Subject: Open Letter to Triple M

Dear Triple M,

I want to begin by expressing my frustration with how challenging it is to reach out to anyone at your organization. It feels as if there’s a deliberate effort to make it hard for individuals like me to voice our concerns. However, I refuse to be silenced and will pursue any means necessary to communicate about the repulsive comments made by your employee. As his employer, you are obligated to take responsibility, and your lack of accessible communication channels suggests an attempt to evade accountability. I’ve had three emails bounce back, including the one listed on Marty Sheargold’s Instagram account ([email protected]), which appears to be invalid.

Additionally, I found various chairman email addresses through a simple online search. Are you intentionally disabling email communication regarding this issue? Are you trying to conceal the reality of this situation?

While I realize that Marty may never see this, I hold you as a public entity accountable for not allowing a million women to be belittled and labeled as mentally unstable due to a recognized medical condition like Endometriosis. When Mr. Sheargold commented on the matter, it was a direct insult to many women who have suffered job loss, relationship struggles, fertility issues, and even suicidal thoughts due to their symptoms. Personally, at 30 years old, I’ve lost an ovary and both of my fallopian tubes, leaving IVF as my only option to conceive. I’ve endured severe blood clots from the hormones required to manage my symptoms, which have caused lasting damage to my lymphatic system, resulting in pain and swelling. By the end of March, I will be undergoing surgery to remove 25 centimeters of my lower bowel due to Endometriosis. Yet, as Marty stated, I’m merely “carrying on.”

During the segment, he mentioned using Voltaren for his back pain and borrowing a colleague’s hot pack for period cramps. I can assure you that he has never faced the struggle of being dismissed by doctors when seeking treatment for pain associated with Endometriosis. Women with this condition often battle to receive appropriate pain management. I’ve been labeled a drug seeker simply for requesting medication stronger than paracetamol. A man like him, however, can easily discuss his ailments with a physician and receive prompt care. There have been countless occasions when I’ve been in an emergency room, bleeding heavily, yet a male patient with a minor issue receives multiple doses of opioids, while I’m given only a single Endone and sent home. I have a diagnosis from two separate gynecologists confirming my stage 4 Endometriosis.

Marty’s ignorance about women’s health is evident. He speaks from a place of privilege where he can simply narrate his health issues and receive the necessary attention. Women do not share that same experience. To trivialize a well-documented condition as “women carrying on” is reprehensible, and I won’t cease my efforts until he understands that he is no better than anyone else. Women are strong, and we do not forget.

A mere resignation isn’t sufficient for someone like him. I would challenge him to spend time in a women’s health ward to witness firsthand the pain and suffering women endure. In fact, I’d invite him to accompany me to my appointments and surgeries in March, in the hope that he might gain a better understanding for the sake of his daughters and wife.

As for you, Triple M, it’s clear you have significant damage control to manage, along with the need to educate your team members who laughed at these despicable remarks. Perhaps adding more diverse voices to your panel could provide women with a platform to speak out against such abhorrent comments.

Sincerely,

A very dissatisfied woman battling a disease that has drastically impacted my life.

P.S.

I’ve anticipated the responses from individuals, and they reflect the very real issues we face: “They fired him; what else do you want?” “You sound like a Karen.”