Testimonials
Baby Jonah
"Sherokee, you are the only one who has spoken of his beauty (that I will find beauty in him when he is born). Everyone else is focusing on what is wrong with him. Thank you.!"
"Yes, it is important that I point out to you that others do not love him like you and Mitch do and he is not defined by his problems. Focus on your love and his beauty!" I suggested.
When Suzie snipped some of Jonah's dark hair, she suddenly sat up and said, "Oh my! Look at his eyelashes. I hadn't noticed he has eyelashes!" If the staff had snipped the hair and handed it to her, look what a precious discovery Mama Suzie would have missed.
After spending 2 beautiful days with Jonah (and family and community), a bit later, Suzie wrote, "Thank you so so much for your kind words. It was hard remembering that 3 weeks had passed when it feels like no time has gone by at all. It was such a special time and experience and I wish so much that we could go back and hold him one more time. And thank you so much for all of your guidance and gentle nudging. It was hard to do a lot of the things that we did with him but it was so worth it and I am SO grateful that you were there. I think I already told you but I was grateful that they slowed down the induction process after I had voiced my concerns so that some of the time that we had in the hospital could be spent with you there to guide us.
"I wish that more medical facilities and doctors offices would re-direct people to your organization. The guidance we received from you and Melissa was invaluable to us and I cannot imagine going through our pregnancy and birthing experience without it. I am not sure I am ready to go back to the hospital and debrief just yet but I would be open to going sometime in the future if you think it would be helpful to help advocate for your organization.
"And whatever you would like to do with the staff concerning our story you have our full permission. Names are ok, (Mitch's and mine). We want Jonah's legacy to be carried out by utilizing his story to help others. Whatever way you see is best to do that is 100% ok with us..." Suzie and Mitch, parents of Jonah, born too soon with Trisomy 18
"Sherokee, you are the only one who has spoken of his beauty (that I will find beauty in him when he is born). Everyone else is focusing on what is wrong with him. Thank you.!"
"Yes, it is important that I point out to you that others do not love him like you and Mitch do and he is not defined by his problems. Focus on your love and his beauty!" I suggested.
When Suzie snipped some of Jonah's dark hair, she suddenly sat up and said, "Oh my! Look at his eyelashes. I hadn't noticed he has eyelashes!" If the staff had snipped the hair and handed it to her, look what a precious discovery Mama Suzie would have missed.
After spending 2 beautiful days with Jonah (and family and community), a bit later, Suzie wrote, "Thank you so so much for your kind words. It was hard remembering that 3 weeks had passed when it feels like no time has gone by at all. It was such a special time and experience and I wish so much that we could go back and hold him one more time. And thank you so much for all of your guidance and gentle nudging. It was hard to do a lot of the things that we did with him but it was so worth it and I am SO grateful that you were there. I think I already told you but I was grateful that they slowed down the induction process after I had voiced my concerns so that some of the time that we had in the hospital could be spent with you there to guide us.
"I wish that more medical facilities and doctors offices would re-direct people to your organization. The guidance we received from you and Melissa was invaluable to us and I cannot imagine going through our pregnancy and birthing experience without it. I am not sure I am ready to go back to the hospital and debrief just yet but I would be open to going sometime in the future if you think it would be helpful to help advocate for your organization.
"And whatever you would like to do with the staff concerning our story you have our full permission. Names are ok, (Mitch's and mine). We want Jonah's legacy to be carried out by utilizing his story to help others. Whatever way you see is best to do that is 100% ok with us..." Suzie and Mitch, parents of Jonah, born too soon with Trisomy 18
Baby Estella
Marielena and Esteban wanted to get things over quickly after learning in the morning their baby had died. I met them in the hospital where they awaiting induction. They were in deep shock and couldn’t understand what they were to do and how. Kudos for them; they answered 'yes' when the nurse asked if they wanted some help from a Baby Loss Family Advisor. She called me and together we talked. Using the principles of 'embracing the joy,' respecting them as parents, and speaking about their loved baby from a loving heart, I connected with their loss and feelings. Then I told a few stories of how other parents welcomed their baby in unique, loving and special ways. I asked if they they were willing, when ready, to temporarily put their shock, fears, sadness and other intense emotions in a basket on the shelf in their bedroom closet. Later the basket would be waiting for them to deal with, but for now…what if they could set aside the trauma, fear, shock part in order to be active, loving parents. They were about to have a baby and this would be all the time they got on earth with her. There are no do-overs! Thankfully, they were open to hear more.
Marielena and Esteban seemed shocked to know they could spend up to 48 hours with their baby in the hospital, that they could hold their baby and keep her with them the entire time and that they even had the right to bring their baby home after birth for awhile to share her with her sister and have private family time. After about 90 minutes of sharing stories of other parents (regrets and blessings), ideas on how to fully parent and give their daughter all their love ….they transformed their attitude. I could see it in their eyes, their bodies and their words. They realized they were regular parents and they needed time to welcome and share their precious little one with each other and family.
The next morning when I arrived three hours after the stillbirth of her daughter, Marielena shared these words with me, “I am at such peace. The birth was beautiful and amazing and we feel good about how we are parenting her. You helped us so much by guiding us to this place. Thank you.”
In an email a few days later, Mama said to me, "I am now trying to find peace. I have been trying to educate myself about God, in depth. I want to be able to do something great like you did to keep Estelita's memory alive in others forever. Which by the way, I would love to go to Mexico with you, so if you can send me more information on that when you have it please.
"You did something amazing for me. You changed my life forever. I am so thankful for you and Kathy. To have you two in such a miserable time, brought such peace that I will carry in my heart forever. I love what you do and I will never know how to thank you enough.
Marielena and Esteban wanted to get things over quickly after learning in the morning their baby had died. I met them in the hospital where they awaiting induction. They were in deep shock and couldn’t understand what they were to do and how. Kudos for them; they answered 'yes' when the nurse asked if they wanted some help from a Baby Loss Family Advisor. She called me and together we talked. Using the principles of 'embracing the joy,' respecting them as parents, and speaking about their loved baby from a loving heart, I connected with their loss and feelings. Then I told a few stories of how other parents welcomed their baby in unique, loving and special ways. I asked if they they were willing, when ready, to temporarily put their shock, fears, sadness and other intense emotions in a basket on the shelf in their bedroom closet. Later the basket would be waiting for them to deal with, but for now…what if they could set aside the trauma, fear, shock part in order to be active, loving parents. They were about to have a baby and this would be all the time they got on earth with her. There are no do-overs! Thankfully, they were open to hear more.
Marielena and Esteban seemed shocked to know they could spend up to 48 hours with their baby in the hospital, that they could hold their baby and keep her with them the entire time and that they even had the right to bring their baby home after birth for awhile to share her with her sister and have private family time. After about 90 minutes of sharing stories of other parents (regrets and blessings), ideas on how to fully parent and give their daughter all their love ….they transformed their attitude. I could see it in their eyes, their bodies and their words. They realized they were regular parents and they needed time to welcome and share their precious little one with each other and family.
The next morning when I arrived three hours after the stillbirth of her daughter, Marielena shared these words with me, “I am at such peace. The birth was beautiful and amazing and we feel good about how we are parenting her. You helped us so much by guiding us to this place. Thank you.”
In an email a few days later, Mama said to me, "I am now trying to find peace. I have been trying to educate myself about God, in depth. I want to be able to do something great like you did to keep Estelita's memory alive in others forever. Which by the way, I would love to go to Mexico with you, so if you can send me more information on that when you have it please.
"You did something amazing for me. You changed my life forever. I am so thankful for you and Kathy. To have you two in such a miserable time, brought such peace that I will carry in my heart forever. I love what you do and I will never know how to thank you enough.
Kataleya
"I was strongly encouraged to give permission to be contacted by a Baby Loss Family Advisor by my OBGYN high risk doctor Stephanie Hedstrom. Our baby girl passed on June 4th and Sherokee reached out to me over the next 2-3 days a few times.
She offered encouraging guidance before our baby’s funeral services, which we really appreciated. She helped guide me and challenged me to think of things I hadn’t realized or thought I was open to. During our first conversation I remember that she helped me reframe the time I had left with Kataleya. She changed my way of thinking about things. I was less afraid and more open to acting as my baby’s mama. Having Sherokee as my Baby Loss Family Advisor provided me with a strong foundation of support. Someone who understood my pain and knew what I was feeling. We continued our conversations weeks after the death of my child.
It’s been almost 3 months now and I have continued to speak to Sherokee on multiple occasions. She always checks in with me to see how I am doing and if I need to talk, she is always available. I can’t express how grateful I am for this Embrace Circle program. The group session that my husband and I attended that Sherokee and Jeanne hosted was very successful. I was able to openly share my story, my feelings and get feedback from not only them, but another couple. Women and couples who have gone through such a traumatic experience need someone like Sherokee by their side early on.
The earlier the better. There are some things I wish I would have done differently the night of her passing, but my state of shock took over. Having someone like Sherokee there to guide would have been helpful for sure. I am immensely blessed to have crossed paths with Sherokee and the other folks she has introduced us to. She has helped me through moments of utter darkness. Although that is not gone, she has helped me get to another day.
"I was strongly encouraged to give permission to be contacted by a Baby Loss Family Advisor by my OBGYN high risk doctor Stephanie Hedstrom. Our baby girl passed on June 4th and Sherokee reached out to me over the next 2-3 days a few times.
She offered encouraging guidance before our baby’s funeral services, which we really appreciated. She helped guide me and challenged me to think of things I hadn’t realized or thought I was open to. During our first conversation I remember that she helped me reframe the time I had left with Kataleya. She changed my way of thinking about things. I was less afraid and more open to acting as my baby’s mama. Having Sherokee as my Baby Loss Family Advisor provided me with a strong foundation of support. Someone who understood my pain and knew what I was feeling. We continued our conversations weeks after the death of my child.
It’s been almost 3 months now and I have continued to speak to Sherokee on multiple occasions. She always checks in with me to see how I am doing and if I need to talk, she is always available. I can’t express how grateful I am for this Embrace Circle program. The group session that my husband and I attended that Sherokee and Jeanne hosted was very successful. I was able to openly share my story, my feelings and get feedback from not only them, but another couple. Women and couples who have gone through such a traumatic experience need someone like Sherokee by their side early on.
The earlier the better. There are some things I wish I would have done differently the night of her passing, but my state of shock took over. Having someone like Sherokee there to guide would have been helpful for sure. I am immensely blessed to have crossed paths with Sherokee and the other folks she has introduced us to. She has helped me through moments of utter darkness. Although that is not gone, she has helped me get to another day.
