NIAW comes to a close

Last Sunday I announced a challenge to all my friends to think about during this past week. To take time to reach out to someone dealing with the pain of infertility during "National Infertility Week", that 1 in 8 of us are living childless not due to choice and suffer everyday with empty arms. To think about what you could do for someone dealing with this pain. I hope some of you responded to this challenge. I thank those of you who did.

For us personally I am saddened, as NIAW came to a end yesterday, that not one of my non-infertility friends/family offered up any words of encouragement to Scott or myself all week long. Most all of you know our story, our journey this past 9yrs, our recent pain over two miscarriages, but during this week we heard not one I am praying for you still, or thinking about you two, a card, a kind word, what can I do to help, how are you doing, etc.

Everyday Scott and I deal with the pain of the disease of Infertility. It doesn't ever go away, we don't just get over it, we can't just adopt, there is no easy cure. What you take for granted we tirelessly save every single penny for, go through countless invasive procedures, medications for just a glimmer of hope.

It maybe that you have a hard time really understanding what we feel so tonight when you hold your child close think about what your life would be like if they where not in it then think about those who deal with infertility and what our pain much be like.

This week has given more resolve to continue my mission to speak out for the thousands that have the disease of infertility, who hide it, who cry alone each month when the results are neg, who deal silently w/mc after mc, those with secondary infertility, those now dealing with difficult pregnancies after years of infertility, with failed adoptions, those who put on a mask when another friend announces their pregnancy and tells them how they don't want another child when all we wish for is to have one and many many other stories I hear every day. It's time the issue comes out of the closet, so to speak.

Infertility is as important as any other disease, we are as Important!!

As NIAW comes to a close, I want to tell all my IF friends around the world, I love you all, I pray for you daily, I am so thankful to have each of you in my lives. Thank you so much for supporting our fundraisers. I am so happy to have been able to bless many of you with wristbands and encouraging items. We need to continue to support each other and not be silent. This last week was all about that. Infertility is Real as my friend Cassie would put it! Together we can make a difference and together we can continue to advocate for better treatments, mandatory insurance coverage, adoption lowing costs/tax breaks, acknowledgement of Infertility and the pain of so many. Have faith my friends and Believe as it is God's will to bless each and every one of us with a child, it says so in his word, everyone who dealt with infertility in the Bible and prayed their prayers where answered, he wants us to be fruitful and multiple. Don't give up hope! Keep praying and believing! In the meantime take time to love yourself, find a purpose to go on each day, God allowed us to have infertility for a greater good, he knows how strong we each are, pray and ask him to show you how you can serve others through this. You may not see the light at the end of the tunnel now but there is one and you will make it to the end with a happy ending!


"Infertility is an invisible disease, one that touches the lives of 7.3 million people in this country. Our invisibility makes it easy for others to dismiss our concerns, our emotions, our struggles – and a cultural silence is cast upon this patient population as a result." ~ Keiko Zoll Infertility Advocate.

1 IN 8

Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples. That means it is very likely that you or someone you know suffers with infertility. It is not like any other disease process out there. For some there will never be an explanation why they can't have children and for others they may know but have no control over fixing the situation. There is no cure for infertility. Doctors can't just give you medicine and fix you and it's over. That means for those struggling with this process they must go through costly testing and taking numerous medications for just the opportunity to get pregnant. This doesn't offer a guarantee of a baby bump but only an OPPORTUNITY to get closer to one. This week is National Infertility Awareness Week. I ask before you ask a couple of child-bearing age who has been together for a while their family intentions, stop a moment and consider that this may be the one in eight and phrase your questions delicately. There is a lot of pain that goes with infertility. Listen with open ears and an open heart. Realize these couples have a hard time talking about their journey to begin with. Realize that some couples may have one child but be struggling to have another. Some couples struggle with secondary infertility. NEVER say it will be ok. Be supportive and just offer to be their friend and be there. It isn't about relaxing. Realize that treatments are very costly so recommending things like IUI, IVF or adoption come with a hefty price tag that most insurances do NOT cover. Imagine what it's like to be broke before you have even gotten in to the hospital room to potentially deliver. Hugs to all my friends that share this journey and to those of you who may sit in silence love to you and your family struggling with acceptance. Thank you all who have been there for us as we have taken this journey. May we all find peace some day where ever our journeys lead us.

NIAW

Tomorrow begins National Infertility Awareness Week!
I want to challenge all my friends to reach out to those dealing with this disease. Send a card/gift, say an encouraging word, pray, do something as 1 in 8 of us are dealing with infertility and chance is you know someone who needs your encouragement this week!