The Shaken Baby Syndrome Support Network derives "For the families, By the families." We are a large groups of families hoping to better the lives of those whom have witness SBS. We welcome all of you to join us in this journey, and take part to ensure the much needed support is provided to those in need.
I would like to introduce our bloggers to you! There are currently 4 of us working to provide you with up to date information, and to befriend you!
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Hey there everybody~ I hope that this finds you all well. I am so excited to be able to begin writing this blog. I am also saddened by the circumstances that have brought us all here. I want to extend a Great Big Hug to each of you that have been affected in anyway by this horrible 100% preventable act. No child should ever have to go through this nor should any family have to either.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. So to begin my name is Mandy. I am a 23 year old mother of 2 beautiful children Nicolette Jo and Amden Nicholas. The wife of a good ole’ southern man named Dennis. I have the world’s best family and friends If I must say so myself. I love them with all of my heart. I am truly blessed to have such great people in my life. I have strong Christian beliefs and feel that if God brings us to it he will see us through it. God will never give us a cross heavier than we can carry. I realize that the cross may be dented and broken into a million pieces though. Currently I live in Georgia although I am originally from Colorado. Boy do I miss the snow. No one could have prepared me for that for that climate change. It seems as though whenever I do things in life I like to do it drastically and make them big. Another example of that would be when I traded in my pom poms for combat boots when I joined the Army after high school graduation. What an experience that was to say the least. I am a very big girlie girl and I like things my way. I am sure you can imagine how that worked out. I was a cook and that is something that I love to do so it really wasn’t that bad I guess. Plus the lessons I learned only made me a better and stronger person and the friends I made turned into family!!!
While I was in the Army my life changed in more ways than one. It was during this time that I was married to another soldier the man whom I thought was the man of my dreams (never could have imagined that he would be the monster in my nightmares.) Shortly after getting married I became pregnant and on August 23, 2006 I became the mother of a beautiful baby girl Nicolette Jo. There is no greater joy in life than looking into your child’s eyes and feeling that unconditional love. My life felt so complete.
That all changed on Friday October 13, 2006 when my now ex-husband hurt our little girl. Nicolette became an angel on October 17, 2006 when she was only 7 weeks old. I will never understand how someone can hurt a child much less take their life. My daughter is a Shaken Baby Syndrome Angel. There isn’t a day that goes by that my life isn’t affected by this horrible tragedy. Through time and healing I have taken positive steps in my life that have allowed me to move forward. I will never forget my little girl and I will always be thankful for our 7 beautiful weeks we had together. I will also never be able to forget what has happened.
I know that I would not be where I am at today if it wasn’t for the support from not only my family and friends but also from the SBS families. That’s why I am so excited that we now have this network. I look forward to sharing my story with you all, getting to know you, and growing as a family. It is my hopes that through doing this we can reach as many people as possible! The sky is the limit!!!
My name is Tara. I am 37, I was born and raised in Washington State. I am married with one son, one step-son and one step daughter. I work fulltime, and spend time with friends, family, and many hobbies and working to spread awareness of the dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome.
My son Kyle is a survivor of Shaken Baby Syndrome. He was assaulted in 1999 at the age of 6 months old. The child abuser was convicted of two counts of assault, one count of felony assault and one count of misdemeaner assault in 2000. Kyle nearly died Dec 1, 1999, but luckily the wonderful doctors at Mary Bridge Childrens' Hospital in Tacoma Washington saved his life. Kyle had brain surgery to relieve the bleeding and pressure inside his skull. If Kyle would not have had brain surgery when he did, the surgeon said that he would have died within two hours.
Kyle is considered a "highly functioning survivor". He functions physically like other children. Kyle’s challenges he faces are developmental in nature. He is developmentally delayed in all areas. He is developmentally approximately 1-2 years behind in his development. We are hopeful for a full recovery. We may not know for years the long term affect this will cause him. He is a very bright young man, very good hearted and happy, even though he continues to face challenges, and struggles with social acceptance due to his differences.
I am very excited to be involved with the Shaken Baby Syndrome Support Network for many reasons. My desire to spread the word about SBS of course, but to also reach out and hopefully be of help and support to other families who unfortunately are on this journey with me. I truly believe that regardless of how hard anyone may try, no one can truly understand what you live thru on the SBS journey unless they are on the journey themselves. I had never heard of Shaken Baby Syndrome 10 years ago, until my son was assaulted. I had my wonderful family to help and support, as well as the law enforcement, however I had no one that “knew” what I was going thru and what my future held. I was a basket case, and some days barely functioned. I hope to bring some comfort and support to others, as well as lean on those as well when I need support.
A support network…. For families… By families!
Hello! Rachel here! I am the mother of Madilyne, I work full time, and enjoy the company of great family and friends.
The Shaken Baby Syndrome Support Network derives from the healing associated with meeting other families whom have suffered situations comparable to my own.
My daughter Madilyne became a victim of homicide (as stated on her death certificate) due to Shaken Baby Syndrome. The grief brought forth due to this tragedy is unspeakable. In 2006 I began speaking with other families with comparable situations and felt secure talking with them about the "real" feelings I was having, that society disregards often times.
I have a longing desire to make Madilyne's story be known to others, as well as all of the other stories of our surviving heroes and the victims whom have passed. As a mother to a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome, it has formed my life, but not negatively. I seek to dwell on this Earth bringing positive energy to the forefront, and to focus on the blessings here today.
Each year I have worked to create the Annual SBS Candlelight Vigil. The organizing efforts have been overwhelming and the public support is amazing. It is a time for families to gather together, and truly open up about what we have gone through without judgment and hesitation. Each year it gets bigger and better, and it brings joy into my heart being able to raise enough funds to offer an airline ticket to a family member of a victim/survivor so they too can attend.
An aspiring photographer at heart, my journey with photography is to capture the memories for others that my heart knows I would have had with my own child. When a loved one passes it appears we can never have enough pictures of them, and my goal is to ensure others do not have to feel that way.
Looking forward to the future to see who we can help in their time of need, and the beautiful things to come!
Hi! My name is Angela, I am married, a full time nursing student, and a mother of 3 beautiful children! I enjoy photography and graphic design in my own time, but most importantly watching my children grow each and everyday.
3 years ago I started an awareness and education page for my cousin Michael, whom survived but later passed due to Shaken Baby Syndrome. It is a desire in my heart to go forth reaching out to families going through this tragedy, and working with families whom have survivors to help better their lives on a daily basis.
I have enjoyed making the banners for the children affected by SBS, making them for their families to display proudly, knowing that we are in this together, and never alone. I had the opportunity to attend the 3rd Annual Shaken Baby Syndrome Candlelight Vigil in Florida 2009 and it was an experience I will never forget. Meeting other families not only helped me personally with my understanding, but to better understand the emotions and feelings my Aunt has felt all these years. I do not want Micheal to be forgotten, and with the help of my Aunt, and this organization, we can work together to ensure all families get the help they need and seek.
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Starting next Monday, we will have daily blog posts! So we hope to see you back here soon!
~Support Bloggers~
1 comment:
Love it! Beautiful page guys
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