Lisa Lauro UNPAID Maternity Leave

Our dear friend and sister Lisa is having a baby! For as long as I can remember, Lisa has always wanted to be a mom.   Now that she has overcome so much on her own and has come to this place in her life where she is now getting ready to bring her little bundle of joy into this world in only a few short months, I would like to bless Lisa with some help from family and friends! But first…you need to hear her story.

Lisa began the process of having a baby four years ago when she had her first consult with IVF.  She was given a few options and chose to try an Inter-uterine insemination first. After shots and medicines to prepare her body, she tried two separate times and was not able to get pregnant. Lisa then decided to go through IVF and once again after significant financial and physical commitments (giving herself shots, wearing duragesic patches and taking other medicines which made her feel awful) she was unsuccessful.  Disappointed and feeling defeated Lisa took a break and decided to put her focus back onto educating and helping her students succeed in school and helping her ailing parents because, even in her darkest hours, Lisa is a born caregiver. But, with time rolling forward as it does, Lisa has always been conscious of the limited and closing biological window to realize her dream and life’s calling of having a baby and raising her own family just wasn’t something she was ready to give up on.  Finally, this summer she gave IVF one last  try. She is now in her second trimester and, though she is considered “high- risk”, she is feeling good, medical examinations have gone well and she is praying with all of her heart that all goes well. 

But none of this has come without its costs. The procedures, medicines and surgeries that Lisa had to commit to in order to make this dream come true have cost her upwards of $50k.  Many of us know covering all of the medical bills, baby equipment, food and incremental costs of raising a child isn’t easy even with two incomes, but to start off this journey already in significant debt is overwhelming and scary.  To make matters worse, the school board of Broward County does not allow for a paid maternity leave. Lisa will not get paid for the three months that she will be on leave.  She tutors after school to try and save as much as she can but she sure can use some help from each of us who have known and loved the wonderful person that Lisa has always been and who are cheering for her to be the best Mom that she can possibly be for her little one. 

Lisa has always been a giver. She has dedicated her life to being an amazing teacher and caring each day for other people’s children. She has also spent the last 11 years caring for her mom and late dad each day.  She never complains and has given her heart to helping others when she can.  She has put her own life on hold caring for others.  She is truly amazing and I know she will be such a wonderful mother.  It is time to pay it forward. If you find it in your heart to help Lisa start off this new life with her baby, I would be forever grateful.   I am hoping to raise enough money to cover her mortgage and fixed bills for three months as well as to even cover child care for her first year.  

Thank you and many blessings this holiday season,

Danielle