Bonus Episode 11: Journey to Fatherhood: Finding Support in the Journey
One of the largest misconceptions we hear is that infertility is a women’s issue when in fact, female-factor infertility is only the cause a third of the time. One third is attributed to male-factor reasons, and a third of the time it is either unexplained or a combination.
That is why we at Progyny are launching a three-part webinar series on men and infertility.
Our first installment focused on the emotional impact infertility can have on men, who often suffer in silence. Our experts discussed how to ask for support, talk about the journey, and recover from a loss.
While this webinar is definitely worth the listen, we understand that life gets busy and have provided a summary for you here.
Experts: Will Rivera II, Fertility in Colour for Men, Denny Ceizyk, Author of Almost a Father, Arthur J. McGrath, LCSW, CST, BCN, MPA
Host: Dan Bulger
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for more resources.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility.
Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.
Host
Dan has been in the healthcare industry for the last six years as a multimedia content producer. Better known as ‘Video Dan’ he as interviewed numerous doctors, patients and other experts in the world of fertility. He’s also the producer for this podcast, This is Infertility. On a personal note Dan’s parents started fostering kids when he was four years old, and he considers himself a proud older brother to over 100 foster children.
Guest
Will Rivera II is the husband and father behind Fertility in Colour. Walking through the last 4 years of recurrent miscarriages with his wife Sherisa has proven to be the greatest challenge he’s ever faced. Going through this Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) journey, it became more and more evident that fathers were too often overlooked in this arena. Through his own grieving process, Will has found healing and strength through self-reflection, prayer, honest conversations with his wife, and an intentional focus on mental and physical health. Along with Sherisa, Will shares a passion of advocacy for families experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss and/or infertility. Fueling this passion is the desire to shine a light on the silent partners, who too often suffer in silence, raising awareness for their needs while also helping them understand they’re more than an afterthought and that they aren’t the only ones struggling. Therefore, Fertility in Colour for Men represents a community for men seeking support, comfort, and encouragement as they face the challenges of the RPL/infertility journey.
Guest
Denny Ceizyk is a six-year infertility veteran who has provided the male perspective about everything associated with medically assisted family building now for more than two decades.
He’s appeared on the CBS Early Show and been interviewed by the New York Times, the Huffington Post, and ABCNews.com. His blog, almostafather2.com was a “Best Blog” nominee in Resolve, The National Infertility Association’s annual National Infertility Awareness Week.
Denny was honored with Resolve’s Hero Award for his service to the infertility community, which included forming the first couple’s support group in Arizona, emcee-ing yearly Walk of Hopes in Arizona, and lobbying for infertility rights as an ambassador for Resolve’s Advocacy Day in Washington DC. He helped stop several anti-family building bills that threatened to give the Arizona state government rights to track the creation of infertility patients’ embryos.
Denny now lives in New York City where his formerly frozen embryo is attending high school. Denny is expanding his outreach and support for medically assisted family building into New York City and the surrounding boroughs.
He continues to provide support and is available to speak at support groups and infertility clinics about his ongoing advocacy for the 8 million couples entering the infertility treatment jungle every year.
Guest
Art has been a practicing psychotherapist for 15 years in New York City and currently has a private practice in Manhattan at Columbus Circle. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York and New Jersey. He completed his training as a clinical social worker at the Columbia University Graduate School of Social Work while he worked for the Columbia University medical school managing the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and the Center for Women’s Reproductive Care. His specialty areas include: infertility counseling, infertility and sexual functioning related cases as well as sex therapy and developmental trauma.
He worked closely for 15 years with Mark Sauer, MD, Chief of the Columbia University Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and provided orientation and support groups for new patients and men in the infertility treatment process. He is a Certified Therapist in EMDR by the Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association. He is Board Certified in Neurofeedback by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance. He is trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (attachment based) and is also a Certified Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Art also has a Masters in Public Administration from the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He has served on a number of not for profit boards and was elected to the Maplewood South Orange Board of Education in New Jersey where he served a three year term.