May 13, 2024, 12:41 PM
May 13, 2024, 12:41 PM
Kat Watkins, a woman who uses a wheelchair, says a doctor assumed she was not having sex because of her disability.
Watkings, 37 years old and resident of Swansea, in the United Kingdom, also says that while she was having a gynecological test they told her that she had “a very strange body.”
She is one of more than 30 adults who told the BBC in Wales they had faced barriers to accessing healthcare because of their disabilities.
The Welsh Government said it was “very disappointing” to hear these stories.
“Traumatic”
Because of his condition, osteogenesis imperfecta, which causes brittle bones, Watkins says getting proper medical care is nearly impossible.
He explains that he avoids medical visits because of his past “traumatic” experiences.
“I have been fighting for the last 37 years to overcome the barriers and they are still there. For me they are more than simple barriers, they are a constant battle“, account.
Watkins explains that a person who performed a gynecological test on her recommended that she not schedule any more appointments in the future because she was not sexually active.
“He was assuming that I wasn’t having sex because I’m a disabled person,” she explains.
She also says she felt treated like a “textbook case” rather than a person, despite telling medical staff how best to position her body.
That meant Watkins had to return to the office several times to get a result.
During another visit to the hospital, she says that she felt that the staff did not listen to her or believe her when she told them that she had several broken bones in her leg; She later confirmed that her leg was broken in five places.
“I received a letter saying that the doctor had done everything correctly and that they saw no problem“, Explain.
“I felt heartbroken, completely dismissed, all my feelings were dismissed.”
Swansea Bay health board said it could not comment on individual cases but would be happy to discuss concerns with Watkins.
“They completely failed me”
Michelle Penny has never had a cytology test due to lack of access and, like Watkins, feels the health system has failed her.
“I just hope and pray that nothing goes wrong. I cross my fingers and hope for the best,” says the 39-year-old.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis has left her almost bedridden and she finds it difficult to leave the house to attend her medical appointments.
“Everyone needs some form of healthcare, but if you can’t access it, you’ve completely failed.“, it states.
Penny hasn’t seen a GP for about six years and has routine asthma appointments over the phone, but she says that’s not enough.
“You could tell them anything and they would have to believe you because they can’t see you,” he adds.
Penny has also backed calls for home tests for Human Papillomavirus, which are currently being trialled in England.
Alex Harrison, equality officer at Disability Wales, says: many people who had “battles” with healthcare simply tune out.
“As a result, they say they have new deficiencies or that their conditions have worsened,” he says.
“Many feel they have simply been ignored or that medical visits are too much work for them.”
“We hear a lot that people just wait and wait to be contacted and then it never happens.”
She believes that to create change, disability equality training, “taught by a disabled person,” and more communication are needed.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “It is very disappointing to hear these stories and we hope that disabled people are listened to and treated with respect when accessing NHS services.”
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