#educatoraspatient

About a million years ago (give or take a century), I told you (warned you?) that I would be asking about your experiences, perceptions, and/or observations about privilege and health/health care... 

Beyond access to (i.e. having insurance, ability to see doctor) what have been your experiences with privilege (or the lack of) while trying to get/receiving/helping someone through the diagnosis, treatment, recovery process?

Some of my privilege came from being a former medical school faculty member... some came from having family members who had had the same disease... from having breast cancer versus something less "popular"... from having the ability to be assertive rather than passive... and by not being put off by xerox pictures of three white babies staring at me while I got my MRI... 

For the second time in 8 months I'm going to ask for your help. On a whim (and with some encouragement) I submitted an abstract to the Stanford Medicine X conference. I took the lessons I learned through my journey with breast cancer and writing about it at EducatorAsPatient.com and came up with the following concept- A patient of privilege speaks up and asks the question: what if? I wrote up a quick abstract and submitted it. Never thinking in a million years it would be accepted. 

Low and behold, today I found out it was (click to read the abstract in its entirety).  Because I'm doing this on my own and not as a part of my day job and because technology conferences are expensive and a whole lot of other reasons, I'm asking for your help.  In order to attend and present, I must register for the conference by May 1st. The registration fee is 1199.00. I am also going to need help flying and having a roof over my head and eating and stuff. But first things first...  I can't think of a better way of celebrating being cancer free and turning 40 (in June) than by getting to share my insights with people who can help influence health and health care on a whole host of levels.  So consider it a cancer free gift, an early birthday present, helping me take a sorta vacation or whatever, but please consider funding this endeavor and sharing this with others.  Anyone who donates will have their name included in my powerpoint presentation.