FAMILY BUILDING NETWORK SUPPORT GROUP MEETING Wednesday May 16, 2012 7-8:30PM

The Monthly Support Group, lead by Patricia Mendell, LCSW, is dedicated to helping families formed through egg/sperm/embryo donation and surrogacy, create healthy and lasting connections.  

Everyone has a unique Story about their family. For parents planning to disclose, telling the Family Story can seem overwhelming.

Discussions will  include:

·        The importance of language in the disclosure story ·        Latest research on children and families ·        Age appropriate books for donor offspring children ·        How to answer questions from your child and others ·        How to begin “The Talk” ·        How childrens’ questions change over time ·        What to tell siblings

Date: Time: Cost: Location: Contact:

Wednesday April 18, 2012 7:00-8:30 pm $25 per person, $40 per family 902 Broadway (between 20th-21st Sts. next to 920 Broadway), 13th Floor, NYC 10010 Patricia Mendell, LCSW, 212-819-1778 Call to reserve a space www.patriciamendell.com

Future Dates: 5/16/12, 6/20/12

Fw: Don't Miss Tomorrow Fertility & Adoption in TriState NY NJ CT

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

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From: A Family of My Own Fertility & Adoption Conference <liz@afamilyofmyown.com>

Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:00:40 -0400 (EDT)

To: <saxel95@aol.com>

ReplyTo: liz@afamilyofmyown.com

Subject: Don't Miss Tomorrow Fertility & Adoption in TriState NY NJ CT

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Click Here and Share on Your Social Network      Do you have your VIP All Access Pass to the most exclusive one-of-a-kind fertility & adoption event to hit the NY Tri-State area?    Don't miss the most anticipated Fertility & Adoption Conference to hit the NY TriState area.  This is your chance to meet some of the most sought after professionals who are committed to help you build your family.   Time to Take the Next Step. Register today.     Learn about options that take you one step closer to building the family you have always wanted.  Come for the whole day, part of the day, speak to experts, walk through the exhibit halls and gather information and connect with others on a similar journey.   On-Site / Walk-In Registration Welcome   Directions to Hilton Westchester / Rye Brook    Breakfast and Lunch are available for purchase.   Plan ahead by previewing the Schedule for the day.    _____________________________    Don't Miss Special Guest Speakers at the TriState Conference:   Opening Remarks at the Adoption Track with:  8:30a:  Becky Fawcett, Founder, Help Us Adopt and CNN Hero   Conference Closing Remarks with: 2:30p:  Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) 'The Difference One Can Make When Advocating For Your Own Health Issues'   Meet over 50 family building professionals, one-on-one, in one place for one day to answer all of your questions.  Many are internationally known and based in the TriState NY area.      REGISTER HERE for Tri-State: Saturday, April 21, 2012 Hilton Westchester 699 Westchester Avenue   Rye Brook, NY 10573    *$20 pp FREE PARKING       ___________________________   If You Live in The Nation's Capital Metro Area - Join Us!    REGISTER HERE for Washington, DC: Saturday, May 12, 2012    Hilton McLean Tysons Corner 7920 Jones Branch Road McLean, VA 22102  *$15 pp Early Bird until May 1 *$20 pp after Early Bird date  FREE PARKING           Learn more about: Natural and Assisted Fertility Options Fertility Yoga, Massage and Nutrition Microscopic Miracles: Learn What Goes on In the Lab Modern Family Building with Donor Egg and Surrogacy How to Adopt with Ease, Quickly, Less Expensively and More Successfully Where in the World to A Family of Our Own: International Adoption From Home Study to Passport to Country Visit and more!   *A portion of attendee registration fee will be donated to the nonprofit organization,   RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association - working to improve the lives of people living with infertility.   If you have questions about upcoming conferences please contact us.     Liz Carellas, Co-Director Liz@AFamilyofMyOwn.com 407-493-5717   Preya Shivdat, Co-Director Preya@AFamilyofMyOwn.com 407-694-3674   Nina Antolino, Program Manager, Tri-State Nina@AFamilyofMyOwn.com 914-393-9221     Sign up for our newsletter! What is your plan for 2012? Stay in touch and find out Where in the World is 'A Family of My Own'. Join us and receive the most up to date information about Fertility, Adoption & our Conferences!   TriState NY / NJ / CT Saturday, April 21   Washington, DC Saturday, May 12   Chicago, IL Saturday, September 29   Houston, TX Saturday, November 3 National Media Partners  We are pleased to announce our new National Media Partners. Check out their informative websites for more great family building info!

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Drug Tests for Child Support: A Hundred Kinds of Wrong | Des Moines Register Staff Blogs

The first paragraph is very similar to my own story. Its only through donor parenting that I find it necessary to distinguish father from step-father. I truly know who my dad was. If I had to make it sound different before, I would say my first father and then my second father. My first father wanted me to call my second father "Daddy Al". I just called him what he was, Daddy.
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/04/14/drug-tests-for-child-support-a-hundred-kinds-of-wrong/
Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

Toxic Nail Polish: Lies Found on Beauty Industry Labels

This is why I limit how often my girls can wear nail polish.

Toxins Found in "Toxin-Free" Nail Polish: Another Reason Beauty Regulation ...

This trio consisted of a known carcinogen (formaldehyde) and two reproductive toxins (dibutyl phthalate or DBP and toluene) and had been banned for use in cosmetics by the European Union in 2004....

http://slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/04/13/toxic_nail_polish_lies_found_on_beauty_industry_labels.html

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

Are You My Mother? The Changing Norms of Adoption and Donation - The Huffington Post

I don't have a problem with how Lisa Belkins frames this but I do have a problem with the title of this article and the quotes by Elizabeth Marquardt on the topic.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/lisa-belkin/adoption-egg-sperm-donation_b_1372049.html

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

Infertile woman: Should a man leave a woman because she can’t have kids?

Good advice on sorting out feelings for both genders.

http://slate.com/articles/life/dear_prudence/2012/03/infertile_woman_should_a_man_leave_a_woman_because_she_can_t_have_kids_.html

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

THE EMOTIONAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF EMBRYO DISPOSITION : SPECIAL EVENT TUESDAY MARCH 20TH

On Tuesday March 20th we will have a special presentation on Embryo Disposition covering the emotional and legal aspects of this important decision-making process. Here is a note from Amy Demma, Esq:
We understand that many who have struggled with infertility and particularly those who have relied on egg donation for family building may, some time later, be dealing with excess embryo disposition. Many feel stuck in their decision making about embryos left-over from previous IVF cycles while others are seeking information about disposition options.

New York Attorney Amy Demma, someone both with personally and professionally experienced with residual embryo disposition will offer information about disposition options both in a legal and practical context.

Anne F Malave, PhD will share with the group the outcome of much research on the emotional aspects of this matter. We intend to offer both information and strategies on making a final decision regarding excess embryos.
I am happy to offer a gratis phone consult. We need to start talking about residual embryos, we need to start getting good information out to those who may be otherwise indecisive about disposition.

This is a dinner event in Midtown with a $10-20 average cost, min $5.
Please contact me directly for more info asap and to confirm your reservation.

Thanks and best to all,

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
http://donorgroupsnyc.blogspot.com/
http://www.meetup.com/New-York-PVED

Is the Egg Donor Given Too Much Attention and Status in the Disclosure Discussion?

These are the questions raised during a recent dinner with a friend and colleague, and fellow Mom Via Egg Donation. What part or role does or should the donor play in our family life?


Is there really a person who should be part of the family tree or is this the person to whom we are infinitely grateful for providing the help we needed (a tissue donation) in our being able to get conceive and carry a child?


If Egg Donors are signing off to not have a legal claim to the child, not interested in identity release or an open (known) donation, then why do we make more meaning of it when it comes to our own families?  Or is it our community of mental health professionals making more meaning of the donor?

I've met many parents and IP's via Donor Conception. They represent a wide range of people, with as many variations and opinions as there are on any topic involving babies and children... Birth, conception, child care, nutrition, immunization, education, to name a few.


People in general are very opinionated and for some reason more vocal about these issues than they are about equally charged topics such as politics and sex (our current media and entertainment culture notwithstanding). We seem particularly interested, once we are however involved in Donor Conception, in imparting our belief systems onto other, equally qualified individuals, who are making choices and caring for their families. We all want to think we know what's best for our, or all, children.


In every family, Donor Conceived or not, they will surely tell us at some point whether we were right or wrong, and everything and anything in between.

Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

JPost: Another Landmark Case Decided in Israel - An Egg Donor is Not The Mom.

JPost Article Of Special Interest to Jewish Parents via Egg Donation and Surrogacy.
..."Further, the ministry argued that Israeli law provides that in cases of egg donation, only the birth mother is considered the mother of a baby, not the egg donor."
http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/NYCAbout.aspx
Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com

Landmark case developing in Australia : Millionaire sperm donor in Australia fights for custody of child, ProudParenting.com

Landmark case developing in Australia :
Millionaire sperm donor in Australia fights for custody of child,
ProudParenting.comhttp://www.proudparenting.com/node/16750
Sara Axel
516-967-7430
Saxel95@aol.com