if plumbers acted like doctors:

me: there's a leak in my basement

plumber: have you tried repainting the living room? might really liven up the place

me: there's a leak in my basement

plumber: oh that's normal for a house this age

me: there's a leak in my basement

plumber: that's a really negative attitude to have

me: there's a leak in my basement. it's been going on for months. the wood is starting to rot.

plumber: why didn't you come see me sooner!?

me: there's a leak in my basement

plumber: i fixed the dripping tap in the bathroom

me: there's a leak in my basement

plumber: have you tried losing weight

me: if you don't fix this leak in my basement, my house is going to flood.

plumber: are you telling me how to do my job? which of us went to plumbing school

plumber: "my water pressure tests show no issues! your house is fine."

me, standing in 3 inches of water: "....."

wow i didn't expect this to do numbers. my anti doctor screeds usually don't.

so let me be clear: i've dealt with all of this as a functionally white person. if medical ableism is deadly all by itself, how much does racism compound it?

#BlackDisabledLivesMatter

there's no disability justice without racial justice. racism, ableism, and other forms of bigotry are baked into our current medical system.

ok apparently i also need to say this: i do know that plumbers often pull all kinds of bullshit too!

the difference imo is that if you tell someone your plumber is fucking you around, they will probably believe you. unlike when we talk about medical abuse.

oh and nurses have started liking this so let's be clear: some nurses are decent. many are just as abusive, racist, ableist, etc, as doctors. total crapshoot.

https://mobile.twitter.com/shabbosdyke/status/1275834779775184898

me: look, i know you told me to just put a bucket under the leaking pipe, but the bucket keeps overflowing and i just can't keep up.

plumber: well if you're going to refuse to comply with my instructions i don't see how i can help you