Supporting Others

Janice – “The importance of listening”

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

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.

Nicole – Pandemic’s Effect on Safe Spaces and Mental Health Access

Nicole discusses how the pandemic affected access to safe spaces and shelters for those living rough and living with addiction.

Shannon – Blessings and sadness

Shannon discusses how just showing up, being present is a powerful way of supporting to someone who has lost. Listen more – talk less.

Amber -Grieving as a teenager

Amber discusses the challenges of going through grief as a teen

Maureen – “Peer vs professional support”

Maureen talks about getting help and what is right for you.

John – What to do now

John talks about the time after the initial period of grief

John Martin – The Shocking Reality of Painful Loss

John talks about shock and grief

Betsy – Adoption and grief

Betsy tell her story of losing her adopted son to cancer

Jim – Supporting someone in crisis

Jim talks about supporting someone in crisis and how being there for them can help. That may mean answering the phone at 2am, taking them to the doctor’s appointment, and checking tup on them. It’s not easy, but it’s the right thing to do. He was fortunate to have a friend who did this for him, and is still grateful for their support. If you know someone who is struggling, don’t be afraid to step up. It could make all the difference.

Zoreena – Support systems

Zoreena explains the importance of support systems

Grief and Parenting in the Disability Community

In this blog post, Carrie writes about being the parent and primary caregiver to a child with disabilities and grieving the loss of a child dying from their disabilities.