fundmyinfertility.com

January 30, 2003 3:38 PM

Can't afford those expensive fertility treatments? Just beg for money on the internet! This childless couple has even set up a CafePress store to help bring in cash so they can try to have a baby. Childfree advocates react with expected disdain.
posted by beth (13 comments total)

Sorry, this is the CafePress store link.
posted by beth at 3:41 PM on January 30, 2003

This e-begging thing is getting a little out of hand, IMO. The savekaryn thing was a novel way of raising money and good luck to her, but, as with all bandwagons, this one is getting a bit creaky and needs to be taken out the back of the shed and dismantled in favour of a newer way to screw money out of jaded people with too much disposable income.
posted by dg at 3:46 PM on January 30, 2003

One might also wonder, if these people can't afford the IVF treatments, how on earth are they going to afford the child? Are they going to have to beg repeatedly for money to help pay for the costs of raising the child?
posted by beth at 3:52 PM on January 30, 2003

Beth I bit my tongue way before posting, thanks for that last link.

are they going to afford the child

Also very good point indeed.

In the early 90's I started to see, more recycling and folks making do with what they had by fixing it or updating it. I guess it did not catch on with the dotcom boom.

I really feel for any child who is in a foster home or orphanage that would have to see or hear of this crap.

Yes, I'm sure there are good points about being able to conceive your own, but really begging. Then the cliche'...

PS, I change my mind let them have their own, I wouldn't want them to adopt me with this style of ethics.
posted by thomcatspike at 4:01 PM on January 30, 2003

There's a good reason why some people are infertile. Nature is doing it's best to put a stop to these jackasses. We shouldn't stand in her way.
posted by Witty at 4:41 PM on January 30, 2003

Shouldn't it be fundmyfertility.com?
posted by modofo at 4:43 PM on January 30, 2003

Gee, why don't they just smoke pot?
posted by padraigin at 5:00 PM on January 30, 2003

That logo is brilliant. If I had to make a symbol of everything wrong in America, this might be it.
posted by letitrain at 5:06 PM on January 30, 2003

the lack of mandated infertility coverage in all but 14 states' insurance laws

This is an outrage. Does anyone know which 14 states these are and whether contraceptives or mental health treatment are covered there?
posted by transona5 at 5:30 PM on January 30, 2003

so it's the straight version of this?
posted by Vidiot at 5:52 PM on January 30, 2003

okay, i was pissed off too when i first got to the fundmy site, esp because i had been to the rant link first and was all hyped up on their outrage.

and then i read what the fund site was actually trying to do, and i poked around a little on their message boards, and i've come to a softer view. i'm not saying i agree with them 100 percent; sometimes we have to accept the hard knocks we get in life, and if we want kids but can't have them, then adopt a child who needs a home.

but their web site is about trying to get insurance laws changed, and creating a non-profit to help infertile couples, and yes, it looks like, a little straight-out begging. i wasn't entirely sure on that.

infertilitly treatments can cost tens of thousands of dollars, though, so it's not entirely fair to say "if you can't afford the treatment, you can't afford the kid." yes, if you really want it, it should be worth any financial sacrifice that's possible -- but shelling out $25,000 to get pregnant can put a serious dent in any average couple or person's ability to provide for a child.

yeah ... did any of that make sense? i think i need to go to bed now.
posted by damn yankee at 8:06 PM on January 30, 2003

[from the Letter from Tricia link] Infertile couples pay the same premiums as fertile couples, but are not able to access needed care. Most diseases and medical conditions are covered by insurance. The disease of infertility is often singled out for exclusion. Such discrimination is unfair.

My first reactionary question is... is care needed? Secondly, is infertility a disease? I mean is there a point or level of infertility that jeopardizes the health of the woman... does it cause pain? Does it shorten the life of a woman or cause other threatening complications later on? Is fertility a necessary part of leading a healthy life?

I just question what responsibility an insurance company really has in this situation. In a way it seems that infertility care is to health insurance as teeth whitening is to dental insurance.
posted by Witty at 11:52 PM on January 30, 2003

"My first reactionary question is... is care needed? Secondly, is infertility a disease? I mean is there a point or level of infertility that jeopardizes the health of the woman... does it cause pain? Does it shorten the life of a woman or cause other threatening complications later on? Is fertility a necessary part of leading a healthy life?"

Some causes of infertility jeopardize health and lifespan of women. PCOS/PCOD is one of them. Without proper treatment (which is not a birth control pill prescription and send them on their way) it makes the chances of uterian cancer and heart disease, as well as other things much greater.

And many insurance companies balk at treatment because they claim it is entirely for fertility purposes.
posted by SuzySmith at 3:01 AM on January 31, 2003