Mom:    “You have a college degree, a good job, a great husband, a beautiful home, that should be enough for you!”

Me:        “I seriously doubt anyone ever questioned your decision to become a mother.  Just because I am blind, does not mean I do not have the same hopes, dreams and desires as any other woman.”

I have always had a deep down in my bones desire to become a mom, nothing in my life would matter quite so much if I could not share my love with my own child.  After several years of trying to become pregnant without success, my husband and I embarked upon a journey on the roller coaster ride called infertility treatment.  We researched doctors and clinics and decided to go with a doctor who was touted to be “aggressive” and who yielded a high number of positive results.  After several unsuccessful attempts that exhausted our finances, left me with crazy mood swings as a result of the fertility drugs, depression, and a somewhat fractured relationship, I began to think that motherhood was not in the cards for me.  Feeling utterly lost and heartbroken, based on the advice of a co-worker, we began classes to become foster parents.  After finishing the necessary coursework, it was time to meet with a Social Worker in order to complete the home study.  Unfortunately, the Social Worker cautioned us that due to the fact that I am blind, we would probably not be considered for placement of a small child.  Of course we were devastated by this news and I knew that discrimination would be difficult to prove, so we decided to regroup.  After selling our home, we used the proceeds to try one last time.  We met with a doctor who was much more conservative and not so optimistic.  After our first treatment, I called my mom.  I asked her if she wanted to hear the good news or the bad news.  The good news was that I was indeed pregnant, and the bad news (tongue in cheek) was that we were expecting twins!  On November 15, 2005, we welcomed Abrianna Christianne and Alexandria Nicole into the world.  These two are my greatest joy and accomplishment in life!  The past 10 years have not been easy as a blind mom.  I had to learn to care for two babies at once, and then I had to care for two toddlers, and now, every day, I work to ensure they are learning how to become respectable, responsible and contributing members of our society.  They tell me all the time how lucky they are to have me as a mom.  They see beyond my blindness, and they also embrace it.  They love to show their friends my slate and stylus and my assistive technology.  They tell their friends that these are the things that make me unique.  I have worked in the blindness field for many years, but it was not until several years ago that I actually became a member of the NFB.  In the past, I thought it important to remain neutral.  However, after the birth of my daughters, I had a revelation.  If it were not for the advocacy of those who came before me, and the NFB, I would not have the opportunities to work in a professional job, to be married, or to be a mother.  Love, hope and determination have gotten me to where I am today and I am so very grateful that the NFB has truly allowed me to “live the life I want!!!”