Supporting Others

Caileigh – Working with children in grief

Caileigh shares why she likes working with and supporting children in grief. “Over the course of their lives, children and youth and families experience a lot of losses, and it’s an empowering job to empower others. I’m not only empowering them, but I’m also building parent capacity in recognizing that it does take a village and it takes a community to support a child.”

Alongside

That is also our best, and only role, when supporting a person with a developmental disability to grieve. We must be the one that comes alongside. There is no closer place we can get to. We must be present, be with, perhaps not understanding or comprehending what the person we support is experiencing, but alongside them nonetheless. We must be there, ready to provide whatever we can discover of their unique need in grief.

John – What to do now

John talks about the time after the initial period of grief

Beauty found at the edges: a portrait of community support

I’d sent a text saying “Hello friends, I’m putting out a call for flowers. I went to public school with Kory, the young man who died in downtown Cobourg this week, and though I hadn’t seen him in recent years, I feel the loss of him on a community level, as I imagine you do, too. Some of Kory’s people are gathering tonight in vigil at the bank where he died, and I’m gathering flowers from those of us who have gardens to share with this grieving community. Do you have some blooms in your garden that you’d be willing to share?”

Coping with Guilt in Grief Playlist

Listen to the thoughts and insights of people and families living with grief.

Donna – “Helping a grieving friend”

Donna shares some practical ways to help someone in grief.

John – What I have learned

John explains how he has changed since his wife died and now looking back what he would say to his self right after his loss

Nicole – Grieving as a community

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

The ties that bind; grieving the loss of a sibling

When my three brothers and I were growing up and the proverbial hit the fan, Mum would often say, in a bid to keep her brood calm, ‘Well, at least we are all still here.’ She reminded me of this affectionate saying only very recently. I can still recall how I felt as a child…

Betsy – You can’t know until you know

Betsy talks about support and what really helps when one is in grief

Zoreena – Ask for help

Zoreena explains how important it is to ask for help

Holly – How can we help someone who is grieving

Holly has some helpful tips how to help someone who is grieving