Going through infertility taught me a lot about how to comfort those going through a life crisis. The natural tendency when we hear bad news is often one of discomfort. What will I say? How can I help? What if I say the wrong thing? I think the last one is the most difficult; when people feel that there is a right and wrong this to say to those in need, they choose to say nothing at all- which tends to be even more hurtful. It is good to want to be sensitive and say the right thing, but we need to know that it doesn’t take much to give someone comfort. It doesn’t have to be a long drawn out episode. A phone call to check in,”I’m sorry you’re going through this,” “I’m always here for you.”

People tend to try and relate someones problem with someone else they know who went through a similar situation (death, divorce, illness). This is to offer advice or make conversation; however, it is often hurtful because each person’s situation is different. And, no one wants unneeded advice when going through a crisis.

I have learned that it is those who are suffering that end up having to comfort their loved ones. The people that love us the most hate to see us unhappy and therefore feel helpless. They need to hear that we are going to be “okay.”
Infertility is very devastating and a crisis that is often dealt with in private because so many do not understand the depth of its impact. The grieving and sadness is so complex that it is very hard to relate to. Death or disease are easier to comprehend. We all think about our health and mortality. But, even with these events, many people shy away because of their own discomfort.
That is what I learned about life changing events. Many people simply do not know how to help people who are struggling.

It is important to note that if you have a friend or family member, someone in your community who is going through a life crisis of any sort, the simplest gesture can ease some of the burden of grief. When your friends or family need you the most, work through your discomfort and reach out. Acknowledge the problem. That is key.

Infertility, miscarriage, still birth, a failed adoption, failed IVF, a sick child– all these things are vast in their promise of extreme grief. Let your friend or family member know that you do not understand what they are going through if you have no experience with any of these incidents. I have learned that can sometimes be the best way to help a loved one cope- acknowledge that you know they are going through an awful time, lend your shoulder to cry on and your time to listen to their problems.
It is actually a very simple solution. Just be there. Words aren’t always necessary.

The Petition for Preemies was a success. Now millions of pregnant women and an estimated 11 million children will have much-needed health care coverage.
President Obama signed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) into law.
My heartfelt thanks to the moms and dads, grandparents, and friends who heeded the March of Dimes call to action. Children’s health is not a partisan issue — it’s every family’s issue — and worry. At a time when economic woes and job losses have put health coverage at risk, this law is more necessary than ever.

Dr. Jennifer L. HowsePresident, March of Dimes

Mission of March of Dimes
To improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.

Parent Education
The March of Dimes helps pregnant women know what to worry about and what not to worry about when it comes to having a healthy baby. Through our Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education CenterSM women can get free one-on-one, confidential answers to their questions about pregnancy, preconception, newborn screening and related topics.The Center also provides a wide variety of materials including mama, an annual magazine full of practical and important information for parents-to-be, are available.
Premature Birth
Each year, more than 460,000 babies are born too soon, some so small they can fit in the palm of a hand. Many of these babies must fight just to survive; others will struggle with lifelong health problems. No one knows what causes half of all premature births. No one is working harder than the March of Dimes to find out.

Genetic Research
Genetic birth defects leave our children unable to walk, to hear, to think, or even to fight off disease. March of Dimes investments in genetic research already are starting to yield results. Two March of Dimes-funded grantees have used gene therapy successfully in treating hemophilia and retinitis pigmentosa in the lab, giving hope that we are closer to a cure for these genetic birth defects.

Health Care
No parents should have to choose between feeding their child and buying the medicines he or she needs. Yet, this happens every day in America because more than 9 million children have no health coverage. For many of these children, this means they can’t get preventive checkups, immunizations, or treatment for common childhood illnesses. The March of Dimes is fighting so that all babies, children and pregnant women get health insurance.
Help Us Save Babies You can partner with the March of Dimes by becoming a volunteer or a donor. With your help, we can win the fight to save babies.

Visit their website for more information and the links:
http://www.marchofdimes.com

Throughout the course of my new venture into the non-profit world I have asked myself if I am capable of taking on this huge task. Will I be successful? Can I raise enough money to give people significant grants, grants that will really make a difference? I know that I may have to start with smaller grants and then lead up to more substantial grants, and I think that is okay. But, right now we are such a grassroots operation that it is hard to imagine having a large endowment.

Our first fundraising event is coming up at the end of April. It is my first attempt at raising a large sum of money. It is my first attempt at a lot of things. Luckily I am a good party planner, I planned my wedding, wedding showers, baby showers, etc. I know a lot of things I need to do to make the event enjoyable for the guests; it is getting them there that is the hard part.
My Board members and family are my cheering section, and it helps to have people who believe in you. But, most of all some individuals have reached out to me for advice and guidance. It is nice to know that I am making a difference in someone’s life. I send them to my website and blog where they can read my stories but also find links to many other blogs.

The comments I have received of gratitude and kind words are what will keep me on this path. I have my whole heart in making this a success. There are so many things I want this non-profit to accomplish and I do believe it will; with the help of many people, we will be successful.

This is why the essay contest is very important. Those who feel like they are alone and those who do not understand the complexities of infertility and adoption need to hear stories from other people. I encourage you to submit an essay. Your story can help so many people.

When I first heard about the octuplets I didn’t think much about it. It was another IVF cycle gone wrong- or right. All the babies survived.
I watch Jon and Kate plus 8 and in one episode they went back to the hospital to tell the story of when the babies were born. Kate and the babies were in the hospital for quite awhile because they were in the NICU. Kate said that she and Jon felt guilty because they had six babies that were relatively healthy but a little underdeveloped. Meanwhile they had to stand next to parents whose one baby was clinging to life. I feel that Jon and Kate really appreciate the children they have and realize how lucky they are. They know that their family is special and unique and that there are many people out there who would give anything for just one baby.

This woman who gave birth to the octuplets has no idea the impact she has made on the IF community or the lives of her now 14 children. I am already very suspicious of doctors in the infertility field. Unfortunately this doesn’t help their case. In my medical community it is considered risky to transfer more than 3-4 embryos. I think that is a responsible practice.
I know the IF community is up in arms about this woman who seems to be a little nutty, and they probably should be. I probably should be. I am sad that this is the type of media coverage the IF community gets. This just adds fuel to the fire that those who seek ART are using unnecessary means to become pregnant. This has taken us 10 steps back.
But as with all media coverage, this too shall pass. And, those of us who want our voices to be heard, will continue to make a difference. Little by little the conversation of IF will seep into the American public’s living rooms. It is up to the responsible parties involved to educate the public.

I have to mention that ART and IF are so misunderstood that even Oprah, who I consider a pretty knowledgeable and empathetic person really disappointed me when she had a show on ART last year.
I don’t remember all the details, but I was infuriated. I actually thought that her show was finally going to shed some light on the real pain involved with infertility. The emotional, financial and physical pain. She had a couple on the show who had been trying to conceive unsuccessfully. They showed the woman driving in her big SUV with no car seats and their four bedroom house with the empty nursery. They explained a small portion of the sadness this couple felt because they could not conceive a child.
However, the headliner for the show was Martha Stewart’s daughter- single and just wanting to have a baby. She went on an on about how easy it was to do the shots on herself and that she has spent a gazillion dollars on failed IVF’s. It was enraging because this woman’s story was not the real story of IVF or ART, yet she is the one who got all the attention.
The young couple who had the real story to tell didn’t event make it to the stage. They were the people in the audience that Oprah referred to for a comment. Their sad story was wiped out by the sensation of Martha Stewart’s daughter giving herself injections and saying she would just keep on trying IVF until it worked.
It just proves that we are a long way from public understanding and acknowledgement. We have a lot of work to do.

2009 is the year to build awareness of our grassroots non profit and to build the endowment.
Our goal is to award grants in April of 2010. We are in the midst of planning our fundraising events and marketing the non profit.

One of our fundraising ventures is to print t-shirts. The net proceeds of the sale will go to the foundation. They will be sold on-line and at fundraising events.
We are looking for sponsors of the t-shirts. It could be a business or even a family. The name would appear on the back of the shirt. The sponsorship is $50.00
If you or anyone you know may be interested in being a sponsor to donate to our cause, please contact me at [email protected]

I have been trying to remember what my thoughts were about being a mother as a younger person. I know I was excited about getting married someday and having a family. When I was in high school and college I never thought I would be a stay at home mom. I always defended working moms because my mother worked full time, and I turned out okay. I went to my aunt’s after school and have many great memories of spending time over there. My father owned his own business so he had the flexibility to dress me and give me breakfast before he went to the office. That was important to me, flexibility with child care. And, I wanted to find a caretaker that I knew well and felt very comfortable with.
I looked forward to was teaching my babies Italian. I am Irish but have a love for foreign language and am very fond of the beautiful language of Italian. My BA is in Foreign Language and Literature and I spent a semester abroad in both Siena, Italy and Granada, Spain. I always planned on teaching my kids Italian from a very young age.
This was one dream that I focused on losing as we questioned whether we would have children at all. I don’t get to use my language skills very much, and I really looked at my future kids as a way to enjoy it again and teach them an invaluable skill.
The other thing that hurt (it sounds silly now) was that we wanted to name our children Irish names. When we decided to adopt, we didn’t know if it would be weird to name a Korean or Guatamalen baby a very Irish name. I thought maybe we should name them something that was closer to their heritage. These were our pre-IVF days when we were still confident we would conceive. When we decided to adopt and found out we were having a boy, we agreed to see if our baby looked like a so and so. When we saw his pictures at 5 months old, the name we picked out was such an appropriate name. Maybe it was closure for us due to the ability to fulfill our dreams of parenthood and the plans we had laid out for four years.
So now as I teach Luv Bug a few phrases and words here and there in Italian, I beam with pride. We say “andiamo” (let’s go), vieni qua (come here), merenda (snack). And, as his English explodes and he really starts talking, we can begin to introduce more Italian. I have no idea exactly how to teach a baby another language, but I am trying. Mommy has to study up a little bit, I’m rusty with my vocabulary. When he is old enough, we will introduce him to the Korean classes. I plan on taking them too. If he has no interest, then we won’t continue, but I hope his exposure to other languages at a young age will make him interested in learning his native language.
I am so proud of my beautiful Korean boy with the Irish name that speaks Italian.

The adoption expeense tax credit was modified and extended as part of the tax bill signed into law by President Bush on June 7, 2001.
Answers are based on IRS and Treasury Department Policy Guidelines.

Q: What does the new law provide?
It provides a tax credit (an amount that can be subtracted directly from the taxes you owe) for expenses incurred in the adoption of a child who is not the child of a taxpayer’s spouse.

Q: What are qualifying expenses?
Reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling expenses, and other expenses directly related to the adoption. You may not claim expenses reimbursed by another source such as an employer adoption benefit. However, as of 2007 you may be able to exclude up to $11,390 from your Adjusted Gross Income for adoption expenses paid by your employer.

Q: How much can I claim?
For domestic adoption the credit is $11,390. It is important to note that even if a domestic adoption does not go through, you can still take the tax credit.
For international adoption the credit is $11,390 but it cannot be claimed if the adoption does not go through. The adoption has to be finalized.

Q: Does the tax credit apply per child or per placement (in case of a sibling group is the family entitled to one or two tax credits?)
The tax credit is per child, not per placement; therefore, a family adoptin siblings would receive a credit for each child.

My friends mother lost her battle with cancer last week. She was only 62 years old. The day after she died my friend gave birth to her second girl. Life moves on.
A former classmate of mine died suddenly in his sleep. He was only 33. He has a wife and 2 young children.
Even though death is a part of life, the shock of its occurrence never goes away. Even for those who are ill and the families are able to plan their deaths do not escape the finality of the passing.
One minute we are here, living and the next we are not.
The death of my friend’s mother signals a new chapter in my life as an adult. I am 30 and our parents are getting older. It is a fact that I hate admitting. My dad turned 60 in December and to me he is still very young, but time is more precious than it used to be.
The death of this young man who is essentially my age is unabashedly mind blowing. All I can think of is the wife and children he left behind and the decades he still had left to be with his family. All I can think of is, what if that happens to me? And, it makes me realize that it can happen to me or anyone else I know.
When I was in my 20’s a couple of people I knew died- one in a tragic accident and one was murdered. Murdered. It seemed impossible then and it still seems impossible. He had just turned 26. It was over five years ago but I still cannot believe that this young man died such a horrible death. He had so much to give to the world.
Every day is a gift. My health is a gift. My family and friends are gifts. I have to make it my mantra to be grateful.
As we are devoured by this recession and the pending depression that is predicted, I can’t help but think, who cares. We’ll make it through. As long as we have each other we will get through these tough economic times. My family joked that we would make huge vegetable gardens in our yards and feed ourselves if it got that bad. We have 200 acres of woods- we’ll burn wood for heat.
My heart is heavy for my friend and her family who will be celebrating the life of their mother, wife, friend and grandmother this weekend. My heart goes out to my fellow classmates and community members whose lives are now changed forever, leading a different course without the man they loved the most.

We received our first donation in the mail yesterday. Thank you.
I sent out invitations to our Free networking event in early March. I look forward to meeting people and explaining what our organization does.
There have been many generous donations for our raffle to take place at the Launch Luncheon in spring. Thank you to those contributors.
This is how things start. First with an idea, then with action, and then with a passion to make others believe in your case. I have a wonderful group of people on my Board of Directors. It is amazing to me that people are willing to donate their time, our most precious comodity. Needless to say I cannot do this on my own. Thank you to those supporting me.
I believe that Parenthood for Me will touch the lives of many people, and only time will tell.