Paramedics

[Ayden]

I recently dealt with paramedics for reasons I'm not comfortable discussing. What I can say is that my ID reads female, I was asked several questions to determine if I was aware and if I needed additional treatment. I told them I was on testosterone because I'm trans. They were two older men and one trainee. All three were professional and courteous. I've had to disclose to doctors on a few occasions and all they did was check the pharma books to make sure they wouldn't give me something that could cause any problems.

My belief is that people fall into three categories. 90% of people are good, decent human beings and don't want to hurt anyone. 8% are indifferent but harmless and 2% are less than ideal. Most people in the medical field are actually quite kind or at worst business like.

I grew up in the south (Middle of nowhere, Kentucky) and I lived in a fairly conservative town in Alaska. I haven't run into problems with people in medical or law enforcement. I have more problems with idiots on the street trying to figure out what I am, but even then it's harmless curiosity.

[Dex]

I used to be an EMT but everyone else has pretty much said all I could say about that. You go into that field because you want to help people. Sure, there are "bad" apples just like the population in general. But most of the healthcare workers you will come across are there to help you, not ridicule you.

I did want to relate a recent story though. I live in an urban but relatively conservative area. There isn't a whole lot of obvious diversity where I live. I had my hysterectomy on 2/19. I was nervous because it is obviously a "female" procedure and I've been on T 15 months and look far from female. My name is also changed legally so I was anticipating it being rather awkward that they see and expect a man but a man who is having a hysterectomy. So I had very similar fears and anxieties. I can tell you that it was a great experience. My preop nurse and my PACU nurse in particular were above and beyond the most supportive and caring nurses I've probably ever come across. The preop nurse (who I remember more of lol) never once misgendered me. She respected who I am. She was kind and conversational. She even noticed that they had planned to put me on the OB floor for the overnight stay I would have (as is typical for procedures performed by OB docs as it is most convenient for them) and asked if I would prefer to be on the med/surg floor instead as it would be less uncomfortable for me. So she made arrangements to have that changed. She even said "well, it might be more comfortable for you since you are a man". Not "you look like a man" or "you feel like a man" but "you ARE a man". That was one of the most validating things that has ever happened to me in my life.

There are going to be folks out there who are jaded... Or had a bad day and aren't at their best when they should be. But by and large, people want to be good people and especially care givers want to be good care givers.