I am trying to spread the word for the infertility movement. We need more bloggers, law makers, insurance policy creators, donors, well everyone to get involved! If you live in Washington DC or Atlanta Georgia you can participate in the Walk for Hope. It's is my goal to help create a Walk for Hope in southern California or to at least travel to Scottsdale, Arizona next year so that I can participate. Let's tear down the wall of ignorance together!
I'm participating in Resolve Blogger's Unite program. My Don't ignore post is about PCOS (polycycstic ovarian syndrome) check it out tomorrow.
Infertility is a medical condition, it is a disease that is often overlooked and seldom talked about. I realize that infertility isn't a life threatening disease and so understandably it's not on most people's radar. I don't want to compare infertility with something like cancer as I get that they are very different things. But I would like people to see that infertility is life altering, financially debilitating, and heartbreaking. Being a couple who wishes to have a child and are unable to without medical intervention is awful.
Most insurance plans have little to no infertility coverage which puts a huge financial strain on infertile couples. I pray that this changes in the future so couples will have more options. It is a terrible thing for a young middle-class married couple to have to choose between buying a home for the future, maybe going to grad school or just the chance of having a child. I understand that having a child is a huge expense but it just doesn't seem fair in my mind to have to start out paying 15,000 for something that should be free (natural) or at the very least an intervention that is covered by your insurance plan.
Please don't ignore infertility and find out what you can do to help.
- Don’t ignore opportunities to talk about infertility. Do you blog? Tweet? Teach a health class? Have a book group? Take advantage of opportunities in your daily life to share information about or bring attention to the cause of infertility.
- Don’t ignore legislation affecting infertility patients. Several pending and existing laws encroach upon the rights of the infertile to freely build their families. Help change policy and protect your rights by writing to your representative or attending RESOLVE's Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. on April 25.
- Don’t ignore infertility support available. Infertility is a lonely road, but no one has to travel it alone. Join an online infertility forum or local support group to find a warm, welcoming environment.
- Don’t ignore people struggling with infertility. Reach out to friends or family members struggling with infertility. Ask how you can best support them in their journey.
- Don’t ignore the impact of making a donation. Every cent donated helps bring needed programs and services to women and men with infertility. Sign up for the Walk of Hope or create your own fundraising event in your location.
- Don’t ignore family building alternatives. You can build your family through many paths. During this week, open your mind to options that you had not previously considered.
- Don’t ignore your own strength. If you’re engaged in the fight against infertility, take a moment to recognize your courage and determination, as well as that of the sisters and brothers fighting alongside you.
- http://www.resolve.org/infertility101 (Basic understanding of the disease of infertility.)
- http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/about.html (About NIAW)
