This month: Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Inter-Professional Education, Lecturer in Allied Health/ Simulation and Tech Enhanced Learning) joins Parker Siviter (Student Paramedic) to have an open and honest conversation about his journey transitioning to his gender. Parker reveals a truly heart-warming truth, navigating his formative years, the unseen struggles, the happiness, telling friends, bravely confronting family, the importance, and significance of his name change, through to setting up an LGBT+ support group at his school, teaching his fellow classmates about transgender matters and helping to normalise this for others in his wake.

“This is not only a heart-warming truth of bravery, self-exploration and experience of gender transitioning, it is deeply informative for those who may be transitioning themselves and for people who want to understand more and become informed allies”.
“Medical Would you Rather” is BACK!!! Would Parker prefer de-fib for hands (where you receive 10% of the shock when used) or Local anaesthetic for tears (but it numbs your eyes, nose, and mouth when you cry)?

Links for transgender support mentioned by parker in the podcast:
https://mermaidsuk.org.uk (transgender support charity)
https://www.stonewall.org.uk (LGBT, transgender Bi, support, and information resource)

If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk.

Upcoming podcasts
Safety Focus mini-series: Simulation and Patient Safety
Experiences of an Australian trauma paramedic.

Want to get involved?
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Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Lets Pod!
Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk Samuel O’Brian: Samuel.Obrian@staffs.ac.uk or Jo Natalello joseph.natalello@staffs.ac.uk

Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways