In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand In Gear - Issue 3 | Page 64

weren’t available at that time in Wellington. Instead,
Emmerson and Ben took Adisyn home with her wee
body preserved by ice packs tucked beneath her.
“We had her with us for three days – but, because she
was just on ice, after the first 24 hours, she had to be
covered,” Emmerson recalls.
Shortly after losing Adisyn, the devastated couple
moved to Dunedin to rebuild their
lives, and were determined to both
remember and honour their daughter.
What evolved was their tribute, Adisyn’s
Hope for Others. Through it the couple
pays it forward in their daughter’s name,
with everything from random acts of
kindness to special gifts for children
in hospital, to fundraising for sick
youngsters.
“They’re being inspired to do it in their areas,” she says.
“I think they see, if we can do it, they can do it.
It’s happening all over the country – it’s amazing.
Already, there’s a woman in Lower Hutt who’s started
fundraising for a CuddleCot, because she saw our story
online. I’ve been getting a whole lot of inquiries around
the country, looking for advice on what we did, where to
go and who to talk to.”
As well as giving parents the extra time
with their baby through CuddleCots,
Emmerson’s also driven by a passion to
bring baby and infant loss – and, in fact,
any grief – out of the shadows, so it’s
acknowledged and spoken about openly,
freely and honestly.
She’s been particularly blown away by
the older men who have praised her
bravery in speaking out in In Gear, and
sharing her and Ben’s journey for the
benefit of others.
Organising the donation of three
CuddleCots, plus spare parts funded
Emmerson Morgan
by the Rotary Foundation, as well as
bassinets and linen, has been their most ambitious and
“It’s been really heartwarming – them commenting on
involved project to date.
how brave it is for us to share our story, how inspiring it
The formal presentation was followed a week later
by another poignant service, where a karakia was
performed. is and how it will inspire others.
“The blessing ceremony was lovely – and they said the
CuddleCots will be blessed every time they’re used,
which is really beautiful. “I encourage people to be open – why should we be
afraid to express ourselves?
“There was a real energy there ... the connections that
are now being made, and the information that’s being
shared is amazing.”
One of the most touching developments since In Gear’s
story in November has been bereaved parents in other
parts of the country looking to follow Emmerson and
Ben’s lead.
“We don’t do grief very well in New Zealand. Because we
don’t talk about it, people feel so alone.
“I think sometimes, too, we live in a society where
there’s, somehow, something wrong with being sad.
“What people get out of our story doesn’t necessarily
need to be about baby loss and CuddleCots. It could be
about anything, anything that someone’s going through.
How you can, as part of your healing, reach out; how
you can tell your story, and how you can then get
support, make something happen and pay it forward.”
Emmerson, Ben, Queen Mary Maternity Centre staff, friends, family and fellow NRG members come together to realise a very special wish.
Page 64 | In Gear - Rotary in southern New Zealand - District 9980 | www.rotarydistrict9980.org