The Shilling Family

First off. I would like to thank you all for taking the time to read this. This is very out of character for me, as I am a stubborn person who doesn’t like asking for help, but this is bigger than just me.

As most of you know, our son, Knox Daniel, was stillborn just 2 days before his induction date in January.  As a mother, I was given some maternity leave, which gave me a short time to try and cope with the initial shock before I had to return to work.

My husband was given two weeks before he had to return. He was a rock for me after the loss of our son. He never faltered and always put me first in every situation.

As we entered into the Holiday season, and as Knox’s first birthday is approaching, it is getting harder and harder for Scot. He no longer has any paid time off, so everyday that is missed goes unpaid. The grief, anxiety and depression has gotten to be so overwhelming that he has finally decided to remove himself from work to attend an intense mental health therapy program through a treatment facility in Raleigh. He had taken short term disability, which only allows him to make enough to cover our health insurance. I couldn’t be MORE proud of him, and want him to be able to enter treatment with a clear mind.

Mental Health is an extremely important thing, and people and companies need to start taking it more seriously. It’s not taboo, it’s not something that needs to be swept under the rug, it’s a very real very serious thing.

If you know my husband at all, you know that his main reason for not doing it sooner is finances. We still have medical bills from Knoxs birth, a surgery I had a few weeks ago, and countless therapy and medical appointments.

Scots birthday is January 1st and Knox is January 13th. For their birthday I am raising money to cover expenses at home while Scot is out of work. We will also be donating some memory bags in honor of our sweet boy to the Smithfield and Clayton hospitals  for families with babies born still. And if enough is raised, will be purchasing and donating a Cuddle Cot to be shared between the two hospitals, as they don’t currently have one..

I know it’s the holiday season, and I know for some,like us, finances are tight. If monetary contributions are not feasible, then we just ask for prayers and support as Scot takes this huge step towards healing. You have all been so amazing to us this year. We couldn’t have done it without y’all.

Merry Christmas ♥️