IVF comments were cruel (From Oxford Mail)

IVF comments were cruel

4:42pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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IN REFERENCE to your story on 24-year-old Clare Cousins who has been refused IVF on the NHS (OxfordMail, July 2), I felt I must write to say how disgusted I was at ‘Lady Penelope’s’ comments about “nature I’m afraid”.

I was denied treatment on the NHS for a long-term condition requiring chiropractic to be able to live a normal and pain-free life.

I, too, get annoyed with the NHS lottery as my treatment is offered elsewhere on the NHS.

But Lady Penelope’s comments were cruel, crass and very disparaging.

I too lived with infertility, unable to afford IVF and well know and understand the pain Clare is going through.

I understand the lack of NHS funding (too many managers, not enough cash) but adoption is not as easy as Penelope thinks.

However, it was even harder when I and my first husband were refused – we never knew why, nor did our social worker, health visitor or GP.

Surrogacy is another option, but to hold your own child has to be the most wonderful of all experiences – I hope Lady Penelope never suffers infertility if she ever wants children, that is.

She should apologise to Clare immediately.

Infertility is hell – we went to hell and back to try and conceive. My heart goes out to Clare. I hope some day she does achieve her dream of motherhood and has a baby. I’m used to it at 61, but the feelings don’t go away.

DOROTHY HOLLOWAY Wenrisc Drive Minster Lovell

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