-
Joan Curle - Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
Joan Curle is a Good Sort who finds meaning in the shortest of lives.
She works for Sands, an organisation which offers support for parents who suffer stillbirth or the death of their newborn baby.
Curle works at Wellington Hospital, making up baskets and mementos, such as a certificate of life.
"They don't get a birth or death certificate, so this is really important to their parents - their babies did exist. It's really important for them," she says.
The baskets are made so all parents can have a record of their child.
"They do exist, they are not brushed away, they are not just put in a kidney dish, which is what they used to be put in."
Curle makes baskets in all sizes, from children who die at birth, to those who last just 20 weeks in the womb. Their coffins are half the size of a shoe box.
Curle has devoted 18 years to the project, after her own newborn, Andrew, died after living for just 12 hours.
She decided Andrew's legacy would be to ensure every Wellington baby who dies gets dignity in death.
Do you know someone who is a Good Sort? Click here to nominate them .
Catch up on previous Good Sorts .
