BG, A Big Guy
by Laurie Gale 

July 31, 2000

Laurie Gale Joslyn
5341 Tattershall Avenue
Westminster, CA 92683

To: Whom it May Concern

I am writing this letter just before midnight. Should be sleeping, everyone else is. But I can’t sleep.

In one week, the APMA delegates will cast a vote of no-support or support regarding my brother’s struggle against the North Dakota Podiatric Board and the people who serve on that Board. It feels as though a lot depends on the way those votes are cast. But in reality, the APMA has already shown its support by launching an investigation in the first place. And no matter what happens in Philadelphia next week, Brian wins and Dr. Olson and the other “bad guys” lose.

When Brian was a little boy, he was very skinny and sort of knock-kneed; always had a few scabs on his knees and legs. We used to tease him and call him “Bird” instead of Brian - the mean things kids do to each other.

When he reached high school age, I guess Bri became a little tired of that image. He started working out, building his strength and endurance. He grew (a lot) and became almost graceful. He made it onto the football team all four years, and won a scholarship to college playing ball, to boot. “Bird” was gone for good.

Then came Podiatry school, followed by an opportunity for a four-year surgical residency – something almost unheard of at that time. Brian worked very hard and excelled during school, excelled at surgery, and became an outstanding physician. It seemed the world was his for the asking.

It’s been hard for Brian to find a place where his surgical skills are appreciated and can be fully utilized. He’s had some bad luck along the way, and made a few mistakes, too. But he’s always pushed and worked hard, trying to make a difference for his patients and for his profession. Unfortunately, the last couple of years so much time has been taken up protecting himself against the Olson machine that Brian, his patients, and his family have all suffered. 

Brian has been limited in his ability to contribute to the health of the people of his adopted state, and his
profession has lost knowledge he would have contributed in the form of teaching, mentoring, writing, and
lecturing to students and other podiatrists.

Brian’s wife has helped to maintained stability in their home, and I think has discovered a core of strength she may not have known she had through all this. Their little girls are too young to understand what’s happening around them, but children can sense anger, and fear, and uncertainty. 

Just as he did as a boy, and a youth, and a young man, Brian will fight through this hard time. He’s a winner, and a hero to many people. I read many of the 500 letters Brian’s patient wrote in his support. Some of them brought tears to my eyes because of the simple love and warmth that was reflected in them from his patients. My brother saves people’s legs from being amputated, he saves their feet from deformity and pain, he helps children walk and run straight. That’s the testimony of his patients. And I know, because I’m his sister, that he will do everything he can to continue helping people in one way or another, all his life. That’s the kind of guy he is, and that’s what he does. 


My hope is that some of you, reading this letter, will understand on a more personal level what Brian’s character is, the type of person he is, and how he deserves your support and your action. Please write to him, to the APMA, to the North Dakota Board, to the Podiatry Online website. Show Brian that you, too, can stand up and be counted as a friend. And that you care about what happens to podiatry in this country.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Laurie Gale Joslyn 

Posted on Aug 03 2000, 12:51 PM

To Podiatry Forum