If we could only dig a canal from Plainfield to JFK

While stewing about the almost inevitable loss of critical health care in Plainfield, I came across this uncropped slide which represents one, albeit not applicable here, solution to the difficulties in transporting patients to hospitals.

As usual there is a tale to tell. In the early 60s, my wife, oldest daughter, and I were on a cruise aboard the Stella Oceanis. The ship had been built during WW II, as a freighter, and after the war an enterprising Greek shipping entrepreneur had converted into a popular cruise ship.

One port was Corinth, where we had a choice of tours. History buff me decided to visit Mycenae and the ruins of Agamemnon's palace with its famous Lions Gate. My daughter and wife went to Athens.

When I returned to the ship I found her sitting in a WW 1 wheelchair that had no brakes. While she was in Athens a man running full blast had bowled her over and she could not get up. They carried her to the bus and back to the ship.

I might note that this was a medical sponsored cruise for orthopedists. Those docs decided (wrongly)after learned consultations among themselves, that she must have had some type of a fractured hip. An x-ray was needed. Since the next two ports were in Yugoslavia the Greek ship doctor "could not make arrangements" for the x-rays in that country. However when we reached Venice, the end of the cruise, arrangements were made for her to go by "water ambulance" to the Reunited Hospital in Venice.

How many people on their first visit to Venice have the opportunity not only to sight see on the Grand Canal but also some of the side canals. The top of the motor launch just cleared some of the bridges over the secondary canals.

This shows her on the chair stretcher leaving the ambulance to be placed on a hospital stretcher for the x-rays. That is another narrative worth telling. Fortunately she did not have a fractured hip, however her pubic rami of the pelvic bone was broken.

Pelvic fractures are not treated with a cast, just bed rest for 4 to 6 weeks plus pain medication.The treatment is still rest and pain pills. There is no immobilization so we packed her on the plane and flew home.

An after thought;do you think that Solaris might consider recommending a canal to the state as one of its responses to condition #11 in the state staff report??