In this episode, Tracy and Julie share everything you need to know about our upcoming Emma’s Footprints Memorial Walks. These special gatherings are a time to say your baby’s name out loud, walk beside others who truly understand, and honor where you are in your grief journey.

Whether this will be your very first walk or it has become a yearly tradition, we invite you to join us in remembrance, healing, and connection.

Save the dates:

🧡 Pittsburgh, PA – September 13 at Robert Morris University Island Sports Center

🩷 Erie, PA – September 21 at Penn State Behrend

💙 Melbourne, FL – November 15 at Wickham Park

Your baby’s life matters, and we are here to walk beside you.

Type of loss: Incompetent Cervix, Stillbirth

More about Michaela’s story: In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Michaela about the loss of her son, Jackson James. Late in her pregnancy, Michaela received a diagnosis of incompetent cervix (IC), but only after her high-risk specialist caught it during an ultrasound that was performed just a few days too late for an emergency cerclage, and a few days too early for Jackson to be saved in the NICU.

Michaela shares the shock of learning about IC so late in her pregnancy and the devastation of realizing how narrow the window was to save her baby boy. She opens up about the silence surrounding IC losses, the emotional toll of feeling overlooked by the healthcare system, and the grief journey she has walked since saying goodbye to Jackson.

In Jackson’s memory, Michaela is passionate about raising awareness for incompetent cervix losses, advocating for earlier detection and proactive care so other families don’t experience the same heartache.

More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: SIDS, Infant Loss

More about Rebecca’s story: In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Rebecca Toohey about the life and sudden passing of her son, Bodie. Just two days into starting childcare, Bodie tragically passed away due to unsafe sleep practices and lack of supervision. He was just shy of 3 months old.

Rebecca shares the devastating moment she learned of Bodie’s passing and the waves of grief that followed. She opens up about the trauma of losing him in a space meant to be safe, the guilt and anger that surfaced in the early days, and how their family is navigating life without their baby boy.

In Bodie’s memory, Rebecca and her loved ones created Bodie's Buddies , a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the silence around baby loss and spreading awareness about safe sleep practices. She also reflects on the life-changing support she received from Emma’s Footprints early in her grief, and the continued healing her husband has found through Sad Dads Club.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

More about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie take a pause from storytelling to reflect on the heart of Emma’s Footprints and the families we’ve served so far this year. The numbers may seem like data, but each one represents a baby loved and missed, and parents navigating life after unimaginable loss.

Together, they discuss the emotional weight behind these statistics and the sacred work of showing up with compassionate guidance, financial support, and a listening ear. From helping cover burial and cremation costs to providing counseling and memorial items, this episode offers a glimpse into the day-to-day impact of Emma’s mission.

If this work speaks to your heart, we invite you to join us in making a difference on Erie Gives Day, Tuesday, August 12. Visit www.ErieGives.org to donate and honor the families we serve—because every number has a name, and every name matters.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: Stillbirth

More about Stephanie’s story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie sit down with Stephanie Casey to talk about the loss of her daughter, Ava. At her 20-week anatomy scan, Stephanie heard the words no parent ever expects: "There's no heartbeat." Based on Ava's size, doctors estimated she passed around 17 weeks gestation. Stephanie was induced and delivered Ava the following day. Later, they learned that Ava had passed away due to cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Stephanie shares her journey through pregnancy, fear, and postpartum anxiety—beginning with complications in her daughter Kaylee’s birth, and continuing into Ava’s pregnancy. She opens up about the trauma surrounding Ava’s delivery, the fear she felt during her D&C procedure, and the intense grief that followed. Stephanie also reflects on the emotional complexities of introducing Ava to her living daughter, the pain of regret, and the impact of delayed fetal demise on her ability to hold and connect with Ava after birth.

Now in trauma therapy, Stephanie shares how she’s learning to say “I’m not okay” and searching for purpose in her pain. Her story is a raw and powerful reminder that no one should walk this road alone.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie talk with Pamela Presler, LCSW, about the complex journey of pregnancy after loss.

Pam shares her insight from years of walking alongside grieving parents and dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster that comes with hoping for new life after heartbreak. From navigating fear and anxiety to holding space for both grief and joy, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced or is currently experiencing a pregnancy after loss.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: Infant loss after life-limiting diagnosis (HLHS, heterotaxy syndrome)

More about Jenelle’s story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie talk with Jenelle Romo about the life and loss of her son, Mateo. Diagnosed in utero with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and heterotaxy syndrome with polysplenia, Mateo was born on July 20, 2023, and spent his entire life in the Cardiovascular ICU.

Jenelle shares the complexities of Mateo’s medical journey, including multiple surgeries, serious infections, and the moment they were told there was nothing more doctors could do. Mateo passed away at 44 days old, surrounded by love. Jenelle reflects on the heartbreak of watching her son fight so hard and the deep love that carried them through each day. She also shares how her grief led her to start Mateo’s Mark, a nonprofit supporting other perinatal loss families through care packages and financial assistance.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

More about this episode: In this episode, Julie is joined by special co-host Khristina for a conversation with Kathy, a first-time participant in the Emma’s Footprints Memorial Walk. Kathy shares her emotional journey walking in memory of her son, Jonathan, and reflects on what the experience meant to her as a grieving mom. From putting together her team to honoring her son’s memory in a public space, Kathy offers practical tips, honest reflections, and gentle encouragement for others preparing to walk for the first time—whether you’re building your own team or joining another.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints