A private optometrist who sees patients in a Pearle Vision Eye Center in New
Hampshire has created quite a stir here in New Hampshire, USA.  Optometrists
in NH use space in Pearle Vision but are not employees of Pearle, I believe.
 In case you don't know it New Hampshire is billed both in it's state charter
and on its license plates as the 'Live Free or Die' State.  At present there
are no laws directly protecting breastfeeding.  I've heard about this
incident through friends and then saw a newspaper article.  It was also on
the news in the past few days.

According to a NH newspaper Debbie Champey was breastfeeding her 8 month old
infant in the examining room at the optometrist's when the female optometrist
walked in, saw her breastfeeding, and started yelling at her.  The mother
said the Dr. told her that what she was doing was extremely inappropriate and
disgusting.  Dr. Schultenover then told her the appointment was over and told
her to leave.  The mother, though angry, begged her to stay since her contact
lens prescription needed renewing.  According to the newspaper the Dr. agreed
to let her stay on the condition she did not touch the child during the
appointment.  It later says that the mother called the store manager about
the incident after which the Dr. called her and told her never to return to
the store!!!!  She also refused to give her prescription!!!!

Personally I wonder if this optometrist experienced abuse or some other
psychological trauma which caused such a strong reaction.  Nonetheless, I
think I will be writing her.  I feel as though I have to walk on tiptoe with
her but at the same time wonder if she'd bother to read any letters sent to
her about this.

Her address is:      Dr. Marcy Schultenover
                                        Pearle Vision Center
                                        Fox Run Mall
                                        50 Fox Run Road
                                        Newington, NH 03801


I'm so astonished about the vehemence of this doc's reactions that I'm still
at a loss for words.

Mardrey Swenson
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