The healthcare here is so awful people have developed a cultural conditioning to be afraid of medical care. I've had a handful of experiences in the last month and I can never imagine how miserable it must be to go through it constantly if you're infirmed or disabled. And I'm supposed to have 'good' health insurance.
Recently I had an old injury in my wrist flare up and it has kept me from doing any form of actual physical activity that keeps me in shape. All the orthopedics in the area are either never able to pick up the phone despite making $300k+ per year, or are out of network entirely. If I'm gonna get it looked at, I better get it looked at soon because we paid our deductible this year after my father almost lost his hand.
Aside from the wrist pain, I've recently wanted to get tested for a couple mental conditions. Everyone who's ever been close to me (other than my parents) kind of believes I'm neurodivergent of some sort. My ex girlfriend, current girlfriend, sister, and closest friends are pretty much convinced I have ASD. I involuntarily stim by rocking back and forth, whispering my words back to myself, and flicking my hands, if I'm not looking for it, I don't understand sarcasm, and when I was a kid all I ever wanted to talk about was bugs, sharks, and science. I took the RAADS-R and CAT-Q tests online and my results were essentially so high I've been considering getting tested for some time now. I also have ADHD in my family history. Problem is, my family wouldn't be so thrilled about me getting an exam for Autism, so I tried to soften the blow by asking for an ADHD exam, hoping that I could communicate my issue to the test practitioner and get them to subtly 'recommend' an autism exam for me. For like three or four days my mom was trying to discourage me from 'getting on medication' and repeatedly explained why she believed it was unlikely for me to have ADHD until I dropped the issue.
I tried to get around having to go through their insurance by asking my college to see if I could get diagnosed through the school because they'd never see that charge. When I finally got into the psychology department and asked the front desk about examinations, they said it'd cost me $300 and it would take several months to get off the waitlist. In no world can I afford that, so I decided I'll just live in ignorance for now.
Christ, add this last week to the mile long list of reasons why, if I could change one thing about the past, I'd drill a damn hole into Columbus' boat. I can't wait till I move out of here.