Jess’s Story
Jess, Chinese Canadian Adoptee, Musician & Medical and Disability Advocate⠀⠀
“Growing up as an overachiever academic, high-intense multi-sport athlete, I was naive to the journey that was ahead of me, filled with gaslighting and internalized ableism.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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My completely innocent trust in doctors blinded me. I’ve been let down and disappointed. I was a kid who needed to learn how to grow up fast and to stand up for myself. I didn’t have many of the luxuries my peers got to have: parties, making mistakes, or eating junk. Instead, I got sicker and sicker. I judged if my body was even still alive by how much pain I felt. I met with doctors who didn’t believe me. They told me to just drink more water and to exercise more.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Their recommended treatment plan: push yourself. So I did.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I pushed so much that I declined to the point where I had daily light and sound-sensitive migraines. I was so weak that I couldn’t even sit three minutes to cook instant ramen. I was often alone in a dark room without friends or family, as the stimulus was too much.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I had multiple positive tests, but the Canadian healthcare system wouldn’t recognize foreign tests. I even tested slightly positive by their standards, but I was never notified. I didn’t fit the qualification: “If traveled to Europe, take ___ test too.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It’s been a long journey, and I’m not even done. With treatment, I can finally indulge in a sense of hope for my future, another luxury that has been inaccessible for a while.”
Stories reflect the experiences and perspectives of the individuals featured and are not intended as medical advice.
