Family Portraits

As a grandmother whose first grandchild of second son was lost to us at 7 months gestation, I attest to how these photographs are indeed cherished and treasured. When I first got the news I called a friend who I didn't know knew about this group and set about to make all the arrrangements. I admit at first I thought it sounded quite morbid. It did not work out for us at the hospital (we had been sent out of our local area) but we checked with the local hospital in the area where we were bringing our baby back to to be buried and they had the name of one of these photographers; however, her not being born in that hospital the photos could not be taken there so we checked with the funeral home where we were taking her; they had never heard of this but graciously allowed the photographer to come in. What I didn't know at the time was that he would take the pictures with the family if they wanted (I thought they would be just of the baby); however, at that time, she was still in the hospital awaiting discharge so by the time she got home (on the weekend, then the funeral home wouldn't allow and most of these photographers do this after regular business hours) and the shoot could be done she had been dead 2 days in utero and 4 days out so her body could not be handled/removed from the casket but the photographer still did a superb job with what he had to work with; you could not tell she was in a casket and he took a beautiful picture of mom looking down at her "as she lay sleeping". We were able to have it displayed at the visitation. It did end up meaning so much and was not the least bit morbid; not nearly as much so as regular snapshots would have been. Again thank you so much!

As a mother whose second child lost viability in utero at 5 months pregnancy, 21 years ago, i can understand from my heart how a photograph such as this would capture a moment otherwise never cherished and treasured.
21 years ago, i wasnt even informed i could have delivered my baby, i was told a d/c would have to be done.
it was only after the fact that i learned, i should have been given the option for my cervix to be dialated with assistance and i could have delivered and buried my baby. i never got to see him. and as a clinic nurse, i only have the memory of the remains of other aborted babies in my mind.
God Bless those who created this option, and those who continue this effort.

Thank you for this touching article about a topic that is not often recognized or discussed. Coincidentally, I just posted an interview with a young woman who experienced stillbirth on my blog, Aberration Nation: http://penelopeprzekop.blogspot.com/. I was working on the interview this week when Newsweek arrived in my mailbox with your article. Perhaps the stars are aligning, and it is time for us to bring this aberration to a higher plain of discussion and conversation. The woman I interviewed stated that "Most people simply avoided me..." after the heartbreaking incidence occurred. Many people don't know how to talk about death -- much less the death of an infant.

It is so wonderful to have people recognize what a wonderful organization NILMDTS is. Our son Isaiah was born still ithis past October and because of a friend who lost her son in the spring we knew about NILMDTS and got a photographer to come and take pictures of our son. This is a wonderful organization and has helped our paths to healing immensely. We will never forget our son and will always love him but are so glad to have those memories and pictures of him to always look back at anytime we want.

The articleopened my eyes to the compassion and unselfishness of so many people that live and work among us. I tend to view photographers as detached observers in this drama calledlife. I had to stop reading the article many times to dry my eyes. Thank you for such a moving portrayal of life.

What a wonderful organization! Our daughter, Josephine, was born still and the only pictures I have of her are a couple of polaroids that a kind hearted nurse thought of taking of my beautiful daughter. I would have treasured professional photographs taken by such a compasionate group of photographers. I too wish that I had been issued a CBRS from the state of New York..........

What a wonderful organization! Our daughter, Josephine, was born still. The only photographs I have of my beautiful girl are a couple of polaroid pictures that a kind hearted nurse thought of taking. I would have treasured a beautiful professional photograph taken by such a compassionate group of artists. I also wish that NYS offered a CBRS to me....

If this story speak about anything it is that parents need and want to hold on to as many memories of their child as they can. Only 25 states offer the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth (CBRS) to parents. A certificate that honors the birth of our children who are stillborn. Parents only receive a fetal death certificate in the states that do not offer a CBRS.

Visit www.missingangelsbill.org to see if your state issues a CBRS. For New York State, visit www.CBRSbill.blogspot.com.

I applaud the efforts provided by Sandy Puc'. Having given birth to my second daughter back in October, I could never fathom ever losing her. I thank GOD that Ava was born healthy. Every birth of a child is precious and I have great admiration for all those families who have to go through such a loss. Thank you Sandy for providing everlasting hope, strength, and a bond for those parents who will never be able to have the opportunity to witness their child to grow up.

There is an organization called Project Compassion that enlists the help of artists paint pictures of fallen soldiers and send the works of art to the families. The paintings, in many cases, have been a comfort to the families.

I am an RN in a Newborn ICU and can attest to the comfort that these photos offer families who are grieving. The services that NILMDTS offers to the parents and families of infants that pass away are monumental in their lives. Thank you to all of the volunteer photographers who give of their time and services to support this amazing cause and add some small ray of comfort to families dealing with the tragedy of losing their child.@

We knew our son was going to die before he was even born. We found out at 13 weeks pregnant and carried him to term just in hopes of holding him. We had a photographer from NILMDTS who came to the hospital and took pictures of our son. This is the most WONDERFUL gift anyone could have given us!!!! It has been 2 years since his death and I still look at his pictures often and have his picture on our wall beside you living children. He is no less my son just because his life was short. The pictures are gentle reminders of the angel I once held so near. Without them I would be lost. Thank you to Dwain the Photographer in Central Tx who came to the hospital early one September morning to take pictures of my son. Thank you to his wife for her support by also being there. Thank you.......

Thank the dear Lord for these generous and talented people. My daughter is a nember of tahis organization and the precious gift that she gives to these heartbroken parents is undeniably beyond measure.

Thanks the dear Lord for generous people like this to leave the heartbroken with some smattering of love and hope. God bless each and every one of them!

Thank you for bringing awareness of this incredible organization and the healing images that they provide! Thank you to all the volunteers and members of this organization who work tirelessly to serve these families in need! These photographers are amazing, selfless individuals who provide a much-needed service at a family's darkest hour of grief and give a ray of light to help them on their journey to healing. This is a priceless gift beyond measure!

We may look upward for Angels but they walk and take pictures here on Earth. The work of these photographers is priceless. What a beautiful tribute to the chidren who grace the lives of others for a fleeting moment.

We may look upward for Angels but they walk and take pictures here on Earth. The work of these photographers is priceless. What a beautiful tribute to the chidren who grace the lives of others for a fleeting moment.