WISHES FOR WYATT ELBURN/ST. CHARLES Building a family is a joy, but not always an easy path for each couple. I will share, with heavy heart, that my husband and I, along with several couples we know, have had the devastating experience of losing a child to miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. We have, as many others have, gone on to still raise healthy children, but remember that period of grieving and healing. Wishes for Wyatt is a foundation created specifically to help others through these types of experiences.
The founders of Wishes for Wyatt, Mike and Meagan Wizceb, lost their first child, Wyatt, when they were 36 weeks pregnant. “Having never experienced something like this before, we were unsure of what would happen next,” explained Meagan. “We knew we wanted to send Wyatt’s body to autopsy, but the thought of having to say goodbye to our son so soon was heartbreaking.” Their hospital was able to provide the Wizcebs with a Cuddlecot, a blanket-like device used to keep a baby’s body cool after the child has passed to allow the family to spend as much time as they can with their child. “I truly believe it helped us begin the grieving process in the best way possible,” says Meagan.
After leaving the hospital, the Wizcebs found that Cuddlecots are not common in the United States. At this point, they decided to create a fundraiser in their son’s name to help purchase these cots for local hospitals. Their first fundraiser is known as “Wyatt’s Wheels”. The idea is that Wyatt’s Wheels, a decorated Cozy Coupe, travels from house to house around the neighborhood prompting families to visit our website and donate to the fundraiser. In their first weekend, the foundation was able to reach their first goal of $3,000 and purchased a Cuddlecot that they donated to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
Wishes for Wyatt is now in the planning stages for their first winter event, Wyatt’s Winter Games where there will be Minute To Win It style games, raffles, food and fun. To learn more about Wishes for Wyatt and becoming involved, you can visit their website at www.WishesForWyatt.com or check out their facebook page, Wishesforwyatt1.
Mindy’s November Giving Inspiration: Think about your friends nearby that might not be able to be with family for Thanksgiving or the holidays. If you are hosting the holiday, invite them to join in. If you are not, maybe create a special Friendsgiving dinner close to the actual date.
ABOUT THE WRITER Mindy Kyle is the owner of Be Inspired Studios and is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Masters in Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dog in the land.
