honorable mention
Matthieu Zellweger switzerland
title
The Story of Hope
Stillbirths can happen unpredictably to anyone, anywhere, causing pain not only to parents, but also to families, healthcare professionals and people around them. In the face of such unspeakable – and often unexplained - sorrow, each individual must find a way to live with the experience of stillbirth.
Some talk. Some grieve in silence. Some join groups where feelings can be shared. Affected families can also increasingly count on bereavement professionals. One example is the remarkable work done by Lydia Baker in St-Helier, Sutton, UK. Rooted in empathy, caring presence, and dialogue, this support can help individuals address the trauma and strong feelings to find a way to reconstruct their lives.
Despite the common features to the ordeal, mourning is a lonesome path. As time goes by, the acute pain subsides, appetite for life grows again, albeit in a different hue, and the acceptance of contradictory emotions allows affected individuals to regain happiness, while recognising that their stillborn children will forever walk alongside them.
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entry description
Hope. Now is the time to meet you. A few more minutes? Hours? It does not matter. What matters is that we will meet you today, dear daughter. Yet we know that our encounter and the beautiful moments of your birth will be soiled by sorrow. We were ready. We had expected your sweet appearance with so much happiness. The powers that be decided otherwise. We will never know why, nor will we know if there was anything to fight about. Genetic anomaly, they said, multiple malformations. Not viable. At the end of the day, the jargon and the diagnosis matter so little. Your existence, Hope, your oh so short existence made us parents for life. Whatever your looks, size or body shape may be, you will forever be our firstborn daughter. We love you, Hope.Stillbirths can happen unpredictably to anyone, anywhere, causing pain not only to parents, but also to families, healthcare professionals and people around them. In the face of such unspeakable – and often unexplained - sorrow, each individual must find a way to live with the experience of stillbirth.
Some talk. Some grieve in silence. Some join groups where feelings can be shared. Affected families can also increasingly count on bereavement professionals. One example is the remarkable work done by Lydia Baker in St-Helier, Sutton, UK. Rooted in empathy, caring presence, and dialogue, this support can help individuals address the trauma and strong feelings to find a way to reconstruct their lives.
Despite the common features to the ordeal, mourning is a lonesome path. As time goes by, the acute pain subsides, appetite for life grows again, albeit in a different hue, and the acceptance of contradictory emotions allows affected individuals to regain happiness, while recognising that their stillborn children will forever walk alongside them.
back to gallery