Journey to a Baby Grace
Donation protected
Infertility is devastating. It affects those across boundaries in all parts of the world. The people impacted across all races, economic lines, and genders. Yet, the personal impact is devastating to those who have been given no hope to conceive their own children. Young boys and girls often have dreams and fantasies of parenting. In moments of anger as they search for independence from their parents, they think, “I’ll be a better parent”. But when that dream is taken from the 1 in 8 couples struggling with infertility, they mourn the loss as deeply as a parent who loses their child to illness or injury.
“The English language lacks the words to mourn an absence…. For an absence for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?” -Barbara Bush
At only 20 years old, Jenny was the victim of a traumatic event more horrific than can be put into words. She was taken against her will by a vicious gang, before being violently and brutally assaulted over a period of 3 days. After barely escaping with her life, she quickly realized her world would never be the same. Little did she know, things would only get worse before they got better.
Less than one year later and not long after her physical wounds had healed; Jenny was admitted into the Emergency Room due to extreme pelvic pain. As a result of the abuse she had endured months prior, her fallopian tubes had suffered extreme damage and infection. Doctors then told her, at only 21 years old, she would need to have both ovaries and tubes removed. Wanting to someday become a mother more than anything in the world, she refused to give up. What followed was 2 long weeks in the hospital, 1 emergency surgery with little chance of success, and a whole lot of prayer.
Jenny’s determination defied the odds yet again. The reparative surgery had been a success and she was able to go home without having any reproductive organs removed. While a tremendous miracle in itself, the mood was very bittersweet once doctors told her she had little to no chance of ever carrying a baby.
I still remember every detail of the day Jenny shared this with me after we had started dating. After she had finished telling me everything that she had gone through, Jenny was convinced that I would view her as “damaged” and reject her. She explained to me that she doesn’t want to be viewed as a victim or treated differently. After holding back tears and anger for what she went through, ultimately I was blown away by her willpower and tenacity. She is such an incredible person and gives me hope every single day.
For anyone that knows my beautiful wife, they know that she has the biggest heart. She is kind and caring with my children. She has been a loving influence in the lives of Kasen and Chevelle, ensuring that they have educational and experiential opportunities. For many of those reading this who know Jenny, this will be the first time learning of her trauma. Telling others about her experience is difficult and painful for her, yet she is so committed to overcoming the physical damage.
In order to experience the joy of childbirth, she has decided to share her story. Jenny has worked long and hard to ensure that she is not defined by the violence that happened to her 9 years ago. That is something she takes great pride in.
After trying for over a year to conceive, we began seeking medical assistance. After many tests, our fertility specialist informed us that we would need IVF in order to have a baby. My wife was devastated.
In many ways, infertility is the only thing left from her trauma she hasn’t overcome. Without insurance coverage for the procedure, our out of pocket cost is estimated to be $11,750. In addition to this fundraiser, are holding an event in the beginning of August.
The success rates for IVF vary tremendously as everyone’s situation is so different. We were extremely relieved when our Reproductive Endocrinologist (Fertility Specialist) told us that we are the ideal candidates for IVF. Jenny has TONS of healthy eggs and is expected to respond better than average to the medications. This puts us in the group with the best odds and highest chance of success. While there are no guarantees with IVF, our doctor estimates the odds of a successful pregnancy at 66% per matured embryo. The one and only thing holding us back from starting immediately is funding the treatment.
Today we are asking for financial assistance from friends, family and good folks who are willing to assist us in our efforts to bring a child into our family. If you feel it in your heart to help us, we cannot thank you enough. Your donation will help make not only mine, but more importantly my wife’s dreams come true and for that we cannot thank you enough.
Thank you so much once again! We are tremendously grateful for everyone who has stood by us and supported us through this process. We would not be here without you and we love you!
“Hope is placing the beautifully vulnerable parts of ourselves, our raw selves, into His hands. I believe hope moves His heart; but hope also moves our hearts into His hands. Hope builds trust.” -Natalie Brenner
“The English language lacks the words to mourn an absence…. For an absence for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?” -Barbara Bush
At only 20 years old, Jenny was the victim of a traumatic event more horrific than can be put into words. She was taken against her will by a vicious gang, before being violently and brutally assaulted over a period of 3 days. After barely escaping with her life, she quickly realized her world would never be the same. Little did she know, things would only get worse before they got better.
Less than one year later and not long after her physical wounds had healed; Jenny was admitted into the Emergency Room due to extreme pelvic pain. As a result of the abuse she had endured months prior, her fallopian tubes had suffered extreme damage and infection. Doctors then told her, at only 21 years old, she would need to have both ovaries and tubes removed. Wanting to someday become a mother more than anything in the world, she refused to give up. What followed was 2 long weeks in the hospital, 1 emergency surgery with little chance of success, and a whole lot of prayer.
Jenny’s determination defied the odds yet again. The reparative surgery had been a success and she was able to go home without having any reproductive organs removed. While a tremendous miracle in itself, the mood was very bittersweet once doctors told her she had little to no chance of ever carrying a baby.
I still remember every detail of the day Jenny shared this with me after we had started dating. After she had finished telling me everything that she had gone through, Jenny was convinced that I would view her as “damaged” and reject her. She explained to me that she doesn’t want to be viewed as a victim or treated differently. After holding back tears and anger for what she went through, ultimately I was blown away by her willpower and tenacity. She is such an incredible person and gives me hope every single day.
For anyone that knows my beautiful wife, they know that she has the biggest heart. She is kind and caring with my children. She has been a loving influence in the lives of Kasen and Chevelle, ensuring that they have educational and experiential opportunities. For many of those reading this who know Jenny, this will be the first time learning of her trauma. Telling others about her experience is difficult and painful for her, yet she is so committed to overcoming the physical damage.
In order to experience the joy of childbirth, she has decided to share her story. Jenny has worked long and hard to ensure that she is not defined by the violence that happened to her 9 years ago. That is something she takes great pride in.
After trying for over a year to conceive, we began seeking medical assistance. After many tests, our fertility specialist informed us that we would need IVF in order to have a baby. My wife was devastated.
In many ways, infertility is the only thing left from her trauma she hasn’t overcome. Without insurance coverage for the procedure, our out of pocket cost is estimated to be $11,750. In addition to this fundraiser, are holding an event in the beginning of August.
The success rates for IVF vary tremendously as everyone’s situation is so different. We were extremely relieved when our Reproductive Endocrinologist (Fertility Specialist) told us that we are the ideal candidates for IVF. Jenny has TONS of healthy eggs and is expected to respond better than average to the medications. This puts us in the group with the best odds and highest chance of success. While there are no guarantees with IVF, our doctor estimates the odds of a successful pregnancy at 66% per matured embryo. The one and only thing holding us back from starting immediately is funding the treatment.
Today we are asking for financial assistance from friends, family and good folks who are willing to assist us in our efforts to bring a child into our family. If you feel it in your heart to help us, we cannot thank you enough. Your donation will help make not only mine, but more importantly my wife’s dreams come true and for that we cannot thank you enough.
Thank you so much once again! We are tremendously grateful for everyone who has stood by us and supported us through this process. We would not be here without you and we love you!
“Hope is placing the beautifully vulnerable parts of ourselves, our raw selves, into His hands. I believe hope moves His heart; but hope also moves our hearts into His hands. Hope builds trust.” -Natalie Brenner
Organizer
Jenny Grace
Organizer
Lawrence, KS