You may have noticed a new image near the bottom of the Not So Mommy… sidebar, which states, “I am a proud PLICA Ambassador!” PLICA, founded by S.K. Reid (author of A Year of Medical Thinking), is the Perinatal Loss & Involuntary Childlessness Alliance. If you are new to Not So Mommy…, you might think it odd that I assert PLICA as a “good thing.” But before we talk about that, there are a few other topics I’d like to discuss first…
The Original Not So Mommy… Goal
When I started Not So Mommy… in August 2017, I wanted to make sure that no one felt alone on this journey. My entire goal was to help at least one person climb from the pit of despair and find her joy again… My goal was to offer support…
One way I planned to reach this goal was by sharing infertility / childless / childfree resources. As I say on the Resources page of Not So Mommy…, “I’m not so arrogant as to believe that Not So Mommy… can meet all of everyone’s needs . . . since this journey is beyond complex. Because of that, I decided to compile a list of additional resources . . .” (To find links to the 70+ blogs, Facebook groups, websites, and more, just click here.)
Sharing My Story…
As I found other blogs and websites, I also discovered opportunities to share my story, both within the infertility and childless not by choice communities and beyond. (You can find links to the various places I’ve shared my story by looking through the “Our Journey” page. Just click here.) Sharing my story (here at Not So Mommy… and on other sites) allowed me to make connections. Those connections made me realize that my goal—my purpose—at Not So Mommy… was actually much more than to simply offer support. I had (well, have) a heart to educate and advocate, as well. (Learn more about the Not So Mommy… Purpose by clicking here.)
The Updated 3-fold Goal…
To help fulfill this three-fold goal, I have participated in podcasts, webinars, World Childless Week, the We Are Worthy Summit, and more… In 2019, I was invited to be part of the Pregnantish Verified Network, as a childless voice within this infertility community—showing that not all journeys end with a little in arms. (You can read my PVN profile here.) Most recently, S.K. Reid invited me to be an Ambassador for the Perinatal Loss & Involuntary Childlessness Alliance (PLICA).
And that brings us back to the new image near the bottom of the sidebar…
The Goals of Not So Mommy… and PLICA . . .
S.K. Reid and PLICA have similar goals–a similar purpose–to Not So Mommy… S.K. wants to support those who are involuntarily childless, including those who have suffered infertility and/or miscarriage. Going beyond support, the Alliance desires to educate and advocate for our childless community. Because of this, I did not hesitate to accept the honor of being a PLICA Ambassador, alongside not only S.K. Reid, but also Jody Day (founder of Gateway Women), Crystal Webster (founder of Sharing Solace), and Janet Ambrose (childless warrior and artist). (Learn more about the PLICA Ambassadors by clicking here.)
The PLICA Emblem . . .
Not only do I fully support PLICA’s purpose, but I am in love with its emblem, which incorporates the awareness ribbons for Pregnancy & Infant Loss, Infertility, and Childless Not By Choice. In my humble opinion, PLICA’s emblem beautifully symbolizes the complexity of this journey, showing that there are various paths to being childless… The circle which surrounds the intertwined ribbons, however, demonstrates that those within this community, no matter the path that brought them to childlessness, share an unbreakable bond. Because we understand the heartache…
PLICA is a good thing . . .
Because we know deep pain and grief, you might be wondering why I assert that PLICA–the Alliance and its emblem–is a good thing…
Well, not only do we understand the heartache, but we also understand how to climb from the pit, how to accept what is, how to find joy despite…
PLICA is… WE ARE an alliance of strong women who get it.
And that, fabulous ones, is most definitely a good thing.
Explore the Perinatal Loss & Involuntary Childlessness Alliance website by clicking here.
Follow PLICA on Facebook and Instagram.
Read S.K.’s CNBC Story by clicking here.
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Featured Photo: The PLICA Emblem, edited using Canva; PLICA emblem & edited image used with the permission of S.K. Reid, founder of the Perinatal Loss & Involuntary Childlessness Alliance
