Last winter at the Turner Institute outside of St. Petersburg, Russia a special conference on the subject of developmental variations on children was held. It was organized by Vladimir Kenis, a pediatric orthopedist. 
From my research conducted in Seattle during the 1980s, it was determined that common variations of normal such as intoeing, flat feet and bow legs are conditions that resolve spontaneously and do not require treatment. Before our studies, they were commonly treated with corrective shoes, braces, exercises, and sometimes even surgery.
Allowing these problems to resolve spontaneously was of great benefit to millions of children because the so-called treatments are often unpleasant, embarrassing, and expensive.
In Russia such variations are still being treated. Dr. Kenis wishes to change the pattern and attitude of doctors in Russia to understand the benign nature of these conditions and the lack of need for any treatment. For this reason, he organized a conference and invited me to participate. My research and efforts in United States was responsible for a change in policy regarding the management of these conditions. Dr. Kenis wanted the same outcome in Russia. He also invited medical professionals throughout Russia to attend. Over one hundred doctors came from 23 different cities for the conference. In addition, the conference was televised and made available for the education of medical professionals throughout Russia (see below).
These videos have recently been made available on YouTube. We are planning to feature the series on the Global HELP Organization and Pediatric Orthopedic Academy websites.
We are very pleased with the opportunity to make a possible significant change in the management of children's problems in Russia. This series could save millions of children in Russia from unnecessary treatments.
I am currently distressed by the war mongering approach of many people in the US government to create a hostile relationship and a new Cold War with Russia. The only beneficiaries are the arms industry with increased sales and profits. Hopefully a new era of friendship with Russia will be the outcome of the Trump presidency. It may be the single positive outcome of the last election.

​Earlier this month I took my Son, Todd, and his family to Guatemala. As we drove across the country our very well-informed guide explained the history and current state of his country. Passing along a highway between Belize and Guatemala he pointed out the opposing military presence on both sides of the highway. The same is true with the border further north with Mexico. How sad it is that needy countries waste their limited resources when each lack basic healthcare.
Just south is Costa Rica whose history demonstrates the peace dividend.
In 1948 Jose Figueres, then president of Costa Rica abolished the military. The savings were redirected toward healthcare, education and environmental protection. What is the outcome? Most are unaware of the countries demilitarization. This has produced a stable government, a healthy and happy population, the preservation of about a quarter of the land for parks reserves, a thriving economy and the destinations for eco tourists.
Lana and I had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Health a decade ago and see how this model would lead to the potential of universal healthcare, clean water, a healthy happy population, little threat of terrorism, reduced corruption,  a general sense of well being, and  a per capita income in middle world category.  In addition Costa Rica has become the peacemaker for Central America and the Costa Rican President Oscar Aries was awarded the Noble Peace Prize. The country has been at peace with its neighbors, not threatened by invasions and an example of regional harmony

Socialism: My Personal Experience 
Nothing is more convincing than personal experience. 
Despite today’s disappointing developments, I find hope in the more accurate view of socialism, as championed by Bernie Sanders. This is long overdue and fits with my experience. 
These are the reasons why I find socialism attractive. 

Experience during FDR New Deal in the 1930s.
The “New Deal” was correctly considered socialistic.
I lived in the small, non-industrial town of Provo, Utah, population about 25,000 and home of BYU. When FDR introduced the WPA, he put millions to work and effectively upgraded the infrastructure of our city. The work that was done at that time continues to benefit everyone. 
I witnessed the construction of new schools (the one I attended and the other one where my father was the school principal), roads, railroad overpasses, curbs, irrigation systems, and bridges. I also watched as the dirt ditch in front of our home was upgraded to a concrete waterway, allowing us to irrigate our yard easily in the summer. Provo created its own plant to produce electricity, which my described father as a “gem.”
Provo’s sense of safety, health, and egalitarianism resulted in upward mobility: many of my friends became affluent professionals. Harmony resulted from a majority middle class and a lack of poverty.

Military Service 1960­-63
I was a medical doctor in the United States Air Force in Germany. Our goal was to  to keep the Russian and Allied armies apart. 
I valued my experience living and working as a medical doctor at the Rhein Main air force base for three years. Work was enjoyable, and living in the center of  Europe  allowed for extensive travel opportunities. During my three years, we visited 22 countries throughout Europe and the Middle East. 
This was possible because we lived in a socialistic system. Taking care of basic needs allows individuals to focus on their work and personal interests. Our basic needs were provided– housing, medical care, provisions for the maid (nanny), inexpensive groceries, and support services. This socialistic system allowed us to focus on work, family and travel.

Travel to socialistic countries
I started traveling to socialistic countries during my time in the military, and continued with more recent visits to Iceland, Sweden and Finland.  It is clear that by every measurable parameter, people in socialistic countries are the happiest, healthiest, best educated, most satisfied, and most productive. They also are more progressive in terms of gender equality, have the highest percentage of women in government, and are the least militarily focused.

Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders' proposal of socialism that provides free education, universal health care, progressive tax restructuring, a focus on infrastructure, and avoidance of unnecessary military interventions resonates with me and with many Americans.
Bernie Sanders is making the case for change and is receiving broad popular support for new ideas that counter the conventional smear of socialism. Owned and controlled by corporate interests, the media has drifted right. With hired, focused marketing the public has been led to believe that socialism is anti-American and synonymous with communism. This widespread belief was strongly influenced by Reagan, who is still revered despite having promoted many policies and philosophies that have been disastrous for middle class. Only the wealthy have benefited. His “trickle down” theory is working, insofar as what its name suggests: the trickle is so little that it amounts to an unlivable wage. In contrast, the wealthy experience a “gush down” which provides huge wealth and influence. 

I am married to a person who showed resilience or the capacity to bounce. I met Lana during her work as a Management Consultant for our Orthopedic service at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
 
During my career as a Pediatric Orthopedist and caring for children throughout childhood I observed with the same problem, some infants “bounced” while others were devastated.
 
Lana was born with a TE fistula, a connection between her esophagus (for swallowing) and her trachea (for breathing). Without treatment infants with this condition die because food fills the lungs and instead of going to the stomach.
 
Lana was fortunate being born into a family who, despite being poor, had medical care. The diagnosis was made quickly and she was transferred to Dr. Haight at the University of Michigan who pioneered  surgical correction of the problem. As Lana was treated early in his series, the mortality rate was about 50% and complications were frequent. Lana suffered rupture of the reconstructed esophagus with pneumonia and months of hospitalization with isolation from her parents. At 6 moths of age Lana weighed only five pounds. 
 
In addition to the surgical skill of Dr. Haight, the attentiveness and dedication of the resident doctor was essential. He provided support and wrote long letters to the family detailing her condition.
 
Lana’s parents’ attitude and care for Lana were critical. They treated her as a normal child and shielded her from over-treatment of her fused ribs and scoliosis. So often, infants and children are medicalized, being submerged by “treatments” with surgery, casting, bracing, therapies, etc. Disability is compounded by a restricted childhood and the absence of lessons learned from play experiences. A most important period of life, childhood, is lost or marred.
 
Finally, a forth factor was Lana’s own intense drive to be normal. Not only did Lana overcome these limitations; she exceeded them by rejecting the disabled label, by overcoming cultural expectations that young women need to become “housewives,” and the widespread belief that they are not capable of an education beyond high school. Lana earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Washington and later a PhD in psychology. Lana has since become a highly successful counselor, a prolific writer, a TV and radio advisor, a successful stepparent of three children, a philanthropist, a world traveler, a community leader, and a wonderful wife and companion.
 
Lana wrote a successful book entitled Bounce, Be Transformed, Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, Change The World which focuses on strategies to add joy and meaning to life, many of which she exemplifies in her own experience. Instead of retiring, she continues to coach able clients with her wise and pragmatic advice.
 
Lana continues to manage the effects of TE fistula, including a severely narrowed esophagus. As a result, her food choices are severely limited, but she accommodates this limitation with quiet effort.
 
Most of all Lana is loved for her exceptional wisdom, for her lovingness and generosity, and for being an exemplary grandmother and wife.
 
Lynn Staheli MD