Gathering helps to heal the hurt
FAMILIES have united on Hobart’s waterfront to remember and celebrate the lives of children they have lost.
To mark International Pregnancy and Loss Remembrance Day yesterday, the families came together and released flowers into the River Derwent at Constitution Dock to remember the babies they have lost.
Howrah mother Kelsey Goodman said the day was significant for her and her family.
In October 2014, Ms Goodman gave birth to her daughter, Jade Fay, who was stillborn.
Ms Goodman’s mother went to the remembrance ceremony that year, and each year since, Ms Goodman, her mother, sister, niece, and, more recently, her two-year-old son, have attended.
“It just gives us something to celebrate other than her birthday,” Ms Goodman said.
“It gives us somewhere to go where there’s other people ... through Bears of Hope we’ve made really good friends who have experienced something similar.”
Pregnancy and infant loss support charity Bears of Hope has organised a remembrance event to mark the day each year for the past five years.
This year, the State Government followed WA and NSW to officially recognise Preg- nancy and Loss Remembrance Day. “In officially recognising this day, the Tasmanian Government hopes to create awareness in the wider community as well as demonstrate to families that they are not alone,” Health Minister Michael Ferguson said.
Mr Ferguson said there were about 40 stillbirths and 20 newborn deaths each year in Tasmania.
“Australia-wide there are 2000 stillbirths,” he said.
Otago’s Michelle Spotswood was at yesterday’s ceremony to remember her nephew, Lachlan, who died about six years ago.
“He passed away at 14 days old. He was one of a twin,” Ms Spotswood said.
She said she had been coming to remembrance events each year since Lachlan’s death to remember him and support her sister, Lachlan’s mother.
“We always want him in our lives,” she said.
Bears of Hope Tasmanian co-ordinator Maria Bond said official recognition of the day was an important step.
“I hope this will help start those conversations around baby loss and encourage other people to reach out and support bereaved parents better, to talk to parents about their babies that aren’t here any more, to ask how they are, to hug them, to give an encouraging look,” Ms Bond said.
“It is my biggest hope that our society can learn to be brave enough to just do anything to show grieving families they are not alone and that we all care.”
In 2015, the State Government introduced early loss recognition certificates to commemorate a baby lost before 20 weeks gestation or, if weeks are unknown, if the baby weighed less than 400g.