Yes, Yes... Its been awhile since I have updated the blog so here is something new...
It has been almost 4 months exactly since Julian died. So I thought I would share a little bit of information with you... According to the World Health Organization there are over 4 million stillbirths every year world wide, and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), office of vital statistics, each year over 25,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. (about 1 in every 100 births) That is an average of 70 a day, almost ten times as many deaths as occurs from SIDS.
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, between 1997 and 2001, the United States awarded $50 million in research grants for SIDS research (about $3,900 per affected child) but by contrast, that same government has awarded $442,000 (in the same time period) for stillborn research (about $3.32 per affected child). That not even enough to buy a decent Hallmark card. Soooo... In the "greatest nation", where we focus on the importance of children, our "leaders" are unwilling to give more than the cost of a damn cup of Starbucks coffee to simply learn why so many children are dying. (if they were all dying in bus crashes you could be damn sure they'd do something about it). Now don't get me wrong, I don't think any money should be taken from other research projects like SIDS, Autism, or birth defects. I simply think there should be at least somewhat of an equal piece if the pie. Perhaps a little less money given to Fanny Mae or Freddy Mac. (or funneled into Saudi Arabia for oil) That's all, not much.
Anyway...
If these numbers pissed you off even a fraction of how much they pissed me off, then call or e-mail your congressman. Don't ask them to give more money (their too busy spending it on killing other children 12,000 miles away) simply ask them what the hell their problem is. (and then vote for the "the other guy")
Thanks for letting me vent.
(Don't worry, I'm not angry or anything. ;)
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4 comments:
have you gotten the photos of julian back yet? if so, i would really love if you emailed them to me.
and those statistics are awful! i seriously can't believe the lack of funding it gets!
let me know if you ever need someone to talk to about julian. i'm always a phone call away :)
Did you watch 20/20 last night? It was on infant mortality. Quite interesting. I don't know that anything could have been done for Sweet Baby, because sometimes those horrible things happen. But so many ignorant and poor family are suffering because of lack of basic education and health care.
I think about you a lot, and love all three of you.
i'm so sorry. i agree, the numbers are horrible. i wish they would change the funding. it should be equal. obviously the numbers are so staggering that there are an awful lot of parents (and aunts) that feel the same way you do.
i'm with laura, i'd love to see the pictures. i only have just one. i'd like to have one i can have printed and put into a frame.
i'm thinking about you guys a lot and want you to know i love you.
Hi,
The funding is awful. I wonder if that statistic is for overall stillbirths. Are there other funds for stillbirths from specific causes, like heart problems, problems with the placenta, or other specific causes? I miss Julian, too. I know that's strange to say, but the only time I felt any kind of peace about it was when I was holding him. I just felt his little spirit all around us that night. Please know you can talk about Julian any time at all. When we were in Utah Jason said that he thinks Julian (as a spirit) knew he wouldn't be coming to earth, but he still wanted you two for his parents. Love you tons!
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