In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand In Gear - Issue 3 | Page 65

rainbow on the wall in front of me
-Ho
Such has been the overwhelming support
Hospital soon to begin consultation on if, and
around her CuddleCots initiative, Emmerson,
how, creating such a suite can be achieved.
Ben and their NRG family already have another
project in the initial planning stages: fundraising “It may be we can fundraise to modify a
room that would be used for normal birthing
for a dedicated area in the maternity centre,
similar to the
Pohutukawa
The sun was coming through the
Room where
Adisyn was
window, and there was a beautiful
delivered.
Emmerson says
– I remember it vividly.”
it’s dif ficult to
explain just how
Emmerson Morgan,
important the
Dunedin NRG
surroundings are
when faced with delivering your baby, who you
situations, but is set aside as a sacred space for
already know has died.
times when parents have lost their baby.
“We weren’t able to have a CuddleCot, but we
“The beautiful thing about creating a room,
did have the use of the most beautiful room, so
like there was for us in Wellington, is that
I can really relate to that.
information and access to all the support
“It does make you feel loved and supported
families need can be based there, and,
– being in a sacred room where you can have
hopefully, that will make it easier for them to
your baby, and you’re not going to be disturbed
reach out and connect.”
by the outside world, is
really important.
“I remember sitting
there, on the day I
went in to be induced,
in the armchair by the
window. And, after
Adisyn was born, I can
remember sitting there
with her. The sun was
coming through the
window, and there was
a beautiful rainbow on
the wall in front of me –
I remember it vividly.”
The environment is so
significant, she says,
because it provides
the visual backdrop to
precious memories that
will be all that’s left for
parents’ lifetimes.
“I think that’s why I feel so inspired to create a
sacred space.
“It’s a traumatic experience, but it is also
beautiful. You get to meet your baby for the
first time. There are very beautiful things you
can take from such a traumatic experience.”
The self-contained special rooms, which include
a kitchenette and bathroom, are typically
situated in the maternity ward, but set slightly
apart to offer peace and privacy.
While it’s still very much in the initial planning
stages, Emmerson hopes to approach Dunedin
And, Emmerson says, her passion for
supporting families going through baby loss is
unlikely to end.
“I now feel like I will be doing something my
whole life that is related to Adisyn and our
experience – it may not be huge, but, in some
way, I think I will always need to do something.
“It’s just something inside of me, and I have
no other way of explaining it, other than it’s
another form of parenting Adisyn, and it helps
others. And, for me, it keeps her alive, in a way.”
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