Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
After losing our first baby to miscarriage in August 2017, followed by our second pregnancy ending at 5 months in February 2018 due to a diagnosis of severe hypoplastic left heart syndrome, I struggled to know where to start in trying to process our grief. Given little support from our local hospital, in the early hours when I couldn't sleep through my heartbreak l found myself searching the internet to find someone or something who could help me make sense of it all, to tell me that all the emotions I was feeling were normal, and that's when I found Zoe Clarke-Coates' book Saying Goodbye. Saying Goodbye is also the name of just one of five divisions of The Mariposa Trust, founded by Zoe & her husband following their own 5 losses.
Saying Goodbye provides support for anyone who has suffered baby loss, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy, whether the loss be recent or historic. The aims of the charity include:
- To create a comprehensive support structure, allowing people to access targeted and appropriate support, at the times they need it most;
- To create services of remembrance that allow people to grieve in a supportive environment;
- To lobby and campaign for the improvement of care and support for anyone going through loss;
- To change the taboo nature of baby loss, allowing for more open discussion, acceptance and support; and
- To provide access to information, advice and resources.
The Saying Goodbye book gave me much needed comfort and understanding when I really needed it, but it's also a book which I know I will continue to turn to throughout my life. Grief really is a process and it comes in waves, it can hit you when you least expect it and take your breath away. I want other grieving parents, friends and families to know that this support is available to them and I want them to know it is there from day one - by making sure hospitals have leaflets like those provided by Saying Goodbye and copies of the book, for grieving parents to take home with them. It would mean the world to us if you would be kind enough to please help ensure that Saying Goodbye can continue to help people during such a difficult time and reach out to more people experiencing loss. It would also be a beautiful way of honouring our angel babies.
Thank you xxx
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