COVID -19 RESPONSE
Dealing with uncertainly, unknowns and lack of control is familiar to people facing infertility and family building challenges. Many other medical conditions and life circumstances also can put us in this state of unknown uncertainty. However, having it experienced on a global level, being sheltered at home, and having limited access to healthcare is something very new.
While the lack of information is confusing and stressful, one way we can help ourselves move forward is recognizing that sometimes the best we can do is to make decisions based on what we know now. We cannot always wait for certainty.
Hasidah set forth some questions to help those facing infertility and family building challenges to take steps forward.
- What do we know about the situation right now?
- What are the issues involved with medical care for infertility clinics?
- What are the important things to consider when making decisions (medically and emotionally)
- What can people facing infertility do to take care of themselves through all of this?
Hasidah is very proud to have a robust healthcare advisory board to provide guidance at times like these and beyond. We were blessed to have reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Peter Klatsky and psychotherapist and spiritual director Karen Erlichman, D. Min, LCSW, to help us answer these questions. The video is available for you to see. Please feel free to share with others. It is very informative and comforting.
SPIRITUAL CARE DURING COVID-19
Hasidah also has spiritual care practices that are even more essential now. We will post them throughout the following weeks to help with coping through these challenging times. Our first one is the most basic and most common issue now: Relationship
Relationships are key to our spiritual health. Infertility can be isolating as it is. For many people social distancing was a very real coping mechanism before it became a common phrase. Having and nurturing relationships are essential to our human and spiritual existence. Infertility can strain relationships with family, spouses, parts of our self, our friend, our community and even God. Experiencing such a painful, personal and private trial can keep us feeling separated from others. Judaism teaches, however, that people are not meant to be alone (Gen 2.18). We are meant to live in relationships with others.
During this COVID-19 situation we are actually physically distancing and not necessarily “socially distancing.” We can nurture relationships in many ways even when we are not physically together. We can emotionally, mentally and, with the use of technology at least, visually make connections with others. The distinction is not just semantic. Feeling connected, thinking of others, taking stock of people in our lives, praying or focusing on a divine presence in our lives, and reaching out in any way opens us up to powerful healing.
In whatever way you are able, nurture relationships that nurture you. At least once a day, take a moment to recognize the relationships in your life. If you are able to reach out to just one or two people to share what you are experiencing, you are blessed. If you can just stay connected in any way, that is a blessing too. You are not alone.
Wishing you all health and safety during these times of uncertainty.