Personal loss motivates area woman to start support group

brother Jym. She graduated from East Juniata High School. Today, she lives in Mifflintown. She has two adult children and two grandsons.

But history cannot erase the events of a Saturday just over four years ago.

TOM LAUB

Lifestyles editor

tlaub@lewistownsentinel.com

MIFFLINTOWN — The painful and emotional passing of a loved one can last a lifetime for those left behind. It can incite a downward spiral or empower an individual with the strength to carry on and help others.

For Shannon Zeiders, the loss of her brother inspired her to share her experience while assisting those who had suffered through similar trying times.

Zeiders has recently formed GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing), a local support group for families and individuals experiencing bereavement due to a substance use related death. Her story began like many others but a family tragedy changed the direction and tone of future chapters. Zeiders grew up in Thompsontown with her parents, Sam and Kathy Brantner, and her younger

“I lost my brother Jym to an accidental drug overdose on December 8, 2018, he was 38,” Zeiders said. “He was a good person, he had a heart of gold, a passion for sports and music, and was a friend to many. The grief was overwhelming, made even worse by the stigma that surrounds drug addiction. It was horrific, we stumbled around in a fog for the first year or two. When someone dies of an overdose, people don’t know how to respond. You feel very alone. I looked online for support groups for people that have lost someone to addiction and thankfully I found GRASP. Finding the group was a lifeline for me. It provided a safe place for me to connect with others suffering through the same type of loss.”

The loss itself was heartbreaking. The stigma added to the pain. The strength came from within.

“I started this group to bring the compassion, support and understanding that GRASP provides to this area,”

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Laresa Padem walks on the treadmill and Frank Prisk lifts weights

Sentinel Photos by Savanna Wolfe