ACCESS NO AREAS

ACCESS NO AREAS

This virus has affected millions of people. Across the world, people are isolated and scared, but what’s it like to be a disabled trans person during the Covid-19 crisis? A look at the pandemic from the perspective of Rebecca Claridge-Bowler

) Let’s be honest, life was hard enough before this for people with disabilities, but the Covid19 crisis adds a whole new level of stress and complications. I’m a totally blind trans woman. This whole situation has made my daily life more difficult – I’m no longer able to do the weekly shop and have had to rely on my neighbours to be kind enough to do so. I can’t follow social distancing guidelines as I‘m unable to see whether a person is too close to me and my guide dog certainly can’t do it for me. And that’s just my side of the story. I know there are thousands of disabled people, both trans and cis, who this lockdown has affected, but somehow I feel that the situation is worse for trans disabled people for a whole lot of other reasons.

“On a positive note, the GIC has switched to online video and phone appointments to replace face-to-face appointments, something disabled people have been asking for for years”

Like me and thousands of other trans people who are still waiting for our first appointment with the Gender Identity Clinic (GIC), many of us, if not all, have had our appointments cancelled or rescheduled. The virus has put a stop to accessing what can be vital treatment, or slowed it down even further. This causes a lot of underlying stress and worry, layering on top of anxiety already present due to the difficulties of transitioning in today’s climate. Others who have been waiting years for gender reassignment surgery have had all their appointment dates cancelled, with no way of finding out when they may be rescheduled, or whether services will make them start all over again and get a new referral, something which again takes years. Then there are people who are on hormones (HRT) and other medication which are proving extremely difficult to get hold of. Access to GP surgeries and pharmacies may be more restricted, and that’s just for the fully ablebodied. I’ve found that trying to get a prescription refill of any medication has been extremely complicated as a disabled person during this time. Many trans people are being left with either a limited amount of HRT or none, increasing the numbers forced to resort to alternative measures, such as purchasing online. This is also the case in normal times, but it’s now worse, becoming almost impossible for some and extremely difficult for others. And that’s for the people who can leave the house for necessary supplies. There are a number of people who have no choice but to stay indoors because they’re severely immunocompromised or shielding. Some people may have to be in total lockdown measures even after restrictions have been relaxed and could be stuck indoors until the middle of next year. On a positive note, the GIC has switched to online video and phone appointments to replace face-to-face appointments, something disabled people have been asking for for years. Many have found it difficult and stressful to travel in person to the clinic, so this development is a useful one which means people can still have their appointments without the extra cost and stress of travel in the first place. A lot of disabled people are having their medication and food supplies delivered by courier. In my experience, there have been no end of problems with the systems set up to help. Even though I’m totally blind, I’m not classed as a vulnerable person and getting a priority delivery is almost impossible. That’s why I’ve had to rely on my neighbours to help me get food. This goes for hundreds of blind and partially sighted people. Then there is the mental health side of this crisis. We’re about to see a huge demand on the already underfunded and understaffed mental health services of the NHS. This pandemic is causing a lot of mental health crises, having forced people who needed to be able to leave the house for their mental health to stay home, or leaving people trapped indoors with their abusers. Domestic abuse reports have risen hugely since the lockdown. LGBTQ+ people who lived with families who aren’t supportive are being subjected to even more stress and anxiety about the situation, which is detrimental to their mental health. There are many people who are reaching a breaking point, not being able to go out, or to see friends and loved ones, or even just going for a walk down the street. And then there are the carers, who are undervalued and put at risk because of the lack of PPE. What we need right now is a total redesign of the current system; funding the NHS properly and then pouring a whole load more money into it. That’s really about all I can say for now, because there’s just too much to fit in one article. But whoever reads this; I want you to know that you’re not alone. There are groups and online support, and we’ll make it through this together if we help each other and support one another.

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) Rebecca Claridge-Bowler is a 22-yearold totally blind trans woman with a guide dog named Vince. She describes herself as a lover of reading, all things nerdy, and is the accessibility officer for Trans Pride Brighton & Hove, adding: “I truly love everything I do.”