Resources
Antenatal Results Choices (UK)
ARC is a national charity, which provides non-directive support and information to parents throughout the antenatal testing process Their role is to help parents arrive at the most appropriate decision for them in the context of their family life. www.arc-uk.org
Be Not Afraid (USA)
Benotafraid.net is an online outreach to parents who have received a poor or difficult prenatal diagnosis. The family stories, articles, and links within this site are presented as a resource for those who may have been asked to choose between terminating a pregnancy and continuing on despite the diagnosis. The benotafraid.net families faced the same decision and chose not to terminate. By sharing their experiences, they offer encouragement to those who may be afraid to continue on.
http://www.benotafraid.net/default.asp
A heart- breaking choice (USA)
For those parents who choose to interrupt their pregnancies after poor prenatal diagnosis, they hope to create a safe haven of encouragement and validation.
http://www.aheartbreakingchoice.com/
Great books:-
When Pregnancy Isn't Perfect : A Layperson's
Guide To Complications In Pregnancy
(Laurie A. Rich)
High Risk Pregnancy and Feotal Diagnosis;your journey
(Stephanie Azri)
Special
Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child
With a Disability
(Robert A. Naseef)
Living
in My Skin, An Insider's View of Life with a Special Needs Child
(Lori Hickman)
The Parent to Parent Handbook, Connecting
Families of Children with Special Needs
(Betsy Santelli, Florene Stewart Poyadue and Jane Leora Young)
In
Time and With Love: Caring for the Special Needs Baby
(Marilyn Segal)
After
the Tears: Parents Talk About Raising a Child With a Disability
(Robin Simons)
When a baby dies: the experience of late miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death. (Nancy Kohner)
Help, comfort and hope after losing your baby in pregnancy or the first year.
(Hannah Lothrop)
Not Compatible with Life: a diary of Keeping Daniel
(Kylie Sheffield, www.trisomyoz.bounce.com.au for a PDF copy of the book)
Healing together: for couples grieving the death of their baby.
(Lister & Lovell)
A time to decide, A time to heal- for parents making difficult decisions.
(Molly Minnick & Mary Ciotti)
Genetic terminations
(Romeo)
Grief therapy for men
(Mundy Linus)
Precious lives. Painful choices
(Sherokee Ilse)
The Best Comments:-
v "Oh Talina is here, can I have breakfast now ?"
Julianna, 3.5 years old, discovering Talina for the first time in the bathroom.
v "Oh I know just what you are going through... I myself have lost my business last year..."
A lady's comment.
v "Oh look Talina looks like a turtle...."
Julianna, when holding her wrinkly newborn sister.
v "I am so sad for us... I lost my pet last week too... It was only a baby and I can soooo relate to your loss"
An acquaintance
v "Will your baby have its eyes opened for the photos?"
A photographer when inquired about taking photos of Talina.
v "Oh bugger....."
Our rent property manager when finding out Talina would die.
v "Oh it's horrrrrribbbbbbleeeeeeeeeeeeeee, are you not thinking of committing suicide????"
A "friend"
v "Well I nearly crashed twice but hey, at least I am here alive"
Our "driver" when coming to pick Talina up from the Hospital
v "Oh, Did you put purple nail polish on her?"
Talina's nanny when discovering the very last pictures taken the day of the funeral
The Best stories:-
A Woman and a Fork...
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order" she contacted her Rabbi and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like to read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Rabbi was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her
"There's one more thing" she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the Rabbi's reply. "This is very important the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Rabbi stood looking at the young woman not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you doesn't it?" "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by that request" said the Rabbi. The young woman explained, "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so.I to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.
In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say "Keep your fork." It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish pie Something wonderful, and with substance!" So, I just want people to see me there in that casket witha fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them..."Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."
The Rabbi's eyes welled up with tears of joy as hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be on of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did.
At the funeral people were walking by the casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand.
Over and over , the Rabbi heard the question "What's with the fork" The story was told and the pastor told the people , next time you reach down for you fork, let it remind you ever so gently. "THAT THE BEST IS YET TO COME"
shared by Ron....Heavenly Angels
DISCLAIMER:
The PDS Australia website, its content and any services offered to anyone are provided for informational purposes only. None of the foregoing is a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a Doctor or Mental Health Clinician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding pregnancy or grief and loss issues. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the PDS Australia Site.