In today’s episode we have Lindsey Boxie who shares her stillbirth journey with us.  Lindsey was diagnosed with Endometriosis in middle school and told her that because of the way her uterus was shaped she would have difficulty getting and staying pregnant.  After college she was able to conceive and around 36 weeks she went into labor arrived at the hospital and found that her baby passed away.  She then went on to have her rainbow baby afterwards which led her to going back to school to help others through grief therapy.  This episode is for you if you have been diagnosed with Endometriosis and those who have experienced a stillbirth.

Happy Black History Month!  After a quick Amazon search, I realized there aren’t many black authors of books in this Grief and Pregnancy Loss Community.  For the next 6 weeks on the podcast we are featuring 6 Books from Black Authors around Faith, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Infant and Pregnancy Loss, and Hope to continue on this grief journey.

In today’s episode we have Keanna Barnes who shares her Stillbirth story and Fibroid Journey.  She is the author of Journey to Peace a 31 Day Devotional: Through the Grief of Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Other Pregnancy Loss.  In this episode she shares her journey to getting pregnant with fibroids, how her miscarriage broke her heart into a million pieces, and her courage to try again and get pregnant with her current baby due in March 2018.

In today’s episode we have Cassidy M. Dear who share’s her stillbirth story of daughter Courtney and the Born into Heaven Foundation. Cassidy has become an extreme advocate for stillbirth awareness ever since her own personal loss of her daughter Courtney in 2014.   Cassidy strives to dedicate her time by uplifting parents in the community who have also been affected by stillbirth. In 2015 she founded Born Into Heaven Foundation as a financial resource for families in the state of Alabama. She oversees a volunteer board that is dedicated to relieving the financial burden of funeral cost for stillborn babies.  Cassidy was awarded her bachelors in Social Work from Auburn University in December 2017. Cassidy lives in Opelika, Alabama with her family. She enjoys dancing and journaling.  Born into Heaven Foundation is hosting their Spring Gala on April 14, 2018 in Opelika, Alabama to gather among others, mingle, dine, and support stillbirth awareness.

In today’s episode Cathleen Richardson shares her Stillbirth story and how she is honoring other Stillbirth moms through her blog stillmom.net.   She is hosting a Charity Vegas Themed event in her daughter McKenzie’s honor named Kenzie Royale.  Kenzie Royal is being held on September 23 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is a night of Vegas Fun. The proceeds of the event honoring Stillbirth moms will go to the Star Legacy Foundation, that has helped Cathleen on her healing journey.  Cathleen wants to help others especially those who feel alone on this journey.  Here favorite quote to live by is by Brian Tracy “You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.”  In my interview with Cathleen we discuss the truth about grieving for your child and returning to the corporate workplace, and how her loss has changed her life for the better.

In this episode Vivien Gaiko Founder of Empower Mama Foundation based in Naroibi, Kenya, shares her suicide story after her pregnancy loss.  This foundation is based on Christian values offering emotional and social support for women and families that have undergone pregnancy and child loss.  Empower Mama Organization preaches Suicide is not an option and assures women there is life after loss.  Their vision is to develop emotionally, psychologically, and socially empowered women who will in turn pay it forward by empowering others in order to curb the sucidial attempts in our society as a result of a child loss.  Vivien also shares in this episode how Empower Mama Foundation is helping Kenyan women change the culture around child loss by sharing their stories and getting the support they need to prevent suicide.

In this episode Diana Sims shares her stillbirth story of son King, born at 37 weeks gestation, and her journey to rainbow baby Anthony.  Diana is a self-published Author of  “Forever King: Surviving The Loss of My Unborn Child”, and Inspirational Speaker.  Diana is a California native and resides in Southern California with her loving husband Cory Sims, and three handsome Kings in training: Isaiah, Solomon, and Anthony Sims.

In this episode Jheanell Adams of Jolie Bloom a natural skincare company, and the Angel Mom Alliance a facebook group focused on Angel Moms to regain their confidence, conquer their grief and take the steps to thrive in their new normal.  The Angel Mom Alliance is also designed to help remove the stigma, shame and loneliness of baby loss by sharing real stories, advice and resources.

In this episode, Heather Wilson shares her story of daughter Kennedy who was born still on August 17, 2009, and how her tragedy turned into a non-profit she founded named after her daughter Kennedy’s Angel Gowns.