IVF and “personhood” and how my son wouldn’t be here if Mike Pence has his way

I’m reposting from 4 years ago, but unfortunately and frighteningly, it’s just as valid today as then: 

As a mom of a baby conceived with the assistance of IVF, I’m going to make a few political observations. You have of course the right to completely ignore the rest of this post and return to the real world which is, as we know, totally free of political ads and rhetoric right now.

Our country’s freedom to worship (or not) as you choose is just on the things that I’m proudest of as an American. I choose not. I am a non-believer. I’m really, really, really a non-believer. I don’t care what flavor it comes in, either, it’s all the same to me–a load of fantastical bullshit. Whether you believe your god spoke through a burning bush, an old hat, the neighbor’s dog, or a spaceship full of whatever-the-fucks, I don’t care. It’s all the same.

I was raised catholic. Well, my parents tried, at least. I think I was in the first grade when Sister Mary Let’s Scare the Shit of Young Girls said, “All women must suffer to bring children into the world to pay for the sins of Eve.” I remember thinking, “Let the bitch pay for her own sins, why are you trying to pin this on me?” Later I was told that this poor, sweet hippie was tortured to death to pay for MY sins. You know, I wasn’t anywhere near Galilee at the time, and I have a birth certificate that proves I wasn’t even BORN until 1,960 years, two months, and 18 days later. How’s THAT for an alibi?

But even with this attitude toward religion (and it is a BAD one, I know), I still will, with my life if need be, defend your right to practice whatever form you choose. Because I think that is what is great about America. All I ask in return is that you follow your heart and conform to whatever principles you choose and ask your fellow believers to conform to the same within the confines of your church or whatever you call your religious community. BUT LEAVE ME OUT OF IT!

Here’s a video. It’s one fleeting moment in my life, and it really isn’t a grand moment or a moment of significance other than it’s a moment that I’d never thought I’d experience. This is my son and my best friend during the blackout after Superstorm Sandy:

When you step into the voting booth to cast your vote, I would respectfully ask you to consider this. My son would not be here if not for IVF. Look around at your own families. Maybe your child, grandchild, niece or nephew, cousin, or child of a dear friend would not be here either. Have you felt yourself or witnessed the joy and fulfillment that child has brought? Would you ever deny a childless person at least the best chance to conceive?

Mike Pence would. He supports “personhood” legislation, which if passed would make it just ever so much more difficult for infertile women to conceive. If you are an independent or moderate Republican who has been placated into thinking that that will never happen, seriously, are you willing to take that risk?

I won’t say anymore, and I am going to remove this post in 2 days. But if you do vote GOP, and if it goes that way, although I obviously don’t pray, I will say that I fervently hope that one day you won’t be holding your sobbing friend, child, grandchild, cousin, aunt, niece, or nephew in your arms as they tell you how they’ve just found out that they are infertile, but since IVF is now severely restricted or banned, there is no hope.

Because I will to the end of my life, be thankful and grateful that I live in the greatest nation on earth, one where I was able to experience this one fleeting moment and all the other fleeting moments that will make up my son’s life.

I would love to hear your story of IVF. Please leave your comments below.

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