Health

Infant Mortality

State of Opportunity will be shining a spotlight on the issue of infant mortality this winter. Check back for news, resources, and personal stories.

Personal stories of babies born too small, too early or gone too soon

Michigan Public | By Cameron Stewart

Published October 10, 2012 at 1:16 PM EDT

Cheryl Haggard with her son Maddux after his death. Haggard later founded Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a nonprofit that has provides families of babies who are stillborn or are at risk of dying with free professional portraits.

For some, State of Opportunity's documentary on Michigan’s infant mortality crisis was an introduction to the issue.

But for others, infant loss has long been a topic of worry or grief.

We have created a dedicated collection of stories from parents whose children were in the NICU or who lost a child. Some of these stories are sad, of course, but some are very hopeful. The site is called Too small, too early, or gone too soon.

"My wife Cori and I just brought Finnegan home today (October 8, 2012)! After spending every day of the last 10 weeks in the NICU, we look forward to spending some time at home with him, learning to be parents." -Tim Akers

We invite you to share a story about a baby that was too small, born too early or about infant loss as part of our coverage of infant mortality.

The site functions as an ongoing conversation. It needs your voice and photos.