Ziah McKinney

FSD- BADT (Full Spectrum Doula)
Ziah

Ziah McKinney

FSD- BADT (Full Spectrum Doula)
Advocate Location
Stone Mountain , GA 30083
Specialty
Medical Guidance
Other Services
Survivor Support
TeleAdvocacy Available
Offers FREE Initial Consultation
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*Greater National Advocates Terms of Use Apply
How I Can Help
Patient Advocacy | Health Education | Doula Support

I offer compassionate, trauma-informed advocacy, education, and support for people living with complex, chronic, or often misunderstood health conditions—especially Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), dysautonomia (like POTS), and related disorders. I specialize in making complicated medical information easier to understand and more relevant to your day-to-day life—like, “What does that diagnosis or medical term actually mean for me?” My goal is to bridge the gap between you and your healthcare providers so you can feel more informed, confident, and truly heard.

My approach is inclusive and affirming of Disabled, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and reproductive health communities. I specialize in helping clients prepare for appointments, understand medical information, track symptoms, organize health records, and communicate effectively with care teams.

Whether you're facing a new diagnosis, advocating for reproductive or gender-affirming care, or simply trying to make sense of conflicting medical advice, I’m here to help you move forward with clarity and support.

Services include:

* Appointment prep & symptom tracking
* Navigation of EDS and related issues, including navigating a possible diagnosis
* Full Spectrum Doula support such as pregnancy, birth, postpartum, fertility, and loss
* Organizational preparation for surgery and recovery
* Medical binder organization & evidence-based birth plan creation
* Connecting with knowledgeable, affirming providers
* Health literacy education via workshops and guides I have written on my specialty topics
* Teaching advocacy skills to promote independence

You don’t have to do this alone. I'm here to support you every step of the way—because everyone deserves accessible, respectful, and empowering healthcare.
Important Information About Me
  • I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
  • I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
  • I am insured
  • My geographical area of practice is Telehealth/ Virtual Appointments Internationally, In Person Appointments in the Greater Metro Atlanta area
My Survivor Support Advocacy Qualifications
I am a survivor of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Autism, Long Covid, Pregnancy Loss
I am a survivor of undiagnosed hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), dysautonomia, mast cell disorders (MCAS), Long COVID, and Autism. In addition to my own lifelong ignored and misdiagnosed issues that caused a myriad of setbacks in my life, I have been the caregiver of family members, now for 4 generations, undergoing complex, misdiagnosed issues... until I learned about EDS in my mid 40s.
Why I Became A Professional Health Care Advocate
My journey into patient advocacy began in childhood, accompanying my single mother to medical appointments as she struggled with complex, misunderstood health conditions. I spent my early years in clinics and community health spaces, witnessing firsthand how marginalized people- especially women, disabled folks, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities -often receive fragmented or dismissive care. As a disabled Queer woman myself, I’ve experienced those same barriers. Due to my patient advocacy training I received through family support programs at hospitals, I helped uncover my family’s genetic condition, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). I have since pursued over 150 hours of medical education through the EDS ECHO Program and continue to participate in the monthly Clinician EDS ECHOs. I'm also a certified Full Spectrum Doula and Evidence Based Birth® Instructor, supporting clients across the reproductive spectrum with a focus on autonomy, health literacy, and inclusive care. My work is deeply personal, based on the belief that no one should have to navigate complex health systems alone. I’m here to help others feel seen, heard, and empowered in their care.
Contact Advocate
Formal Education
University of Houston, BA 1991
Faith Experience
  • Christianity
  • Islamism/Muslim
  • Hinduism
  • Judaism
  • Atheism
Additional Skills
I have experience with a wide range of complex health conditions and patient needs, including:

* Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
* Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other forms of dysautonomia
* Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
* Long COVID
* Gastrointestinal issues like diverticulitis, gastroparesis and food allergies
* Neurodivergent and Autistic/ADHD individuals and those with anxiety navigating healthcare
* Complex undiagnosed conditions and long diagnostic journeys
* Gender-affirming care, including navigating provider relationships, informed consent, and transition-related healthcare
* Pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care- including Disabled and high-risk pregnancies
* Infant feeding, particularly early breastfeeding/bodyfeeding challenges
* Mediating between midwives and patients with EDS and other disabilities to support safe homebirth options

Whether through one-on-one advocacy or community education, I’m passionate about making healthcare more accessible, respectful, and empowering for those often overlooked or misunderstood in medical spaces.
Professional Affiliations
Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Educator- Disability Specialist, Birthing Advocacy Doula Training- Full Spectrum Doula (specializing in from fertility/health literacy to postpartum and infant care, specializing in supporting people with Disabilities), EDS ECHO Program 150+ Hours, Licensed Massage Therapist, Only Doula in the Ehlers Danlos Society Healthcare Professional Listing, Created 4 EDS Guides for Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, and Infant Feeding, specializing in presentations on "Disability & Birth" and "Navigating the Medical World with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome" for both clinicians and patients, began Patient Advocacy with training for family members at various hospitals starting in 1999.