What do I say to a health care professional?

[Brittani A.]

Recenty my mom who I caregive for was put in a nursing home for a short while. The staff kept on insisting was I her son? some of the visitors in the same room for other patients called me her daughter. I have been on hrt for 2 years now good changes have taken place but voice.. no. Ok now what would I say to some nurse " are you the son of your mom?" what would be the reply since I have not changed my name on my dl or my ssi yet  would I say both son and daughter? I have said that before even explaining to the nursing staff that I am a transexual and identify with the female sex. All I get when I turn my back are giggles and laughter. Now she is home and a nurse is comming out to see her for follow up work for about 3 weeks. I am pretty sure that the same thing is going to happen. I wear jeans and a nice fitting top somtimes some lip gloss. Unfortunately my mom thinks that being transexual is the same as being gay. Actually being gay would be easier for them to understand but I am not. What can I do? Brittani

[Jennie]

Hi Brittani, I wish I had the perfect answer for you but I don't.  I think you can take peoples ideas and then pick the one or ones you like.
Your idea about explaining to them is a good one and it might be better if you mentions some of the numorous studies that have been done recently that shows our brains have a gender identy and tell them you were born with the brain of a female and now per doctors orders you are changing the outside to match the inside
I think if you hit them with some of the technical stuff it will make them feel small if they are closed minded and it they are open minded it will make them understand.  Thats one of my ideas, I am sure others will come in and give there ideas too.
I just thaught of another one, lets say you 28 years old then all you do is look at them with confidence and say I am her daughter, what's wrong have'nt you ever seen a 28 year old girl going through puberty or just say I'm her daughter thank you, I was a little late in starting puberty. 

Don't worrie about how they act, just tell them you are her daughter, her trans daughter if you want to and if they give you a hard time tell them you are suposed to be professions and we are here for my dear mother let us stay focused on that so she gets the best care possible.
Good luck and aloha.

Jennie

[SiobhanB]

Brittani,

I don't know where you are in the world, but here in the UK our equality laws are very powerful.  Any hint of prejidice by any professional can be heavily punished.  This is particularly stringent in organisations involved with health care such as the National Health Service.  After all, these  are the people who are supposed to help people deal with their health issues whatever issues they may be.

I would suggest investigating their equality policy, and if necessary talk to the nursing home management to explain the situation to them and ensure that their policies are adhered to.

Good luck.

Siobhan.

[girl_ashley]

"Yes, I am her child"

[annette]

Hi Brittani

I'm sorry to say but, what a lousy nurses.
I'm a nurse myself and for what I've learned in my nurse course was that you have to approach patient and family with respect.
By giggling a familymember for a genderissue, is not very professional in the way I see it.

These people are supposed to help others, how can you help someone when you are so very small minded.

I think you can give a complain about them by the management.

Nobody has the right to make you feel like crap, and the last you should expect from are health care people.

hugs
Annette

[Jennie]

I think you can give a complain about them by the management.

Nobody has the right to make you feel like crap, and the last you should expect from are health care people.

hugs
Annette

I agree with this statement %100

Jennie

[RabbitsOfTheWorldUnite]

You should neither have to fight nor explain.

Rather, simply tell them the truth. Tell them you are your mother's daughter and say that yes that is your legal name however you go by a different name: brittani.

The plain truth is always easiest!