Inspirational family host multi-coloured baby shower with a difference as they prepare to say goodbye to unborn son
A family who face the devastating prospect of saying goodbye to their baby boy soon after he’s born are determined that his short life will make a difference to others.
As the inspirational Miller family come to terms with what lies ahead, they have been busy fundraising for the place they will likely spend their final precious moments together – Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
Katy and Daniel Miller were overjoyed to discover they had fallen pregnant with their third child in May, and after their 12-week-scan were delighted to announce that a baby boy would be joining his two sisters.
But over the next eight weeks, the family’s world was turned upside down with a series of earth-shattering revelations about the baby they plan to call Oscar.
It was discovered he has a congenital heart defect meaning he only has half a heart, and was later diagnosed with several other life-threatening conditions. The family were forced to make decisions about their unborn baby’s future that no expectant parent would ever want to make.
“These decisions were just a complete whirlwind and absolutely destroyed us emotionally,” said mum Katy, 29, from Goldthorpe in Barnsley.
“Our baby will be born critically ill. I am now 33 weeks pregnant and we’re making preparations to say goodbye to our unborn son.”
The Millers decided, when the time comes, they would spend their last moments together making precious memories at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
Through the heartbreak and devastation, the courageous family decided they wanted Oscar’s life to make a difference to other families in similar circumstances.
“Usually, at that stage of my pregnancy I would have been getting very excited and organising a baby shower for my unborn baby,” added Katy, who is currently on maternity leave from her job at work wear company Portwest.
“As much as I would like to have one for my little boy, it didn’t seem like the right thing to do.
“But I still wanted to try and get close family and friends together in a safe and socially distanced way to celebrate his life – and to give something back to the place where we will likely spend our last moments together
“What better way to do that than by having a Colour Throw and bringing the people we love together.”
An emotional, poignant and bittersweet day followed on October 3rd where a small number of close family and friends gathered outside to cover one another in all the colours of the rainbow, raising over £3,000 for the charity.
“It really was phenomenal, despite the downpours of rain,” added Kay.
“Emotions ran high and tears were shed but it was such a beautiful day that none of us will ever forget.”
The remarkable family now plan to host a memorial fundraiser each year to celebrate Oscar’s life and raise funds for Bluebell Wood.
Anna Gott, Regional Fundraiser for Bluebell Wood, said: “The Miller family are nothing short of inspirational and we can’t thank them enough for their incredible support in the most heartbreaking of circumstances.
“Losing a child is undoubtedly the most difficult thing anyone will ever have to go through so we’re blown away by all they have done for Bluebell Wood to help other families going through some of the toughest times imaginable.
“It will be our privilege to give the Millers the chance to make precious memories with their baby boy in the time they have together, as well as offering our support through the months and years ahead.
“At Bluebell Wood we do all we can to be there for families when they need us the most, and this simply wouldn’t be possible without our phenomenal fundraisers.”
You can find out more about Bluebell Wood’s Colour Throw here https://www.bluebellwood.org/Event/your-own-colour-throw
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.