Thank you. There are many paths to enact change. Your uniquely qualified professional voice and clear ethics have made and continue to make a difference.
Thank you. I am sorry for the burden you feel and so so thankful for all you have done. I hope others find the strength and bravery that you have exhibited.
Jamie- I was thinking you still worked within the same university system- if so, why did you lose the tuition benefit? To me, the fact that you gave up that benefit for your own kids in order to save so many more, speaks volumes about your moral courage.
It calls to mind a story I read about the Wells Fargo scandal, where the company made its employees sick for fear of losing their jobs. Low-paid employees had to enroll every customer into multiple accounts or get laid off. The net effect was that the tellers pressured customers to get services they didn't want or need. It became a scandal because there was wide-spread fraud of employees signing up customers for things they didn't agree to.
One former employee talked about feeling sick going into work every day, knowing that they had to meet this quota or lose their job. This person started consuming hand-sanitizer for its alcohol, which numbed them to the work day. I think about that story every time I look at the jug of alcohol sanitizer on a table at my workplace. How awful to have a job where that looked appealing (and no one should ever try that. Sanitizer alcohol is denatured and has other ingredients that can cause blindness, illness or worse).
It sucks that you were put in the position you were in. People with more authority than you should have prevented what you describe. I'm sorry that you had to put that post-it note at your desk.
Jamie, somewhat off-topic question: You wrote a great post about insurance shenanigans in gender clinics, drawing on your own experience. I've looked and can't find it anywhere.
Yes, that "Fibber Island" article is very helpful. I was at least able to find out how my child's treatments were coded in the insurance claims, and it was that article that helped me think to do that.
I'm a huge Hamilton fan but never thought to use the lyrics to help me in moments of struggle - brilliant! I am, like so many parents of confused kids, so grateful for your bravery and tenacity, Jamie. Thank you!
By the way, I think your kids have reason to be proud of your courage.
I just read the Executive Order for limiting the gender medicalization of minors, including calling out the junk science. I think that your willingness to talk candidly was a big factor in bringing about this change. Much respect.
Jamie, do you think your background in clinical research and all the ethics embedded in that training was what made you see this clinical mess so differently than others? If this was called research people would be signing consent and assent. But under ‘clinical medicine’ there were zero guardrails. You had a unique perspective.
As a mom, I am so thankful that you are speaking out now. I would have given anything for someone like you to question things during my kid’s appointments.
Thank you. We all come to this fight with our consciences badly scarred by what we had to do within the constraints of each situation we found ourselves in . . . In all honesty, I do not know if I could have given up what you gave up. I suspect each of those lambs haunt you. I hope my gratitude helps a smidge whenever you run into a dark day.
Thank you. There are many paths to enact change. Your uniquely qualified professional voice and clear ethics have made and continue to make a difference.
Thank you. I am sorry for the burden you feel and so so thankful for all you have done. I hope others find the strength and bravery that you have exhibited.
Thank you, Jamie. Well done.
Jamie- I was thinking you still worked within the same university system- if so, why did you lose the tuition benefit? To me, the fact that you gave up that benefit for your own kids in order to save so many more, speaks volumes about your moral courage.
No judgement from me! I think it’s mostly a movie fantasy that an individual with so much at stake (family, career) would stand up and fight openly.
Your documentation has been crucial and significant, so you accomplished so much while you were there.
I think of Robert Jay Lifton’s book, The Nazi Doctors, constantly when I learn about these clinics. You might see your story in there.
Wow.
It calls to mind a story I read about the Wells Fargo scandal, where the company made its employees sick for fear of losing their jobs. Low-paid employees had to enroll every customer into multiple accounts or get laid off. The net effect was that the tellers pressured customers to get services they didn't want or need. It became a scandal because there was wide-spread fraud of employees signing up customers for things they didn't agree to.
One former employee talked about feeling sick going into work every day, knowing that they had to meet this quota or lose their job. This person started consuming hand-sanitizer for its alcohol, which numbed them to the work day. I think about that story every time I look at the jug of alcohol sanitizer on a table at my workplace. How awful to have a job where that looked appealing (and no one should ever try that. Sanitizer alcohol is denatured and has other ingredients that can cause blindness, illness or worse).
It sucks that you were put in the position you were in. People with more authority than you should have prevented what you describe. I'm sorry that you had to put that post-it note at your desk.
Thank You!
Jamie, somewhat off-topic question: You wrote a great post about insurance shenanigans in gender clinics, drawing on your own experience. I've looked and can't find it anywhere.
Any chance you could post a link?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the tangent!
Yes, that "Fibber Island" article is very helpful. I was at least able to find out how my child's treatments were coded in the insurance claims, and it was that article that helped me think to do that.
I'm a huge Hamilton fan but never thought to use the lyrics to help me in moments of struggle - brilliant! I am, like so many parents of confused kids, so grateful for your bravery and tenacity, Jamie. Thank you!
By the way, I think your kids have reason to be proud of your courage.
I just read the Executive Order for limiting the gender medicalization of minors, including calling out the junk science. I think that your willingness to talk candidly was a big factor in bringing about this change. Much respect.
Jamie, do you think your background in clinical research and all the ethics embedded in that training was what made you see this clinical mess so differently than others? If this was called research people would be signing consent and assent. But under ‘clinical medicine’ there were zero guardrails. You had a unique perspective.
Thank you for your bravery, Jamie! You spoke up, and it is making a difference.
As a mom, I am so thankful that you are speaking out now. I would have given anything for someone like you to question things during my kid’s appointments.
Thank you. We all come to this fight with our consciences badly scarred by what we had to do within the constraints of each situation we found ourselves in . . . In all honesty, I do not know if I could have given up what you gave up. I suspect each of those lambs haunt you. I hope my gratitude helps a smidge whenever you run into a dark day.
you create some great analogies in your writing. Thank you for your testimony.