March 3, 2002

Dear Sir,

Through your column those of us who have had mastectomies would like to thank Mrs. Kim Young, MP for asking if the importation of our special bras would be included in those items which would be duty free.

I was saddened but not surprised by the Hon. Eugene Cox's reply that duty free items would apply to appliances used to compensate for disabilities, not for surgery.

No doubt no one in Mr. Cox's family has had a mastectomy.

Should Mr. Cox have his penis removed because of cancer I am sure that he would apply for a duty free prosthesis. Due to wear and tear it would last only about two years just as our breast prosthesis do. He would not require a wig, special hats, bras, two prosthesis as we who have lost both breasts because of cancer or as a precautionary measure do. He would not require a special prothesis because he has had a lumpectomy. He would not require special hats, bathing suits, night clothes nor covers for the prosthesis.

How fortunate that he is a man.

Mr. Cox, we may not have suffered a disability, but we have suffered from a handicap.

Our breast cancer support group Just Between Us and our trained visitor group Research to Recovery would be pleased to have you attend one of our monthly meetings. Also we would be pleased to send you a catalogue from the American Cancer Society or Jodee so that you could see the many items we require for our well-being.

MARY E. WILLIAMS

Paget