I was denied healthcare yesterday at The Christ Ho...
I was denied healthcare yesterday at The Christ Hospital because of My Medical Disorders. The medical disorders I have make wearing a mask impossible. When I arrived, without a mask, nothing was said to me. I was checked in and treated as normal. Imagine My Surprise 30 minutes later when everything changed. When I was called back I was asked to wear a mask, I told him that I have medical disorders and I explained to him what disorders I have and that they make it harmful for me to wear a mask. He then said it was hospital policy that I have to wear a mask or I cannot be seen. I again told him I cannot due to medical reasons. He left for a brief minute and came back and again told me that it was hospital policy and if I did not wear a mask I could not be seen. I was not offered any alternatives or reasonable accommodations. His tone and facial expressions pretty much said it for me. He cared absolutely nothing about me as a patient and only about the hospital policy! I was just simply treated like I didn t matter and told if I do not put a mask on then I could not be seen, essentially meaning I could not receive the medical care I needed. I had no choice, but to leave. I have no control over having a disorder or disease. Even when there was a mandate by Governor DeWine it excluded those of us with a medical condition or a disability that made it harmful to cover our face. If I had been wearing oxygen, would the policy still be enforced? I was just so upset that I left the hospital in tears because of the way I was treated. There was no concern or regard for My Health at all. This was no different than being discriminated against for My Race or Culture. It is not right. Everyone is different. We all have different health care concerns. There is no one size fits all. Not everyone fits into the same mold. There are people with Asthma, COPD, Lung Diseases and other health problems that could literally kill somebody if they covered their mouth. It is heartbreaking to see anyone treated this way. I have health conditions that I cannot control and I cannot cover My Face, so at least now I know that I cannot be treated by My Doctor, until such time as this policy is no longer in force. I also now know that should an emergency arise, not to be taken to Christ because I can t wear a mask so I am sure I would be left on the sidewalk for the sake of policy. No one should ever be made to feel like they are less of a person and unworthy because of an illness they have no control over. I didn t ask for the health issues I have. It just is what life is. So if you have an illness that prevents you from covering your face, I would choose another hospital!!