Hi my name is Susan Daniels Costley. Twenty five years ago my grandchild Sam was born extremely premature, weighing only 2 pounds 6 ounces. Sam experience a stage three bilateral brain bleed his first night. Survival was not expected. But Sam was, and is, a survivor and thriver. Instead of hugs and cuddles, Sam's first months of life were full of needles and procedures. The opportunities for the types of loving connection and bonding simply were not there. When Sam was finally home my dear friend, noted child psychologist and author Dr Lark Eshleman, worked with the family on developing that bonding and attachment. It is one of her areas of expertise. I have always loved to write. I asked Lark what she would want to see in a picture book for parents to read to their children from birth on up that would guide them to take the actions that would facilitate bonding and attachment. And that is how Baby My Baby came to be. Unfortunately I filed the manuscript away and let life get in the way. Nearly two years ago I became ill and was placed in a nursing home. I developed sepsis while there and was hospitalized. I have no recollection of going to the hospital or anything past that for days. I started to come to and realized I was intubated. Then I heard the voices of my children and daughter in law. I found out later that doctors had told my daughter I was dying, my organs were shutting down, and I would not be able to breathe on my own. The family was called in to say goodbye. Evidently God had other ideas because I'm still here. I am bedbound. We aren't sure why I cannot stand even after a stint in a physical rehab center and months of physical therapy. Hopefully pt will restart soon. Several months ago I pulled my Baby My Baby manuscript out again. I will be 75 in October. I realized if I don't try to publish my book now I never will. I found an amazing artist to illustrate my book. She did the cover art and a friend paid for that. I need funds to pay for the rest of the illustrations and money to self publish. Dr Lark is writing a letter to parents that will serve as an introduction. Each double spread of pages will feature an illustration of a mother and child. Each pair will represent a different races or ethnicity. It is important to me to increase the likelihood that moms will see someone in the book who looks like them. I am on limited income. Social Security is not very high at best, even lower when one has spent their working life at nonprofits! Without support Baby My Baby will never have the opportunity to bless children and their parents. It is lyrical, gentle, and according to Dr Lark it will help parents. If so moved I hope you will consider being part of this project. Every dollar counts. Thank you.
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