By Cynthia Gagné

Three years ago, something extraordinary took shape: it was the beginning of the Ameshée Experience. It all started with a crazy idea: to go to St. Louis during the pandemic with a specific idea in mind, to look for answers while providing help. And so the “Crazy Trip” was born, our number one group. The aim was to guide six women to freedom in the midst of the pandemic, showing my determination. These women, alone with their problems, needed support and a safe solution. That’s how it all began.

Initially, I needed help understanding the evidence I’d been gathering for months about our situation in Quebec. I had a stack of medical records of patients who had undergone surgery here, but it all seemed complicated to understand. I had the idea of asking for help from a real expert, Dr. Veronikis, who could help me explain it all clearly to the Collège des médecins. My goal was to show that our movement wasn’t just women in tears, but that there was solid evidence behind our claims. That’s when I came up with the idea of accompanying women to help them to remove their meshs. That’s how this unique experience came about.

The aim was twofold: to go to Saint-Louis to analyze the files with Dr Veronikis, but also to make this challenge an unforgettable experience for the women who were about to be freed. For me, it also meant living a different adventure with other women going through the same ordeal. That’s how the Ameshée Experience came into being in August 2020. Over time, I realized that helping brought a powerful sense of accomplishment. It allowed me to live in accordance with my values, my skills and my deepest dreams. I wanted to feel that again and again, with each new group, it was “just one more”. I was fortunate to have incredible bosses who allowed me to pursue my passion while the pandemic slowed down my work. After seven groups, I had to make a choice. I left a well-paid job to continue living life to the full, to feel alive by helping other women feel alive too.

Today, this shared quest remains one of the most rewarding adventures of my life. It touched the lives of hundreds of women who became “EX by V”. This adventure profoundly changed my life. I made friends all over the world. I’ve helped women from Quebec, other provinces, France, Belgium and even Australia! Women from all walks of life united to face this ordeal together.

With them, I cried, laughed, danced and shared unforgettable moments. I felt all kinds of emotions. But the greatest source of pride is knowing that what I do transforms lives, a wealth far more precious than all the gold in the world.

Three years have passed since the beginning of this adventure, and every day brings new proof of the power of courage, solidarity and determination. The Ameshée Experience is living proof that positive change is possible, even when obstacles seem insurmountable.

By facilitating access to Dr. Veronikis, I have created a veritable army of women, determined to highlight the dangers of these implants. It’s high time our governments, especially Health Canada, opened their eyes and listened to the voices of the 298 Quebec women. They clearly show that these devices must be withdrawn from the market.

The Ameshée Experience is not just my personal story, nor just a movement. It’s a collective adventure, an army of fighters who, once liberated, reinforce the validity of our convictions with even greater force. Even in difficult times, it reminds us that hope remains, that a solution is always possible.

By sharing our stories, offering our support and finding a concrete solution, we have transformed lives and re-energized women who once felt isolated and hopeless.

It’s time for our governments to open their eyes, because our experience doesn’t just concern a few people. It affects thousands of women, mothers, spouses, grandmothers, families, sisters, friends…

So I wrote the first chapter of this story with determination, transforming hardship into a tale of resilience and hope. Each step towards healing is a promise of renewal, an affirmation that we are the guardians of our bodies and the creators of our destiny.

I’m about to leave with my group number 29, and Dr. Veronikis is about to release Quebec’s 300th Ex By V and France’s 30th. How many lives will we have to save before someone listens to us? It’s much more motivating that way, isn’t it?