I would like to briefly comment on Barbara Clay's note re: charging our
fellow LCs for our time.
I felt it was appropriate to make the point that CHele charges for her
services. I was not judging her for this decision. I applaud anyone who can
make money ...make a living wage, that is, at LC work. I think that these
women are FEW and far between. I think that sometimes the reason for this
is that we, as women mostly, who come at LC work from maybe strong volunteer
backgrounds,...believe in our hearts that it should be free...LC work isn't
really work...and it really is not valuable or something that people should
pay for. This warped idea is readily reinforced by nearly every insurance
company in America. I have a good friend who is a FABULOUS LC. She lives
below the poverty line..is a single parent, and has a hard time emotionally,
charging for her services. She could make more money CLEANING HOUSES...and
the woman is TALENTED.
I guess I have mixed feelings. We ALL give a LOT of ourselves to many
people. As women, this is our nature. We are mothers, giving to children, we
are wives...we do volunteer work...giving giving giving. We also need to
receive, and this is fine. However, there are ways to indicate that there
are fees for service, and it is a personal decision who we charge for our
services.
I believe that it is ok to charge for consults to whomever we wish. I think
that anyone who thinks of calling another consultant should be aware that a
charge will be incurred. This is just information...no judgement ...etc.
In the professional world, I do not know if it is common for one
professional, say a Family practicioner to get charged if he/she calls a
Gastroenterologist for some information. I suspect that no charge occurs.
Can someone enlighten me on this?
However, in a strange world where LC work in undervalued, and
underappreciated, I say, make your own decision, and stick with it.
Just my .02. Kathleen
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Kathleen B. Bruce, BSN, IBCLC, LLL Leader
Co-Owner Lactnet, LLLOL, Corgi-L E-mail lists
LACTNET WWW site: http://www.mcs.com/~auerbach/lactation.html
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