We’re Maureen and Ryan!

We met in Chicago in 2010, built a life together here around lots of laughter and support for each other, and were married in 2016. In 2022, after a long fertility journey and two rounds of Clomid, we were thrilled to welcome our daughter. She is a bright, loving, silly little girl who brings so much joy to our lives, and we’ve long hoped to give her a sibling.

We began trying for a second child in 2024 and faced a new series of challenges—scarring and inflammation in Maureen’s uterus, two unsuccessful IUIs, and, most recently, a miscarriage in spring 2025. Our doctor has now recommended IVF as our best path forward. Unfortunately, our insurance does not cover IVF, and we’re navigating a period of professional transition—Maureen works in software, and Ryan is preparing to leave his longtime federal role as a disability attorney to launch his own firm.

Outside of our fertility journey, we love living in Chicago and spending time as a family enjoying everything the city offers—from dance performances and concerts to neighborhood festivals and walks along the lake. We’re also close with our extended family and love traveling together.

Receiving this grant from the Chicago Coalition for Family Building has renewed our hope. We are so grateful for this chance—not only to grow our family, but to feel supported by a community that understands how painful infertility can be and that access is too limited.

We’re excited to give back through volunteering, advocacy, and support for other families on this path. Thank you for seeing us and making this dream possible.

Maureen and Ryan are recipients of a donated cycle from our partner practice, Reproductive Medicine Institute.