I’m not sure I can adequately explain how watching the video of #JoyceEchaquan’s last moments is weighing on me. As an Indigenous woman w/ chronic illnesses the treatment she endured is my ultimate fear. /1

Situations like this are why Indigenous folx often don’t seek out immediate medical assistance. I, myself, have self imposed criteria I need to meet before I will go to the hospital for a migraine. As I’m often labelled as being drug seeking despite multiple notes in my file /2

stating “patient refuses opioids”. I’ve been dismissed b/c I don’t act like they think I should act when in pain (fun fact: when you’re always managing some level of pain you have a scary high pain tolerance that medical professionals marvel over). /3

I always need to advocate for myself. At times, I’ve brought others to appointments b/c I did not feel safe going alone. This isn’t new. This isn’t unheard of. You just haven’t been listening. I hope some serious reform comes from Joyce’s heroic actions. Rest well sister. /end