Guest guest Posted February 8, 2000 Report Share Posted February 8, 2000 Hi all, Had to post this, ) Love Rob Leading Canadian Politician Resigns After NDE In Dentist's Office http://cbc.ca/insidecbc/copyright.html 2000 CBC 2-3-2000 EDMONTON - Pam Barrett, leader of Alberta's New Democratic Party, decided to quit her job Wednesday because of what she calls a near-death experience in a dentist's chair. At an emotional news conference, Barrett said she had an allergic reaction to a local anesthetic. She said she couldn't breathe, had an out-of-body experience, and was rushed to hospital. Barrett, 46, also decided to quit her seat as a member for Edmonton-Highlands in the Alberta legislature. Raj Pannu becomes interim leader of the provincial NDP. Pam Barrett She had a second near-death experience at the hospital. She said that was when she decided she had to "find another path." She says she can't explain this sudden conviction that came over her that she must resign from politics. "My decision to do this is extremely spiritual," Barrett told a news conference. She was asked at the news conference what she saw during the near-death experience. Barrett said, "It was just fine. I've lost my fear of death." Pannu, the new interim leader, said he has been worried about Barret's health. He said he thought she looked "feeble" and he worried that she wasn't looking after herself. A year ago, Barrett took a six-week leave of absence to take stress-management training. The Alberta New Democrats are the official Opposition in the province. During her term as party leader, Barrett gained a reputation as a tough, fiery leader. Her nickname was "Mighty Mouse." Premier Ralph Klein, in Quebec to attend this week's premiers conference, praised Barrett as a worthy opponent. "I can honestly say that Pam has kept me on my toes and helped improve government policy in many areas," Klein said. Allyson Jeff Staff Writer The Edmonton Journal 2-3-00 New Democrat Leader Pam Barrett is leaving politics for spiritual reasons after what she describes as a "near-death experience" in the dentist's chair. Barrett, 46, made the announcement Wednesday -- a day after she was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in convulsions from an allergic reaction to dental anesthetic. "My entire body went numb," she told reporters. "My throat swelled up so much I couldn't breathe. I had a near-death experience." Barret's resignation as party leader and as MLA for Edmonton Highlands is effective immediately. It is the second time she has retired from political life. She hangs up the gloves on the eve of her biggest fight over the government's health-care policy. During the legislative session that begins Feb. 17, the Tories will bring in a bill allowing private surgical facilities under contract with health authorities to do procedures requiring overnight stays. Barrett has opposed the move, saying it will lead to the demise of medicare. On the day she announced her resignation, she was supposed to release her own private member's bill aimed at protecting public health care in Alberta. But at a news conference attended by political colleagues and her dentist, Barrett said she needs to take her life in a new direction. "I need a new path. I need to do something and I can't tell you what it is and I cannot explain the spiritual connection." Barrett was tearful and jovial by turns during the news conference. "I will miss all of you -- staff, friends, foes," she said, vowing to stay active in the party. Although she was raised a Roman Catholic, Barrett said she would not call herself a religious person. However, as she began to lose consciousness in the dentist's chair she made the sign of the cross over her chest. Barrett recalled saying: " I'm going. I'm dying." For a split second she felt dead "and then I came out of it." Dentist David Oyen said he gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and then tried to keep her calm until emergency medical help arrived. Barrett said she suffered two similar "episodes" after she reached the hospital. In 25 years as a dentist, Oyen says he's never seen such a severe reaction to the local anesthetic, a needle commonly administered in the gums to "freeze" the mouth. Barrett was in his office for a $4,000 capping procedure to enhance her appearance for the next provincial election -- expected as early as next year. "We were placing some veneers on her teeth to help improve her looks for an upcoming campaign so she would have a nice smile on posters," Oyen said. Party president Les Steel said he respects Barrett's decision, although party members are "saddened and sorry" to see her go. Since Barrett became leader in September 1996, party membership has doubled to about 4,000. Edmonton Strathcona MLA Raj Pannu will serve as interim leader until a leadership convention is held. The government has up to six months to hold a byelection. In the meantime, Barrett's constituency office will remain open, Steel said. Pannu said he feels a "profound sense of loss" at Barrett's departure but is proud of the work they've accomplished since they were elected in 1993. He said Barrett's fight against private medicine has left her feeling fatigued. A defamation suit filed against her by HRG Health Resource Group Inc. has also "increased her sense of crisis, her sense of personal jeopardy." Early last year, Barrett took a six-week leave from politics to seek counselling for personal problems -- citing stress and suicidal thoughts related to her mother's death. Originally from Brandon, Man., Barrett worked as a researcher for former New Democrat Leaders Grant Notley and Ray Martin from 1982 to 1986. She was elected in Edmonton Highlands in 1986 and was re-elected in 1989. After deciding not to run in 1993, Barrett returned to politics in 1996 when she was elected party leader and returned as MLA for Highlands in 1997. Gleaned from Sightings.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2000 Report Share Posted February 8, 2000 Dear Rob, Thanks very much for posting the Barrett articles. Wonderful stuff. I just put a link to the Edmonton Journal on our front page. Love, Laura http://www.realization.org - Robert Weil <Robert_Weil < > Tuesday, February 08, 2000 6:43 AM Pam Barrett's brave new world > Robert Weil <Robert_Weil > > Hi all, > > Had to post this, ) > > Love > > Rob > > > > Leading Canadian > Politician Resigns After > NDE In Dentist's Office > http://cbc.ca/insidecbc/copyright.html > 2000 CBC > 2-3-2000 > > > > > EDMONTON - Pam Barrett, leader of Alberta's New Democratic Party, decided > to quit her job Wednesday ... <clip> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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