Two decades ago, when I was 20, I had an abortion. At the time, I thought it was the answer to my situation and that it would be quickly forgotten. It was not.

I have not talked about it very openly over the years, as abortion is still something of a taboo subject. But I have come to realise that many women feel the same: it can be difficult to work through and difficult to gain any sense of closure. There is no grave to visit, no tangible way of remembering this baby.

The inspiration for the Buttons Project came from the Paperclips Project ( www.paperclipsmovie.com ) which involved eighth graders in a small American town. They decided to collect paperclips to commemorate the loss of Jewish lives, mainly in the Holocaust. They received over 20 million paperclips - and created an incredible memorial.

My dream is to collect buttons – thousands upon thousands of buttons, to commemorate the babies we never met. To enable women who have been affected by abortion to "do something when there is nothing you can do." For some it will be a way of simply remembering; for others a step on the journey of healing. Buttons will also come from fathers, grandparents, sisters or brothers: anyone affected by the loss of an unborn baby.

They will be displayed in an appropriate manner; and together we will create a memorial. A collective statement which simply says, "what happened mattered." A way to remember, to grieve and to love.


Why a button? 
It is easy to find and easy to send. 
It can be unique – representing a personal loss.
It can symbolise closure, or security.
Buttons are long-lasting, though fabric may fade or tear.
Buttons join; buttons bring together. We are not alone.

ButtonsProject