My Hero - My Spouse

Aszani and I recently celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary - and we've been in a committed relationship for 26 years. Obviously, we love each other.

Why is she my hero? ... Because she has such a generous spirit. She believes in people, and trusts them - despite the rough treatment she has occasionally suffered at the hands of what I would characterize as "un-evolved" persons... That is inspiring to me.

Aszani has been working in the birth community for over twenty years - as a doula, labor-delivery nurse, and for the past seven years as a certified nurse midwife.

And she is truly a women's health pioneer. Aszani conceived, designed and opened the first free-standing birth center in Wisconsin in 2002. Madison Birth Center is nationally accredited and recognized as "Baby-Friendly."

Where midwives providing out-of-hospital birth in our region previously hid in the shadows, she did not. Instead, she openly challenged the health care system to change - meeting with insurance executivies, political leaders, and healthcare administrators to educate them about out-of-hospital birth and the benefits of midwifery care. Although acceptance of out-of-hospital birth in Madison's very conservative medical community has been slow, the presence of Madison Birth Center has helped to significantly expand midwifery awareness in our community.

Those who know Aszani, recognize that she is a truly caring person - and you'd be hard pressed to identify any provider who gives more thoughtful attention to the health and well-being of her clients. Unfortunately, that is more rare than it should be! She offers the same gracious care-giving to family, friends and employees. She has worked 80 hours a week - without financial compensation for seven years - so that MBC's resources could be spent first to provide her employees with good pay and working conditions.

Aszani is a special person - and I feel blessed to be her mate.