"Edited to Add"....

This started as a pregnancy blog when I fell pregnant in May 2009 after four years of finding a donor, doing all the counselling / paperwork / tests and trying.

And now, thanks to a 4WD which skidded onto our side of the road, killing our baby daughter at 34w and injuring me, my partner and two of my stepdaughters on 27 December 2009, it has turned into something else. We didn't want this something else, but apparently it is all we've got to go on with.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

How to help?

When our car came to a stop on 27 December after the 4WD hit us, I realised that the car was crushed around my legs and I couldn't get out. For a moment I thought, "oh god - how will I get out - there is no way I can get myself out of here". And then I remembered that the fire fighters also have equipment to cut people out of cars, and that it would only be a matter of time before they would come and help me. I was right, and they were on the scene incredibly quickly to free me.

People trapped by the rubble in Haiti are not so lucky. I’m sure that somewhere, in amongst the rubble, there is a pregnant woman in a similar situation to me, but with the big difference that she has no guarantee that anyone will come and free her, or that they’ll have the equipment to do so even if they can find her.

Nothing will bring our little girl back, but a few well-aimed dollars will help dig people out from the rubble in Haiti, and will give the children who do survive this disaster a chance at life. If our calamity touches you and you are wondering what you can do to help, here is something simple you can do which will give us comfort, send a message of love and do something useful – give money to Oxfam’s Haiti fund. You can do that here or by calling 1800 088 110 from Australia.

BTW: please don't fret about my legs. Somehow I managed to get pulled from that car with only a fractured patella (kneecap), a killer cork thigh and minor lacerations to my legs. (plus some injuries to other parts of my body, but still, I thought that was pretty good for my legs) And I'm healing up well and now hobbling around the house. Don't feel sorry for me - just give money to people in Haiti. Okay?

17 comments:

  1. Stopping by from Cecily's. Your letter was beautiful and I'm very sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.

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  2. I'm here from Cecily's also. I'm so sorry for your loss and your further hurt by the press. Your family is in my thoughts as I give today again to efforts in Haiti. Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you all the healing that can happen in this so unfair situation you've endured.

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  3. I came to you from Uppercasewoman, also. I wanted to add my condolences for your loss. I'm so very, very sorry.

    I did donate to the US Red Cross for Haiti; when I get more money in a week or so, I'll donate again.

    Blessings

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  4. I am guessing you will be overwhelmed by comments from Cecily's readers today! I am so sorry for your loss and subsequent misrepresentation of your story in the newspaper.

    I will donate to the victims of Haiti today and you will be in my heart when I do so.

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  5. My heart is with you and your family in this terrible time. I've made a donation to Circle of Health International (www.cohintl.org) in memory of your little girl. They have gathered a team of women's health professionals to help in Haiti. I thought, given your post above, that this might be the best place for me to assist. Love from a stranger.

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  6. I am here from Cecily's blog also. I just wanted to say how terribly sorry I am for your loss. I won't be able to scrape up any money until Friday, but when I do I will donate what I can to the Red Cross in your little girl's memory.

    With all my sympathy, CP

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  7. Cecily sent me. My heart goes out to you. Mourn how you need, we will be here to support you.

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  8. I am humbled by your open heart and compassion for others who are suffering right now. I suppose that is part of what grief can do - breaks our hearts open so wide that we can feel the pain of the whole world. But your goodness and compassion are radiant right now, although I deeply wish you didn't have any reason to write this post. I am donating to Haiti today and will be doing so in your daughter's memory, and will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  9. Cecily said you needed hugs, so here I am:) I'm so sorry for you and your wife and daughters loss. HUGS to all of you.

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  10. Also here from Cecily, and glad to find your true, generous voice. We are all in ALL of this together, the world, the blogosphere, each other's wellbeing, all of it is our big, big life. Sending love to you.

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  11. Hannah, I found my way via Cecily's blog. I send you hugs from chilly Jersey - so sorry for your loss, and thank you for your bravery and hope. Be well.

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  12. You'll be pleased to know that there's a group called Knitters Without Borders (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/tsffaq.html), who raise money for Médecins Sans Frontières - and right now they're going berserk! Since 2004 they've raised just short of $1 million, and a fair chunk of that has been in the past week.

    Your gorgeous girl is very much in my heart, especially when reading about the situation in Haiti. I'll be making further donations to MSF as my invoices get paid.

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  13. Here from Cecily, too. I'm so very sorry about your loss. I'll remember Halloumi/Zainab.

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  14. I'm here from Cecily's too and so sorry about your loss. Donating to Haiti relief is on my "to do" list (and will get done, there are a couple of other bills in the way first but they will be gone soon, and need in Haiti will persist, sadly); thanks for the reminder. I'm sorry it was your loss that brought me here but plan to come back. I wish you and your family strength and peace.

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  15. Thank you so so so much! I'm sorry to berate people about Haiti at a time when many have already given as much as they can spare, and when things are economically pretty tough. It means so much to me that you've opened your hearts and made room for our little heartbreak.
    xxxxxxxxh

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  16. Also here from Cecily's, although I actually live not far north of you! I, of course, read about what happened to Zainab and your family and I just want you to know I have been thinking of you since. I also read the letter you wrote to the H-S at the time and silently gave you a cheer for correcting their pathetic squeamishness.

    At a time when your pain is so great, to be thinking of the suffering of others humbles me. I have donated to the Red Cross.

    May your memories of Zainab sustain you through the coming times. She will not be forgotten. I am so sorry she couldn't stay.

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  17. More love from another stranger (via Baybeasts). I'm inspired by your ability to think of others at a time of personal loss. What an astounding family. Have just made a donation, and you and Zainab were in my heart while I did it.

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