Overcoming barriers

After reading this section, you may feel more helpless knowing the adversity that many women face. However, awareness of these issues is important for change. Perhaps, with enough awareness, insurance companies may cover certain alternative therapies or doctors may be more cognizant of patient follow-up and mental health struggles. Although we only spoke about a few barriers, the hope is that understanding different social determinants of health will build empathy. Find peace knowing you are part of a community, even if your barriers are not exactly the same as another person.  

 

“So even though I wasn’t really given a lot of resources, I feel like once I knew what was going on I was kind of able to advocate for myself enough to get those resources.”

-Patient

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“People have the same issues which I know and it’s so nice, the group is actually what I find support in now.”

-Patient

 

Another important aspect of barriers to care is a positive perspective. Dr. Tewari beautifully encapsulates a woman’s power by saying that “you can pick between the victim or creator of your own life.” If you simply allow medicine and systemic barriers to place you in a seemingly powerless position, you will not be the master of your destiny. Understanding the role you play in your own life is equally important as making large-scale changes. This is not to say that there are no real barriers beyond your individual control, but you must believe you are in a world that can support you, rather than hurt you to avoid living in fear. You have the power to change your life. Such shifts in our mindset affect what is going on in our body. If you embrace your thoughts and challenges while holding yourself responsible for lifestyle changes, healing will follow.