July 15, 2012
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Swimmer's Ear
People who care FOR
you
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What it
is
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Swimmer's Ear is a bacterial infection of the ear
canal. Excessive swimming can wash away the protective coating of earwax
creating perfect conditions for a doctor visit.
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| Why it's
Important |
The important part isn’t
Swimmer’s Ear, though my son, Jack, might disagree; it’s very painful. What’s
important is a distinction about treatment:
Treatment of
a person
vs.
Treatment for
a person
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| The
Problem |
Symptoms are the tip of the
iceberg. Focusing on symptoms creates
repeat customers.
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Wake-Up
Call
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The idea for this tip was
sparked by Dr. Douglas Krohn, MD, one of several
pediatricians in our family’s medical group. After diagnosing Jack’s Swimmer’s Ear
and prescribing ear drops to alleviate swelling and pain, he noticed that Jack had been treated
for this condition twice before within the past 3 years. Then he
surprised me. He said, “I don’t ever want to see Jack again for
Swimmer’s Ear,” and wrote out a preventive home remedy to be used once Jack’s current bout was
fixed.
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Prevent Swimmer's
Ear
Ingredients
1 part white vinegar as anti-bacterial agent
1 part rubbing alcohol as
drying agent
Directions
Mix ingredients as 50/50
solution and label bottle to prevent accidental
ingestion--rubbing alcohol is poisonous.
2 drops in each ear after a
day of swimming
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That’s it. No more pain, co-pays, prescriptions, or missed
summer opportunities.
Dr. Krohn woke me from my
stupor by giving care. Until then, I had been accepting treatment
of vs. eliciting treatment for.
The
Tip
Elicit
Caregiving
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Step
1
Ask For
It
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Ask questions that elicit the treatment
you deserve.
How can we
prevent (blank)?
What am I
doing that creates (blank)?
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Step
2
Thank For It
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Specifically thank people for
caring more for you than about your problem. A specific thank you reinforces
and encourages more.
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Dr. Krohn,
thank you for caring
more for Jack than our co-pay.
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Benefits!
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Wellness
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Underneath every symptom is an
underlying cause. Wellness is found in zapping the cause.
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| Grati-ation |
Gratitude + Appreciation,
gifts in themselves
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| Connection |
By eliciting care for you as a
person you allow deeper connections with others.
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| Influence |
Watching you elicit care, your
kids begin to see themselves as people deserving consideration that extends beyond the present
symptom or situation. It plants seeds of worth that will off-set the pervasive
attitude of, “What have you done for me lately.”
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Related Articles: Good-Deed Frustration,
Related Tip of the Week: Powerful Listening II, Articulate,
Chime in >> What do you think?
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