We here at #CSOFamily want you to know us.. just as you would your own family!
So, We are bringing to you: Meet the Team Tuesday!
It only seems fitting that I go first so with that:
HI! I’m Robyn! I am currently the Managing Partner here at Canadian Surrogacy
Options and Little Miracles – together known as our CSOFamily!
I have been in the Surrogacy World since I was 4… Yup, a whopping 33 years! To say Surrogacy, Egg Donation and Alternative Family building is in my blood would be an understatement. It is my entire life! I live it and breath it daily – helping couples navigate this journey; helping women feel empowered by what their body can do and give is the very center of my core being.
For those that maybe don’t know, my mom Joanne was the very first surrogate in Canada – which led to many funny and likely awkward conversations in school! Alas, those are stories for another day 😉
For me, growing up, Surrogacy has always been ‘normal’. There was never a stigma to it – it just ‘was’. Into my teenage and early adult years, I actually took a different career path than my Mom. It wasn’t until my husband and I had a health scare, that led to a fertility scare and surgery in my early 20’s that really brought me face-to-face with the reality of what my Mom actually did in her daily life… We had a doctor say to us (when I was 22 years old…) “If you were planning on having kids, I’d urge you to start trying now”.
We welcomed our first born, a son, about 18 months later… We
were grateful, we were thrilled – we knew we had to try to help others as much
as we could!
Through her professional network of amazing contacts, I became an Egg Donor..!
With my husband by my side, my mom helping with every cycle and my dad to help
give injections, it was just so natural to go through and help these other
couples!
3 of these cycles were anonymous and I can only hope that they are living their best life!
I knew I didn’t want to go back to my career life after seeing what we had and what we gone through.. One night, after many talks, My Mom had the bestest idea for us to open Little Miracles. With her guiding hand, experience and gentle nudge of advocacy, Little Miracles was born! Knowing we could make an actual difference in Canada for couples and women wanting to become Egg Donors, we became the first Donor Agency in 2007. As she paved the way for all for Surrogacy in Canada, together we blazed through to support everyone and anyone with Both Surrogacy and Egg Donation. An unstoppable team!
I could write forever about our history, our working lives and our relationship but we may need way more space than what we have here!
In 2013, we learned horrible news .. My Mom was diagnosed with a lung disease. The only cure? A lung transplant. We rallied, we remained positive, and we got to work on a temporary transition to allow her to focus on her health and eventual recovery. She was patient with me, she took her time with planting seeds into my mind to ensure my mind would work as hers did.
Her health took a turn downwards fairly quickly in 2016. She had more bad days than good days and was listed for a transplant. We received this amazing gift in December 2016.
Long story short: The next 3 years were a blur… More on that
full story to come!
Sadly, we lost our Matriach December 20, 2019. My mom passed away peacefully
with us, her family, holding her hand and by her side. That day, I not only
lost my ‘business’ partner, but I lost my best friend.
Our motto has always been Onwards and Upwards. I know she wants us to continue
to do great things, to help as many as we possibly can and to continue to
Support one another.
Over the last 4 years, I’ve had such a fire burning inside me – to do more, to do better and to help. This fire has only intensified in the last 3 months, knowing she is still guiding me and leading me forward.
Maybe this was a bit long for a “Meet the Team Tuesday”..
But at CSOFamily, I want you to feel as though you are a part of my family.
And, to me, the only way for that to start is if you know the whole me too.
As for knowing more about me personally, I live in Cambridge, Ontario – with my
husband of almost 15 years and our 2 beautiful children (Cameron who is 14 now
and Erica who is 10!). We also have our FurPup Trace; 2 Ninja Cats Molly and
Mason; 2 Fishies and our wee baby bird Apollo!
We like to travel when we can and when we can’t, we head to PortaBackyarda –
our own private oasis in our backyard! We are a pretty low-key family that just
enjoys the simple life of ‘home’ and togetherness!
It is always hard to find words in which to use to describe oneself… I will
leave you with quotes from those that know me best and I hope my true character
will shine through in what they say!
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
My boss, colleague and dear friend- your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile. You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.
You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person. Thank you Robyn for allowing my to apart of this amazing organization and family.
Robyn is always there for you no matter what. She tries to connect with everyone on a personal level so they aren’t just a number. The whole CSO family is always there for you in good times and bad!
When I first joined the CSOfamily team I had never had a boss before. I had always worked for myself. Robyn trusted me, and allowed me creative freedom, for me that was so important. I’m grateful every day for that trust and to get to be a part of this amazing family
Robyn u are such a caring and amazing person …you have definitely followed in your mother’s footsteps ..momma bear would be proud … The cso team is beyond amazing …supportive at every turn …a real support system …
And I love love being back at cso …nothing compares to Canadian surrogacy options that’s for sure …I love the support from the team members …I love the love from all the girls …everyone is supported no matter the problem ..even if it’s not Surrogacy related …we truly are a family …
When I first considered becoming a surrogate I knew I wanted to work with an agency that was both ethical and personable. Thankfully my research brought me to CSO where you are not left feeling like a number. Robyn takes the time to get to know you and has your best interest at heart. She is always available if you need her and will do her best to answer any questions you might have. CSO is a close knit family and leaves you feeling valued.
I have always loved the “pick your person” philosophy and that CSO staff seem very comfortable with a surrogate’s “person” changing. CSO is just an amazing group of dedicated and caring people. I still think you all had my back :). CSO staff will always respond, reach out and let you know they value you as a person, not just as a surrogate. I have never felt like a number here and never been pressured to have a second journey. I have felt so welcomed into a community that (many outside of CSO would say) I do not belong to because I am not a mother. And I would say the CSO staff had to work extra hard with me because I had never experienced pregnancy before LOL…so I was double trouble.
CSO is not just an “agency I am with” it truly is the CSO Family. You are not simply a group of employees, CSO Family is the “community” of surrogates, surrogate support and staff that together have created an extended family who are always available.
I came to CSO almost a year ago now, and its been such a great experience for me! The team here is small but gosh are the mighty! I’ve learned so much in this last year and I am so thankful to Robyn for giving me the chance to work along side her and the rest of the team! Robyn has always made me feel comfortable to go to her with and questions or concerns I may have and has always been there to help teach me about surrogacy and the amazing experience it is! The dynamic at CSO Family is really that, we are a family! All of us communicate day in and day out and that communication and team work is really what I think makes are surrogates, egg donors, and intended parents feel comfortable to go on this journey with us! CSO is family and I am so grateful to be apart of it!
Robyn, thanks for always being available for questions. Not matter the time or of you are on vacation or not lol you are always there for us. All of the CSO team is always there and if they aren’t someone from this sisterhood always is ❤️
Even though I am geographically far away from the CSO staff, I have always felt a sense of closeness with the care and love that’s provided.
I love CSO. I have made so many life long friends and family free. It almost feels like a family name more than any last name I have ever had. (And I’ve had 4!)
I will leave this with just one last note: Always feel free to come to me. Email me just to check in or to say hi! PM or Text if that’s your best way to communicate. Always know, I am in your corner and I am here to advocate for YOU on your journey – whether as becoming an Intended Parent OR becoming a Surrogate. I want you to feel empowered and ‘heard’ for what ever it is that you need to make this journey an unforgettable and enjoyable one!
Love and (virtual!) Hugs,
Robyn