Losing a Child: Always Andy's Mom

Episode 89: Joseph's Dad


Listen Later

Dads are somewhat overlooked in the deaths of children in general, but this is especially true for stillborn deaths. Joseph's dad never got to meet his baby, Joseph, when he was alive. One day, when Lou's wife, Francine, was 30 weeks pregnant with their first child, he stopped moving. He had died and there was nothing that could be done about it.

Instead of getting time to mourn in those first hours, Lou felt that he needed to be the tough guy as well as the spokesperson for the couple. He still had a job to do, too - he still had to coach his wife through delivery as they had planned. He felt this pressure to be the strength for the couple. He also says that he was actually surprised that for a short period of time at least, he felt a sense of excitement at getting to meet and see his son for the first time.

He said that it was on the first day when he realized what a stigma having a stillbirth would cause. As a proud dad, he sent out a text announcing Joseph's birth and death and no one responded. Nothing. He realized that he and Francine were about to start a long, lonely journey. When people don't know what to say or what to do, they often do nothing at all. Lou wanted that to change. Parents who have experienced stillbirth should not have to feel the need to hide it in some way.

It was in those first days and weeks, that Lou started to have the dream of a charity focused on helping parents who have lost children. Lou and his wife started Walk In Sunshine Charity to help give financial support for burial and funeral expenses to families who have lost children from 20 weeks gestation to 18 years of age who live in Union County, New Jersey.

In addition, this website is a place for people all over the world to visit to find resources. They highlight books, other websites, podcasts such as this one, as well as anything a bereaved family may need during the worst moments of their lives. Lou loves to help people feel a little less alone during this dark time. He longs to help people feel a little bit of sunshine while they start their long walk.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Losing a Child: Always Andy's MomBy Marcy Larson, MD

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

140 ratings


More shows like Losing a Child: Always Andy's Mom

View all
WE DON'T DIE® Radio with host Sandra Champlain by Sandra Champlain

WE DON'T DIE® Radio with host Sandra Champlain

483 Listeners

Grief Out Loud by The Dougy Center

Grief Out Loud

305 Listeners

The Secret Room | True Stories by Ben Hamm

The Secret Room | True Stories

2,846 Listeners

The Nothing Is Wasted Podcast by That Sounds Fun Network

The Nothing Is Wasted Podcast

1,073 Listeners

For The Love With Jen Hatmaker Podcast by Jen Hatmaker

For The Love With Jen Hatmaker Podcast

6,437 Listeners

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler by Everything Happens Studios

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

5,106 Listeners

Life After Child Loss: A Parent's Grief by Angela Snowden

Life After Child Loss: A Parent's Grief

46 Listeners

The Gabby Reece Show by Dear Media

The Gabby Reece Show

954 Listeners

DEAD Talks by David Ferrugio

DEAD Talks

440 Listeners

Hey Spirit! with Theresa Caputo by Theresa Caputo

Hey Spirit! with Theresa Caputo

2,205 Listeners

WHEN DATING HURTS by Evergreen Podcasts

WHEN DATING HURTS

348 Listeners

The 10 Ninety Podcast by Mason Sawyer

The 10 Ninety Podcast

165 Listeners

Hope After Child & Sibling Loss/the empty chair endeavor by The Empty Chair Endeavor

Hope After Child & Sibling Loss/the empty chair endeavor

23 Listeners

Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin by Lemonada Media

Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin

221 Listeners

unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver by Audacy | Mary Claire Haver, MD

unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver

1,076 Listeners