American Intended Parent Searching for a Gestational Surrogate
Location: California, USA
Clinic: ReproMed
Embryo Status: 4 frozen PGS tested embryos
Occupation: Owner of a Home Care Agency
About Me
Hi! My name is Leeor (Hebrew name that translates into “My light”. I am a 41 year old single gay man who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I started my own company in home caregiver services almost 8 years ago after the death of my grandfather, whom I cherished and adored my whole life. I own my own home in Los Angeles and live with my best friend who is also my egg donor! I own a miniature schnauzer, three turtles, and seven chickens as well.
I was raised in a Middle Eastern family with my mom and dad and two younger sisters. I am the eldest of three, and the first child born in the United States from both sides of my family. Growing up, my sisters considered me their 2nd dad because I helped raise them and watch after them throughout their lives (I still do even though one is married and the other runs her own business haha). My family and I are very close and incredibly tight knit. Imagine “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, but Persian, haha!
I have 2 nieces, ages 2 and 4, who are like my own daughters. I was actually in the delivery room for the birth of my 2 year old niece.
Growing up, my family encouraged me to be very studious and work hard to achieve the goals both they and I set for myself. I went to a private school in Los Angeles for high school and moved on to UCLA for university and later, to get a law degree, also the first in my family to do so.
Ever since I was 14, I always dreamt of becoming a father. As I got older, I feared being gay would make it impossible for that dream to ever come true. However as the years passed by, I learned more and more about the journey of surrogacy. Finally, after telling myself I would start the journey by the time I was forty years old, and also feeling financially and emotionally ready, I took the first step and contacted the fertility clinic.
From that point, everything felt like smooth sailing. I had the blessings and unwavering support of my entire family and loving close friends to proceed with my journey and it felt like the time was right. My best friend even offered to surprisingly be my egg donor, and a few months after, a friend of mine introduced me to a woman who wanted to be my surrogate.
I was over the moon that everything was working out so well… until it didn’t. My surrogate and I tried doing an embryo transfer after almost 8 months of waiting, but unfortunately the first transfer was unsuccessful. We were ready to try again the following month when we then learned that sadly, my surrogate was not able to carry my future child any longer. It was a heartbreaking situation for me and for my surrogate, but I was not going to let it deter me from reaching my ultimate dream of becoming a father.
That’s when I contacted Surrogacy in Canada to help me make my dream of fatherhood to finally come true!
I have my own business in home care, which I started 7 years ago. It’s been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences of my life being able to help individuals who are unable to take care of themselves and live independently, especially after the passing of my grandfather whom I cared for towards the end of his life. Before starting and developing my business, I used to work for the Walt Disney Company as an archivist, which was the most fun job I ever had.
I have a miniature schnauzer named Xi who is 5 and the sweetest, most lovable and caring dog you will ever meet. I also have 7 silkie chickens that I hatched myself.
My hobbies include photography, cars, exercise, all things Disney of course, travelling whenever possible, learning different languages and about different cultures, and animals of all kinds (I actually stopped eating meat when I adopted my dog).
I fully intend to be there every single step of the way with my surrogate (only if she is comfortable with that, of course), from helping her however I can before the transfer, being with my surrogate for the embryo transfer, flying in for her ultrasound appointments, and coming a couple weeks prior to the due date to be there for the delivery.
I will also help her in every way possible post-delivery, and provide her with whatever she may need before, during, and after.
Whatever money and costs she ends up having to spend during and following the pregnancy, she will be fully reimbursed with no questions asked because I only will care about her comfort.
I fully intend to be in touch with my surrogate before, during, and after pregnancy. I want her to feel like family and know in her heart how much she, her family, and what she’s doing for me means to me and my family.
I’m Jewish, and for me, what she will be doing is the highest mitzvah (good deed) that any human can do for another human, and I will want her to feel how grateful I am for what she has done for me.
During the pregnancy, I will be in touch with her pretty much every day just to see how she’s doing, if she needs anything from me, and just to talk if she wants to chat with me.
After pregnancy, I fully intend to remain in contact with my surrogate, letting her know how my baby is doing and send her pics if she wants as well.
If she or her family ever wanted to come for a visit, it would be my greatest pleasure to have them and entertain them throughout their trip!
Leeor