Below the Belt

In 2022, following my endometriosis excision surgery, Below the Belt, a documentary created by Endo Collective and ten years in the making aired for the first time in October. One of the initiatives for Below the Belt is to show this film around the world in hopes to advocate for and spread the word about endometriosis. The goal is to help people learn about endometriosis, leading to quicker diagnoses than the average time of 10-12 years.

Inspired by Below the Belt and the personal hardships I experienced with endometriosis, I organized a screening at Louisiana State University, my alma mater and home state. Several partnerships for this film included LSU Panhellenic, LSU Women’s Center, and LSU Student Government. Following the film, a panelist with several medical professionals, including Damon Cudihy, M.D. of Lafayette, Louisiana and Amanda Fitzgerald, D.P.T., of New Orleans, Louisiana answered questions about endometriosis from the students attending.

The film was free for attendees, and LSU Panhellenic donated a film screening fee of $750 to Below the Belt, which was used to provide educational tool kits to 15 schools across Louisiana in the following cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Grand Coteau, Shreveport, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe, Broussard, and Natchiotches. These tool kits are given to school nurses to educate them on the signs and symptoms of endometriosis to better help girls from a younger age receive diagnoses and get help as soon as symptoms occur.