A Seabrook woman whose daughter died in utero last July is helping other “mums of angels” by raising money for a charity close to her heart.
Katherine Currie and her husband Steve will take part in next month’s Run Melbourne event in honour of their girl, Melinda.
In 2011, they lost their son, Jonathon Fulton, at 18 weeks gestation. Ms Currie said it took courage to fall pregnant again, which she did in October, 2012. “It was a stressful pregnancy – constant nausea and fear – but Melinda grew perfectly and we were very excited for her arrival, with induction booked for July 26, 2013,” Ms Currie said.
However, on July 17 she woke and didn’t feel any movement in her womb.
“We rushed to Werribee Mercy Hospital, where it was confirmed she had died. I couldn’t believe it had happened again. I was induced that day and Melinda Grace Currie arrived silently at 8.45 that night.
“I may be biased, but she was the most beautiful baby I had ever laid eyes on – on par with our first-born daughter, Elianna.”
Melinda’s death was caused by the umbilical cord being wrapped tightly around her neck and body.
The following weekend, Run Melbourne was on. Ms Currie watched the runners and decided to join them the following year in honour of Melinda.
Three weeks later she started training.
“Running became a release for me, an opportunity to rebuild my body and my strength. In a way it helped me battle the feelings of failure and betrayal I felt about my body where my baby had died on my watch.
“I was determined that Melinda would leave a legacy of strength and inspiration, not breakdown.”
Part of Melinda’s legacy is a program at Werribee Mercy Hospital where brothers and sister of babies who have died receive a soft toy to cuddle and love.
To continue Melinda’s positive impact in the world, Ms Currie and her husband will support the charity River’s Gift, which raises money for SIDS research and awareness, was established in 2011 by a couple who lost their four-month-old son, River Jak Adam.
“After meeting River’s mum, Alexandra, in my online support group for mums of angels, I was so inspired by her and her husband Karl’s determination to build an amazing legacy in their son’s name,” Ms Currie said.
“The loss of babies to stillbirth or SIDS is such a taboo subject in society at large and as a result we can often feel isolated and ostracised, but through fund-raising events such as this we are given a platform to share our stories and honour our babies’ memories.”
Ms Currie and her husband are also embarking to raise $4000 for a cold cuddle cot to be donated in Melinda’s memory to Werribee Mercy Hospital. The cots allow families to spend time with their stillborn or babies who othwerwise died.
In July 27’s Run Melbourne, people can enter a 5-kilometre run/walk, 10-kilometre run or half-marathon.
Sponsor Ms Currie at runmelbourne2014.everydayhero.com/au/butterfly-believers
