[HangingInThere]

I have been looking for a local PAIL group and we don't have one. I even contacted the National Share office and there was a group here but I tried contacting the leader of the group today and she no longer works at the hospital. I really wanted to participate in some kind of event on October 15th to help raise awareness, especially since this special date wasn't around for my first m/c. I was also hoping to find something before our next MOPS meeting so that I could make an announcement for anyone who has or knows of someone who has had a loss to participate. I have been amazed at the number of women that I have met that have told me they too suffered a loss, or the number of women who don't know anything about miscarriage and how common it really is. We have a very involved March of Dimes chapter in our area, but looking at the website it does not appear that they support much in the way of miscarriage nor do they have any type of event scheduled in support of Infant Loss & Awareness Day.

Ever since my loss I have had the strong desire to raise awareness and tell those women who have suffered a loss that it is ok to speak up, and for those who know someone who has had a loss to not be afraid to approach that person about their loss. I've found most women find comfort in talking about their losses, I'm one of them. That was one thing that made me so sad when I lost both my babies, where any other loss of life would recieved sympathty; cards in the mail, phone calls from friends, flowers; I recieved very little. It made me feel as though my child was insignificant to this world. Hence why I probably feel such a desire to raise awareness.

I've also wanted to raise awareness for those women who haven't suffered a loss so that they understand the risks involved in pregnancy, not to scare them, or to scare those TTC away from it, but to give them awareness that it does happen more than we know, and allow them to have an already established support group should something go arrie (sp?) with their pregnancy. My hope is that this would allow them to approach things cautiously rather than being nieve about it the way I was. I want them to realize that spotting may or may not be a concern, but it's always wise to have it checked out. That panicking won't help and to remain calm about it. But also to remember that you are NEVER out of the woods! That is where I was so neive, I thought once I passed that first trimester mark I had nothing to worry about. Boy, was I wrong. I also want to raise the awareness for the husbands and families that they might better know how to support the mother that suffered such a loss, and how important it is to help her keep the memory of that baby alive.

If any of you know of a group that might help me with getting something like this started in my area, I would be much obliged. I don't know that I am interested in directing something like this, as my focus right now is my children and family and I don't want to take away from them. But I would really like to see some participation of events in our area. I highly doubt many people in my area are even aware that October is PAIL Awareness month, nor do they realize that Oct 15 is PAIL Awareness Day.

I may try to see if I can put something in my MOPS group newsletter about a candle light figile and choose a place, maybe even ask to use the church on Oct 15th and just see how many people come to participate. What do you gals think? At least it would be a start, right?

Sorry for the rant and the book, I just needed to share that and get it off my chest!

[dee68]

have you been to the website?
they have a list of ceremonies listed...

http://www.october15th.com

[HangingInThere]

have you been to the website?
they have a list of ceremonies listed...

http://www.october15th.com[/b]

Thanks Dee,
I checked out the ceremonies on the site and still none in my area. The closest ones I've found are Littleton, CO, Wheatridge, CO, and Salt Lake City, UT but they area all at least 4 hours or more away from me.

[*Bobbie*]

I don't have much advice... but I know how you feel about just wanting to DO something.

For me lighting a candle that night and being here for the chat feels like it will be enough for me this year.

I hope you find more info and can get something going in your area. Your church sounds like a great place to start this year.

I am sooo proud of women like you who have the deep desire to really DO something about pregnancy loss. I try but, would never have the time to organize something like that.