The Josephs had been considering foreign adoption, but they were told they were too old. Then came a call from a friend, Lynn Waxman in Baltimore. Lynn had just seen a television program on an organization called the Snowflake Program. The program helps infertile couples with leftover frozen embroys, find adoptive parents for embryos they couldn't use. But the program was based on the west coast and the waiting time made it impossible. However, the Josephs were inspired by a program that would allow Rhonda to carry a child, who might never have a chance to live.
A local doctor referred the Joseph's to a clinic in Cincinnati and the first call to the Institute for Reproductive Health brought a remarkable coincidence. A couple that had just delivered a healthy baby girl, had called to put the rest of their embryos up for adoption. The Joseph's doctor called that same morning and it was an instant match.
Rhonda says that morning was an answer to her prayers.
In just a few weeks Rhonda felt that she was pregnant. And a call from the doctor's office set off a celebration in the Joseph's car, the moment they heard the news. By December, Piper Nicole had become the newest resident of Oldham County.
And now, Mom and Dad have become strong advocates for finding adoptive parents for frozen embroyos. It's estimated that there at 350,000 frozen embryos waiting for adoption at clinics around the country. Their future is uncertain because their parents are uncertain what to do.
Yes, the process is just like adoption, because the embryos have different parents, but the mother carries the child and delivers like a normal full term pregnancy. As the doctor told Rhonda and David, " when we put that precious little baby in your arms, you don't even think about where she came from...she will be yours.."
And the Josephs will be happy to share their story and information with you. Just write to Rhonda at PipersMiracle@aol.com.