More Than A Test (2024) (Award-Winning Short Documentary)

[@lauriensnijers2322]

I was 10 years old. I was screaming looked at my mom and begged. She told them to stop, they didn't. They finally did when my mom threatened to sue them. I'm thankful for that moment every day

[@saranawrocki395]

My daughter had repeated UTIs before age 5. Around 2012, I was told she needed a test to check for “kidney reflux” and the procedure was described, which I believe was a VCUG. I asked if she would be sedated and was told she would not. I absolutely refused to allow the test. After seeing this, I am so grateful for refusing-I am not even sure where I found the courage to be so adamantly against it-I just was. I am so sorry for every child who has experienced this. Thank you for this powerful documentary.

[@woowoogirly29]

I had no idea I still have trauma related to this until I struggled through watching it. I had multiple VCUG procedures as a child. Definitely damaged my relationship with my mother and is likely the reason I have high anxiety going to the doctor.

[@kaiscote]

Speechless. Thank you for your courage in sharing your pain for awareness. 💔 I had mild VUR as a young child but am so fortunate to have not ever had this test.

[@kassyopia]

I had this done post C-section where my bladder had been damaged. It was confusing and painful for me and I was an adult and compliant…I was ridiculed during the test for any reaction I made. It was extremely painful. Why they are doing this to little children is beyond me. I was told I needed another and I refused, so in stead I got a barium and contrast ct scan. There are other options.

[@allisonconey853]

I personally had this procedure done when I was about 19 with my mom with me. The staff was very caring & helped me relax with my mom. I forgot what it was called until now. It didn’t really help diagnose my bladder issues at the time. It was over a decade ago and my bladder issues come and go rarely on occasions with stress but are fine now. I couldn’t imagine a child going through that procedure. I’m lucky to not have had a negative experience during my procedure even though I grasp more of the complexity of the procedure years later.

[@AmyEdward-ke5et]

I had my son have one of these as a toddler i feel so bad now iim not sure how it hasx aiffected

[@alexanderheimer8885]

I can't even watch this. that is why it is so important.

[@abigailstatkus5433]

Thank you so much for getting the word out there!

[@TipTop-fh5fg]

This is such an important documentary that every parent needs to see. The medical community must be held to account for the ethical and moral failure to protect children from the known harm and severe sexual and medical trauma of this barbaric test.

[@Somebody_Mother]

Goodness, my daughter seemed traumatized just by having to have ointment put on irritation from too many bubble baths. I can only imagine what kind of horror this would be to a child. I had to have a catheter left in for a kindey stone once, and that made me feel weird and icky. Little children don't understand why these things are being done, even if you tell them. 🥺 What was described is almost exactly like some of the abuse done to the little girl Sybil in the story "Sybil".

[@user-atkins]

This was very informative information, and it made me realize that every child affected by this unnecessary procedure deserves better, I see these medical staff as paid child predators wearing a white coat and mask, they are no different than any registered offender out there, they can be jailed as well.

[@TipTop-fh5fg]

Children experience being pinned down and subjected to the forcible penetration of their intimate body parts as any human being would. As sexual assault. This is outrageous. Children need protection from any, and every, experience that would be considered a sexual violation if commited on an adult.

[@SteveGuthrie-xp1mb]

I had mine when I was aged 4 years old. It wasn’t a tiny rubber tube but a rigid catheter. The preparation before and the procedure left me traumatised and bed wetting with torture dreams for years.

[@SteveGuthrie-xp1mb]

That was 1969 and my mum was not allowed in with me.

[@UnsilencedMovement]

@@SteveGuthrie-xp1mb I’m so sorry. I relate to your story. This was my same experience at age 2, 1997. The bedwetting, the torturous nightmares for decades. No one even put the pieces together, just kept taking me back to the pediatrician, which retraumatized me. We deserved better. There is no excuse to still be performing this today without disclosing all the risks. We won’t be silenced this time. ❤️‍🩹

[@wendyschutze2818]

I was molested by a neighbour for a while when I was about 5-6. I used to get what I know now was terrible Cystitis. I used to get it frequently and I remember the awful pain and peeing just drops of blood. I used to get in trouble by my teacher for needing to go to the toilet, I used to sit there and cry with pain. Doctor just prescribed a horrible clear medicine called Mist Pot Cit and little square sulphur tablets. I had so many attacks of cystitis but no one ever thought to examine me or ask me any questions. My Mother did not care, I felt I was more of an annoyance. I am a Mandated Reporter, and every time a little girl came in with Cystitis I wanted to report it. I did a few times.

[@vivio2852]

I didn't have a vcug but a catheter was inserted to have a urethra widening procedure. I struggled and was held down by several nurses, the last thing I remember before I went blank was my mom leaving the room. I saw her face through the glass in the door as she shut the door behind her. I gave up struggling and my memory blacked out what happened next

[@MissSpaz]

Oh my god, what is wrong with these doctors? Do they think that because what they're doing technically isn't r@pe, that it won't... effect the child, psychologically, the same way? I don't understand the disconnect here. This is the same as CSA. I'm infuriated. I never had a VCUG, but I do have a great deal of medical trauma. Honestly, this did help validate alot of my medical traumas, knowing that a "normal" procedure would have the same psychological impact as a violent r@pe. I hope that doctors who are aware of the psychological effects and keep performing this procedure lose their license and be prosecuted. This is evil.

[@matthartman7062]

This is absolutely horrible. We need to find a different way. I understand that the test can be important, and ultimately save lives, but there has to be another way. However, this way to perform the test is probably the cheapest for the insurance companies. There’s a lot wrong with the medical industry, and it’s only getting worse with time as humans become the product. Medical tyranny is a thing. Getting government out of healthcare is the first step to tackling these problems.

[@SusanThibault]

I would demand sedation!! Why would they not sedate? Male Dr’s? I refuse to see any male Drs, even my dentist is female..