When her beautiful baby boy Christian, was born with half a heart and passed away after surgery in November 1973 at six months old, Linda and her family were devastated. Apart from support from her GP and family, she had no bereavement support and no counselling. 53 years later Linda shares how you learn to live with the loss of your child but it’s a different life.

My story goes back 53 years. We had a beautiful baby boy Christian born May 12 1973 but unfortunately, he was born with half a heart and after surgery in November he passed away at just six months old. 

Christian was our first baby and we were devastated, while we knew he had a fight on his hands we never really thought we might lose him. He died in a hospital for sick children in Bristol. The Bristol Children's Heart Circle gave us support whilst we were in Bristol, but we lived an hour away in Wales so apart from our local GP and family we had no bereavement support or counselling. 

We have three wonderful children and are so grateful to be blessed with them. However, the pain of losing Christian is and always will be with us. There is light at the end of the tunnel, joy to be found in so many ways, and memories to treasure. 

You do learn to live with the loss of your child, but it is a different life, and you can smile again. I send love to anyone who reads this experiencing the loss of a baby. I understand your pain but the sun will shine again.