Christina Martin

On Wednesday, April 27, 2022 we wore orange to celebrate National Infertility Awareness Week and to bring awareness to 1 in 8 couples who struggle with infertility. In addition to wearing orange, the community shared what we wish others knew about infertility or why they wore orange. Below are some of your responses.

Thank you to all of the MRKHers and MRKHer supporters who participated on this fun day of advocacy!

1) “I’m grateful to be apart of a community that has poured into me. I am grateful for those that remind I am beautiful. I am grateful for those who remind me that I am strong. I am grateful for those who remind me that I am a woman.”

2) “Today I wear orange because having a family is not easy for everyone; 1 in 8 struggle with some form of infertility making their journey to parenthood both a physical and mental battle. There are various causes of infertility affecting both women and men.

Today I wear orange because I have infertility. I was born with MRKH which includes the absence of a uterus. While this is a struggle, I was at least aware from a very young age that I would have infertility. Many who suffer from infertility don’t know that they have it until they are trying to have kids. Either way it is hard to understand unless you have personally dealt with it.

Today I wear orange because it is likely there are people in your life that are dealing with infertility that have not shared about it. Remember to not take for granted the ability to have a kid… and please stop asking those without kids when they are going to start having them.”

3) “I’ve got my orange T-shirt, my MRKH forearm tattoo and my fur baby – all of the things that remind me there are many ways to achieve the future I want and many options out there to do so. Some may be more difficult than others, but difficult things are what teach us to be strong and resilient, which is what #MRKH has done for me.”

4) 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞: 𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐦

𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 to help build a community.

𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 to bring warmth and love into being.

𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 to show my compassion.

𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 to promote infertility awareness.

𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 to be the best advocate I can be.

𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 to help with recovery.

𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 to show my support for those in need.”

5) “Today I wear orange as an MRKH advocate. Here in India, people aware of infertility but don’t know or don’t want to know about mrkh syndrome.

I wear orange to advocate for my Indian MRKH sisters – the 1 in 5000 born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser-Syndrome.“

6) “Today I am proud to be part of the 1 in 5,000 women who have had to gear up and conquer the ultimately beautiful, empowering mental and physical defeat of my MRKH diagnosis. I am who I am because of ME.”

7) “Today I wear orange to show the world that infertility is common.

I wear orange to advocate for people born differently, and especially the 1 in 5000 born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser-Syndrome.

I wear orange to stand out and be bold.

I wear orange to speak for those whose circumstances don’t allow them to speak.

I wear orange for those who are just being diagnosed with infertility and need a safe space.

Today, I wear orange for me.”

8) “1 in 8 couples who struggle with infertility are overjoyed for our friends and their growing families! We absolutely want to celebrate big life moments with our loved ones and their children. But there are times when we need to step away at a baby shower or even decline a celebration to protect ourself. Please understand that someone with infertility deciding not to attend an event has nothing to do with you, but everything to do with protecting themselves and their mental and emotional health. Being triggered with infertility can come out of nowhere and when we least expect it. We ask that our friends and family be patient with us and try and understand if we need a few moments to ourselves.”

9) “Whether you struggle public or privately, have been struggling for a short period or for years- you are seen, your feelings are valid, and you are a warrior”

10) “Infertility is not your fault, it’s not a bad word, it’s ok to talk about. And it’s not something that defines you.”

11) “Today I wear orange to honor my sisters with MRKH syndrome and all that we’ve lost and overome.”

12) “Be kind, you never know what someone ese is going through.”

13) “I wear orange to show infertility is common.”

14) “I wear orange for those afraid to talk because like me at one time was afraid of what others would think.

“The road to parent hood was long and hard and not the road I had planned. The truth is looking back I wouldn’t trade my road for two reasons. It game me my two greatest loves. It gave me a group of incredible woman (MRKH sisters) who have more resilience, grit and determination than anyone I know. They are changing the way we look at infertility, adoption, surrogacy and IVF. The are the blessings in disguise.”

15) “Fact: Teens can be diagnosed with infertility, too.”

16) “I wish people know that infertility is very hard for people in every which way possible. They should be considerate when playing pranks about pregnancy because it’s not funny.”

17) “Please allow yourself to feel the sadness, grief, emptiness, or whatever your feeling. Initially, I was told don’t tell anyone about MRKH and even my doctor said don’t tell anyone and just get her married off! This made me feel like MRKH is a secret and something to be ashamed and embarrassed about. However it’s not and now I actually felt empowered by MRKH.”