How Olympian Brooke Hanson coped with losing her premature baby

"He is a part of our family forever”

October 27 2019

🕯 Light of Love 💕 International Wave 🌊 of Light 🕯Our candles are lit 🔥 tonight for our son baby Jack Hanson Clarke 💔Today is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day 👼🏻 To our adorable little man we love you ❤️ To those special humans who have lost through pregnancy & like us have also farewelled their little infant angels 👼🏻today we send love & strength your way today 🙏🏻A big thanks to our family and all extended families who support their loved ones & also experience the loss 💔 @bearsofhope October is an important month to reflect & remember 🕯👼🏻🙏🏻 #brigheststar #inourheartsforever #rip #internationalwaveoflight #lightsoflove #babyjack #jackhansonclarke #pregnancyandinfantlossremembranceday #familyfirst❤️ #keepsmiling😊
🕯 Light of Love 💕 International Wave 🌊 of Light 🕯Our candles are lit 🔥 tonight for our son baby Jack Hanson Clarke 💔Today is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day 👼🏻 To our adorable little man we love you ❤️ To those special humans who have lost through pregnancy & like us have also farewelled their little infant angels 👼🏻today we send love & strength your way today 🙏🏻A big thanks to our family and all extended families who support their loved ones & also experience the loss 💔 @bearsofhope October is an important month to reflect & remember 🕯👼🏻🙏🏻 #brigheststar #inourheartsforever #rip #internationalwaveoflight #lightsoflove #babyjack #jackhansonclarke #pregnancyandinfantlossremembranceday #familyfirst❤️ #keepsmiling😊

 

“I really didn’t even know if I was going to survive, let alone him”, Hason said.

“And it was one of the most terrifying moments of my life when they said the blood flows and the placenta were reversing and it might kill me and I might kill the baby.

“They had to get Jack out as quickly as possible. He was born at 28 weeks and five days, and he only weighed 663 grams.

“I guess now, every time I go and get 500 grams of butter out of the fridge, I think, my premmie baby only weight that much just after he was born”

8years today Jack since you were born 👼🏻 You are loved missed & remembered ❤️ 🙏🏻#080711 #babyjack #foreverinourhearts #myson #heartisfull #2ndborn #liveeverydaylikeitsyourlast
8years today Jack since you were born 👼🏻 You are loved missed & remembered ❤️ 🙏🏻#080711 #babyjack #foreverinourhearts #myson #heartisfull #2ndborn #liveeverydaylikeitsyourlast

 

Coping with the grief

“The more that I’ve shared it, the more people have come forward,” Hanson said.

“It’s been rewarding and empowering for me as a mum and also my husband as well, for both of us to talk about it

“The research has been done by the Murdoch Institute and 50 percent of couples end up with depression - and a lot of couples divorce.

“So it was a priority for us to make Jack a huge memory in our life, and to really fight through those tough days together.

“I remember waking up in tears one morning, just wanting that final hug. You hold that precious soul for his last breath and you really just want to make sure that for the rest of your life you are making a difference.

There are so many mums and dads who have come forward to say thank you, Brooke - we are now sharing our story as well.

“He is a part of our family forever. I always say I have four children - I have three with me, and I have a beautiful angel who guides us through.”

Sending hugs today to those who have lost 💔children, mothers, grandmothers, greatmothers, guardians, aunts & mother mentors who have helped shaped you 🙏🏻 May the memories of your loved ones give you strength to live in the moment ☀️ I hope the love you have for them can be shared with those around you & yourself today 💕Super Special to reflect on the wonderful humans who have shaped myself & husband Jared @jar_clarke to the people we are 🙏🏻 Unfortunately all are no longer with us; our baby Jack Hanson Clarke, Mother & mother in-law Elizabeth 'Liz' Clarke, Grandmother Dorothy 'Nan' Hanson, Great Grandma Topsy Simpkin, Grandmother Yvonne 'Mardi' Clarke & Oma Johanna Bouwmeester, you are loved & remembered today & always 💔💔💔💔💔💔 #mothersday #rememberingthosewhohavepassed #mum #baby #nan #grandmothers #greatgrandmothers #thankyou #forevergreatful #thinkingofyou #foreverinourhearts❤️ #memories💕 #lovedones #keepsmiling😊
Sending hugs today to those who have lost 💔children, mothers, grandmothers, greatmothers, guardians, aunts & mother mentors who have helped shaped you 🙏🏻 May the memories of your loved ones give you strength to live in the moment ☀️ I hope the love you have for them can be shared with those around you & yourself today 💕Super Special to reflect on the wonderful humans who have shaped myself & husband Jared @jar_clarke to the people we are 🙏🏻 Unfortunately all are no longer with us; our baby Jack Hanson Clarke, Mother & mother in-law Elizabeth 'Liz' Clarke, Grandmother Dorothy 'Nan' Hanson, Great Grandma Topsy Simpkin, Grandmother Yvonne 'Mardi' Clarke & Oma Johanna Bouwmeester, you are loved & remembered today & always 💔💔💔💔💔💔 #mothersday #rememberingthosewhohavepassed #mum #baby #nan #grandmothers #greatgrandmothers #thankyou #forevergreatful #thinkingofyou #foreverinourhearts❤️ #memories💕 #lovedones #keepsmiling😊

 

Jack’s legacy

Keeping her son’s spirit and legacy alive, Brooke continues to bring awareness and support for the 48,000 premature or sick babies born in Australia every year.

And the support was crucial for Brooke and her family through their experience.

“Jack lived for nine months in intensive care, and during that tie I found this special foundation, Life’s Little Treasures, and they took care of myself and my family during that time to give us the support that we needed,” Hanson said.

“I know my heart will always have that scar, but it’s nice to know that there’s support around me and Jack will always be with me.”