So, on Wednesday, at the crack of dawn, I took a plane to Washington D.C. to attend Advocacy Day, brimming with excitement the entire flight to be a part of the day! I have always talked about how the government should get more involved with our plights, I even wrote about it in my memoir. Advocacy Day was my chance to actually get involved, walk the massive halls of our congressmen and speak to the people who help make change happen on Capital Hill.
When I came into the room, I was immediately in awe of how many people came, all for one purpose, all for one passion. However infertility effected each person, we were all on a mission. Perhaps we were speaking for ourselves, speaking for a family member, or for the entire community of 7.3 million who can’t afford IVF treatments or adoptions. We were brave, bold, and ready to get more support on the Family Act and the Adoption Tax Credit. I even had the pleasure of meeting infertility advocate Keiko Zoll who writes The Infertility Voice and Fran Meadows, author of The Truth Behind The Secret “Infertility.”
I met with my NY crew (joined by the amazing Risa Levine) where we discussed our meetings. Then, we walked to the Senate buildings to talk with the staff at Chuck Schumer’s office. I was proud of each and every one of us in that room. We spoke up and made sure she knew why infertility should not be ignored. Later, accompanied by Shelly Galvin, from Attain Fertility, we walked across the path in front of the Capital Building and headed to the buildings for our meetings with our NY congressmen. Some, we didn’t have a meeting with, but we made sure to stop at each office we were assigned and give them critical information on each bill.
Later, we met with a staffer at Kirsten Gillibrand’s office. On behalf of the group, and the entire infertility community, I thanked her for her sponsorship on the Family Act (an amazing piece of legislation that will help pay out of pocket expenses for IVF for those who really need it). We talked with her to find out what else we can do to get support. One of her answers: Write letters! And finally, I gave her a copy of my book to give to Senator Gillibrand as a special thank you with the hope that she will continue to be empowered by those effected with infertility.
Overall, it was an amazing day filled with pride to be an infertility advocate and an American. My only regret was not wearing shoes that were more broken in. There was so much walking, I actually had blisters on my feet at the end of the day. But it doesn’t compare to the blisters on many hearts that can’t afford infertility treatments or adoptions. So, I was out there for all of you. I was your voice. But now, you can make your own voice heard by calling and writing letters to your Senators and Representatives. Go to Resolve’s Activist Toolkit to learn more! One staff person told us there are over 4,000 bills and many aren’t even sponsored unless they hear from those who really care about it. So, do your part! Don’t ignore the power you have to make change!
http://www.resolve.org/infertility101 (Basic understanding of the disease of infertility.)
http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/about.html (About NIAW)
I just got an amazing opportunity! I am now writing a blog for Fertility Authority. If you’ve never been to this site, it’s an awesome place to get information, support, ask fertility questions, and get local fertility guides. Under their Community section, there are a few bloggers and I am now one of them! My blog is called Everyday Miracles. I will write about finding “everyday miracles” during your infertility journey; remembering to appreciate the wonders of the world around you because I truly believe that you have to enjoy the little things in life every day, even on the days that you feel you have no joy left. Don’t worry, I will still continue to blog here as well! 
