A Wisconsin grandmother is transforming donated wedding dresses into burial garments for infants, offering comfort to grieving families. Rosann Cassiopi, a retired nurse from Rock County, has been volunteering with the non-profit organization Real Imprints for a decade, crafting what are known as 'angel gowns'. She dedicates 40 hours each week to this work, creating garments for children lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or who died shortly after birth.
From nurse to seamstress
Cassiopi retired early after being diagnosed with spastic paraparesis, a rare neurological condition that causes muscle stiffness in the lower limbs. Despite knowing the condition would eventually confine her to a wheelchair, she found that her hands remained unaffected. 'It's a nice way to do something for somebody,' she told Spectrum News 1, reflecting on her sewing work.
Delivering comfort nationwide
Once completed, Cassiopi donates the gowns to families across the United States. 'They go all over, whoever needs them, whatever hospital needs them, we send them out free of charge,' she explained. She hopes her creations help alleviate the isolation often felt by grieving parents. 'Gives them a little bit of, 'Oh, I'm not alone in this journey,' because it used to be so hush-hush. If you had a miscarriage, you know, or stillbirth. And it's not; it's something that needs to be talked about. Because the pain of losing a child, whether the child wasn't delivered on your due date or died at 21-years-old, that pain is still the same.'
Family pride
Her grandchildren are proud of her efforts. Fifth grader Logan Barr told Spectrum News 1: 'Kind of like, proud that she's doing it for families that need might need it.'
The Angel Gowns Project
Founded in 2015, The Angel Gowns Project accepts wedding dress donations across the U.S. and Guatemala, where the initiative's founder, Lindsey Thomason, is based. The program's site explains: 'It's tender to think that in this moment of such pain and grief, angel mamas and families, receive an angel gown, a gift and symbol of love, hope, and healing, made from other women dealing with their own internal poverty and difficult circumstances, or who have healed from trauma and internal poverty, or who are fighting to break the cycle and get themselves, and their families out of extreme poverty.'
For those affected by the death of a baby, the Sands national helpline provides support. You can call 0808 164 3332 free of charge, or email helpline@sands.org.uk.
