So, last week was Baby Loss Awareness Week and I for one, lit my candle at 7pm on Monday Evening.
This everybody, is my beautiful, handsome little man who sadly passed away when he was just 11 days old in November 2011. He is fast approaching what would have been his 7th birthday and I couldn't miss him anymore than I already do. Alfie had a rare disorder known as neurometabolic disease. It is an extremely rare congenital disorder where the brain communicates with the nervous system to eat away at the enzymes in the body. My little fella didn't stand a chance. At just 10 days old he developed Klebsiella, a nasty tummy bug, which led to pneumonia and septicaemia.
When people ask why I do the job I do now, it is because of him and my wonderful Mum who I also lost just 12 months before Alfie. They were my strength and my reason to keep going and I owe all my successes now, to them.
If you have lost a child through stillbirth, miscarriage or neonatal death, then like me, you are that 1 in 4. I will never silence myself in regards to my loss. My boy made me who I am today. Please don't grieve in silence. If you have been affected, please reach out. There are charities out there who can help.
SANDS (Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Support)
www.sands.org.uk/
Tommy's
www.tommys.org
The LullabyTrust
www.lullabytrust.org.uk
Teddy's Wish (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
www.teddyswish.org
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