Prothesis: The Dark and Light of It
It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. Lena Horne
Information and facts on Prothesis: My style my way, dark and lovely introducing shades that match.
After undergoing surgery for a Bi-lateral mastectomy, I was shocked and horrified to find that the surgical department Suggested I look for a pop sock that matched my skin tone.
When I enquired as to the purpose of the pop sock. I was told "So we can match it to you're breast prosthesis". I felt insulted and offended by the suggestion. I later enquired, about what the policy on prosthesis was for women of colour. I was informed. "That is the policy ". the policy is due to supply and demand. "What about the pop sock? "Is that how the process is explained for women of colour?
Due to the lack of black women requesting skin coloured prosthesis and the high costs of custom made Breast forms, some NHS Trusts fail to provide or even stock skin coloured breast for women of colour to view at their Prosthesis (breast) fitting. After carrying out further enquires, I discovered that coloured swatches are available and they come in various shades of browns. It is my understanding that It's the breast clinics duty to make sure these swatches are available. In addition breast forms should be available for women of colour to view on appointment. If that’s not evidence of inequality and cultrual insensitivity in service provision then I don’t know what is. What i do know is the pop sock policy which seemd to be in vouge at the time, appears as if it evovled from the paper bag test, in which you were asked to place your arm into a brown bag to see if it matched.
Soon after my negative treatment, I sought to highlight my experience in the black press. The article was met with disapproval from the trust and I was branded as giving an inaccurate portrayal of the services. In my defence I'd like to know, since when does a private breast prosthesis fitting appointment for a breast cancer patient, involve anybody else other than the person fitting the prosthesis?
My experience was an accurate portrayal of the services offered to me from the NHS whilst undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer. My fitting should have been a private affair for myself and partner. Unfortunately this was not the case. My experience is not only evident of bad practise it highlights the lack of awareness, especially of other cultures. After delivering such an inexcusable service you would have thought the fitter would have been better prepared, not so. On this occasion an appropriate wig was not even offered the trust was ill prepared.
For me as a young woman it’s all about confidence, that’s why Black women need prosthesis that compliments there skin colour. When I wear them I want to be able to do things that don’t inhibit me, Sports, Running, Swimming, dancing, without fear and embarrassment. That’s why I want to feel confident, because were worth that added input. Betterdays has campaigned to help trust find you’re shade, African,