Mother's Day means different things to different people.
For some, it is a time to reflect on a loved one that has since passed on, and for others it could also mean a celebration
of what you have created. For this mother, it is both.
I
remember many times as a child, when feeling under the weather the only one that could make it right was my mom. She had
an innate ability to make me feel as if it were all going to be okay. Whether it was a skinned knee or a broken toy, there
she was with the words of encouragement that a little girl needed to feel secure.
Or when graduating from high school and then university, she was there to cheer me on
and show her pride in what she had produced. But her biggest sense of pride was on my wedding day some 17 years ago. She
did in fact tell me that on that special day in June.
However,
all these years later as I sit down to write this blog, I too can reflect on what motherhood means to me. I have my own sense
of accomplishment, having produced 4 wonderful daughters of my own. They are the light of my life and my reason for doing
what I do.
I digress...
What about those
of you who want to be moms but haven't to this point been so lucky? There are different solutions available to help in your
quest. IVF (in-vitro fertilization) is one such solution. There is one caveat though, it is terribly expensive with no guarantees
of success. If only the government was able to help out with the costs through OHIP health coverage. It could
be that much easier and a lot less stressful too.
Conceivable
Dreams, a grass roots organization whose soul purpose is to lobby the government in support of funding. With the costs of
IVF treatments into the thousands, for some it is out of reach. Conceivable Dreams is trying to make a difference in the lives
of those who struggle with getting pregnant. Motherhood, for many is the natural progression of life and relationship, with
no guarantees of either.
As a mom
who lives for her family, I am inspired by what Conceivable Dreams strives to accomplish. They have compiled considerable
data in favour of our Liberal Provincial government to fund the treatments. Funding solutions in both Quebec and Alberta
have proven quite positive. The related health care costs were reduced in both cases.
You see, in many cases of IVF, couples fertilize multiple eggs in hopes of
a better chance of getting pregnant. The risk of multiple births is a direct trade off for multiple eggs being fertilized.
It makes sense doesn't it?
Imagine if funding
was available to wannabe parents? That solution would allow for a more focused effort on getting pregnant with one baby at
a time. Funding solutions would reduce associated costs of multiple preterm babies; respiratory issues, neonatal care,
developmental delays are all symptoms of being born early. Extended hospital stays at thousands of dollars a day end
up costing more than the IVF treatments themselves. So, it seems only natural that funding for IVF should be taken seriously.
I would ask that those of you who have had success
through IVF treatments to share your stories with your local politicians, after all they are elected to work for us and not
against those who got them elected in the first place.
I
personally believe that they have both a fiduciary duty and a moral obligation to answer to their public. They sometimes lose
sight of that once they are in office. I hope that the provincial government, either current or future at least look
at options surrounding IVF funding.
And
with that, WonderMoms wishes past, present and future moms a Happy Mother's Day. Remember the good times, reflect on the past
and above all else, love the present that motherhood brings each and every one of us.
Disclosure: I am a valued member of the Conceivable
Dreams blog team.
