There are experiences in life which are, truly, unimaginable for most. The duty for the sufferer of such an experience is to ensure that others truly see them and that others do not forget...
On Mother's Day, 2011, the MISS Foundation will host its inaugural event, Empty Strollers, Empty Shoes: We walk for them. Mothers, Fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, neighbors, caregivers, and supporters will come together with their empty strollers and empty shoes in solidarity and walk on Mother's Day.
We invite you, wherever you are, to organize an event in your area!
Our objectives are: 1) Public awareness: To help others truly see bereaved families who have experienced child death, 2) Honoring: To recognize and remember the children who died and the family member/s left behind to mourn their absence, 3) Solidarity: To commune with like others who have experienced the same knowing of the unthinkable, 4) Resource building: To help raise much-needed funds for the MISS Foundation so that we can continue our outreach around the world. Parents and others are building teams in their child/children's names and recruiting friends and family members to sponsor them for the walk.
One such team that has already started is "M-Bug's team", initiated by her devoted mom Ashley, a MISS Foundation member in Phoenix, Arizona who is walking to remember her precious baby, Mckenna Jodell, who died at nine-months-old. A clinical intern for the MISS Foundation, Bianca Mera, MSW candidate, has already raised more than $700 on her team. There are many stories- and plenty of love and tears- behind every team.
We hope you will participate with us. Because this picture will truly help others to see bereaved parents and families, really see them, in a very different way...
For more information and to organize an event in your area please contact MISS Foundation Executive Director, Kathy Sandler, MSW at Kathy.Sandler@me.com. To register for the Phoenix event, visit the registration page.
About the Walk: Each day around the world, parents walk their babies, safely nestled in their strollers, aroundparks, neighborhoods, schools, and even zoos. Each day around the world, parents hear the steps of their children come through the door at the end of their school day. Each day around the world, parents experience theirchildren's feet returning home for family gatherings and holidays.
But, tragically, not all children get to ride in their strollers, return home at the end of the school day, or spend holidays with family.
The Empty Strollers-Empty Shoes Walk is an international memorial walk to remember all the mothers, fathers, and families- and their beloved children - and to honor those relationships on the most sacred of days for families; Mother's Day. Because death is not bigger than a family's love, and because even intheir absence, they continue to walk with us, as we walk for them.
But, tragically, not all children get to ride in their strollers, return home at the end of the school day, or spend holidays with family.
The Empty Strollers-Empty Shoes Walk is an international memorial walk to remember all the mothers, fathers, and families- and their beloved children - and to honor those relationships on the most sacred of days for families; Mother's Day. Because death is not bigger than a family's love, and because even intheir absence, they continue to walk with us, as we walk for them.
I just discovered your blog and foundation today, through a recommendation from Mirabai Starr. The quotes on your sidebar are a great gift. Thank you for them!
ReplyDeleteOur 12-year old daughter, Katie, died from cancer in 2007. I started writing after her passing at www.karengberger.blogspot.com .
Blessings to you and in your work.