Cuddle Cot in Memory of Margaret Bernice McConnell
Tax deductible
Our Story
At many prenatal appointments I was told I was "the perfect patient" and that I was having "the perfect pregnancy." I loved being pregnant.
That all changed in an instant at my 37 week appointment when I was told the six words that changed my life forever, "I'm sorry, there is no heartbeat." We have not been given any answers as to why this happened.
All of a sudden Dustin and I were facing decisions we had never even thought about, decisions that were not mentioned in the countless parenting books we had read. Cremation or burial? Would we have a funeral or a memorial service? Would we like the hospital Chaplin to come visit us? Did we want to have Margaret baptized? Would we like an autopsy? Would we like to send her in an ambulance to another hospital to receive more genetic testing?
But, the hardest decision we never expected to have to make was when to say goodbye to her.
Margaret was born on May 10th, 2019. She was silent, but she was perfect. She had all 10 fingers and all 10 toes, she had so much hair, and had a cute little nose. She was 5 pounds and 10 ounces, and 19 inches long.
Because we had a Cuddle Cot, we were able to spend 26 hours with Margaret without having to send her to the morgue intermittently. We were able to bathe her, change her diaper, dress her, talk to her, sing to her, read to her, tell her stories about her family, take photos of her, take photos with her, hold her, kiss her, and love her. Those 26 hours with Margaret will never be enough, but we were given those 26 hours due to the Cuddle Cot.
The Cuddle Cot Margaret used was donated in loving memory for Bryson Elliot Cappetto.
Dustin and I would like to raise money to donate a Cuddle Cot in Margaret's honor. This device will be able to help other parents when coping with the heartbreaking loss of a child.
Where is the money going?
The money donated will be given to the non-profit Madison's Miracles, and they will purchase the Cuddle Cot . They will provide a memory plate for the Cuddle Cot in memory of Margaret, and the unit will be donated to the brand new Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital. We will also receive a family plaque to keep. In addition, Madison's Miracles will provide the hospital with training and an unlimited supply of bereavement packets. They will send us the unit with no shipping costs, and help us plan and execute our own dedication ceremony to the hospital.
What is a Cuddle Cot?
The Cuddle Cot is a device that cools the baby, allowing the baby to remain with the family. This provides the family the time they want with their baby. Learn more about what a Cuddle Cot is here.
What is Madison's Miracles, Inc.?
Madison's Miracles is a non for profit helping grieving families who have experienced still birth or infant loss. We are raising money for a Cuddle Cot for hospitals giving the gift of time. Learn more about Madison's Miracles, Inc. here
Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that will provide families of lost babies with the gift of time and memories after experiencing a still birth or infant loss.
Love,
Emily and Dustin McConnell
Margaret's Parents
***The black and white photos are courtesy of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
***Maternity photo from Sara Barclay Photography
At many prenatal appointments I was told I was "the perfect patient" and that I was having "the perfect pregnancy." I loved being pregnant.
That all changed in an instant at my 37 week appointment when I was told the six words that changed my life forever, "I'm sorry, there is no heartbeat." We have not been given any answers as to why this happened.All of a sudden Dustin and I were facing decisions we had never even thought about, decisions that were not mentioned in the countless parenting books we had read. Cremation or burial? Would we have a funeral or a memorial service? Would we like the hospital Chaplin to come visit us? Did we want to have Margaret baptized? Would we like an autopsy? Would we like to send her in an ambulance to another hospital to receive more genetic testing?
But, the hardest decision we never expected to have to make was when to say goodbye to her.
Margaret was born on May 10th, 2019. She was silent, but she was perfect. She had all 10 fingers and all 10 toes, she had so much hair, and had a cute little nose. She was 5 pounds and 10 ounces, and 19 inches long.
Because we had a Cuddle Cot, we were able to spend 26 hours with Margaret without having to send her to the morgue intermittently. We were able to bathe her, change her diaper, dress her, talk to her, sing to her, read to her, tell her stories about her family, take photos of her, take photos with her, hold her, kiss her, and love her. Those 26 hours with Margaret will never be enough, but we were given those 26 hours due to the Cuddle Cot.
The Cuddle Cot Margaret used was donated in loving memory for Bryson Elliot Cappetto.
Dustin and I would like to raise money to donate a Cuddle Cot in Margaret's honor. This device will be able to help other parents when coping with the heartbreaking loss of a child.
Where is the money going?
The money donated will be given to the non-profit Madison's Miracles, and they will purchase the Cuddle Cot . They will provide a memory plate for the Cuddle Cot in memory of Margaret, and the unit will be donated to the brand new Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital. We will also receive a family plaque to keep. In addition, Madison's Miracles will provide the hospital with training and an unlimited supply of bereavement packets. They will send us the unit with no shipping costs, and help us plan and execute our own dedication ceremony to the hospital.
What is a Cuddle Cot?
The Cuddle Cot is a device that cools the baby, allowing the baby to remain with the family. This provides the family the time they want with their baby. Learn more about what a Cuddle Cot is here.
What is Madison's Miracles, Inc.?
Madison's Miracles is a non for profit helping grieving families who have experienced still birth or infant loss. We are raising money for a Cuddle Cot for hospitals giving the gift of time. Learn more about Madison's Miracles, Inc. here
Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that will provide families of lost babies with the gift of time and memories after experiencing a still birth or infant loss.
Love,
Emily and Dustin McConnell
Margaret's Parents
***The black and white photos are courtesy of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
***Maternity photo from Sara Barclay Photography
Organizer
Emily McConnell
Organizer
Summerville, SC
Madison's Miracles, Inc.
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
