Michelle and Will's Baby Fund
Michelle and Will’s Baby Fund
Hi, my name is Tova Schuerholz. I am starting this GoFundMe to help one of my dearest friends and her loving husband. I will start this off being upfront and transparent. Yes, I am asking you to please read this and then consider donating to their cause. Let me tell you a little bit about them.
It is true what they say; you may travel all around the world looking for something that is in your own backyard the whole time.
Michelle met Will 19 years ago on his 26th birthday on Maui through their mutual friend Cara. Michelle was doing a 6 week internship for her Waldorf Education, while Will was working for Haleakala National Park monitoring native species. It was there that a seed was planted for a beautiful friendship to grow. One year later, to their surprise they crossed paths in Boulder, CO where they were both living and a further friendship blossomed and developed. It wasn’t long however before Michelle, full of wanderlust, moved to Costa Rica and eventually Chile. Will remained in Boulder playing music at night and working during the day.
After losing touch for 8 years, a stroke of destiny would place them together again. During their travels both of their families had migrated to Asheville, NC. Unbeknownst to them they were traveling on parallel paths to the same place for the same reason; to live closer to family. It just so happens that Cara, their mutual friend from Hawaii, was now also living in Asheville. When Michelle and Cara reunited, she learned that Will was now living there as well. After reconnecting once again, they finally fell in love. In Michelle’s words, ”Little by little our love grew and took hold. The way he made me laugh, the way I felt laying in his arms and the way it felt when we held hands, was like no other feeling I had ever had, like a big exhale!”
Three years later they were married on October 21st, 2017. Their wedding took place in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains surrounded by friends, family and the nature they both love. Today they are stronger than ever. The foundation of their love is unwavering that they know they can face anything life throws at them.
This brings me to the reason for starting a GoFundMe for them. After trying to get pregnant for a few years, Michelle was diagnosed with ovarian fibroids at 41yrs old. Their doctor thought there were only a few, but during the first surgery he removed 21 fibroids. Their doctor, one of the leading Endocrinologists in the area, expressed concern about their chances for a successful pregnancy. With limited resources, they continued trying on their own while paying for the surgery and saving for fertility treatments. Two years later, having completed two IUI treatments and 3 rounds of fertility medications, they took a break for financial reasons. Months later, they finally became pregnant on their own. Needless to say, they were ecstatic! Unfortunately, Michelle suffered her first devastating miscarriage. Sadly, she became pregnant not long afterwards and then miscarried again. After these unfortunate events Michelle underwent yet another fibroid removal surgery. Their love has truly carried them through the rollercoaster of emotions they have experienced over the past years.
My beautiful friends recently received the final word that Michelle’s chance of a successful pregnancy is nearly impossible. This news was a devastating blow. All of their specialists agree that an egg donor is their only option to become pregnant as it increases the success rate from 2% to 70%. The cost of this procedure is $25,000. Having gone through all of their savings from the surgeries, fertility treatments and doctors’ appointments, Michelle and Will were at a loss. Even with some family and friends offering to chip in, their goal seemed unreachable.
It has been their dream to have a family and Michelle‘s personal dream to be a mother and give birth ever since she was a child. She is a bilingual certified Waldorf early childhood teacher and currently works for an Early Head Start program at a non-profit school. She works with low-income Latino families, where she is highly respected and loved, even attending the birth of one of her Guatemalan mothers who was without a support system. My kids were amazed when Michelle came to visit at how she sat with them and created art projects while the adults sat and socialized. To say she is a “kid person” is an understatement! Will is someone who can patiently teach music to children, and has recently been awarded a scholarship started study Advanced Manufacturing. His kind hearted, emotionally supportive nature makes him easy to love and connect with.
Not surprisingly, they were reluctant to do GoFundMe as they found it difficult to publicly ask for help. I convinced them to try because I truly believe that we can all help each other. Just a little bit from everyone can add up, WE can make dreams come true! I’m asking you to please give whatever you can. No amount is too little! Also, please pass this on to anyone you know that would be willing to help. Thank you so much for reading this. Love and blessings to all.