NYer Of The Week: Manhattan Mom Helps Others Along Path To Adoption
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The latest New Yorker of the Week is a mother who's used her own struggles with infertility to bring the gift of adoption to families who cannot afford it. NY1's John Schiumo filed the following report.Seven years ago, Becky Fawcett thought she would never get to hear the sound of her own child laughing.
"I had always imagined that I would just be pregnant ...so it was really the death of a dream," says Becky.
After five rounds of In Vitro Fertilization, three miscarriages, and more than $80,000 spent trying to get pregnant, Becky decided it was time for a new plan.
"I knew adoption was my option and so I closed one door and opened another. I always knew I wanted to be a mother but my awareness about what this all means is so heightened my idea of motherhood has completely changed," says Becky.
But the decision brought other hardships -- first of which was the waiting game.
"Your life goes on hold while you are adopting. It's almost like you are holding your breath," recalls Becky.
Then there was the cost. After adopting Jake in 2006 and Brooke in 2009, Becky realized adoption is a privilege unattainable to many.
"What people are shocked about is that it doesn't matter who you are or where you live the average cost of an adoption is $30,000," says Becky. "It's really heartbreaking to think that people are going through life childless not by choice, because of money."
In 2007, Becky created HelpUsAdopt.org to provide grants to parents unable to afford adoption. To date, the organization has helped 56 families. She says the best part is bringing good news to those waiting to become parents.
"I couldn't breathe, I was a mess. It was, I mean, I could do this because of her. It's an unbelievable miracle because now when the baby comes I'm not going to be completely devastated financially," says adoptive parent Stephanie Reice.
"I know exactly what this means. This is why I do this. I've adopted twice and I've struggled to be a mom and I've had the disappointments, I've cried the tears," says Becky.
So, for making it possible for others to have a family like her own, Becky Fawcett is the latest New Yorker of the Week.