When Death Feels like a Thief

Left Out: Enfranchising Children’s Grief and Loss

August 13, 2025

By: Jessica Milette, MSW, RSW All human beings have the capacity to grieve: people with intellectual disabilities, those living with a traumatic brain injury, and children of all ages. However, many people can experience disenfranchised grief when someone dies. Disenfranchised grief is generally grief that is not usually openly acknowledged, socially accepted or publicly mourned.…

Krista – “It does get easier”

December 4, 2019

Krista talks about time and acceptance. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Donna B – “Support from the military”

October 1, 2019

Donna explains how great the military support has been. Donna continues to grieve the death her son during service in Afghanistan.

Bryan – Trauma

October 30, 2021

Bryan discusses trauma anxiety, support and the loss of his father to gun violence

Brenda and Dale – “David’s Room”

December 17, 2018

Brenda and Dale discuss their process of dealing with their son’s room. They continue to grieve the death of their son by suicide.

Krista – “My way of helping others”

December 4, 2019

Krista talks about reducing the stigma. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Rev. Sky – “Emotions”

December 10, 2018

Rev. Sky talks about the emotions that come along with loss and outlets that can help.

Shannon – Power of Presence

November 22, 2022

Shannon discusses how just showing up, being present is a powerful way of supporting to someone who has lost. Listen more – talk less.

Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other Special Days

September 15, 2022

When we are grieving, some days are more difficult than others. Grief comes in waves like the sea and can feel like an intertwining labyrinth of emotions. Birthdays, anniversaries, and special dates that are associated with our loved one who has died can contribute to more emotionally intense days which can be worsened through the anticipation and “what ifs” of the upcoming day. These difficult days can leave us feeling defeated and it can almost feel like we’ve taken two steps backward in our grieving process, but grief does not have a timeline, and these feelings of setbacks are opportunities for healing.

Tending to My Garden of Grief

July 6, 2022

So long as I remember the lives of those I have lost, honour their presence and impact on me and celebrate their spirit, they will continue to live with me and the pain will feel bearable. It will no longer stop me in my tracks. Instead, it will encourage me and propel me forward through the transmutation of that grief into something different, something more nuanced and fluid. I’d like to share a practice for processing grief which I have found to be especially helpful.

What Can Help with Early Traumatic Grief?

October 25, 2023

When your child dies you are thrown into a nightmare. None of this is expected to be easy.
Even after several months, it still isn’t. There have been some things that have helped us during
our grief. Maybe they will help you, too.