#simonsgiftoftime2020
Tonight we begin the sixth anniversary celebration of Simon’s life. On May 14, 2014 at 9:55pm, we welcomed Simon Adam Balentine into this world.
Following Simon’s birth, all we wanted was time with him. It was simple. We were doing our best in those moments of the unknown to claim joy and celebrate his life. Even if Simon wouldn't have breathed, our plan was the same. We wanted to study him, memorize him, bathe him, smell him, read to him, dedicate him to Christ, sing happy birthday to him, eat his birthday cake, have his big brother Teddy meet him, have his grandparents, aunts, uncles and close friends meet him. Simply show him love and hold his precious body. That’s what every family wants following the delivery of their baby. That sacred time of grace and glory.
We became aware of Simon's challenges, surrounding his Trisomy 13 diagnosis, which is typically a life-limiting diagnosis, around 18 weeks gestation, so we had time to prepare for his birth. However, many families do not have time to prepare for end of life care for their newborn. Mothers go to the doctor for a regular pregnancy appointment or check into labor and delivery anticipating to deliver their baby and hear the words..."I'm sorry there is no heartbeat."
I lead a bereaved mother support group called, You Made Me Mom. We have two active chapters, one that meets in Kansas City, MO and anohter in Milford, IN. With your support we have donated seven bereavement cradles to Kansas City Metro Area hospitals and one in Alabama. We would love to donate our first CuddleCot bereavement cradle in Indiana to Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw, IN to serve the bereaved community as well as point women to our local chapter.
We became aware of Simon's challenges, surrounding his Trisomy 13 diagnosis, which is typically a life-limiting diagnosis, around 18 weeks gestation, so we had time to prepare for his birth. However, many families do not have time to prepare for end of life care for their newborn. Mothers go to the doctor for a regular pregnancy appointment or check into labor and delivery anticipating to deliver their baby and hear the words..."I'm sorry there is no heartbeat."
I lead a bereaved mother support group called, You Made Me Mom. We have two active chapters, one that meets in Kansas City, MO and anohter in Milford, IN. With your support we have donated seven bereavement cradles to Kansas City Metro Area hospitals and one in Alabama. We would love to donate our first CuddleCot bereavement cradle in Indiana to Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw, IN to serve the bereaved community as well as point women to our local chapter.
To donate and find more about exactly what purpose the CuddleCot bereavement cradle serves, CLICK HERE.
Due to COVID-19, You Made Me Mom support group is meeting virtually monthly. If you need support or know someone who needs support after losing a baby during pregnancy or infancy, please join us this month, Thursday, May 21 at 6:30pm Central Time. Click here to register for the meeting.
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