Maryland organization holds virtual summit on pregnancy and infant loss

MARYLAND – “It’s always important to put a voice to pain,” said Meisha Shockley, the CEO, and founder of Shore Grace Family Wellness in Salisbury.

Losing a baby can make a huge impact on moms and dads.

That is why on Saturday, the Maryland nonprofit Stillborn and Infant Loss Support held a virtual summit to uplift those who’ve experienced pregnancy or infant loss.

“It’s really difficult to heal in an isolated situation,” said Sadija A. Smiley, the CEO, and founder of the nonprofit Stillborn and Infant Loss Support in Hyattsville.

“But, when you gather together with others and share your experience, those who sympathize and empathize with and for you, it creates a healing environment,” said Smiley.

According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention, in 2017 more than 22,000 infants died in the United States alone.

And we’re told it can be difficult for the parents to cope with the pain of loss especially when they’re in social isolation.

“We end up putting ourselves in a dark place, literally seclusion or sometimes we go to reach out and we are met with people who don’t understand our journey, don’t understand our unique pain,” said Shockley.

And according to event organizers, the coronavirus pandemic has made it harder for parents to get the help they desperately need.

“Many moms are forced to or being in a situation to deliver their babies alone during this time and you’re not able to have that family support when it’s needed most in the hospital,” said Smiley.

But despite these challenges, we’re told it’s crucial for parents to know that there are people who are ready to lend them a helping hand.

“So, if that means that we can’t meet in person and we now have to take our platforms online the mission is still the same, the families are still here,” said Shockley.

“The families are still going through these changes, through these adjustments,” said Shockley.

For more information about the nonprofit Stillborn and Infant Loss Support and the services they offer, click here.