James’s Story

My journey began with the joyous anticipation of welcoming a daughter into our lives, only to be met with the cruel reality of child loss, due to the diagnosis of bilateral renal agenesis. Our beautiful daughter, Lily, was born sleeping, but the impact she left on us was immeasurable.

A day frozen in time

The day we received the devastating news from the doctors was a day frozen in time, a day when dreams crumbled. Yet, in the midst of our pain, we discovered a community of parents who had experienced similar loss due to bilateral renal agenesis. Their stories resonated with our own, and it was within this community that we found solace.

Connecting with others who understood our grief allowed us to share our emotions without fear of judgment. It was here that I understood the power of human connection, even in the face of tragedy. As time passed, my grief transformed into a wish to honour my daughter’s memory.

A Journey of Charity Work

Guided by the knowledge that so many families shared our pain, I embarked on a journey of charity work. I joined hands with organizations like Sands and Daddys With Angels, giving my time to support families who were experiencing child loss.

In collaboration with these organizations, I found ways to pay tribute to my daughter’s memory. I could not teach her to ride a bike or any of the other daddy duties, but I could at least do this: spread awareness about bilateral renal agenesis and break the taboo of both child loss and men needing support.

Resilience Within

It’s said that grief never truly disappears; instead, it becomes a part of who we are. Through the charity work and the connections forged in the community, I discovered resilience within myself. I realized that my daughter’s memory had sparked a chain reaction of compassion, understanding, and support. By extending my hand to others in their darkest moments, I found a way to honor her memory that felt profound and meaningful.

In the end, my daughter’s legacy isn’t defined by her absence, but by the love, strength, and unity that grew from her story. She taught me that even in the face of profound loss, there’s beauty in the connections we make and the impact we have on each other’s lives. Through her memory, I found a way to be a father.

James Thompson
Southern Ambassador to Daddys With Angels
Chair and Befriender to Southampton Sands