My story – Surviving abuse and becoming a Human Rights advocate

Content warning: mention of child abuse, neglect, suicidal thoughts.

The look on the doctor’s face said it all. The patronising tone confirmed it. The GP practice was going to turn me away and stop me registering.

They made me feel less than human. It wasn’t the first time this had happened. I’d tried so many times to get registered with a GP, but kept getting refused. I felt insulted. I felt like nobody would help me. Nobody would let me see a doctor. I had given up believing I could access medical care.

My name is Rose (name changed) and I’m sharing my story with you as I believe in the fight for health for everyone. If you found your way to this page, I believe you do too. That’s why I hope you’ll choose to support my appeal and help others who have experienced what I have.

Fleeing from severe abuse

I’m from Nigeria. Before I was barely a teenager I experienced child neglect, child abuse, sexual abuse.

The mental trauma cut deep and left scars. I couldn’t trust anybody. I tried to talk to grown-ups but they all shut me down. They didn’t believe me. Nobody helped me. That’s how my struggles started. I began drinking, smoking and became suicidal. I didn’t decide to leave my country. I was trafficked to the UK with the promise of better education, which I never got. One day, I finally managed to run away from my traffickers. I became homeless. I didn’t have anyone in London. I lived in emergency accommodation. I didn’t have a doctor and couldn’t trust anybody.

Doctors of the World got me the help I needed

A friend introduced me to a place where I could get food vouchers and some clothes.

That’s when I first saw the Doctors of the World sign for their mobile clinic, where I could see one of their case workers. I’ll never forget that moment. The caseworker I met was the first person to listen to me and my story, to tell me it was ok to feel the way I did. I could trust her, I could get help. She recognised I was suffering from PTSD, that I needed help.

I told her about GP surgeries repeatedly turning me away. She wrote a letter with her contact details, explaining my situation and rights to see a doctor, for me to show the GP. And just like that, because of this letter, they finally accepted to register me. If it was not for her and her letter, I wouldn’t have got help and that’s why I will remember her forever.

The power of kindness

That’s why when I meet someone now, I ask how they’re doing, if they want to talk, if I can help them. Caring about people – even with something as small as asking about their day – makes such a difference when you feel like you’re alone and can’t see the end of that tunnel.

I joined Doctors of the World’s National Health Advisors when my friend from the choir told me about this group raising awareness for people in the same situation I was in. It was an opportunity for us to share our story and for our voices to be heard. We try to change this system and make things easier for people to see a doctor and get registered.

The system is broken

When you’re a person seeking asylum, it’s easy to give up on yourself. You’re too scared to go to A&E, you don’t have any information, people turn you away just because of what you’ve been through. It’s very, very, hard.

Some people don’t treat you like a human being because you have an asylum card. I was suffering, I didn’t know anything, I had no information. But, life and safety, they’re our basic rights.

Being part of the National Health Advisors; it is something I’ve always wanted to do. I joined to have our voices heard, to help people, to hear and listen to others who’ve been through the same stories of exclusion, for many different reasons. I want to be a part of positive change. We say ‘you’re not alone, we’ve been through all this too.’

I felt really accomplished and proud when our group participated in the creation of leaflets distributed at the hospital, giving information about important services available to people who need them most. It makes me feel like I belong.

Show you care this Christmas

My friends at Doctors of the World explained how much of the funding for the services they run comes from people like you. I’ve experienced the worst of humanity in my life, but also great kindness and compassion too. Thank you for being one of the good people who doesn’t turn their back on people when they need help.

I’m proud to tell my story now and contribute to the important work of Doctors of the World. I know times are tough for many people, but I’d appreciate it so much if you were able to make a gift this Christmas.

My dreams for the future

I have more dreams. I want to keep singing with the choir. I want to learn about childcare and the mental health sector, which are complex issues and environments for people to navigate. I want to be able to say to a child that it’s ok to speak out, that I will believe them, just like I would have needed to hear when I was younger. To the people who will be reading this: your voice matters.

You can join us in the fight for health. There’s this saying I know that goes: ‘No matter how strong the wind is, if we stand together hand in hand, we will win.’ There’s always light at the end of every tunnel. With you by our side, we are guaranteed victory.

In solidarity, Rose

Donate to Rose's Christmas campaign

Photo shows model and name changed to protect the author’s identity.