About You’re Not Alone
When you’re desperately trying to start or expand a family but can’t, late-night, Google searches are as inadvisable as they’re irresistible. Some searches are reassuring. Many are wild goose chases leaving you unsettled and contemplating another glass of wine. But misery doesn’t love company as much as it yearns for the possibility of a happier ending to the story. Reassurance. That’s what this website aims to provide.
Our ultimate aim is to offer more than just the emotional support of storytelling but also financial support for what is often an expensive journey. Our goal is to raise money through direct donations, sponsors, & maybe some retail. So, stay tuned for more stories, more sponsors, maybe a podcast & a retail store.
The goal of this online anthology of stories is to replace desperation with hope.
It is a curated collection of parents’ stories that run the gamut of the trials and tribulations so many confront when trying to have a baby. Parents share their experiences — the good, the bad, the ugly & the funny — and their advice with candor, wit and wisdom. It’s designed so that any reader struggling can connect with a story and think, ‘I’m not alone and it’s all going to be okay.”
For many, becoming a parent is for lack of a better word, easy. For me — and millions of people — it wasn’t. I liken it to running a race of indeterminate length barefoot without crowds, cheers or clapping. The end was right around the corner or another 40 odd miles away. I only knew that I had to keep metaphorically running or I would never cross that finish line. And yes, unlike most things in life, when you’re trying to have a baby, there is a finish line. It’s called holding your baby.
As for the images of shoes … this website and the stories* within it are here to help people to cross that finish line. I searched and searched for something visual, personal, yet anonymous to illustrate each story. Then I thought, “Shoes … Walk a mile in my shoes” because when we’re able to do so, almost anyone’s story hits home even if it’s nothing like our story. This is why each story features a drawing of parents’ shoes (or their kids’ shoes).
Remember, have courage. It isn’t easy and you’ll get there. I know it.
About Kelly McMenamin
Kelly McMenamin is an author, speaker, artist and co-founder of PixiesDidIt!, a company dedicated to helping clients organize according to personality type. She started “You’re Not Alone: The Journey to Parenthood” website as a supportive resource for parents and future parents trying to create their family.
During her own struggles to create her family, Kelly tried to be open about her experience and as a result of that openness became a repository of stories of struggle and hope on the journey to parenthood. She continues to collect stories of other people’s journeys and now publishes them to expand their reach along with drawings of photographs of the parents’ shoes. Her aim is to encourage more people during tough days on that sometimes, rocky path. She is in the midst of starting a foundation to offer financial support to those struggling to create their families.
Kelly lives in New York City with her husband and three sons who — despite appearances—were not that easy to create! Kelly holds a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.B.A from The Tuck School at Dartmouth.
* These stories are as told to me. I edit them solely to be readable and grammatically correct. I also change names. While I cannot vouch for the veracity of each story, I also cannot imagine why anyone would share something untruthful in this context. Everyone who shared their story did so out of the kindness of their hearts without remuneration simply because this is the type of encouragement they had wished they had. They’re all rooting for you. You’re not alone.