In a poignant display of love and remembrance, a father recently participated in the Sunshine Coast Marathon in Australia while pushing an empty stroller, a tribute to his stillborn son. As he prepared for the race, a bystander jokingly remarked, “Hey mate, you’ve misplaced your kid!” To this, the father, Jake Thompson, responded, “Yes, that’s exactly the point.” Tragically, Jake’s son, Leo, was stillborn a year and a half ago at just 27 weeks of gestation.
The Heartbreaking Journey
In January 2017, Jake and his partner, Emily, were excitedly anticipating the arrival of their first child. However, during a routine ultrasound, they received the heartbreaking news that their baby no longer had a heartbeat. Just days later, Emily gave birth to Leo. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Jake shared that he was joined by friends during the marathon, who helped him navigate the emotional challenges of the day. He noted, “As I continued the run, the comments were unrelenting. At one point, I heard over the loudspeaker, ‘Here comes the guy who lost his child,’ followed by laughter from the crowd.”
Despite the pain of repeated comments, Jake found solace in the acknowledgment of his son. “Each time someone said that, it was a reminder that Leo existed and was my son,” he reflected. “Parents who have faced this loss yearn to hear their child’s name; it’s a vital part of their grieving process.”
Channeling Grief into Action
Jake’s journey through grief has been tumultuous, often hitting him in unexpected waves. “Sometimes, I’ll be going about my day and suddenly feel overwhelmed with sadness, reminiscing about the time I held Leo and what our lives could have been,” he explained. As an avid triathlete, Jake has channeled his grief into athletic pursuits, competing in various events to honor his son, including the Long Course Triathlon Nationals and the Ironman competition in New Zealand.
To keep Leo’s memory alive, Emily has included a small stuffed giraffe at their dining table during family gatherings, symbolizing their lost son. Together, they founded Leo’s Legacy, a charity aimed at raising awareness and offering support to families who have experienced stillbirth. Jake intentionally ran the marathon with an empty stroller, refraining from placing any signs on it to spark conversations. “I wanted to generate awareness, but I didn’t anticipate the flood of questions,” he admitted.
A New Chapter
In May, the couple welcomed Leo’s little brother, Max. However, they emphasize that his arrival does not diminish their grief for Leo. “It’s not like saying, ‘Our child died at school, but we have another one on the way.’ The loss of Leo remains profound, and we will always remember him,” Jake shared. Last year, Leo’s Legacy raised approximately $6,000 and has already garnered over $2,000 toward their 2017 goal of $5,000.
Resources for Support
For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, you can explore this excellent resource: UCSF Center for Reproductive Health. If you’re interested in home insemination options, check out Make a Mom’s BabyMaker Kit. Additionally, more tips on this topic can be found at Intracervical Insemination.
Conclusion
In summary, Jake Thompson’s marathon run with an empty stroller serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of stillbirth. His journey illustrates that while grief may never fully fade, the love for a lost child remains eternal.