Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Griffin-Williams.
Hi Sophia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My world changed when I faced the unexpected heartbreak of losing pregnancies back to back. During the pandemic, I contracted COVID-19 during my first pregnancy. Being pregnant with my first baby girl, Shomie Marie Williams, and having COVID-19 was tough on me and my family because I was in and out of the ER. After months of fighting to live and also give life, unfortunately, at 23 weeks, my water broke, and I went into preterm labor. My baby died on March 31, 2022. How could this have happened to me? Why did she have to die on my dad’s birthday? I must have cried for days and months. I wanted my baby girl more than anything. Months later, we found out we were expecting again. I wasn’t excited because of pregnancy; after a loss, I was navigating through the grief of Shomie as well as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Weekly visits to my ob-gyn and the high-risk doctor were going great. I never had any issues with my pregnancy, but for caution, my ob-gyn instructed the high-risk doctor at twelve weeks to give me a cervical cerclage procedure to sew my cervix to help me carry longer because of the first loss. Everything was going smoothly. I was going into my second trimester, and each week, I advised my OBGYN that the high-risk doctor wasn’t following her request to stitch me because they didn’t feel the need for it. She knew the importance of prevention and my concerns, so she transferred me from the high-risk office that wasn’t fulfilling her request. The referral was in place, but I was still going to my weekly visits until I had a surgeon to stitch me. At 18 weeks, at my appointment, my cervix was open, and at that moment, I knew this was a nightmare happening again. The stitch was placed, but unfortunately, at 23 weeks, again, my water broke, and I went into preterm labor. Another Stillborn, my baby girl Riley Lorenn Williams, Died on November 29, 2022. I was in a dark place forever. How could this happen to me again? Shomie was supposed to be my rainbow baby. I don’t have any living kids. My parents have no grandchildren. Everyone around me is having kids but me. This was the start of a terrible postpartum depression spiral for me.
The sadness and loneliness got so heavy; I was drowning in sorrow. But then, amid all that darkness, In March of 2023, my prayer came true. I always talked to God and asked him to Please don’t let me be sad forever; please help mend my broken heart,” and he did just that. I will never forget when I was sitting in my office, and he had me remember the words that Mrs. Sharon Griffin-Rodgers spoke to me at the funeral. She said, “Rise for Riley and Shine for Shomie!” At that moment, I decided to take my life back. I knew I had kingdom work to do, and everything that I went through would be used to help another Mother who would experience a loss. With that answered prayer, the “Rise and Shine Foundation Inc.” 5013(C) was created, and we launched on October 15, 2023, on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day! God gave me beauty for my ashes, and now, with the help of the board members and the community, I look forward to telling my story, advocating for women, and Honoring the names of other babies, our angels that were gone too soon. I will never get over my baby’s death, but I have done the mental and physical work to move through my grief to healing. I am an Infant loss survivor. I had two stillborn babies back to back, but I want to be a testimony that grief takes time, but there is help available. This initiative isn’t just about alleviating the immediate pain of pregnancy loss; it’s a commitment to fostering lasting support and healing for grieving women. We assist mothers in purchasing headstones as a tangible and lasting memorial for their precious babies.
Additionally, we provide and donate cuddle cots to hospitals, serving as a bridge between heartbreak and the start of the healing process. But our commitment goes further. The nonprofit serves as a hub for comprehensive resources and tools, guiding parents through the intricate grief and loss process. From therapy connections tailored to individual needs to support groups and activities, we strive to offer comprehensive assistance. Through these combined efforts, we aim to mend immediate wounds and sow seeds of resilience and community, inviting others to join us in transforming pain into purpose. This is more than a story of personal triumph; it’s a collective effort to ensure no parent walks this challenging path alone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yet, the road from heartbreak to hope wasn’t always smooth. While working on our Non-profit, we faced some tough challenges. We need funds because we are a new non-profit foundation; we had to get creative and work hard to raise money. Every challenge became a chance to learn and grow, reinforcing our commitment to helping parents find comfort and support on their journey from pain to purpose. We started our first fundraiser on a pledge account on October 15, 2022, and the community assisted the foundation with raising over three thousand dollars to purchase our first Cuddlecot. We are now in the process of getting an appointment to deliver our first Cot to the hospital where Shomie died. The foundation chose Baptist Downtown, located in Jacksonville, Florida, because the hospital did not have the Cot available when we needed it. Having to swaddle the baby with ice packs to preserve her made the memories worse. We believe that no parent should have to put their baby on ice packs, so the solution was that Rise and Shine Foundation Inc. would give a Cuddlecot. We are so grateful for the community’s love and support because 1 out of 4 women will have a loss, and Duval County has more infant losses than the entire St. The next project is to raise money for the grave head markers for the families that can’t afford to purchase them. Shomie was the first baby buried at the Angel Land space, and now it’s about thirteen new angel babies with no marker to even know where they were buried. My heart breaks when I go to visit my girls because the gravesite area has only two granite head markers installed, while dead flowers and shrubs mark the remaining graves. Rise and Shine Foundation Inc. wants to change that. The goal is to raise money to have all the markers paid by the end of April so we can have the families notified by Mother’s Day 2024!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a non-profit owner, entrepreneur, community activist, and friend, my main focus is helping parents who’ve experienced pregnancy loss and stillbirths. Through my non-profit, I help moms buy headstones and donate cuddle cots to hospitals. I also run a hub with resources and support for grieving parents. On top of that, I provide mental health home cleanings for families, creating a safe and comforting environment. What makes me proud is going beyond just easing the immediate pain and being a voice to the voiceless. We’re all about building lasting support and resilience in the community. What sets me apart is that we look at grief’s emotional and practical sides. It’s not just about memorials or donating important devices; it’s about giving hope, building strength, and creating a supportive community. As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned a lot by overcoming challenges in getting funding and working with hospitals. I’ve turned these challenges into opportunities for growth. Being a community activist, I’m all about breaking the silence around pregnancy loss and stillbirths. As a friend, I’m here to create a supportive network where everyone feels understood, heard, and embraced on their unique journey from pain to purpose.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
During the COVID-19 crisis, I learned some important lessons that shaped me. I realized the need for mental health support, How to advocate for yourself, and there are communities available for what you are facing. The pandemic showed how vital community and empathy are, and we adapted by using virtual platforms to stay connected with grieving parents. Facing unexpected challenges taught me to be flexible and resilient. We found new ways to aid while staying true to our mission. The crisis also highlighted that we’re all in this together, emphasizing the importance of open conversations about loss and mental health struggles. These lessons keep shaping how we support our community, ensuring we’re solid and ready for whatever comes our way. The Rise and Shine Foundation Inc. will remember the babies born sleeping, the ones we carried but never held, those we helped but could not take home, and those who came home but could not stay. We will heal together to Rise Again.
In loving memory of baby Riley& Shomie Williams 2022
Tax-ID 46-2440594
Pricing:
- Granite Grave Markers – $395 and up
- CuddleCot mortuary cooling cost – $ 3,000 and up
- Care Packages mailed/ delivered to local hospitals-$40 and up.
- Free Postpartum Home Cleanings for women in loss – $200 and up
- Connecting free services for Cognitive Therapy or Christian Counseling for women who experienced any pregnancy loss to help overcome anxiety, PTSD, and postpartum depression.
Contact Info:
- Website: riseandshineangels.org
- Instagram: Riseandshine.angels
- Facebook: Rise and Shine Foundation Inc.
- Other: http://www.pledge.to/cuddlecot-giving-grieving-families-the-gift-of-time
