RESOLVE's Advocacy Day Video

With Advocacy Day coming up tomorrow, I thought I'd repost RESOLVE's Advocacy Day Video and a few highlights about why people should participate in this event.  I cannot attend in person, but am supporting and promoting this event as much as possible through my blog and hope to participate in-person in the future.

You should attend RESOLVE’s Advocacy Day if…

• You want to educate your elected officials about the disease of infertility.
• You are dealing with infertility and want to feel a sense of control. 
• You have a loved one touched by infertility and want to show your support. 
• You want more public understanding about the disease of infertility.

Learn more by visiting RESOLVE's Advocacy Day website.

Google Hangout about RESOLVE's Advocacy Day

Streamed live on Mar 19, 2013

Ever wonder what RESOLVE's Advocacy Day is like? Here's a great educational video using Google Hangout and posted to YouTube that will help give you a better understanding of this empowering day. 

Personally, I found it reassuring to hear the ladies in this video explaining that none of them are experts, they are just women who are passionate about this cause, as we all are, who have stepped up to lead this cause and create awareness of this disease to policy makers in our government.

I think it's also really cool that they will have guest speakers and educational opportunities at this event.  Now I'm even more bummed that I can't travel to D.C. for this awesome event.  I hope they post some videos or highlight the day's occurrences in blog posts and other news releases.

I also find it really important that the video points out that the Advocacy Day website gives you all the information you need, from what to wear, to travel plans, to the day's events, etc.

It was kind of comforting to hear that some of these women had gone for the first time last year, and now here they are, featured on a promotional video to encourage us to go!  It really proves that anyone can do this, and we don't need to be experts to be a leader in this cause.

Registration for Advocacy Day after April 24th cannot guarantee Congressional appointments, but RESOLVE still invites you to come to the event and drop by your legislators' offices!

Celebrating National Infertility Survivor Day

What do you think of my new word cloud?  In celebration of National Infertility Survivor Day, I did something fun to celebrate all the hard effort I've put in over the course of the last 3 years toward my goal of becoming a mother.  I found a cool website that will create customizable fun word clouds from your blog's url using the rss feed!  The site is called Tagxedo, and you can create your own here: http://www.tagxedo.com/.

As I said above, next month marks the official three-year-mark of B & I actively TTC.  After about six months of trying, I started to worry we might be facing some issues because we'd already been off birth control for a year and 9 months prior with no "oopsies."  So twenty-one months of "not trying to prevent" combined with six months of "trying" equated to well over two years without conception.  

That's when we started getting things checked out.  A year later we were on the IVF track and pulled out of it at the last minute (you can read about that here), the pain and confusion of coping with that decision is why and when I started this blog in January of 2012.  I've come a long way in my research, planning, and coping mechanisms since then, thanks to this blog.  A word cloud highlighting my own words seems like an appropriate way to celebrate my strength in the face of the many adversities I've been facing for the past few years.

So, what are you going to do to celebrate this special day?  Don't know? Never heard of it you say?  Well read on to learn more!

Get the full scoop on National Infertility Survivor Day!

What:

The holiday was founded in 2004 by Beverly Barna, author of Infertility Sucks! Keeping it All Together When Sperm and Egg Stubbornly Remain Apart (Xlibris Corporation, 2002). 

When:

This holiday falls on the first Sunday of the month of May.  This year, in 2013, the holiday is celebrated on May 5th, today.

Scheduled for the weekend before Mother’s Day, the holiday's timing is intentional, so it can soften the blow of sadness and frustration that many infertile and even formerly infertile women feel as Mother’s Day approaches.

Why:

"Instead of focusing on our losses, we focus on our strengths." - Rachel Gurevich, National Infertility Survival Day: A Day for Self-Care and Celebration, About.com.

The holiday provides an opportunity to turn around and bring something positive to what is a very difficult situation.  We so often focus our energies and thoughts on what we have not been able to achieve, despite all our best efforts.  This is one day, out of the entire year, that we can remember to take the time to honor and celebrate all we have done to try to have a child and build our families

Who:

National Infertility Survival Day isn’t only for the women and couples coping with infertility now, but also a day for those who have gone forward in their lives.

I have communicated with SO MANY WOMEN who's lives have been touched by infertility.  Those who graduate out and go on to have children of their own, either naturally, through ART, or adoption, often tell me that their lives will be forever changed because of what they went through to fulfill their dreams of creating their families.  The kind of pain and suffering that this condition causes is not easily forgotten.

This is a day that formal infertiles can not only celebrate their own strength, but also share the wisdom and experiences they gained with others who are coping with the same struggles now.

How:

It's understandable why some women would feel silly celebrating today when they feel they have nothing to celebrate.  Society puts so much emphasis on celebrating after we’ve accomplished a goal.  It’s not uncommon for women coping with infertility to feel like failures.  But you are not a failure.

With infertility, your accomplishment is the effort you’ve already put towards becoming a parent. You’re celebrating your strength and your efforts. You may not be able to hold these types of accomplishments in your hand, but they are just as real and deserve to be celebrated.

This is a day just for you, and you should celebrate the day however you like!

Get together with friends to take a day away from yourself and your thoughts.  Or don't.  Take a day to be alone with your thoughts and feelings if that's what you need.  Go to the spa and pamper your body.  Or don't think about your body at all if you'd rather spend the day reading or watching movies that's fine too.  Go out for dinner and a movie with you partner and remind yourself of the days when it was just the two of you and you didn't always have baby-making on the brain.  Or do the opposite.  If you and your partner have arrived at a place where you rarely talk about what you are coping with, take today to reconnect and get on the same page with your feelings again.

Whatever you do, make sure you take a moment to acknowledge everything you are have been faced with and how strong you have been already in coping with it.  Take strength in your own courage and have faith in your relationship with your partner.  Trust in yourself, and do something to indulge yourself, whatever that may be.

The Center for Infertility Justice

Have you ever heard of the Center for Infertility Justice?  No? Neither had I, until I started researching information to post related to National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), and Advocacy Day as part of my commitment to post once a day for a week following NIAW, since I was unable to be very active during the week itself.  Today actually marks my last day in this week-long commitment, and I think posting information about Resolve's Center for Infertility Justice is a fitting final post for this week.

Don't get me wrong, I don't intend to slip into months of posting-free neglect like I have in the past now that my week-long daily post commitment has been accomplished.  Rather, I intend to continue blogging regularly, though probably not daily, and only as issues, emotions, or events inspire me to write.

So, back to the topic at hand... 

But wait, what is The Center for Infertility Justice you ask?

The Center for Infertility Justice is where RESOLVE brings together its advocates, supporters, partners, and like-minded organizations to effectively study, defend, and promote infertility.  

The goals of the Center are as follows:

• To promote access to care for all who need it
• Fight any attempts to restrict or eliminate that care
• Provide research and data to support positive public policy for the infertility community. 

RESOLVE, the only patient advocacy group in the U.S. that fights for the rights of women and men who are infertile has seen an increasing need to bring together the community to ensure that our voices are heard.

How does The Center for Infertility Justice carry out their goals?

State Legislation

RESOLVE works with advocacy volunteers to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. In 2013, RESOLVE anticipates that there will be legislation introduced in every state that could negatively impact access to family building options. Find out what is happening in your state.

Federal Legislation

RESOLVE works with Members of Congress and their staff to make sure that the voice of the infertility community is heard.

Personhood Legislation

RESOLVE opposes all Personhood initiatives and urges all Americans to vote against any anti-family legislation as it undermines access to safe and reliable infertility medical treatments. Many states have introduced personhood bills or ballot initiatives this year. Find out more about these initiatives and how you can get involved in advocacy efforts that fight against these initiatives in your state.

Advocacy Day
It's time for people with infertility to stop being ignored. It’s time for us to ask that our government to do something positive for our community. People with infertility deserve access to family building options when cost is a barrier to parenthood. Join us at Advocacy Day 2013.

How can you keep up to date on what's new with the Center for Infertility Justice?

Did you know that the Center for Infertility Justice has a blog?  They do and I encourage you to follow it today!  The Center for Infertility Justice blog is the official advocacy blog by Resolve and is the only blog dedicated to talking about public policy that impacts the infertility community.  Whether you are trying to build your family or a professional in this community – this blog is a “must read.”

How can you join the cause for infertility justice?

Become a Grassroots Advocate!  Every year the Center of Infertility Justice is fighting anti-family bills in more and more states. They need you today.  They need you to help build their state advocacy infrastructure so that they are prepared to fight back in all 50 states at any time.  For more information on how to get involved, visit the "Project PROTECT" page on the Resolve Website.

Where can you find more information? 

Other advocacy links:

• Legislative Issues
• Receive our Advocacy News and Alerts
• RESOLVE Position and Policy Statements
• Insurance Coverage
• Donate to RESOLVE
• RSS Feed

Thank you to the sponsors who support Resolve's advocacy efforts!  It's nice to see so many fertility treatment centers supporting the cause!

The Family Act

History

(Taken from the Resolve Website)

In May 2011 a bill to create a tax credit for the out-of-pocket costs associated with infertility medical treatment was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman John Lewis (GA). Aptly named the Family Act of 2011, S 965/HR 3522 could have potentially helped thousands of people seeking medical treatment that otherwise would be out of reach for them. RESOLVE supported this bill and required help from its followers and members to get this bill passed and made into a law. The bill died in the 112th Congress and must be re-introduced in the 113th Congress.  Check back on the Resolve Website for updates on the Family Act in the 113th Congress.

Current Status

The 2013 Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. on May 8th will highlight the reintroduction of this bill as one of two major issues this year.  For more information about attending this year's Advocacy Day, please see previous blog posts from this week on inconceivablestory.blogspot.com, or visit the Resolve Website's Advocacy Day webpage.

More Information Regarding The Family Act

(From the Resolve Website)

About the Family Act - S 965/HR 3522

Learn the details about this past pending legislation.

Current Bill status

Find out what's going on with this bill.

Why Does RESOLVE Support this Bill?
The Family Act of 2011 allows thousands that would otherwise not be able to access care to receive the medical treatment they need to build their family.

Infertility Tax Credit FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about this pending legislation.

Family Act in the News
Read the latest articles about the Family Act.

Become a Grassroots Advocate
Every year we are fighting anti-family bills in more and more states. We need you today. We need you to help build our state advocacy infrastructure so that we are prepared to fight back in all 50 states at any time.

My thoughts

I am personally very excited about the Family Act, and if it gets re-introduced as a bill in the 113th Congress, I'll be happy to support it, advocate for it, promote it, and even lobby for it in anyway I can.  I know many of my readers and hundreds, probably even thousands more out there do not have health insurance coverage for IVF and other ART treatments.  So many of us could benefit from this opportunity to make our dreams of creating or growing our families become a reality.  I urge everyone affected by infertility to support the Family Act, especially if it is re-introduced as a bill this year.  Together we are stronger, so please, let's join together to support this Act!

Advocacy Day Issues: Infertility Tax Credit, or "The Family Act"

This is the fifth post in my week-long commitment to promoting infertility awareness after having missed my opportunity to do so during NIAW (National Infertility Awareness Week), which took place last week, April 21-27, 2013.  Today, I am posting information about the two major issues for which those who attending Advocacy Day in D.C. on May 8th can lobby.

There are two major issues on the table for this year's Advocacy Day on May 8, 2013.  See below for a brief description of each issue, as taken from the Resolve Advocacy Day Website:

Issues:

"We will be on Capitol Hill talking about the scope of infertility in this country and the physical, emotional, and financial impact of this disease. We will be asking Congress to support legislation that will allow more people to afford IVF treatments, and legislation that will allow wounded vets to seek IVF treatment to build their family."

Infertility Tax Credit

In the 112th Congress (2011-2012) a bill to create a tax credit for the out-of-pocket costs associated with IVF and fertility preservation for cancer and other diseases was introduced in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Aptly named the Family Act, the bill will potentially help thousands of people seek medical treatment that otherwise would be out of reach for them. RESOLVE is working hard to get this bill introduced in the 113th Congress and it will be a major focus of Advocacy Day 2013. Read more here about the Family Act. Learn the latest information on these issues by becoming a Facebook fan of the Family Act of 2011 Page.

Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act

On January 24, 2013 U.S. Senator Patty Murray introduced the Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvement Act S 131.  A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the reproductive assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to severely wounded, ill, or injured veterans and their spouses, and for other purposes. This bill will provide access to fertility treatment for seriously injured veterans and their spouses, adoption assistance, permanent authority for VA to provide child care, and other elements. Read more here about the Women's Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act.

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Personally, while I find the Women Veterans and Other Healthcare Improvements Act important, it does not affect me or improve my own immediate situation.  I support it, and am happy to promote the issue, but it does not get me quite as fired up as movements that might benefit the majority of couples and individuals struggling from infertility, the crushing costs associated with it, and the unfair policies of health insurance companies that vary from state to state. 

On the other hand, The Family Act (the tax credit for everyone paying for infertility treatment out of pocket), boy does that ever affect me!  What a fair and valuable tax credit this would be, making IVF and other ART options attainable to those of us who can't consider adoption as a resolution to our infertility journey (for which there is a tax refundable credit...and a sizable one at that!).  I am so excited about this bill that I'll be posting another blog post dedicated to it alone tomorrow.  Oh, how I wish I could go to the capital next week and lobby for this bill!

What to expect...

... if you attend Advocacy Day on May 8th!

Again, in support of last week's National Infertility Awareness month, I am committed to posting every day this week and promoting Resolve's Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. on May 8, 2013.  I am sadly unable to attend in person, but I want to help get the word out there so I am reposting valuable information about the event as I find it.

Today's post is a copy and paste job from Resolve's Website, about what to expect if you are able to attend this important advocacy event in the nation's capital next week:

What to Expect

We like to say Advocacy Day is the day of "Three E's".  Exciting. Empowering. Eventful.

You will spend your day with women and men who care about the same things you care about. Many of our advocates have experienced infertility or are still on their journey to parenthood. You will come together and your voice will be heard!

Walking through the same buildings as our lawmakers will give you a sense of pride and strength knowing you are there to make a difference for you and all those who battle infertility.

Advocacy Day

Advocacy Day is a 2 day event. On May 7 we will have an evening reception from 5:30PM to 7:30PM and then will begin at 7:30AM on Wednesday, May 8. RESOLVE will provide you with a morning training session before you head out for your Congressional meetings. The day will end with a wrap-up reception. Please plan to be at Advocacy Day through 5:00 p.m. on May 8 as you may have late appointments. We encourage all participants to plan your travel accordingly.   

RESOLVE will schedule your appointments for you and provide you with a schedule on Advocacy Day. All Advocacy Day participants will attend training before your scheduled appointments. You will also receive your packets of materials as well as receive in-depth training regarding the issues and talking points for the appointments. You will also meet your fellow advocates during the Training session. 

Advocacy Day Training

RESOLVE will provide all of the training for Advocacy Day no experience is necessary!  If you want to educate your elected officials on the disease of infertility, then you are ready to come to Washington.

Training Conference Call

Monday, April 29, 2013
9:00 PM ET

Register here

RESOLVE will send information on the Training Call to those who have registered for Advocacy Day.  If you miss the training call, you will have access to download a recording of the call.

Do you have more questions? Read the Advocacy Day FAQs. Get travel tip information here. 

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I hope this helps in planning your trip to Washington, DC for those of you who are able to go, and I hope to be able to follow in your footsteps sometime within the next few years, once our infertility and other finances settle down a bit!