MARCH OF DIMES | MARCH FOR BABIES | NACERSANO

Samarella's Journal

Why I walk 2018

Why I walk? Every year I struggle to find the best way to put into words why I walk. How do you explain something that you feel so deeply about?
 
I myself was born premature. All three of my children were born premature, two of which are with me today and my daughter watches over us from above. Both my boys received life saving Surfactant therapy. Surfactant was created thanks to the work of the March Of Dimes. How do you thank an organization that gave you your kids back?
 
Not only did the March of Dimes help my boys, they also helped me in a way that no one could have. They saved me. When my daughter passed away, after she was born 15 weeks too soon, I was filled with this unimaginable grief. I remember not being able to sleep in the days that followed our loss. I remember one night everyone in my house was asleep and googling the words "my baby died and I need support". That's when the March Of Dimes online community, Share Your Story, came up in the search results. On Share I found a safe place, filled with families that were walking a similar journey as I was on. I found a place where my feelings were validated. I found a place where my daughters short life mattered. The March of Dimes gave me so much love, comfort, and support when they created this online community.
 
We walked our first walk just 8 months after we said goodbye to our daughter. We have walked every year since then. Walking is our way to give back to an organization that has given me so much. By walking we help continue the work of the March of Dimes. Walking gives my daughters short life a purpose. When you can not mother your child here on earth, you find ways to mother their memory. So I walk.
 
Through the years we have met many families. Families that have suffered a loss. Families like ours who sat next to incubators praying that their child would survive. Families whose children were born with birth defects. Every year we walk for our children's journey and for all those families we have met along the way. A few years ago we started adding names to our shirts. We walk to remember the little ones no longer here, those born early and fought to be here today. We also celebrate full term siblings by adding their names to our shirt. This year when we lace up our shoes and put on our family team shirt we will walk for each and every child whose name is written on the back of our shirts. We walk for those who will one day walk a similar journey. We will continue to walk until the day comes when all babies are born full term and healthy.

  • As always Sam, your story brings me to tears and leaves me full of joy! Thank you for all that you do and for continuing to be a courageous mom and a champion for babies!

    Love and Hugs

    Brandi

  • How you found Share is so similar to how I found it.  Those sleepless nights...( sometimes now even 5 years later) and being able to come here and write and get support.  Many hugs dear friend. Nicki

  • Samantha, thank you for all that you do for Share and March of Dimes. I love all the ways you support others, honor your boys, and remember your baby girl. So happy to know you!

    Hugs,

    Lindsay

  • Keep walking...with Trinity guiding the way. Thank you for all that you do for others so that they may never endure what you have.

    Love and hugs,

    Karri

  • I'm in awe of your strength and persistence. Thank you for everything you do for MoD, on behalf of so many families like mine!

    Hugs,

    Deanna