Let’s Chat: From VR to the ER

By Linda Tooth on January 29, 2025.

I saw a recent article in the newspaper regarding Crestwood STEM School and how virtual reality is something they are teaching young people. Let me tell you why I think this might be something older people should steer clear of.

According to TechTarget, VR is defined as “a three dimensional environment that lets users explore and interact with a virtual surrounding in a way that approximates reality.”

In order to do this, users must wear a helmet or goggles to block out their reality. By doing this it places them into a world they can ‘control’ by using controllers placed on their hands.

You may question why I would write on VR and the ER, and it would be my pleasure to give you an update on my partner and his latest visit to Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and the emergency room about 10 days ago.

If you remember from last year, he spent a lot of time at the Medicine Hat and Peter Lougheed Hospitals dealing with colonoscopies, and the RockyView Hospital in Calgary dealing with colorectal and kidney cancer surgery.

Friends of ours had won a package to a local business where we could partake in VR, axe-throwing and pizza. We never made it to the axe-throwing or pizza. That was a shame, as axe-throwing is a great stress reliever and, who does not love pizza?

Our evening began just after 7 p.m. where the boys, ranging in age from 25-57, donned the necessary goggles and controllers and began their journey through a zombie apocalypse.

After they completed that they took part in a cops and robbers simulation. All was good with that simulation.

On to the next simulation that saw them involved in a duel that pitted them against each other. A few minutes later, my partner goes down and was not in a rush to get back up.

I was sitting on the side watching this all unfold, and when he did sit up, clutching his left arm, I knew it was not good.

I got the car and we were at the ER by 8:30 p.m. Luckily for us we were the only ones in the waiting room.

After he did all the preliminary paperwork and answered their triage questions, he was off to x-ray. Two x-rays and a plaster cast for a broken wrist later, and we were on our way home by 10:30 p.m.

I have to say that our experience in dealing with the doctors, nurses and porters in the emergency room was amazing.

As we were driving home I asked him what I was going to do with him. He said I could possibly trade him in for a younger model.

We are 20 years into our relationship, and the thought of having to go through the training process all over again is exhausting. I thought maybe assisted living might be better.

Have a Meowtastic Day and Keep Reading!

Linda Tooth is a part-time communications instructor at Medicine Hat College

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