Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Jessica M – Finding Hope

Jessica shares memories of her brothers birthday which was just before her mothers death and how they all found hope

Jean – Be good to yourself

Jean shares about support and not being hard on yourself

Claudia – What do I do when my art is finished

Claudia explains some helpful tips after your art is finished

Preparing For and Coping with Special Days

Special Days can be days we have honoured with our loved ones that many others celebrate or more personal dates and milestones with your loved one. As these days approach, it can be difficult to figure out how to move through a Special Day. Do you do what you’ve always done? What do you do…

Jenn – The difference between expressive and creative arts

Jenn explains the difference between expressive and creative arts. You don’t have to limit yourself to art making to help you through your grief process. Expressive arts encompasses a wide variety of approaches including drama, dance, movement, writing and music

Janice – “Feelings”

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

Chantal – Giving space

Chantal discusses how it is good and honouring to the one you’ve lost to give space and feel everything

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 – “Own our feelings”

Janice discusses the goals of emotional work and arriving at a peaceful place.

Amanda – “No person is an island”

Amanda talks about the power of community and the importance of reaching out.

Carrie – Grief and creativity

Carrie talks about creativity and expressing grief and loss… that in many ways can offer insight and comfort for those who are grieving

Maureen – “Grief can come back”

Maureen explains however grief comes back, you are OK.