You wrote: I just want to simply say that
this ithe reality of politicing, I reiterate we should not base our judgements
on fear. As the midwives and women before us fought for their 'causes'
that is history. We just continue on a united pathway to make our
political stance on the issues that concern us.
I am an optimist, I don't not feel like I am one
of an oppressed minority. I am very lucky, I belong to
some healthy, active groups such as Maternity Coalition, Australian
Society of Midwives and Maternal & Child Health. I provide a service
for many wonderful women and their families, who make me feel very wanted and
special. I do not feel like my livlihood is under threat because women
are asking for the services of a midwife and I have right to challenge and
appeal any unfavourable situation.
We just need to keep up the good work and the
women will make the necessary decsions about our livlihood, without them there
is a problem for independent midwifery. I have just spent two weeks in
Sydnet and the phones are running hot, calls from women all over the place
wanting their own midwife for homebirth and hospital birth. The market
is alive and well when we do not let ourselves become envelopted by fear and
frustration. T
I don't feel 'they' are out to get me, in
fact no one is infallible. We need to support each other.
Think of the wonderful years of midwifery so far and think of the wonderful
stats that prevail. I also believe that we cannot expect the legal
profession to work pro bono for us especially in this economic climate when
students have to pay for their education, women pay for private services, we
pay for service. We earn a living and in this society we pay for services,
unless we can arrange some sort of bata arrangement.
Hope this leaves us on a brighter note, to keep
plugging away "progressing" as it were, and win over some of the politicians
who just don't understand the reality and depth of our work, by presenting
ourselves as the wonderful people we are.
Robyn
