I met Daniel, who later is named Jessica, at my work. After multiple occurrences and some break downs we later became friends and she’s allowed me to describe our relationship and hers with healthcare for this assignment. I work as a service ambassador at a medical center. Essentially my job is to either check people in at the desk or kiosk and manage the floor of the waiting area. I’ve also worked the desk down at urgent care where we’ve shared some moments as well. I first met Jessica before she transitioned and was named Daniel. She was coming into her appointment with her provider to discuss the transitioning process. She was shy, scared, and alone. This was her first in-person visit with the provider and she didn’t know how trustworthy they were. She came alone because she wasn’t ready to discuss this change in her life with her parents just yet. Luckily, she found a primary care provider that she could trust and a friend in myself to help with her healthcare profile. But it wasn’t smooth roads throughout the whole transition process.
There were times when she would come into family practice with questions on medication or urgent care and her primary care provider that she trusted was either not available or wasn’t in that day. She wasn’t able to be her true self and often held back the more personal details which could have been crucial to her care. Although providers were usually nice and welcoming, she just wasn’t comfortable enough to show who she really way. Even checking in at the desk she felt judged when her preferred name or gender was not acknowledged or expressed in conversation. Phone calls with her insurances were the worst, I was there ready with tissues for tears because of how stressed she got. Some things weren’t covered, they wouldn’t talk to my company about the legal name or sex changes, and essentially having things lead back to her parents before she was ready was a big problem. One big issue we had together was getting a certain medication refill. There was loss communication with the provider and the outside pharmacy about a self-injected medication that couldn’t be solved in a timely manner with the doctor of the day because of what was discussed one-on-one with Jessica and her provider. On our worst days she would leave without care because all the stress was too much to handle, and as a friend and employer I felt like I failed my job in both positions.
When discussing sexual identity and how it affects their overall healthcare, Jessica really brought some realization to my eyes. She said she knows that providers are not supposed to reject patients due to their religion, lifestyle, choices, etc. but she always felt like she was being judged. It could be the smallest movement, tone, or look and she’ll start to get anxiety. She feels as if people are there to help her yet they’re holding back somehow. She still hasn’t defined it as reality or just her mind overthinking but feeling that way when seeking help is wrong and sad. No one should feel that way when being brave and reaching out. Just because people have different life decisions than you don’t mean they’re to be treated differently. We’re all humans. We’re all trying to live our happiest and most comfortable lives.
-Darlina
There were times when she would come into family practice with questions on medication or urgent care and her primary care provider that she trusted was either not available or wasn’t in that day. She wasn’t able to be her true self and often held back the more personal details which could have been crucial to her care. Although providers were usually nice and welcoming, she just wasn’t comfortable enough to show who she really way. Even checking in at the desk she felt judged when her preferred name or gender was not acknowledged or expressed in conversation. Phone calls with her insurances were the worst, I was there ready with tissues for tears because of how stressed she got. Some things weren’t covered, they wouldn’t talk to my company about the legal name or sex changes, and essentially having things lead back to her parents before she was ready was a big problem. One big issue we had together was getting a certain medication refill. There was loss communication with the provider and the outside pharmacy about a self-injected medication that couldn’t be solved in a timely manner with the doctor of the day because of what was discussed one-on-one with Jessica and her provider. On our worst days she would leave without care because all the stress was too much to handle, and as a friend and employer I felt like I failed my job in both positions.
When discussing sexual identity and how it affects their overall healthcare, Jessica really brought some realization to my eyes. She said she knows that providers are not supposed to reject patients due to their religion, lifestyle, choices, etc. but she always felt like she was being judged. It could be the smallest movement, tone, or look and she’ll start to get anxiety. She feels as if people are there to help her yet they’re holding back somehow. She still hasn’t defined it as reality or just her mind overthinking but feeling that way when seeking help is wrong and sad. No one should feel that way when being brave and reaching out. Just because people have different life decisions than you don’t mean they’re to be treated differently. We’re all humans. We’re all trying to live our happiest and most comfortable lives.
-Darlina
RSS Feed