In our society we recognize people that have lost a spouse or parent. We have orphans, widows and widowers.

Missing from this group are people that have lost a child. We should respect and acknowledge their loss just the same as orphans, widows and widowers. These people have suffered tremendous loss and giving them an acknowledging word would not only give them a sense of acknowledgment over their loss, but enable them to connect with others under a unified title.

Orphan, widow and widower need no explanation in our society. People need only mention the word that applies to them and everyone knows what they've suffered. A person that has lost a child has to explain to others that their child is dead rather than being able to say "Im a childer". If they were able to use a single word like orphans, widows and widowers do, we would be able to show them the same respect.

I have a goal of 10,000 signatures on this petition. When the petition gets 10,000 signatures, I will forward it to my congressman and ask that he introduce ceremonial legislation to recognize this as the word to describe a parent whose child has died. Their grief deserves a name.