Lynne McMillan

In July 2013, our world came crashing down. At almost 21 weeks pregnant, we received the devastating news that our baby wouldn’t survive due to a fetal abnormality, and we made the impossible decision to have a termination for medical reasons. Our beautiful son, Findlay, was born sleeping on 20 July. That was one of the darkest, loneliest and most isolating times of my life, and Held in our Hearts provided invaluable support through support groups, peer support and counselling. We were blessed with Findlay’s little brother, Cameron Findlay, in July 2014 and Held in our Hearts where there throughout. Fast forward to 2022, when I had an early miscarriage. At 45 years old, this totally devastated me, knowing that that was my last chance to give Cameron a living sibling. I felt so alone, desperate and hopeless and again Held in our Hearts where there.

I trained as a volunteer peer supporter, knowing how much the support helped me and can only hope that by giving parents a safe space to talk, it helps them in some small way. It is an absolute privilege to hear their stories and hope that by sharing in a safe space, this can bring some comfort. It’s a heartbreaking path to walk, but we can walk it together.