Thanks for coming back to the last episode in this health care series! And let me tell you: GET OUT YOUR NOTEBOOK. You'll want to take notes during this convo.

Shout out to the 2nd Year Wayne State Med Students!!! This two-episode health care series is for you – or truly anyone in the health care industry listening to this – thanks for wanting to be curious and learn more about caring for patients with physical differences and disabilities. (And med students, we'd love to process this more with you! Send us a DM on IG at @moxieadaptive or email [email protected])

Listeners with physical differences and disabilities: We hope you feel less alone and more seen by listening to this discussion on Ashley's experience in the health care system.

Ashley was born with Maffucci's Syndrome, survived ovarian cancer twice, endured 30+ surgeries, experiences annual MRI's, participates in research with NIH, and recently diagnosed with CVID (immunodeficiency)… which means she has LOTS of experience with medical care. 

Topics/quotes during our discussion: 

• ”I feel safe in hospitals because I know that if something goes wrong, it's the safest place to be.”
• ”The nurses are your biggest allies. They're the ones that know the patients really well.”
• ”I love what they said after my scan: 'You need to see a specialist; we're not equipped to do this.' I really appreciated that and not having unnecessary speculation. I've had too many mis-diagnosis.”
• ”Saying you need more help and more resources is best case scenario. Please don't think you'll be the one to get it. Have humility for the patient's sake.”
• ”I'm a really, really complicated case. It's been my life mission to understand my own body.”
• Avoiding getting steamrolled in medical care – and why bringing a plus one to appointments has helped
• ”Google can be a doctor's nightmare, and also a patient's nightmare.”
• Off-handed remarks and humor… is it beneficial?
• The impact of giving patients quality time when necessary – and using your resources (colleagues, research) to find new information and care
• ”You need a doctor who is willing to learn and hungry to understand.” (willing to look at research and believe the evidence)
• Physicians and patients are on the same team: We both want answers, both trying to get to solutions. 

Looking for more resources after this conversation?

• Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau
• Episode 4 of ”Growing Up” on Disney+
• Ashley's website: ashleyeakin.com
• Follow/DM Ashley on Instagram: @asheakin

Email us at [email protected] to continue this conversation!