Perhaps no one was more moved by Inez Rudderham’s courage than her aunt, who’s seen so much.
“What I think I appreciate most about that video and what I think has touched so many others is that Inez is not afraid to be vulnerable,” said Terry Rudderham.
Terry was among the 1.6 million people who had watched her niece’s four-minute Facebook video by Thursday afternoon. The 33-year-old mother is holding back tears, daring Premier Stephen McNeil to tell her to her face that there is no health-care crisis in the province.
“To the premier of Nova Scotia, I dare you to take a meeting with me and look into my eyes and tell me there is no health-care crisis in my province of Nova Scotia,” Inez says in the video in which she calls herself the face of the province’s health-care crisis.
“I am a 33-year-old mother. I went undiagnosed with anal cancer for two years because I did not have access to a family doctor and when I went to the ERs I was brushed off.”
Too often, her aunt saw the result of the repeated misdiagnoses and her niece's failed attempts to get the help she needed. Having no family doctor, she made repeated hospital trips trying to find out what was behind the excruciating bouts of pain.
“I felt what many people are feeling after watching that video,” said Terry. “I first felt a lot of love for Inez. I really admire her bravery, of course. But I felt really sad she’s in this situation and also that many, many people in this province are also in this situation.”
The final insult that ultimately pushed Inez to make the video was her failed attempt to get timely counselling from Mental Health Services. She made the request in January and found out this month that she’d have to wait until July to get it.
Marilyn Inez: Probably going to regret this but I’m so done.How to share with just friends.
Posted by Marilyn Inez on Tuesday, April 23, 2019
“I cannot receive help for trauma I experienced because of this failed system until July.
“What about my daughter, my four year-old-daughter that doesn’t have me there, fully, because I need help and I’m not receiving it?”
Terry says her niece is overwhelmed by the response to the video that she posted Tuesday and not quite ready to speak to the media. But she’s overwhelmed in a good way, said Terry. She chose not to say where Inez lives to protect her privacy.
“She’s getting tons of texts and emails. People are trying to reach her and she doesn’t quite know how to relate to that. She knows that she’s getting lots of support and love.”
Back in July Terry launched a Gofundme campaign to help Inez and her partner manage the financial strain that comes with having late stage cancer. Thousands of dollars had been contributed to the cause on Thursday.
It has been a difficult road for Inez. Two days ago, she and her partner officially sold their home. Inez has had little opportunity to pursue her yoga practice but it has played a large role helping her cope with her struggle. As she says in her video: “The 30 rounds of radiation to my pelvis, which has left me barren and infertile.”
“Her video touched on a lot of the major failings of our health-care system,” said Terry. “I think it’s quite brilliant, actually, because it’s short, it’s emotional and it’s true. Everything she says is completely true. It’s almost impossible not to be touched by it.”
Premier McNeil stopped short of committing to meet with Inez but said in a written statement that he had seen her “heartbreaking video” and pledged to get her adequate help.
“Like you, I am very concerned,” said McNeil.“I immediately reached out to the Nova Scotia Health Authority. They are trying to contact Ms. Rudderham to get more information about her situation.
“We want to ensure she is getting the treatment and support she needs. I have asked to be updated as soon as information is available.”
Terry called that a good start but she wasn’t sure whether her niece had heard from the health authority on Thursday.
In the end, Terry and Inez hope that other Nova Scotians will hold the government to account and demand that everyone have access to a family doctor.
In the video Inez handled herself with the same grace and dignity she’s shown through her three-year ordeal, said Terry. She’s currently in remission.
“When she was in the hospital, when the pain got extremely bad, everytime I talked to her she was thinking about other people, about her daughter, but also how everyone else was doing,” said Terry.
“She never stopped asking how I was doing and she was always so appreciative of the help from so many.”
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