Episode 4 – Being Your Own Health Care Advocate

Hammer Time with Nikki and Kate

Hey, everyone!

Well, half of our dynamic duo is here to give you our fourth episode, “Being Your Own Health Care Advocate.” In it, Kate talks about the power that medical professionals have over our lives, and the faith that we put in them for that reason. She discusses her own experience as a disabled person and a lifelong patient, as well as the need for you, as adults, to have some frank conversations and make some fairly morbid decisions in order to make sure that your intentions are followed in the case of an emergency, as well as to protect your children or those you take care of in case of an untimely death or incapacitation.

Kate also goes on to discuss just how important it is to do your own research about your health, and to feel confident and empowered enough to become your own health care advocate; to ask the questions you need answers to; to make sure that your health care professional hears what you’re saying and knows what you’re feeling.

Our health care system is far from perfect, but it’s far more advanced and effective than it was in years past. Just like the legal profession and the law enforcement field, there are incredible professionals working within an imperfect, sometimes broken system. It may not be the individual professional’s fault, per se, that the system needs repair, but that doesn’t change the fact that the system can fail you at times. That’s why we, as patients, need to be informed and proactive in trying to collaborate with our health care professionals, so that we can work together with them to ensure that we receive the best medical treatment available.

We hope you’ll enjoy this episode of the podcast, just as we hope that you’ll stay tuned for the next one. We plan to ask some pretty awesome guest co-hosts to come in for the next few episodes, so make sure you’re following us via Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube, or Tumblr to keep up with us! Remember – our episodes are also available to stream on iTunes and Google Play.

Also, as always, we’d love your feedback as to past episodes, or suggestions for upcoming episodes. Feel free to hit us up via social media, or by sending us an email at [e-mail].

Stay well, friends!

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P.S. Kate wants to thank everyone who came to the hospital to visit her after her spinal surgery at the end of March, as well as everyone who sent her good wishes, positive thoughts and prayers for her recovery. You all helped her get through a tough time, and it’s so appreciated!