It's show time people! One of the most frustrating things for me over the last three years (besides of course not being able to get pregnant without LOTS of medical help), is the current state of awareness and support for those who are dealing with the disease of infertility. I think we still need more high profile people (i.e. celebrities) who are willing to tell their stories and advocate for the cause (especially after they've had their babies), much like breast cancer had in the 1970's with First Lady Betty Ford, which was then followed by the formation of numerous high profile charities who were and are focused solely on the cause. Before this time, it was terribly taboo to even discuss this form of cancer and research and support were few and far between. Hard to imagine now with everything bathed in pink for the entire month of October...
It disappoints me greatly that not one, but the last THREE of the last first ladies (Clinton, Bush, and Obama) had to deal with infertility in order to have their daughters, but not a one of them (to my knowledge) have done anything more than to mention their difficulties in passing in interviews or memoirs. I wonder how much farther along we would be in our evolution as a society if more people were brave enough to step out and make this an important issue for anyone who has or wants a family, which I think most people agree is one of the most fundamental aspects of life.
Thankfully there are some advocacy groups actively working to promote the rights of the infertile, who often struggle in silence and are forced to make decisions about their medical care and whether or not they have children based on what their family is able to afford. A new bill called The Family Act of 2011 has now been introduced in the U.S. Senate (as of last Friday) by Sen. Kristin Gillibrand of NY (D) and it needs co-sponsors and supporters in the only slightly Democratically controlled Senate. The aim of the bill is to make equitable the ability of those treating infertility (or preserving fertility due to cancer) and those who have chosen to adopt to receive tax credits for the costs associated with building their families. I have always said that no one should have to mortgage their future to have a family, it just doesn't make sense. It is rare to have any indication in advance that you will have to deal with infertility, so it's not like you know to start saving before you are in the midst of the storm.
Please take the time to write to your two U.S. Senators (see link above, Resolve has made it super easy but please add your story) to ask them to support (and co-sponsor) this bill. Even if we are not able to get this passed, then at least we are making progress in educating our legislators about the importance of helping those who, through no fault of their own, are faced with large medical expenses (often uncovered by insurance) in order to try to have a family. Thank you.
Family Act FAQ
Overview of The Family Act
It disappoints me greatly that not one, but the last THREE of the last first ladies (Clinton, Bush, and Obama) had to deal with infertility in order to have their daughters, but not a one of them (to my knowledge) have done anything more than to mention their difficulties in passing in interviews or memoirs. I wonder how much farther along we would be in our evolution as a society if more people were brave enough to step out and make this an important issue for anyone who has or wants a family, which I think most people agree is one of the most fundamental aspects of life.
Thankfully there are some advocacy groups actively working to promote the rights of the infertile, who often struggle in silence and are forced to make decisions about their medical care and whether or not they have children based on what their family is able to afford. A new bill called The Family Act of 2011 has now been introduced in the U.S. Senate (as of last Friday) by Sen. Kristin Gillibrand of NY (D) and it needs co-sponsors and supporters in the only slightly Democratically controlled Senate. The aim of the bill is to make equitable the ability of those treating infertility (or preserving fertility due to cancer) and those who have chosen to adopt to receive tax credits for the costs associated with building their families. I have always said that no one should have to mortgage their future to have a family, it just doesn't make sense. It is rare to have any indication in advance that you will have to deal with infertility, so it's not like you know to start saving before you are in the midst of the storm.
Please take the time to write to your two U.S. Senators (see link above, Resolve has made it super easy but please add your story) to ask them to support (and co-sponsor) this bill. Even if we are not able to get this passed, then at least we are making progress in educating our legislators about the importance of helping those who, through no fault of their own, are faced with large medical expenses (often uncovered by insurance) in order to try to have a family. Thank you.
Family Act FAQ
Overview of The Family Act
2 comments:
Thank you for this post! I had no idea that all three of the past first ladies went through IF treatment.
Thanks for the info!
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