I graduated in Psychology in London almost a decade ago. Since then I have been a mother, I have lived in two more countries and I have completed many complementary trainings that in theory would allow me to practice my profession in very diverse places. These studies include an unofficial master’s degree, since having studied at a British university, the Spanish Government did not allow me entry into an official one. After many years of struggle, the Senate approved a motion calling for expediting the recognition of foreign degrees. My documents have been “pending review” for more than six months. I have two degrees, countless courses completed, I speak three languages perfectly and I am not allowed to work as a psychologist in my country. Will my title ever be approved? Living in a country that penalizes having been trained abroad and that wastes the wealth of its potential workers by pushing them into poverty seems fictitious, but in Spain it is real.
Gara Villalva García. Madrid
Everyday sexual violence
In the last week I have started two series and I have read a novel. In all three, a woman was raped. Sexual violence has infiltrated our daily lives through entertainment. This violence against women is in the background on home televisions while preparing food or chatting. 10 years ago, a rape on screen gave me a deep feeling of helplessness, anger and sadness, to the point of making me nauseous. Right now, on the other hand, I eat these scenes at the same time as an omelet for dinner.
Elena Morales Cendrero. Seville
Breast cancer also in men
During my treatment for testicular cancer I was scared when I detected a lump in my chest and thought it could have metastasized. Alarmed, I asked a primary care doctor if I should see a gynecologist. He looked at me with a mocking gesture and sent me to internal medicine, where they referred me to the oncologist. He treated me, but told me that the specialist was the gynecologist. The scare came to nothing, gynecomastia was a side effect of my treatment. I say this because male breast cancer, although rare, exists and it would be good if men also knew its symptoms and specialists were clear about who should address it in the first instance.
David Martinez. Alcorcón (Madrid)
Single mother by choice
When people find out, they either congratulate you for being brave or act like “poor thing”… And the truth is that it is neither one thing nor the other. Being a mother or father means being brave in any case, because having a partner doesn’t always make things easier for you. On the other hand, they forget that being a single mother has been a cherished decision and that families, whether larger or smaller, are complete families. Giving normality to family diversity is important so that children grow with respect and as just another child.
Belén Domingo Millán. Cordova
