Monday, May 10, 2010

Link to Fox 13 News Piece

I did an interview for Fox 13 News, you can leave comments here too:
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/510-breastfeeding-stirs-controversy-at-schoolLink

I appreciate everyone's support!

14 comments:

  1. I commented.

    The ignorance out there is truly astounding. I really can't get over some of those comments! It just goes to show how important raising awareness is!!!

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  2. thought you may appreciate this:
    http://www.thecowgoddess.com/rampant-breastfeeding-classic/

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  3. Melissa, I sent a note to the school board and recieved a letter that I think is from the lawyer. It's long winded, but I'd like to share it. Would it be ok to post it in comments?

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  4. Melissa, I just read the news article and it sounds like you may have already gotten the same info from the email. Nevermind! :)

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  5. I love how when the press gets involved they backpedal, Oh no we weren't saying she couldn't do it there, "We just offered something that would be more private, and quieter,"


    Good on you for calling them out on this and raising a stir!

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  6. I commented on the article and sent off a quick email to the school board. Keep up the good work!

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  7. I'm glad to see this in the media, and I'm glad to see that the spokesman was already backpedaling. You go, mama!

    As to the comments on the Fox website -- oh my gosh!! Are people really that ignorant and deluded?? It's a wonder the human race hasn't died out from stupidity!

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  8. The comments on that article make me sick to my stomach. I've never been asked to cover up or go somewhere else while nursing, and I guess I never knew how absolutely hateful people could be about it!! I think it's wonderful that you are encouraging people to be more supportive of breastfeeding. Even if you change just one mind then this will all have been worth it.

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  9. Oh my gosh, I am so thrilled with your local Fox affiliate! They took all the hatred from the original story and created a new story that supports extended breastfeeding! Absolutely amazing!!

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  10. I'm an elementary school nurse and would be horrified at the terrible public health example set by the principal. I sent a letter to the school board, weighing in with an opinion from a school nurse. It's too long to post as a comment here so you can find it as a blog post here: http://mamadoodlemusings.blogspot.com/2010/05/would-they-ask-her-to-leave-if-she-gave.html

    Best wishes!
    -Teresa (at the other corner of the country in Seattle)

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  11. Seriously!! Put those things away!

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  12. I am SURE Ms. Rattray was sensitive to the need for you to breastfeed. I am sure she was attempting to redirect the location to provide you some privacy and also to ensure that other children are not redirected trying to watch.

    You REALLY are making a big deal out of nothing. Honestly, find another soapbox, cause this is really disgraceful.

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  13. Seriously "Anonymous"?? What is truly disgraceful is that this should be an issue at all. It is so very sad that breastfeeding a baby (or even...gasp...a toddler) creates controversy. A sad commentary on our society, indeed. =-(

    Thank you Melissa, for speaking out! You are an amazing woman!

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  14. Hi Melissa,
    I noticed on the link to the Florida Law that you can file a complaint with the Attorney General and I sincerely hope that you do.
    This is the link to the complaint form. I applaud you for standing up for your (and all mother's) legal rights to breastfeed in public.
    As was shown the other night on "What Would You Do?" on ABC, many are unaware of the law and this would be an excellent reminder.

    For the ignorant commentators on the article and above on your blog, you are not making a big deal out of nothing. A law was violated. It matters not that the ignorant disagree with the law, it is the law. If all parents are allowed to be in a specific area of the school to wait for a student, it is an area that you are allowed to nurse in. The lawyer is being intimidating in the hopes that you will back off but like all cases of this nature, if you go to court, you will win.

    Look at this precedent in Boca Raton where the restaurant was actually apologetic. The company claims they settled because they knew she would lose but everyone knows that if you know you're going to win a lawsuit, you don't settle.
    http://www.nrn.com/breakingNews.aspx?id=347090

    It should be noted that Florida was one of the first states to pass the comprehensive Nursing Law in 1993.

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