As I said in the other thread, I am planning to dread my hair soon. I don't care about the majority of those around me having nothing but negative to think or say about them. I will admit I am a little concerned about getting a job with them if I ever am able to work again. But not too worried. What worries me most, when it comes to discrimination because of having dreads, is medical discrimination - in other words, the doctors not taking you seriously or giving you respect because you have dreads. See the thing is I do have a LOT of health problems. I have to visit with a lot of doctors of all different kinds. The main thing I am worried about is appointments with the doctors that currently prescribe me the pain medication I need to be able to function, and perhaps new doctors in the future if it comes to that. I will say that I am completely free of recreational drugs right now and plan to stay that way. I avoid as much medication as I can, and the pain medication I take is for a legitimate reason, I don't even get high off them anymore. The thought of life without the pain medication right now scares me, because when I hurt, I really frickin' hurt. Like "someone please knock me unconscious for a week" hurt. I'm kind of worried that if I dread my hair and add even more to my "alternative" appearance, that I may screw myself over in this sense. I mean lets face it, there's a shortage of doctors that aren't conservative to the point of being close minded... and I live in a state that is very conservative. I'm worried they will think I am a "druggie" and I am seeking pain medication for recreational use rather than legitimate reasons because of the way I will look. So what I am wanting to know is, just how likely is it this will happen? Has anyone noticed discrimination of this sort from doctors and other medical type people? Or do they not seem to treat you different based solely on your appearance, but rather your attitude? Any experience, opinions, knowledge would be much appreciated. I don't want to end up subjecting myself to a life of pain because I chose to dread.
I don't think you have to worry so much, it's about the attitude. If you come to a doctors office and say: you gotta give me some drugs doc, he probably thinks you r out to use it recreational, but if you're chill and can prove that ya hurting, there should be no problem i think (Theory, i do NOT live in the states)
if you are really worried about this, i would just calm your dreads with aloe and then tie them up. it looks very professional. but anyway, thats just some advice, and i dont think that doctors will have a problem with you as long as you act....sober...?
ive had probs justtwice im not sayin it cant happen just doesnt often.. oh wait 3 times.. my docs know i smoke a lil pot now n then dont touch nuthin else usualy refuse pain meds unless the pain was extreme they know id rather treat myself herbasly when i can..just be honnest with em u know what might help as well have a discussion with him abouyt what pain meds might be the best for youir pain at the lowest disage and with the least side effects..talk aboyt non medical treatments like acupuncture so its clear u preffer not to just drug yourself up but will take em if needed
That's a good idea, soaringeagle. My current doc that is prescribing them has known me since I was a baby, and pre-dreads, so hopefully he'll know it's just a look and doesn't mean anything as far as drugs go. He also knows I really don't want to be on these stupid meds. So that should help, I'm sure. I'm more worried about when he retires and I have to find another doc or God forbid he dies or something. Also, if and when I have to see other docs that don't know me so well, if I have dreads I will probably put a lot more effort into "conservativetizing" (lol) the rest of me to kinda tone down the whole "omg she has dog turds on her head" effect. Like a business suit type outfit, makeup, blabbity blah - perhaps they will realize it's just a personal choice of hairstyle and not a LIFEstyle for me. I really do wish I could look into the minds of the medical professionals, and get a general idea of what REALLY goes through their heads when people that look like we do walk through their door.
ive seen 1 of the top 5 in the world before in a shreaded t short n jeans n been treatted with nuthin but respect.. i dont think u will have any probs if u do stand up for yourself ..but also find a beter doc the only ones who ever did gimme any descrimanation were by far the worse docs io ever encountered so typicaly your better off just findin anpother
in a way, doctors are just like everybody else. if they treat you different just because you have dreads, they're not worth it
I don't know what to tell you....if you're worried about the way people will treat you with dreads, just don't get them I guess.
Its a shame that others have set up this stereotype for dreadlocks that puts you in this problem. I would hope that a doctor would have enough sense to know that you do need the medication, and that you were taking it long before you had dreads. You said you have many health problems so I don't think they would deny you knowing this. I would still get dreadlocks, I'm sure you will still get your medical aid. Fight the good fight to put an end to this stereotyping we face!!
Just have the courage to be yourself in the face of doubt. Others will see that and respect you for it.
There was a period when I was constantly feeling sick and had to go to the E.R and a nurse asked me if I had ever lived in a homeless shelter and then said that they were routine questions. But I'd been to the same E.R before and no one had ever asked me that before, and before that I didn't have dreads. That's the only type of thing I can relate to this, but when it happened I just thought it was funny.
