Having hard conversations

Some topics are hard to talk about. When it comes to losing a child, fighting against cancer, or facing the dangers of domestic violence, it can be difficult to share your experiences or know what to say to those going through it. But talking about hard things is one of the first steps to shedding light on their dark realities, which is another step towards healing and hope.

October is a month full of awareness for important causes, including being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

"Most people don't really want to talk about pregnancy and infant loss because it's a hard and sensitive subject," Grace Munoz said. "But I feel like people need to talk about it because it happens more often than you know."

All of these causes that October raises awareness for are hard to discuss, but those discussions are crucial, which is why local groups and organizations work hard throughout the month to start the conversations, from local government agencies making proclamations to local groups hosting awareness events.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness

One of the events this year was a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance ceremony at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, where Grace Munoz and others were able to share their stories and take part in a special memorial.

At the ceremony, Sweetwater Memorial dedicated a new tree in the healing garden in front of the hospital. The tree was donated by Riverside Nursery and planted as a memorial to those who have lost their babies. Participants at the ceremony were encouraged to decorate rocks to be placed beneath the tree to honor and remember their babies. Everyone was also invited to participate in the "Wave of Light" event on October 15, which is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, by lighting a candle at 7 p.m. and keeping it lit for at least an hour to create a worldwide wave of light.

Mercede Smith, a registered nurse in the obstetrics unit at the hospital, spoke at the ceremony. She shared how she has had the special privilege of being a part of the joy of families bringing new life into the world, but she also came to realize "that such a special day for some can also be the most heartbreaking for others."

After seeing the pain some families have gone through, Smith has worked become a voice to raise awareness and support families through such a tragic event.

"Pregnancy and infant loss have been made out to be a taboo conversation due to the triggering and traumatizing events surrounding it," Smith said. "It has been concealed and encompassed in silence and stigma. But the silence is troubling, as it forces many families to cope alone, as well as prevents public awareness and support. There are many families who do not have a place to grieve and honor their lost child. We dedicate this tree to the families who have endured pregnancy and infant loss so they may live on in their memories and have a place to visit the babies that are no longer with us. While a family's grief cannot be consolidated into one month, we recognize October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month to take a time to pause and take a moment to remember those who have lost a child during pregnancy or infancy."

Danni Saavedra and Grace Munoz also spoke during the ceremony to share their personal stories of losing their babies.

Saavedra had a miscarriage in 2020. Not long after she found out it was a girl, her baby's heart stopped.

"It's a pain that you can't describe," she said.

Saavedra noted that oftentimes people who are trying to be helpful end up being insensitive and hurtful, and there needs to be more understanding and support for the moms and dads who go through it.

Munoz shared her story of the one week she got to spend with her daughter. After struggling with infertility, Munoz and her husband were excited when they finally got pregnant, even when they found out the baby would have cleft lip and cleft palate. But Munoz went into labor at only 26 weeks, and her two pound and two ounce daughter was rushed to the NICU, where she had to be intubated because the CPAP wouldn't work with her cleft.

"She fought for seven days," Munoz said. "We knew that at that point she had fought long and hard enough and that it was time."

Munoz and her husband have now gone a little over a year living without the baby they spent one week with.

"It doesn't get easier," she said. "Talking about it does get easier as time goes on. But living without her doesn't get easier."

Despite the pain, Munoz is thankful for those seven days. And she noted that while the pain can't be fully understood by others, there are many who've gone through it, and they need help and support.

Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness

Other causes that continue to need help and support are Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness, which have been recognized locally for many years, but continue to be important topics to address. Both causes, along with Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness and Fire Prevention Week, were recognized by the Green River City Council with proclamations during the October 3 meeting.

Sweetwater Memorial's annual "Paint the Town Pink" campaign kicked off in Green River last Wednesday with a ribbon ceremony at the clock tower. Mayor Pete Rust read the proclamation at the event, and community members were encouraged to tie a ribbon to the display to support the fighters and survivors and to remember those taken by all cancers.

The Paint the Town Pink decorating contest will take place all month, with local businesses encouraged to decorate their storefronts with pink displays. The public can vote on their favorite displays on Facebook and winners for Rock Springs and Green River will be chosen.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month has also been recognized and championed by the YWCA of Sweetwater County in the community, and new events and opportunities have been added this year. Purple lights and banners are set up around the county, and residents are encouraged to visit the Clothesline Project set up at White Mountain Mall in Rock Springs, to participate in the Purple Glow Run this Saturday at Young at Heart Community Center at 5:30 p.m., and take part in "Wear Purple Day" Thursday, October 19.