Irish Hospice Foundation 2010 Workshops on Loss and Bereavement included a workshop facilitated by A Little Lifetime Foundation (Formerly ISANDS), which we were delighted to be asked to do. The title of the one day workshop was 'Communication - The Key to Making a Difference in Early Pregnancy Loss, Stillbirth or Neonatal Death'On the 8th April 2010 thirty-four participants attended the workshop. Professional backgrounds represented were as follows: medical, psychologist/counsellor, midwife, nursing, social worker, and other - a sonographer, a family mentor for parents and administrators.Some of the comments on 'content' from evaluations-"So relevant to my practice and have taken so much away both personally and . professionally"."Excellent to see extra care and consideration to professional handbook . especially since we have evolved to multicultural society. The charity has moved and evolved very well with times"."Certainly relevant to work as I work as a midwife but very relevant to life".. "I was totally under the command of Ron's words she held my complete . attention. I was totally focused on her every word and was mesmerized - trying to keep all her great advice in my head. I found it most helpful"."Very relevant and great to share the knowledge. I can only congratulate you for . sharing such a difficult experience in a most brilliant way and for all the hidden work you are doing"."I find that my learning is gained through concrete experience and this is exactly . what happened today. I was delighted to hear Ron's experience, pain and happiness and this was a very powerful way to increase my information and awareness on these issues"."Content was very good. I felt social workers would benefit from a workshop . specifically for the social work discipline also"."We don't realize how important the nurse is and how 'words' should be used . very carefully as the wrong ones can remain for a lifetime"."Listening to the speakers own experience really added to my previous . experience in the area of miscarriage/loss. This day was truly inspiring"."Very interesting and useful for such a hard to deal with subject. Never lost my . concentration on this day which is rare for me! Well done!""Excellent day. Definitely need more workshops - me to attend".. Some comments on the 'presenter' from evaluations-"Very professional facilitator, personal touch and journeys makes it more . thought provoking. Great to get updates on one especially 'wrapped in love' packages"."Only study day where I actually listened to every single word and nearly didn't . want to break for lunch"."Handouts were excellent. In particular ISANDS Guidelines for Professionals . is a very good resource. Information on 'wrapped in love' project and the availability of these beautifully made pre-term baby clothes was very useful information to have as up until then I wasn't aware of same"."Excellent, powerful presentation".. "Very emotional day. Also plenty of audience participation".. "I am taking a new sense of depth thoughtfulness in relation to my area of . work"."Thank you. I never realized I'd get so much out of today. Will I get the 'right . words' - I'll try".We are delighted to say that the 2011 Irish Hospice Foundation Workshops includes a repeat of this workshop.Staff Training Day- Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children CrumlinWe were delighted to be invited to Our Ladys Hospital for Sick Children for a training session with members of staff from Social Work, Nursing, Medial and Community support services. It was a perfect opportunity to meet staff and give our insight into infant loss from a parent/family perspective and also give some feedback on the 'good practice' and support systems that makes a difference and those that don't!We had a very helpful open discussion and questions on many areas of the care of families and their needs at such a difficult time and what that means for the Health Care Professionals who have to provide that care. Copies of our Professional book were given out and hopefully it will be the start of many similar opportunities to share both sides of one of life greatest tragedies.A Little Lifetime Foundation facilitates a workshop for Irish Hospice Foundationmoments52

I had your pictureSo they would know That under this mass ofventilator hoses, and IV lines,and wires, and tape, and more tape,that my boy was there.Like a fell wind, they'd blow in,And do some torturous thing,In front of meto you.How I hated them.How I needed them.Efficient, cold, offering no hope, settled in their minds that you would die,they saw no need for words.I caught him you know,The respiratory guy, the one whoscared me, the one who was so rough,I caught him telling the nurse it was stupidTo do all this, just to keep you alive.He said it while standing right nextto your bed, right where you could hear.I wanted to hit him, to push him down.I walked in and looked in his eyesAnd moved your picture closer to the bed.I brought your picture so they would knowHow you look when you opened your eyes.How I waited, to hear just one of themcall you honey, or sweetheartas they did their nightmarish tasks.Any small sign to show that they understoodthat you were a mother's son.Oh so efficient.. Six days my darling boy,six days standing by your cot.Then, on your very last night,the little nurse came in, the one whohad been gentle with you.She sat down, instead of running about the room.Sat right next to me. It seemed she had something to say.I was afraid to hear. No more bad news.But she turned and looked at me, and pushing her glasses up onto her forehead, she reached for your picture,and held it, and began to weep.I am so sorry for you, she said. I go homeAnd pray for your son every night.I have children of my own and know what you see.And she sat with me, all the long night,Until you were gone.And she called you honey and sweetheartAnd I fell into the comfort of those words.Kelly CummingsYour Picturemoments53