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Scott's Journey on PrEP
Can you introduce yourself?
- My name is Scott. I am 32 years old. I was born in Edmonton, or Amiskwaciwaskahikan, but grew up on a cattle ranch in Treaty 6 territory: traditional lands for the Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Michif Piyii (Métis), Cree, Očhéthi Šakówiŋ.
- I am currently working full time, but I am applying to graduate school to gain skills related to helping to protect our natural environment, species that live there, and help in the fight against climate change. Hopefully a school out there thinks I’m cool enough to give me a spot :)
- I sing with a choir in the city, despite the pandemic we have persevered! Making music together with my fellow singers brings me so much joy. I also love to go on road trips with friends, often singing along to our music as loud as possible, and travel when I can (prior to COVID).
- I love to spend time with my friends and family, read, watch TV, movies, learn new things, and try new foods. Social justice is something I am also keen on learning about and I am continuously learning ways that I can continue to help amplify marginalized voices and actively practice anti-racism. BLM MMIW2S
How did you make the decision to start PrEP?
- Starting PrEP was something I had wanted to do for a long time, to make sure that I am protecting myself and others. I found that I was always hesitant about finding somewhere to get screened for STI’s and I had neglected to find a family doctor since I moved to the city, so I always made sure I was being safe in every other way when I was with a partner. I was apprehensive about going to walk in clinic as well to try and get a prescription for PrEP since I knew that there would likely be a lot of awkward questions to answer, and I don’t think a lot of people’s favourite place is in a doctor’s office answering personal questions haha. It’s not mine anyway.
- I finally came to the decision that I needed to get over my apprehension and figure out a way to obtain it. Luckily Freddie was an option for me.
Since starting PrEP, what’s the main difference you notice?
- The main difference I would say is that I am a lot more comfortable talking about sexual health and encouraging people to discuss it to try and remove the stigma as much as possible. I also am a lot more comfortable in having the conversation about sexual health with a potential partner. It’s made the conversation a lot easier and we can discuss things openly.
Do you have any advice for people out there considering PrEP?
- Freddie took away all the apprehensiveness I had about having the conversation about what PrEP is and if it was the right thing for me. Any questions I had were answered by the physician doing the intake, and the physician also asked me what I knew about PrEP too. Honestly, Freddie made the process so easy that I would encourage anyone who is interested to check it out. After my initial conversation over the phone with a Freddie physician, they sent out a requisition for blood work at a lab close to my home, I did the tests, and within a couple of days I had my initial supply of PrEP delivered to me. PrEP has been empowering for me to have an easier conversation navigating sexual health with a partner and, with Freddie’s services, I don’t have to worry about those awkward doctor’s office visits either. If you’re considering PrEP at all, try signing up with Freddie, it was so easy and simple.
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