By BRIDGET COOK
IF Amanda Butter can help one person unfortunate enough to go through what she has, she believes that will help keep her lost son’s memory alive.
Ms Butter and her husband James lost their “beautiful angel” Jayden Lewis on 12 February this year, 22 weeks into her pregnancy, due to major pre-natal complications.
While it was the most traumatic thing she has had to go through, Ms Butter said the support she received from Pregnancy Loss Australia had been a huge help.
The Lang Lang mother now has plans to hold a big fundraising day at the Tooradin Recreation Reserve in October to raise money for Pregnancy Loss Australia, to ensure they can continue to provide other bereaved families with the same support.
Ms Butter, who already has a two-year-old daughter Kaylah, said their world came crumbling down when she had to give birth to her son at 22-weeks.
“At my 20-week ultra sound, it should have been the most exciting time but that’s when they told me they had concerns,” she said.
“On the Tuesday I went to the GP there and he sat me down to tell me all the issues wrong with bubs, and told me there was no hope at all for our baby to survive – even if a miracle happened and I went full term.”
Two days later it was confirmed by surgeons that they would have to say goodbye to their son and Ms Butter would be induced five days later – on Kaylah’s second birthday.
“All week Jayden was kicking non-stop and every time he kicked I felt disbelief,” she said.
“It was heartbreaking to think we thought he was perfectly fine.
“I was told Jayden was a big fighter as they haven’t seen a baby develop and stay alive as long as he did, I should have had a miscarriage.
“If only he was as perfect on the inside as he was on the out.”
Ms Butter didn’t leave the hospital empty handed and received a teddy bear and resource books from Pregnancy Loss Australia.
Ms Butter said nothing was too much for the national support program as they provided additional support through their bereavement hotline, email and support group on Facebook.
Ms Butter said in return for their help she was planning the fundraising event – Jayden Lewis Day – to raise money for them and to honour her son.
The local community has flooded Ms Butter with support for the market style family fun day and she is still seeking more.
“So far we have got some great stalls involved and still more interest including Princess Fluffy Butts, Kids Gear, Nutremetics, Party Lit, Undercover Wear and Baby Shower Nappy Cakes,” she said.
“The Tooradin CFA are kindly coming along and helping out on the day filled with fun for the kids and there’s going to be a family barbecue, an auction and a mega raffle.
“The more people to help support this fantastic charity the better.”
Ms Butter said if she could help someone unfortunate enough to go through what she did, then she was keeping Jayden’s memory alive.
“My hubby James and I are his voice he never got to have,” she said.
“Appreciate the ones you love and never forget the ones who leave us behind.
“Always in our hearts angel boy, Jayden Lewis.”
The fundraiser will be held on Sunday 13 October from 2pm at the Tooradin Recreation Reserve.
To contact Ms Butter about donations for the day search ‘Jayden Lewis Day’ on Facebook.
