Invisioning... Health, Peace and Empowerment

The red lights cast a warm beautiful glow, as she interpreted with her movements how her body came alive creating life with in. I sat absorbed in the movements and the words. I was taken on an intimate journey through creation, loss, turmoil, ambivalence, healing, empowerment, growth and trust. As she transitioned through becoming pregnant, losing her baby, healing from the loss, conceiving again, moving through the stages of pregnancy and finally being welcomed into motherhood. Every step of the way she was surrounded by love, healing, support, wisdom and community.

 The reality is that The United States ranks behind at least 39 other nations in maternal mortality rates according to a recent study published in The Lancet. In 2008, the United States reported 17 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, up from 7.5 per 100,000 in 1982. Infant mortality rates, the U.S. only ranked number 30 in 2013, down five spots from the 2012 report.( Michelle Castillo CBS News May 7, 2013 CBS Interactive Inc.). African Americans have 2.3 times the infant mortality rate as non-Hispanic whites. They are almost four times as likely to die as infants due to complications related to low birthweight as compared to non-Hispanic white infants (http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=3021).  
 

I grieved and mourned for all the women, babies and families that don't have accessibility to wisdom, sisterhood, community, welcoming, honoring, support, ritual, love, healing, and community. I envision a world in which we all have access, and I ask that you join me in this vision and support women, babies and families in achieving this.