I would like to take this opportunity to join in with all of you to celebrate Breast Implant Survivors Day this April 1st. What a perfect day on which to recall the tragedy for many of us when these faulty devices were put into our bodies.

It was a cruel joke played on my body, I eventually realised. In 1974 at the age of 24 I had breast augmentation with excellent results. I had my friends over 30 years. That is a whole other story. From the very beginning, I had firmness of the right breast.

I didn't even think about it at that time. No other real problems surfaced for the first ten years or so. So I had thought. Then other things began going wrong. I began experiencing symptoms too numerous to mention. I was finally explanted in 2004 and many of my symptoms have disappeared or lessened. Some still remain the same. I had to eventually give up a fullfilling and strenuous but rewarding career. I am only 55 now. To date, I have been diagnosed with Silicone Related Disorder, Atypical Connective Tissue Disease, Fibromyalgia, Asthma, Pulmonary Hypertension and a host of other health problems including ovarian failure at 35.

I have seen much improvement but will always wonder the toll that my implants took from me. Research is desperately needed for the women past, present and future in regard to these devices. Medical personnel needs to be trained in giving help to those afflicted and knowledge needs to be forthcoming in the treatment of these ailments that affect too many of us.

Thank you in your consideration of our plight and I hope you can help to bring these changes about.

Sincerely, Grace !