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.

Jacqueline – Humour

Jacqueline talks about how huour has a place in grieving

Claudia – Art in community versus art therapy

Claudia explains how art therapists are trained and how what they do is different that doing art in community

Claudia – You do not have to be an artist to do art therapy

Claudia explains why you do not have to be an artist to benefit

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

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

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 – What do I do when my art is finished

Claudia explains some helpful tips after your art is finished

Christian – “Stigma of opioid death”

Christian talks about the social acceptance of an opioid overdose.

Maureen – “Trust yourself”

Maureen talks about finding your own way in your healing process.

Maureen – “Counselling… a safe place”

Maureen discusses the right counselling space for you.

Shannon – Growing through Grief

Shannon discusses post traumatic growth and how it can be an expectation

Jacqueline – Crying

Jacqueline talks about how grief is love and how crying is natural