Friends, I am gagging and crying as I write this.
Just over 2 years ago, my creative collaborator and friend, Rachel Osbourne and I survived (pfft, did we really?) absolutely traumatic birthing experiences.
My trauma led to the birth of a healthy child and an unfunny comedy special. Sadly, Rachel’s led to a stillbirth and Etobicoke hospital losing the precious remains of baby Iah.
I’m sharing this story for Iah, Rachel, and all the Black mothers and babies navigating the bullshit medical system that too often shows it doesn’t give a shit about us. I understand the following content will be difficult to consume. Still, I kindly ask you to, at minimum, play the videos on mute and comment a heart emoji. Engaging with these stories shows support for the families, signals to media outlets that these are stories worth telling, and keeps our feet on the necks of shitty doctors, trash hospitals, and corrupt insurance companies.
CITY NEWS: Etobicoke hospital accused of losing remains of stillborn baby
A mother is accusing an Etobicoke hospital of losing the remains of her stillborn baby. Cynthia Mulligan has more.
Mother wants answers after Toronto hospital loses her baby’s body
The baby was stillborn at Etobicoke General Hospital, her mother wanted to hold a funeral but the body went missing for almost two years. Now the mother wants an apology and a DNA test to prove they are giving her the right body back.
Update on Rachel and family
Rachel is taking each day as it comes. Thankfully, her husband Chris is very supportive and this tragedy didn’t break them. I’m also extremely happy to share that they have a healthy baby girl. She cannot replace Iah, she is her own person. We thank her for being.
Through her trauma– yes, even while the hospital refused to help locate baby Iah–Rachel created a safe space for me to heal from my traumatic birthing experience. Honestly, she could have been bitter and said, “be glad you have your baby!”
I’m eternally grateful to Rachel and erica for sitting through and almost 3-hour call where I retold my horrible experience with my shitty OBGYN, Dr. Cordia Clark-White of Women’s Progressive Health in Chicago.
Today, I’m happy to report, that Rachel and I are back in the arts and entertainment game. We have a beautiful collection of #BlackJoy greeting cards. Rachel also authored and illustrated the enchanting children’s book, A Safer Place to Stay.
Good Island Gyal
Caribbean comedian Onicia Muller jokes about surviving death and getting revenge on her crappy OBGYN who failed to diagnose her preeclampsia. Now she’s a good island gyal gone bad.
Filmed at The Rusty Rocket on Sint Maarten in front of a live audience. For ELIZABETH, SHATORIA, IAH, and all the good island gyals ONICIA MULLER: GOOD ISLAND GYAL (2023)