Just Life - How Hard Can It Be - Clare and Jeremy Wilson

In this book, Clare and Jeremy share the heartrending realities of raising children who know they are adopted while simultaneously learning to support and empower a child with ADHD. Whilst giving a raw account of universal themes of loss and hope, and exploring the realities of miscarriage and IVF, this book sheds light on the journey of adoption, providing first-hand insight into the care system and lesser-known initiative of Fostering for Adoption. Recounted alternately by Clare and Jeremy, the memoir explores both a mother’s and a father’s perspective on the topics of baby loss, IVF, adoption and parenting. It is an accessible, immersive read foradoptive and prospective adoptive parents, equipping and encouraging them on the journey. It will also connect with anyone who has yearned for a family and experienced the ensuing pain and complexities, and with everyone who has had to re-adjust their expectations of parenting when the reality is impossibly hard.

Warning: This episode contains a retelling of miscarriages and IVF. The content might be unsuitable for younger audiences.

The Catholic Church’s teaching on In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) stems from a deep respect for human life and the sacredness of marriage. The teaching is offered with compassion for those who experience the pain of infertility. The Church understands the heartfelt desire for children and acknowledges the suffering that can accompany the inability to conceive naturally. However, its guidance on IVF is rooted in the belief that every human life, from the moment of conception, possesses inherent dignity and a right to life, which can be compromised by practices such as the creation and potential destruction of embryos. The Church also emphasises that procreation should arise from the loving, unitive act of husband and wife, a bond that IVF, by its very nature, separates from the act of conception.

This teaching is not meant to judge or condemn individuals who have sought or are considering IVF, but rather to uphold a vision of human procreation that fully honours the dignity of the child and the unique meaning of the conjugal act. While recognising the immense love parents have for children conceived through IVF, the Church gently calls attention to the moral concerns inherent in the process itself. It is a compassionate invitation to reflect on the profound mystery of life's beginning and to seek paths to parenthood that align with the Church's understanding of God's design for human life and love.

This teaching is not a condemnation, but a heartfelt call to uphold the full dignity of human life and procreation.