A parent’s view on the Bereaved Parent Support Group

February 15, 2022

Very Special Kids supports hundreds of bereaved families, and over the past 12 months we have stayed connected with these families through an online Bereaved Parent Support Group. Every session has been different, some small and some large, with attendees from across Victoria and some interstate. Connections have been made and relationships formed, with acknowledgement that while everyone has a different story, they are on a similar journey.  

An anonymous mother, who has attended the Bereaved Parent Support Group has kindly shared her own reflection on how the support group has supported her through the grief of losing her child. She shares: 

“In 2015, Very Special Kids joined us on our extraordinary journey with our two very special children. 

Over the many years, we have received support and care beyond our expectations. Mostly recently, I was offered support through the Bereaved Parent Group. I didn’t think that any kind of support would work for me, I was and still am in disbelief of my life’s greatest tragedy. However, I agreed to join the session after talking to my Family Support Practitioner. 

As I waited for the first session, I could not believe the intense emotions I was feeling. A part of me did not want to attend because it would mean I was accepting what happened. The roller coaster of emotions was quite draining. 

On the day of my first session, I decided I will be invisible. I will turn off my microphone and video, so I am there but not there. This was the first time I met Family Support Practitioner’s, Edwina and Kevin. I realised here are two absolute strangers giving their time after work to support parents like myself, how could I not want to speak with them?  

When other parents joined the session and shared about their precious child, I was speechless and relieved. Speechless because of their courage and relieved to know they have been where I am. 

The more parents I met the more I realised I have found people who “get me”. I have a space where I can cry my heart out, feel another parent’s pain, be inspired by another parent’s journey and listen, listen, listen to others speak my words… a connection I cannot find anywhere else. 

I felt it is a space where I can “be me”, free to talk about my precious daughter. Tell her story, share our rich and blessed life with supportive parents who understand my grief. 

When I was a child, I learnt a beautiful song “Count your blessings, name them one by one”. 

I count Very Special Kids, as one of my blessings.”