Mariam Kibirige

Introductions

My name is Mariam, and this September I am taking part in the Sands 100K challenge in memory of my son, Aslam, and to raise funds for families affected by baby loss.

Our experience of losing Aslam was incredibly difficult, and unfortunately, the bereavement support we should have received from the hospital wasn’t there. Sands later reached out and offered us support. I wasn’t ready to accept it at the time, but I have never forgotten the importance of knowing that someone had recognised our loss and that support was available.

I later chose to focus my Master’s dissertation on bereaved parents’ experiences following neonatal death. My research reinforced something I had already experienced personally: the care families receive around and after the death of their baby matters enormously. Compassion, communication, acknowledgement and appropriate support can become part of how a family carries that loss.

Now, working within paediatrics, I am also conscious that despite everything we do to care for children, sadly, child and baby loss still exists. When the unimaginable happens, families need professionals who feel equipped to support them, and they need somewhere to turn afterwards.

This is why I’m walking 100K for Sands. I want to help them continue being there for bereaved families and contributing to better bereavement care.

If you’re able to donate towards my challenge, no contribution is too small. It would mean so much to me. 🤍

For Aslam and other families. 🕊️