I just saw this blurb about a study looking at the medical experiences (particularly mental health) of LGBTQ+ folks that have SCI or other similar disorders... I know that we have a few members here that have disabilities which I think would make them eligible to participate.... I have talked on the phone with the researcher running the study and she says that eunuchs definitely qualify, and was happy that I offered to post the flier here...

She says the study phone call is nominally an hour, but that at least some have stretched to almost two depending on how much the participant wants to talk... The survey part is about 20-30 minutes. Stipend is $75, on a Pre-paid Mastercard

I heard about this from a reputable SCI organization, and feel quite sure it's a legitimate study. I'd encourage anyone that thinks they might be eligible to reach out to the researcher named below...

If you have a spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D) and identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, then you may be eligible to participate in a novel research study conducted by the SCI/D Center at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.

We are recruiting participants from across the US and open to all genders and any sexual orientation.

You may be eligible if you:

Have an SCI for at least 6 months

Self-identify as LGBTQ+*

Are 18 years of age or older

Veterans and non-Veterans welcome

* Sexual orientation/gender identity does not need to be documented in your medical records to be eligible.

Time commitment:

Approximately 1 hour for a one-on-one phone interview plus completion of an online survey

Incentive:

Receive a stipend for your participation

We want to hear about your positive and negative experiences related to your health needs and seeking healthcare. This is the first study on the health and healthcare of LGBTQ+ people living with SCI, and your input can help to uncover strengths and weaknesses within the healthcare system and contribute to making access to healthcare more welcoming and suited to your needs.

If Interested, Click Here!

or contact

study coordinator, Dr Megan Neal

email: [email protected]

phone: 650-575-8689.

WheelyFixed

Sounds interesting as we are both in the same boat now.

Gfbi7890 (imported) wrote: Thu Apr 18, 2024 7:32 pm Sounds interesting as we are both in the same boat now.

Well I did the interview and survey a day or so ago, and it was pretty interesting, sounds like they are really wanting to hear about how to make things better...

Flip side, I told her that I mostly found the two things to be fairly independent of each other... I find plenty of barriers as a paraplegic in a wheelchair, but I can't say any of them have gotten worse because of becoming a eunuch... We all know about some of the barriers there are to getting 'gender affirming care' (though other than the frustration of how long everything took, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the process was overall) but I didn't feel like being a paraplegic made it any worse beyond the (IMHO legitimate) medical concerns and the usual accessibility issues in the original location (the TG center has now moved to a newer building that is about as good as it can be for that)

WheelyFixed