Cynthia Rhodes’ Journey

In this episode, host Joel Wilborn tells the moving story of Cynthia Rhodes a wheelchair-using inmate at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. Through a series of emails, Cynthia shares her struggles with health problems, the challenges of navigating the prison system, and how changing her name from Cynthia Miller to Cynthia Rhodes has made it easier for her to get medical care. Their conversation sheds light on deeper issues in prison healthcare, like the difficulty inmates face in getting necessary medication and the emotional strain of losing loved ones while behind bars.

Cynthia’s life has been touched by deep loss, having recently lost two sons while coping with the illness of her remaining family members. Even with these hardships, she stays hopeful and thankful for the support she’s received. The episode also explores the wider impact of name changes in prison, the importance of mental health care, and the need for better treatment of inmates. Cynthia’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of community in facing adversity.