24 February 2021 8:25
I just wanted to share a story from 2010-2011. I had recently moved to the cook street neighbourhood from Salt spring island. On Salt spring my family doctors were a couple and shared their patients. Dr. Strumpfer and Dr. DeKock. Sometime I think in 2010, they relocated to Victoria. Shortly after I arrived in Victoria, I was looking for a new doctor. At that time, there was a major shortage of doctors in the greater Victoria region. As I remembered that Strumpfer and deKock relocated somewhere in Victoria, I decided to try to locate and see if I could see my old doctors again. To my delight, I found out that Dr. Strumpfer was practicing in a clinic right in Cook st area! So I came by the clinic and explained to the receptionist that I was an old patient of Dr. Strumpfer and was hoping to be a patient again. The receptionist, agreed to see if it was possible. I was told that she would see me right then and there. I was really happy that she was making time for me so quickly. It had been so difficult to find a GP up to that point. So I enter her office room and greeted her with a big smile and said "hi Dr. Strumpfer I'm so glad I found you! I just moved into this area and I'm so happy to the opportunity to have you as my doctor again! " She looked at me with a frown and responded with "this is really inappropriate, I don't feel comfortable with talking to you. You aren't my patent anymore and I'd appreciate if you would leave. " My jaw dropped. I responded "I don't understand I just need a doctor and you were mine before why can't you be my doctor now? I'm sorry that I've offended you. I don't understand. " She answered with agitation "you didn't book an appointment, just walked in and expected to be my patient again. I don't take old patients, you'll have to find someone else, goodbye. "
Well, I'm mentioning this because after all these years, it still stings a little. I was completely shamed and treated like I'd done something wrong. Now. And to my point. I didn't do anything wrong but was treated with full on discrimination. Normally I try not to go there but this I could feel and could sense that that is exactly what this was. I am a man of color and she was threatened by me as a result of my color. I know she grew up in South Africa but I can't say that her upbringing contributed to this behaviour. Regardless of why, she showed a clear distain for me. I share this story because it happened and I believe people that are considering having Strumpfer as their doctor, should at least know about my experience and use that information to make their own decisions. Sorry for the long read but I'm glad to finally share, and hopefully move on for good.
Well, I'm mentioning this because after all these years, it still stings a little. I was completely shamed and treated like I'd done something wrong. Now. And to my point. I didn't do anything wrong but was treated with full on discrimination. Normally I try not to go there but this I could feel and could sense that that is exactly what this was. I am a man of color and she was threatened by me as a result of my color. I know she grew up in South Africa but I can't say that her upbringing contributed to this behaviour. Regardless of why, she showed a clear distain for me. I share this story because it happened and I believe people that are considering having Strumpfer as their doctor, should at least know about my experience and use that information to make their own decisions. Sorry for the long read but I'm glad to finally share, and hopefully move on for good.