by: Kyla Horn, Program Manager, AAEKY
Over the summer, All Access EKY collaborated with Appalachian Media Institute (AMI) interns to create three media pieces that focus on sexual and reproductive health in Appalachia. Since all the pieces are officially live, we wanted to sit down with the creator of each to discuss their individual experiences.
First up is Stella Blue Neeley, producer of “Finding Your Reproductive Rights.” This audio public service announcement discusses access to reproductive healthcare in Kentucky and West Virginia, including abortion services. Accessing this type of healthcare can be difficult and this piece is meant to help those struggling to find aid and support, while also looking into laws that limit access to reproductive healthcare.
Q: What inspired you to choose this topic for your piece?
A: My mom actually inspired this piece! In 2020 a tumor was found in her ovary and watching her finding the resources she needed on her own really left an impact on me and made me realize not everyone is aware of the resources around them. She also helped me when trying to find local organizations to make this piece.
Q: How would you describe your experience creating this audio?
A: Making this audio piece really opened my eyes to other struggles faced within reproductive healthcare and the wide spectrum that term covers. I spoke to many amazing people who informed me on different topics I hadn't thought of when thinking of reproductive rights.
Q: What was your biggest take away?
A: I would say my biggest take away was the amount of resources I found as well as some of the struggles I heard. So many people, not just women, struggle to find the right reproductive healthcare provider for them and I'll admit there were fewer ones than I thought there would be.
Q: If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about reproductive healthcare, what would it be?
A: If I could change one thing about reproductive healthcare it would be the way it's talked about. This feels like such a taboo topic and it really shouldn't be. Almost everyone has sex and if we want to make it safe across the board for everyone we need to start talking about the healthcare side of it as well. So many people don't feel comfortable talking about it and until the discourse around sex changes I think it'll be harder to make dramatic improvements.
Stella Blue Neeley is from southern West Virginia and this was her first experience working with the Appalachian Media Institute. She studies Digital Filmmaking at Stephens College in Missouri. Stella says working with AMI has sparked her interest in producing more audio work as she builds her creative portfolio.