As I Recall: Lofty Perceptions vs Accepting Reality

Television, and its predecessor source of entertainment programs, radio, has played a significant role in shaping the image and expectations which most of the public have formed about particular professions. Teachers are believed to have the wit of Our Miss Brooks, the rapport of Gabe Kotter, the charisma of Mr. Novak, and the wisdom and insight of Mr. Feeney. In a similar fashion, attorneys are deemed to have the instantaneous analytic insight required to clear their clients of any and all charges and present the most eloquent and compelling summations in court. However, I think that the highest and perhaps most unrealistic perceptions exist with respect to the medical profession. Robert Young's portrayal of the venerable Dr. Marcus Welby did much, in my opinion, to shape our expectations of display of the perfect bedside manner and ability to diagnose quickly and accurately any and all ailments and afflictions, and to provide the appropriate remedy or cure. In the medical dramas, patients rarely have to exercise patience in obtaining appointments, nor in waiting to be seen by medical personnel, who more often than not seem to have a keen and accurate insight about the patient's affliction, and any needed medical tests or procedures are implemented immediately, or to use the oft quoted term "stat!" Nor is it very often that we see depicted the frustrations of obtaining insurance approval. The disparity between what is presented in the fictionalized accounts and our reality can indeed result in impatient patients and a high level of frustration. Recently I have had some first-hand experience in yearning for the fictitious, idealistic world such as that of chief of staff Dr. Hardy at General Hospital, whose authoritative demeanor motivated everyone to swift and immediate action. It appears that I have had an unwelcome visitor, perhaps better stated as intruder, in the form of a likely kidney stone. My use of the term "likely" is predicated on the fact that, as of the date of this composition, the test which my physician requested has yet to be scheduled, so definitive confirmation of the diagnosis is still pending, after several days. At this point I must make an important aside to state that my physician has been most helpful during this ordeal, and I am sure that he shares my frustration that the test which he has ordered has not yet come to fruition. And so are the "delays" of our lives, I suppose! As I consider yet other unrealistic expectations which may be derived from entertainment programs, I can imagine several erroneous assumptions or conclusions, at least facetiously speaking, which could be derived. For example, New England could have acquired an undeserved reputation as an undesirable residential setting on the basis of a program set in the fictitious locale of Cabot Cove, where there seemed to be a highly disproportionate occurrence of murders within that little village. It would seem to be of secondary, if little comfort at all, that one of the residents there was always able to determine the identity of the guilty party. While ultimately confirming that crime does not pay, the underlying, if unintentional, message was that the percentages would not be in anyone's favor with regard to becoming a victim! Examining the other side of injustice for New England would be perception that the typical residents of Vermont would include the likes of a man named Larry with 2 brothers both named Darryl, as well as other rather eccentric inhabitants...but wait, that was all a dream as a result of a Chicago psychologist who had too much Japanese food before bedtime.. Is it good or bad that perception and reality are often mutually exclusive? As a child, I acquired the notion, from television, that our family life was supposed to resemble that of the Nelsons of Ozzie and Harriet, the Andersons of Father Knows Best, the Stones of The Donna Reed Show, etc. The ideals portrayed in those programs were almost always good and certainly would be deemed worthy of emulation. However, to derive the conclusion that the fictional lives of those families were supposed to represent family life 100% of the time was not valid or realistic. While my family environment was not at all a bad one, yet I wondered what was wrong or lacking that our lives did not mirror these "ideal" families that I saw depicted each week. Perhaps the answer to dealing with these unrealistic expectations comes down to acceptance...accepting that we are imperfect human beings living in an imperfect world, and therefore there are shortcomings which must be faced from time to time. It is not wrong to want or to try to attain to the lofty standards of a Dr. Welby, or the Nelsons, but let's give each other grace when we do not. •••Mike Baker is a local author.