The loss of a baby is a devastating reality that can happen to all families. Experiencing the death of a baby can be both shocking and overwhelming. When a small child dies, hopes are shattered, and parents are left to put the pieces of their lives back together – pieces that never fit the same way again.
You have entered a community of grieving parents who have learned to create a new normal and maneuver through life without their child. Each loss is different and each person’s reaction to losing a child is different. Parents commonly can feel emotions such as shock, confusion, loss of control, jealousy, anger and disappointment.
As we strive to raise awareness and become global advocates concerning stillbirth, we hope to move beyond statistics and facts and share the stories and faces of those affected by stillbirth on a global level. We share stories for three reasons:
- Our stories and babies connect us globally. Grief and loss are common denominators that unite parents and our needs. We hope to grow a community of support for our ISA parents.
- Our stories bring awareness to both disparities and positive changes taking place around the globe. We hope that this awareness ultimately leads to greater dignity and hope for our babies.
- Parent stories assist in balancing research and clinical care. Keeping the memories and lives of our babies in the forefront of ISA’s mission, is a key component for motivation and incentive in the medical world.
Please feel free to share your stories. Our goal is to honor your babies and their memories. We are grateful for your willingness to be vulnerable. Thank you.