The Kind of Change that Makes my Job Difficult

I received a letter today that made me very sad. It began:

Dear Friends,

I write to tell you I am retiring from medical practice this summer to begin full-time teaching at the University of Texas at Dallas. . . .

Ainsley's pediatric neurologist is leaving his practice to continue his "writing and clinical research". This is a brilliant man, and we were fortunate to find him at a time when we needed straight answers and a reliable diagnosis. The consolation to losing such a great physician for my child is that his research will help millions, possibly including my own family.

In the last 16 or so years since I left graduate school, I have met hundreds of medical professionals. Some were terribly incompetent to the point of being dangerous. Most were average or better. Only a few have made me feel completely confident their ability to make accurate diagnoses and recommend reasonable treatments or perform procedures that would be beneficial. This man ranks at the top of that list.

Another consolation is that he was able to identify my daughter's autism at an early age so that our family could pursue therapies that would help her long before she enters kindergarten. My hope is that she will go to school in the fall not needing any modifications to her curriculum. I am grateful we had the opportunity to get a solid start with his help.