G&G 1:1
In addition to the podcast, we offer the opportunity for 1:1 conversations with another loss dad. The power of connecting with another man who has had a similar experience is invaluable to the grieving process, and a G&G 1:1 will enable a personal conversation while building community with other loss dads.
Our Dadvocates
Type of Loss: Brain Tumor
Year: 2022
My sweet 8-year-old girl, Alice Josi Bernal, passed away due to an undiagnosed brain tumor on September 22, 2022. I was completely unaware of the symptoms she had and was showing in the days leading up to her first (and last) emergency room trip... I put my focus on other things regarding her mental health in those final days leading up to it and was oblivious to the thing actually killing her. I took for granted the time we had because I never thought for a second that our time together would ever just stop. I’m learning how to forgive myself and not blame myself for the knowledge I didn’t have then, that I have now.
My name is Andrew Bernal, I go by Andy. I am an 8-year Navy vet living with my wife Amanda and two sons August and Archer in Oregon. We are living day by day the best way Alice would want us to, without her.
Type of Loss: Miscarriages
Year: 2016-2019
From 2016-2019, my wife and I had 4 losses. The first three were early, 1st trimester miscarriages around the 8-10 week marks. Following our losses, we underwent IVF, and our 4th loss was a 2nd-trimester loss at 14 weeks.
I am a former professional dancer/actor, a musician, filmmaker, clown, and published children’s book author. I am a ballet teacher and choreographer for the Cary Ballet Conservatory. I live with my wife, Alana, and our daughter, Aidan in Cary, NC.
Type of Loss: Stillbirth
Year: 2016
Jason Dykstra is a father to four (three living) and has been married for over 15 years. After parenting two living children, Jason and his family had their third child, Ezra, who was born still at full term in 2016. Since then, they have added one more living child to their family.
Jason and his family live in the Muskoka's of Ontario. He is an author, speaker, and coach, and can often be found outside going for walks with his dog, taking pictures, or playing music. You can find out more about Jason at www.jasondyk.com
Type of Loss: Miscarriages and Infant Loss
Year: 2016, 2019, 2022
My wife and I have had three losses with two living children. We have had two miscarriages and one infant loss. It took us over a year to get pregnant the first time. Our first pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage. Our second loss was our third pregnancy was our daughter, Charleigh, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 and lived for 117 minutes before passing. Our last (fifth) pregnancy ended with another miscarriage. Our living two children (second and fourth pregnancy) happened between each loss.
I am currently Active-Duty Air Force stationed in the panhandle of Florida and currently have an approved retirement date of August 1, 2025. I am also completing my bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security. Between school, job, and adulting responsibilities, I did not have any hobbies until recently: Minecraft with my oldest.
Type of Loss: SIDS
Year: 2021
On May 20th, 2021, my healthy 3-month-old son went down for his afternoon nap. Two hours later, I was in a hospital emergency room telling the physicians that they could stop working on him. Our Brooks passed that day from SIDS. Nothing could have prepared me as a Father for the journey I’ve been on since, but I do my best to share my story and help others.
2.5 years later, I’ve welcomed twin identical girls into this world to join their Earthly big brother. At the moment, they keep me busy, but when I can escape, I surf, golf, workout and if I’m really lucky, travel. I live on Long Island but work frequently has me all over the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. I currently run Brooks Mission with my wife and we can proudly share that our Brooksy has helped over 100 families since he left us.
Type of Loss: Termination for Medical Reasons (TMFR)
Year: 2022
My name is Will Howard and my wife and I lost our younger son Liam on November 19th, 2022. Liam was diagnosed with HLHS, a rare cardiac anomaly where the chambers of the heart are not formed correctly, during this 20-week ultrasound. We welcomed Liam to the world through a TMFR a few days later.
My wife and I met while both living in Boston during my third year of college 11 years ago. We have a living son Logan who was born in 2021. We live on the South Shore of MA with our two labs. Professionally I work as an international tax consultant for a publicly traded accounting firm, and in my spare time, I like to run marathons and half marathons.
Type of Loss: Infant Loss
Year:
My wife Nicole and I lost our son Miles was 2 days old due to a surgical error after an omphalocele diagnosis. Miles’ abdominal wall defect (omphalocele) had numerous doctors set a plan for staged surgeries over a couple of years. The plan was ditched upon birth and they tried to conduct the procedure bedside instead of an operating room where they eventually cut into his liver which led to his death. They did not have the necessary equipment on hand as they were not in an operating room.
Raleigh NC - avid concert goer and guitar player. More than willing to just sit and listen, or to share things that have helped me in my grief journey. It gets easier but it never gets easy.
Type of Loss: Miscarriage and Pre-Term Labor
Year: 2018 & 2021
My name is Scott Stoops. In October 2018, my wife and I lost our daughter, Celeste, to an early-term miscarriage. We were almost ten weeks along. After a couple of years of trying, we found out we were pregnant again in early 2021. The pregnancy was seemingly textbook until late one evening in May. Unfortunately, we lost our son, Dexter, to pre-term labor on June 1. We were 18 weeks along. To hold him in our arms, but know we had to plan a funeral for our son was unbearable.
I currently live in Erie, Pennsylvania and am a mail carrier with the United States Postal Service. When I'm not working, I spend as much time with my family. I have a fifteen-year-old son, Chris, and a fourteen-month-old son, Bowen. My wife is also expecting our first daughter, Cecilia, in early February 2024. My hobbies include playing video games and creating content on YouTube.
Type of Loss: Infant Loss/Birth Trauma/Premmie
Year: June 2022
My wife and I have experienced 5 - 6 years of fertility issues and within that have experienced the following; miscarriage x 2, TFMR & infant loss - personally, the loss of our son Liam (neonatal death in June 2022) was the most traumatic and damaging to my mental health as he died in my arms and that pregnancy and his life was hurdle after hurdle after hurdle.
I'm originally from Sydney, Aus but now live in Brisbane, Aus with my wife and our Aussie shepherd. I love watching all sports but Rugby League and Boxing are my two favorites and enjoying a beer or two on my weekends.