Supporting Others

Jacqueline – Advice to Younger Self

Jacqueline talks about seeking help and being kind to yourself

Kate – Advice to my younger self

Kate explains things being authentic and honest to herself has been very valuable

Lyss – Therapy and the right fit

Lyss talks about therapy and finding the right fit

Grief, Breastfeeding, and Care

In this essay, I share a bit about my story of grief and breastfeeding. I also share some thoughts about the cultural grief some people are carrying about the lack of support afforded to lactating families whose goal it is to feed their baby from their body. I use some gendered language throughout this essay…

Joyce – Walking beside people who are stuggling with addiction

Joyce explains why it so important to help people who are struggling with addiction

Krista – “Just be there”

Krista explains how being a listening ear can be so helpful. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

Kim – Checking in is very important

Kim explains why it is so important to check in and keep in touch with people who have lost

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.

Antoinetta – Things that help when struggling

Antoinetta talks about the first time she learned that it was ok that she was grieving and how to unpack all her feelings

John Martin – Loss and Grief – Be Careful What You Say to Someone Who Hurts

John discusses how what you say to a griever is very important

John Martin – First You Must Realize What Has Happened

John talks about realizing the reality of grief

Amber -Helping someone who is grieving

Amber talks about how her grief has helped her learn how support other people in grief.