A Letter from the Founder
A Letter from the Founder and Author of “If Teddy Could Talk”
But I also did what many adults do with terminally ill children. I worked so hard to protect and distract her from the harsh realities, that I neglected to give her a safe space to share her deepest thoughts and feelings. I honestly didn't know how. It is something I still carry with me and why I wrote “If Teddy Could Talk” and founded Teddy’s Village Charitable Foundation.
Melissa and Amanda lost their battle with Cystic Fibrosis in 1994, but they live on in the hearts and memories of so many people and continue to inspire our lives in profound ways. The main character in “If Teddy Could Talk,” Miranda, is a combination of their names and Teddy is based on the bear my husband and I bought for Melissa when she was 3 and later shared with Amanda. Teddy slept with them and went to the hospital whenever they did. I share more of their story under “Legacies” on this site.
It was a conversation with Kelly, their mother and my dearest friend for more than 30 years, about all the things Teddy was witness to over the years that first gave me the idea for the book. It dawned on me that not only was it incredibly difficult for an adult to talk to a child about the possibility of dying, children dealing with a critical illness often hide their feelings from others because they feel guilt and shame believing they cause the sadness their loved ones feel. Children often share their deepest feelings with a companion toy. For Melissa and Amanda, that was Teddy.
I wrote the original draft of “If Teddy Could Talk” in the late 90s. Kelly loved the story and we talked numerous times about how we wanted to bring it to families with terminally ill children so maybe they wouldn’t suffer some of the same regrets we did for opportunities missed and memories not preserved. But as much as she loved the idea, the reality of it filled her with fear that it would be too difficult to share her story in such a big way. I honored her grief too much to ever push the idea beyond her comfort level. Every few years it would come up again, and each time we would table it for later. Then, in early 2016, Kelly said she was ready. She had been doing some deep soul searching following the recent loss of her mother and had come to realize that she wanted to embrace living and the people she loved more fully.
And she wanted to share her story and make a difference for families facing the loss of a child. We began making a plan to form the non-profit organization that would help us do that.
Sadly, we lost Kelly without warning in September 2016. It was another tragic reminder that tomorrow isn't promised and that each day with a loved one could be the last. Kelly wasn’t able to cofound this organization with me, but she will always be a huge part of it and I know she would be so proud of what we’re doing. The ladybugs throughout the book are a tribute to Kelly. You can read more about Kelly and the significance of the ladybugs under “Legacies” on this site.
While the book and the reason for this organization was originally inspired by the loss of Melissa and Amanda, it is also inspired by hope. One of Melissa and Amanda’s young friends (another Melissa) beat the odds and is living with Cystic Fibrosis decades longer than anyone predicted possible. She grew up to get married and have a child of her own, something her doctors said would never happen. When she read the book, she shared how much it would have meant to her to have had a way to share her feelings more fully. She’s one of our first volunteers and a beloved member of the Teddy Family.
It is my deepest hope that “If Teddy Could Talk” and this organization can help families faced with the unimaginable possibility of losing a child to open the doors of communication...to create a safe way to have sensitive conversations...and to inspire hope, encourage dreams, and create opportunities for making treasured memories.
Phase 1: First we are working to raise funds to print books and purchase teddy bears, treasure chests, and memory-making items to fill it with. It costs about $500 per child for everything we wish to deliver free of charge to families with terminally ill children.
Ways to help
Phase 2: We would like Teddy’s Village to ease the burden of searching for resources while dealing with a terminal diagnosis, for people who have experienced a tragic loss, especially for parents who have lost a child, as well as resources for people seeking to help loved ones dealing with loss.
Ways to help:
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “it takes a village” and this is especially true when dealing with the potential and aftermath of a catastrophic loss. There are lots of ways you can help:
As we build our library of resources, we are here to help you find the resources you need. Submit a Contact Form and tell us what you need help with. We will research and send you resources and add them to the site so they will be there for others moving forward.
Resources for a child with a life-threatening disease:
Thank you to everyone who is a part of our village of hope. Big bear hugs!
Gina Morgan
Founder and Executive Director
Teddy’s Village Charitable Foundation, Inc.
As a coach and grief recovery counselor, I have a lot of experience helping people move through difficult times. But nothing prepared me for helping my 8-year-old Goddaughter as she faced the reality that her disease, Cystic Fibrosis, would likely take her life as it had her 12-year-old sister's. Hyperaware of how precious time was, we spent the brief time we had left living each day mindful of what a gift it was. We made so many amazing memories that I will forever treasure.
But I also did what many adults do with terminally ill children. I worked so hard to protect and distract her from the harsh realities, that I neglected to give her a safe space to share her deepest thoughts and feelings. I honestly didn't know how. It is something I still carry with me and why I wrote “If Teddy Could Talk” and founded Teddy’s Village Charitable Foundation.
Melissa and Amanda lost their battle with Cystic Fibrosis in 1994, but they live on in the hearts and memories of so many people and continue to inspire our lives in profound ways. The main character in “If Teddy Could Talk,” Miranda, is a combination of their names and Teddy is based on the bear my husband and I bought for Melissa when she was 3 and later shared with Amanda. Teddy slept with them and went to the hospital whenever they did. I share more of their story under “Legacies” on this site.
It was a conversation with Kelly, their mother and my dearest friend for more than 30 years, about all the things Teddy was witness to over the years that first gave me the idea for the book. It dawned on me that not only was it incredibly difficult for an adult to talk to a child about the possibility of dying, children dealing with a critical illness often hide their feelings from others because they feel guilt and shame believing they cause the sadness their loved ones feel. Children often share their deepest feelings with a companion toy. For Melissa and Amanda, that was Teddy.
I wrote the original draft of “If Teddy Could Talk” in the late 90s. Kelly loved the story and we talked numerous times about how we wanted to bring it to families with terminally ill children so maybe they wouldn’t suffer some of the same regrets we did for opportunities missed and memories not preserved. But as much as she loved the idea, the reality of it filled her with fear that it would be too difficult to share her story in such a big way. I honored her grief too much to ever push the idea beyond her comfort level. Every few years it would come up again, and each time we would table it for later. Then, in early 2016, Kelly said she was ready. She had been doing some deep soul searching following the recent loss of her mother and had come to realize that she wanted to embrace living and the people she loved more fully.
And she wanted to share her story and make a difference for families facing the loss of a child. We began making a plan to form the non-profit organization that would help us do that.
Sadly, we lost Kelly without warning in September 2016. It was another tragic reminder that tomorrow isn't promised and that each day with a loved one could be the last. Kelly wasn’t able to cofound this organization with me, but she will always be a huge part of it and I know she would be so proud of what we’re doing. The ladybugs throughout the book are a tribute to Kelly. You can read more about Kelly and the significance of the ladybugs under “Legacies” on this site.
While the book and the reason for this organization was originally inspired by the loss of Melissa and Amanda, it is also inspired by hope. One of Melissa and Amanda’s young friends (another Melissa) beat the odds and is living with Cystic Fibrosis decades longer than anyone predicted possible. She grew up to get married and have a child of her own, something her doctors said would never happen. When she read the book, she shared how much it would have meant to her to have had a way to share her feelings more fully. She’s one of our first volunteers and a beloved member of the Teddy Family.
It is my deepest hope that “If Teddy Could Talk” and this organization can help families faced with the unimaginable possibility of losing a child to open the doors of communication...to create a safe way to have sensitive conversations...and to inspire hope, encourage dreams, and create opportunities for making treasured memories.
Phase 1: First we are working to raise funds to print books and purchase teddy bears, treasure chests, and memory-making items to fill it with. It costs about $500 per child for everything we wish to deliver free of charge to families with terminally ill children.
Ways to help
- Click on the Donate Button on this website. Any amount will help.
- If you shop Amazon, your purchases can help raise funds for Teddy’s Village! Shop at Smile.Amazon.com instead and choose Teddys Village Charitable Foundation as your charity. You pay the same amount and Amazon donates .5%!
- Set up a Facebook Fundraiser for your birthday or special event – Search Teddy’s Village Charitable Foundation to select as your charity of choice.
- Follow us on Facebook for updates on current fundraising activities.
Phase 2: We would like Teddy’s Village to ease the burden of searching for resources while dealing with a terminal diagnosis, for people who have experienced a tragic loss, especially for parents who have lost a child, as well as resources for people seeking to help loved ones dealing with loss.
Ways to help:
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “it takes a village” and this is especially true when dealing with the potential and aftermath of a catastrophic loss. There are lots of ways you can help:
- Send resources that have been helpful for you or a family you know via the Contact Page on this site.
- Register to be a volunteer so we can share ways to contribute with you.
As we build our library of resources, we are here to help you find the resources you need. Submit a Contact Form and tell us what you need help with. We will research and send you resources and add them to the site so they will be there for others moving forward.
Resources for a child with a life-threatening disease:
- Hold onto hope. Live each day with your child as if a miracle is about to happen. Be mindful of preserving memories you will treasure. Look for resources to be added here.
- Request a copy of “If Teddy Could Talk” with a teddy bear and treasure chest filled with memory-making items.
- Printable pages to create an interactive, “Pieces of Me” journal designed to encourage children dealing with difficult emotions to share their thoughts and feelings in a safe, healthy way.
- We are seeking and adding resources that can help manage the void created and ways to preserve the memory of your child.
- When you’re ready, we offer FREE Grief Recovery Counseling to help you manage the pain, find peace and even move toward happiness. Submit a Contact Form to request details.
Thank you to everyone who is a part of our village of hope. Big bear hugs!
Gina Morgan
Founder and Executive Director
Teddy’s Village Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Become a Volunteer
Contact us for ways to help
