Jaime, Spreading HOPE for James
Ambassador jaime skidmore, fundraising in memory of james
“Time comes and goes but the love I have for you grows in my heart. Weeks turn into months and somehow I miss you more. A mother without her baby is a broken soul. Yet, somehow, I’m a better woman for having had you, although it wasn’t long.
We experienced an early missed miscarriage in 2018 and from there started on our fertility journey. In October 2022, we were thrilled when the fertility treatment lead to a pregnancy... but I knew we were only part way there... for those that have experienced pregnancy loss, it is hard to celebrate knowing the heartbreak that could happen. At our routine 12 week scan we learned that there were some anomalies that needed to be followed up on. A week later, at the specialist clinic, we received the devastating news that our sweet baby had Trisomy 13, a chromosomal abnormality that is “non-compatible” with life. We cried. We prayed. We spoke to genetic counsellors. We researched. We asked every question we could longing for the answer we wanted - that our baby would survive.
In January 2023, we parented our baby boy the best way we knew how and ending our pregnancy so our sweet baby, James, could be at peace. Because of James I am a changed woman to the core.. my heart is able to recognize love I wasn’t able to before.
I deeply miss James - every single day. Yet, because of James, I live a more beautiful life. We honour James by talking about him and sharing about him. We bought a lemon tree in memory of James... it has been a blessing to see it bloom and produce fruit. What I would like to share with those going through a loss is there can be beauty when life gives you lemons. My dearest James, if love could have saved you, you would be here in my arms.
Being connected to RTZ made it possible to dig through the muck and darkness that is ending a wanted pregnancy. By attending a support group earlier this year, I was connected to a community of mothers who understood the complicated pain I felt. I was given resources and suggestions of how to navigate through the impossible. RTZ is the only place I found that supported parents going through a loss due to ending a pregnancy... it is so important this support is there for others in the future.”
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 Jaime’s fundraiser in honor of James. 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.