#TalkFertility Be honest, if you'd had a child naturally, would you know what to say to someone who was infertile if you took away all you knew? We have to lead the way in quashing the ignorance, even if that hurts sometimes, a make it easier for our tribe
Read MoreNational Fertility Awareness Week #FertilityFellas
I'd like you to meet Dave. He's rather special because we met him through his work and a conversation with Mr S. He really wanted to share his experiences as a man in his 30s coping with the diagnosis of infertility.
Read MoreNational Fertility Awareness Week #IVFis40 what does this mean to us?
It’s 40 years since 10 November 1977 when Louise Joy Brown – the world’s first IVF baby - was conceived. Today Fertility Network UK are commemorating the anniversary by sharing #IVFis40 facts, milestones and memories, including when IVF does not work.
I was in my parents kitchen and heard that Louise Brown had been born. I thought that was weird - does she look like a test tube, how do you get a baby out of test tube?! This was before I knew about the facts of life, and I went back to annoying my brother probably. Either way, it was a bit of news that passed me by mostly.
Read MoreNational Fertility Awareness Week #IVFGoldStandard why it matters to you and me
This week it's National Fertility Awareness Week and I write this post with a heavy heart because where I live we have no funding and we are failing on the IVF Gold Standard. This means that anyone who wants to go through the doors of Bourn Hall, the founding place of pioneering treatment must pay thousands per cycle to do so. If you're a reader of this blog, then you'll know that my husband and I spoke out in the local press about this.
Read MoreNational Fertility Awareness Week 30 Oct – 5 Nov 2017
This week I am going to be joining Fertility Network UK and many others for National Fertility Awareness Week. I'm also one of the #FertilityFaces, proud to contribute my photo to this vital awareness week.
Read MoreTips on how to support an involuntary childless friend this season
That's a crap title but I wanted to get your attention as someone who perhaps has children or has chosen to not have children. I am sure that it's hard knowing what to say or do when you have a friend who is involuntarily childless. I often think of how much I'd hate to be the person having to cope with me when I was at my lowest. This piece was written during World Childless Week but wasn't posted until now as I think it's more timely. I hope it's useful.
Read MoreWalking Forward Inspirational Network
We have over 60 members in our network and it's growing each day. Nicci Fletcher from Voice of Infertility and CNBC magazine and I are kept very busy and we love this. The group is all about support. Lately we've had a vote on branding, talked about our ideal location and we have skills swap too, trading all manner of talents. We would love you to join us.
Read MoreNon-trigger books and films
So you're sat in your pjs, really loving the film and then there's a curved ball. A plot twist that the writer or the producer thought was great but for you, this miracle pregnancy or happy adoption threw you....
Read MoreGratitude sticks
I had to share this amazing idea with you. I met a lovely friend for lunch recently. I know she reads this blog so I that she recognises herself though I won't name her. She's starting up in a new business and I'm always amazed by her wonderful ideas to keep herself motivated.
Read More21st century man
A date for your diary. If you've wondered how the modern man copes with the challenges from hidden voices to childlessness, then you'll be interested in this conference on 8th November. Speaking is Dr Robin Hadley whose pioneering research has given a voice to men who are struggling with infertility.
Read MoreMeet Anita and Joe
"I was on the path to success. I had a great job and a partner and I was expecting our first baby after our second IVF cycle."
Read MoreBaby Loss Awareness Week
Baby Loss Awareness charities don’t just work on bereavement. Many charities involved in Baby Loss Awareness Week work every day to prevent baby and infant deaths, pregnancy loss and maternal deaths. But this Baby Loss Awareness Week we want to talk about what could be done right now to better support families affected by the death of a baby.
Read MoreOur story
We went into the loft today and found some boxes. The video (a first on Walk In Our Shoes) explains the rest. It felt like good timing having read an email that arrived telling me that the availability of IVF on the NHS is the reason the world is so overpopulated. It's not been the most pleasant of days and this find wasn't the nicest and it shook me. But I firmly believe in talking about IVF and infertility, so here is a bit of our journey.
Read MoreUpdated links
We've updated our links page to include groups that have helped us along the way and some suggestions. If you have a blog you think will help others, run a site that's help you and you want to share please do comment below or drop a line.
There are so many ways to help, and it's great to get recommendations.
Thank you.
Finalist, Cambridgeshire Digital Awards, 2017
I am thrilled to announce that Walk In Our Shoes has been nominated for an award!
Read MoreMeet Cara
Cara's post was one of the bravest and most read on our Facebook wall and when you read her words, you'll know why. Meet Cara.
Time To Change
We are having a holiday which is why the blog has been a little quieter than usual. It's been great to spend time together but with leading busy lives, reconnecting isn't always easy. Life carries on outside the holiday bubble (two pregnancy announcements, one invite to a christening and a wedding), so issues of sensitivity and care to good mental health matter even at this time.
Read MoreFriday find: resources for men
I use the phrase 'unsung heroes' for men who are living with involuntary childlessness and coming to terms with infertility. If resources and conversation around support for women need to be more mainstream then they can feel invisible for men. Hence, unsung heroes.
Fortunately there are some great sites and researchers out there providing invaluable work to change that perception. I know from feedback for this site that these resources provide comfort and information to our male contributors and their friends and family, helping to push past feeling of isolation.
Read MoreWhat is Walk In Our Shoes?
How can we help?
Read MoreDo you want to write for Walk In Our Shoes?
Walk In Our Shoes often features guest posts from like minded people who share the similar ethos of hope and inspiration. The site welcomes contributions from authors in the field of loss and involuntary childlessness, events, healing, managing grief and recognised therapies. We love to hear from fellow bloggers and those who run support groups as our ethos is one of sharing.
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