Ashley Dedmon’s parents always told her knowledge is power. Discussions about health, she says, were the norm growing up. “They were educators,” Dedmon says of her parents.
“They were always wanting my brother and (me) to have all the knowledge that we needed.” And so, they stressed openness about family medical history. It’s a practice that’s long given Dedmon the courage to advocate for herself in medical spaces, where .
Because she knew the illnesses that were prevalent in her family, Dedmon underwent genetic testing to assess her risk for disease at 21 years old. She tested positive for the , which increases the risk for breast, ovarian and other types of cancers, per the . And this set Dedmon on a health journey she'll likely be on for the rest of life.
Now 38, Dedmon and her husband have maintained the same practice as her parents when it comes their two daughters. They stress the importance of their girls monitoring their bodies. Recognizing changes in themselves, Dedmon tells TODAY.
com, is vital. They know the difference between signs, something you can see, and symptoms, “something that mommy and daddy may not be able to see, but you can feel.” “I’m empowering them to talk about their own personal history and sharing that information not only with us, but even when we take them to the doctor,” Dedmon explains.
Self-advocacy, Dedmon adds, gives children agency over their bodies and their futures. This way, down the line, they’ll have the cour.