justmacara
Infertility Support and Awareness
INFERTILITY. It's a word that's defined my life for the past four years, but now that definition is one of positivity and hope. After learning we were struggling with infertility, my husband and I went through a rough time, as many couples will. My attitude at work changed, we struggled with some of our friendships, and our relationship suffered. And then we took control.
In August of 2010 we founded the Indiana Collaboration for Families with Infertility (ICFI) to provide the local support that we had so desperately needed. We now facilitate free support groups around the state for couples, led by a professional facilitator and guided by group agreements. This year we are hosting a 6-part educational series that is free to the community and provides detailed information about family building topics such as embryo adoption or fostering to adopt. Our organization will host a fertility and family building fair in April of 2012 (during National Infertility Awareness Week) which will bring together local physicians, complementary and alternative medical practitioners, and fostering and adoption resources.
ICFI is my life because infertility is my life. I used to think that it was so unfair that we had to go through all of this. But gradually I realized that this experience has shaped me into who I am today. I've met some amazing people, people that would not be a part of my life without this experience. It created ICFI and has helped many Indiana couples struggling with infertility. Our infertility defines me, and that's okay!
