Making a Difference: My First Advocacy Day with RESOLVE

I’m not a stranger to Capitol Hill.  I’ve met with Congressional reps and Senators in the past. I think most of you know that in my other life, I work for a nonprofit supporting military families.  I’m a military family member as well, so it’s something I’m passionate about.

I’m also passionate about helping those with infertility and heck, I’m infertile.  Of course I am.  But for some reason infertility is much more personal. So when I headed to Capitol Hill for RESOLVE’s Advocacy Day to champion infertility causes, it felt more personal as well.

Before I headed off to Advocacy Day, I asked military family members on the Facebook page from my “other” life what they’d like to say about dealing with infertility as a military family member.

We have been going through the process for almost two years now and the military doesn’t make it any easier, we have limited resources and the process is so lengthy to get into a physician. They restrict what’s covered under our insurance aren’t. When it comes to being a military family, they are gone for so long that timed intercourse becomes almost impossible. ~Sarah

Military families shared story after story about their struggles with infertility, the difficulty in navigating health care and insurance, and limited resources for expensive treatments.  I know you can all relate because we all have the same difficulties.

Last week, I got to advocate for infertile couples and for military families through RESOLVE’s annual Advocacy Day.  With other infertile couples (and their supportive family and friends) we descended on Capitol Hill to meet with our Senators and Congressional Representatives. We were there to encourage them to support the Family Act and renewal of the Adoption Tax Credit. Both create tax credits for families seeking fertility treatments or adoption to grow their families.

I met some amazing people and the entire Virginia delegation of advocates was incredible.  Everyone had a story to share.  Some were still trying after years of treatment, some were new to infertility, and some were there continuing their advocacy long after creating their own happy families.

Advocacy Day was one of the most empowering experiences of my life. Participating in the Democratic process and petitioning Congress is one of the most basically American things that we can do. I left Advocacy Day feeling as I’ve done something, really done something, to make a difference in the lives of infertile couples.

I can’t wait for next year.