Lori Ann Moscato and her husband Robert Moscato, Jr. are the Founders the Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation, while Lori currently serves as the foundation’s chair.
Lori was born and raised in Connecticut and in 1995 Lori and her family moved to North Carolina. She attended Meredith College and in 1999 graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing. Lori has always had a passion for healthcare and a love for helping others. After graduating Lori joined GlaxoSmithKline as a pharmaceutical sales representative. She had an exciting career in sales, marketing and professional relations. Shortly after Lori’s second child was born she became a stay at home mom.
Lori and Rob struggled with infertility for 2 years before going to the North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Sameh K. Toma diagnosed Lori with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome commonly know as PCOS. After the first round of in-vitro fertilization Lori became pregnant and conceived Sophia in 2007. To everyone’s surprise Lori got pregnant naturally just 4 months after Sophia was born and Ryan was born in 2008.
In December 2008 Lori and Rob decided they wanted to “pay it forward” and help other families who are struggling with infertility and the exorbitant costs associated with treatment so they started the Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation was created to give hope to people who want to build a family. The goal of the organization is to educate , create awareness, and provide financial assistance.
Visit www.PayitForwardFertility.org for more information.
Imagine meeting someone who bubbles over with fire about helping others, has a charming personality and breathes new life into the word “vision”. I couldn’t wait to sit down with her to experience what many women are desperately trying to find - Purpose. This P3 Pearl is Lori Moscato.
Lori is truly a P3 Pearl, she has the uncanny and uncommon ability to give over to life as it is happening, yet stand for something extraordinary in the process. Most of us have wanted something so desperately that we never consider giving into life while allowing things to unfold naturally. We choose instead to take matters into our own hands. We push and prod and rush, to no avail. But Lori, a truly brave soul did just that. She surrendered to life and let it happen in its own way and in its own time.
Lori and her husband Rob had trouble conceiving and went through several rounds of fertility treatments. After much patience and incredible faith she conceived a daughter, Sophia and months later on their own a son. Filled with gratitude, Lori and Rob wanted to find a way to give back. It was in that very moment that inspiration ignited within Lori.
As you listen in, you’ll hear how quickly Lori’s inspiration became an idea which became a foundation. Lori candidly gives new meaning to the word “hope” and the phrase “sweet surrender.” Most wonder how those words can live in the same sentence, but Lori tells us how. She shares her best advice and what she knows for sure.
Sit back and enjoy this interview with Lori Moscato. From thought to concept to reality, Lori is the epitome of vision made real.
As women, we are usually the caretakers of our families. Husbands, children, elderly parents, and sometimes other family members depend upon us to help them with their daily needs. Employers expect us to fulfill our job requirements. The demands that are made upon us often leave us with little time to take care of our own needs. We become emotionally stressed and physically exhausted, and our health suffers as a result.
We must become proactive in taking care of ourselves, and our own emotional and physical health must become a priority. As women, we must educate ourselves about what we must do to retain our own optimal well-being. Our attitudes and actions can determine whether we struggle through life or enjoy a vital, healthy and rewarding existence.
Having a regular healthcare provider in whom you have confidence is an important first step, but educating yourself on health issues that may affect you can alert you to early warning signs that may need addressed before your yearly checkup is due, or you have an emotional breakdown. Research women’s health issues online, or through non-profit and government agencies.
Bring research material with you when you visit your physician, and be prepared to ask questions. And ask lots of questions! You may want to know about the prescriptions your doctor gives: Is there a suitable generic? What side effects may you expect? Is there an alternative treatment that does not involve medication? You may want to ask about follow-up treatments, the length of recovery time that may be expected, or other issues concerning your health. A quality physician will take time to explain the results of tests, procedures and treatment options thoroughly, and answer any questions that you may have.
Being proactive in your health care involves more than just having a yearly physical check-up, and making healthy diet and lifestyle choices. We must take responsibility for our own emotional health. Having a positive mental attitude and managing stress in a healthy way has powerful anti-aging effects on our bodies.
Stress is a part of life that we can’t avoid but we can either allow it to manifest itself with physical and emotional symptoms, or we can take control of the situation when people, events, and situations make excessive demands upon us. Setting realistic goals and determining whether there is anything we can do to change the situation can keep stress from taking over our lives. Don’t sweat the small stuff, just let it slide! Prioritize responsibilities instead of becoming overwhelmed with too much to do, and don’t be afraid to say no when you already have a full schedule.
Take a few minutes every day to de-stress! Physical exercise is known to relieve stress. A simple walk in the park will do, you don’t need to run a marathon! Take a long, hot soak in the tub with your favorite bath oil after the kids are in bed. Whatever it is that relaxes you, set aside a time each day when you can indulge in your favorite tension-relieving pastime.
Our soul, our inner essence, is unique to each of us and requires nurturing to remain healthy. It is our self-awareness, and defines the values by which we think, feel, and live. Spiritual health can be found by tapping into a source of energy that brings us love, hope, optimism and empowerment. Whatever our religious beliefs are, spirituality and physical health are linked. A healthy spirit can reduce depression and self-destructive behaviors (smoking, drug and alcohol dependence, and suicide for example), boost the immune system, and create a more satisfying life.
By having a proactive attitude about our physical, mental, and spiritual health we can create healthier and more fulfilling lives for ourselves and may also inspire our family, especially our daughters, to adopt this attitude for themselves.
J.E. Davidson is self-employed as a secondhand goods merchant and writer, married with four adult children and many grandchildren
“Change comes eventually.” If you don’t recognize this line then you’re obviously not a Lauryn Hill fan, no worries because you can relate to the quote without remainder of the chorus. It’s from her song “Everything is Everything” and that’s exactly how I feel right now. I’m coming out of my transition phase into a stage of understanding. My life since college has changed rapidly from day to week to month. In the past I had the tendency to dwell on the past, but life changes so quickly that I have to keep moving with it. As for the season changing, it’s much anticipated even though I’m hearing Chicago’s spring is a rainy season.
Back in the lovely state of North Carolina lays my buffer, 95% of the people I’m closest to reside there. I have adjusted not exactly gracefully, but I have found that I can manage. I slipped up and I tried to find that buffer concept here in one person. Let’s scratch that, I wasn’t looking, but I thought I found it in one person. It ended exactly how it started, rapidly like life.
I won’t delve into the juicy details because that’s not what my column is about. It is about my enlightenment from lessons I have learned. So my first epiphany of 2010 is that I am my own comfort zone, but even now I find it difficult to believe.
I hopped on a Southwest airplane last summer with the desire to learn and see new things. I came here to start my life. There are many young people my age with the same story, small town and move into the big city. Some have dreams and some want to escape the mundane lifestyle that consists of hanging out at Wal-Mart on the weekend.
I have been reminded constantly that I’m not in my town of 25,000, also that I’m not near the ones that know me the best. I have realized that I rely on them heavily even though I am miles away. Where ever I go now I know that I have to back myself, be my cheerleader, be my own shoulder and protector (for the most part). Also, no one can live my life except for me. There are people here who love me dearly and want the very best for me. I have to want it and do it.
My dear readers I have changed, as much as the weather has, tremendously since I’ve landed here and I have a long way to go.
Lauren Wilder is an up-and-coming journalist who recently moved to Chicago. She shares her adventures with P3 readers every month.
There is a sticky spider web of untruth and perception about being a spiritual leader and I want to correct it hopefully once and for all. There are many misconceptions about spiritual leaders, life coaches, ministers, therapists
and anyone else who is leading, counseling and assisting others to improve their lives. The biggest one I find is that we are perceived as having no problems or emotions that are negative. We are supposed to instantly heal any situation and move on like Pollyanna ignoring anything at all that has blocked our path in any way and be totally blissful every moment of the day. Are you kidding me?
I would like to know where in what book does it say that? I would also like to know where it came from and I think I have the answer. Many of us in these types of chosen paths put forth a misconception that life is perfect for us and I am here to tell you that it is not true. In fact if you have had a life where you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, had perfect parents and an idyllic life with no problems and issues, then you are not really qualified to give real advice and counsel to others. If your advice comes from reading books and going to classes and getting a degree and nothing else then what you are offering to others is not authentic. If you are telling others that you never have an issue to overcome then you are not being real.
I would never go to a marriage counselor if they had never been married. I would never go to a life coach who had never overcome difficulties in their own lives. I think you are getting the picture.
Life experience is what it is all about. The more bad stuff someone else has overcome and risen above, the better and that includes those who are helping others to do the same. We all have days of frustration, anger, disappointment and sadness. It is the human condition and life is just that way. Some of us find our own way out of it. Some of us take longer than others to move ahead. Some of us leapfrog ahead and move on. The only way out of any given situation is through it.
Yesterday I received a call from a young woman who is a leader in her field and a life coach and she was having some problems and needed spiritual counsel. During our conversation she told me that she had shared her feelings with someone who gave her some guff about it. It seems this person thought that she should never have such issues at all because she is a life coach. I repeat are you kidding me?
I have had ministers and members of the clergy come to me for assistance and guidance for their problems all the time. One pastor was so overcome with family problems that he was considering leaving his church. He told me that he had to be very careful who he talked to because his congregation would go right for the jugular if they saw any sign of weakness. I explained to him that I felt it was false thinking to believe this. I said that if he had done his job well with the teachings of compassion and love that his church members would rally around him and to give them a chance to show him what they were made of. I encouraged him to take a leap of faith and share his sorrow and anxiety with them.
The following Sunday he did just that within the guidelines of his sermon, he went for it. He called me later and told me it was stunning what happened. There was such an outpouring of love that it overwhelmed him. He became more real to all of them as he revealed his humanity with all its twists and turns. What he thought was a weakness turned out to be strength. There was no judgment from anyone as they rallied around him to help. He had taught them well and today he is still leading his congregation.
Some time ago one of the members of my class told me that she envied me being so calm and peaceful all the time. I immediately corrected her impression of me. I told her that I also went through the gamut of emotions and thoughts that everyone else does. She was taken aback. I explained to her that being a strong spiritual person did not automatically mean that you never had any problems to overcome. I explained to her that the difference is that most of the time you just move on quicker and more powerfully using spiritual practices to get back to the place of peace and joy. I reminded her that every spiritual person regardless of title has issues to overcome. Jesus, our greatest spiritual teacher of all time went through periods of doubt, sadness, anger and disappointment. He had help and guidance from God and he always went to the right source for assistance. He did not go it alone ever.
It took me a long time to finally arrive at a place to know that my creator is there always and had never left me because I am one with God and the universe. It was the way I was created to be even if at an earlier time in my life I did not know this. I am also one with every single person. Many times in the past when I thought God had abandoned me it was in fact me who had exited stage left…not God.
I do not have infinite energy to do everything. I get tired. I do not have all the answers and I will be learning as I study and teach. It is a never-ending journey. The minute I have arrived and think I am a bag of chips and then some I had better start all over because the universe will show me that I am not all that. I strive hard to remain strong and not allow my ego to overcome me. It is a daily struggle and learning process. I share openly with all of you my life, struggles and upsets. I also share the victory, triumphs and joys.
Every so often I get caught up in the spider web of life experience and I also struggle to get free and I always get free.
Just as the saying goes, I put my pants on one leg at a time.
I am human. I burp. I eat too much sometimes. I get gas. I snore. The occasional swear word may cross my lips. I leave my bed unmade most of the time unless company is coming. I forget an appointment. My dog, Hector has to remind me to feed him when I get caught up in writing. I get frustrated and angry at the hate and ugliness in this world. I cry when I see an animal or a child mistreated on a television show. The commercials to promote their cause tear at my heart. There is nothing I love better than a great burger and fries but I eat it sparingly. My skin is dry but my hair and nails are great. My stomach is not flat and never will be. I detest panty hose and will do anything to get out of wearing them. My eyesight is poor without my glasses.
Some of my body parts are moving south as I get older and I am okay with it. I may let my car get to four thousand miles before an oil change instead of the recommended three. I may even scratch myself in public if I can get away without being seen. When I go see a movie I drop popcorn everywhere. I am human. I repeat I am human.
So I am not perfect, never said I was but one thing is for sure. One thing that I am clear about is that I am a spiritual being having a human experience not the other way around. Every time I think I am not too good at this human stuff I remind myself that I am real good at this spiritual stuff and that is what sustains me.
