Video

Amber – My Story

Amber talks about the traumatic death of her father in an explosion and being 17

Jackie – What expressive arts are about

Jackie talks about being self conscious about her art skills and how coming back to what feels good works

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.

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.

Christian – “Stigma of opioid death”

Christian talks about the social acceptance of an opioid overdose.

Ellen – “Grieving her grandmother”

Ellen talks about her grief and the loss of her grandmother.

Murray – The power of music

Murray discusses the power of music and how it accesses your heart

Lisa – Music and a safe space

Lisa explains how music has been a safe space for her to feel all of the emotions that have come up since she lost her Dad

Krista’s Story

Krista tells her story and talks about getting the call that no parent wants to get.

Kristal – Drug Poisoning During Pandemic Stigma

Kristal discusses how the pandemic has created additional stigma surrounding those who use drugs. She dissuses how it seems like some losses are treated as more deserving of being mourned than others. Many people have had to grieve privately instead of publically within a community. She touches on the state of the public health system during the pandemic.

Doug – “Birthdays”

Doug discusses time, pity and sharing with others. Doug continues to grieve the death of bis daughter in a car accident.

Jaylene Delorme-Buggins – “We Matter Campaign”

Jaylene talks about addiction, abuse, loss and how she turned her life around.