Hi, I am Ann-Maree. I’m glad you’re here. As a Social Worker, trained in grief and bereavement, it's been so special sharing in clients' stories of love and loss. It's like being invited into a sacred space. As the person on the outside, looking in, I did not expect to suddenly be on the inside, living out a story of my own - On 31st January 2015 my first son, Xavier was stillborn. It is the most heart-crushing grief I have known. I took five months leave from work, before slowly beginning my return to ‘everyday life’. I can attribute a huge part of my healing to the support I received from my workplace.
As much as we love and cherish Xavier, my husband and I also wanted to parent living children. So we decided to try for more babies! In early 2017, we were lucky enough to welcome our son Kai, who in a very special coincidence, was born at 2:18pm – the exact same time as Xavier. Then in mid 2020, we were blessed with another baby boy, named Jesse, who has filled our hearts and completed our family.
Through this life changing time I have become a voice for my first son, through speaking engagements and campaigning in the media. I have also published a children’s
book, '
You Could Have Been ...', for bereaved families to read to the baby who lives in their heart.
I have seen firsthand the value in workplace support when my son was stillborn. And this has led to my passion -'The Baby Loss Project' - An online training program that upskills employers to create policy, and respond proactively to pregnancy loss, stillbirth and infant death.
I know you’ve found me for good reason. I look forward to meeting you.