Campaign Story

Hi everyone! Our names are Chris and Katie, and we appreciate you taking the time to learn about our story and consider being a support for us on our journey.

We met when we were teenagers, at just 13 & 16. Chris and I have now been together for a little over 17 years. We have one biological son together and we have also raised his niece and nephew since they were small.
We both find joy in our community involvement, whether that is through family, sports, or our faith. We have both been blessed with important roles within our church where we have the honor to teach and mold our younger generations; Chris as a Deacon, and myself as a youth Sunday School Teachers.

Chris and I had our whole lives planned out, we were going to get married and have three children of our own, I was going to become a nurse, we were going to adopt our niece and nephew and buy a house. We were going to be the parents that we did not get as children, just like the promise we made to each other when we first started dating.
I (Katie) have Endometriosis and recently have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Through a miracle of its own, our son was born in April 2012. Not only was I told it would be difficult to have children, but I was also in a medically induced menopause (treatment for endometriosis).

April 1st, 2013, not even a year after our son was born, Chris had left for work and about an hour later I received a phone call that he had been thrown out of a tree, and he is on his way to the hospital. Our lives forever changed that day. The accident left Chris paralyzed from his chest down. This meant he could not walk, work the way he was used to working, or chase our son around, not to mention the other number of chances we would have never imagined would become a part of our life.

Eventually, we finally got life “straightened out.” The past 12 years have included numerous rollercoasters of hospital trips, infections, broken wheelchairs, emotional ups and downs, but we have learned so much in this time about life, each other, and ourselves.

Chris and I have always wanted more children, but with everything going on, we never mentioned it more than briefly. Last year, I was talking to Chris about how I did not want to be on birth control any more, due to the constant struggle to find one that consistently works to manage my endometriosis. I told him I was considering getting a hysterectomy. There is something about saying it aloud to another person that makes up really feel the weight of what you’re saying, I immediately felt the pain in my heart. We both knew at that moment that it would mean we would never create another life from the two of us.

August 28th, 2024, Chris, and I decided that we would try to have another child. We asked our son how he would feel, and he was excited but nervous. We have discussed with our niece and nephew, who feel just as excited. We have the support of our family and friends. We both feel like God has given us the go ahead to have another child.
Chris and I have been to a reproductive specialist, and it is recommended that we do invitro fertilization (IVF), and he has to have a Testicular Aspiration done to retrieve his sperm, given the complex circumstances resulting from his injury. Together, the procedures needed come to a total of $23,300. Chris works full time, and I work part time and save as much as we can towards our goals. We have applied for grants as well, but anyone going through this knows how difficult those can be to get selected.

We were both raised to always try to help others as much as we can, and we try our best to provide a helping hand to whoever may need it in any way we can. Ironically, asking others for help has proven to be one of the more difficult things, however, this is a mountain that we know we cannot climb alone.

We know that what comes naturally for many, should not be such hardship for millions. Between the cost of the procedures and the obstacles we have faced/ may face, it sometimes feels overwhelming and a little discouraging. We are hopeful, however, that you may find it in your heart to help us get closer to the top of this mountain so that we can have the opportunity to bring another child into our lives to love, and complete our family. Any support is greatly appreciated, even if it is a simple prayer! Thank you!