I encourage new mothers to avoid the visitor who expects to be entertained. Instead, I tell them to turn away anyone who is not carrying either a casserole or a mop.

Occasionally, I will see a woman who was previously well organized and efficient walk into my office for her postpartum visit looking unkempt and dishevelled. Gentle probing opens up the floodgate of tears. I comfort the woman and offer some coping techniques. Sometimes I am even holding back my own tears while I have flashbacks of my distress of 16 years ago.

My personal transition was much smoother with my second daughter, and then my son. I knew what to expect and was bolder in asking for help. With my support systems all firmly in place, motherhood is finally more in line with what I expected it would be. Except that I now have two teenaged daughters and am beginning to experience hot flashes.

Judy Hagshi lives in Côte Saint-Luc, Que.

Montrealers to support perinatal mental health on Flora’s Walk

My wife, Dr. Judy Hagshi, is rather passionate about improvements to perinatal mental health care including universal screening and timely access to treatment for all individuals during preconception, pregnancy and the postpartum periods. This has been her mission for many years as a family physician at the Herzl Family Medicine Practice Centre and as a new member of the board of directors of the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative.

Judy says that we are not socialized to confront the normal challenges that occur once a baby arrives, so mothers are faced with hurdles that can lead to many mental health issues. “We’re no longer living in the same households as our mothers and grandmothers, therefore the idea that it takes a village to raise a child becomes difficult both logistically and culturally.”

Judy has long advocated for new mothers, from pre-conception planning to the challenges faced in the first weeks at home, as told in her contribution to the Globe and Mail, Not what I expected when I was expecting, in this 2016 article.

Now, Judy is taking her activism to the streets. Quite literally. Judy will be heading up the Montreal edition of Flora’s Walk for perinatal mental health, taking place on World Maternal Mental Health Day on May 4.

Flora’s Walk is named in the memory of Flora Babakhani, a single mom from Toronto who tragically died by suicide in January 2022, two months and ten days after she gave birth.

Walks will take place across Canada. Here, in Montreal, a team has been created and anyone is able to join. Moreover, everyone is invited to make a financial contribution. Judy is trying to get as many contacts as possible to donate $18 to her fundraising efforts or to her daughter, Nicole. All participants across Canada can be tracked here.

Asked if she thinks that dealing with perinatal mental health issues will help save the world, Judy responds, “Actually, yes I do. Together we can help build the village that raises the child.”

Canada cheers U.S. effort to abolish ‘spring forward, fall back’ daylight time ritual

Anthony Housefather, a Liberal MP from Montreal, says Canada will need to follow suit if the U.S. bill becomes law.

The Canadian Press | James McCarten | Mar 16, 2022

WASHINGTON — A giddy Democratic senator, clapping his hands and dancing with delight in the shadow of a sun-drenched U.S. Capitol, isn’t something one sees every day — especially in response to a Republican initiative.

But the prospect of doing away with the annoying, and arguably deadly, ritual of changing the clocks twice a year just seems to bring out the spirit of bipartisanship in some people, even when it’s in such short supply.

“We’re walking on sunshine,” a visibly thrilled Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey said in a video posted to his Twitter account Tuesday after the Senate unanimously approved legislation that would make daylight time permanent across the U.S.

It’s still a long way from becoming law; the House of Representatives still needs to pass it before President Joe Biden can sign off, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet said whether such a vote will take place.

But the rare show of unity in the Senate chamber, as well as the sorely needed dose of water-cooler whimsy that the subject of daylight time always generates, combined Tuesday to capture the imaginations of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, as well as a few north of the border as well.

“What we’ve got here is an issue that has tremendous popular support, because everybody deals with it twice a year, and no one can understand why we still do it,” said Jeremy Roberts, a Conservative member of the Ontario legislature who has advocated for years for permanent daylight time.

“But on the flip side, it has a whole bunch of actual academic support behind it as well. Between the two of those, I think that’s why it keeps generating such a buzz.”

Two years ago, Roberts spearheaded a new Ontario law that would see the province adopt daylight time permanently, provided New York state and the Quebec government both did the same. If the U.S. bill becomes law, that would take care of New York; Quebec Premier Francois Legault has publicly suggested he’s not opposed.

Multiple studies, including a 1999 effort by researchers at Stanford University and the Johns Hopkins University Sleep Disorders Center, have found links between changing the clocks and traffic accidents, heart attacks, workplace injuries and seasonal depression.

“Just this past weekend, we all went through that biannual ritual of changing the clock back and forth and the disruption that comes with it,” Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida told the chamber after his bill, the Sunshine Protection Act, was passed by unanimous consent.

“One has to ask themselves after a while: Why do we keep doing it? Why are we doing this?”

Built into Rubio’s bill is a one-year delay, meaning if it became law, the U.S. would face one more year of falling back and springing forward before doing away with the practice permanently in 2023. That’s to allow companies and industries with long timelines to have a chance to adjust, he said.

Rubio acknowledged in his speech that while it “is not the most important issue confronting America,” it’s one that generates a lot of bipartisan agreement, which is why he’s confident it will both pass the House and receive the president’s signature.

Indeed, it’s one of those issues that is at once frivolous and serious for anyone familiar with the ritual.

“I was trying to think of a joke; I couldn’t think of one,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday when asked whether Biden has taken a position on either side of the clock. “We obviously work closely with Congress on all legislation they consider, but I don’t have a specific position from the administration at this point in time.”

Gamely, she added of the president: “He is more of an evening person.”

Not everyone is chuckling, however: Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker told Politico that while he decided not to stand in the way, he’s concerned about the impact of an extra hour of morning darkness.

“There’s kids in Minnesota and Nebraska and Montana that are going to catch the school bus in the pitch dark, and I worry about that,” Wicker said. “We’ll see. I hope it works out wonderfully.”

British Columbia, too, went so far as to pass its own law in 2019, codifying the abolishment of standard time as soon as the U.S. makes it official.

“For B.C. families who have just had to cope with the disruptions of changing the clocks, the U.S. Senate bill brings us another step toward ending the time changes in our province for good,” the office of B.C. Premier John Horgan said in a statement Tuesday.

The province introduced and passed its own legislation after a whopping 93 per cent of people surveyed by the province expressed support for the idea, so long as they kept their clocks synchronized with Washington, Oregon and California.

“While the bill still requires congressional approval before it can go to President Biden to sign, we’re well positioned in B.C. to do away with the time changes once and for all and move to permanent (daylight time).”

Most of the rest of Canada — Saskatchewan hasn’t changed its clocks in more than 100 years, with the exception of Lloydminster, which straddles the boundary with Alberta — will likely have no choice but to follow suit, said Liberal MP Anthony Housefather.

“If adopted by the House, this will apply across the U.S. and Canada needs to be in step,” Housefather tweeted. “The federal government needs to work with the provinces and co-ordinate this across the country.”

Rubio’s rhetoric in the chamber Tuesday made it clear what he thinks of the practice.

“If we can get this passed, we don’t have to keep doing this stupidity anymore,” he said. “Pardon the pun, but this is an idea whose time has come.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2022.

In my opinion:

I’m very pleased that my MP, Anthony Housefather, is speaking out on this issue. I’ve discussed this with him for years and he is taking positive steps to get rid of the menacing changing of the clocks.

GJN

The Doctor Advocating for Better Perinatal Mental Health Care

Dr. Judy Hagshi

Judy Hagshi is a family doctor at the Herzl Family Practice Centre at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH). She is a member of the Family Medicine Obstetrics team at the JGH and teaches medical residents at McGill University’s Department of Family Medicine. She has also recently been appointed as a member of the inaugural board of directors of the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative.

I could not be more proud of my talented, pragmatic and optimistic wife who is featured by McGill’s Department of Family Medicine. Take a moment to get to know a little bit about what drives her in her quest to help save the world, one woman at a time.

Read more (McGill Medicine)…

Marie Moucarry | 17 Feb 2022 | McGill University – Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences – Department of Family Medicine

As a young girl, Judy Hagshi thought she wanted to become a psychiatrist. Later down the line, she realized her passion was actually mental health in general and how it affects one’s every day life. Born to immigrant parents, she is the first and only doctor in her family. She trained at the University of Toronto and completed her residency at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal where she met her husband. Today she specializes in perinatal mental health and helps mothers deal with issues such as mood and anxiety disorders as well as depression both before, and after childbirth.

In Canada and in the western world in general, mental health issues among mothers are prevalent. One in seven women have a serious depression or anxiety disorder during pregnancy or post-partum and death by suicide is one of the top three causes of maternal death. Interestingly, one in ten fathers also experience post-partum depression and the risk is five times higher if the mother is affected.

Dr. Hagshi states that we are not socialized to confront the normal challenges that occur once a baby arrives, so mothers are faced with hurdles that can lead to many mental health issues. “We’re no longer living in the same households as our mothers and grandmothers, therefore the idea that it takes a village to raise a child becomes difficult both logistically and culturally,” she adds. Further still, the pandemic has heightened anxiety for many pregnant women who do not know whether they will be allowed to have family present to support them in the hospital, and once they have returned home.

The weeks and months after childbirth can be overlooked too for many who simply focus on their due date. The fourth trimester (the 12-week period after you have had your baby) is a time of adjustment that comes with many challenges, including breastfeeding and sleepless nights which can cause an upheaval in your general routine, but also put a strain on the relationship with your partner. We put so much emphasis on the health of the newborn that we often forget about the mothers themselves, many of whom will be experiencing a really difficult time.

The gift of empathy

“New mothers tend to open the floodgates when they come see me. I look at their body language and know the questions to ask,” Dr. Hagshi says. Listening and helping women put their feelings into words is a big part of her job. Society also needs to facilitate conversations that make it easier for women to ask for help.

Dr. Hagshi talks about the attributes that make a good doctor. “When we go to university, we focus on getting the best grades possible and that becomes our priority. I’ve learned that empathy is what actually makes a good doctor,” she says. “Before I became a mother, I was very analytical in my demeanour but with experience and understanding, my approach completely changed.”

When mothers have shaky starts with their newborns, some of them end up having dysfunctional coping mechanisms that can lead to bigger problems in the future. Dr. Hagshi confirms that primary prevention is key, especially because women are afraid to disclose or don’t even recognize that they are struggling.

Creating safe spaces

Dr. Hagshi has a life-long dream of opening a community centre, namely UN/A Village, where parents would be able to learn, socialize and thrive among their neighborhood peers. She sees this centre as being an intergenerational space where parents would be taught in a structured way from and with each other. She dreams of this community centre holding yoga classes and finance workshops for new mothers wanting to exercise and learn about budgeting. She envisions lactation consultants, babysitters, grandmothers – and even rocking chairs.

Another idea she has for creating safe spaces is via a motor vehicle that would represent a traveling community centre. This RV would go to different parks in the summer and bring together the women of the neighborhood to form their own supportive networking groups. It would mean offering accessible, hands-on support, and reaching community needs, one by one. A very unique and cost-friendly way of benefiting local communities!

Dipping your toes in many places

When asked about her biggest career highlight, Dr. Hagshi has a hard time pinpointing just one. She has worn so many hats over the years, from being a lactation specialist, to working in a neonatal ICU and a nursing home, all rich experiences which she treasures. “The advantage of being in family medicine is that you have the flexibility to dip your toes in so many different areas. It’s great because it allows you to think outside the box,” she adds. “But do I think that dealing with perinatal mental health issues will help save the world? Actually, yes I do!” she concludes. One woman at a time.

Currently in her sabbatical year, Dr. Hagshi is writing a book and training on running a half-marathon. Have questions? Feel free to email her.

Paramedic shortage plaguing Montreal

Ambulance crew attending to victim in Cote Saint-Luc

This week, former Cote Saint-Luc EMS Director Hal Newman analysed the current Paramedic shortage at Montreal and Laval’s Urgences Sante ambulance system with Elias Makos on CJAD 800.

Newman created a Facebook page The Last Ambulance as a collaborative project from Big Medicine & The Rover tracking paramedic / ambulance shortages. Their belief is that problems with the prehospital care system will only be addressed when enough people are aware of just how high the ongoing risk has become.

I could not agree more.

Newman spent many years as a volunteer with Cote Saint-Luc’s Emergency Measures Organization in the 1970s and 1980s. When I was elected to City Council in 1990 I spearheaded the transformation of the civil defence oriented EMO into a first class first-responder EMS service. Hal Newman was hired as the inaugural professional director and with passion and determination operationalized the fledgling first responder service, a model life saving organization.

With half-a-century of professional involvement in Quebec’s prehospital emergency healthcare system Newman is well qualified to speak out on the strengths and weaknesses of our regional ambulance services.

Listen to Hal Newman on CJAD here.

Hal Newman received the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal in 2014

First shot, one year ago today

Dr. Judy Hagshi receiving her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination on December 16, 2020

It’s hard to believe that one whole year has gone by since my wife, Dr. Judy Hagshi, got the call to roll up her sleeve on Day 3 of first vaccinations across North America. Back then, we were using terms such as “Guardian Angel” and I do place Judy, along with thousands of healthcare workers, in that auspicious category.

It’s awesome to see scientific discoveries unfolding before our eyes and impacting our lives in such a profound way

Dr. Judy Hagshi

Judy is a family doctor with the Herzl Family Practice Centre at the Jewish General Hospital. She is a member of the Family Medicine Obstetrics unit and also evaluates patients in the pre-surgical screening unit. She also teaches medical residents at Herzl and at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine.

She does not choose who she examines. All patients are seen and evaluated. And that places her, and her colleagues, at a higher level of risk.

In the early part of the pandemic, Judy made the very tough decision to isolate herself from the rest of our family. Like so many other doctors and nurses, she physically secluded herself for seven long weeks as information about the propagation of the virus was not yet clear and readily available.

We are so proud of Judy for her dedication to her patients, and to us, and we are immensely relieved that she was among the first Canadians to be vaccinated. And now, one whole year later, she just received her third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination as the Omicron variant takes hold of Montreal.

Dr. Judy Hagshi at the Maimonides Hospital Geriatric Centre in Cote Saint-Luc, December 16, 2020

Last year, upon leaving the vaccination clinic located at Cote Saint-Luc’s Maimonides Hospital Geriatric Centre, where the first doses in the country were administered two days earlier, Judy told me, “It’s awesome to see scientific discoveries unfolding before our eyes and impacting our lives in such a profound way.”

How much has changed since then!

Judy between deliveries, on call for Family Med Obstetrics at the Jewish General Hospital

Our family has our very own Guardian Angel watching over us. I hope that each of you has yours too!

Wishing you good health and happiness as the holidays approach, and well into the new year.

Because of mom, spreading cheer at the Shriners for nearly 50 years

Phyllis Nashen with Shriners Public Relations Director Kelly Thorstad (Photo Jeff Nashen 2021)

A few days ago, a quiet, unassuming and smiling older woman was driven to the front door of the Shriners Hospital. She was not going to visit any patients. She doesn’t even know anyone being cared for there. Yet, this was just like her previous 48 annual visits to the Shriners. Clutching a bag full of wrapped presents she slowly made her way inside, now with the help of her walker, over to the festively decorated Christmas tree. She lay her gifts beside the tree not knowing who would receive them but content in the knowledge that some young child would have a moment or two of bright-eyed excitement when they received her personally-wrapped gift for Chanukah or Christmas.

This woman, 93 years old, with faltering memory and wobbly stride, had not forgotten the importance of sharing her love of children and compassion for those unable to be at home with family during the holiday season.

Despite her own challenges in marshalling her way through each day, her annual visit to the Shriners, and the weeks of preparation to reach this point, have never faded.

For her, it’s not about the size of the gift, but the value of giving and caring. It’s about her knowing that one child would not miss out on receiving something for the holidays, that one child without family close by should not be forgotten. These thoughts preoccupy her and cause her worry as though these anonymous children were her very own.

And that’s what the holidays are all about. Selfless acts of loving kindness. Lighting the Menorah candles to brighten the darkness in one’s life. To spread hope and happiness.

This wonderful woman is none other than my own mother. Despite all, she continues in her efforts – the efforts of one mother to one child. Any child.

My brothers and I are blessed to have been raised by our extraordinary mom, and our families, along with my dad, are so fortunate to still have her in our lives.

And a few kids down at the Shriners, who don’t know my mom, and whom she will never meet, will have a little smile because of her.

I hope my mom’s story will give you a little smile too. Happy Chanukah. Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays.

 

Phyllis Nashen with her grandchildren, Jeremy and Nathalie, dropping off Holiday gifts with Stephanie at the Shriners Hospital (Dec. 12, 2018)

 

 

Granddaughters Nicole and Nathalie Nashen (aka Phyllis’s Elves) deliver gifts at the Shriners Hospital (Dec. 3, 2010).

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Read more:

One thousand lives touched by the kindness of a quiet mom

Birnbaum urges petition signing to safeguard English services

By Joel Goldenberg The Suburban Nov 17, 2021

MNA David Birnbaum (Photo: Glenn J. Nashen)

D’Arcy McGee MNA David Birnbaum is urging Quebecers to sign a petition calling on the CAQ government to “safeguard the right of access to health and social services in English.”

The MNA will be depositing the petition at the National Assembly in mid-December. The petition is at www.assnat.qc.ca/en/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-9347/index.html. The signing deadline is Dec. 8. As of Wednesday morning, there were 576 signatures.

In a letter to the community, Birnbaum wrote that the petition “calls on the CAQ government to restore the full role of the Provincial Committee for the Provision of Health Services and Social services in the English Language.

“The identification and maintenance of those vital services is threatened by recent actions taken and statements made by this government. Access to health and social services in English is a basic right that has been respected for over 35 years by successive Quebec Premiers and their governments. Let’s ensure that it remains so.”

The petition says that:

• “Access to health and social services is a fundamental right.”

• “This right to such services in English, as identified in access programs reviewed by the Provincial Committee and approved by the minister, is assured by the Act respecting Health and Social Services (the Act) and includes the recognition of bilingual institutions under the Charter of the French Language.”

• “For the last 35 years, eight Premiers of Quebec have safeguarded this social contract to ensure access to services in English as well as the Provincial Committee mandated to monitor and make recommendations for modifications to assure this access.”

• “The [current] government is disbanding this committee, undermining independent community input and oversight — contrary to access assured by section 348 of the Act and section 76 of Bill 10 — without consultation and without consideration of the Provincial Committee’s recommendations regarding the access programs submitted to update the 10-year-old pre-Bill 10 programs.”

• “The committee regulation amendments undermine the committee’s independence, community connection and credibility – and replaces its members by others identified and selected by government bureaucrats, while obstructing community consultation and communication.”

The petition demands that the Quebec government “re-affirm immediately the mandate, independence, connection to the community, and modalities of the Provincial Committee on the dispensing of health and social services in the English language to secure the right to health and social services in English and thus, respect the social contract.”

joel@thesuburban.com