Twinkle Star Project brings comfort to those with pregnancy loss
By GILLIAN SLADE on October 15, 2020.
Twinkle Star Project provides little crocheted or knitted baskets to hospitals for those who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage or still birth. The program now has a local chapter and is responsible for arranging the blue and pink lighting of the Saamis Tepee. There is also a special event in Police Point Park on Sunday to remember those who have experienced the loss of a baby.--SUBMITTED PHOTOgslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
If you have noticed the Tepee illuminated in pink and blue recently, it is to bring comfort to those who have lost a baby.
Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation arranged the lights and has a special event on Sunday in Police Point Park to support those who have experienced a miscarriage or still birth.
A not-for-profit organization, Twinkle Star Project (TSP), will have a presence at the event. TSP has been in Alberta for about two years distributing little crocheted or knitted baskets to hospitals, said Angela Stodalka who is part of a local chapter.
One in four women has experienced some form of pregnancy loss.
“We want to provide services to families who suffer this type of loss and provide them with even an ounce of solace while on their grief journey,” said Stodalka.
The little knitted or crocheted basket, in a range of sizes, is the first service in a long list of supports the organization is about. The baskets physically hold the babies and still allow contact with the family. They also personalize and humanize a very difficult and dark moment.
The basket is a gentle reminder to the family that someone lovingly took time to create a warm bed for their baby, said Stodalka. Some choose to bury the basket with their baby while others display the basket in their home or keep it in a keepsake box.
The TSP name goes back to the founder whose little son used to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to her belly when she was pregnant. She then subsequently had a miscarriage.
Stodalka says she also experienced a miscarriage at 22 weeks and had an extremely difficult time coping with the loss. It helped to reach out to others who had had the same experience.
On Sunday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a walk at Police Point Park thanks to the Medicine Hat and District Health Foundation. TSP will also be there to show support.
By preregistering, using the link below, you can have an “in memory” sign made up for the event. These signs with names will be displayed throughout Police Point Park. There will also be roses inside the building for those who preregistered.
Stodalka says please come as a family and spend as long as you like.
October is perinatal loss awareness month.
