by: Kyla Horn, Program Manager, All Access EKY

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.

Finally we have Isabella Back, one of three producers of “Woman Up.” This film is composed of five powerful stories by five powerful women, coming together to describe their experiences receiving inadequate reproductive health care. Their concerns were pushed aside by medical professionals, leaving them feeling sad, confused, and uncertain about their conditions and overall health.

Q: What inspired you to choose this topic for your piece?

A: Reproductive health and women's health in general has always been something that interested me. I truly believe in my heart that women have a harder time receiving quality medical care due to a number of reasons - especially when regarding their reproductive health. I have struggled my whole life with my health and trying to get medical professionals to take me seriously. There are some great doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals in our area, but our healthcare system is seriously struggling. My group partners and I knew that this topic would be meaningful to so many and so we decided to choose to tell the stories of those who have uteruses and their struggles.

Q: How would you describe your experience creating this video?

It was eye-opening to know how many people, no matter what their age or status in life, struggle with receiving quality reproductive healthcare. We had an outpouring of amazing people who wanted to be a part of our project and share their stories. That alone made it all worth it to me. We deserve a voice and for our stories to be told. The things that we heard and recorded in this documentary should never happen to anyone.

Q: What was your biggest take away?

A: If we come together, we may not be able to fix our broken healthcare system; but we can educate our healthcare professionals and let them know how we feel. There seems to be a huge disconnect in our very overcrowded, ‘see-as-many-patients-as-possible’ system. We need to go back to having personal relationships with our reproductive health physicians. We need to create an environment where we are taken seriously and misconceptions are left behind. We all deserve good healthcare, no matter who we are.

Q: If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about reproductive healthcare in Appalachia, what would it be?

A: If I could, I would add hundreds of more specialists and general physicians to our area. More clinics, more resources, more outreach and education on bedside manner and kindness would go miles in my opinion! For so many women, just having a doctor to take the time to listen to our problems and not dismiss us means the entire world.