Had to put off getting my first mammogram last year because Covid.
Finally get my appointment squared away for this year.
I show up to the mammogram place today –
First of all, the check-in counter was above my head, so I had to elevate my chair almost fully for them to even SEE me,
Second of all, she kept saying that the ‘patient’ had to be able to stand up… as if I weren’t the patient, even though I identified I had an appointment with them and even gave my name. I finally had to end the speaking as if I were not there cycle by stating clearly after she mentioned again how the patient had to be able to stand up, “I cannot stand but my chair can elevate. I should be tall enough for the machine’.
She told me to hang on and ran to the back to get a technician, who proceeded to look me over with that look that they do. The one that is already a ‘No’ before they really take on the situation.
The technician asked if I can arch my boobs forward? Considering I have rods running up and down my spine: nope. Asked if I can squeeze my boobs into the machine: nope. Then her verdict was the No that was there all along.
The Front Desk woman called my doctors office who requested the mammogram and told them why they wouldn’t be able to see me today. Then she told me that ‘perhaps’ I’d be able to get a mammogram at THE HOSPITAL. ??‍♀️
So, am I to understand that women in wheelchairs who cannot stand up or squish their boobs just don’t get mammograms?! Is this one more of the health screening things that are inaccessible to Us after a certain age?
Mammograms already don’t sound appealing, now I have to advocate and fight to get access to a thing that is already unpleasant because no one thought disabled women in wheelchairs need to get our Tatas checked?
WHAT THE ENTIRE FUCK?! ?
I’m pretty pissed at the moment. Why is this even a thing in 2021? How is accessibility still so behind on such important things? Why is this even a fight?
The absolute fuckery.
Bruh.