Understanding Event

Yesterday was the event that has been in the works for two months!  I think it went really well.  We had about 40 people total there and they were from various professions.  We had nurses, social workers, hospice employees, health department HANDS family service workers, counselors, a hospital chaplin, representatives from two local crisis pregnancy centers and, of course, a few people that love me.  We also had three other mothers who have experienced losses themselves to be a part of the parent panel.

Here are a few photos from the day.  I should have more soon.

This was the registration table (after most had registered).  It had sign in sheets for their CEU's, folders with info in them, Shyla's footprints, March of Dimes Brochures and an example of a care package.

This was during the presentation by the my state coordinator for the March of Dimes.

This is one of the posed photos we took at the end.  In this photo are the hospital's Health Ministries Coordinator, a HANDS nurse, me, a hospital chaplin and the director of the local crisis pregnancy center.

Ben and I at the end of the event with Shyla's footprints.

All in all I think the participants learned a lot and above that, their hearts were touched.  I saw so many tears as the other moms and myself shared our stories and our babies. 

Understanding

On August 31 I will have the amazing opportunity to speak with local nurses, doctors, hospital personel, pastors, counselors, and social workers about pregnancy and infant loss.

I have been working on this project for a while and it is really happenning!  We will start the morning with a wonderful doctor talking about different kinds of pregnancy loss and then a representative from the state March of Dimes office will address early infant loss and exsisting resources.  Lastly, a panel of parents who have experienced loss will be answering some predetermined questions.  It is our plan for them to specifically share what was least/most helpful after their loss, specific instances they remember that were hurtful, and things we wish others new about pregnancy and infant loss.

It is my hope that we can educate the "first responders" to those experiencing loss and hopefully make a difference in someone's life who may walk down the road we are now on.

So... I need your help.  If there are any Mama's out there who want to be a part of this event, but you are out of state, there is a way you can help.  I need your stories.  If you want to be a part of this project, please leave the following information in a comment or email me at scattercreativejoy at gmail dot com.

*First name, City/State/Province
*Baby's name (if named)
*Gestation/age at the time of loss
*Cause of loss if known
*One thing that was most helpful in the first days after your loss.
*One thing someone said or did that was particularly hurtful.
*Anything else you would like these health care providers to know.

Thank you all so much!!!

Also, please spread the word!  If you can, link this post on your blog and send your readers this way.  I would really like to have several stories to include in something I can give the participants.  Right now, I have 23 professionals registered and this is just by inviting through email.  The information should be hitting the newspapers and radio soon.  We have applied to give nursing and social work CEU's and if we can offer these, I know we will have several more register!

Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and helping educate the community!