Day 26: Community

I experienced tremendous support on this journey from so many people in my life. My family; friends from my childhood, high school, college, pharmacy school/residency; our Maryland/Cedar Ridge Church friends; my Westgate Church family from my hometown; our friends/neighbors here in VA. I also received a great deal of support from other trisomy parents. Since t18 is rare and those affected are spread out geographically, I met most of these parents through online support groups. One trisomy mom in particular has become a very dear friend. We live in the same area and have been able to connect in person as well as online. I met Patricia 2 months after Julia passed away. Her daughter, Isabella, was 2 months old and also had t18. Meeting Isabella and her family was so helpful for me as I grieved Julia. Isabella has also since joined Julia as an angel, and so Patricia and I grieve and grow together. We have also both experienced the birth of our rainbow babies and the special journey that comes with these gifts. 

This post is part of Carly Marie's Capture Your Grief Photography Challenge in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. To learn more please visit http://carlymarieprojectheal.com.