Crystal-Gayle, Spreading HOPE for Damani

CRYSTAL-GAYLE WILLIAMS, SHARING her story 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. I'm hoping to donate more memory packages to mothers at hospitals in Jamaica as we have none of those resources here. I also want to continue raising awareness as we really need to end the stigma surrounding baby loss. My hope is that parents experiencing this in Jamaica know they're not alone, even though it feels lonely, and there's a safe space that they can turn to.

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.”

October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month.
Our HOPEtober annual event honors all losses on the journey to parenthood.

Even though so many of us have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, or know someone who has, it is a loss that exists in the shadows. As bereaved parents, we feel isolated and alone. But together, we can shine a light on pregnancy and infant loss, helping others to live a life that holds both grief and joy.

HOPEtober Luminaries partner with us during the month of October to be an advocate and ambassador in spreading awareness and shining a light on pregnancy and infant loss. By sharing our stories we’re bringing awareness to pregnancy and infant loss, as well as the resources and support that exist through Return to Zero: Hope. As a nonprofit, raising awareness and funds are essential to our cause and support programs.

We'd be grateful if you you would consider making a contribution to Crystal-Galye’s fundraiser in honor of Damani. 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.

This year our goal is to raise $75,000 during the month of October so that we can continue spread hope and healing by providing resources and support to grieving families and their care providers. 

Thank you for helping to shatter the silence around pregnancy & infant loss.