Your eye surgery analogy was good.  Unfortunately, you should have included that the hypothetical eye surgery was in reality cosmetic surgery.  Except for a few medically necessary instances, the vast majority of these genital surgeries are cosmetic.

For all who think that the postings against surgery are mean-spirited, you are wrong.  There is nothing mean-spirited or antagonistic about the postings or us.  Fact is, when I posted the original message, I was careful to make sure it wasn't directed at anyone.  It was only after Kaye posted and made it personal by implying those against surgery needed counseling that it became so.  I was always taught that if you fired a personal salvo at anyone, you should expect for it to be returned.  My only reference to anyone specific was to ask questions; these questions were not answered.  If this surgery is so great, why are those women who had it done and allegedly are happy so quiet?  Where are they?  If they are out there and concerned about us and your daughters, they should be here posting and sharing their stories, just like those of us against do. 

She mentioned consulting many people for and against surgery.  But she isn't willing to share those sources.  As a journalist, I always double-check my sources.  One of the jokes in J-school was that if your mother said she loved you, double check it.  If  I was choosing surgery for my daughter,  I would be damned sure to double-check, and triple check every single iota of information that was put forth.  This is life-altering surgery for the child, and not a few cuts and snips as it is often portrayed.  Your decision today may not impact the child for 20 years.  You may think your 5 year old looks great today, but what will the impact on her sexual function be in 10 years, 20 years?  Not being able to answer that question should be reason enough to postpone radical cosmetic surgery.

She implied that those of us against surgery were having other problems.  Again, that is not the case.  Those of us that are working together to change the status-quo are very well-educated, successful adults.  I am a producer for one of the major tv networks, another is a successful computer programmer, another a successful engineer, another a loving mother.  Our lives beyond working for change encompass all that you could ever want for your child.  The common bond is working to change how your daughter and future children born with CAH are treated.

In fact, myself and others offered research and opportunities to present the evidence.  Not a single person took us up on that offer.  Not a single one!  The silence among those who claim surgery is so necessary    it is deafening and is reflective of what I perceive to be guilt and shame. 

If these doctors believe they are correct in performing these surgeries, they would be out there on the frontlines battling us, in public.  That has not occurred.  We are willing, often overcoming our own shame and fears to present our side in public. We do hear from those in the medical field that believe our position of postponing these cosmetic unnecessary surgeries is correct and necessary.  Why the difference?  Why are those performing these cosmetic surgeries so quiet?

Be well,

Betsy