The loss of a child is a tough subject to broach yet every year 3500 families in Australia will be robbed of their youngest family member in an inexplicable manner.
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Your biggest fear when your child dies is that they'll be forgotten. This book keeps Sylvie's spirit alive.
- Emma Watty
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) still has no explanation or cure.
For Yambuk couple Emma and Steve Watty, the loss of a child through an unfathomable death became a reality in 2013 when 15-month-old Sylvie passed away in her sleep.
Mrs Watty, a midwife originally from Codrington, and her husband Steve, an anaesthetist, saw no warning signs on the day of Sylvie’s passing, such is the mysterious killer.
Now, three years later, Warrnambool nurse practitioner Kylie Palmer has written a children’s book about a hospital visit and its main character is named after Sylvie.
Sylvie is in foundation year in the book (formally known as prep), and falls off the monkey bars at school and has to visit the emergency department to have her arm assessed.
Naturally she is scared and the hospital is a daunting place but she is treated by nurse practitioners and doctors and leaves with a smile on her face.
A percentage of the sales of the book entitled ‘Sylvie goes to the emergency room’, will be donated to SIDS and Kids Australia to allow them to continue assisting families affected by SIDS and contribute to further research.
Sylvie’s parents Mr and Mrs Watty say they are grateful the community continue to embrace their girl.
“The loss of a child is a taboo subject but for us we need to talk about Sylvie,” Mrs Watty said.
“To say her name and see her sun on a card or a t-shirt or a book brightens our day.
“We are so grateful they’ve done this for us, it makes the journey lighter and honours our little girl’s life.”
The production of the book now relies on the support of the community.
While the first draft of the book is with publishers, nurse practitioners Ms Palmer and Ms Anderton are crowd-funding to raise the required amount.
Pledges of $10, $50, $100 or $5000 can be made via The Ocean Road Health Group kickstarter campaign.
The project will only be funded if at least $15,000 is pledged by Saturday July 16.
“We have to raise $14,000 in 23 days,” Ms Palmer said. “We need the community’s help.”
