Ryan Tindall, chapter leader of the Kentucky TEARS Foundation, is thankful to bring a remembrance walk to Owensboro. The goal of the inaugural Rock & Walk is to let bereaved families know they are not alone, raise funds to support these families and build community awareness about pregnancy and infant loss.
The event will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 6 on the front lawn of Kentucky Wesleyan College. Individuals form teams and collect pledges to walk the track and to “rock” in rocking chairs.
After losing his baby daughter 21 years ago, Tindall became passionate about helping families through the grief process.
“Last year, we found out about the TEARS foundation and all the amazing work that they do. The closest memorial they had was held by the Georgia chapter just outside Atlanta,” Tindall said. “My little girl was added to their monument — after 20 years, she would finally have a place to rest.”
The realization that there was also a need locally to have a way to honor pregnancy, infant, and child loss led Tindall to get involved and become a chapter leader for Kentucky.
Sharing the story of his daughter Angel and the road to healing, Tindall remembers the details vividly. His hope is to reach others who need guidance and comfort following loss.
“We were broken and we didn’t get that fixed at the hospital,” he said. “We sought out counseling and books to read, and we joined a support group that met in the basement of the old Welborn offices downtown.”
Still, in the midst of pain, Tindall recognizes that many people may not know where to turn.
“We heard from others who had went through similar situations. We did our best to heal and move on, but our little girl was always right there,” Tindall said.
The local Rock & Walk will be open to families and friends who have experienced loss, and participants are welcomed to register individually or as a team.
According to the foundation, participants can rock in chairs or walk laps together, honoring the children whose names appear on butterflies lining the path as a reminder that they can find hope.
“The TEARS foundation helps cover funeral expenses, cremation expenses, and the cost of headstones,” Tindall said. “It’s a whole lot more than just the remembrance walk.”
The cost to register is $5, with children 12 and under free. Registration is now open here.
“Those that haven’t been through the loss of a child don’t realize that it’s not just the life of a child — it’s the hopes and dreams of their life moving forward,” Tindall said. “If I can bring others a little bit of comfort during that time, it’s worth it.”
