Bodie Walker Schenkel's Cradle Donations Story

Bodie Walker Schenkel

Thursday July 10, 2025 Bodie's family dedicated two cradles in his memory.


Bodie was born silent on April 2, 2025 and although nothing could prepare this family for what they were about to experience, they were fortunate enough to have a Caring Cradle at their facility.

Donita Ross, affectionately known as Gigi Donita, shared a statement with the Caring Cradle Team:


"We lost my beautiful grandson very unexpectedly on 4/2 at full term. The hospital had a caring cradle and it gave us the gift of time we so desperately needed."'



She later shared the following sentiment:


"Looking back, we often reflect on how different our journey with Bodie would have been if we had not been provided a Caring Cradle. It gave us the space to begin to process, to grieve, and to love him—creating a quiet bubble around our family that allowed us to make precious memories we otherwise wouldn’t have had."


The Original Caring Cradle was donated to Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center and the Caring Cradle Mini was donated to Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. The family and loved ones of Bodie were in attendance as they dedicated their cradles to each hospital.



The cradles each have a plaque in Bodies honor.


"We feel beyond grateful to have been able to purchase both the full size and mini. We pray these will bring other families the same comfort they brought us. "

- Jordann Wesley (Aunt)



"Bodie is and always will be a cherished light in our lives. This cradle stands as part of his legacy, a small sanctuary for other families walking through immense loss. Our deepest hope is that it brings them comfort, gentleness, and the gift of time they so deserve."

- Donita Ross (Grandmother)


By proadAccountId-1004132 July 1, 2025
Nebraska Medical Center has opened a special place for families facing the loss of a pregnancy or infant. The new Birthing and Bereavement Suite offers parents a quiet, private space to spend precious time with their babies.
Sharing Solace
June 26, 2025
Sharing Solace makes grieving bearable by empowering grievers to grieve and their friends, family, congregations, and coworkers to love them through their grief with our technology-elevated, pass-along-able keepsakes so you always ‘Remember. You’re not alone.’
By proadAccountId-1004132 May 28, 2025
In a world that often falls silent around heartbreak, Silent Footprints dares to speak—and to listen. We are honored to introduce this extraordinary podcast to our community, a series born from deep loss and transformed by profound purpose. Hosted by Lisa Rowell , Silent Footprints is a heartfelt podcast grounded in faith, empathy, and the power of shared experience. She walks tenderly alongside those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Lisa’s voice is one of compassion, courage, and conviction. Since 2013, when she lost her daughter Julianna Grace to stillbirth, Lisa has turned personal tragedy into a nationwide calling—offering both comfort and advocacy to families navigating unspeakable grief. What began as a simple gesture—hand-delivering grieving baskets to families in her hometown—has blossomed into the Julianna Grace Ministry , which now donates cooling units like cuddle cots and Caring Cradles to hospitals, and champions legislation that honors the lives of stillborn children. Through it all, her Christian faith has remained her anchor and guide. Now in its 44th episode, the Silent Footprints podcast continues to break the silence and stigma around baby loss—offering listeners a space that is real, raw, and deeply rooted in hope. We’re especially honored that Wendy Kowalski , founder of Caring Cradle, was invited to be a recent guest. Wendy shared the story behind the Caring Cradle—how it came to be, what it offers grieving families, and why dignity and time matter so much in moments of loss. The conversation between Wendy and Lisa was thoughtful, sincere, and deeply respectful. These two women have tremendous admiration for one another, and that mutual support was felt in every moment. 🎧 Listen to the episode here: Silent Footprints – Featuring Caring Cradle We’re grateful to Lisa for creating such a meaningful space, and we hope you’ll take time to listen and share this episode with someone who may need it. https://juliannagraceministry.weebly.com/ https://silentfootprints.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.facebook.com/lisa.rowell.14
LovEvolve
December 6, 2024
Sunny founded LovEvolve with a simple vision: to wrap all newborns in Love from day one and provide postpartum support to mothers/caregivers. The signature Love Swaddle® was created to serve as a visual cue of Love connected to the emotional experience of birth. When a mother/caregiver receives a Love Swaddle®, they are also given access to resources for a multitude of situations that occur during the fourth trimester. To date, we have wrapped over 55,000 newborns in Love!
William James Duley
July 17, 2024
Scott and Alison Duley lost their son, William James Duley, in 2010, only a week after he was born.
Catherine Elizabeth Embly and Justice C.C. Myers-Cannon
July 17, 2024
Two families shared a loss that every parent can’t bear to think of: losing their children to stillbirth.
‘Unimaginable’: Miscarriages, newborn death led Nassau mom to help other grieving parents.
July 8, 2024
In 2019 Meredith “Mera” Maimone only lived nine days. Her mother Kim Maimone of Fernandina Beach has used her loss to start a nonprofit that brings other families’ comfort.
“She’s on a mission”: Family transforms tragedy into a mission to help others.
July 8, 2024
After the loss of their daughter Harper in 2018, the Kerlins have raised enough money to donate a Caring Cradle and a Caring Cradle Mini to Christ Hospital in Mt. Auburn.
Arlee and Jonathon Hultgren Sr. donate Caring Cradle to Trenton’s Corewell Hospital
July 8, 2024
After hosting a fundraiser among family and friends. Arlee and Jonathon Hultgren Sr. were able to donate a Caring Cradle a little over a year after the loss of their infant son Jonathon Michael Jr.,
‘Caring Cradle’ donated to Clovis Community Hospital to help grieving parents
July 8, 2024
In Clovis California, a woman is helping families at her local hospital by giving families more time to grieve the loss of their baby. With “Project Loreal” she was able to get a Caring Cradle donated to Clovis Community Hospital.
More Posts