We Can All Be Advocates | Featuring Dr. Apryl Alexander Gin and Chronic, The Podcast

G&C has a very special guest today: Dr. Apryl Alexander. At the time of this recording, Apryl is an associate professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. She is a clinical psychologist with concentrations in forensic psychology and child and family therapy, and has been widely recognized for her research and advocacy work. Apryl joins the pod this week to discuss health and advoacacy.
Apryl talks about endometriosis, a diagnosis she formally received in college, despite knowledge of it long before. Endometriosis is likely underdiagnosed, due to systems of sexism, racism, colonialism, and privielge in the medical field. She shares a bit more about laproscopic surgery, management of symptoms, and barriers to care. She shares about her professional journey to psychology and her call to advocacy work.
Everyone has the ability to make changes; people often observe inequities and feel angry about them, but don't do more to change them. Apryl shares her advice for how to start advocating: starting locally, finding existing resources and solutions, and staying informed. She talks about giving testimony, proposing new bills, and building relationships with legislators. They end with a conversation about finding balance between advocacy and self care and Apryl brings up the important concept of allyship.
Resources:
Follow Apryl here: http://www.aprylalexander.com/  Endometriosis Information NPR: Supreme Court Roe v Wade Decisions Overturned PNAS: Racial Bias in Pain Assessment and Treatment Recommendations Snowball fights in Colorado Legislative Sessions Calendar Colorado Reproductive Health Equity Act Envision You Public Policy Efforts