For many young people, especially when it comes to health, there’s very little education around the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of our bodies.
We don’t learn the language of our bodies, or how to communicate our needs in a way that keeps us safe. As a result, when something does go wrong—when the worst happens—it often leads to confusion, feelings of shame, and immense fear.
Looking back now, I realize how different the experience could have been had I known more about my own body, about the warning signs, and the importance of proper communication with trusted medical professionals.
I could have avoided the confusion that came afterward—the questioning of myself, the feeling that I somehow failed in the moment. If I had been given the right education and preparation, I might have been able to avoid the panic and the emotional aftermath that followed.
It was later, when I spoke with a doctor about what had happened, that I finally understood that the injury I sustained could have been avoided with the right precautions.
What felt like an insurmountable problem could have been prevented entirely, had I only been more aware of the steps I should have taken beforehand.
It became clear to me that not only was the physical aspect of what happened something that could have been managed, but the emotional fallout was something that could have been avoided as well—if I had known the right things to do.Continue reading…
