A trip to Paradise
I was absolutely shocked when I found out that there are approximately 3 babies a week who die from SIDS in this country. Over 150 per year. That number used to be 300. The significant decline has come into effect since pediatricians started recommending babies sleep on their backs. Regardless of the improvement in SIDS prevention, it is heart wrenching to think of a family losing a baby so suddenly. I had friends whose 4 month old passed away unexpectedly enroute to a family vacation in Hawaii. I just can’t imagine being on a flight to paradise and losing your son, could you?
Local Family
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a workout called Sweat and Stretch for Quinn. This is the same Quinn for whom the Quinn’s Legacy Run is held here in Airdrie every August. Quinn was a beautiful four month old when she passed away. I decided to become a sponsor of Quinn’s Legacy Run it was because I was aghast to find out that EI maternity or paternity benefits are cut off three days after an infant passes away. Most parents have to return to work immediately or will lose their job, unless of course, the employer is willing to give a compassionate leave, but there will likely be no pay in that situation. I can’t even fathom coping with the loss of a child and then being forced to deal with financial despair, a return to work and even the physical changes if a mother was breastfeeding. The situation boggles my mind.
Just Be There
One more thing I feel we need to talk about is how to deal with other people’s grief. It’s a difficult thing to be confronted with a friend’s grief when they lose a loved one, but please don’t disappear from your friend’s life. Your friend needs you and everyone else more than ever. Perhaps you don’t know what to say? Start with hello and how are you then let the grieving friend direct the conversation. If the preference is to not talk about it, you will know. If the preference is to talk about it, you will definitely know that too. Just be present, it is the greatest present you can give to someone who is grieving.
The post This Breaks My Heart appeared first on Structural Chiropractic.