The deadline is rapidly approaching and Intact America needs your help right now. They are asking those who oppose circumcision to share their stories, and will make sure these personal testimonials are heard by the Joint Committee on Tuesday. This as a unique opportunity for those who feel strongly about this issue to have their voices heard and influence decision-making. Whether you or a loved one has been harmed by circumcision, now is the time to give your statement. In fact, Ms. Chapin says anyone who opposes the practice can and should speak up now.
Intact America has made submitting your testimony for Tuesday’s meeting really easy. Just click the link at the end of this post and you can share your story or opinion via the Intact America site. I will be submitting my testimony in this way and encourage those reading this post who oppose circumcision to do the same. It will only take a few minutes. Submissions must be in before Tuesday.
As a psychiatrist, I am in the unique position of seeing the emotional devastation that circumcision can cause for those who have undergone this horrific experience. Many still think that if we don’t consciously remember traumatic events from infancy and early childhood, they don’t effect us. I know otherwise. In the course of the unique form of therapy that I practice, long repressed feelings and emotions that result from early painful, traumatic experiences are often relived. I know this is difficult to believe, especially for those who are unfamiliar with this method of treatment, but I have watched men in therapy re-experience their circumcisions, wide-eyed with terror and writhing in pain. There is no mistake about this. The circumcision experience has been locked within them throughout their lives and has adversely effected many aspects of their functioning. Thankfully, with therapy, they are often able to overcome this trauma and lead happier lives.
To submit your testimony click here.
To submit your testimony click here.
In appreciation of blog followers who make their statement to the Massachusetts State Senate, I will send them the first-of-its-kind official “Wilhelm Reich Today” coffee travel mug! The mug says:
If Not Now--When?
“Wilhelm Reich Today”
orgonomist.blogspot.com
Just email a note to info@thewilhelmreichcenter.com saying you have submitted your testimony, along with your name and shipping address, and your mug will be sent to you. Unfortunately, due to the cost of shipping, this offer has to be limited to those who live within the contiguous United States.
Thank you, Dr. Schwartzman, for telling your truth about this. I am a psychology student, and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to hear another therapist acknowledge this trauma. I was amazed to discover in school that so many psychology professors will not even discuss this topic.
ReplyDeleteThe best book I ever read on the subject was called "Questioning Circumcision a Jewish Perspective" by Dr. Ron Goldman, Director of the Circumcision Resource Center in Boston.
This is his page
circumcision.org
Thank you again for your work.
Caroline, thanks for mentioning my book. Some readers of this page may be also interested in my other book, Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma, located at http://www.circumcision.org/cht.htm. We'll be at the hearing in Boston on March 2.
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