Pregnancy is the most amazing time in a woman's life. When the test comes up positive, you know your life is going to change forever. Most women have visualised holding their precious new born for the very first time. You imagine the first cry, you imagine yourself holding your child closely to your heart.
You count all ten fingers and toes. Baby is healthy. Sometimes things don't go to plan and complications develop. We do understand that during this time it's nice to know you aren't alone. So if you have had a bit of a scary time during pregnancy, labour or beyond due and need to speak to someone about your child's limb difference, please contact us.
My name is Katherine Moffett. I am the President and founder of C.H.I.L.D Incorporated. My daughter Sienna was born in July 2008 and she was born with rare limb defects. We found it difficult to get through the first couple of days as we did not know where to find information, had no idea what limb deficiency was and had no known access to a support network. I was not even offered counselling and this is why C.H.I.L.D was established. All I want to do is help new parents.
We have as a continuous goal, to provide support, share experiences and supply information to parents, affected children and their siblings. We choose to focus on the individual child and the challenges they may face. We emphasise their abilities, not their disabilities. One of our priorities is to reach parents of the newborn with any limb differences. New parents can be given hope and encouragement through our extended network of parents.
C.H.I.L.D is run by the parents, families and friends of those whose lives have been affected one way or another by limb differences. It is easier in the beginning to speak to families that have gone through what you are about to go through with your new child as they have been there and done that and can offer you the best advice.
C.H.I.L.D is about giving the parents of a child with limb defects a chance to meet and for the kids to interact. This website once completed will be a wealth of information. We want to educate the Australian public, help change the hospitals policies on how they are currently treating the parents of children who are born with disabilities and also raise money for research into the genetic defects associated with limb development. Now our support network offers support to families from all over the world via the internet. We also provide support over the phone or face to face.
We are based in NSW but have families from all over Australia and throughout the world involved. All of which are willing to talk to you to share their thoughts, offer a shoulder and lend an ear. So if your child was born with a limb difference or if it was acquired, please contact us, we are more than happy to have a chat.
Read Sienna's story here.
Our website is www.childorg.net.au
Discuss this issue in our Babies & Kids with Disabilities and Special Needs forum. You can also leave a message for Katherine here.
