Women Are Sharing How They’ve Been Dismissed In ERs Despite Serious Pain And Medical Conditions

12.

“One of my best friend’s partners is an ER nurse and told him (and me by extension) that women who look like me (piercings and blue hair) are usually dismissed as faking things like seizures and are assumed to be drug seeking. I have diagnosed epilepsy and have a couple of neurological birth defects, but apparently, the color of my hair means I must be an attention seeker. I have never asked for pain medication. I already have such low faith in the hospital system, and being told this felt like a simultaneous cheat code and being slapped in the face. I have actually considered dyeing my hair back to a natural color so I can get some help. So cool.”

“I am also 40 and do not have any tattoos, dress somewhat well and talk to people respectfully, so apart from the hair, I don’t really know what else to do. I guess my vagina is going to get in the way of appropriate care anyway.”

—u/noodlepapillon