In the grand tapestry of life, there are times of great joy and heartbreaking sorrow. At a Michigan hospital, gowns made to celebrate one of those greatest joys are repurposed to lend dignity and peace for families coping with one of the most devastating tragedies that can occur — the death of their NICU baby.
For nearly five years, the NICU at University of Michigan Health-West in Grand Rapids has been blessed with the help of a local seamstress whose work is making a difference in the lives of grieving parents. Judi Grubbs leads the nonprofit group, ‘Helping Hands Angel Gown’ which takes donated wedding dresses and refashions them into outfits for babies who are born too soon or pass away before reaching their first birthday.
The process is emotionally draining, but Grubbs says the work helps her heal, too. “When I see these little outfits go to the families, they are so happy that someone took time to make them something special,” she says. The gowns are for both boys and girls in sizes that fit the tiniest preemies to full-term infants. The outfits include a gown, blanket and hat and can be used for final pictures, for the casket or for when family members come to say their goodbyes.
Every year in the United States alone, more than 626,000 babies are lost during pregnancy or miscarriage. That’s more than one baby every minute.
An Arkansan in Hot Springs Village has turned the first floor of her home into a workshop to make tiny angel gowns for families across the country who experience the same loss. Colleen Angel, known as Grandma Angel, started the project after her cousin’s miscarriage and found hospitals everywhere had a need.
KATV caught up with her as she worked on another gown in her basement studio. She has a list of hospitals and bereavement groups she distributes the kits to, which each contain a special gown, blanket, two hats, heart and memorial trinkets. She also sells them online.
“We know this is the best way we can honor these precious little ones who have no voice and no arms to hold them,” she said. “And we want to help them find peace.”
She has been sewing since she was 9 and started working on doll clothes when her mother taught her. She now sews professionally and has a small business that specializes in custom-made bridal gowns. In her spare time, she is a volunteer for the American Red Cross and works on the church council. She is also an avid traveler and a watercolor artist. She plans to take a trip to Italy this summer. She is surrounded by people who serve others and says it’s her goal to always be among those who do.