Medical Accompaniment
Please note: I am not a medical professional and cannot dispense medical advice. Please see my FAQ for more information about this and the area I can physically serve.
Due to currently working full time and COVID guidelines, I may not be able to attend all appointments in person. Please reach out to me, and we can discuss options based on your appointment date/time.
Whether you need to see a dentist, a primary care physician, or a specialist, medical appointments of all kinds can be stressful and difficult for many of us. Medical racism, anti-fatness, anti-transness/anti-queerness, and ableism can create an unfriendly environment where there should be care and compassion. Past experiences and trauma (medical or otherwise) can add to the stress of having someone interacting with your body. All of this can make the idea of getting our medical needs met daunting, to say the least.
While I can't personally prevent these harms from happening (as much as I would love that!), I can offer you one-on-one support before, during, and/or after to make the experience a little easier, knowing someone is there for you and your needs only. This might look like:
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Having a one-on-one conversation a day or two before the appointment to discuss what will be happening, find ways to prepare you for it, address your specific fears and needs, and hold space for whatever emotions come up.
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When possible and desired, going to the appointment with you to provide support based on your unique needs, such as a hand to hold during stressful moments, a gentle reminder to express your needs or questions, or back you in asserting your rights to get the care you need.
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Meeting with you immediately after the appointment to help with aftercare, discuss the experience, and (once again) hold space for whatever emotions you're feeling.
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Scheduling a follow up call a few weeks out to check in and give space for anything else that has come up.
Much like traditional birth doula support, my role is to support you and your needs throughout the experience, whatever those may be.
Cost: Sliding scale from $20 to $50 per hour.
If cost is a barrier, we can discuss alternate options that work for you!