Prospective
parents who either have used or are considering using egg, sperm or
embryo donation are faced with many challenges about disclosure. Should
they disclose to family, friends or medical professionals? Should they
tell their children, and if so, how and when? Will disclosure change the
relationship with their child? What are the ramifications of either
course of action? All of these questions can cause great anxiety and distress among donor parents.



On the next episode of The Surrogacy Lawyer: Your Guide to IVF and Third
Party Family Building, Theresa Erickson, Esq., will be interviewing one
of the leading mental health authorities on gamete donation and
disclosure: Patricia Mendell, LCSW. They will discuss the pros and cons
of disclosure; how and when to tell children, as well as other
individuals; the different challenges of the three types of donation;
and other complexities of this important issue. The show will air on
Thursday, May 12 at 11AM PST/2PM EST on Voice America.



Patricia Mendell, LCSW, is a psychotherapist in private practice who has
over 25 years' experience with issues surrounding adoption, infertility
and donor conception. She is Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the
AFA, and part of the AFA Mental Health Advisory Council. She is a member
of the Mental Health Professional Group (MHPG) of ASRM and is a MHPG
mentor. Patricia has written and spoken extensively at conferences
throughout the United States on fertility, pregnancy loss, disclosure,
family, and parenting issues. As a therapist, fertility survivor and
parent, Patricia is well aware of the impact decision-making choices
have on people's lives. She believes that with the right support system
and practical educational tools one can feel confident in tackling any
of life's challenges.



"During the process of deciding to use and then select a donor, it can
be difficult for intended parents to appreciate the implications of
disclosure to their potential unborn children," says attorney Erickson.
"But the decisions parents make when their children are infants later
can have far-reaching consequences. As part of our continuing discussion
about donor disclosure, we are happy to have such an esteemed
specialist on our program this week to move the discussion forward once
again."



About Theresa Erickson, Esq.



Ms. Erickson is the managing partner of Erickson Law and the founder and
chair of Conceptual Options, The Surrogacy and Egg Donation Center. In
addition, Ms. Erickson is the author of the newly released Surrogacy and
Embryo, Sperm, & Egg Donation: What Were You Thinking? Erickson was
motivated to write her second book so she could educate potential
intended parents, as well as the women who become surrogates and egg
donors, about what all parties need to know if they are going to become
involved in third party reproduction.

Attorney Erickson is a
globally recognized expert in this specialized area of law and is a
board member of the American Fertility Association and the legal
director of Parents Via Egg Donation. For more information, please visit
http://www.ericksonlaw.net and http://www.conceptualoptions.com.