This is Madhuri and Sunil's story, about their journey through baby loss. Madhuri is one of the Sands Bereavement Support Services Officers (South Asian Focus) and mum to a much-loved baby called Vishaal.

Two decades have passed since the day we lost our son Vishaal a day into his tender life, and we were instead given a wound that never truly heals but we came to realise, becomes bearable with time. Within South Asian cultures, discussing baby loss remains a taboo subject, shrouded in silence and stigma. And yet, it's a universal pain that unites the baby loss community worldwide.

The first stepping stone in our journey was utter shock. There was an unimaginable pain, leaving us feeling numb and disconnected from the world. Slowly, as time passed, came acceptance, which was the second stone. We learned to carry the memories of our pregnancy and the short time we had with Vishaal and this enabled us to honour his existence.

Lastly, there is the third stepping stone of unity. The loss of a child transcends culture, religion, and race. It reminds us that, in our shared sorrow, we can find strength and support. Together, we break the silence and heal, proving that the love that comes with baby loss knows no boundaries.