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Writer's pictureRenee Balcom

See Differently - HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY - IT’S PERSONAL


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As a healthcare advocate, my first client was my own premature baby, whom I started advocating for weeks before she was even born.


This experience turned out to be incredibly transformative for me, as it ultimately set me on the path toward my true life's work. Going through premature labor at 15.5 weeks into gestation was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for me. However, it was also when I realized the importance of advocating for the unborn life inside my body. Despite the medical staff's efforts to encourage me to end the pregnancy, I knew deep down that it was not my place to make that call and that I needed to do everything in my power to bring this child into the world. Unfortunately, the hospital staff didn't share my perspective, and they subjected me to a series of mental health exams and even tried to shame and scare me into terminating the pregnancy. They showed me videos of premature babies and their suffering, trying to convince me that I was being selfish for bringing a sickly child into the world. But throughout it all, I remained steadfast in my faith that God was in charge, and I was determined to meet this baby face to face. The birth of my daughter after five and a half weeks in the hospital was a true miracle. Despite being born at only twenty and a half weeks and weighing less than 3 pounds, she was perfect. It was amazing to see her with hair, eyelashes, and fingernails, and she didn't have any of the complications that most babies born so early tend to experience. Even the specialists who had encouraged me to terminate the pregnancy came to see her in the NICU, amazed at her resilience and strength. Although she had some minor medical needs, she did not require the life-sustaining care and treatments that I had been warned about so many times in the preceding weeks. Instead, she just needed to gain weight and get stronger. This experience taught me two valuable lessons: first, that medicine does not have all the answers, and second, that it's important to believe in and follow your instincts, especially when it comes to the health and well-being of your own child. Although it took several years, my experience with my premature baby ultimately led me to become a professional healthcare advocate. The lessons I learned during that journey have shaped the philosophy that I carry with me today and that I share with every parent or caregiver I meet. It's so important to listen to your own instincts when it comes to care and treatment, and if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't right. Seeking out multiple opinions is crucial, as is reaching out to professionals who can assist you in making informed and empowered decisions. That's where Professional Healthcare Advocates come in: we exist to teach you about your options and help you navigate complex healthcare systems and ancillary care. So if you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out for support. Remember, you are your own best advocate, and with the right resources and guidance, you can achieve the best possible outcomes for yourself or your loved one. The professionals at Renee & Company provide services to all age groups. We have specialists in Pediatrics through Geriatrics, Nuclear Medicine / Oncology, End of Life, Behavioral Health, and Regenerative Medicine.




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