The Walk of Hope

We're not like everyone else; we're like 1 in 6 or 1 in 8 (depending on the research) couples.  We are struggling with infertility.  Having a baby seemed like a pretty easy task right, not so much for us.

After a year of trying to conceive on our own, with random suggestions of try it this way, eat this, drink that, take this, we decided to seek out a professional (sorry friends, you're all professionals in your own right, but unfortunately not with out fertility).  We went to Huntington Fertility Center (HRC) in Pasadena to meet with the incredible Dr. Nelson and his team of wonderful nurses. 

We'll be doing a walk in September called the Walk of Hope. Below is my page for the walk

The Southern California Walk of Hope is an event put on by Resolve: The National Infertility Association.  

RESOLVE’s Walk of Hope is a 1-mile walk that recognizes the many ways in which families are built, supports local support and programs for the 7.3 million women and men living with infertility and raises public understanding of how the disease of infertility impacts families nationwide.

 The Walk of Hope is being held in several locations across the country. Funds raised from the Walk support local RESOLVE programming which includes support groups and educational events, public awareness initiatives, and advocacy efforts to ensure family building options are available to all!

 The name "Walk of Hope" embodies the emotion that most people living with infertility feel. They are hopeful their dreams of family come true. Some hope to simply find a peaceful resolution to their infertility journey. A Walk of Hope is an event that represents the infertility journey—a series of small steps, each one filled with hope and a reminder that no one should walk on this journey alone.

Infertility affects 1 in 8 or 1 in 6 (depending which study you read) couples.  That number is amazing to me.  Wouldn't I know someone that had infertility issues?  Wouldn't I know that people worked really hard to get their little bundle of joy?  The answer is no.  What I've realized is that there is a lot of shame, self deprecation and anxiety that usually engulfs individuals with infertility struggles.  I know this, because I'm one of them.  You find yourself saying things like "well if I would have just ate better, or worked out sooner, or..." and the list goes on.  But the fact of the matter is, there probably isn't anything that could have been done differently. We've learned this and continue to make progress with our acceptance of this as the days go on.  We also know that being childless is not permanent.  We will be parents one day, no matter how we get there.  As we've opened up to people, we've found we are certainly not alone and guess what WE do know people who are currently or have struggled with infertility issues in the past.  It's comforting to share stories with each other.  The wonderful part for us is that most of these people now have one or more children in their lives.  That is extremely encouraging.

While the journey and process have been painful at times, we know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we'll continue towards that light to the arms of a child that's waiting for us to be it's parents.  

Many thanks for your support.

If you'd like to join us for the walk on September 21, 2014 please let me know, we'd love to have you there.  Or, if you'd like to donate, we have a page for that too.  CLICK HERE or copy and paste http://familybuilding.resolve.org/goto/gardiners in to your browser.