Reclaiming the Room: How a Routine Doctor’s Visit Redefined Empowerment for Me
In your day-to-day life, you probably don’t hear the word empowerment spoken aloud very often. But for me, it is a foundational pillar—a word I hold onto and endeavor to live by every single day. Whether I am interacting with family, catching up with friends, or simply chatting with the cashier at the grocery store, I actively try to create encounters where I can leave people feeling a little more lifted, respected, and empowered than I found them. I’ve always been conscious of this value, but it wasn't until very recently that I realized just how deeply rooted it is in my core. And it happened in a place where many of us feel at our most vulnerable.
The Day I Caused a 'Hoo-Ha'
Not long ago, I went in for my yearly check-up at the OB-GYN. Let’s be completely honest: even though the environment is entirely female and the staff are incredibly kind, these visits can still feel clinical, overwhelming, and uncomfortable.
During the visit, I needed to have a small procedure done. I was nervous, but the staff did what was required, and before I knew it, I was at the front desk about to pay the bill. But right there at the counter, I was handed a piece of information regarding my care that completely shifted my experience.
Suddenly, the pieces clicked together. Because of a lack of clear information upfront, I hadn’t actually been given an informed choice before the procedure. I was left standing there feeling deeply disempowered.
My reaction was strong. I knew I couldn't just walk away and let it slide.
I asked to speak with the practice manager. Calmly but firmly, I explained how the breakdown in communication had impacted me. I walked her through the concept of what it means to empower patients—especially in a women’s health environment—and why feeling empowered is fundamental to our medical experiences.
The Ripple Effect
The practice manager looked at me, paused, and admitted she had never thought about it that way before.
I’ll admit, I walked out of the clinic feeling a little bit embarrassed. I had undoubtedly caused a bit of a hoo-ha at the front desk! But beneath the embarrassment, I felt an overwhelming sense of alignment. By standing up for my right to be empowered, I had planted a seed that might empower the next woman who walks through that door.
What Empowerment Means to Me (and You)
True empowerment isn't just a concept we read about in books; it is lived in the small, messy, everyday moments. It is about:
Having the information you need to make choices about your own life and body.
Finding your voice when an experience feels misaligned.
Lifting others up, even when navigating a system that feels rigid.
When we claim our power in the moments that try to diminish us, we create a ripple effect that allows others to do the same.