Supporting Others

Cara – Intellectual disabilities and advance planning

Cara explains that people living with intellectual disabilities are growing to older ages, much like the rest of the population. And as folks are aging what we’re seeing is the need for families more so than ever, to do some advanced planning for who will take over any caregiving decision making or where that person may live, what sort of support they may need and what that’s going to look like after the parents or the guardians die so that this doesn’t become a crisis situation.

Nicole – Grieving as a community

Nicole discusses the power of grieving together as a community. Finding connection and trust.

Tending to My Garden of Grief

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.

Amber – Support

Amber talks about following through on offers of support

Caileigh – Through play children learn so much about their grief

Caileigh discussed how children learn so much about their grief through play. There’s less confusion, there’s less anxiety, there’s more awareness. For the child and the parent, there is more acceptance of grief.

John Martin – The Trauma of Loss and Grief

John discusses trauma and grief

Adrianna – Pandemic, funerals and celebration of life

Adrianna talks about the death of her friend during pandemic

Sarah K – Be gentle

Sarah shares what what she has learned to help someone going through what she has been through

What Can Help with Early Traumatic Grief?

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.

Krista – “Just be there”

Krista explains how being a listening ear can be so helpful. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Madelyn – Holding space

Madelyn explains how holding space can help anyone in grief

Valmy – Checking in on someone is good

Valmy explains how helpful it is to check in on someone who is grieving