Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Rev. Sky – “Why”

Rev. Sky talks about the question of why and how to look beyond it.

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.

Marija – Acknowledging feelings

Marija talks about our tools for coping

Jenn – Art can give voice

Jenn talks about the barriers that may prevent someone from including art as part of their grief or emotional process including judgment of your art skills and more.

Janice – “Go into feelings”

Janice explains how important it is to pay attention to your feelings.

Janice – “It’s never too late to grieve”

Janice talks about the importance of noticing feelings.

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.

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.

Keith – “Hope”

Keith talks about time, healing and hope.

What Does Grief Support Look Like?

When we experience significant, on-going symptoms of grief that interfere with our adjustment to the reality of our loss, it can be time to seek professional help. It can be difficult to know where to find help and what grief support options are available.

Corrie – Triggers

Corrie discuss the many types of triggers

Chantal – Physical symptoms and grieving

Chantal talks about panic attacks and thinking she was having a heart attack