The Midwife Model of Actually Caring

This is the story of my jury summons, mostly in pictures of words. I wanted to protect my kid's identity, so please excuse the terrible photoshop job. There is no excuse for me.

 

I wrote in asking to be excused from jury duty on the grounds that I was breastfeeding and it would be a hardship at this time. I received a letter indicating that I needed proof from a doctor.

So I called my pediatrician to get a letter verifying that I am breastfeeding. The nurses on the phone told me they would not ask the doctor to write the letter since I could just as easily pump and find childcare. I argued that it was not the doctor's decision whether or not I should be excused. I only needed the verification for the court to decide. The nurses told me they would ask the doctor, but I wasn't getting my hopes up. Some friends in the birth community said that based on their experience I should be able to get excused and that I should ask my midwife to write the letter. Below is the letter she sent.

 I sent it in. I later recieved this letter from my pediatrician, who I chose because she was reportedly extra supportive of breastfeeding.

 You may be surprised to find out that I did not send this letter in to accompany the one from my midwife. Nonetheless:

And my pediatrician recieved the following letter from me.

P.S. I just wanted to add that I do think stay at home moms should serve, just not when it means huge family upheaval, leaving your young children with someone you barely know, or abandoning a nursling for long hours. Women should have the opportunity to serve no matter what their situation.