Basseterre, St. Kitts – Annually across the world, October 15th is recognized as World Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day to give bereaved families and the wider community an opportunity to learn about, or to acknowledge the deep and often long-lasting impact of this unique type of loss. This year, author and pregnancy loss support advocate Jihan A. Williams is hosting, what she dubs, “A Safe Circle Session” for women and men in St. Kitts and Nevis who have experienced pregnancy loss. The purpose of the session is to provide a judgment-free, comfortable setting for bereaved parents to openly discuss how their loss(es) have impacted them and to share ideas of how our institutions and community can provide greater support.
Having experienced her own loss in 2020, Williams embarked on a journey of advocacy to raise awareness and lobby for changes that could address glaring deficiencies and support gaps that deepen the trauma that naturally surrounds this common occurrence. She said, “We go through this traumatic experience and people expect you to move on like nothing happened. Meanwhile, on the inside we’re hurting and experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. When I lost my baby, talking to persons who went through the experience was comforting because you realized you were not alone, and your reactions were normal. I’m hoping that through the Safe Circle Session, more people will feel and benefit from the comfort of being around people who understand you.”
The Safe Circle Session will be held on October 15th at 6:00 p.m. at the Solid Waste Corporation Conference Room at Taylor’s Range, Basseterre, Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and to walk with a yoga mat or blanket. At 7:00 p.m., the Session will pause for the Day’s signature ‘Wave of Light’ practice where flameless or enclosed candles will be lit and remain lit for one hour, in honour of the babies who parents never got to hold and the ones who passed away before their first birthday. Mrs. Michele Delacoudray-Blake, Director of the National Counselling Center, will also be on hand to offer professional guidance on coping with the grief and impact of pregnancy and infant loss.
The event is free of cost and is open to women and men who have experienced pregnancy loss. Pre-registration is not required.
For more information, please contact letschat@jihanwilliams.com or direct message her on Instagram @jihanawilliams or Jihan A. Williams on Facebook. Jihan is the author of the book ‘Lifting the Weight of Miscarriage’ (available on Amazon) which is a practical guide to help family, friends, employers, doctors, health institutions and law makers provide greater support to people who experience pregnancy loss.
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