May - Health & Justice for Women and Children

This month’s topic was broad, with many avenues to explore. When I think of health and justice for women and children I think of adoption and fostering, but others might think about the vulnerability of this group towards abuse and trauma, indeed these two paths may be linked if an abusive relationship leads to a mother having a child taken into care. It was very interesting hearing other participants’ thoughts on this important topic.

The neuroscience of trauma

At our monthly webinar our speaker Dr Laura Wood presented a fascinating talk on the neuroscience of trauma. Focusing on children who have been trafficked or are refugees, we learnt that under traumatic circumstance’s a child’s brain is ‘rewired’ and they may become hyper- or hypo-aroused. The proceeding behaviour can often be wrongly diagnosed delaying the trauma therapy they need to begin the journey of recovery. As healthcare professionals, being able to identify trauma victims early can improve outcomes for these children as they become adults.

As Christians we are called to look after the widow and the fatherless:-

This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place

- Jeremiah 22:3

Women and children can be easily exploited as they are generally physically weaker than men and, in many cultures and religions, they are seen as a ‘lesser’ population. We must learn to understand the unique vulnerabilities of this group to be able to bring them justice.

Film Club

Because of my personal experience of having adoption and fostering within my close circle of family and friends, I chose the film ‘Philomena’ to explore our topic this month. Philomena follows the true story of an Irish women who along with a British journalist, goes on a journey to find out what happened to the son that she was forced to put up for adoption as a teenager. This emotional biopic demonstrates the many ripples that are made in a family when there is adoption.

We discussed the role of forgiveness in the path to recovery from trauma and other events of injustice we or others might have experienced. The famous saying* goes that holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to come to harm. When we forgive those that do us wrong, we do not necessarily condone their actions or behaviour, but we let go of the power of it on our lives. During the film Philomena has the opportunity to confront the nun that took her child from her for adoption and instead of getting angry she chooses to forgive**:

Philomena:
Sister Hildegarde, I want you to know that I forgive you.

Martin Sixsmith:
What? Just like that?

Philomena:
Its not 'just like that'... it's hard. That's hard for me. But I don't want to hate people. I don't want to be like you... Look at you.

Martin Sixsmith:
I'm angry.

Philomena:
Must be exhausting...

Whether we are a victim of injustice, a witness or just someone hearing the news of some atrocity elsewhere in the world, we have an opportunity to welcome compassion and kindness into a situation and forgive when the journey brings us there.

*This quote cannot be credited to one person but is reported to match key elements from the 1980 book The Angry Christian by Bert Ghezzi

**"Philomena Quotes." Quotes.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2021. Web. 23 Jun 2021.<https://www.quotes.net/mquote/1051766>.

January - Health and Justice in the Public Square

THE PUBLIC SQUARE

This month has challenged all track participants to consider how public speaking may feature in our professional lives. We had our second weekend conference, where we were fortunate to hear from several speakers about their roles in, and journeys to, the public square. Prior to the conference we had been tasked with writing debate motions based on vulnerable patient groups, from which we voted for our favourite four. On the Saturday we had an opportunity to present and debate these motions in small groups, giving us the atmosphere of a medical organisation committee meeting.  

We were also encouraged to reflect on the lives of those who had been called by God to speak publicly in the Bible and whether God had also placed this call on our lives. I have always been a self-conscious and nervous public speaker, avoiding it at all costs! However, this weekend has allowed me to refine some of those skills and consider what part I might play in advocating for the vulnerable, whether it be on the podium, or supporting those who do from behind the scenes. Whichever way we do it, it is important to be aware of the moral issues faced by Christian medics and consider how we might formulate appropriate responses. The feedback from the weekend was overwhelmingly positive, with many new skills learnt. 

FILM CLUB

This month we watched the moving biopic about the life of evangelical abolitionist William Wilberforce, Amazing Grace. This movie is an inspiring reminder of how we can fulfil the good works God has set before us and participate in the coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ through seeking justice in the public square. William Wilberforce suffered with ill health and stress over the many years it took to see the abolition of slavery, but through his faith, and his relationships with friends and his wife, he was able to endure and take strength in completing the work God has set out for him. In our discussion, we reflected on the importance of having a strong support network of those with matching principles and values to encourage us in our journey with God, especially when facing giants of injustice.  

A fellow track participant, Dr Ellie Webb, joined the discussion from the point of view of having read Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a nineteenth century novel highly influential in ending the US slave trade. As a group we drew the conclusion that while some like Wilberforce may bring change through speeches and public engagement, others may have different gifts, such as writing, that can be just as important and influential in bringing about transformation.  In the end, however we approach the fight for justice we must remember that failure of one battle does not eliminate the possibility of winning the war.