by: Pamela Mahoney Tsigdinos
Instead of buying a glass of wine or beer tonight (oh, who am I to
get between you and an adult beverage -- go ahead and do so) but also support TheCycleLivingATaboo and help eliminate infertility
ignorance
Am I (and six other women) a little insane to stand on a stage in
NYC on Sept 27 and share stories about how not being able to bear a child
changed our lives? Perhaps. But we’re doing it because we know it will help
others.
Some life experiences — coming of age, marriage, illness, death — are
universally understood. That’s because we are socialized in how to respond to
them. We have words and rituals. We share common behaviors, norms — etiquette —
that allow us to navigate and move through them with either social celebration
or social healing and empathy.
Infertility? Just whisper it and everyone runs for the doors. No
one knows what to say, how to react, what is expected. It’s time to change
that.
By giving voice to a complex, misunderstood experience we aim to reshape the
way society views infertility. Why? So future generations won’t have to suffer
the indignity of ignorance or disdain. You can help, too!
- Share in a blog comment why it’s important to eliminate the taboo
around infertility around the world
- *DONATE -- no contribution is too small or large (all
donations are tax deductible)
- Tweet or blog details about this event to spread the
word
You’ll feel great for seizing the opportunity to help others move
forward in a healthy way.
*Why are we passing the hat? To help a valiant documentary film-maker
operating under a 501 3(c) pay for a NY theater she’s rented for the sole
purpose of delivering a transformative, memorable, historic evening and capture
a collection of stories that have never been heard.
Unlike other consumer-facing infertility outreach efforts, this
event is not sponsored by the pharmaceutical or reproductive technology
industries. The goal is to tell the "un-sponsored truth" about
infertility. This means we are truly on a shoestring. In fact, The Cycle staff
consists entirely of volunteers who have been in the trenches of infertility
and devoted hundreds of hours of their personal time and financial resources to
put together this public service event.
For the price a of designer cup of coffee ($5), a bottle of wine ($18) or a
movie night ($25) you can make a difference not only to this project -- but to
a significant, if silent, segment of society who wishes their family and
friends could understand or better support them.
Thank you for making the world a gentler, kinder place.