My life has been really odd lately. In one part of my life, the reproductive part, it’s been pretty depressing. Not much is working and I’m starting to think that it never will. I don’t really see a hopeful way forward. But in the other part of my life, the work part, some pretty amazing things have been happening. Last week I got to go to the White House for the President’s Twitter Town Hall. And then last weekend, I had the chance to travel to LA for a service project organized by ServiceNation: Mission Serve and Blue Star Families to help military families. While I was there, I just happened to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! (If you follow the link, that’s me in the red sweater and pearls, apron, and star struck expression.)
You all know that I work for Attain Fertility part-time. Well, my other “part time” job is as the communications director for a nonprofit supporting military families, Blue Star Families. I left my job at a law firm in 2008 to help start this nonprofit and my social media consulting, including my gig with Attain Fertility, have allowed me to volunteer and to help military families. I love that I’m making a difference in the lives of military families and service member. I love my job with Attain Fertility for some of the same reasons. I like to think that our community makes coping with infertility a little bit easier for all of us.
I always struggle with how much to share of my life outside of my infertility treatments. When I was discussing this topic with Shelly, one of my colleagues here at Attain Fertility, she said something that really resonated, “Your experience (although more fabulous than us little people get to experience) is a reminder that our infertility isn’t our identity.” While I don’t necessarily agree about the “little people,” Shelly did remind me that I am not just my experiences with infertility. And so I wanted to share a bit more about what I do outside of this computer screen. Plus, I’ll admit it – I’m still completely star struck!
I did really enjoy speaking with the royal couple. And I have to admit, in the back of my mind, I was thinking a bit about infertility. After all, this poor young couple is already facing speculation that they’ll have infertility problems and they’re barely back from their honeymoon! That’s a lot of pressure. But mostly, the time I spent working on this amazing service project helped me forget a little about my problems for once.
While I think that the time I spend discussing and writing about infertility helps me cope, I also think that the time I spend doing other things and focusing on other people makes me a stronger person. When I’m packing care packages for military children, even if I happen to do it with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka Will and Kate), I’m focused on helping others. More importantly, I’m not focused on whether or not I’ll ovulate on time this month or whether my progesterone levels will decide to come out of the toilet.
Right now, I’m on the eve of my CD12 ultrasound during my third Clomid cycle. We don’t know what comes after this and that’s a horrible feeling. But I do know that it’s easier to keep perspective and to forget about infertility for awhile when I’m helping others. So whether it’s joining a support group to help others cope with infertility, or mowing your elderly neighbor’s lawn, or packing care packages for service members, I encourage everyone to do something for someone else. Do as much or as little as you can. I promise, you’ll get far more than you ever give.
To recap, you can see photos of me with the royal couple here:
You can read a bit more about my experience in People Magazine.
Photographs by Stephanie Himel-Nelson.
2 Comments
The work you are doing is a testament to the great person you must be. Being able to meet the the Royals and be involved with the President are awesome and I am so ealous. I hope you get all you are looking for because you so deserve it and more.
Andy – You are too sweet. Thank you.