Rob and Liz: Bridging Oceans for a Baby
After years of hope and hard turns, a couple is carrying their dream of parenthood across the Atlantic.
A love story still writing its next chapter
Rob and Liz are approaching their sixth wedding anniversary, and nearly sixteen years together. Since 2019, they have been dreaming of the same thing: a child to love, to raise, to share their lives with. That dream has held steady through everything life has thrown their way.
In early 2022, Liz was diagnosed with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, a condition that makes natural conception extremely difficult. Genetic testing soon after revealed she is also a carrier for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, adding another layer of complexity to an already tender path. Months later, Rob was in a serious motorcycle accident, and their plans paused while he focused on a long recovery. The timeline shifted. The dream did not.
The path they have walked
Along the way, Rob and Liz have tracked cycles with charts and apps, sat through countless rounds of bloodwork, tried holistic and natural approaches, and lived through the heartbreak of a chemical pregnancy. Every step has held both hope and grief.
Liz has spent more than 22 years supporting children and families professionally, with degrees in Early Childhood Administration and a Master's in Family and Society Services. She has spent her career reminding other parents that it is okay to ask for help. Now she is learning to receive it, and to speak openly about infertility so others feel less alone.
Rob, in her words, is steady, funny, patient, and kind. After his accident, he met recovery with the same resilience he brings to their shared dream of becoming a dad.
Why Portugal
After a great deal of research and reflection, Rob and Liz have chosen to pursue fertility treatment in Portugal. For them, this was about values as much as logistics. Portugal is one of the few countries offering open-ID egg donation, which means their future child will one day have the option to learn about their donor. Given Liz's DMD carrier status, having access to as much health and genetic information as possible feels especially important. Portugal's programs are known for strong ethical oversight, thorough medical screening, and a human-centered approach to care.
Why family-building help matters
Building a family through fertility treatment is emotionally heavy on its own. The financial weight, including medical care, donor expenses, travel, and lodging abroad, can push the dream out of reach for loving people who are ready to parent. That is where community comes in. Small gifts, gathered together, can change what is possible for a family like Rob and Liz's.
If their story moves you, take a moment to read their fundraiser in their own words and chip in what you can. Every contribution, in any amount, helps carry them closer to the day they get to hold their child.
From the publisher
You don't have to carry the cost alone.
Gift of Parenthood awards a $20,000 Family Fund grant each cycle and helps families fundraise for IVF, surrogacy, and adoption. If this is your journey, there's a place to start.