Virtual Quilt and ISANDS Discussion ForumAs you can see form these four images the Virtual Quilt is now on Quilt 4. This is amazing and desperately sad as well.Each Quilt remembering at least 100 children and some patches remembering more than one child. It is lovely to see it being used and easy to see that parents, family and friends need somewhere to go to remember their baby. Some of the patches are from families who live outside Ireland and it is great to see that it has a role to play where ever you are.The ISANDS website is getting wonderful feedback right across the globe. It's easy to use and offers a wider range of information and support. Since January 2009 it has had 2,184,355 (two million, one hundred and eighty four thousand, three hundred and fi fty fi ve) hits and the total views is: 237,265 (two hundred and thirty seven thousand, two hundred and sixty fi ve), which is incredible.The Discussion Forum is a year old on the 25th March 2010 and has almost 500 registered Users with nearly 6000 posts and a staggering 154,144 views (one hundred and fi fty four thousand, one hundred and forty four). That is amazing for such a young forum. We intend to develop it a little further and hopefully in time there will be more and more using it. It is very heart warming to read how parents are supporting each other in the very varied discussions. There is a very real sense of community and family about it. Well done to all the Mums and Dads who have shared their experiences with others and welcomed and encouraged others to join in. It is lovely to see it grow.Many more good things are planned for it in the coming months so check in from time to time for updates.If you have any ideas that might improve the support it offers please let us know. Parent Support Meetings In 2009 we tried a different approach to our Parent Support Meetings. We invited Peter Hanlon, Bereavement Therapist with the HSE to come along and over three consecutive meetings Peter would take them through the feelings and emotions of their grief. Highlighting the differences and similarities between men and women's thinking and expression of their grief. Peter gave examples of his experiences supporting both mothers and fathers.He also covered the topics of considering another pregnancy and coping with another pregnancy.He welcomed questions from parents attending and at each meeting there were many who asked questions that probably everyone needed or wanted the answers to.After Peters presentation at each meeting we have a cuppa and everyone gets the chance to have an informal chat with the other parents attending or they can just listen to what being said which can also be helpful. Not everyone feels like talking and especially if it is your fi rst meeting so it is always okay to come along and just take from it what you need.It seems that this is for now the preferred format for meetings and we will continue to hold meetings for this year in this particular format. The review is still ongoing of all ISANDS services and a decision will be taken on Parent Support Meetings over the coming months.We will try to list details of all forthcoming Parent Support Meetings when they are fi nalised.Keep an eye on the website and we will also update message on main line number 01 872 6996.Images of the four Quilts taken from the website. If you have not yet placed a patch in memory of your baby and would like to please visit www.isands.ie and take a look.isands newsletter28

We Greet Our New ArrivalsParent Support Meeting Dates2010 Parents Support MeetingsParent Support Meetings are currently being reviewed.Notice of dates and venues for our Meetings will be on the messaging service on our main line number01 8726 996 or posted on our website www.isands.ieAll Parent Support Meetings Notice- Sorry - there are no childcare facilities available.Meetings are for adults only.Parent Support MeetingsParent Support Meetings give parents the opportunity to come together and talk about their own experience or just listen to other parents share their experiences. There is no pressure to talk at all. Very often just listening to others describe how they are feeling or coping can help us to relate to some of the feelings and emotions we may be experiencing but fi nd it diffi cult to talk about ourselves. Hopefully the meetings create a space where you can say how it really is.It is also a place where Dads have a chance to meet other Dads, as very often they are or can feel excluded, as most of the focus tends to be on the mother. If you have any questions or concerns about the meetings do not hesitate to give us a call on 01 872 6996 or email info@isands.ieJake Walsh- a son to Colm & Emer Walsh, MeathJoel Higgins - a son to Darren & Susan Higgins, DublinMatthew Doyle - a son to Liz & Paul Doyle, DublinRichard Yates - a son to Fionnuala & Richard Yates, Cork.Grace Pamela Nolan - a daughter to Liz & Murray Nolan, DublinDavid Gerard Little - a son to Maria & Gerry Little, DublinLucie Dillon - daughter to- Karen & Eddie Dillon, CorkMaeve O'Driscoll - a daughter to Denise & Michael O'Driscoll, CorkOur Condolences I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Mr. George McCullough, Chief Executive of Glasnevin Cemetery and his extended family on the recent death of his father, GeorgeMay He Rest In Peace. RonParent Support Meeting in BelfastJust before Christmas ISANDS held a Parent Support Meeting in the Balmoral Hotel, Belfast.We met a lovely group of bereaved Mothers and one Step-Dad; each shared their experiences of loss; how different it all was back when they gave birth and a life without acknowledgement or recognition. For many of these Mothers it was the fi rst opportunity they ever had to talk about their baby and how they coped. Most of these Mothers, like all Mothers who gave birth in Ireland up to 20 years ago, are only now fi nding the confi dence to talk about their experiences, trying desperately to fi nd out information from the hospitals about their babies.It was lovely being with all of you and we hope that the Support Meeting brought some comfort and healing. We would like to thank Colette Walsh for her help and for getting in touch with those who attended the meeting.We look forward to future opportunities to meet with you and catch up and maybe some more Mums and Dads will join in.isands newsletter29