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A teacher from Preston is aiming to raise awareness of the ‘Childless Not By Choice’ community.
Michelle Harrison-Baines, 41, who works at Ashton Primary School found out she could not have children three years ago. After going through different tests for a year, she found out she had premature ovarian insufficiency, which meant her ovaries stopped working.
After receiving the diagnosis at 38-years-old, Michelle said she struggled.
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She said: “In a very pro-natal world, when I found out I couldn’t have children there were reminders all the time – on the TV, in books, everywhere.
“I’m also a primary school teacher so that can be challenging, especially in the run up to Mother’s Day. My job is my outlet to provide maternal love and nurture the children who need it.”
“The first two years I was just trying to accept the future and the situation. In the last 12 months I have become more involved in the community, I want to make sure we aren’t forgotten.”
This year, Michelle is aiming to promote World Childless Week which will take place from 16 – 22 September.
Throughout the week different elements such as the importance of pets, we are worthy and moving forward will be explored through seminars and social media posts.
“It’s all about community support,” Michelle added.
“I’m still struggling but to know there are others going through the same struggles makes me feel heard and more validated.
“It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in this.”
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To deal with her emotions Michelle often listens to the ‘Full Stop’ podcast, hosted by three childless people. She is also attending the Story House Theatre in Chester for a full weekend of support.
She has also reached out to local libraries in the hope of spreading more awareness about people going through the same thing.
“I want people to remember that they’re not alone in what is an incredibly difficult situation. There are people available.”
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World Childless Week was founded in 2017 by Stephanie Joy Phillips, a global event to raise awareness and support people who have not been able to have a child, through no fault of their own. It’s for anyone who is childless despite their longing to be a parent.
In 2021, the World Childless Week Survey revealed that 76% of the childless community felt they lost their identity when they realised they would never be a parent.
Stephanie, who won the Worcester Make A Difference ‘Together Award’ in 2023, said: “It saddens me that there is a need for World Childless Week, but the words and actions of a pronatalist world can reinforce our disenfranchised grief and heighten our sense of feeling worthless.
“I want to see a world of equity where the childless can hold their heads high and share their stories with confidence. I hope World Childless Week highlights how the collective childless voice deserves, and needs, to be heard and acknowledged”.
To find out more you can visit the website.
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