Remembering Roy Macpa — and all the children in foster care

Remembering Roy Macpa — and all the children in foster care.

On Nov. 8, 2014, at the age of 17, Roy Macpa passed away due to complications surrounding his underlying medical problems.

I had the privilege of being Roy’s pediatrician for seven years and watched him grow up to be a fine young man.

Many of us who knew him in Iqaluit and Ottawa have fond memories of him despite some of his challenges. His quirky disinhibited personality allowed him to be quite personable and to talk to everyone he met in town.

If he saw me on the street, even from far away, he would often yell out “Hey Jetty!” He was always smiling and was always so positive.

Even when he was very sick in the intensive care unit in Ottawa, I asked him how things were going and he answered with his sing-song response,“boooring!”

He always sought to connect with others and in return just wanted to be loved.

Roy, know that you were loved by many.

To all the children who are in foster care: no matter how many homes you have lived in, or how many people have come in and out of your life, know that you are loved.

Although we, as health professionals, often need to be objective, we are human too and we feel for you; we laugh with you when you are happy, we cry with you when you are sad and we certainly miss you when you are gone.


Roy, your spirit will always be with us.

Dr. Radha Jetty
Ottawa

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