After we lost our Madeline, we didn’t know what to do with our lives. Everything we did, we did for her. Our lives, once focused on our wonderful daughter, were adrift.
Too devastated to plan our child’s funeral, our friends did it for us. So unprepared for the financial burden of paying for it, thousands of people from all over the world made contributions big and small to assist us. There was more donated than we needed.
So what to do with that extra money? We knew right away.
Today we are proud to announce Friends of Maddie, a non-profit organization we’ve started in honor of Madeline. Friends of Maddie supports families of critically ill babies by easing the transition into NICU life and providing an ally until the end of their child’s hospital stay.
Our time in the NICU was so frightening, lonely, and overwhelming. As Maddie’s parents, we can think of no better way to honor her memory than to help other families in her name.
We ask that you please help support other families the way you so kindly supported us. Please visit Friends of Maddie to learn how you can help. We’re kicking things off with an amazing giveaway!
Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts, for making this possible.
Mike & Heather Spohr
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
heather and mike,
this is the most beautiful gift to your sweet madeline. my nephew was born at 29 weeks and i cannot wait to tell my sister about these family support packs…i know she could have used one, and i promise we’ll help get the word out.
you are one of a kind…amazing.
xo
kristen
What a great way to honor Maddie’s memory. I’ve already put a button on my blog (not that I get much traffic but I’ll help where I can). Hope you’re taking care of yourself. I think about you guys often!
-Rachel
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Bee =-.
Wonderful! I will add this to my blog. I pray that you get lot of support and donations for this incredible foundation. You will certainly touch many!
~Hugs from TX
What a wonderful idea! I don’t have children, but I will check it out and see what I can do to help. Maddie touched so many lives and through this will continue to do so.
.-= Cute~Ella´s last blog ..Again I’m censoring myself to save someone else’s feelings =-.
A beautiful tribute. I can only imagine how many lives she will touch – and better. Thank you for being so willing to share her memory.
What an awesome way to honor an AWESOME little girl! Can not wait to help out and be apart of this great new endeavor!
.-= Amazing Greis´s last blog ..I &hearts Faces – Week 27 =-.
Perfect way to honor gorgeous Madeline.
Mike,
This is so amazing. You guys have found the perfect way to honor Maddie and to reach out to NICU families. I’ll tell everyone I know that I’m a Friend of Maddie.
xoxo
.-= Alison´s last blog ..Nan and Diana =-.
You two continue to be such amazing parents. This is such a wonderful idea and a great way to keep Maddie’s inspiration going.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..My mom’s better than your mom! =-.
You have found an amazing way to honor your amazing Maddie.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Friends of Maddie =-.
we love you guys.
maddie has some amazing parents.
.-= maya´s last blog ..I’m a Friend of Maddie =-.
I know that Maddie is so proud! You guys have really started something amazing!
.-= Patty´s last blog ..A brighter day =-.
thanks to both you and your wife for starting friends for maddie. you are in inspiration. and yes, i’m following that up with a donation.
.-= Madge´s last blog ..Vacation recap. OK I’m ranting =-.
Congrats on your great news! Here’s wishing an uneventful and healthy pregnancy. The new baby will help with the healing. I think the baby is a gift from Maddie.
Congratulations on starting Friends of Maddie, how wonderful. Also congrats on your news… I’m sure Maddie will be with you all.
That is wonderful! I’ll make sure and stop by there
.-= Mama Kalila´s last blog ..Having Trouble Deciding… =-.
Thank you for doing this. I wanted to outreach to families whose babies are in NICU. While I was very lucky my Aidan didn’t go, he gave us quite a few scares since birth and seeing other families just broke my heart. No one ‘gets it’ until they are there.
Wishing you and your family love and peace.