‘Dismissed’: A film that finally gives women with hemophilia a voice
The documentary shares the compelling stories of five women with hemophilia
I recently had the honor of attending the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s (NBDF) Bleeding Disorders Conference in Aurora, Colorado. I’m grateful for a travel grant I received from the NBDF that made it possible for me to attend. The conference was a fabulous and energizing mixture of connecting with others, getting educated about bleeding disorders, and being inspired.
One highlight was the premiere screening of a documentary film called “Dismissed,” which shines a long-overdue light on women whose voices have too often been ignored while their hemophilia symptoms are minimized and their diagnoses overlooked. As someone who has personally experienced this when doctors told me I couldn’t possibly have hemophilia, the film deeply resonated with me.
One of the five women featured in the film is Kimberly Hernandez, whom I interviewed back in 2022. To me, Kim is living proof of why women should never be dismissed as “just carriers.” I’ve closely followed her story for several years and consider her a friend. Her journey is not only heartbreaking, but also an extraordinary testament to resilience and courage.
Kim grew up with a father who had severe hemophilia A. She was identified as a symptomatic carrier, producing only about 50% of normal factor VIII. This left her with heavy menstrual bleeding and painful joint issues. Before undergoing a routine knee ligament repair, Kim did what I hope all patients would do: She advocated for herself, warning her surgical team of her bleeding risks. Instead of being heard, though, she was dismissed, with dire consequences.
Lifelong consequences
The consequences for Kim of being dismissed by healthcare workers were devastating. During her surgery, she experienced uncontrolled bleeding that required extreme tourniquet pressure. Days later, she developed a ruptured pseudoaneurysm that led to compartment syndrome, a serious condition. What followed was a medical marathon entailing 12 hours of surgery, the loss of 2.5 liters of blood, and over a month in the hospital. Her recovery was long and grueling, although she never fully recovered.
When I finally met Kim in person last year at a different hemophilia conference, she was navigating life with a scooter. Today, she walks with a cane and often relies on a wheelchair. After losing her apartment, she now lives with her sister and needs assistance with daily tasks. Her tearful words in the film hit me hard: “I’ve got to figure out how to spend the next 40 years being dependent on other people. Being dismissed is a very big deal. It’s dangerous.”
As Kim shared her story on screen — revealing what remains of her calf, where the muscle is visible beneath only a thin layer of skin — an audible gasp rippled through the room. She didn’t shy away from showing the reality of her experience. That willingness to be vulnerable, to lay bare both her scars and her truth, is an act of immense bravery.
Kim’s story is a powerful reminder that being called “just a carrier” can have life-altering consequences. She continues to stand up and speak out, despite all she has endured. To me, that is the definition of courage: refusing to let dismissal silence you, even when the cost is unbearably high.
“Dismissed” is available to view online by filling out a screening request form.
Note: Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hemophilia News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hemophilia.
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