Shannon and Paul with Logan (APPhoto/Paul Sancya)
Shannon Morell and her husband Paul would appear to be the typical, all-American, suburban couple. Shannon, is 40 and works as an eighth-grade teacher. Paul is 39 and works as an electrical engineer. They live in Utica, Michigan, a nice suburb of Detroit, with their twin daughters and their newborn son, Logan. The extraordinary thing about the Morells is the fact that Shannon did not give birth to Logan. He wasn't adopted; and she didn't use a surrogate. Well, at least not on purpose.
Logan Morell's birth was the result of a fertility clinic mix-up that involved another couple, Carolyn and Sean Savage of Ohio. Last year, their story made national headlines as the two couples appeared on NBC's Today show. Carolyn Savage was accidentally implanted with Shannon Morell's embryo at a fertility clinic both couples had used to have previous children. Shannon, who's maiden name is Savage, learned of the mix-up a week before her scheduled appointment at the clinic. The couples met and Carolyn invited Shannon to a ultrasound appointment. Carolyn decided to carry the Morell's baby to term and hand over all parenting rights at the birth. The Morells were blessed with their healthy baby boy Logan.
The Morells have written a book titled "Misconception" that outlines the ordeal and the roller coaster of emotions they have endured. The book, which will be out on Tuesday, is meant to help other couples who have or will use fertility clinics to conceive their children. "I feel we've done our best to help other couples, give them some insight of what we went through, what we've learned," Shannon tells the Associated Press (According to MSNBC.com). "And let fertility clinics know 'Hey, we haven't forgotten what happened. Have you looked at your security? Have you tightened your protocols? What have you done?'"
As for their relationship with the Savages, the two couples have stayed in touch and the families have visited each other. Carolyn and Sean Savage will write their own book detailing the fertility clinic mix-up events and hope to release it early next year. Meanwhile, the Morells are slowly finding their way back to a normal life in their Suburban town with their three kids. Shannon and Paul hopes the book will allow them to put the past behind them and help others avoid a similar fertility clinic mix-up.
Comments
Oh my, I bet they get some real safeguards on that clinic. That is really bad to have a mix up like that.
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