In loving memory of baby Luca Freddy Mikhael
Sadly, at just three months old, Luca passed away from SIDS.
Shady reflects back to the moment it all happened.
I spent very little time with Luca as the majority of the nights he was very unsettled and he was cuddled up to his mum.
He had the most innocent smile and he loved being out and about.
When I think back to the day Luca passed away, had I known it would only be for three months, I would spend every moment possible with Luca.
Being supported by Red Nose
At the time I didn’t know who to speak to and we didn’t know who to turn to. I felt numb, like the whole world was against me and I kept holding myself accountable. My biggest thoughts and emotions always circled around how I couldn’t fix the issue.Red Nose provided the lifeline that I needed, my family needed and that we continue to need.
They offered a lot of counselling, and it helped me stay connected to a support network.
“At times when you lose a loved one, you feel lonely. A sense of loss and being lost. Red Nose was a lighthouse – they provided a pathway, a direction. The support provided by Red Nose allowed me to embrace the feeling of being alone and reflect on the wonderful time we spent with Luca. Without this organisation and the support, a lot of people can go down the wrong path.”
Connecting with pain and raising funds for Red Nose
Pain is a beautiful thing to go through and you grow in experiencing pain. I link that back to the pain we went through with Luca. For Kirsten it was very hard, she has been extremely brave to push through.There is a future, there is hope. We lost one child, we felt like we would lose the second one. These thoughts haunted us, with each child. We now have three beautiful boys, all with the middle name of Luca.
Each year, I choose something that allows me to connect with pain - running a marathon and walking a gruelling 100km trail have been amongst them.
In 2022, I set up a fundraiser in the lead up to Red Nose Day. The inspiration behind my challenge and to get me through the marathon was my angel Luca.
Last year, my team and I took part in walking 100km. My angel in heaven, Luca, was once again my inspiration and the proceeds from the walk went to a Red Nose Day fundraiser. For me, it’s a way of giving back as Red Nose helped us so much.
Red Nose supported my family in moving forward. You have to keep moving forward and focus on the positive. And in return, Kirsten and I want to make a difference and help find the answer for SIDS, that’s why we have chosen to support Red Nose Day year after year.
Red Nose Day should be a celebration of all the beautiful lives that remain in our hearts. Get behind the day and celebrate the lives and the times of the little ones that have only spent a day, a month or three months with us and be there for each other. Red Nose is about unity and community and sharing each other’s pain and working together with others to work through. It is a beautiful symbol to remember those who we love and how we can band together to help one another.
There are many ways to get involved in this year’s Red Nose Day. You can fundraise in honour of a little life, host a Red Nose Disco or buy merchandise.
Red Nose Day aims to raise $1 million this year, to help save little lives and support grieving families. To register or donate visit rednoseday.org.au.
