Collaborative mural honours infertility journeys at Alberta Reproductive Centre
A mural was unveiled at the Alberta Reproductive Centre Saturday in honour of Canadian Fertility Awareness Week.
The mural, made up of artwork from 10 women, was part of an art therapy initiative to help families facing infertility.
Caroline Anderson was one of two psychologists leading the session. The other was Dr. Adrienne Witol.
She said infertility can be a long, difficult process, and art can help express those feelings.
The session was also a chance for the women to find community.
"Even though everyone may be here with different reasons, they're all here with the shared desire to become parents," Andersen said. "There's a very powerful moment in that, to meet others sharing the same struggle and the same grief."
Kaitlyn Kropla said it was nice to be able to talk openly about her journey without having to worry about shocking someone or breaking down the lingo around infertility.
"It was definitely healing, and it was also cool to feel a sense of normal with everyone in the room," Kropla said. "For once in this two-and-a-half-year journey, I sort of felt kind of normal."
The 10-piece mural will stay at the Alberta Reproductive Centre for three months, before artists take their work home.
According to the Alberta Reproductive Centre, Alberta does not cover any fertility treatments.
Participants each donated $40 to Fertility Alberta, which is actively campaigning the Alberta government to cover the cost of one in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Galen McDougall
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.