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Friday, November 18, 2011

Reader's Digest Story Contest

Dear all,

Voting ended on November 15th. I did not expect to win as I entered really late, on October 20th. But it was a great exercise. I wanted to bring exposure to baby Loss Awareness and bereaved parents.

I joined the International Catergory, and a quick counting showed I garnered enough votes to rank 4th out of 800 entries. The TV New Zealand You tube clip had more than 400 hits, compared to the other clips that were aired that day.

Thank you to all who voted, and those who rallied for me.

Thanks,

Ann




When I was young, I always read the Readers' Digest and marvel at the bravery of the mothers who struggled with sick children. When I had Andrew in the hospital, and accepted the doctors' advice that the kindest option was to let nature take it's course. When Andrew didn't die when the doctor predicted, I struggled with myself and spoke to the doctor about those mothers I read in the Readers' Digest, and I wanted to be these mothers, Dr James said that Andrew was different.

Today, I found out that Readers' Digest was inviting people to submit their stories. I am submitting mine for media exposure. But if you like to vote for me, it is appreciated.


"Diary of a bereaved mother"
My journey of having a baby who died and now I am the self appointed spokes-person for bereaved parents. My story is from my heart and will resonate with anyone who has had the misfortune to give birth to a child who has struggled to live. Synopsis: Your baby is dying. Andrew did not die that night as predicted by the doctor, he didn't die after 3 days, 10 days and finally he died at 55 days. Friends did not know whether to congratulate or commiserate us. He was declared dead after his first at 40 days, but he bounced back. That was more excruciating than his actual death. After Andrew, what have I done? Have I become a better person? There are many of the things I am most proud of. I spearheaded raising funds to separate a pair of Siamese twins from Nepal in Singapore. For 16 years, I raised funds for the Deafhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Children in Kenya. I did the publicity, marketing, cooking and selling. I volunteer at teaching new immigrants.
http://www.youtube.com/asiadownunder#p/c/C9FEF73B56807B22/3/IZk9w-uywAs
Vote up!

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/diary-bereaved-mother

4 comments:

Lew said...

The death of a child, especially so young, is tragic. You have have turned your loss into a way to help others. That 's a wonderful way to honor your lost one!

Anonymous said...

I used to read Reader's Digest too but was always interested in how writers used punctuation — things like colons, semi-colons, and hyphens. Not to mention dashes.

You can really learn a lot from it.

Wanda said...

Dear Ann... I just read your comment on my SWF blog mentioning a Family Crisis. When I came to respond, I didn't know you had several blogs, and I've only commented on your SWF.

My heart surely goes out to you, as I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, but however, lived with the hanging on a tread from daya to day when our daughter at 18 was in a horrendous car accident and spent a month in ICU and 9 mo. in the hopital...the Lord spared her life...but not with life changing injuries.

You have always been a blessing to me in your comments. My prayers and throughts are with you today, and I'm thrilled your story will be in Readers Digest....it will touch many.

Love and Hugs
Wanda

Chatty Crone said...

Ann I am here via you! Glad you came over.

I can tell you that I have three or four blag mates with this issue and I am going to search my brain (which is a big job - and kind of busy right now) for their blogs and send them to you.

Nice to meet you.
sandie