Hibernate Blog

[August 5, 2009 - Still catching up!]

Early August found me in Los Angeles sharing company with a group of extraordinary women. Coordinators from all states, Board of Directors and Advisory Council members from Postpartum Support International, along with leaders from LA County specializing in perinatal mood disorders, gathered together for PSI’s annual conference.

The focus was the importance of early detection of and intervention for depression and anxiety for prenatal and postpartum women. Our work makes the difference in the lives of countless new mothers and families every day. PSI’s vision is that each woman, worldwide, has access to the resources and support that they need.

PSI Coordinators – Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles

SaraBear Co. is doing its part to reach out to new mothers. On every diaper caddy there hangs a little tag with the blue-dot symbolizing help. For mothers who may have no idea that they are entering a dark place, my hope is that the PSI information on this tag will help lead them right back to the light, shortening any time of suffering by directing her to the immediate help she needs. SaraBear is privileged to be an ally to such a remarkable organization and fortunate to have this cause as our philanthropic passion.

[July 29, 2009 - A month late. What can I say? August got busy...]

My friend Jessica and I went for a swim in her pond as the sun was beginning to say farewell to another spectacular day. The sky still a vibrant blue with a token passing high cloud. Out in the middle of the pond I floated across the water. Gazing up at the crystal clear blue July sky, the sounds of the world became muffled by the echo of the water that covered my ears. Serenity. Stillness. Peace.

The height of summer – the trees and ferns that surround the house seem to wrap their arms around my kids.  These days are what childhood is made of – part of what will mold them into who they become, define the texture of their personality and add or subtract to their temperament. Unbeknownst to them, my children, their cousins and friends are creating simple yet unforgettable memories. Frogs, blackberries, fireflies. Bruised knees, chlorine skin, ice cream smiles.

They have no care about issues to understand, goals to reach, purposes to achieve, quagmires to solve. They lollygag, they explore, they grow.

Here’s to summer and doing everything or nothing at all – underneath a sky so blue.

The day, which was forecast for rain, was turning out to be quite pleasant. The sun played hide-n-seek through the high clouds and a pleasant breeze flirted through my windows.

Although Father’s Day, Ben was working. So by late afternoon the kids and I decided to head out to the park.  We hopped in the car and headed to their favorite playground. Wouldn’t you know – two miles down the road it started to rain. We knew the swings and slides would quickly be all wet.

Oh well. In need of a new shower-head for the guest shower I thought it would be a good time to swing into Home Depot and pick it up. Besides, the kids are always game for the Big-Orange-Tractor-Store.

So there we were…walking through the Queensbury Home Depot. As we headed out, into the front aisle came a woman walking with a dog. I wondered why someone would have a dog in the store? Must be one of those “dogs-in-training” I assumed and we kept on by.

But then, as I navigated the kids around the particularly happy pup I recognized her. I haulted the kids and stopped dead in my tracks. “Oh my God Sara, that’s Rachael Ray! It’s really her! She’s with her Mom and that’s her dog!”

Sara and I quickly contemplated what to do. We both got very nervous and decided we couldn’t do it. No way could we walk up and bother her in public. Clearly, she just wants to shop in peace like the rest of us. Nate tugged to show me the John Deere lawn mower he wanted me to buy – so we started to leave.

Then thank goodness my common sense took over. There was no way I was leaving that store without meeting her! And like any honest, quick-thinking parent I would say that my kids really wanted to meet her dog.

So we walked up and said hello. Rachael was 100x’s more beautiful in person. She introduced her dog Isaboo, we passed a few words and we then said thank you and goodbye. Having just sent Rachael one of our SaraBear diaper caddies (our continued forging PSI PR efforts) the opportunity to meet her in person was beyond thrilling.

Back outside, the sun was peaking through the clouds again and the weather had shifted. As I buckled Nate in his car seat I rambled on to Sara about how famous Rachael Ray was. And of course I texted my friend Tina about what had just happened.  I couldn’t believe we had just met Rachael Ray! I was high and giddy.

Although just a brief 30-second exchange, surely it will always be memorable for me. Sara and Nate will hear this story a million times as they grow up. How silly is it that meeting a certain other human being could be so exciting? Not too bad for a rainy day.

(Rachael Ray and her dog Isaboo. Originally from Lake George, NY, Rachael has a home here and her mother still lives in the area)

On Monday evening in the House of Representatives, Illinois Representative Bobby Rush made a statement to his colleagues in response to the passing of the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act of 2009 (H.R. 20).

Bobby Rush – Illinois

This legislation was first introduced in 2003 by Representative Rush and has been kept alive through the determination of Melanie’s mother, Carol Blocker as well as the tenacity and dedication of countless other women.

In 2001, Melanie Stokes, the mother of a new baby girl, took her own life by jumping from the window of a Chicago hotel. Melanie suffered from postpartum depression which rapidly led to postpartum psychosis. Her fears were so dark and her soul so hollow – Melanie reached a place no one should ever go and a treatable illness took her life.

This is why Monday was a proud day for women – for those who have been spearheading the work to raise awareness and make a change in how new mothers are screened for postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum psychosis (PPP), for women who have suffered through PPD or PPP, but I think mostly for the women to come who will have a new baby and find that something is wrong – terribly wrong – and they will need help.

However, the work is not done, as off to the Senate the bill goes before it can become law. I’m not one to ask for much of my peers and friends, barely ever will you see a joke, junk or chain email from me -actually probably never. But I am asking everyone to drop a quick email to one of the women at the forefront of this bill, Susan Stone. Just email her at susanstonelcsw@aol.com with your name, credentials, state you live and permission to list your name in support of the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Act. Thank you! Melissa

It’s especially nice when the giving we do is for moms.

A while back we were given the opportunity to participate in something extraordinary.

“My name is Sarah and I am writing to inquire if you might be interested in participating in the Stepping out of the Darkness 5k road race for the Day Program at Women & Infants Hospital through a sponsorship.”

The program at Women & Infants Hospital in Rhode Island is truly exceptional and the chance to bring greater attention to postpartum depression was something we couldn’t say no to. Though we weren’t able to attend Sarah, the event coordinator, relayed news of the event to us. We were so proud to be a part of the day.

We’ve also been lucky enough to form a relationship with ten toes of Staten Island, a program that was started by two working professional mothers who wanted to give more to the community. The organization provides a comprehensive blend of education to parents-to-be, with instruction of and exposure to the many different approaches to childbirth.

Recently they sent us this:

Have you been giving to something or someone that makes you proud? Share your story with us!