Millie Smith and Lewis Cann were ecstatic when they found out they were going to be parents. Millie, having twins in her family, had a hunch that she was carrying two babies. And her mother’s intuition was right on point!
But their joy soon turned into heartbreak when they learned during an ultrasound that one of their daughters had anencephaly, a condition where the baby’s brain and spinal cord do not develop properly. Doctors informed them that their precious baby girl would only have minutes to hours to live.
In those fleeting moments, Millie and Lewis wanted to give their daughter a name. They named her Skye, symbolizing a place where she would always be – in the sky, where they could look up and remember her.
“We were cuddling Skye when she passed away. It was the most devastating moment of our lives. But I am proud that she fought for so long to spend time with us,” Millie shared, her voice filled with emotion.
Skye lived for three precious hours, and her parents cherished every second they had with her. After her passing, the couple received support from a “bereavement midwife” and were provided with a private space called the “Daisy Room,” where they could spend time with their infant before and after her death.
However, as time went by, Millie noticed that people stopped talking about Skye, as if she had never existed. This made her feel incredibly upset and angry.
“After about four weeks, everyone acted as though nothing had happened, and the families around me had no idea about our situation,” Millie painfully recalled.
One incident particularly struck her. Another mother, who had just given birth to twins, innocently commented on how lucky Millie was for not having twins herself, unaware of her loss.
“That comment nearly broke me. I ran out of the room in tears, and they had no idea why. A simple sticker would have avoided that entire situation,” Millie shared.
This heart-wrenching experience prompted Millie to come up with an idea – placing a sticker on the incubator to indicate the loss of one or more babies in a set of multiples. The sticker she chose was a purple butterfly, representing the babies that flew away. Purple was deemed suitable for both boys and girls.
And thus, the Purple Butterfly Sticker Initiative was born. Millie’s idea has now evolved into The Skye High Foundation, a remarkable organization that supports this meaningful cause. Their mission is to spread awareness about baby loss and provide support for parents who have experienced such a devastating tragedy.
The Skye High Foundation has successfully brought the purple butterfly sticker to hospitals in various countries, helping countless families find solace and understanding during immeasurable grief.
To further support this cause, they offer a range of purple butterfly merchandise, including gifts and accessories. Millie’s ultimate goal, she expressed with determination, is to set up more support groups and implement measures like the stickers to help grieving families cope with their heartbreak.
“While I can never stop this from happening, the more support groups we establish and initiatives we put in place, like these stickers, the better it will be. Dealing with baby loss is the hardest thing anyone can face,” Millie emphasized.
Today, Millie’s other daughter, Callie, is a spirited seven-year-old. The journey has been incredibly challenging, but Millie’s resilience and the memory of Skye continue to inspire her.
Let’s join hands and spread awareness about the Purple Butterfly Initiative. Share this article with your family and friends on Facebook, because together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by baby loss.
Source: Bored Daddy
