This is a webinar in which childless health professionals discuss issues that may impact those who are affected by chronic illness or disability. Including physical, psychological, social and financial aspects of health conditions, this webinar will acknowledge the difficulties experienced and how these can raise unique challenges and needs for the childless community.
They will highlight how childlessness if often a result of chronic illness or disability and the fact this can be experienced as a “double grief”.
The webinar will explore how healthcare systems intersect with chronic illness and disability and issues that can arise for the childless community.
It also intends to explore systems and technology available to enhance independence and autonomy including the use of telehealth, telecare and advocacy services. It will also include planning for a future that encompasses our wishes and direction incorporating legal issues such as power of attorney and advanced care planning.
DATE: Tuesday 15th September
TIME: 7.00pm BST - Find your timezone HERE
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR HERE
Please note: Whilst the panellists will be recorded, your camera and audio will be turned off. If you are unable to attend the webinar live, you DO NOT need to register to watch the replay. Just subscribe to the World Childless Week YouTube channel and you’ll be notified when new recordings are added.
PANELLISTS
Elaine Ritchie - UK
I’m a nurse from Kent in the UK. Having qualified in 1994, I have been a nurse for over 30 years and have worked in many areas of nursing. I have spent much of my career nursing people with cancer and those at the end of life. I have worked in the private sector and the NHS, and I currently remain a registered and practising nurse within the NHS.
I am childless not by choice due to circumstance and a long gynaecological history which resulted in a hysterectomy a few years ago. I live with and am servant to my cat Oscar who has been by my side throughout my childless grief.
As a nurse I wasn’t aware of the impact of childlessness until I was affected myself, it’s not something we are commonly made aware of in the health professions. I see the unique needs and vulnerabilities of the childless community and want to work to ensure that we are seen and represented in healthcare. I want to help enable us to receive inclusive support and care when we need it and at what is often extremely vulnerable and stressful times.
Ruth Guest - UK
I am a GP with an interest in women’s health and live in Scarborough in the UK, a seaside town on the Yorkshire coast. I am childless not by choice having had a miscarriage and fertility issues. I qualified as a doctor in 1993 and have been a GP for nearly 30 years, treating people of all ages with every conceivable health problem.
I discovered the childless tribe when buried emotions finally made themselves known a couple of years ago. Even as a doctor I had never heard the phrase childless not by choice or of the deep emotional trauma connected to it. I care passionately about raising awareness of childlessness amongst medical professionals and am seeking ways to do that.
I am trying to be a poet and a potter and often find refuge in creativity. My husband and I are happily held hostage by a very lazy greyhound
