Learning to Let Go Of Having a Genetic Child

For many of the families who decide to pursue embryo adoption as their family building method, they’ve come to this choice due to the fact that they are unable – for whatever reason – to have their own genetic child. For the Cannon family, after the death of their daughter Annabelle, they discovered they were carriers for a rare genetic disorder and chose not to have any more genetic children. Embryo adoption agencies encourage families to grieve the loss of having more genetic children before they move on to embryo adoption. So how did the Cannons process their decision to try embryo adoption?

Ryan Cannon said that for him, he acknowledged that there is a big drive to settle down and have your own kids and carry on your genetics. “I think a lot of the push is to force your genetics into the next generations and that’s really not necessary,” he said. “Ultimately, I really want to become a parent so I can pour love into my child, not so I can make another version of me. There are so many embryos out there and so many opportunities.”

“We recognize that is a huge thing to give up, the prospect of having your own biological children,” said his wife, April. “I don’t think anyone would say that’s not a loss in some way – there is definitely something you give up – but it’s been an amazing blessing to us. If you look at it as lives that are out there waiting that you can carry in your womb, that’s pretty amazing. These are lives that need a chance to be loved. They are just as good as one that you might make new.”

You can read more about the Cannon family as well as the family that donated their adopted embryos by requesting your copy of the Winter/Spring 2016 issue of Pathways2Family. You can also learn more about embryo adoption by visiting EmbryoAdoption.org.

(Please Read Our Comment Policy Before Commenting)