A place where parents can share their memories, their stories, their love and their pain; where their children are remembered and cherished; and where we acknowledge that every life counts.

Welcome to Every Life Counts

An outreach for parents.

This online outreach is a place where parents of children who were diagnosed with a terminal condition can share their memories, their joy, their pain, and their love. It's a place where the lives of our much-loved children are celebrated, and where we can reach out to parents in similar situations.

Every Life Counts aims to be a valuable resource and source of hope for families and their children who, above all else, seek the gift of time.

Where children are acknowledged

Children who lives are shortened are no less precious than any other child. In fact, many parents say they are the most special children of all.

They deserve to be loved and celebrated - and they are worthy of protection.

Our Children "He changed how I mother, and I wouldn't swap that for the world". Clíona, mother to John Paul. "He is carved in my heart, and that will be there forever." Fiona, mother to Andrew. "She made me realise what's important. You think you won't cope but you do. She brought us so much love." Aileen, mother to Lilly Ann.

And where support for other families is advocated

Our support and sympathy should also extend to practical, loving assistance for families facing a poor or life-limiting condition.

We're asking everyone to support our Petition to the Minister for Health for better support services for families. The good news is that Perinatal Hospice services can be made available in maternity hospitals with relative ease,  and are not costly to maintain. It means that nurses, neonatologists, photographers, bereavement counsellors, and chaplains are available to help families. Most of all it means that parents are given the gift of time with their baby.

What we do

Every Life Counts is a support network for families whose child is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition.

• Provide a forum for parents of children who were diagnosed with a terminal condition to share their memories, their joy, their pain, and their lov
• Seek to establish a support network for parents who have received this devastating diagnosis and want to talk to parents who have been in similar situations
• Provide resources and hope to families and their children who, above all else, seek the gift of time
• Work to ensure that perinatal hospice care to be made available in every maternity unit in Ireland
• Correct the misinformation which is currently causing distress to parents in this situation
• Seek an end to hurtful, medically meaningless and misleading terms such as 'incompatible with life' and "fatal foetal abnormality"
• We hold Little Angel days where families come together and remember their children through poetry, sharing their stories and more.
• We hold Memory Making days where families get together under the guidance of an arts teacher and make mementos for their children and families.
• We hold group counselling sessions for bereaved parents.
• Every Life Counts helps parents tell their testimony and publish it on our website, www.everylifecounts.ie and also makes personal videos for parents who wish to avail of that. These are published on Youtube, our Facebook Page and on the website.
• We run a private forum for the families and introduce new families to this in order for them to make connections and get much needed support and advice at this difficult time.
• We publish information leaflets for support groups and for parents.
• Along with other support groups in this field, we brought together medical experts and families for a conference on the importance of providing perinatal hospice to all parents. This was attended by 140 medical staff.

DOWNLOAD OUR LEALET HERE 

Support services

Irish Child Bereavement Network

Tel: 01 6793223

http://www.childhoodbereavement.ie

Anamcara: Supporting parents after bereavement

Email: info@anamcara.ie

http://www.anamcara.ie

Irish Sudden Infant Death Association

Tel: 01 8732711

1850 391 391

http://www.isida.ie

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep: Photographers

A free professional photography service especially for families facing the untimely death of their baby. Remembrance photography is a very important step in the healing process. This wonderful service is available for free for Irish families. To contact a photographer please call: (083) 377 47777 between 9:00 am & 9:00pm

www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org 

Laura Lynn House

The Laura Lynn hospice is the first hospice in Ireland to offer services to children with life-limiting conditions. Parents can avail of support in bringing children home from hospital after birth, medical care at home, and end-of-life care.

Tel: 01 2893151

http://www.lauralynn.ie

SOFT Ireland

Set up by parents for parents of Trisomy children, SOFT, the Support Organisation for Trisomy, in Ireland, is a voluntary group dedicated to providing support for families of children born with Patau's Syndrome (Trisomy 13), Edwards' Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and related chromosomal disorders. Support is provided during prenatal diagnosis, during the child's life and after the child's passing.

Tel: 1800 213 218

http://www.softireland.com

Féileacáin

Féileacáin (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland – SANDAI) is a non profit organisation that aims to offer support to anyone affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after. Féileacáin provide hospitals with memory boxes to be given to bereaved families.

www.feileacain.ie

Irish Neonatal Health Alliance

Tel: 085 192 0602

http://www.inha.ie/

Irish Hospice Maternity Network

Tel: 085 192 0602

http://hospicefoundation.ie/healthcare-programmes/hospice-friendly-hospitals/hfh-networks/maternity-network/

International Trisomy Alliance

We are a volunteer, not-for-profit organization focusing on trisomy 13 and trisomy 18, (also known as Patau and Edwards syndromes respectively). Our mission is to offer trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 support groups, physicians and other professionals, accurate information and resources, and to be a mechanism for sharing between groups.

www.internationaltrisomyalliance.com/

Perinatal Hospice

A wonderful support service for families facing a poor diagnosis for their baby. The perinatal hospice service gives parents the gift of time by offering the best possible medical and professional support to everyone involved, and allowing parents to create precious memories of their time with their special children.

www.perinatalhospice.org

Anencephaly.info

Information about the life-limiting condition, anencephaly, which arises while the child is in the womb. Help is offered for affected parents, caregivers, family and friends.
www.anencephalie-info.org

Be not afraid

Benotafraid.net is an online outreach to parents who have received a poor or difficult prenatal diagnosis. There are many inspiring stories of children whose short lives touched so many people.
www.benotafraid.net

TAG - Trisomy Advocacy Group

Trisomy Advocacy Group (TAG) is an organization advocating for the Trisomy community by empowering families and the medical community to make informed decisions regarding the care of Trisomy children.
www.trisomyhelp.org

For family and friends Many people want to help but don't know what to do. These pointers might help you as you support your friend/family member facing their worst nightmare. Thank you for wanting to help. It means a lot to know someone cares.

Contact Us

We will be updating the site constantly with new stories and testimonies. If you would like to send us your story, please send it to us at the address below. Thank you!

You have received a poor diagnosis...

What people say

Bonding with your baby

Talking to your children

Helping a Bereaved Parent