Share Update

The phone rang yesterday. The caller ID showed what appeared to be an out of state number. Telemarketer, I thought.

Sometimes life surprises you, doesn't it?

Beep...
"Hi. My name is ...and I am a reporter for the Rutland Herald. We were contacted by Martha about your plan to start a Share group for families who have suffered the loss of a child. I am writing an article for the paper and would like to speak to you to find out more details. Please call me back at....."

I stared at the machine. I didn't pick up, just listened to him speak of our group in such final terms. That was my faith moment. This IS going to happen! NO. This is happening!

I'll spare you the details and the fifty thousand things that instantly appeared on my to-do list. Here are the pertinant facts:

• I have an interview scheduled for next week.
  
• He is bringing a staff photographer


• I have much prep to do

Oh - and here is the finished prototype of the updated Memory Box. Imagine your baby's picture in that glass frame. Envision being given this to take home and fill with treasures of your child, forever. That is our goal.
If you are able to Share the love, via comment, email, a donation, or just a prayer for all those who are hurting right now, please do.

You can email me at carajer@tds.net for any reason or to request a mailing address.

PS _ THANK YOU MARTHA FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO A CAUSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY. FROM THE EAST COAST TO THE WEST, LETS SPREAD THE MESSAGE!

Show and Tell - or in other words - Sharing and Caring!

For this week's Show and Tell I feel like I am really IN class as I present to you the proposal I've blogged about working on for the last two weeks! But, Mel...before you start handing out grades, please give partial credit to Martha , Klakly , Sara, and Nathansma

for their awesome contributions, guest editors spots, and an extra point or two on their show and tell to the many who sent words of encouragment!

Well, let's back up. It's actually more like an un-assigned book report that became an obesssion. (yeah - I used to do them and yes I am also well aware I was a NERD!) But my nerdy ways have come in handy lately. And I am in NO WAY insinuating that the rest of my contributers were nerds!

As I stated in this post my inquisitory meeting with the head nurse at the childbirth center evolved into a self-driven mission to begin a southern vermont Share group at our little hospital. The mission became a little big for me, so in this other post I enlisted the rest of you, our insanely strong heart-army of dead baby moms, to send me your ideas and suggestions for the proposal. (BTW - IF YOU STILL WANT TO SEND THEM PLEASE DO AND PLEASE JUST EMAIL THEM TO carajer@tds.net CAUSE SOME STUPID PASSPROTECT THIS KEEPS POPPING UP AND I DON'T KNOW WHY OR HOW TO GET RID OF IT...IF YOU DO - EMAIL TOO OK?)


So, my Show and Tell for the week is ....with much fanfare...the cumulative 30 pages of research, personal ideas and heartwrenching moments put together by US! A huge thank you to all of you for opening the doors to the past and your bravery in submitting so other mothers may suffer just an ounce less!

The cover page reads...

Building Heavenly Bridges

Infant Loss and Bereavement

Support and Outreach

Proposal Prepared for Springfield Hospital

And the mission page reads...

Mission:

To enhance the support of bereaved families of the Springfield Hospital community after the death of a child by providing comprehensive and compassionate care with patients and families through support, education, and outreach as a new Share affiliated group. For this proposal “child” is defined as a miscarriage regardless of weekly gestational development, a stillbirth (20 – 40 weeks) or an infant death up to 12 months.

Keep scrolling to see each section and the hospital's last remaining memory box (they have suffered a lot of loss this year - sigh). My husband...yes the gift certificate toting man - is volunteering his time to make 20 more to get them through this year (hopefully - bigger sigh) then will draw up his plans, for in all liklihood he will design his own style, and present it to local wookworking classes along with our mission and they will make them for years to come.

SAMPLE TRI-FOLDS DESIGNATED FOR EARLY-TERM LOSS, MISCARRIAGE, STILLBIRTH DELIVERIES, GRANDPARENTS GRIEF, CHILDREN'S GRIEF AND MORE!

EVERYTHING A HOSPITAL MANAGER WOULD NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BENEFITS AND COSTS ASSOICATED WITH BECOMING A NEW SHARE GROUP!

WE DID SOME OF THE LEGWORK TO DEMONSTRATE WHICH GRANTS WOULD BE A GOOD MATCH FOR LOCATION AND WHEN THEY ALLOCATE.

THE BULK OF THE PROPOSAL TEXT: 16 PAGES DETAILING THE CHANGES AND ADDITIONS WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE LOSS PROTOCOL.

THE LAST REMAINING MEMORY BOX (NOT FOR LONG!)

Don't be surprised if you see a virtual donation box someday for the Southern Vermont Share Group! I am committed to making this happen!