Véronique Christina

This summer, I went to my clinic to see a general practitioner (GP) for an annual check-up. Officially I’m a certain GP’s patient, but I see the residents that she supervises whenever I go. When I made the appointment, I did not have any particular concerns, but I wanted to get a pap smear and STI testing. In the past, I have made some unsafe decisions, and I have also been in situations where a partner has not respected my condom-use wishes. Since then, I have had several clear results from pap smears and STI tests, but I have been going at least once a year as a precaution.

This isn't going to be very long, but I just had to share this extremely refreshing experience. I’ve just recently starting having intercourse with a new partner. I didn’t originally intend to start having sex with him so quickly, but it felt right.

On July 1, 2008, I became even more of a proud Canadian. This past Canada Day, Dr. Henry Morgentaler became one of several new inductees into the Order of Canada (our highest honour). I think it was long overdue.