On Saturday, October 19, the first Infant Loss Remembrance Walk, organized by the Perinatal Bereavement Program, was held. Hannah Brownlow and her team of counselors led the effort to put together the event which honored babies who have passed away from miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death, and other causes.
Hannah Brownlow described the event as follows: It was a beautiful autumn day as families gathered to remember their loved ones. Classical guitar played in the background as they arrived.
Parents had the opportunity to write their child's name on a stone. The stones will be on display in the perinatal bereavement waiting room. These rocks will stand as a reminder to future families that they are not alone in their loss.
Spiritual care led a remembrance ceremony, where we remembered 50 infants by name who were lost due to miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death.
After the ceremony, the families walked around Halyburton Park and returned to enjoy fellowship and food.
We had an incredible turn out from both employees and families. Our guess is that we had somewhere between 300-350 people. What privilege it was to share in this day with our families.
“Beautiful work. Special thanks to Hannah and her team of counselors! You all are making a substantial impact in the lives of our community through this often-unrecognized grief. I am so impressed and moved by the work you all do. Thank you so very much,” said Suzie McCabe.
The team is also working to form a Perinatal Grief Support Group for those who have experienced loss through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or early infant death.
For more information about the support group please contact:
Mary Haynes
[email protected]
or
Hannah Brownlow
[email protected]