Events
Place
Fowler Lake Park
Oconomowoc, WI US 53066
Description
Hi Everyone-
My name is Ashley Nold. I’m creating “Rowan’s Walk” because I know I’m not the only one who has unfortunately lost a baby. October 15th is the National day for pregnancy, infant and child loss, which is represented by the colors blue and pink. Why not honor our babies on this day?
Anyone who has lost a child would agree that it was the worst day of their entire life. On April 7th of this year, our lives were forever changed. My husband and I went to our 20 week fetal anatomy ultrasound. Up until that point, our baby was healthy. He was the most active baby of the day for ultrasounds, although something was terribly wrong. At that appointment, we received the devastating news that our son, Rowan, had anencephaly. Anencephaly is a condition when the brain and skull don’t form properly. This is a lethal and fatal anomaly. I was also told that I had a low laying placenta, which put me at a great risk for bleeding. Every day that I was pregnant that risk grew higher and my life was more in danger.
We were told we couldn’t have Rowan in Wisconsin. I’ll never forget the long six hour drive to Minnesota. It felt as if I wasn’t in my own body. Numbness and hopelessness filled my soul as I was praying that my water didn’t break while in Wisconsin. After 17 long and medically challenging hours of labor, our beautiful son was born still on April 16th. We were blessed to be able to hold Rowan and say goodbye with our other children by our side.
The “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” foundation provided us with a volunteer photographer who came up to my birth room at the Fairview Women’s Hospital in Minnesota. She offered to take pictures of us with our sweet, tiny little Rowan. Without this foundation, all we would have is our sons ashes. They provided us with these memories that we will never forget. Any monetary donations accumulated at this event will go to this foundation so that other families are also blessed with their services.
- Event will be rain or shine.
- No animals please
- Please check in at registration tables upon entering Fowler Lake Park.
All proceeds will be donated to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep foundation.
Schedule
4pm- start- message of Rowan’s walk. Greet one another.
4:10pm- opening prayer
4:15-4:45pm- 4 songs by Alycia Betz
4:45-5:40pm- Food, beverages, mingling, activities, NILMDTS donation stand
5:40- 5:50pm- uplifting speech & announcement of Rowan’s Walk
5:50-6:50- Rowan’s Walk around Fowler Lake- approximately 2 miles
6:50-7:15pm- Circular Closing Prayer- Loved ones names stated out loud
7:15-light hand held candles & Ending song with Alycia Betz
7:40- Goodbye!
Parking
Street parking is available throughout the residential neighborhoods near Fowler Lake Park. There is NO PARKING at the start/finish line and no vehicles will be allowed to enter Fowler Lake Park. Please plan ahead, car pool, and arrive early keeping in mind you will need to park and walk to the start/finish line.
Another option for parking is to park in the City of Oconomowoc Fowler Lake Parking Lot on the south side of Fowler Lake. There will be plenty of parking available in this lot on race day and the start/finish line is only a short 10 minute walk from this parking lot. Oconomowoc parking map.
Tshirts
Everyone who is registered by 11:59 am, September 24th will be guaranteed a custom cotton unisex t-shirt. After that, t-shirts will be available while online supplies last. Any extra shirts will be distributed after the race on a first come, first served basis
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Course
Join us for a casual walk around Fowler Lake. The course is approximately 2 miles.
Course map
