Hey guys! I've been waiting to write this one because this cause and organization has such a huge piece of my heart and I could write so much.... but then almost buying a house took over and now it's last minute so it's going to have to be a short one. BUT if you do want to read a longer version of my connection to Fistula Foundation, you can click here (though just a warning that these are not for the faint of heart... or male readers for that matter, just read on) : https://dominicandeyoungs.blogspot.com/2015/07/three-years-later.html OR https://dominicandeyoungs.blogspot.com/2013/03/courage.html
But the shorter version is that all of the trauma and complications regarding Kenya's birth opened my eyes to the horrors of birth practices in other corners of the world... and while what I went through was hands-down the hardest thing I have ever had to live through, I quickly found out that it was NOTHING in comparison to what other women and girls (YOUNG girls) suffer in other parts of the world who are not born into the same privilege that I have been... not only do they lose their babies in birth, but afterward they also lose their husbands, families, communities and dignity all in one day as they are literally shunned for what they have to go through. None of this is their fault, especially as so many girls are forced to marry and give birth before their bodies can physically handle it and when things go wrong (and they do), there is no one to save them or their babies. I thought what I went through was hard... but once I was able to read their stories, I couldn't even stomach it and I couldn't stop thinking about them... but it also lit a fire in my heart to do something since I have voice and the power and privilege that they don't. So seven years ago I started supporting and speaking out on behalf of the Fistula Foundation and have not and will not stop. Fistula Foundation provides life-altering surgery and medical care for girls and women who are suffering in the darkest place my mind can ever fathom. Not only do they work to repair obstetric fistula to restore life and hope for these girls and women, they also are working to improve maternal healthcare in the parts of the world that need it most - which in turn decreases these birth injuries, as well as maternal and infant mortality. It blows my mind that their work is unknown to so many when what they do is SO important and needed.
So what is something you can do to help end suffering, help promote healthy families, help reduce maternal and infant mortality and help improve maternal healthcare practices in the poorest and darkest corners of the world? Why shop, of course!! I've purchased LOTS of their items over the years - for both myself and as gifts - and have loved them all. Here are a few favorites from the website:
I have one of these ornaments on my tree and they're adorable!
I got these for Christmas several years ago and they were always one of my favorite items
in my jewelry box - each bangle with it's own special message!
Amara has this onesie - as well as most of my nieces, nephews and friends' kids and it's adorable on them all (and also an easy talking point to raise awareness too)
New item this year and it's gorgeous!!!
Check out their online gift catalog here to start your shopping: https://www.fistulafoundation.org/product-category/gifts-that-heal/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=43a7322e-63e3-4cdd-8526-1d123b2378e9
And I'll leave with this photo of Kenya and I on the bulletin board of the Fistula Foundation office in California - being even a small part of their life-changing work is something I am so proud of! Also, if you ever want to learn more about Fistula Foundation and their work, please let me know - I am always happy to share and/or host an event!!
Thank you for considering Fistula Foundation this holiday season as one way to shop and change someone's life forever at the same time. Happy shopping!!!
P.S. Just a quick follow-up after I actually went back and reread those two links myself that I shared in the first paragraph. I'm sure they could be quite alarming for anyone who didn't know me during that part of my life story. But as a follow-up, I can say now that God has brought me so far since the early months and years of suffering after Kenya's birth - I have healed emotionally and physically in ways that I never thought would happen. So don't worry about me after reading that - God's got me in His hands and I see all the purpose He has in this crazy journey I've been on. And these are the reasons that I care so much about helping other girls and women find this healing too - it is there and we can all help end suffering this Christmas for those who need it (that same healing that I was so desperate for). Anyways, just felt this was a necessary follow-up as I forgot how intense some of those posts were. :)
