Mary Lambert tells of ‘triggering experience’ while trying to get an MRI as a ‘fat patient’
Mary Lambert recently took to social media after suffering a ‘triggering experience’ while trying to get an MRI as a ‘fat patient’.
The 32-year-old Seattle singer posted on Instagram and Twitter last week about her experience as a self-proclaimed ‘fat girl’ at her local radiology office.
Mary injured her knee on December 26 in a skiing accident and a few days later went to Rayus Radiology in Massachusetts for an emergency MRI.
Triggering experience: Mary Lambert, shown in June 2016 in New York City, recently took to social media after suffering a ‘triggering experience’ while trying to get an MRI as a ‘fat patient’
‘Just tried to get an MRI at @RAYUSradiology and was shocked at how unprepared they were for a fat patient. I changed into their biggest scrubs (a 2X), and had half of my butt exposed, only to have the MRI coil not fit around my knee. I was asked my weight 3 separate times,’ she posted on social media.
She added: ‘The tech was straight-sized and assured me that the coil is “tight on everyone, even me!” which was intended to be kind, but it made me more furious thinking about why there wouldn’t be a system in place so this doesn’t happen??’
Her thread continued as she offered suggestions to Rayus Radiology including larger scrubs and asking patients beforehand for their pants size.
Radiology office: The 32-year-old Seattle singer, shown in November 2019 in Los Angeles, posted on Instagram and Twitter last week about her experience as a self-proclaimed ‘fat girl’ at her local radiology office
‘I was crying so hard in the dressing area that I had a panic attack, and it’s an experience that fat people are often used to feel shame about. People wonder why fat folks wait to/don’t seek medical treatment for themselves, and it’s experiences like this that reinforce the idea that there is something wrong or abnormal with our bodies. Fat people have existed since forever!,’ concluded while asking the radiology office to reach out to learn more about her experience and how they can be more inclusive.
Mary also told Today about how traumatizing it was for her.
‘(The pants) basically showed most of my crack and they’re just not on and so I can feel the tears starting to hit my eyes,’ Mary said.
Shocking visit: Mary on social media said she was ‘shocked at how unprepared they were for a fat patient’
More furious: ‘The tech was straight-sized and assured me that the coil is “tight on everyone, even me!” which was intended to be kind, but it made me more furious thinking about why there wouldn’t be a system in place so this doesn’t happen??,’ she posted
Panic attack: Mary said the situation left her crying so hard that she had a panic attack
‘Nobody likes to be in clothes that are tight and uncomfortable. It’s a triggering experience … just being in that position of constriction,’ she said.
Mary left the facility crying but later returned to get an MRI with different equipment.
Rayus after being put on blast on social media responded in a statement to Mary’s experience.
Went back: The singer, shown in August 2019 in Los Angeles, left the facility crying but later returned to get an MRI with different equipment
‘We acknowledge that this patient’s medical journey has sparked an important conversation about stigmas that exist in the plus-sized community and the challenges experienced when seeking health care,’ the statement said.
‘Rayus routinely serves patients of all body types and is the second largest purchaser of open MRI machines in the United States for this reason. We also seek to ensure that our facilities are accessible to all patients and that medical pants and gowns are made available in sizes up to 5XL. Moments like this allow the voices of our communities to challenge all providers to always provide the quality of service they deserve,’ the statement also said.
Mary has about 200,000 followers between her Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Popular singer: Mary, shown performing in August 2019, has about 200,000 followers between her Instagram and Twitter accounts
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