What if the bravest thing you ever did was simply... show up?
A few days ago, I stumbled across a photo series that absolutely stopped me in my tracks. You might’ve seen it too—NPR’s feature, "Why it took courage for these women to pose for the camera". The images? Women from Madagascar, faces beautifully adorned with traditional masks, choosing to have their portraits taken for the world to see.
But here’s the twist: these weren’t just pretty pictures. Behind every shot was a story of vulnerability, stigma, and the raw courage it takes to demand visibility—especially when the world might rather look away.
And as I took in their radiant, unfiltered strength, I couldn’t shake the feeling: their courage felt oddly familiar. Different context, sure. But isn’t stepping into the unknown—sometimes with trembling hands—a huge part of every fertility journey?
Unfiltered Courage—Across Continents
In the NPR article, the reporter describes how these Malagasy women, dealing with the effects of a neglected tropical disease, faced shame and cultural silence. Yet, by wearing their traditional face masks and facing the camera, they turned stigma into a statement. They said: Yes, this is me. Yes, I matter.
If you’re on a fertility journey—or even just considering it—you know something about emotional vulnerability. For many, it’s quietly buying pregnancy tests. For others, it’s the awkward conversations with doctors, the sleepless nights of research, the will-it-work-this-time hope (and yes, sometimes heartbreak). And increasingly, it’s making choices outside traditional clinics, like using an at-home insemination kit—something that, let’s be honest, is still a little taboo.
So, what do Malagasy women and home insemination have in common? More than you’d think.
Why Vulnerability Feels Like Exposure (And What Happens If We Embrace It)
I remember buying my first fertility kit—late-night doom-scrolling, panic lurking under every click, desperate to avoid judgment or “helpful” advice. There’s this invisible pressure to be quiet, to keep your hopes and failures to yourself, to avoid the label of “too much” or “too different.”
But looking at those portraits from Madagascar, it hit me: hiding doesn’t protect us. Sharing—sometimes just with ourselves—is an act of rebellion.
Let’s get real: fertility journeys are rarely straightforward. Infertility affects nearly 1 in 6 people globally, yet we’re still expected to keep it hush-hush. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one struggling, you’re definitely not alone.
- You might feel isolated.
- You might feel like your body is betraying you.
- You might worry what others will think.
But what if courage looks like letting yourself be seen, even just by you in the mirror or in a quiet online support group? What if each small step—asking a question, making a choice, sharing your story—is its own portrait of bravery?
Reclaiming the Narrative: At-Home Solutions & Quiet Rebellions
One of the reasons I started Kitly was because there are so many ways to become a parent—and so few stories that reflect the messy, nonlinear, sometimes unconventional routes people take.
Let’s talk about at-home insemination kits for a second. When I first heard about them, I had a million questions (and quite a few doubts): Was this safe? Would it work? Was I “cheating” the system? Turns out, the answer is: It’s just another path—one with its own challenges and triumphs.
Companies like MakeAMom are changing the game by providing accessible, private, and reusable insemination kits designed for real people with real issues—frozen sperm, low motility, sensitivities—you name it. And guess what? There’s nothing shameful about taking the reins of your own fertility journey. In fact, choosing a path that fits your needs (not just the status quo) is radically brave.
And with the stigma around fertility treatments slowly fading in 2025, thanks to more open conversations (and, yes, brave storytelling like those Madagascar portraits), more people are realizing they don’t have to stick to the “normal” script.
Finding Power in Our Stories
Maybe you’re still debating your next step. Maybe you’ve already tried a kit, or are gearing up for another round. Either way, here’s what I want you to know:
- Your experience is valid.
- There is no “wrong” way to want a family.
- You are allowed to take up space—with your hope, your fear, your joy, and your pain.
Reading the stories behind those powerful images reminded me that courage is contagious. By showing up for themselves, those women in Madagascar are showing up for all of us—the quiet warriors, the question-askers, the people refusing to be invisible.
The Takeaway: Show Up, Shine On
Here’s my challenge to you, fellow traveler: What would it look like for you to “pose for the camera” today? Maybe it’s sharing your story with a friend. Maybe it’s trying out an insemination kit for the first time, or just giving yourself permission to feel all the feels.
Whatever it is, remember: you may not see it yet, but there’s real strength in your vulnerability. And somewhere, someone else will see your courage—and it’ll help them show up, too.
Have you ever felt inspired by an act of bravery—yours or someone else’s? Let’s talk in the comments. Your story matters here.