Most people who live in bigger bodies have experienced the agony of being judged, bullied, or humiliated. Fat-shaming is prevalent, whether it comes from the fashion or entertainment sectors, social media trolls, friends and family, or medical professionals.
Health-care institutions show a more subtle bias towards fat bodies by ignoring plus-size people's needs. Larger blood pressure cuffs, medical gowns, and wheelchairs should not be required. We shouldn't have to worry about whether an exam or x-ray table can hold our weight. We shouldn't have to be concerned about fitting into an exam room chair or an MRI machine.
Imagine being in a waiting room or an exam room and having to sit on a chair that isn't broad enough for your body for an extended period of time. The arms bury themselves in your sides, pinching and poking your thighs. Just seconds before an invasive physical exam, your muscles tense, your legs are pulled together, your clothing ride up, and your body is forced into an unnatural, unpleasant posture. Armless chairs would be a simple adjustment to implement in doctor's offices.
At an orthopedic checkup a few years back, I was given a pair of shorts and instructed to change into them before the doctor came in to evaluate my knee. When I asked whether they had a larger size, the medical assistant said the shorts I was given were "the biggest size available." Throughout the exam, the shorts were roughly two sizes too tight, pressing into my thighs and tummy. Not only should medical offices and testing facilities offer exam attire in a variety of sizes, but they should also leave a variety of alternatives in the room so that if one item does not fit, you may select another without having to ask.
My leg wouldn't fit in the plastic immobilizer as I laid down on the sliding table for an MRI of my knee (i.e. A brace that is attached to the table and keeps your leg still during the scan). As they snapped the lid into place, the technician and his helper had to work together to push my leg inside the brace without pinching my flesh. Why not have a brace that can be adjusted to fit more people?
People come in many shapes and sizes, which should come as no surprise to health care institutions and medical practitioners. These facilities give the message that we don't matter by neglecting the demands of larger people. Our bodies may be larger, but it doesn't make us any less deserving of caring, high-quality treatment.
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