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Say my name.
Dec. 6th, 2022 01:24 pmMy name is Douglas Edward Berry. Not at all exotic. In the Army, I got used to just being known by my last name, as my first name was my rank, "PFC Berry" was how people knew me.
Most people call me Doug, which I'm fine with. There is one variation of my name that one person on the planet is allowed to use. I've had various nicknames, user names, and of course Uncle Bullhorn, my name at Burning Man.
But Douglas E. Bery is what I go by. It's how I sign my name, it's the name I use when I publish things. It is a simple, uncomplicated name with a great family history.
So the the fuck are medical offices utterly incapable of getting my name right? I just got a call confirming an appointment for tomorrow. They asked for Edward. I have never gone by my middle name. I did contemplate it as a nom de plume for a while, something like Edward Karasu (the surname is Turkish for dark water, which is what Douglas means in Scottish Gaelic.)
The usual thing is reversing my name, and asking for Mr. Douglas. That has happened so many times over the past three decades I have to wonder if they bother reading the form where I filled out my name correctly. I know it seems like a minor thing, but it's bloody annoying and potentially dangerous as these places are handling my health care!
I will admit that I let my frustrations out today when the office asked for Edward. I didn't shout, and I wasn't profane, but I did let the office person know that they need to read the name correctly.
Because I have a name.
Most people call me Doug, which I'm fine with. There is one variation of my name that one person on the planet is allowed to use. I've had various nicknames, user names, and of course Uncle Bullhorn, my name at Burning Man.
But Douglas E. Bery is what I go by. It's how I sign my name, it's the name I use when I publish things. It is a simple, uncomplicated name with a great family history.
So the the fuck are medical offices utterly incapable of getting my name right? I just got a call confirming an appointment for tomorrow. They asked for Edward. I have never gone by my middle name. I did contemplate it as a nom de plume for a while, something like Edward Karasu (the surname is Turkish for dark water, which is what Douglas means in Scottish Gaelic.)
The usual thing is reversing my name, and asking for Mr. Douglas. That has happened so many times over the past three decades I have to wonder if they bother reading the form where I filled out my name correctly. I know it seems like a minor thing, but it's bloody annoying and potentially dangerous as these places are handling my health care!
I will admit that I let my frustrations out today when the office asked for Edward. I didn't shout, and I wasn't profane, but I did let the office person know that they need to read the name correctly.
Because I have a name.
