Discrimination!

Not only do we (collectively, in our group) have a file of upsetting experiences to describe what we've been through after having to go for medical tests and such thing, but we know of lots of women who have received even more appalling treatment than us.

While many of these women are of 'normal' weight and 'average' weight (whatever normal or average really means!), it is when speaking with women of size, that we discover time and time again episodes of petty discriminative attitudes in insensitive and arrogant people (mainly women it seems!). It is expected we should accept intolerable behaviour without question, merely because we're plus-size.

A woman (or anyone for that matter) being sent for tests of innumerable varieties - x-rays, mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies, "pushes and prods" here there and everywhere, externally as well as internally, obviously is stressed to some degree before even entering the Dr's or pathology rooms. It come face to face with hostility, impatience, exasperation and downright rudeness is another "reminder" that our size is a problem! To them. Because they haven't come to terms with their own arrogance.

Anne Marie J of Ashfield, NSW, phoned into our office yesterday. We put her on open speaker (at her request). She had just arrived home shortly before calling us, embarrassed, humiliated, dejected, angry, unhappy and in tears of despair. She had attended a Specialist's rooms to be weighed and "talked at" (talked down to more like it), about her weight and possible problems associated with it, and more or less told "there's nothing we can do for you, unless you lose weight. It's your own responsibility." What that meant is anybody's guess, but it sounds a little like a threat of some sort.

She was then told to give an urine sample. No problem. But ...... She was handed a coffee mug. When Anne-Marie told us this, we couldn't help raising our eyebrows and had to stop from giggling - was she having us on? Definitely not! She'd asked the Nurse/Receptionist (of whatever title she goes under) why she wasn't given a small sterile container in a brown paper bag (like most rooms). No answer - merely "give sample and return to the desk". A coffee mug!!!!

Are these people for real or have we been blasted into a cyber "hole" where common sense no longer plays any part? Not to mention good manners.

You think that was bad enough? There was more to come. "While you're here, you can have some blood tests". "Yes, of course". Enter the "Path Nurse". Small bustling, busy, energetic, in-a-hurry. "Come on, come on". Anne-Marie tried to explain for blood tests it's best from inside elbow, left arm. "I''m not interested in what other people have told you," is the response. Jag, dig, jag, dig. What happened? The needle broke, that's what happened. Yes, it must have taken some force to do that.

She removed the broken needle - no apologies, then tried the other arm. No luck. "Look", said Anne-Marie, "I'll go to my usual place they never have any trouble". "I think you'd better because I can't waste any more time with you". Anne-Marie returned to her usual Path Lab Rooms, had the blood taken with no problems, and she went home.

This is where she fell in a heap. It wasn't only the coffee mug, it wasn't only the broken needle, it was the attitude of people. People who should be efficient and proficient at what they do; people who should have "people skills"; people who should have communication skills and who should have good manners.

Anne-Marie's husband arrived home a little later. Saw the condition of Anne-Marie's arm (from the broken needle), became incensed when he heard about the coffee mug and he immediately telephoned the Specialist's Rooms and complained. Received all sorts of blustery explanations but no apology. He has since taken this matter up with the Administrator of the Pathology Clinic Rooms.

What does this say to us? It says quite plainly that things are not as they should be. Discriminatory attitudes still play a big part in today's world. And it's about time that perpetrators understood the ramifications.

Because. In the national press as far back as September 2000, a small article appeared which stated: "A treaty to protect women from discrimination will become international law despite Australia's decision not to sign. as part of its protest at the United Nations' Committee system. Numerous countries ratified the protocol to the convention on the ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN, meaning it will pass into law. A new committee will hear the women's complaints." And this was back in 2000!!!! Has Australia seen fit to sign the treaty since that time? We wonder?

Surely, everyday forms of discrimination should come under the scrutiny of us all. And we have the power and the responsibility to make sure that blatant disregard for these laws are made known, not only to the organisations/people who display that disregard, but even people within the government. The old saying that the pen is mightier than the sword is still relevant today! It's up to us to remind those who treat individuals unfairly and with inappropriate behaviour and attitudes that they are breaking the law! And that we DO have rights!