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Wow, my tweet about being able to book appointments with my GP yesterday really struck a chord!
I think I should share the story of why this is so fraught for me.
I think I should share the story of why this is so fraught for me.
When I was 22, I woke up one morning with what felt like a hangover and a lump on my breast. I booked an emergency appointment with my GP, who said it was weird, because it looked like an abscess but she& #39;d never seen that outside of nursing women.
She gave me antibiotics and told me to come back in immediately if anything changed.
I remember she emphasised that a couple of times - don& #39;t be put off. Tell the receptionist I& #39;ll make time for you if you call.
I remember she emphasised that a couple of times - don& #39;t be put off. Tell the receptionist I& #39;ll make time for you if you call.
Over the next few days, my breast doubled in size, and I felt sicker and sicker. I rang for an appointment but couldn& #39;t get one. There was no note on my file to say my case was urgent. I was brushed off. Somehow I couldn& #39;t get across how ill I felt.
By the end of that week I was in a seriously bad way. I had a high fever, was delirious and my joints were so stiff and painful that I couldn& #39;t walk. I felt like I was dying. My breast was four times its normal size and red hot.
I rang the surgery and begged to see someone.
I rang the surgery and begged to see someone.
I told all this to the receptionist. She said it sounded like I had a cold.
I sobbed. I literally begged.
She said maybe it was the flu.
I sobbed. I literally begged.
She said maybe it was the flu.
I got lucky, because that afternoon the abscess burst and I phoned a friend. But before that moment I was going in an out of consciousness on the sofa.
When I got to the hospital, they said I had sepsis and would have died without treatment. I was kept in on IV antibiotics.
When I got to the hospital, they said I had sepsis and would have died without treatment. I was kept in on IV antibiotics.
I didn& #39;t know I was autistic then, but now I realise that over and over again, when I try to communicate my distress, it doesn& #39;t come across as distressed enough. I don& #39;t know why.
I should have taken myself to A&E, but my surgery had made it clear I was making a fuss.
I should have taken myself to A&E, but my surgery had made it clear I was making a fuss.
I felt ashamed to be wasting their time. I trusted their authority. I had no idea what was happening.
A couple of years ago, a friend& #39;s sister died in similar circumstances, and I realised how much danger I& #39;d been in.
A couple of years ago, a friend& #39;s sister died in similar circumstances, and I realised how much danger I& #39;d been in.
I know this is an incredibly icky example (believe me, I& #39;m sparing you the details), but it shows how the barriers to access that autistics face can be fatal.
But I also want to say to everyone who has told me that they struggle to get appointments too: don& #39;t give up. Don& #39;t just leave it. Don& #39;t be fobbed off. If you can& #39;t talk, email and INSIST they help you to access care. Or walk into the minor injuries unit and ask for help.
