Between a Laugh and a Tear: Advovacy day 2014

On May 7, 2014 I traveled from Ohio to Washington DC to participate in Advocacy Day 2014. This was through Resolve.org the National Infertility (IF) Association. 154 people from 27 states attended this years Advocacy Day. We were advocating for three bills: s

Infertility Tax Credit (The Family Act) Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act You can read more about each bill at http://familybuilding.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=advday_issues

We had meetings with our two senators, Sherrod Brown and Robert Portman and our congressman Pat Tiberi. We met with aides from each office. We told our IF story (I will write a separate post to go into some detail of our journey to parenthood)and went into detail of each bill we were advocating for. On Thursday our senator, Sherrod Brown, hosts a coffee for Ohio constituents visiting DC. We were able to attend this meeting and got to speak with Senator Brown. We once again were able to tell our personal IF story and talk about the bills we were advocating. This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Infertility is not an easy journey, and I hope we were able to make someones journey a little easier. I hope that one day these bills will be passed, and that no couple will ever need to make the choice between having a family or not having a family because of the financial burdens that IF brings. For more info you can check out http://resolve.org/

Here are some not so great iPhone photos. This was a great trip. I had the best roommates, we had an amazing time, ate great food, and did some great work.