At A Glance
Author	destrss
Contact	[email protected]
IAM	destrss
When	N/A
Location	Midwest

Painful Healthcare
By Angela Kuhns

There have been many times in my life when I have been in a compromising situation and realized that the people in control were not modification friendly. Usually this doesn't amount to anything other than a difference of opinion, but every once in a while it changes what can be an uncomfortable moment into a traumatic event.

The one place, above others, that I would not expect to experience harsh consequences for my appearance choices is at the doctor's office. Sure, I understand that everyone has their opinions about body modification and some people are very vocal about what they think, but there is a difference between disagreeing with someone's choices and harassing or harming someone you disagree with.

Confidentiality, trust, and all those other things that one associates with a healthcare professional just don't mesh with such treatment.

Three years ago I went to the local health clinic for the first time. I needed to have my annual physical and had heard good things about the place from family and friends. Everything was fine until the lab technician came in to draw my blood, pushed up my sleeve, and saw one of my tattoos. It's a sleeve piece that covers most of my arm including the inside of my elbow.

"That's a big tattoo," she remarked. I responded with something like, "Yeah, I guess it is."

I looked up from my arm to see her frowning intently at me. She then asked me why I would do that to myself, but before I could answer she stated, "You know, I can't use this arm because of that thing," and moved to the other side of me and began prepping that arm instead. When I asked her, "Why not?" she didn't answer me.

Conversation had pretty much stopped other than her telling me to make a fist and other procedure related words. Then she stuck the needle in. Now, I have had blood drawn many times but it never felt like that before or since. It was like she had stabbed clean through my arm. I winced. After a moment, she pulled the needle part way out, changed the angle, and pushed it in again.

I couldn't stop myself from saying, "Hey! That really hurts! What are you doing?" She snickered at me and commented that she would have thought I'd enjoy the pain while nodding at the tattoo on my other arm. I was stunned. Until she had gathered up her supplies and left the room, I just sat there with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

When the doctor returned to the examination room I complained to him about the incident. I suppose I was looking for an apology of some kind or at least some respect or validation. I didn't get any.

He simply replied that I should have thought of the consequences before mutilating my body. I was shocked and sat through the rest of the appointment in quiet humiliation. Needless to say, I have not been back to that office and have warned others away from it as well.

I was left with a 5" x 3" bruise on my arm and a larger, more long lasting mark on my mind.

I have been in several circumstances over the years that are similar to this one. Bad service, refusal of service and harassment due to my piercings and tattoos have become a part of my life, and I accept that. What I don't accept is the idea that I somehow deserve this kind of treatment or that I have no right to want it to change.

Over and over again I have heard people rant about how I chose to be modified. That it is different than someone who is born a certain way and that it isn't discrimination. I agree to a certain extent, but what would you call this sort of incident?

Is it somehow okay to harass someone who looks different simply because they chose to be that way? Be it by any aesthetic choice, I say no.

I'm not talking about forcing employers to hire modified people that don't follow the dress code. I'm talking about basic civility in a public setting. When I pay for a service from a professional, I expect that person to behave in a professional manner. Do I expect too much?

I don't see how sitting back quietly and letting this sort of thing go on is helpful. And believe me, it is going on.

I supposedly live in a civilized society. "The Land of the Free". This is freedom?

I believe in freedom of expression. I think that body modification falls under this notion, but let me just say that freedom with harsh consequences is not freedom at all. That's just free will.

Having visible modifications has changed a lot of things in my life, including how I view society. I don't expect anyone else to agree with me or feel the same way I do about it. Maybe it won't make any difference, but I will keep on telling my side of the story for those who can empathize and as an eye-opener type warning for those thinking of following in my footsteps.