Today we’d like to introduce you to PaSean Wilson-Ashley.
PaSean, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since July is Fibroid Awareness Month, it’s so important that I share my story. As a commercial and theatre actress, I have always been aware of my appearance. In addition, I have flirted with various diets and the trendiest LA workouts. However, my overall health awakening happened after being diagnosed with severe fibroids.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths with no known cause. A majority of women will develop fibroids at some point in their lives, and for some these growths cause years of suffering marked by debilitating menstrual cycles, miscarriages, pain, life-threatening anemia, ruined sex lives and other health problems.
I was shocked that my doctor advised me to have a hysterectomy because I had not ruled out pregnancy at a later date. Eventually, I decided not to do a hysterectomy, but to do a myomectomy, which is the removal of fibroids. During my health scare, I connected with other women that had endured fibroids as well as I did research on medical procedures, holistic approaches and prevention.
The result of my endeavor is the creation of The F Word documentary, which I also co-directed. The F Word is a critically important documentary on uterine fibroids called The F Word. The F Word explores the fibroid epidemic, its debilitating impact on the lives of women and their partners, and where we stand in discovering their cause, treatment and a cure. The F Word features such notables supermodel Beverly Johnson, jazz singer Ronda Ross, Tony award-winner LaChanze, The Cheetah Girls author Deborah Gregory and world-renowned poet Sonia Sanchez. The F Word documentary has been screened in such film festivals such as ABFF (American Black Film Festivals) and The Unmentionables Film Festival.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Ironically, one of the biggest obstacles is the space about women’s bodies is still dominated by men in the medical, political and business fields. When I started questioning medical procedures, even the ones being done on my own body, as well as speaking on legislation in regard to female health, there was an underlying message that I should be quiet, be a “good girl” and go along with what was presented to me. Well, the “good girl” clarified to many men that I was a badass female health advocate, a filmmaker and a woman of color. I cannot be silenced.
Another struggle was getting the financial backing for The F Word. Luckily, due to my contacts, I was able to enlist female notables to host fundraisers. These fundraisers were attended by females and males – woke males are my allies – and the film backing was secured. The F Word was completed and has been shown in film festivals and panel discussions on fibroids. Soon, I will need more funds for another edit as I seek to pitch The F Word to television networks and streaming services for airing.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
The F Word documentary has brought more awareness to fibroid issues. I am so honored that women have used it as a vessel to connect them in a healthy, proactive way!
The F Word has also broadened my entertainment career beyond just acting. I am now a producer and a director.
What were you like growing up?
My father and mother helped shape my world. Early in my childhood, my family had a traditional household. My father was seen as the head of the household and my mother was a homemaker. But, as feminism took hold of the country, my mother’s voice became stronger in the household. To my father’s credit, he eventually encouraged my mother in this transformation. As a result of witnessing the transformation of my parents’ marriage, my husband and I are equal partners.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @fworddocumentary
- Twitter: @fibroidstories
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