Acts of Grace Foundation Brightens Days for Moms on Bedrest
Thursday, March 20, 2008 15:14
Recently, a reader sent me an email about the Acts of Grace Foundation, a newly formed organization aimed at providing support and other services for moms who are hospitalized on bedrest. Joseff and Marlena Diedrich founded Acts of Grace in November of 2007, after they experienced first hand the difficulty of extended bedrest and suffered the loss of their daughter and Elle Jo’s twin sister, Grace. I took the opportunity to contact Marlena, and the email interview below is the result. I encourage all of you to check out their website and become involved.
What inspired you to found the Acts of Grace Foundation?
Our inspiration came about a few different ways. First of all, I had a 6 week stay in the hospital. During the stay we realized there was a great need to help befriend the antepartum moms and help pass time during throughout their time in the hospital. Second, we had been provided encouragement and support during our hospital stay by other non profit foundations: (Care Pages, There with Care and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundations) and wanted to help others as they helped us. Last yet the most inspirational, Grace. We wanted her to be honored and remembered, what better way than giving back to the community?
What services does Acts of Grace offer?
We will be offering wheelchair rides, fresh floral deliveries, treats, baked goods, cravings delivered, access to the internet, a friends to play games with or just someone to talk to and a family Bingo night.
How did you cope with being in the hospital on bedrest for so long?
Getting out of my room was my greatest outlet. I was fortunate to be able to go the pool 2x a day for a hour each time, my family took me on wheelchair rides for 30 minutes each day. Getting to know the other moms at the pool was helpful too.
Do you have any words of wisdom for women on bedrest, or families who have lost a baby?
For women on bed rest: Take each day and focus on getting through that individual day. Do not look at the big picture.
For families that have lost a child: There is no manual for grieving; do what YOU personally need to do, not what others tell you. You may need to let your friends and family know that you want to talk about your baby or say his/her name. Joe and I found that many people were not sure if we wanted Grace brought up. Once we encouraged this, they appreciated knowing that it was okay for us to talk about her and that we loved talking about her.
