Time and time again I am moved and inspired by the human spirit, especially at a time of loss. It is at our lowest and weakest moments that we connect with our core, our bottom. Like the bottom of a pool we push up to the top gasping for air and are reminded that we are alive. It is that reminder that motivates so many to use their pain to ensure that another does not suffer the same fate and as a result, begins an organization to help others.
That is just the story of Cheryl Haggard. Cheryl’s son, Maddux Achilles Haggard, was born with a condition called myotubular myopathy which prevented him from breathing on his own. After six short days his parents had to make the devastating decision to take him off life support. Before that moment came, they called photographer Sandy Puc to take beautiful portraits of them cradling their son. Sandy photographed the couple with their infant son before and shortly after he was removed from life support.
Those intimate photographs documenting Maddux’s short life and last moments inspired Cheryl Haggard and Sandy Puc’ to begin a nonprofit organization called, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, after the children’s bedtime prayer.
Since 2005, Cheryl and Sandy’s non-profit has provided thousands of families of babies who are stillborn or are at risk of dying as newborns with free professional portraits with their baby. Today, over 11,000 volunteers have been part of the network. Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep reaches every state in the United States and has been or is present in 40 countries worldwide.
Maddux lived just six days but his legacy goes on with every family that is blessed with the memory of their child.
Charity Matters.
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