and placed in a white presentation box for the parents. Lisa is “a huge believer in doing these additional things to fully honor the life of the child. From the moment the parents open the box, we want to let them know that someone else dearly loves their baby, too.” Lori appreciates this attention to detail. “I was scared to death when I made my first dress,” she says with a smile, “because the fabric I was working with was so old—a lace overlay—and I wanted it to be beautiful.” Since then, she has completed about 100 gowns using donated dresses, her own wedding dress, and her mother’s wedding dress. Though each gown is made precisely according to size and the cut of the pattern, each one is unique because of the appliques and fabric from a wedding gown. “In a way, each dress is an individual design,” says Lori. “And I really want each one to be special. I do put a lot of thought into every one. It’s bittersweet to send a completed gown to Fort Worth because I know what it’s going to be used for. As I’m packaging it, I always say a little prayer for the family.” She adds softly, “I wish they didn’t have to use it.” Ultimately, says Lisa, the “gown is just the beginning” of the social, emotional and educational support that NICU Helping Hands provides through a network of over 200 participating hospitals. The hospitals are located across the United States and on U.S. military bases in Japan, Germany, and England.
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They also have provided garments for a village in Kenya and to a New York program which buries infants for families who cannot afford the burial costs. Explains Lisa, “A family is going home without their baby, so along with the Angel Gown®, we provide printed resources that they can take home with them from the hospital. We also have a mentoring program that matches parents who lost a baby in the past with newly grieving parents. Mentor parents have gone through our One-on-One Mentor Training Program.” In the end, both Lisa and Lori have been overwhelmed to see the outpouring of goodness from people. Lisa says, “When I’m not tired and overwhelmed by it all, I’m astounded by how remarkable this experience has been. We give space for people to stop and think about the needs of someone else. Our world is so fast paced that we don’t always slow down to hear the stories and see the needs of people around us. On top of that, many people are uncomfortable with tears, grief, and the thought of babies dying. We have an amazing opportunity to connect parents to people who aren’t uncomfortable with talking about these things and who can offer love and support to them.” Lori agrees with the woman who started it all. “Sometimes you look around this world and you see so many horrible things…” Lori says, her voice trailing off. “I know I can’t take away all that pain. But through my sewing, I hope I can ease it a little bit.” ◀