| Facilitator,
Executive Board of Directors - Chandler, AZ
My name is Lee Ann Morlan. I am the facilitator for the East Valley
Chapter of the M.I.S.S. Foundation in Arizona. I am also an Executive
Board of Directors member, and am currently involved with the Community
Outreach Program for the East Valley.
Our second child, Samantha Ashley, died at the age of three days
on December 11th of 1998. She was born at 27 weeks gestation, and
weighed 1 pound and an ounce, 12 inches long. She died from complications
of prematurity.
I went to my first M.I.S.S. support group meeting four weeks after
our baby girl died. I was given the comfort and validation that
I was unable to find from anyone else. I knew that one day I wanted
to be able to do the same for other bereaved parents.
I live in Chandler, Arizona with my husband, Doug , and our son,
Nicholas. Nick was born at 27 weeks gestation weighing 1 pound 14
ounces, 12 inches long in 1992, the same gestation as Samantha.
I have been a Cosmetologist in Arizona since 1988 and owned my own
salon for three years. I am currently working in a salon part-time.
The rest of my time is spent with my family and volunteering to
M.I.S.S. and other organizations that are close to my heart. I am
a parent-member of the Phoenix Children's Hospital Memorial Service
Planning Committee. I also continue to be a M.I.S.S. contact to
this hospital.
Our family has started an annual "Sleepers from Samantha" baby sleeper
and blanket drive, in honor of our baby girl, to benefit the nurseries
of local hospitals. The clothing goes to families who have nothing
for their children to wear during their hospital stay or upon time
to go home. The clothing is also given to families that have nothing
for their child to wear when their child has died. This, of course,
is even more heartfelt to us!
I enjoy reading, writing poetry, scrap booking, and doing activities
outdoors with my family. I also enjoy the friendships I have with
other bereaved parents.
Reaching out to one another, during a time of great sorrow, is what
our M.I.S.S. family is truly all about.
Leeann@missfoundation.org
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