Walk for Prems 2015

This year, we participated in the annual Walk for Prems to raise funds for Life's Little Treasures Foundation that supports families of premmie babies all around Australia. I have had 3 premmie babies, my eldest at 33 weeks, then 34 weeks for Cody and Tom came after 2 weeks bed rest at Mater Mothers at 28 weeks.
One of the fabulous things I noticed about being at the walk was the relaxed, accepting attitude of the parents towards the many and varied range of kids, ranging from tiny babies to big boofy boys like mine. It's natural for us as mothers to compare our children to others, but when you have had a premmie baby, all accurate milestones go out the window and kids can be happy and healthy at all stages and ages, regardless of development. There was no judgement at all, just looks of kindness and love, with gratitude that our little treasures had battled through and made it there in the day, when so many Angel babies could not. 


This brings me to the reasons why I am donating proceeds from my next book, My Brother Tom, to Life's Little Treasures Foundation. My Brother Tom is a book combining my experiences of having premature babies who were sick and stayed in hospital for an extended period of time and how we coped as a family, specifically the older siblings. It helps demystify what is happening by making the story age appropriate and helps caregivers initiate conversation about what's going on which can be hard at an emotionally charged time. It will be released in December and I am so proud of it as a stand alone story, let alone the potential it has to raise funds for Life's Little Treasures.

When you have a premature birth, there's so many unexpected emotions that can be utterly overwhelming. I battled greatly with feelings of guilt and inadequacy as a mother. When I had Tom, the grief of failing again was overwhelming. Then I found Life's Little Treasures Foundation on Facebook. They taught me a new emotion; Pride. I had never felt this before until they gave me the resources and encouragement to see our experience as a family to be empowering and strengthen us, lift us and for each step forward to become a celebration. I am eternally grateful and I wish I could do more to help other Mums in my position to feel proud about who they are, what they have overcome with dignity and when they continue to fight for their children with grace. Thank you Life's Little Treasures from the bottom of my heart.


Talk soon,X Michelle 
www.michelleworthington.com
www.lifeslittletreasures.org.auwww.mi...