Sharing our Hope Helps Us to Heal
- 15-11-09

By Nicole Ballinger
“The only cure for grief is action” -- G. H. Lewes, Psychologist
Last Friday I got a phone call from author, Helen Abbott. Helen read here about the momentum being gained for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day to be officially declared in Australia. As an Australian, she contacted us to see if she could help to bring this Day about.
Having survived the tragedy of losing a baby (stillbirth), Helen also told us that she is writing a new book. So we asked her if we could help her, in return.
Helen’s book will present personal stories of strength, hope and recovery from people who have lost a baby during pregnancy. Her book will help both the recently bereaved, and those of us who lost a baby some time ago.
Like this website, Helen’s book helps to give us a 'voice' -- enabling us to further break our silent gref.
It’s been my experience that every time I share my story, I not only help others but I continue to grow in my own recovery. Helen’s book presents another opportunity for us to help others, while also helping ourselves.
Helen has made this very easy with a simple, online questionnaire. Our privacy is maintained: each participant's questionnaire will have no personal identifying information connected to it, in Helen's book.
I filled in the questionnaire, and I must say that she posed some fascinating and heartfelt questions I've never been asked before. So while I've spoken with many people about my experience with recurrent miscarriage, this new questionnaire was a very healing exercise, too.
We welcome you to consider taking this questionnaire: it doesn’t take too long, and the rewards of reaching out (even in the privacy of our homes) are immeasurable. Read more
Email to Friend
Fill in the form below to send this news item to a friend:
All News
Update on Getting 15 Oct official across Australia
- News Item
- October 30, 2011
October 15 Now Official in NSW Australia
- News Item
- October 15, 2011
Campaign for Rights of Stillborn Babies
- News Item
- August 20, 2011
Birth Certificates for Stillborn Babies
- News Item
- July 13, 2011
New, Ground-Breaking Film about Miscarriage
- News Item
- June 9, 2011
Online Support for TTTS
- News Item
- May 30, 2011
New Study: No Need to Wait to Try Again...?
- News Item
- October 9, 2010
Memorial Service on Oct 10th
- News Item
- September 5, 2010
Campaign to Change Laws over Stillbirth Investigations
- News Item
- July 7, 2010
News
- News Item
- April 6, 2010
SIDS: Is Hope Finally on the Horizon?
- News Item
- March 22, 2010
By Nicole Ballinger
According to a recent report in The Journal of the American Medical Association, a team of doctors from the Children’s Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical School conducted autopsies of 41 babies who died from SIDS and other causes. The result was the detection of brain abnormalities in SIDS victims (sudden infant death syndrome).
These researchers found abnormalities in the victims’ nerve cells that make and use serotonin. Serotonin is thought to help coordinate breathing and sensitivity to carbon dioxide. When babies sleep face down, it is believed they breathe in exhaled carbon monoxide, taking in less oxygen. A rise in carbon dioxide activates nerve cells in the brainstem, to stop most babies from asphyxiating.
But the researchers believe that a baby who dies from SIDS has defects in his or her serotonin system, which impairs the reflex to wake up and turn over.
These doctors now hope to develop a diagnostic test to identify infants at risk for SIDS. They also hope to develop a treatment to protect infants who have these abnormalities.
Read more here
Once Again, Support for IPIL Day from BOTH Sides of Parliament House
- News Item
- February 26, 2010
A Charity that Helps Parents, Friends, Families & Professionals
- News Item
- December 27, 2009
Sharing our Hope Helps Us to Heal
- News Item
- November 15, 2009
Unanimous Vote in Parliament to support Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
- News Item
- November 4, 2009
A Remembrance Service for Australians and Visitors to Australia
- News Item
- October 20, 2009
October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
- News Item
- October 12, 2009
Rate of Premature Births Dramatically Increases
- News Item
- October 5, 2009
New Test for Pregnancy Complications being Developed
- News Item
- July 2, 2009
Wisdom from a Grief and Loss Specialist
- News Item
- June 5, 2009
Speaking with Hospital Staff
- News Item
- April 3, 2009
We Lose One Every Minute
- News Item
- October 22, 2008
Our Very First Candle: a Sweet Experience
- News Item
- October 15, 2008
Petition to Raise Awareness of Pregnancy and Infant Loss
- News Item
- August 24, 2008






















