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Meet Georgia.
This isn’t her real name, but hopefully you know that already.

In Georgia’s case, she’s not a nurse. This campaign is about protection and advocacy for those on the front lines. Right now, Georgia is lying in a hospital bed with a brand-new baby. Her first, which means she has no idea what to do.

Worse, she’s afraid. She’s giving birth at a time when the world is afraid too. She’s read about moral injury and the exhaustion faced by the frontlines. She’s read about the gaping wounds in health care.

As contractions mounted, the first thing out of her mouth was a question. “Will you be there with me? I don’t want to be alone.” She was speaking to her partner, but deep down, she worries about not having the reassuring presence of a nurse by her side.

Her mind races thinking of staffing shortages, knowing the situation is critical in Manitoba while in the midst of the global pandemic.

For the past few weeks, she’s been riddled with anxiety. She hears of patients being transferred out of hospitals and into other provinces. She hears the battle cries but also sees that no one is listening.

She’s terrified for her newborn. What will the world look like in three years? What if he falls off a play structure and breaks his leg? Who will be there to care for him?

She sees the nurses run off their feet. She sees the same nurse in the morning that she did last night.

Nurses who have deep pools of tired skin welling up under their eyes. Whose words of wisdom are strong even though their physical selves appear frail.

She feels ashamed for needing their help, for being another strain on an already maxed-out system. She’s doing well, others are not.

She feels selfish for the uncontrollable worry and insecurity she feels. Just thinking about the injustice makes her feel angry.

Rage spills over into tears and she starts to weep. This is supposed to be the most exciting time of life. She feels let down. She feels discouraged.

Holding tight to her newborn, she feels alone. Except she’s not. The door opens and a nurse pokes her head in and asks, “Georgia, are you okay?”

Innercourage.ca  |  2022