Vanessa Ambtman-Smith, or “superwoman” as her husband calls her, has defied odds.
From overcoming homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction, to becoming one of the leading advocates for racism as a social determinant of health in Canada, Ambtman-Smith strives to create an equal healthcare system for all Canadians.
Ambtman-Smith, an Indigenous woman herself, says the experiences and injustices she has faced in her life time, encourage her every day to keep fighting for what she so strongly believes in. “It drives my passion for what I do. Facing the barriers that I have experienced firsthand reminds me every day to continue what I am doing,” said Ambtman-Smith.
Ambtman-Smith describes herself as “visibly Aboriginal” but also uses …show more content…
From there, the nurse started off the consultation with the phrase, “you know we don’t prescribe narcotics.”
Ambtman-Smith fights back tears however keeps her composure and steady voice. “At this point I was calm. I didn’t know if this was a regular procedure that they go through, so I responded calmly with ‘yes, I understand, I can read the sign on the door.’ The nurse repeated herself again,” she recalls.
Among many of stereotypes surrounding Indigenous peoples, “drug users and addicts” are a common misrepresentation. Ambtman-Smith reacted to the nurse in a way that anyone would. “I took one look at my husband and we stood up and left as fast as we could.”
Ambtman-Smith later called the director at the health clinic, a colleague of hers. “From that call, my colleague confirmed that there were many things wrong with that encounter. I shouldn’t have been denied the right to see the doctor I had made an appointment with, as well as medical consultations are not supposed to start off under the assumption that someone is seeking narcotics.” There are signs posted in the clinic for that very …show more content…
Whether it being thankful for being able to wake up in the morning with a roof over your head or the fresh smell of spring, she said. Ambtman-Smith attributes this positive thinking to how she got to where she is today.
“The small positive things will add up. And soon you will be at a point where there are lots of big positive things to look forward to. When there are so many injustices in the world it can be easy to forget the small things that make life great,” Ambtman-Smith said. In her busy work life, Ambtman-Smith, keeps herself enjoying the small little things in life by finding happiness in her children.
“All the small things they do make me laugh. In tough parenting situations, all I can do is laugh sometimes.”
Ambtman-Smith’s husband, Eric Ganish, says Ambtman-Smith is the “nice parent.”
“There will be situations where we will be telling our five-year-old that no, their stuffed animal didn’t tell them to draw on the wall. And [Ambtman-Smith] will just have to leave the room because she cannot keep a straight face,” he said.
For someone who has endured and overcome so much, Ambtman-Smith manages to fight racial prejudices in the health industry all the while putting a smile on her face each day and working
From overcoming homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction, to becoming one of the leading advocates for racism as a social determinant of health in Canada, Ambtman-Smith strives to create an equal healthcare system for all Canadians.
Ambtman-Smith, an Indigenous woman herself, says the experiences and injustices she has faced in her life time, encourage her every day to keep fighting for what she so strongly believes in. “It drives my passion for what I do. Facing the barriers that I have experienced firsthand reminds me every day to continue what I am doing,” said Ambtman-Smith.
Ambtman-Smith describes herself as “visibly Aboriginal” but also uses …show more content…
From there, the nurse started off the consultation with the phrase, “you know we don’t prescribe narcotics.”
Ambtman-Smith fights back tears however keeps her composure and steady voice. “At this point I was calm. I didn’t know if this was a regular procedure that they go through, so I responded calmly with ‘yes, I understand, I can read the sign on the door.’ The nurse repeated herself again,” she recalls.
Among many of stereotypes surrounding Indigenous peoples, “drug users and addicts” are a common misrepresentation. Ambtman-Smith reacted to the nurse in a way that anyone would. “I took one look at my husband and we stood up and left as fast as we could.”
Ambtman-Smith later called the director at the health clinic, a colleague of hers. “From that call, my colleague confirmed that there were many things wrong with that encounter. I shouldn’t have been denied the right to see the doctor I had made an appointment with, as well as medical consultations are not supposed to start off under the assumption that someone is seeking narcotics.” There are signs posted in the clinic for that very …show more content…
Whether it being thankful for being able to wake up in the morning with a roof over your head or the fresh smell of spring, she said. Ambtman-Smith attributes this positive thinking to how she got to where she is today.
“The small positive things will add up. And soon you will be at a point where there are lots of big positive things to look forward to. When there are so many injustices in the world it can be easy to forget the small things that make life great,” Ambtman-Smith said. In her busy work life, Ambtman-Smith, keeps herself enjoying the small little things in life by finding happiness in her children.
“All the small things they do make me laugh. In tough parenting situations, all I can do is laugh sometimes.”
Ambtman-Smith’s husband, Eric Ganish, says Ambtman-Smith is the “nice parent.”
“There will be situations where we will be telling our five-year-old that no, their stuffed animal didn’t tell them to draw on the wall. And [Ambtman-Smith] will just have to leave the room because she cannot keep a straight face,” he said.
For someone who has endured and overcome so much, Ambtman-Smith manages to fight racial prejudices in the health industry all the while putting a smile on her face each day and working