Posted on 04 December 2009 by hanamipapa
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.”
- Download the Faith’s Lodge brochure here.
- Download the Faith’s Lodge brochure for professionals here.
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.
Posted on 18 November 2009 by hanamipapa
Subsequent Pregnancy After a Loss Support (SPALS) is a closed email-based, community support group that has given thousands of grieving parents a safe and compassionate forum to connect and share experiences with others who know the depths of grieving a child and the fears associated with subsequent pregnancy. Whether you have experienced “the loss of a child due to miscarriage, selective termination, stillbirth, neonatal death, sudden infant death, or accidental death,” SPALS offers an extremely active and supportive community to those currently pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or contemplating trying again after loss.
How active and supportive?
Very! Within moments of my wife posting her first email to the group there was an outpouring of support from members all over the world letting her know that we were not alone. It has been over three years since that first email and I can tell you the momentum and strength of the group hasn’t slowed a bit.
Shortly after the passing of her first child, due to severe preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome, Sarah Grimes Founded SPALS in December 1995. Sarah is still very much a part of SPALS and is one of two list administrators.
Sarah shares her experience “The Life and Death of Haven, our Beloved Daughter.”
Conclusion
SPALS is a wonderful support group that has been a tremendous resource. Its members have helped us through some of the darkest times. There are many support groups out there, but SPALS offers an atmosphere of intimacy and privacy that is very comforting and reassuring.
Useful Links:
Do you have a story to share about SPALS? What would you tell our readers looking to join a support group? What support groups have you found most helpful?
Posted on 18 May 2009 by HanamiMama
Evie’s Network, a non-profit organization based in the United States, is dedicated to providing information and resources to mothers, fathers, families, friends, coworkers and medical professionals on the tragedy of losing a much-loved baby to stillbirth. The organization’s primary purpose is to connect women who experienced stillbirth for direct, peer-to-peer support. As a mother who lost her first child to stillbirth at 41 weeks of pregnancy, I understand how vital it is to connect with other women who have also suffered the physical and emotional trauma of stillbirth. Giving birth, whether vaginally or by Cesarean section, to a baby you know has already died carries a lasting emotional impact unique to other forms of pregnancy and child loss. While fully realizing the devestation that a loss of a child at any age or stage of pregnancy brings to the surviving family, Evie’s Network has chosen to focus its limited resources solely on the tragedy of stillbirth and the accompanying physical and emotional trauma suffered by the birthing mother.
Evie’s Network was founded by Virginia Bertholet, who suffered the stillbirth of her only two children, Bigelow at 28 weeks gestation in 1995 from severe toxemia and Evie at 36 weeks gestation in 2000 from a placental abruption. If you are a recently bereaved mother looking for help with your grief, consider signing up for peer-to-peer support at Evie’s Network. Communicating with other mothers who understand first-hand what it means to leave the labor and delivery floor without their babies is tremendously healing. For those women who are a little further along in this life without their children, Evie’s Network offers an opportunity to share your story with newly bereaved mothers, giving them valuable support when they need it the most. More information can be found on the organization’s website at Evie’s Network
