pidgejen
12-13-07, 04:55 PM
Hello,
I have been referred to Dr. Donald Zimmerman at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago by Dr. Joel Frader. I have an upcoming appointment on December 28th. I was wondering if you knew anything about Dr. Zimmermans' ethics when it comes to treating intersexed patients. Maybe you know him personally or have read up on him in the past? I feel as though he may have been involved with some of my earlier "treatments" when I was younger and still a patient of the hospital. I did a quick google of his name, and there is a quote of his that seems to be circulating around. In it, he explains that while it might be better to let intersex children grow up and decide their own gender, societal pressures don't allow this luxury. Thus, "ambiguous genitalia should be viewed as a serious condition with significant impact on future life and emotional health (2001)."
He also continues on to comment on the fact that many children who have had reconstructive surgery grow up to have "satisfying sexual relationships." This familiar rhetoric, that labels intersexuality as a serious condition and overlooks the dangers of surgery, forces me to put my guard up. Though, I do understand that people's ideas about the treatment of intersexuality do change. I want to know if you know whether or not Dr. Zimmerman's ideas have evolved in the past 6 years. I am pretty much willing to give everyone a chance at this point (especially because I don't have health insurance and Childrens is seeing me for "free"). So I ask of you to share with me any information you may have about this doctor.
* I tried to call and talk to him myself, and the woman who answered! the phone said I couldn't do that. So I left a message with a nurse, and am waiting for one to call me back.
Happy Holidays,
Jen in Chicago
I have been referred to Dr. Donald Zimmerman at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago by Dr. Joel Frader. I have an upcoming appointment on December 28th. I was wondering if you knew anything about Dr. Zimmermans' ethics when it comes to treating intersexed patients. Maybe you know him personally or have read up on him in the past? I feel as though he may have been involved with some of my earlier "treatments" when I was younger and still a patient of the hospital. I did a quick google of his name, and there is a quote of his that seems to be circulating around. In it, he explains that while it might be better to let intersex children grow up and decide their own gender, societal pressures don't allow this luxury. Thus, "ambiguous genitalia should be viewed as a serious condition with significant impact on future life and emotional health (2001)."
He also continues on to comment on the fact that many children who have had reconstructive surgery grow up to have "satisfying sexual relationships." This familiar rhetoric, that labels intersexuality as a serious condition and overlooks the dangers of surgery, forces me to put my guard up. Though, I do understand that people's ideas about the treatment of intersexuality do change. I want to know if you know whether or not Dr. Zimmerman's ideas have evolved in the past 6 years. I am pretty much willing to give everyone a chance at this point (especially because I don't have health insurance and Childrens is seeing me for "free"). So I ask of you to share with me any information you may have about this doctor.
* I tried to call and talk to him myself, and the woman who answered! the phone said I couldn't do that. So I left a message with a nurse, and am waiting for one to call me back.
Happy Holidays,
Jen in Chicago