After my last post, about the negative PR Surrogacy gets, my friend Stacie (also a surrogate starting her 2nd Journey) decided to post a paper she wrote about one of the coolest surrogates she knows, besides herself. Who you ask? Really? You need to ask??
Basically, Stacie had a writing assignment in her English class where she had to interview someone and write about it . . . Ladies and Gentlemen . . . I give you, "The Sunny Side of Surrogacy". Oh, and I think "Greg" and "Samir" will love it! LOL.
*****Updated*****
Here's the horrible article that set me off on the Negative PR post. And below is my email to the author.
Re: The Surrogate Life Wednesday, January 6, 2010 11:22 AM
From: "Kelly Rummelhart"
To: leah.finnegan@gmail.com
Saw your article. Have to say I'm glad that you didn't go through being a surrogate. After you have your own kids, if you ever decide to help a couple in need, please let it not be about the money- as you will NEVER have the best experience if you are "renting your womb" versus helping a couple become a family and find a legitimate agency. I've never seen my surrogacy as a "Business Opportunity" but that as helping gay men have the family the deserve.
It would have been nice to see some positive PR about surrogacy, instead of another person with no experience joking and making it negative. I get it, you wanted to come off as funny, quirky, cool. I know, I'm biased so instead of enjoying your article I sat there shaking my head, thinking, "here's another one".
Feel free to visit my blog (below) where you can see what it's like when you can blend humor and surrogacy with a positive outcome.
Kelly
Kelly's Surrogacy Blog
http://www.justthestork.blogspot.com
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Where is all the Good PR on Surrogacy??
One of the reasons I try to keep up my blog is to show a continuing, successful Surrogacy journey . . . You know, one where I don't take off with the babies, extort money or the IPs don't end up suing me for breach of contract, etc. It's so hard to find good PR on Surrogacy sometimes. It's like the media has decided to only show the negatives and that really makes me mad. I understand the need to share some possibilities and to remind Intended Parents and Future Surrogates that they need to do their research- but I'd also like to see some positives . . . or does that not sell magazines and papers these days?
Well, I am here to tell you that WE exist. There are plenty of women, like myself, who are psychologically healthy, financially stable, college educated with the desire to help infertile couples become families . . . with proven experience of releasing the children to their families upon birth. So why don't they ever mention us? Why can't they show that Surrogacy can be a great option? Luckily, there are a few blogs and online groups where future Surrogates can see that there are perfectly normal stories of successful journeys.
I have to say I am a bit biased when it comes to Legitimate Agencies that have been around for years. I think it is important that both the IPs and Surrogate are supported and protected by an Agency. Most of the negative stuff I have read about Surrogacy didn't include a Legitimate Agency with a great history, but people choosing to go independent, hiring just a Lawyer or signing on with an Agency that hasn't been around long. Heck, even in the aforementioned Groups Online I've seen some women that I wouldn't leave a pet with . . . searching to become a Surrogate, luckily, if she goes to an agency like mine, they will "weed her out" but if she chooses to go independent or with a less than stellar agency, who knows. Maybe she'll end up like this woman.
Again, I fully admit I am biased. I'm sure there are a lot of Independent Surrogates who would say the same thing that I'm complaining about, " . . that there are plenty or examples of positive outcomes to Independent and newer Agency journeys . . ." but we don't see the good PR, just the bad.
I remember when I first started the process, I saw this article in Newsweek and here's MY Post about it. Even when they do the articles on Serial Surrogates, they tend to start out positive and end negative . . . making you wonder what motivates someone to be a Surrogate so many times instead of focusing on how many families she has helped over the years to create.
Even when Surrogacy was all over the Tabloids with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, instead of focusing on how great it was that Michelle was helping someone's family grow, it was about her marriage status, her job, her sexuality- things that had nothing to do with her ability to help carry someone's child. Heck- her house got broken into by the Local Police. Again, not great PR . . . even worse PR for the Martins Ferry Police Department.
So, I guess I'll try to always keep up my blog, so others, even 20 years from now will see that successful Surrogacy is possible. Even if the New York Times or The Morning Show never pick up my story with George, Sanj and the girls, if you search hard enough on the internet, you'll find it. It may even be in the year 2025 or so when I post a pick of Anjali and Natasha graduating from High School . . . because I know I'll either be there or at least get lots of pictures from the event!
Well, I am here to tell you that WE exist. There are plenty of women, like myself, who are psychologically healthy, financially stable, college educated with the desire to help infertile couples become families . . . with proven experience of releasing the children to their families upon birth. So why don't they ever mention us? Why can't they show that Surrogacy can be a great option? Luckily, there are a few blogs and online groups where future Surrogates can see that there are perfectly normal stories of successful journeys.
I have to say I am a bit biased when it comes to Legitimate Agencies that have been around for years. I think it is important that both the IPs and Surrogate are supported and protected by an Agency. Most of the negative stuff I have read about Surrogacy didn't include a Legitimate Agency with a great history, but people choosing to go independent, hiring just a Lawyer or signing on with an Agency that hasn't been around long. Heck, even in the aforementioned Groups Online I've seen some women that I wouldn't leave a pet with . . . searching to become a Surrogate, luckily, if she goes to an agency like mine, they will "weed her out" but if she chooses to go independent or with a less than stellar agency, who knows. Maybe she'll end up like this woman.
Again, I fully admit I am biased. I'm sure there are a lot of Independent Surrogates who would say the same thing that I'm complaining about, " . . that there are plenty or examples of positive outcomes to Independent and newer Agency journeys . . ." but we don't see the good PR, just the bad.
I remember when I first started the process, I saw this article in Newsweek and here's MY Post about it. Even when they do the articles on Serial Surrogates, they tend to start out positive and end negative . . . making you wonder what motivates someone to be a Surrogate so many times instead of focusing on how many families she has helped over the years to create.
Even when Surrogacy was all over the Tabloids with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, instead of focusing on how great it was that Michelle was helping someone's family grow, it was about her marriage status, her job, her sexuality- things that had nothing to do with her ability to help carry someone's child. Heck- her house got broken into by the Local Police. Again, not great PR . . . even worse PR for the Martins Ferry Police Department.
So, I guess I'll try to always keep up my blog, so others, even 20 years from now will see that successful Surrogacy is possible. Even if the New York Times or The Morning Show never pick up my story with George, Sanj and the girls, if you search hard enough on the internet, you'll find it. It may even be in the year 2025 or so when I post a pick of Anjali and Natasha graduating from High School . . . because I know I'll either be there or at least get lots of pictures from the event!
Monday, December 21, 2009
One Year Get Together!
*AFTER POST NOTE* My husband wanted me to put a forewarning in here that this post is more cute than funny. I didn't think I needed to warn people, but apparently he says, my readers are expecting, "cute funnies" and I didn't come through this time.
As you know, Natasha and Anjali turned ONE November 28th. I couldn't go to their birthday party so George and Sanj made a "Down Memory Lane" trip to Sacramento.
We met at 33rd Street Bistro, where we had been April of 2008, when I first had lunch with Sanj's mom and aunt during their visit to the states
While we were waiting for our take out lunch, the girls were chillin' at the bar.
We were able to hang out for the afternoon and visit our OB Dr. Knight and some of the Nurses that worked the floor where the girls stayed for a few days after delivery.
Once we pulled up to the Doctor's office, I gave the girls the Owl Hats I brought for them . . . part of their Christmas Present
Here's a close-up
We were able to hang out with Dr. Knight for a bit. Here's George and Sanj telling Dr. Knight about how much fun they've had in the last year . . . and how little sleep
and sharing their BRAG BOOK that starts with a picture of the blastocysts that were implanted!
We ate at Dr. Knight's. Here I am with Natasha
Next, we walked over to the Nurses' station on the Recovery floor. They totally remembered all of us and couldn't believe it had already been a year. Here are some of the Nurses posing with the family and the flowers George and Sanj had sent them
On the way out we had to take a picture of me and the girls by the Maternity Admissions sign
It was so great to see my Surro-family again. I am really lucky that we an usually get together every few months. It has helped make my experience as a Surrogate Mother even better. Through this process I didn't just gain some friends, I gained another sect of a family.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Time flies!!!
November 28th was Natasha and Anjali's first birthday . . . FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!! I can not believe how quickly their first year on earth passed. I swear, it feels like I just gave birth to them a few months ago- and looks like it too! LOL!
George, Sanj and the girls flew to Canada for their birthday party. From the look of the pictures, Appachi throws a mean party!
Check out their birthday cake
Making a Wish
and here they are "sharing" a toy
We will all be meeting in Sacramento next Tuesday to have lunch together, along with Dr. Knight, the OB who delivered the girls. It will be great to see everyone together again! Of course I'll post pics after the fact.
If you want to revisit their birth story- go back to November of 2008. Although, I just noticed some pictures are gone since I stop using a certain picture hosting company. It may take me just a little bit to figure it all out and replace them with the new host site. My apologies!
George, Sanj and the girls flew to Canada for their birthday party. From the look of the pictures, Appachi throws a mean party!
Check out their birthday cake
Making a Wish
and here they are "sharing" a toy
We will all be meeting in Sacramento next Tuesday to have lunch together, along with Dr. Knight, the OB who delivered the girls. It will be great to see everyone together again! Of course I'll post pics after the fact.
If you want to revisit their birth story- go back to November of 2008. Although, I just noticed some pictures are gone since I stop using a certain picture hosting company. It may take me just a little bit to figure it all out and replace them with the new host site. My apologies!
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