Angella shares her journey from blood clot diagnosis to community advocate.
In 2019, I was first misdiagnosed with a groin strain at a Toronto hospital. When I returned to the same hospital three days later, I was properly evaluated and diagnosed with a blood clot in my leg and blood clots in both of my lungs. I spent the next three months in the hospital and then at a rehabilitation facility.
While at the Toronto health rehabilitation facility, I found my voice. I had been was invited to share my horrific hospital experience and to discuss ways to improve partnerships between patients and healthcare providers. Since then, I have participated in a variety of healthcare symposia and inter-professional education sessions. I did this all while recovering mentally and physically from my blood clot experience.
In October 2022, I was asked to be the keynote speaker for Sinai Health’s Quality and Safety Symposium. Presently, I also serve as the co-chair and patient advisor to the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Council.
As I continue to navigate Ontario’s healthcare system in my journey, I am incredibly passionate about finding ways to provide support for those who have faced challenges similar to mine. Specifically, I want to work within racialized communities. My advocacy has expanded into sharing my journey via Instagram (@bloodclot_gyal). This enables me to provide education and build awareness by sharing information about my blood clot journey and personal healing.
I believe it is essential to be a voice for the voiceless, especially for Black and POC women who are no longer here today to share their stories.
