South Asian Health Project - Read Real Stories

Read stories from community members as they talk about their experiences related to health and wellness.

Smoking and Heart Disease Heart Health Reshma, 30, Ohio [Female] My father and one of his brothers (Dave) began smoking as teenagers, and were smoking 1-2 packs as adults. At 32, my father was diagnosed as a diabetic. His brother would be diagnosed 10 years later....		As an interpreter... Access to Care LS, 30, New Jersey [Female] I work as interpreter for children with special needs and their families. Often, I’m called upon to ass with the communication needs of a South Asian family and rely on my pool of South Asian...
Diagnosed Heart Health Bharati, 63, Michigan [Female] I ate whatever I wanted and I didn’t exercise. One day, I felt dizzy and lightheaded and my husband rushed me to the doctors. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and was told to watch what I eat...		Family History Heart Health Ami K., 34, New York [Female] My family has a very extensive history of heart disease, on both my mothers and my father’s side. As far as I know, it goes back about 2 or 3 generations, but it could go back further. My father...
Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Dental Health Heart Health Aparna B., 35, Georgia [Female] My father was diagnosed early with heart disease and died of a heart attack in his early fifties. My mother died of diabetes related kidney failure in her fifties – she also had heart disease. I was...		Family History Heart Health Anonymous, 28, New York [Female] My grandmother died of a heart attack. My dad has high cholesterol. My mom has high cholesterol due to diabetes. My sister, brother and I have high cholesterol and high triglyceride...
Healthy Lifestyle Heart Health Hema, 53, Maryland [Female] As an Indian woman who has heart disease in my family history, I realize how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I achieve this by eating the right foods and exercising daily. My daily...		Change Heart Health Rohini, 64, Georgia [Female] Growing up in India I never exercised but I always considered myself a healthy person. After I moved to the US and had my second child I started to gain a lot of weight. Looking back, I can say a lot...
Experience and Misinformation Sexual / Reproductive Health sara, 25, NY [Female] I had an irregular papsmear at my very 1st visit to the gynocologist after have sex with only one person and using a condom every time. I was told that I had HPV and could not share this information...		Ready to Implode Sexual / Reproductive Health Arshad, 26 [Male] I am gay. I am a Bangladeshi-American and in my third year of medical school and I am gay. I am the son that every uncle wants his son to be like. How do I live up to this false image of myself?...
Vulnerability Sexual / Reproductive Health Ruksana, 35 [Female] My mother said that he was very wealthy and had a house with electricity (that never went out) and lots of cars. It seemed better than what we were living. I moved to America because that was where...		Dreams Sexual / Reproductive Health Priyanka, 17, NJ [Female] Brown University. Dreams do come true. The second we found out I got in, my parents were thrilled, I remember the day clearly. “Priyanka*, beta, we are so proud of you, and know that you will...
Who to turn to? Sexual / Reproductive Health Maharunnissa, 33, New York [Female] As a first generation South Asian woman in the US, things were very different. You could never go to your parents about serious problems, especially those they refused to believe were possible, such...		Just didn’t know how to deal … Sexual / Reproductive Health Rishi, 31, NJ [Male] I dated a girl and we had sex. A few weeks later, she tells me she has an STI. I really didn’t know how to react. I questioned her if she had slept with someone else and decided to ignore the...
A Big Mystery Sexual / Reproductive Health Roshan, 72, NY [Female] I was married at the age of 17. My husband was wonderful, loving, and caring. Sex was not a topic that my husband and I talked about in detail, nor did anyone ever discuss what I should know about...		Finding out you have an STI Sexual / Reproductive Health Marina, 30 [Female] Several months ago I moved to a new city to start a new job. Of the many things on my plate, I decided that I needed to find a good gynecologist and get the annual exam that I had been putting off...
Trying to get pregnant - what to do Sexual / Reproductive Health Lopa, 32 [Female] I’ve been married for 5 years to a wonderful man, we both have great jobs but one thing is missing in our lives – a child. We’ve been trying to get pregnant for 2 years and have been unsuccessful....		Ignorance is (NOT) bliss Sexual / Reproductive Health Jazz, 29 [Female] This is the first time that I am sharing this story with anyone. I am even hesitant sharing it now, as I was embarrassed by my lack of knowledge then and continue to be embarrassed till date. This...
Unspoken Fears Sexual / Reproductive Health Seema, 28 [Female] What do I say? It happened . . . and I am 28 and still cannot move beyond it. Why didn't my parents recognize the signs? Why was I afraid to say anything to anyone? I believed I would be blamed....		Expectations Sexual / Reproductive Health Lamiya, 23, New York [Female] Growing up, I always wanted to look like anyone but myself. It didn't help growing up in affluent American suburbia - where my family and I were the only individuals who were naturally "tan". To...
Silence Sexual / Reproductive Health Reza, 25 [Male] I watched him beat her. She would always keep a strong face and when she found I was watching, would run to me and start to comfort me. When she needed the comfort. Why would he hit her? What...