Mother's Journey: From Grief to Hope

0:00On March 14, Joanne Thompson from Stockport faced unimaginable loss in 2012 when her infant daughter, Millie, choked on mass potatoes. During lunch at nursery and passed away, Joanne rushed to the hospital after a call from staff but learned the tragic news right there in reception. An investigation followed, yet no one was held responsible. In the tough months after, Joanne grappled with deep grief, depression, and isolation. She moved away from the home backing the nursery, turned to alcohol and sleeping pills, and even attempted suicide. Doctors later diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder from the trauma. Therapy changed everything. With weekly sessions and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing at the hospital, helping her recover over two years. Just three months in, she lost Millie's trust to give free first aid training to expectant parents and nurseries for kids under 12 months. Inspired by connecting with families online, including one in New Zealand, Joanne rebuilt

1:01her life. She went on to have two boys, now eight and eleven years old, though she split from their father in 2019. Today she has an eight-month-old daughter with her new partner, and they're set to marry soon. Fourteen years later, Joanne still navigates hard moments as her baby girl hits milestones like Millie's, but she refuses to let fear hold her kids. Back. Her 140-day fundraising challenge for the trust keeps Millie's legacy alive, turning heartbreak into hope for safer child care, everywhere.