Betty, a contestant on the BBC’s “Race Across the World,” has been praised for discussing her diagnosis of Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser syndrome (MRKH) on this week’s show. MRKH affects one in every 5,000 women, according to the NHS, and primarily affects the reproductive system, with women either born without a vagina and uterus, or with underdeveloped organs.
Betty shared her story to increase awareness of MRKH and “represent people who have grown up in constant doubt of themselves,” according to a post on X. Betty was diagnosed with the condition after turning 16 and was partnered with her brother James for “Race Across the World.”
“As a young woman, you’re kind of told ‘you’re going to marry, you’re going to have a family’,” Betty said on Wednesday’s episode. “From a young age, when that’s taken away from you, it does put doubts in your mind and doubts in your purpose as a person.” Betty has only one kidney and does not have a uterus or womb.
Charlie Bishop, director of peer-led charity MRKH Connect, said Betty’s disclosure on the programme was “incredible.” Charlie herself was diagnosed with MRKH at 17 and said that the biggest challenge for her was the impact on her mental health. “It took a very long time to process that and several years to understand what it meant for me,” said Charlie, who added that conversations around infertility, children, and sex can be especially difficult.
The scene on Wednesday’s programme made people within the MRKH community feel “touched” by seeing such a raw discussion about the condition on TV. Charlie hopes it will raise awareness of the condition and “build on what Betty has started.” She underlined the importance of normalizing such discussions and helping people feel more comfortable around sensitive topics
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