Testimonials

A collection of responses and testimonials from attendees, viewers, and readers from across the globe.

Christen, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience on #ChildfreeChoice. This is something that I personally identify with and have known about myself for as long as I can remember. I have never been able to envision having children like the rest of my friends and I went a long time thinking there was something wrong with me simply because I didn’t see motherhood in my future. I have been judged, questioned, and disrespected by strangers as well as those closest to me. The words, “you’ll change your mind” or “you just haven’t met the right man yet” have haunted me and it was so validating to be reminded that I am not alone.”

—via Facebook message

“…it was so validating to be reminded that I am not alone”

Hi Christen, I just wanted you to know that I’ve watched your video and think you’re an incredibly inspirational person. Choosing to have this belief can make you feel ostracised from society, so it’s so incredibly comforting to know that there are other women out there who are confident enough to say they know how they want to treat their bodies and are in control of their own lives. You’re such a brave person. Thank you.”

—via Facebook message

“Incredibly inspirational”

…I just saw your TED talk and it blew my mind. I’ve never felt more identified with something [or] someone like I did when I listened to you. Thank you. Truly and from the bottom of my heart. I felt like you were talking for me…”
—via Facebook message

“I’ve never…identified with something or someone like I did when I listened to you.”

I just watched your TED talk about choosing not to have children. Thank you. I don’t feel so alone now in my choice to not become a mother.”
—via Facebook message

“I don’t feel so alone now in my choice to not become a mother.”

Hi Miss Reighter, I just saw your Ted Talk about your choice to live child free. Thank you so much for talking about this! I am a thirty year old woman, and I am trying to conceive for five years. Not able to get pregnant really effected me in a negative way; I felt such a failure as a woman and as a spouse. I stopped medical treatments one year ago, and I am trying to find peace with myself and regain my worthiness as a woman. Your talk really helped me. Again, thank you so much and keep up the good work! From Holland, with Love!”

—via Facebook message

“I am trying to find peace with myself and regain my worthiness as a woman. Your talk really helped me.”

Christen, I want to personally thank you for Ted talk on your decision not to have children. I have struggled my whole life with the same societal standards, and being made to feel that I was a lesser human for being a woman that does not want biological children. Your talk has made me feel valid, human, and so very empowered. I needed very much to hear every word you said. Thank you so much for putting your vulnerability aside to share your personal experiences and beliefs. It has made a world of a difference for me. Thank you.”

—via Facebook message

“Your talk has made me feel valid, human, and so very empowered.”

I can’t express how much your TEDx Mile High talk meant to me. I am a woman who, too, never wanted children.

I had debilitating endometriosis and was willing in my late 20s to have everything taken out to stop cycling. After many years, I lucked out and found a doctor that agreed that women should not have to suffer… This allowed me to excel at my career and have a life uninterrupted by pain more days than not.

I had taken to telling people I couldn’t have children because I got so sick of people telling me I would change my mind.

Your talk brought me to tears. I know now I am not alone and I will fight for any woman to make the same choice I did without shame or judgement.”

—via Facebook message

“Your talk brought me to tears. I know now I am not alone…”

My favorite TedTalk of all time.” –Laiken via facebook

“My favorite TedTalk of all time.” –Laiken

One of the most validating and wonderful things I’ve ever watched. This woman gets it. I actually encourage those who DO have kids to watch this so that they may understand… ” — Angela via facebook

“One of the most validating and wonderful things I’ve ever watched. This woman gets it.” — Angela

This is a really good listen. Not all of us want children. It doesn’t mean we’re selfish or anything of the kind. We simply don’t want that lifestyle. There isn’t anything wrong with it. ” — Meghan via facebook

“…A really good listen.” — Meghan

Christen Reighter shares her powerful story about CHOOSING to seek sterilization and the difficulty she experienced trying to use her autonomy in this decision.

“Women aren’t just supposed to have kids..they’re supposed to want to. Motherhood is just an extension of womanhood. Not the definition.”

It’s time to change the narrative of what a woman is SUPPOSED to do, and start accepting the things they WANT to do, without the judgment.” — Ashley via facebook

“Christen Reighter shares her powerful story… It’s time to change the narrative of what a woman is SUPPOSED to do, and start accepting the things they WANT to do, without the judgment.” — Ashley

It’s a story told often enough that it’s familiar to everyone. You tell someone “I don’t want children,” and the reply is “You’ll change your mind.” Well, some people really do not want children. It’s just not something they want for themselves. And that’s fine! Christen Reighter gave an insightful TED Talk on the obstacles women face when they decide not to have children…” — Bellephill – comfort zone via facebook

“Christen Reighter gave an insightful TED Talk on the obstacles women face when they decide not to have children…” — ‘Bellephill-comfort zone’

The doctor telling [Christen Reighter] that he is to decide what she can and should do with her body brings out the feminist in every woman regardless whether of not she is or wants to become a mother.
#feminism #mylifeismine #contraception #speech #women” –Childfree Woman’s Manifesto via facebook

“…brings out the feminist in every woman regardless whether of not she wants to become a mother…” – Childfree Woman’s Manifesto

A brave and important talk by Christen Reighter. Maybe our medical system needs ‘midwives to care for all women, supporting informed choices whether they are having babies or not!” — Malachite Midwives via Facebook

“A brave and important talk by Christen Reighter…” – Malachite Midwives

OMG this brave [woman] has hit upon a MASSIVE societal taboo!! Really well worth a watch, especially if you’re female!!” –Eve via Twitter

“…This brave woman has hit upon a MASSIVE societal taboo!! Really well worth a watch…” – Eve

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