Parents carried baby’s coffin on their knees – Clutching a tiny white coffin on their knees two devastated Buncrana parents were forced to take a five-hour bus journey to Dublin for an autopsy on their two-week-old baby boy who died … But it’s not acceptable to expect a grieving mum and dad to travel all the way to Dublin for a post mortem on their baby. Other procedures need to be put in place. “I don’t ever want any other couple to be put through this serious trauma. …
Faith’s Lodge provides a place where parents and families facing the serious illness or death of a child can retreat to reflect on the past, renew strength for the present, and build hope for the future.
Faith’s Lodge is located on 80 acres of the lush north Wisconsin forest. With eight beautifully designed guest suites, each accommodating up-to six people, Faith’s Lodge is a wonderful place for bereaved families to reflect and heal. In addition to the serene surroundings and cozy accommodations, Faith’s Lodge also provides optional activities such as “professionally-led discussion groups, therapeutic arts and crafts and north woods adventures.”
In operation since July 2007, Faith’s Lodge has served over 300 families and is the only facility of its kind in the country. Operating as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Faith’s Lodge offers these wonderful services at a minimum donation of $25 per night. “However, no one will ever be turned away for financial reasons.”
Nominate Faith’s Lodge for the Chase Community Giving Contest on Facebook!
I just found out about this organization today and the whole concept has blown me away! Our family would have benefited tremendously from this healing retreat. A safe place away from the world, quiet, serene and surrounded by nature would have done the heart and soul some serious good during those first few painful years.
So today I am passing this message onto any eyes and ears that will take note. Spread the word about Faith’s Lodge and help nominate them for the Chase Community Giving Contest on Facebook! Faith’s Lodge has a wonderful opportunity to win more than $1,000,000 through the Chase Community Giving Contest with the assistance of Facebook users.
For all of you Twitter types out there copy and paste this message “Join me in voting for Faith’s Lodge to win more than $1 million in the Chase
Giving contest! Visit http://bit.ly/A3DZw“
What do you think about Faith’s Lodge mission? Would you have benefited from their healing retreat? Leave your thoughts below.
Capturing a Short Life is a beautiful documentary about families dealing with infant loss and how important it is to remember and celebrate all of the tiny lives lost so soon.
Originally airing in December 2008 in Canada, Capturing a Short Life is powerfully moving. Shows people who haven’t experienced a child loss why it is important to for us to remember and talk about our children. One father said it best in the trailer “we love to talk about her because she was a person.”
Having known first-hand the pain of losing a child so young, we started Hanami Prints to provide bereaved parents and families the smallest of comforts through meaningful and personal keepsakes. We understand how important it is to remember and know of few places to find quality and thoughtful items to mark our childrens’ short lives.
Useful Links:
Capturing a Short Life– if you missed the documentary you can purchase the DVD from their site.
“A couple who suffered the devastating loss of six unborn babies in five years are celebrating after the safe arrival of their daughter Amy.
Julie and Phil Turnock had almost given up on their dream of having a child after having six miscarriages, including one baby that had to be delivered at 21 weeks.
But they decided to have a final attempt and are now planning their first Christmas with their new addition, who was born after a smooth labour weighing in at a healthy 7lb 10oz.
‘She’s a miracle baby and we are going to have a wonderful time over the festive season,’ said Julie, 36, as she nursed seven-week-old Amy at the family home in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire.
‘When we look at Amy it sometimes seems like a dreams and that she is not our little girl.
‘All the way through the pregnancy, although I tried to remain upbeat I couldn’t help thinking it wasn’t going to happen and that I would miscarry again.
‘Even when we’d got through major milestones, and when I went beyond 14 weeks which was around the time I lost my other babies, I still didn’t believe I would be a mother…’ ”
As a parent who has suffered the loss of one full term stillborn son and a miscarriage, I can’t even imagine nor think I could muster the strength to endure what these parents in Derbyshire have. The loss of two children has taken a tremendous toll on me mentally, physically and spiritually–let alone six babies in five years.
Questions:
Where do you find the strength to to try again after suffering a loss?
If you decided to try again what would keep you going?
