CELEBRATING ANIMATION FAMILIES
Conversation: Rochelle on Planning for Career & Family
When I was 10, I thought I had everything planned out for my future. I would marry my high school or college sweetheart, have kids by the age of 28 and be a stay at home mom writing and illustrating my own children's books for said kids (but LA rent won't allow that to happen!) However, since hitting my 30s I realize life doesn't always go according to plan.
My friends all made getting pregnant look so easy as they seemed to pop babies out whenever they tried (or even whenever they weren't trying for that matter.) [Patrick and I] passed all the tests and were told that in all likelihood we should be able to have a child naturally. But we were getting older, and I had lost track of the number of times I cried myself to sleep thinking of all the moments I would never have, the love I would never be able to give, the life I would never be able to live. These days 1 in 8 couples suffer from infertility and that number is only increasing. The more I researched and the more I continued this journey of love and science, I began to understand that those who have trouble trying to conceive need medical treatment just like any other medical condition out there. Fortunately my employer offers an awesome perk that helps cover the costs of IVF.*
Conversation: Rochelle on Becoming a Mom
I feel so fortunate that the treatment worked on the first attempt. After all the exams, the drugs, the shots, the acupuncture, the tears and feelings of loss, I am so appreciative to the doctors, technology, and science for allowing me to bring my beautiful daughter into the world. She makes me want to be a better person for her everyday. I had never realized that when a child is born, a mother is born, too. She is definitely more incredible than anything I could have ever planned or imagined as a child.
*While working in production, Rochelle was able to access IVF discounts through her employer’s corporate health plan. TAG members can explore IVF discounts through Kaiser (https://www.mpiphp.org/assets/files/yourbenefits/health/SPD_Active_2019.pdf) and Anthem - WINFertility (https://www.winfertility.com/anthem-special-offers/). To learn more about members' IVF experiences with the MPI Health Plan, contact the FAM Committee: animationisfamily@gmail.com.
😁😂😭 🤘🤘
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