Infertility sucks. In terms of mental health, research shows it ranks up there with a
cancer diagnosis. Identifying and expressing our emotions is just one of the ways we can cope. To encourage reflection, celebrate strength and tenacity, and maybe even laugh, My Fertility Plan announces the launch of the 1st Annual International Infertility Haiku Contest.
Hovering needle
Poised above my abdomen
Filled with silent spite
Why haiku? Anyone can do it. A haiku is a three line poem, made up of only 17 syllables. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables
The third line has 5 syllables. That's it.
Your haiku must relate in some way to your family-building journey and it must follow the haiku-syllable rules. There are 2 categories – Serious and Silly. Just make sure you label which category your poem falls in (even if you think it's obvious). If your entry relates to medication, it will also be considered for the medication-related haiku award.
If only we knew
Fifteen years of birth control...
Should have saved the cash
It is free to enter – and you can enter as many times as you want. Each haiku must be in a separate e-mail. Please include your name and email as well. The contest is open to international entrants, but the entry must include an English translation.
Awards and Sponsors
Grand Prize $100
Theresa Erickson, esq
http://www.ericksonlaw.net
Special Award Medication – Related Haiku
Village Pharmacy: $50 gift certificate
(http:www.villagefertilitypharmacy.com and/or www.villagefertilityproducts.com.)
Special Award Adoption-Related Haiku
Colleen Marea Quinn, esq $25
(http://www.cantorarkema.com/adoption-surrogacy.asp)
Light-Hearted
Conceiving Concepts
(http://www.conceivingconcepts.com) $50
Parents Via Egg Donation
(http://www.parentsviaeggdonation.org/) $25
Infertility Answers
(http://www.infertilityanswers.org) $15
1 Runner-up will receive his or her choice of autographed books: the forthcoming, "Budgeting for Infertility: Bringing Home Baby without Breaking the Bank" or "Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation."
Serious
Clear Passage Therapies (http://www.clearpassage.com/) $50
Robert Terenzio, esq. (http://reproductive-alternatives.com/) $25
Pamela Madsen (http://www.thefertilityadvocate.com/) $15
1 Runner-up will receive his or her choice of autographed books: the forthcoming, "Budgeting for Infertility: Bringing Home Baby without Breaking the Bank" or "Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation."
Judges:
Tracy Morris, How to Make a Family (http://howtomakeafamily.typepad.com/)
Julie, blogger at http://www.alittlepregnant.com
Vic Belonogoff, Conceiving Concepts (http://www.conceivingconcepts.com)
Sharon LaMothe, Infertility Answers (http://www.infertilityanswers.org/)
Belinda Wurn, PT Clear Passage (http://www.clearpassage.com/)
Pamela Madsen, (http://www.thefertilityadvocate.com/wpblog/)
Evelina Weidman Sterling, PhD (www.myfertilityplan.com)
Entries will be accepted through Monday, November 24th at noon, ET.
To enter: Go to http://www.myfertilityplan.com and click on the Contact page (tab on the far right). Once you see the contact page, enter your haiku and do not forget your e-mail address! All entries become property of My Fertility Plan.
Angie
MyFertilityPlan.com
