Power Grant (institutional grant for carrying out the group’s mission).

About the group

For many reasons, if only due to lack of menstruation, “stoneless” women feel excluded from “women’s circles” and common experiences. The uterus and vagina – that we do not have – do not define who we are, and the sense of femininity is not located in the genitals.

Stoneless Foundation was established to support women and persons with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH syndrome is a congenital lack or incomplete development of the uterus and/or vagina). It is estimated that there may be about 4,500 Stoneless persons in Poland, who may or may not describe themselves as intersex. Stoneless people are exposed to traumatic experiences related to medical examinations due to non-compliance with the right to intimacy, lack of access to rehabilitation equipment (dilators), as well as limited knowledge of MRKH, which often leaves them without any information about their health.

In our self-help group there are approx. 350 stoneless persons. The group is a safe space dedicated only to people with MRKH syndrome. There, they exchange experiences, ask questions, and make friends. They gain understanding and receive support that are important to them.

About the action

Stoneless offer support to people with MRKH syndrome – from running a self-help group to the possibility of co-financing medical, psychological, urophysiotherapeutic visits and rehabilitation equipment. They also offer intervention support to individuals and families who have just received a diagnosis. Thanks to the exchange of knowledge and experience with other Stoneless, they managed to create a list of recommended doctor’s offices. They also care a lot about annual in-person meetings dedicated to the whole community. 
The group also conducts educational activities: it creates brochures and leaflets, conducts trainings for medical students who want to learn from the experience of the patient group, organizes lectures in medical academies and in conferences.

Grant amount: PLN 80,000

Photo: Maria Kniaginin-Ciszewska