Monday, September 22, 2008

Child Loss in the Media

Here are some articles about child loss that have been in the media recently.
Feel free to link to this post, or post a comment if you have other articles to add to it.

Reader Advisory: these resources contain very heart wrenching, tear jerking material. Reader discretion advised.

People Magazine- "We Will See Maria Again"
When Gospel Star Steven Curtis Chapman's Youngest Daughter Was Accidentally Killed by An SUV Driven by His Son, the Family Faced a True Test of Faith. The Chapmans Share Their Story of Love, Loss and Healing



Stillborn Report from nbc11.com (video)

Newsweek Magazine- A Vast and Sudden Sadness
Every year some 26,000 babies die during or after the 20th week in their mothers' womb (a loss before that is considered a miscarriage) or die during birth. In at least half of all cases, doctors have no idea what went wrong. The impact is impossible to measure. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends—all must figure out how to absorb the vast and sudden sadness, to grieve and, in many instances, to reconcile with a God who has shaken their faith to its core.



Why infants still die from SIDS from cnn.com
  • Fewer than 2,500 infant deaths this year will be classified as SIDS
  • SIDS may be underreported because causes of infant deaths are mislabeled
  • Researchers investigate brain-stem problems and undiagnosed genetic anomalies
  • Babies who begin daycare before 4 months of age may be at increased risk



  • Redbook Magazine- The Shadow Side of Motherhood
    Becoming a mom is one of life's greatest joys. But for some of us, the path to motherhood takes a gut-wrenching turn. Seven women share their journeys — and how they made it through.



    O Magazine-This Does Not Have to Be a Secret
    "Every day as I love this baby in my lap, I think of my other baby. Poor older brother, poor missing one. I see the infant before me, the glory of the soles of the feet, the lips fattened and glossy with nursing, the nose whose future Edward and I try to predict daily. The love for the first magnifies the love for the second, and vice versa."


    Lily Allen opens up about her Miscarriage
    Songstress Lily Allen reveals how her despair over a January 2008 miscarriage led her to spend three weeks in a psychiatric ward. “I was really depressed because of the miscarriage and I’d kind of lost the plot a bit,”


    I Lost My Toddler To Cot Death
    "Even before I went into his room, I knew something was wrong. I was used to hearing him play with his five-year-old sister, Abi - their laughter was my daily alarm clock. Not this morning."


    Gorilla Grieves Over Death Of Her Baby
    "This, perhaps, is one of the greatest gifts that a zoo can bestow - to show animals are very much like ourselves, and feel elation and pain," Adler said. "Gana lost a child, but I think in that loss, she taught people here so much."



    From Redbook Magazine- The Fertility Diaries:
    Part 1 of this series is not linked properly. But here are the other installments:

    The Fertility Diaries: 3 Friends, 3 Paths to Pregnancy
    This month, Jody copes with the stressful reality of reproductive treatments, Jenny faces her fear about the health of her baby, and a pregnant Carrie learns from her friends' struggles and losses.


    Fertility Diaries: They Dreamed of Motherhood Together
    As Jenny, Jody, and Carrie each face their own unique challenges, the friendship that has supported them on the path to becoming moms only grows stronger.


    Mothers...at Last
    Jody, Carrie, and Jenny look back at how far they've come together and look forward to a sweet future with their daughters.

    Friday, September 19, 2008

    September Giveaway-Personalized Teardrop Pendant

    For September, I am giving away my NEW Personalized Teardrop Pendant. This is a pretty way to acknowledge someone you love that has passed on.

    A Sterling Silver teardrop shape is handstamped with your desired inscription. In this sample, our exclusive Angel Heart stamp is on top and Baby Feet are at the bottom. Please make note below if you would like different design stamps used.

    A Swarovski crystal in your choice of colors is attached to the top of the pendant. With Bali-Style spacers and all sterling silver findings.



    How do you enter to win this pendant? Simply subscribe to our Blog Feeds by using the widgets in the top right corner. OR you can sign up for our Mailing List by entering your email address below. All subscribers are eligible for each Monthly Giveaway. The winner will be announced on September 30th, so hurry to enter!

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    Monday, September 15, 2008

    September & October Upcoming Events

    September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. My Forever Child will be making donations to CureSearch.org and the Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing for families during their child's treatments.

    September is also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of all these far reach and devasting cancers, all of our Awareness Jewelry is on sale. Any of our designs can be customized with the crystal color of your choice to represent your cause. How touching it would be to give a survivor or someone going through the illness now, a personalized piece that shows your support and desire to give them hope!
    Click here for all our sale items

    October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. My Forever Child has been donating the Always in my heart lapel pins to numerous organizations that are distributing them to newly bereaved parents. We are also going to be making monetary donations to our favorite pregnancy and infant loss charities.

    October 15th is the U.S. National Recognition Day. Please light a candle at 7pm on October 15th. Leave it burning for at least an hour, so that there will be a continuous wave of light around the globe in remembrance of our precious little ones, gone too soon. For more information, please visit:
    www.October15th.com




    To view remembrance events taking place in your area, please visit http://www.october15th.com/activities_walks.htm

    For Long Islanders, there is the 5th Annual Walk to Remember hosted by Winthrop University Hospital Perinatal Bereavement Program on Saturday, October 4th from 10am to 2pm. At Eisenhower Park Field 5, in East Meadow. You can register on the day of the event, but if you are definitely going to attend, please call Margaret at (516)663-9363 with a head count of how many will be attending, so that they can order enough food. It is $25 per person, or $40 per couple, seniors $15, children under 12 are free. The Walk to Remember is a beautiful and solemn event that we have attended every year. There is a candle lighting with the baby's names read, various inspirational speakers, lots of food, and the picturesque walk through Eisenhower Park in memory of the babies that are not here to walk on earth.
    I will be there with a table displaying my handcrafted jewelry and keepsakes. It is a great opportunity for you to view the pieces in person and discuss any questions you have. For any of my previous customers, please stop by to say hello and introduce yourself. It's always nice to put a face on the names of those I've created pieces for. Hope to see you there!