Mom Has 2 Miscarriages as Preemie Son Fights For Life, Then Discovers 'Emma's Footprints'
The fight for life is an ongoing one. For any mom or dad who has faced miscarriage, stillbirth or other related tragedies, you are not alone.
Veroniqca Kozel came to know this very truth following her own experience with pregnancy loss and pre-term birth.
Kozel’s son Brody got to know the NICU well after his birth. He would spend 15 months there before he ever saw the outside of a hospital.
“He was born only one pound and 1.9 ounces,” Kozel told The Times of Northwest Indiana. “He was considered a micro-preemie.”
It was shortly after that time Kozel had two miscarriages during the second trimester. The grieving mom faced so much heartbreak, but there was a spark of light amidst her grief.
That spark was “Emma’s Footprints,” a non-profit organization based in Indiana that is “compassionately dedicated to supporting families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, as well as families who have experienced the loss of a baby from pregnancy through infancy.”
“I attended Emma’s Footprints first Wave of Light in 2016,” Kozel told The Times of Northwest Indiana. “That’s where I met Amelia.”
Amelia Kowalisin is the president and founder of “Emma’s Footprints.” She started the organization in 2015 in honor of her twin daughter, Emma Rose.
The sweet infant was just 23 days old when she passed. Kowalisin has made it her mission to support other parents and families who have faced similar crises.
Kozel knew “Emma’s Footprints” was something special and quickly became involved. Now she is the organization’s event coordinator and spends her days planning fundraisers and gatherings that support those in their community.
Most recently, Kozel coordinated the Mother’s Day Brunch, which has already sold out.
“I love the Mother’s Day Brunch because it’s all about giving back, not fundraising,” Kozel said. “It’s centered around women and the similar struggle they’ve gone through.”
“Planning and executing rockstar events is her (Kozel’s) passion and joy!” Emma’s Footprints shared on Instagram.
What an amazing story she has. This mom has taken her own grief and turned it into a way to relate to and love on other moms.
For more information on Emma’s Footprints or to donate, visit their website.
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