Today’s post takes a detour from my usual topics, but it’s an issue that weighs heavily on my heart: the crumbling state of Georgia’s healthcare system and its devastating impact on those of us with rare diseases.

Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare connective tissue disorder, means constantly navigating a complex web of medical care. Unfortunately, in Georgia, that web is more tangled than ever. My husband, who has Fanconi Anemia—a genetic disorder that leads to multiple types of cancer—receives world-class care in Manhattan, all covered by his insurance. Meanwhile, I’m stuck in a rural healthcare system where doctors often seem more interested in dismissing symptoms than treating them.

Just last week, I faced a particularly frustrating battle with my dermatologist. After a biopsy, the wound became severely infected, but despite my repeated attempts to get help, the issue was brushed off as insignificant. It’s not just frustrating; it’s dangerous. And it’s a story that’s becoming all too familiar for many in Georgia.

Here in Georgia, doctors prioritize seeing their healthy patients for routine appointments while sick patients, who urgently need care, are often left waiting weeks or even months. This leaves me, and others like me, fighting an uphill battle to manage our health. The system is failing us, and it’s clear that something needs to change.

Governor Kemp and our state’s leaders need to step up. It’s unacceptable that our healthcare system is in such disrepair that those in need are left without proper care. Urgent action is needed to prioritize sick patients and ensure that healthcare workers are more responsive and accommodating.

If you’re thinking about moving to Georgia, I urge you to reconsider, especially if you have ongoing health issues. Until meaningful reforms are made, Georgia’s healthcare system is not equipped to provide the care you might need.

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