UPDATE/Re: Painful Sex on the ABC News Site tonight- PLEASE READ AND COMMEN

[Guest guest]

I had my PT today with Raquel Perlis who is mentioned in the ABC

article. And I found out the whole scoop on it. It happened (the article) because

of Raquel - she has been trying to get some press on the subject for the last

fifteen years. And it is not because she needs the patients, she cannot take

all the ones that are calling now. And she wanted me to tell everyone how sorry

she is that she cannot accommodate everyone (she has a back log of almost four

months now for new patients) – there is not enough hours in the day and

she is one of the few PT’s that take insurance plus she has built up a

great reputation. She has helped women for 15 years and has been in physical

therapy (and total PT) for almost 30 years

But back to the article, she wanted me to tell everyone how

happy she was that we were writing in comments, because that is the only way

that we can get the word out on the condition. And when I mentioned to her how

unhappy we were because the article was so concentrated on the sexual part, she

totally agreed and was upset with the slant also. And the reason why – I just

couldn’t believe this – the TV station would not write it unless it

was concentrated on the sexual aspect because they said it was not important enough

of condition to write about (in general as a medical condition). Raquel said

they (ABC) agreed to the article as long as SEX was the main focus,

because anytime any one reads the words SEX, they would continue reading the

article (because it caught their interest). Also she was told not to mention chronic

pain, as people are afraid of pain, and do not want to hear or read about it.

And also some of the comments that Dr. said in the article was from her

as she was interviewed independently, so her words are her own, whether we

agree with them or not.

nne

From: VulvarDisorders

[mailto:VulvarDisorders ] On Behalf Of Chelle

Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:30 PM

To: VulvarDisorders

Subject: Re: Re: Painful Sex on the ABC News Site tonight- PLEASE

READ AND COMMEN

Lindsey wrote:

>>>>>>Re that dumb guy that said all the

women he has been with have vv, I reported him for inappropriate

comments.

I did that too, Lindsey. I agree

wholeheartedly! I hope that many more have actually 'written' to

ABC about their own story (instead of just the comments page).

It's amazing how over the last few months we've had more

awareness than ever. Hugs, Chelle

[Guest guest]

>>>>>>>Raquel said they (ABC) agreed to the article as long as SEX was the main focus, because anytime any one reads the words SEX, they would continue reading the article (because it caught their interest). Also she was told not to mention chronic pain, as people are afraid of pain, and do not want to hear or read about it. nne, I'm very glad that Raquel pushed and was able to get an article like that published...with that being said... How awful that the Media cannot do anything without trying to SELL SEX. I should not be surprised, considering that they cannot even sell shampoo or similar products without using something sexual. Stinks! Also, I would say the 16% of women who suffer from Vulvar Pain don't mind reading about 'chronic pain' considering we live with it (and what about the effects on our families) everyday. The only way we will change these misconceptions is to respond to the articles we see and tell the effects on our lives. If you've not already, I encourage you to go to the article and not only comment...but send ABC a direct email about 'your story' and the PAIN you experience on a daily basis! Hugs, Chelle