Body

Who gets to decide what happens to my body?

Our relationship with our body can hold comfort, pleasure, pain, disappointment or feelings that are difficult to explain. We deserve respect within that experience. We can say what feels welcome, what hurts and what we want kept private.

Caring for our bodies includes attention to needs and help where needed. Choices about touch, appearance, work and care require understandable information and room to express preferences or refuse. Closeness, authority and good intentions do not replace consent. Someone who needs support with a decision still has wishes that deserve a careful hearing. A conversation about the body should leave the person room to speak in their own way.

A question to sit with (optional): What feels comfortable or difficult in my body, and what would I like someone to understand or respect?