The men who build the future are those who know that greater things are yet to come, and that they themselves will help bring them about. Their minds are illuminated by the blazing sun of hope. They never stop to doubt. They haven’t time. — Melvin Evans
The only thing I would add to this quote is “The men AND women”. As I prepare for my first advocacy day attendance in Washington DC my mind is illuminated by the same blazing sun of hope that Mr. Evans describes.
I keep wondering what I am going to say when I walk into the Congressional offices in May to advocate for infertility rights, explain how sponsoring a bill to defray some of the costs of infertility expenses with the Family Act of 2011 will make a lot of constituents and their families dreams of having a child, grandchild, niece/nephew or cousin a reality.
I hope to get the attention and hearts of a Republican party that has for some reason I can’t understand been reticent to attach their names to the Family Act. I can only assume it has to do with a misunderstanding caused by personhood and anti-abortion groups that have somehow lumped infertility treatment in with procedures that seek to destroy rather than build life.
A few minutes in the room at an infertility support group would likely be all these Senators or Congress folks would need to see just how much infertility couples have invested emotionally, spiritually and financially in bringing life into this world.
Or I could show them the pictures of our formerly frozen embryo. A little girl who at 12 years old has a posted, written goal on the end of her bed to end childhood obesity in the United States by the time she is in her 40s.
An IVF baby that was so moved seeing a mother begging for food outside of a Whole Foods, not only convinced my wife to help them with food, but she also had such a big heart that she hugged that mom, and for those few moments, connected her to a world that often gives money from a distance, avoiding actual physical contact that says ‘we’re all part of one big family.’
I know other parents who finally got their dream babies after years of trying who have similar stories, and the simple truth is, this whole infertility support thing would go viral. In addition to promoting a pro-life agenda, these Senators and Congressmen could add “family building supporter’ to their list of accomplishments.
The dividends paid by helping more couples with medical challenges achieve their dreams of parenthood with a little tax relief would be shouted from the social media rooftops, as news tends to spread like wildfire among the tight knit community of current and veteran infertility couples.
Republicans could be seen as being friendly to not only a very important women’s issue like infertility, but would instantly gain the support of their husbands, who would very much appreciate the help since most states don’t mandate the coverage of infertility.
If you’ve been touched by an IVF baby, please send me a note on facebook. Email me at dennyceizykjr@gmail.com . It won’t take but 30 seconds, but that 30 seconds of effort could make a lifetime of memories when some infertile couple who might not have had the financial means is suddenly able to start their journey into parenthood because they got a little extra financial help.