Crystal-Gayle, Spreading HOPE for Damani
Ambassador Crystal-gayle williams, sharing in memory of damani
“I remembered how everything during pregnancy was amazing, until one day it wasn't. I remember the very first kick at 24 weeks and how I didn't realize I wouldn't be getting any more of it. I want the world to know that grief doesn't end. I still count Damani as my child. I'm a mom of 2 children and my daughter has a big brother, you just can't see him. A mother counts all her children, even those no longer here. Please don't think living children somehow erases the pain and emptiness we feel.
I want the world to normalize grief and sadness and stop shaming persons into keeping their stories and their babies private. We didn't do something wrong that resulted in the death of our babies. It just happened.
Out of his death, came 4Damani, which is a space I use to shine the light on baby loss in Jamaica. I also created a support group for persons to have a safe space to share and be comforted. It has been extremely difficult as the silence here is really deafening. Pregnancy and infant loss is taboo on Jamaica. A lot of persons do not want to share their experience publicly due to the trauma and sometimes shame associated with the experience. 4Damani is the 1st an only one of its kind in Jamaica and it gets lonely and depressing because there's so much work to do to effect change and I need all the help I can get.
I am always connected to my loss. I share about Damani every chance I get. I always say his name. I'm proud to be his mom. Next year, I'm hoping to donate some more memory packages to mothers at hospitals in Jamaica as we have none of those resources here. I gave a few out in 2022 and the feedback I received was heartwarming , they made a big difference.
I have found the RTZ resources very helpful for my group and myself. I also really enjoyed the movie Return to Zero, as it gives hope and support to persons and every parent needs that after loss, especially when you don't know where to turn. And it has also been warming to see other ambassadors, who have also provided hope to me.”
Pregnancy and infant loss is an unique type of loss, leaving the grievers to feel isolated and unsure of how to move forward. We'd be grateful if you you would consider making a contribution to RTZ HOPE. Your gift ensures that other parents who endure loss on their journey to parenthood have the support, resources, and community they need in order to navigate life after loss.
With your support, here’s what we were able to accomplish during 2022 (2022 Annual Report):
Fifty percent of support group participants received financial support to ensure that all parents have access to services.
Enhanced outreach to and created support services for Black, Indigenous, and other Communities of Color as a response to the alarming rate of preterm births and stillbirths caused by racial disparities in perinatal and infant health.
Offered 50 different support group programs (virtual workshops, virtual support groups, and in-person retreats) to our community of bereaved families.
Supplied our unique perinatal bereavement guides to 400 hospitals and providers to assist in caring for grieving families.
Hosted 10 perinatal bereavement education webinars to parents and providers.
Created community and spread awareness about pregnancy and infant loss through social media.