A Winnipeg couple, Angela and Kaila Regier, is voicing their frustration with the communication breakdowns in Manitoba’s healthcare system following a distressing experience involving Angela’s leg injury. On December 27, Angela Regier fell down an icy set of stairs. Her fall resulted in a catastrophic injury. She had broken her leg in three places, two bones having been shattered.
After the crash, Angela stayed at Concordia Hospital for two days, where she recovered. She was later moved to the Health Sciences Centre, where her surgery eventually happened on January 3. This timeline would have forced Angela to wait about a week post-injury to receive the surgical treatment she needed.
While waiting for this period to expire, Angela and Kaila made their displeasure known. They were angry about the absence of advocacy on the part of health providers. Despite having health insurance, Kaila said the couple faced many obstacles just trying to get information about the surgery. When they pressed for answers about Angela’s medical status and how soon the procedure could be done, they were typically greeted with silence.
Angela shared her frustrations, stating, “They couldn’t tell me when my surgery was so I was put on the standby list every day, and because of that I had to fast from midnight until 6 or 7 p.m. the next day.” She focused on the fear of the unknown that had them scared and lost. They were deeply in need of support and guidance from healthcare providers during this crucial time.
Kaila reiterated these feelings, emphasizing the psychological impact the ordeal had on them. It was very overwhelming, we were afraid. We didn’t know what to expect. As she put it, “You go to healthcare providers, and you rely on them to alleviate your anxiety and fear… When they are not able to help you, that just increases anxiety and fear.”
Angela and Kaila decided to make moves with the knowledge they had. So they contacted Manitoba’s Premier Wab Kinew and Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara using the power of a letter. “I am sharing our story not out of anger, but out of deep concern,” Kaila stated, emphasizing that their letter aimed to highlight systemic issues rather than cast blame.
The pair says their story is indicative of larger issues facing Manitoba’s healthcare system. They don’t view it as a one-off event. Their hope is that by telling their story, it can facilitate the changes they want to see made to improve criminal justice communication practices.
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara acknowledged the couple’s concerns, stating, “I recognize how difficult it can be for families to navigate an emergency while waiting for information.”
