Peer Support
Losing a baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is devastating to parents, families, and caregivers. Completely unexpected, SIDS offers parents no opportunity to plan for their child's death or to say goodbye to their baby. Worse yet, the death cannot be explained, so parents examine and re-examine their behavior, searching for actions that might have caused or prevented it. Emotions run the gamut from tears to incredible anger, resentment and the desire to blame someone: sometimes parents blame one another, the caregiver, or the doctor who said their child was healthy.
At times the grief may seem unbearable. SIDS parents may be depressed or find it hard to focus. They may be physically ill, or unable to sleep or eat. For most people, the best and most important resource is a parent contact and/or peer support group meeting. Meetings are held bi-monthly throughout Orange County.
The Guild for Infant Survival, Orange County (GISOC) support group gives parents an opportunity to talk about their feelings -- and how to survive them -- with other families who have been through the experience. The sessions are conducted by SIDS parents who have been trained as facilitators through the State of California. It is important for SIDS parents to know they are not alone.
The opportunity to talk with others who have been through a SIDS death can be of great comfort. In addition, GISOC has a 24-hour, 7 day-a-week line that puts you in contact with a parent that is available for immediate support. The telephone number is 949- 474-SIDS(7437).
Lisa Biakanja, President, Peer Support
Lisa Biakanja lost her daughter, Kristy Kirchner, to SIDS on September 18, 1982. Kristy died at home at the age of 4 months. Lisa has been actively involved with the Guild for Infant Survival, Orange County, since Kristy's death performing a variety of positions. She currently serves as a peer support contact and President for the group. Lisa has also been instrumental in bringing the Angel of Hope Monument to Southern California. This monument is located at the El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest. It is dedicated to all parents who have lost a child at any age, for any reason. Lisa lives in Huntington Beach and has three children, two of whom are subsequent siblings.
Send Lisa an email.
Rachel Strickland, Vice President, Peer Support
My name is Rachel Strickland; I lost my son Hayden on September 27, 2003. I never thought SIDS could happen to my baby but here I am. Hayden was 58 days old and perfect. I now volunteer as peer support and Vice President with the Guild for Infant Survival, Orange County in hopes that I can bring comfort to those parents who are facing a very difficult time. I currently live in Anaheim, CA. with my husband and 2 kids one son and a subsequent daughter. Please feel free to e-mail me if you need to talk. My prayers are with you and your family.
Send Rachel an email.
Hayden's Website
"Perhaps They Are Not Stars In The Sky But Rather Openings Where Our Loved Ones Shine Down To Let Us Know They Are Happy.
Jordy Jahn, Peer Support
My name is Jordy Jahn and I lost my second son Ryan Joseph to SIDS on January 27th, 2006. Ryan was almost three months old. I was very fortunate to get in contact with the Guild for Infant Survival, Orange County just days after our loss. I was immediately put in contact with a peer-support provider who was also a SIDS parent. Since first introduced to the group, I have focused my efforts on peer-support and fundraising. My goal is to continue to raise funds for research so one day SIDS will no longer take away what is most precious to our hearts, our children.
My husband David and I currently live in Mission Viejo with big brother Dylan and our subsequent daughter Natalie Faith.
Liz Willett, Peer Support
My name is Liz Willett and I was a single parent raising my son, Kaulin Riley. In 2003, he passed away to SIDS while he was at his babysitter's house. He was 5 ½ months old. Kaulin was my first child and I have not yet had any subsequent children. I live in Irvine, California.
Send Liz an email.
Lisa Billings, Peer Support
My name is Lisa Billings and my husband is A.J. We currently live in Chino Hills. We lost our first child to SIDS on December 18, 2000. Her name was Kaylee Rene, she was 4 months, 9 days old. Kaylee was at her babysitters when she passed away. We now have 2 subsequent children; Jared, 5 years old, and Makenna, 2 years old.
Send Lisa an email.
Carolle Guttilla, Grandparent Support
I became a SIDS grandparent in 1993. We lost Ashley Rose Guttilla when she was almost nine months old. The Guild for Infant Survival promptly contacted my children, Jennifer and Michael. They also made contact with me. GISOC offered comfort, education, and support for all of us. I was pleasantly surprised at GISOC's attention to my needs, as I found that grandparents were silent mourners. We look out for our children and their pain, and suffer silently behind the scenes. GISOC helped me to understand that what I was going through was normal grief. They also helped me see that joy would one day creep back into our lives.
Today I am the proud "Grammy" of four grandchildren, Amber (13), Christian (9), Matthew (9) and our angel baby, Ashley Rose. The joy did come back abundantly!
I live in Yorba Linda, CA, and I am a Grandparent Contact for GISOC. I am ready 24/7 to speak with any grandparent with questions or concerns. Sometimes you just need to speak with someone who has walked the same path. I find that it is an honor and a responsibility to uphold a grieving grandparent, and hope that my words will help them realize that their joy will one day reappear also. We all are changed by the loss of a child or grandchild. Our grief becomes a part of who we are now. I hope that the blessing of knowing our child, even for a short time, makes us better people. Better people who are more tolerant, patient and kind.
Meetings:
Parent Support Meetings
All meetings begin at 7:00 pm and end at 8:30 pm. Please RSVP to the parent host prior to the meeting.
Business Meetings
All meetings begin at 7:00 pm and are held at the home of Lisa Biakanja, Huntington Beach. Please RSVP to (714) 960-9897 or email to Lisa if you plan to attend or you wish to have an item added to the agenda.
Speaking Engagements:
Peer support parents are available to speak at any function regarding the loss of a child that you have coming up. Please contact us regarding when your function is and what it is for. We will do are best to have someone there for you.
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