Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

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.

Claudia – Waterlillies

Claudia talks about how she painted on panels big enough to hug to help her with her grief

Carrie – Creating a photo narrative

Carrie explains how photography can give insight and express things that there reallhy aren’t words for. Photography can be one addtitional way in which to express and capture those moments of our sorrow, grief and pain as well as transformation and healing

Madelyn – My story

Madelyn tells her story and how she became a music therapist working in palliative care

Maureen – “Grief is a messy non-linear place”

Maureen explains how you wind your way through grief and that is normal.

Keith – “Disenfranchised Grief”

Keith describes disenfranchised grief.

Katie “Ongoing Grief”

Katie talks about the loss of her mother.

Chantal – Anticipatory grief

Chantal defines antipatory grief and the grief before the physical loss

Jenn – Your art completely belongs to you

Jenn explains the wonderful thing about art is that piece belongs completely to you and you have the power to do whatever you wish with it . She makes some suggestions as to what you may want to do.

Maureen – “Peer vs professional support”

Maureen talks about getting help and what is right for you.

Janice – “Grieving alone”

Janice discusses grieving alone and when its important to have people around you that can listen and understand what you are feeling.

Janice – “Grieving as long as you need to grieve”

Janice talks about her personal grief experiences and understanding the need for grieving as long as you need to.