Addie’s Gift To Others
Couple finds way to turn tragedy aroundBy LYDIA COTTRELL lcottrell@timesobserver.com
Article Photos
A local mother's personal tragedy has become a catalyst for the development of a non-profit organization.
In April of 2008, Alicia Gatto and her husband, Dr. Rob Gatto Jr., were expecting their third child.
"I was 37 weeks along when we determined there was no movement," Alicia painfully admitted.
On April 7, Alicia went to see Dr. John Maljovec, obstetrician and gynecologist, with her mother at her side. It had never crossed Alicia's mind that something was wrong. She had convinced herself that the baby was in deep sleep and she would soon go into labor.
It was on that day in April that Alicia received the devastating news - her baby had died in utero.
"It's just an unexplained event," Maljovec said. "What makes it more tragic, in certain cases, is many of the patients have no risk factors."
Alicia had no complications with the pregnancies or deliveries of her two older daughters.
"It's not unusual for us to see knotted cords and nuchal cords in normal births," he said.
"My first reaction was take the baby," she said, meaning remove the baby via cesarean section.
Maljovec told her natural birth was a safer avenue since the cause of death was unknown.
Labor was induced and Alicia gave birth to Adalyn "Addie" Kathryn Gatto at 5:25 a.m. on April 8. Addie's death was caused by a true knot in her umbilical cord.
During the emotional labor process, when Alicia had time to herself, she realized she wanted to use this experience to help others.
"I literally prayed to find a way to help other women," she said.
Alicia and Rob returned home with nothing but a few pamphlets provided by the hospital and words of condolence.
They read the information over and over as if they were trying to find an answer.
"I felt very alone," she admitted.
Warren General Hospital referred Alicia to a social worker who visited her twice.
About a week after the family tragedy, Alicia began to order books online. She found books like "Mommy, Please Don't Cry: There Are No Tears in Heaven" by Linda Deymas.
Alicia's initial thought was to donate the books to the hospital and doctor's office in memory of Addie.
"From that point it snowballed," she said.
The Gattos decided to develop a non-profit organization to help other dealing with pregnancy and infant loss.
So, Addie's Gift Foundation Inc. was born. The organization exists to provide a support network for those who have experienced a similar tragedy.
Alicia, Rob and the rest of the foundation's board of directors have high hopes for the new organization.
The foundation has started by developing a website
By linking people, the foundation has the potential of providing comfort through real life supports to others.
"It was devastating," Alicia said of Addie's death. "I couldn't imagine doing it alone."
One of the goals of the organization is to have volunteers who would be willing to comfort a woman and her family as they enter the grieving process.
"I'm open to being a support for anyone,"Alicia graciously said.
When the Gattos were faced with Addie's death, they encountered a wealth of questions. During Alicia's labor, the family had to decide if they wanted to hold the baby and if they wanted pictures taken, Rob said.
He noted that times have changed and stillborn babies are no longer whisked away from the mother.
"It's ok to do whatever you want," Rob advises other parents.
Another goal of the foundation is to have advocates in each state to fight for the needs of grieving families.
When Alicia returned home from the hospital, she was visited by a social worker from Warren General Hospital. She was allowed one visit and the social worker had to fight with Alicia's insurance company for a second.
"I needed her," Alicia said. "I was very comfortable with her."
The foundation's website also aims to provide families with resources the Gattos feel would be useful.
Following Addie's birth, the Gatto family had to make burial decisions.
"We never thought that it was going to happen," Alicia said.
Alicia and Rob found Addie's final resting place and at the same time picked their own burial plots.
For that reason, the foundation would provide families with resources like funeral homes. There will also be links to other support groups and organizations like Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a non-profit foundation for infant bereavement photography.
The foundation's website is equipped with a public forum so people can freely express their grief and issues surrounding pregnancy and infant loss.
Another goal of the foundation is to provide research grants for obstetric students and scholarships for midwifery students.
Addie's Gift Foundation Inc. is in the process of getting the proper filings through the IRS. The board of directors are seeking private and corporate sponsorship as well as volunteers.
Through the hard work of Alicia, Rob and the board of directors, Addie's Gift Foundation Inc. will get off the ground and spread comfort and love to grieving families.
Maljovec is impressed by Alicia's efforts to start the foundation.
"Sometimes the true measure of people is how they react to adversity," he said.
"It still hurts everyday," Alicia admitted. "You never get over it, but you get through it."
For more information, visit www.addiesgift.org or call 814-688-8003. Contributions and inquires about the foundation can be sent to Addie's Gift Foundations Inc., P.O. Box 24, Russell, PA, 16345.
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penfloor76
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07-23-08 11:16 AM
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This is a great gife to help familys that have loss there babys iwish there was something like this when my daughter lossed her baby back in Nov of last year I wish you all the Best Of Luck with this Foundation God Bless you all
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