Help me publish my book 'Die Wunde’ (The Wound) on gender medicine. It is an essayistic account of my personal experiences in the healthcare system as a woman, as the invisible gender that is largely ignored in research.
It was a personal tale of suffering that never ended due to structural failures in the healthcare system. Misjudgements, misdiagnoses, misinterpretations, four emergency operations and a lack of clarification cost me all my strength and almost my life. My fate is not unique. It is silently accepted – because what can be done about it? This is so common in healthcare for women*. That has to change! That is why I am writing, to raise my voice and ask long-overdue questions.
Twelve months form twelve chapters in which I reflectively process autobiographical experiences with medical and socio-critical analyses. For self-healing and visibility. I supplement the essay with a lyrical collection of short stories. This collection was awarded a prize by the ’Stiftung für die Frau’ (Foundation for Women) in 2023 and deals with the origin of all traumas that are repeated in healthcare: everyday sexism – including in medicine. One reason for this is internalised misogyny, which may not be obvious, but is no less harmful for that. I provide insight not only into the emotional impact on a patient who is ignored and overlooked, but who is very aware of her body, but also into the existential consequences of the failure of a system that claims to offer help and be focused on health.
Sexism in medicine can cost lives. 
Gender data gap
My project is special because ...
Very few books are published by authors who address the invisibility of the ’other gender’ in medicine and healthcare. Sexism affects us all. It is unpleasant. And maintaining this sexism is a systematic way to make money. But this overlooks the damage caused and the unnecessary waste of human energy. In 2024, I had an agreement with a small Swiss publisher, but they had to withdraw due to a lack of financial resources. With your help, I can now publish the book anyway.
Illness must be destigmatised. 
Writing was therapeutic
This is what I need backing for.
With crowdfunding, you are not financing my writing, which has already been done. Instead, you are contributing to the financing of all the work involved in producing the book. In order to get this book ready for printing and self-publishing, many different professionals are involved: an editor, book designer, typesetter, proofreader and others who support the project. In addition, part of the printing costs are pre-financed.
Book 'Die Wunde’ (The Wound) by Tanja Bernold 
gender medicine