CARE Package:
CARE (Compassionately Alleviating Regret Everyday) Packages are intended for parents to receive before or just after their loss has occurred. The reason behind this is so they can have all the supplies needed to make memories with their child.
A CARE Package contains:
Description: A disposable camera with flash, suitable for indoor use.
Purpose: While we definitely encourage families and medical staff to use the entire roll of film on the camera, we hope even more that it will influence the bereaved family or their friends into taking pictures with a higher quality camera, such as a digital camera, or even to contact a professional photographer from the list provided. Please be aware, on average, 3 out of 4 pictures will not turn out. You can never have too many pictures and you can never go back to retake them. Even if you feel like you don’t want pictures - take them anyway. You don’t have to ever develop the film if you choose.
Description: A Certificate of Birth from A Place to Remember is printed on heavy, white parchment paper with metallic gold ink. It's size is perfect for a memory book.
Purpose: A Certificate of Birth is an important memento for those who have suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth. Many states do not offer birth certificates for miscarriages and stillbirths, and although it is a non-legal document, it is intended to be used in place of that because we believe that your baby was born and lived. (not needed for neonatal loss)
Description: written by Joanne Cacciatore-Garard, founder of the MISS Foundation
Purpose: This book is one of those rare books on grief that is totally absorbed into your understanding. "Dear Cheyenne" is written from a bereaved parent's perspective. Cheyenne is Joanne Cacciatore's infant daughter and, as she eloquently puts it, "too beautiful for this world." Joanne journaled her thoughts, feelings and revelations in this book. Some of the insights and discoveries she obtained are truly enlightening. As promised in the title, there are some uncanny happenings in Joanne's life as she struggles to understand why her daughter was taken from her too soon. These happenings can only be explained as miracles. The book offers insight into a mother's perspective for those of us who can identify with the pain as well as for those who cannot comprehend the enormous grief that others are going through.
Description: by Deborah L. Davis, Ph.D., The number one book that bereaved parents recommend. Deborah L. Davis, PhD., is a development psychologist who specializes in perinatal bereavement, parent education, and child development. She is also a member of the advisory board for Pen-Parents, the international network for bereaved parents.
Purpose: Empty Cradle, Broken Heart offers reassurance to parents who struggle with anger, guilt, and despair after such tragedy. Deborah Davis encourages grieving and makes suggestions for coping. The book includes information on issues such as the death of one or more babies from a multiple birth, pregnancy interruption, and the questioning of aggressive medical intervention. There is also a special chapter for fathers as well as a chapter on "protective parenting" to help anxious parents enjoy their precious living children. Parents facing the death of a baby will find necessary support in this gentle guide.
Description: written by Kara L.C. Jones. This second edition includes the full, original narrative plus a 2002 Foreword, an updated Resource guide for finding online and offline bereavement support, and information about The Mrs. Duck Project.
Purpose: The narrative is one family's experience of pregnancy and stillbirth showing how the death of a child affects a woman, a marriage, a family, and a community. Included is a resource guide for finding online and off line support during the grieving and healing process.
Description: 3 ½ by 5” card embellished with black and white designs and the footprints of Janell Victory Allen, whom A Small Victory was named after, gender neutral.
Purpose: This card is large enough for most baby’s footprints though extra cards or paper may be needed for handprints or ear prints. It is possible to get footprints from babies as small as 13 weeks. Markers are best to color tiny baby feet and get the best quality footprints. Ink pads may be used for larger babies. Nurses or funeral home staff are very good at getting footprints - if your hospital forgot, ask your funeral home for prints before burial or cremation takes place.
Description: Fold-over card with small, clear baggie in the inside.
Purpose: Use this card and baggie to place snips of your baby’s hair in. Even if your baby does not have hair you may still want to keep this card to remember that. Take clippings from the back, if possible, if considering an open casket funeral.
Description: produced by Memories Unlimited, Inc. Kits come shrink wrapped, with simple instruction. No mixing required, air-dry clay.
Purpose: The Impressions Kit is a treasured memento, capturing in a mold, a moment in time: the tiny size and reality of a newborn's hand or foot. This molding kit is a quick and easy way of providing configurations. A book-like presentation box covered in hand-crafted paper displays a lace-framed place for baby’s impressions, while the other side features a panel which can be used for a photo or the provided data card.
Description: produced by Memories Unlimited, Inc.
Purpose: This journal has been designed as a tool to gently help the family express some of the feelings she may experience after the loss of a baby. It provides a place to journal, while offering prompts and suggestions.
Description: written by by Dorothy Ferguson
Purpose: A special babies' memory book. For parents of stillborn infants or those who die shortly after birth. Features a journal for feelings, memorable dates, pictures, lock of hair and a card from caregivers.
Description: a postcard
Purpose: Fill out your information and send this postcard to have your name and address removed from most mailing lists. This will stop a lot of baby related mail from coming to your house.
Description: Writing & Photos by Kara L.C. Jones, Design by Hawk Jones
Purpose: Mrs. Duck and The Woman is a story about the death of a child and how parents start over again after that loss. Through a dialogue between Mrs. Duck and Mrs. Woman, we find the beginning clues of how to start transforming the grief. This book teaches compassion and understanding while making us feel that we are never alone.
Description: sterling silver and solitaire cubic zirconia remembrance charm
Purpose: This sterling silver remembrance charm is a simple gift that can always be worn, it is gender neutral and is subtle enough to be worn with out people asking questions. It comes attached to a card that reads As long as we remember, they are never truely lost. © Liz Allen 2004
Note: As a special gift, Susan and Richard Mosquera from My Forever Child have donated several My Forever Child Charm. Their exclusive charms feature their signature baby feet in a heart with teardrop. "Always in my heart(symbol)" is inscribed at the bottom. This charm comes with the My Forever Child Keepsake Poem card. Charm is 5/8" wide. With jump ring on top. Nickel plated, silver tone. Not recommended for people with nickel allergies. Click to see a picture.
Description: Plush Mini Hugging Bean Bag Animals, 2 1/2" - 4" parents and babies. These embracing critters have touch fasteners on their paws to hold their children.
Purpose: A stuffed animal represents the baby the family never had the chance to hold or see, it gives them the opportunity to hold something tangible.
Description: perinatal grief booklet
Purpose:A Guide For Parents Whose Child Dies Before Birth, At Birth Or Shortly After Birth. Includes Feelings, physical symptoms, Naming Your Baby, Autopsies, Funeral Homes, Friends, and More. There are many pages of comforting poems.
Description: 7/8" Pink & Blue Ribbon Lapel Pin with bright enamel color fill and silver plating. Each awareness pin includes a clutch back.
Purpose: The Pink & Blue awareness ribbon is exclusively used for the Loss of a Child, Miscarriage, Ectopic Pregnancy, Neonatal Death, Sids or Stillbirth. Ribbons are worn on the left breast above the heart.
Description: blue or black ink writing pen
Purpose: A Small Victory understands that writing is essential to healing and though bereaved parents may think that they’d never want to remember the details of their loss, they will begin to forget and it will be very difficult emotionally for them. A Small Victory encourages writing as soon as possible - the child’s pregnancy and birth story are a great place to start. When writing, we encourage the parents and other friend and family to be truthful with themselves. There is no need to share this writing with anyone else so be honest, blunt and accurate.
Description: Personal Pocket Tissue Pack
Purpose: For tear-streaked faces and runny noses.
Description: About Us Pamphlet, Complete Kit Pamphlet, Photography Pamphlet, Miscarriage Pamphlet, Stillbirth Pamphlet, Neonatal Loss Pamphlet, Friends & Family Pamphlet, Father Pamphlet, MISS Pamphlet, PS Pamphlet*, TEARS Pamphlet*
Purpose: Information for grieving faimilies and the people who care about them.
* Denotes Washington State support or resources. Pamphlets only offered in Washington State.