Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Grief and Disability: Carrie’s Story

It has become clear to me over time that we have much work to do to ensure the delivery of disability-sensitive grief literacy and grief support. In March of 2022 my proposal for four 1-hour sessions was approved, we provided the program for 20 participants. My heart was full in each session.

My heart remains full of hope that conversations, education, and expertise about disability sensitive end of life care and grief support will gain momentum as more and more people join in on this vital conversation.

Janice – “Feelings”

Janice talks about the importance of allowing our feelings as that’s the only way to get through them.

Janice – “The importance of listening”

Janice explains the importance of not being judgemental and listening when helping someone is in grief.

Christian – “Overdose Death”

Christian talks about an overdose death not defining who that person was.

Claudia – Art, art as therapy and art therapy

Claudia discusses the definition of therapy and how art therapists are formally trained.

Maureen – Preparing for holidays

Maureen gives some ideas to help during holidays like connecting and taking time out

Jenn – In grief an art therapist can be there to walk with you

Jenn discusses how an art therapists can support you in those moments of pain. They are there to honour your stories and experiences.

Michele – Covid and support

Michele defines expressive arts and how they can help healing in griefMIchele talks about COVID restrictions, technology and ways to support

Keith – “Disenfranchised Grief”

Keith describes disenfranchised grief.

Jean – Be good to yourself

Jean shares about support and not being hard on yourself

Jen – “Breathing and grief”

Jen talks about how breathing and yoga can help cope.

Keith – “Difference between grief and mourning”

Keith explains how grief is internal and mourning is external.