Year in review: Global’s health reporters share stories that resonated most

TORONTO – Between Ebola and enterovirus, mental health and advances in medicine, and the latest Canadian research, it’s been a busy year in health. To mark the end of 2014, Global News’ team of health reporters across the country took a look at the stories that resonated most with them.

READ MORE: Year in review – 7 health and nutrition stories of 2014

Alberta brothers who survived fatal house explosion honoured for courage

Su-Ling Goh, Health reporter for Global Edmonton: The thing I love most about my job is that it’s pretty much a constant reminder to keep things in perspective. And the Michalycia brothers are a great example of how something that seems insurmountable can actually be seen as a blessing.

Wilf and Wes survived a house explosion that killed their young cousin. Both were very badly burned, and will have severe disabilities for life. Wilf is now blind. Yet – they may be two of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. They joked about how they’re “better looking” now, and about their “Ukrainian stubbornness.”

During their physical and occupational therapy, they had the entire room cracking up as they ran (and rolled!) around the gym, yelling and egging each other on. The brothers say their families are closer since the explosion; Wilf even proposed to his girlfriend a few months afterward.

And they continue to visit other burn patients in the hospital – to show them life goes on. At this time of the year, I think Wilf and Wes can help all of us remember: we always have something to be thankful for. Read the full story here.

Alberta woman facing massive medical bills following spinal surgery

Heather Yourex, Health reporter for Global Calgary: Last Christmas, a colleague sent me a link to a Facebook post. Friends of an Alberta woman, now living in Nelson, B.C., were trying to raise money so Katrina Fontaine could pay for a series of spinal surgeries in the U.S.

I’ve seen these types of stories before, often people seek medical treatment outside Canada because it’s considered experimental and hasn’t been proven.

Katrina’s story was very different.  The former social worker had been battling a series of unexplained health problems for years but now her health had deteriorated so much she was unable to eat without a feeding tube and spent her days immobilized and in incredible pain.

I spent several months researching Katrina’s case. I learned her diagnosis, Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome, was extremely controversial and that many highly respected neurosurgeons in Canada felt the treatment she was seeking in Maryland was inappropriate and even dangerous.

Katrina felt she had no other option and pressed on. I’m happy to say this Christmas she’s much healthier, off the feeding tube and is again enjoying a good quality of life. Unfortunately, the Canadian health system ultimately decided the Maryland treatments were not medically necessary and so none of her medical bills were ever covered by either B.C. or Alberta Health. Read the full story here.

SickKids doctors treat baby with rare skull condition

Crystal Goomansingh, Health reporter for Global Toronto: Bella Stone’s spirit won me over this year. The amazing little girl and her medical journey is my pick for favourite health story. Read the full story here.

Bella was born with a rare skull condition called Frontonasal Dysplasia. She and her parents travelled to Toronto to meet Dr. Christopher Forrest and his team at SickKids. Dr. Forrest and his team did some amazing work reconstructing Bella’s head.

This story was all about this sweet, little girl but also highlighted how far medicine has come and what doctors are able to accomplish. You can follow Bella and see how she’s doing on Facebeook.

Mental health education at young age key in reducing stigma: experts

Kathlene Calahan, Health producer for Global Toronto: This is a compelling story about the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and the enormous effect it can have on young people.

Becca Cala, a brave young woman, has battled numerous mental disorders for most of her life and the stigma that has gone along with them. And she has the battle scars to prove it, both physical and emotional.

Fighting back, Becca has made a moving anti-stigma video to bring awareness to the problem. She bravely tells us her story, hoping to educate other young people about mental illness and remove the stigma once and for all. Read the full story here.

Inside the operating room, building a 3D model of the heart

Julia Wong, Health reporter for Global Halifax: It’s not often that media is allowed inside medical procedures. While this may be commonplace in larger city centres, it is still a rarity in Halifax.

That makes my time inside the operating room at the Halifax Infirmary during a heart mapping procedure one that I won’t forget. It all started as a result of a story I was doing with a doctor, Dr. Sapp, about his research into a way to better 3D model the heart.

As we chatted, he offered to speak with a patient and see if I could be in the room with him as the invasive procedure was done. I didn’t think it would be possible (most often, patients say no) but to my amazement, the patient agreed.

A few days later, I was scrubbed up and was given complete access to filming everything and anything. In broadcast TV, we are in the industry of visuals and this did not disappoint. I was astounded not only by what Dr. Sapp was doing to map out this patient’s heart but the fact that I, as a member of the media, was allowed to watch this intimate thing.

I believe my presence in the operating room allowed me to tell the story better and make it more real for viewers, and it was a moment for me to recognize the power of sharing when it comes to health stories. Read the full story here.

How Canadian doctors are fighting Ebola during the world’s worst outbreak

Carmen Chai, Health reporter for Globalnews.ca:  As health reporters, we are very fortunate to interview doctors, scientists, patients – people who are passionate about the cause and devote their lives to their research.

While reporting on Ebola, I got to speak one-on-one with several Medecins Sans Frontieres doctors to learn more about their experiences on the ground in West Africa. Their accounts were chilling: the missionaries were chased out of villages, people threw rocks at their vehicles, there was widespread skepticism. Patients weren’t stepping forward for help and their family members hid them from health officials. Locals were convinced that witchcraft or government conspiracy was at play.

I learned about the nuances of day-to-day work in the clinic: from dressing and decontaminating their protective gear to working in tandem when they enter the clinic.

Their accounts of what’s happening in West Africa are what helps a reporter like me, who is at her desk in Canada, write about what’s happening in another part of the world. They’re sacrificing their time, doubly: they’re leaving the comfort of their homes to work on the frontlines in West Africa and when they return, their downtime is spent talking to the media to help us tell our stories. For that, I’m thankful to them. Read the full story here.

carmen.chai@globalnews.ca
Follow @Carmen_Chai