Law is not everyone's cup of tea, a date in the Court is certainly not everyone's dream date. Quite like a date in the hospital or having to deal with medicine, it is something we all wish to shun or stay away from, and if ever the need arises to deal with it, then we hope to do so quickly, efficiently and efficaciously. Words, thoughts or ideas involving an upcoming brush with medicine, hospitals, Doctors, and ICU induce a sense of discomfort in some, and outright FEAR in many others. I remember avoiding a 'colonoscopy' procedure for a very long time simply becase I was scared of the procedure. I remember enduring painful indecisiveness and procrastination with regards to this simple procedure, which was recommended to provide peace of mind to me and my Doctor who was recommending that this be done in order to rule out something sinister like cancer or other grave diseases. I remember ruling out 'colonoscopy' even though it meant dealing with doubts and phobias and sleepless nights pondering over dark imaginings. Then when I finally did submit to colonoscopy, it was painless, quick, efficient and the result instantly ruled out colon-rectal cancer, IBS and other morbid diseases. But it took me almost a year to agree to colonoscopy. Before that I did an MRI (hoping that would render colonoscopy unnecessary) and even a non-inasive procedure like MRI was also scary in my imagination, but hardly even a discomfort in reality when I underwent the procedure.
I remember being induced to sleep through an injection right before the colonoscopy and recall the Doctor exclaiming something to the effect that I should not fear colonoscopy at all considering I am a fierce litigating lawyer!
Now, I imagine what a tryst with Police Station, Court rooms, Judges, and judgments must mean to non-lawyers, when it is indeed difficult even for seasoned lawyers to deal with. Well, it does not have to be as intimidating as one imagines. It does have to be taken seriously, but fearing it is not the way to approach it.
I am writing this piece hoping to empower one and all to understand and leverage Law, rather than fear it, or run away from it.
Through this initiative, I intend to reach out to people and share my knowledge, skills, and of course-time, to empower them to ‘understand and use’ law. Such empowerment will come about by first understanding some very basic elements or aspects of law, and secondly, by knowing how to use this understanding.
How did this thought come about? I had always wished, and still do, that I had the presence of a friend in my life who was a Doctor by profession just to help me navigate illness, disease etc and walk me through difficult times of sickness. I had always wished that me, my friends and family could turn to, rely on and be comforted by 'our very own insider Doctor' when confronted with medical challenges. That never happened. The next best thing would have been to have access to a simple handbook on the subject of regular illnesses, doctor visits, hospital admissions and simple procedures and advisory on some major health issues such a diabetes, blood pressure, heart attacks etc. so as to be preapred. I am yet to find a simple handbook of that nature.
I see this yawning gap between medical profession and its understanding by patients. Such a gap, or even wider exists between lawyers and laymen too.
I feel inspired to write something related to law, litigation and Court rooms just in case someone out there is looking for such a handbook to turn to in times of trouble. I hope you enjoy reading what I write.