AC: What’s the best thing about your job?
Lyon: Ninety-nine percent of the time, joy is what results from what I do. I help couples to have children—either by representing their interests or the interests of their donor or surrogate. I also do some minors’ counsel representation, representing children in the foster care or adoption system. Both are incredibly rewarding. Because this field is so intimate, I feel like I really get to know my clients and I love getting baby pictures or invited to birthday parties.
AC: What don’t you like?
Lyon: Sometimes, it’s hard to turn work off. There is always something that I could be doing, and it’s hard not to be at it all the time. It’s also painful to watch my clients suffer a disappointment—an in vitro transfer that is not successful, a miscarriage that either my client (either the intended parent herself or the surrogate) suffers. There is a lot of time and money invested in assisted reproduction, and it can be devastating to my clients when it doesn’t work out the way they planned.Also, because I work for myself, it can be hard to not have that steady paycheck or great corporate benefits. Usually the flexibility makes up for it, but paid vacation (if I don’t work, I don’t make any money) and great health insurance are missed sometimes.
My Gig is a series of stories about different careers. Trying to figure out what to do when you grow up? My Gig, which provides a quick glimpse into a person’s work life, may inspire you!
Photo courtesy of Kate Lyon
