Welcome to the club………..

June 24, 2013
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by Lindsey Wimmer, MSN, CPNP

I always resented the idea that I became part of a special ‘club’ when my first child was stillborn.  Knowing that there were thousands of moms like me made me feel less alone, but it didn’t make me feel better that so many other women knew the heartache of losing a child.  That is not a comforting thought!  So while I reluctantly accepted my membership in the Bereaved Parents Club, Stillbirth Parents Club, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Club, and others, I rarely felt proud of or excited about this role.

That has all changed.

My fellow club-mates are remarkable, amazing people.  Everywhere  I look these days, I am interacting with people who have been forced into this circle just as I was, but are using their passion, energy, talents, and hearts to make the world a better place.  An impressive community has been born out of tragedy.

The latest example is the efforts surrounding Return to Zero.  Sean Hanish is one of these amazing parents who created something powerful out of his grief.  I am in awe of the response to his work.  The thousands of people who signed up to be Local Leaders in just a matter of days and the effort it took to obtain more than 100,000 pledges to see this movie in a few weeks is just astounding.

Every family has their own story.  And every family has their own ideas for how to find peace on their journey of grief.  But together, we are a team that has more passion than any I have ever worked with!  Together, we can shatter the silence, say it out loud, and give our precious angels a voice.  With a unified voice, our opportunities will have no limits!

That is the real story behind Return to Zero, the STILL Project, Action for Stillbirth Awareness and Prevention (ASAP) Coalition, and many more programs.

Let’s keep the momentum going!  Here are some ideas – feel free to add your own!

  • Continue to obtain pledges to see Return to Zero
  • Join the ASAP Coalition (it’s free!)
  • Plan to attend the Stillbirth Summit 2014 – June 19-21, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN
  • Join an event honoring the memory of a stillborn child – or host your own!  (contact me for more information)
  • Participate in the STARS Study and pass the information along to others you know
  • Write letters to your congressional representatives to support the King bill, the Lautenberg bill, and the Farley-Kluger bill

Thank you for being a part of the movement.  I believe this ‘club’ is on the cusp of something incredible! Let’s make it happen for our children!

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