I have decided to share a very sad story about a family member. I won't discuss my relationship to this person, their name, or go into great detail for privacy.This individual experienced a very sudden loss; when at the age of 10 their father committed suicide. The events leading up to this were also very terrible. This individual witnessed fights, drinking, and was the victim of verbal and physical abuse.

This individual is now 16 years old and in many ways is thriving. He is a good student, member of the swim team, has a job (recently named employee of the month), and is very caring.  But I do see behavior that can only be directly related to what he went through. He is terrified of being away from his mother. He has severe anxiety, trouble sleeping, and his digestive system is often in distress when he is upset or sometimes for no specific reason at all. He often feels like he has to take care of everyone and everything. And he is often bullied at school about his situation.

According the CDC, surviving the loss of loved one to suicide is a risk factor for suicide.This worries me a great deal. But I feel this person is strong and with love and support he will be just fine.  The Alliance of Hope writes, "it is important to know that people can and do survive loss by suicide.  They are forever altered and may never stop missing their loved ones, but they do survive and go on to lead meaningful and contributory lives." This organization also discusses PTSD in survivors. Below is a list of symptoms that a survivor with PTSD could exhibit on a severe/lasting level:

• Distressing recollections of the death
• Distressing dreams about the event
• A feeling of reliving the experience
• Feeling numb
• Feeling emotionally detached from other people
• Always feeling "on guard"
• Difficulty working
• Difficulty in social situations
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hyper-vigilance

SUICIDE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

"Throughout the last decade of the twentieth century, Lithuania had the highest suicide rates in Europe among both men and women aged 25–64 years. The rates increased from 1986 until 1995, but later there was a slight decrease" (Tamosiuanas, 2006).

In my research, I found that economic status and location (rural living) were a factor. I was not able to find any information regarding statistics on the effects on children.This may because of the typical age range.

Tamosiunas, A. (2006). BMC Public Health.Trends in suicide in a Lithuanian urban population over the period 1984–2003. Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/6/184

SIDS

According to the CDC (2013), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden death of an infant less than 1 year of age that cannot be explained after a thorough investigation is conducted, including a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history.Unfortunately, I chose to discuss this issue because in 2001 my sister-in-law's first born passed away at just 8 months old in this manner.

This puzzling and devastating occurrence takes the lives of thousands of infants every year. "In 2010, 2,063 deaths were reported as SIDS, 918 as cause unknown, and 629 as accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed" (CDC, 2013). It leaves parents not only dealing with the devastating loss but with many unanswered questions. What causes this sudden loss? The Mayo Clinic (2013) lists physical and environmental factors as contributing factors to SIDS: low birth weight, brain abnormalities, respiratory infection, sleep position (side and stomach), sleeping surface, and co-sleeping.

"Since 1983, the rate of SIDS has fallen by over 50%" (American SIDS Institute, 2009). Several campaigns have contributed to this decrease, one of them being the "Safe to Sleep,"  campaign formally known as "Back to Sleep." What does SIDS look like on an international level?

"SIDS data were obtained for 13 of 17 countries queried (Table 1). For most of these countries, there has been a striking decrease in the SIDS rate from 1990 to the most recent year available (2005 for all but Canada, for which 2004 data are the most recent). These decreases range from 40% in Argentina to 83% in Ireland. The highest SIDS rates in 1990 (≥2.0 in 1000 live births) were in Ireland, New Zealand, and Scotland. More recently, the highest SIDS rates (≥0.5 in 1000 live births) were in New Zealand and the United States. The lowest rates (≤ 0.2 in 1000) were in Japan and the Netherlands. Since 2000, the SIDS rates in most of the countries have declined minimally" (Pediatrics, 2013). 

This issue is very difficult to talk about. When my sister-in-law had her second child doctors had her wear a monitor for the first year of her life and when I got pregnant we purchased a similar monitor. This monitor would sound an alarm if the child stopped moving or breathing for a certain length of time.The passing of my husband's niece had made us all extremely nervous and scared. To this day it is very difficult for him to talk about. I was a little nervous bringing it up, when I asked if I could discuss it on my blog. I think all of the topics that were given to us this week as an option for discussion will have an impact on my future work. I am learning about advocacy and what I can do to contribute.  I hope that through the incorporation of my performance art and education that I will be able to make a difference.
  

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/SIDS/

Mayo Clinic. (2013). Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): causes. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/DS00145/DSECTION=causes

Pediatrics. (2013). International trends in sudden infant death syndrome: stabilization of rates requires further action. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/3/660.full

August 17th

I can remember every detail of the day my daughter was born. I remember what I was doing when my labor began, what was on TV, and what I ate that night. It started about 6:30pm on a Monday night and I did not go to the hospital till about 6am the next morning.  My labor was pretty normal. I had no special "plan" or expectations. I just wanted a healthy baby and for all to go well. She arrived at 5:24pm and was healthy but breathing quickly. They took her away for tests and observations quickly and that rattled me a bit. I did not get to see her for hours after I gave birth, but it felt like a life time. I remember the nurse telling me that I could not walk down to the nursery till I went to the bathroom at least twice, so I immediately started chugging water and the second I had gone I shuffled my way down the long hallway to see my daughter.She was getting a little newborn bath (which she was not happy about) and that was the first time I really got to SEE her. She also developed jaundice and did not get to come home right away. I was devastated and terrified; even though this is a fairly common issue. She is now a healthy, smart, and vibrant three year old. I love reminiscing about that day and hope soon that my husband and I will have a second! 

Birth

I thought that I would research the birth traditions and rituals of the Native American culture. I am Native American and thought this was the perfect opportunity to not only learn more about other birthing rituals but my own culture as well.

"The Navajo view of pregnancy is as a state of wellness and everything that the expectant mother does is for the well being of the fetus and the mother. She is to exercise and do chores but nothing heavy. She is not to be around anyone or thing that is dead or even go to funerals. A Ceremony called the Blessingway is done by a holy man. This puts the mother and baby in tune with the Holy people and causes balance. All mothers are expected to breast feed their children so that the child will not take on the nature of the animal.The umbilical cord and placenta are buried near home so the child will always return home. The placenta also was buried next to objects of the profession the parents hoped that the child would become. Sometimes it was given to the grandmother to discard. Or it could be buried in the fire of by the Hogan to ward off evil spirits. The child is introduced into the community with a baby shower and a Blessingway ceremony" (Grice, 2002). 
 

Grice, L. (2002). Indigenous birthing rituals. Retrieved from http://www.chatham.edu/pti/curriculum/units/2002/Grice.pdf