This weekend, I was moonlighting at a small town hospital. The people in the area are for the most part simple folks; many live on farms, or have been in that community for generations.
I admitted an 83 year-old man who'd had a stroke. He hadn't seen a doctor in probably ten years, so in addition to treating his stroke I diagnosed him with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. He asked what he should be eating.
When I give diet advice, usually I don't use the word vegetarian, let alone vegan. "Lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Stay away from animal products, like meat, eggs, or dairy."
His response: "Oh, vegetarian! My daughter is a vegetarian!"
"Yes," I said. "You should definitely have her help you out."
Never in a million years would I think this man or his family would have any concept of what a vegetarian is. I was pleasantly surprised.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
It's cool that you moonlight in small towns. We need more people like you who are willing to do that. I think it is great the vegetarianism has spread enough that it is becoming more common in all communities. What was his response to a vegetarian diet?
Great story, VeganDoc. I'm so thankful for people like you, and hope that there are more.
Now I wish my in-laws and step-mom would have you as their physician!
Well, that's really cool! He should listen to his daughter.
I love those kind of stories, VeganDoc, and those kind of surprises.
Wonderful what you do and how you do it... hope and pray there are others who follow your lead!!!!
Post a Comment