What we wanted our son to be when he was born:
- Honest
- Respectful
- Hard working
- Kind
- Sincere
- Self aware
What we got:
- All of the above
#Autism
#AutismAwareness
#AutismStories
Plan during isolation:
- Finish papers (& get ahead)
- Attend virtual meetings (& show I'm tech savvy)
- Exercise (& get ripped)
Reality
- Troll for
#COVID
news on TV/Twitter
- Eat
- Eat
- Eat
- Drink
- Promise I'll get back to plan tomorrow
😂😂😂😂
Goals before a long flight:
1. Keep laptop under seat in front
2. Finish talk
3. Complete manuscript
4. Review assignments
5. Sleep
Reality after take off: binge watch movies...
😂
There is no one in Delhi I know that doesn’t have a family member who’s either sick, in hospital or has passed away due to Covid. What a terrible situation. 💔 😢
Sat with an anxious patient in before surgery for 30 min explaining why she need not be terrified of death & what was worth focusing on instead
Postop:
Surgeon: So glad you gave her anxiety meds. She was quite calm!
Me: Nope. None. Just had a talk
Empathetic discussion > meds
Was having a rough day. Mentioned it to my wife who was in her car driving Raghav somewhere. They both heard me. An hour later, I get this text… from one who has to struggle every day. He put things in perspective…
#autismstories
#raghavslessons
Tips for novice (or any presenters)
* A picture is worth a 1K words
* Look at your audience when you talk to them
* Use the mouse, not a laser pointer
* Do, but don't overdo animations
* Thank those who made your talk possible
* Use intermittent subtle humor
What are your tips?
32 trips around the sun together. 4 countries; 3 continents; 9 homes; and 2 wonderful boys. Each year better than the last one. Cheers to the next 32! ❤️
#Forgiveness
&
#Gratitude
, 2 most noble human traits. He exhibits both in ample measure. Forgave his mom for a small bald spot after a home haircut: “It’ll grow back. It’s what hair does”. Thanks me always for giving him work and keeping him busy while at home.
#AutismStories
28 years of making this world a better place by making us all better human beings. We owe so much to a man who asks for so little...
Happy birthday son! May all your dreams come true 💗💗💗💗
For all those who are anxious of an encounter with a
#COVID19
patient in the hospital for a procedure, spare a thought for the nurse who will care for that patient for 12 hours straight. And smile at the end of it. And come back the next day...
#NursesAreHeroes
@Joedeblasio
R: Are you someone's boss?
Me: I guess so
R: Can I be one?
Me: Sure. What are the most important things you need to ensure about your people?
R: They do meaningful work. They respect each other. They are kind
Me: That's being a leader...
#Autism
#Autismstories
#lifelonglearning
Seeing my mother after 2.5 years… she insists on cooking a simple meal with Gujarati rice and kadhi. Damn this tastes good. And yes, there’s the long lost art of dunking Parle biscuits in elaichi chai - intact!!
@purviparwani
@iamritu
@rajdoc2005
@Kfarooqi
@AkhilNarangMD
Thanks
@AmericanAir
and
@sunflwrlanyards
for supporting hidden disabilities. From
@HeathrowAirport
to
@RDUAirport
you all helped Raghav travel independently with confidence. We are so grateful to you for taking care of our “baby” 🙏🏽❤️. He was thrilled he did it by himself!
I will not check email on vacation
I should not check email on vacation
Should I check email on vacation?
I should check email on vacation
Just once…
Dang….
Wife asked me to cut the French baguette into slices. The first question I had was “Short axis or long axis?” 🤣🤣🤣🤣
She said “Diagonal please. I have no idea what you just said!”
#echofirst
#EchoAtHome
Me: What’s bothering you?
Him: I don’t know
Me: We should talk about it
Him: I don’t think so
Me: I think we should
Him: not now
Me: Why not?
Him: 😳
I’m learning.... patience is so much easier to teach than have...
#Autism
#AutismAwareness
#autismstories
Reminder: People don't care about what you know, or how much you did. They care about how you made them feel.
Most dissatisfaction is not because people feel overworked in a job they enjoy. I think it's because those around them make them feel like crap.
Be nice to each other
Raghav featured in this amazing book on
#autism
- Visible Spectrum - by Mary Berridge. A touching narrative by his brother makes me 😢 every time I read it.
#autismstories
#raghavslessons
He's been dealing with sudden changes in routine all his life. While all of us struggle with the abrupt changes around us (
#COVID19
), he's probably thinking "Now you know what this feels like, huh?" and wondering why we're having so much trouble!
#autismstories
#AutismAwareness
Raghav wrote a script for a presentation to an elementary school class on what it’s like to be autistic for
#AutismAcceptanceMonth
. I always had been taught that autism is a ‘disorder’ of social communication. Really?
An excerpt from what he wrote about himself
Disappointing to see this panel of experts without any women represented. Hopefully the "still evolving" part means that more diversity is still possible. I'm sure organizers can find diverse, capable and willing experts in the field
#DiversityandInclusion
@mirvatalasnag
R: Who was that?
Me: My first mentor, Dr. Chaudhry. I met her after more than 20 years
R: Wow! I think I should tell her she did a great job!
Me: I learned today that you can give two people compliments in one statement ❤️❤️❤️
#raghavslessons
#autismawareness
#autismstories
Met an
@Uber
driver who asked me what I did for a living. After I said I am a physician, she responded with "Thank you for your service. Doctors and nurses rarely get thanked for the important work they do". I was speechless.
#gratitude
On vacation with family
Disabled work email account
Left laptop at home
Out of office email set to kinda “will not be checking emails. Text me if you can’t wait until I’m back”
Trying to take a total digital break from work... wish me luck!
Conversation with my son:
Me: What is difficult for you?
Him: Tying my shoelaces. Math. Keeping focus
Me: And what do you find easy?
Him: Making friends. Being nice. Remembering names
Talk about important life skills!
#AutismStories
#Autism
#AutismAwareness
#MyCoach
Heard a patient tell his wife what he was looking forward to the most after discharge from a 75 day post op stay marked by recovery from multi organ failure - “I just want to sleep in my bed again”
How we underestimate the small things that matter...
#WhatDoPatientsWant
?
Every time I work in the ICU, OR, anywhere in the hospital, I am in awe of the value of our nurses. These are the true heroes of our time. Not just in a pandemic. Every. Day.
Me: I can’t tell if that person is a woman or man
R: Does it matter?
Me: you’re right. It doesn’t. What matters?
R: if they’re nice
Me: how do you know if someone’s nice?
R: they make me feel good
The best definition of Nice I’ve ever heard
#RaghavsLessons
#AutismStories
I've seen this before, but it is an important reminder each time I read it.
Don't let your academic ego spiral out of control... I'll admit, I have been guilty of several of these. It's hard work, but essential to avoid all of them.
I saw a question on a board at work: "What advice would you give to a baby?"
Asked people what they would say. Almost everyone's advice began with "Don't..." or "Never...".
I asked Raghav. His response: "Become a teacher. Teach someone"
#AutismStories
#RaghavsLessons
One of the most indescribable 'father moments' when my son, Abhinav, took me on a tour of his office in London. I felt like this proud old man who was shown the place his son works and the great things he is doing to change the world for the better. My sons have done me proud!!!
Some years ago, I got annoyed in a crowded parking lot and inadvertently dropped the "f" word. My son next to me: "Dad, you used the 'f' word". And a few minutes later "Your mama raised you better than that"
#Autism
#autismawareness
#Schooled
by my son
#ShareAStoryInOneTweet
R: Uncle is a Sikh. Why doesn’t he wear a turban?
Me: he probably cut his hair when he came to this country so he wouldn’t face discrimination with a turban
R: so he was afraid of
#racism
?
Me: probably
R: so we should educate everyone on racism right?
Me: ❤️😢
It’s amazing yet disappointing to see so many well educated and sensible people underestimating the virus and overestimating their resistance to it. Everywhere.
#WearADamnMask
and practice
#SocialDistancing
. I don’t what to show you a laryngoscope...
I saw a poorly parked car: "Why do people park like that?"
Raghav: Maybe they are in a hurry. Maybe they couldn't see. Maybe slow...
5 min later, an elderly lady shuffles her way to the car, and asks me for help with her keys...
#raghavslessons
#dontjudge
#AutismStories
#inclusion
is deliberate and intentional. Being aware of our
#implicitbias
is a first step. Doing something about is next. Help organizers see their bias. This isn't hard but it isn't easy either. Be prepared to walk away to support your position. You owe this to your colleagues
Got a lesson in relativism when I asked my 81-yr old mother in India how things were in her town.
"I think it's getting better"
"How can you tell?"
"I hear fewer ambulance sirens going by my home every day and fewer people I know are dying"
#CovidIndia
In flight emergency on a flight to
#ACC19
. Fortunately, there was at least one anesthesiologist on board! 🤣... and then they asked me for my ID before anything else 😳... I guess I just don't look like a real doc 🤔
Me: Do you know what I do?
R!: you’re an anesthesiologist
Me: what does that mean?
R: you put people to sleep
Me: is that it?
R: no. You also talk about diastolic dysfunction
Me: how do you know?
R: YouTube 🙄
😂😂😂😂😂
#autismawareness
#autismstories
I always maintain that the best way to learn is to teach. Asked my son to teach me something new everyday. Today’s novelty? Ancient Egyptians invented the cake! He’s now excited he gets to look for something new everyday!
#LearnSomethingNewEveryday
#whoknew
Everyone should have the kind of excitement about their birthday like this guy! Happy magical birthday son!! Keep shining brightly and show us how to be better ❤️❤️
#RaghavsLessons
#autismacceptance
Some memorable quotes from a man with courage:
"I am proud of my autism"
"I can do what I want to if I put my mind to it. Anyone can"
"I was bullied, and I hated it"
"I had issues, but I overcame them"
"Just talk to us. Communicate with us"
#Inclusion
#RaghavsLessons
When you meet an amazing flight attendant and crew... and they remembered me because they took care of my elderly mother-in-law a year ago! Such a caring group. Thanks
@AmericanAir
and your wonderful flight crew! Laurel Wood is amazing!
Had an end of life discussion with a family. A young (20s) man in the discussion said, "Thanks doc. Your team was awesome. I hope what y'all learned from my dad's life can help someone else's dad or mom down the line"
Rarely get to hear such sentiment at a vulnerable moment...
Shopping for shoes with Raghav. Me to sales guy "Do you have shoes without laces?"
Sales guy: with 🙄 expression: "No"
Sensing an upset father, R: "It's ok dad. Maybe I should learn how to tie my laces now" To guy "Thank you sir. Have a good day sir"
#RaghavsLessons
#BePolite
Thanks
@scahq
and co-directors
@nicoa002
and
@charles_nyman
for selecting me for the incredible honor of delivering the 15th Weyman lecture at
#echoweek22
. This will be a different echo lecture! “But you’re an anesthesiologist! Confessions of an ASE president”
"
#COVID
ー19 Preparedness for Echo Labs" Live webinar from
@ASE360
with J. Kirkpatrick from
@UWMedicine
, Capt Chertow from
@NIH
with expertise in emerging pathogens, & Anita Sadeghpour with the Iranian experience. Free registration open at
#EchoFirstSafety
Wow!!! Retiring after 42 years of service to
@DukeHealth
and
@Duke_Anesthesia
. What a great icon. He's seen the department since its 1st chair. Thank you, Jesse Swain for your incredible contributions to
@Duke_Anesthesia
and to the development of innumerable anesthesiologists❤️🙏🏽
I have such a high level of respect for these young investigators who present cutting edge research in a non native language.
#respect
#courage
#ASE2019
Young Investigator Award
It has been a year like no other! For so many reasons... Thank you
@ASE360
for all the memories. Looking forward to celebrating with my friends and colleagues soon!
Today would have marked the start of
#ASE2020
with president
@mswami001
at the helm and a celebration for another great year. Since we can’t see each other in person, let’s celebrate virtually by sharing our favorite photos from
#ASE2019
! We start with this one!
#ASECares