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Gordon And Sarah Brown Lose Their Baby
Keenangel
You've all probably been aware of this in the media over the last couple of weeks. Me especially.
Yesterday evening, at 5.20pm, Jennifer Jane Brown passed away in her parents arms after suffering a brain haemorraghe. She was only 10 days old.
She's been born seven weeks prematurely on December 28th weighing a tiny 2lbs 4oz and initially everything looked hopeful, and who could forget those pictures of Mr Brown and the look of sheer joy on his face at becoming a first time father?. Then this happens.
This has particularly upset me. I guess it hit very close to home, as almost a year ago, Hannah was born 12 weeks prematurely, as the result of concern from an ultrasound, and she was even smaller at 2lbs 1oz. She had a bleed on her brain too, but a very small one, which hasn't affected her development at all. And Hannah survived.
You may not agree with his politics, but you must agree that this is a terrible thing to happen, to anyone. My heart aches for them both and no one could possibly imagine what's going through their heads right now.
I'm sure i won't be the only one to extend my most heartfelt condolences to Mr and Mrs Brown and their families
head2head
This really hit home for me too.
When I was born I had meningitis and septisemia. It hasn't really effected me that much, although it left me with a little bit of brain damage. Hearing about the Browns baby made me think about how lucky I am.
I really hope that the Chancellor and his wife recieve the support they need, and I express my condolences to them at this extremely sad time.
SPIKE
ok this isn't a dig or anything, its really sad i know
Byron
You're so right Keeny - irregardless of politics, it's a truly awful thing to happen to anyone, and my thoughts are definitely with them both.
And I agree Spike, the disparity between the attention the famous recieve compared to ordinay people going through the same can seem unfair at times. Hopefully though, people will also bear in mind the many other parents going through a similar situation to the Browns.
Red
teresa
But maybe the Browns would prefer to grieve in private rather than have their faces all over the newspapers. At least the "ordinary" people can shut their doors, so to speak.
Originally posted by Byron:
[qb]And I agree Spike, the disparity between the attention the famous recieve compared to ordinay people going through the same can seem unfair at times. Hopefully though, people will also bear in mind the many other parents going through a similar situation to the Browns.[/qb]
I must admit when I heard this on the news last night I had to go upstairs to cuddle my two little ones and think how lucky I am to have two healthy children. I remember moaning when Sam was 17 days late that I wish I would have had him at about 35 weeks, thank God he hung on (and on).
Very sad news indeed
Whistler
Didn't hear about this till late and was very shocked. This is a time when fame is a curse and you'd rather be left alone.
Life can be very cruel sometimes.
[ 08 January 2002: Message edited by: Whistler ]
White Hart
A terrible thing
I think I agree with Spike and Teresa though, if it were me I would feel worse for having the emotional rollercoaster the Browns must have been going through splashed all over the front pages.
To me it seemed very poignant as a few hours earlier a colleague of mine told us that she is pregnant with twins.
Random
When I was working on the Independent on Saturday night the belief still was that she would pull through. By the time my partner was at ITN the next day, there was a growing realisation that she wouldn't. Contrary to what most people seem to believe, journalists get just as upset about this sort of thing as anyone else. We would much rather have been writing the 'Jennifer Jane returns home with her happy parents' story than what actually happened. We're all used to seeing Gordon Brown looking dour and stern, and so we were all touched by how happy he looked after she was born, just like everyone else was. This is horrible, upsetting news and I echo what everyone else has said in expressing their condolences.
But Spike's right too (and it doesn't half feel odd to say that, I can tell you). There are so many other parents that this happens to, or almost happens to, and no-one notices. Me, I've been thinking a lot over the last few days as the tragedy unfolded about Keeny, and how we were all so worried for her and Hannah a year ago, and I've been thinking a lot too about the other T21 mums.
So here's a suggestion: why don't we, as a community, try a fundraising event for a premature baby charity? Tam's parachute jump was such a success that we know we can pull it off if we try. I'm not sure exactly what we could do yet - suggestions welcome if anyone has any - but I'm sure we can do something.
At times like these, whenever something bad hapens, somebody always says: 'maybe some good will have come of it, if it raises people's awareness of this terrible problem'. Like that's supposed to be some sort of comfort to the people involved. But it's true nevertheless. I'm rambling here - but what do people think? Can we do something?
SPIKE
sure random i'm up for a charity fund raising thing, i'll do something silly or daring to raise money.
Sunnydale girl
A great idea, Random.
I've felt very affected by the Browns' loss as well. It makes me so thankful for my happy, healthy 14 week old baby. I can't even begin to imagine how it feels to lose your child.
And Keeny, it must just remind you all over again what a true little miracle Hannah is!
Wmply Willow
Jola
I was so shocked to hear the news and instinctively my thoughts turned to Georgia and how I'd feel if I lost her
My thoughts and prayers go to the Browns at his tradegy and hope they find the strength to pull through it.
God bless little Jennifer
lizzieslayer
Its really sad. And awful to happen in the New Year and after Christmas etc. When my sister told me this morning I was shocked and sadand she's a quite tiny coz of being so premature!
Barbara
very sad
Milky
My heartfelt condolences go out to Mr & Mrs Brown...very sad indeed
-Milky-
Wicked_Vix
Ben was 4 weeks early and was fairly small, and we had to listen to warning tales from the doctors, but apart from a touch of jaundice he was fine. So although I can understand some of the fear that the Brown's must have been experiencing in the last few days I can't begin to imagine how they feel now. As a few people might know, Ben and I have had a rocky time and it hasn't got any better, but every time I begin to think "what if that had happened to us?" my mind refuses to function and changes the subject. Which must mean I *do* love the little blighter...
A fund raising event seems like a sound idea, count me in.
(sometimes not so Wicked) Vix
misskittyfantastic
I can't really find the words to say here. I just feel so sorry for them both, first with the worry of the premature birth, and then this, it doesn't bear thinking about
It was on my mind all day yesterday, whether she'd pull through or not, and I was overwhelmed with sadness when I heard the news.
Such a shame for a man who looked like he would burst with joy 11 days ago, and a real test of faith.
Rest In Peace little girl
Keenangel
A charity event sounds like a fantastic idea... as long as i don't have to jump out of anything from a great height, i'd definitely be interested. You may remember, we raised £355.00 for the Tiny Lives Fund at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where Hannah was born.
I must admit, when the terrible news of Jennifer's passing came on the television, I held Hannah extra tightly.
Wiggy
i'm not actually too keen on gordon brown, or indeed the whole labour camp, but this is bad.
Whoever's going through something like this, it's bad, and being in the public eye like that must make it worse.
one thing i noticed was that the blairs had baby leo when they didn't really want another child, and now the browns have prolly lost their only chance of being able to have one. Maybe no-one else had seen it in this way but, i would think it may seem a little unfair in their eyes.
Wiggy
ROMBA
Very sad news
Keenangel
Originally posted by Wiggy:
[qb]
one thing i noticed was that the blairs had baby leo when they didn't really want another child, and now the browns have prolly lost their only chance of being able to have one. Maybe no-one else had seen it in this way but, i would think it may seem a little unfair in their eyes.
Wiggy[/qb][/QUOTE
I think i would have to slightly disagree with you there Wiggy. Leo was obviously unplanned and a surprise for his parents, but once the initial shock wore off, a very happy surprise. I wouldn't have gone as far as to say he was unwanted. This happened to my mother when i was seven and my sister was five, she found out she was expecting my brother. Once she got over the shock (as far as she was concerned, her child bearing days were over), she started looking forward to it, and we wouldn't be without my brother now.. just as well, he's almost 26!
Who knows what is going through the Browns' minds right now. My heart breaks for them... especially for Sarah... her hormones will be all over the place from giving birth, and now her arms are empty
Queen_C
Very true; I can't say how much I think they should be left well alone now. I was thinking in terms of the outpouring of sympathy, but you're right, it'd probably have been best if this wasn't in the spotlight.
Byron
[QUOTE]Originally posted by teresa:
[qb]
But maybe the Browns would prefer to grieve in private rather than have their faces all over the newspapers. At least the "ordinary" people can shut their doors, so to speak.[/qb]
I also believe the now-famous picture of them driving away from the hospital crossed the line from public interest to intrusion -- by all means report the facts of the matter, but I couldn't see the need for that. I know it was used to show their grief, but they'd just lost their child for pity's sake, everyone was well aware of how they'd feel. I believe The Guardian was the only paper not to use it.
And couldn't agree more Random; a fundraiser for this is a brilliant idea, and would doubtless atract a helluva lot of support.
Velvet Glove
That is so heartbreaking to read, just been crying again when I read that Keeny.
Originally posted by Keenangel:
[qb]My heart breaks for them... especially for Sarah... her hormones will be all over the place from giving birth, and now her arms are empty
So very sad, losing anyone is upsetting, losing a child is awful.
Spitefulangel
this is so upsetting
i was born 7 weeks premature too and weighed only 2lb 2 oz and i was a caesarian baby as my oxygen supply was cut off, same as Jennifer Jane
It makes me think how lucky i am to be here.
Araminta
I cannot even start to imagine what losing a child must be like but i know what it is like to know that someone you love is dying and you are praying oh so hard for it not to happen. My deepest thoughts and prayers are with the Browns.
RIP Jennifer Jane Brown
Evil Lawyer Chick
This brought alot of things back for my mom as well. The hospital that Jennifer was born in (Forth Park, Kirkcaldy) is the one my older sister was born in. Ailysa she was also premature, she was alive for a few days and then died.
A year later in the same hospital, i was born in October, when i was expected on christmas day. And was that small i could fit in my dads hand. The doctors told my parents that there was'nt much chance for me and i was baptised and confirmed then and there as they all thought i would die. By some miracle according to my mom i kept on fighting and here i am
I would definatly be up for raising money for this cause, personally it means alot to me and if we could do something to help others it would be great.
[ 13 January 2002: Message edited by: Evil Lawyer Chick ]
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