Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Support Group
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is any sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant aged one month to one year. SIDS is responsible for roughly 50 deaths per 100,000 births in the US.
For Austin's first angel day I decided to put a memorial ad in the obituary section of our local newspaper. It wasn't anything too fancy, just a picture of him, his name, dates, a short message from Nick, my mom and I, and his website url.
I was so surprised at how many people commented (and are still commenting) on this memorial ad. Many of them have tears in their eyes when they tell me they saw his ad and looked at his website. They say, "I can truely see how much you loved him," and "I can't believe its been a year." I've even had people I don't know in my community lite candles on his website.
It sucks that we have to be the ones to remind people of hard days, like angel days, but I think they want to be reminded. It also gives them an open door to talk about our babies to us. Most importantly for me, I feel like by sharing his website, it helps others to know Austin, and to know that SIDS happens, and that it happens to good parents who love their babies more than anything.
I just wanted to share this idea with you all. It really helped me.
I was so surprised at how many people commented (and are still commenting) on this memorial ad. Many of them have tears in their eyes when they tell me they saw his ad and looked at his website. They say, "I can truely see how much you loved him," and "I can't believe its been a year." I've even had people I don't know in my community lite candles on his website.
It sucks that we have to be the ones to remind people of hard days, like angel days, but I think they want to be reminded. It also gives them an open door to talk about our babies to us. Most importantly for me, I feel like by sharing his website, it helps others to know Austin, and to know that SIDS happens, and that it happens to good parents who love their babies more than anything.
I just wanted to share this idea with you all. It really helped me.
wandersjewell
What a wonderful idea Brandy!
deleted_user
great idea, I may do this next year.
ckdeedee
Yes, they do want to be reminded. I can understand people forgetting since I have a terrible time remembering things and am the person that need reminders. I have a calendar that I have to write everything on otherwise I would forget. I write everything down on a calendar otherwise I would forget. I have a niece that every year makes a calendar with everyone's birthdays on it and computer pictures. She has it done by Christmas so we are good for the next year. It's good to let people know that SIDS does happen. Thanks for sharing!
deleted_user
This is such a wonderful idea and such a great tribute to Austin.
smmcclung
I love your idea. HUGS!!
deleted_user
This is a great Idea.....I too have a calander and write down family b'days and such.....but I refer to that calandar and call these people and wish them a happy Bday or whatever ....I dont get that common respect.....this past March was MIL bday and I seen it and never told hubby...then when she asked why we forgot I TOLD her that she never remembers my angels bday or angel date so why should I REMIND her son to call and wish her a happy bday........this past Christmas we were at MIL house and just finished eating and she had the nerve to say that this Christmas would have been perfect if Kim was there.....WTF (who the F&%#) so very confused I said WHO and she replied that it was her future daughter in law......(see her other son is dating a woman he met that is behind bars) oh I see you thin this christmas would have been perfect if an excon was here and not your GRANDSON.......WTF ever......
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