Donor Family Quarterly
Page 1 of 8
1.800.847.7831 www.healingthespirit.org LifeNet Health and Healing the Spirit are registered trademarks of LifeNet Health, Inc.
FALL 2012
In This Issue of DFQ l l l l l l l l
Lori and Linda make Woman's Day Comforting the Soul - Autumn doesn't have to mean fall Make a Memory Box for the Holidays - Sign up for a workshop SOS for grieving military families - You will never be forgotten Healing Tears - Son seems "fine" after Dad's death Save-the-date for Holiday Remembrance Ceremonies Special Meetings - Inspirational stories of donation News from LifeNet Health Florida
Linda and Lori make Woman's Day
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1105614745895/archive/1111098766882.html
11/26/2012
Donor Family Quarterly
Page 2 of 8
If you heard them speak at the n ra on and m m ran ceremony in Richmond you may recogni e these two incredible women featured in the August issue of Woman's Day Donor mothers Lori yatt and Linda ennedy had their incredible donation and transplantation experiences documented nationally It all started when Lori's son Nicholas died in After years of mourning she trained as a LifeNet Health rief Companion hoping to help someone else on their grief ourney Lori was paired with Linda ennedy in after Linda's son ohn died Lori helped Linda during those difficult early days of grief The two formed a special bond Lori helped Linda to "feel her pain" and eventually helped her learn how to live and laugh again Suddenly Lori's health declined in Her kidneys were failing due to an undiagnosed genetic problem Lori's doctor said she would need a kidney transplant Linda insisted on being tested to see if she could be Lori's living kidney donor ltimately Linda was the most suitable donor The transplant took place in on Linda's birthday February st Both did great and today they're closer than ever Ama ingly these two incredible women may have never met if something terrible had not brought them together
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1105614745895/archive/1111098766882.html
11/26/2012
Donor Family Quarterly
Page 3 of 8
To Lori and Linda thank you for sharing your story of hope and compassion May you have continued good health and many blessings
Comforting the Soul Autumn doesn't have to mean fall
e call autumn fall for the leaves falling during nature's transition to winter slumber Fall is such a simple description of the season But ust as the leaves change so can our moods Feelings like melancholy and longing can sabotage our efforts to care for ourselves physically mentally and spiritually The word fall can also mean to descend to suffer to be defeated to fail or to decline in uality ho hasn't found themselves identifying with these meanings while mourning the loss of a loved one Sometimes it's easier to fall than to be well but taking care of yourself is essential to honoring the memory of the one you love Since everyone's grief is uni ue self-care can begin by allowing yourself to feel as many emotions as there are colors in the leaves iving yourself this permission doesn't mean you're falling It means you're giving yourself the right to feel to talk about your grief to be silent and to be fully present in the moment ith all this emotion don't forget to rest eat well and take a balanced approach to life Fatigue is a sure way to fall As C S Lewis said "no one ever told me about the la iness of grief " He must have known the sheer exhaustion of grieving
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1105614745895/archive/1111098766882.html
11/26/2012
Donor Family Quarterly
Page 4 of 8
To lessen the blows of grief author educator and grief counselor Dr Alan olfelt recommends l l l l l l l l
xercise Limiting fatty foods uitting smoking etting plenty of sleep Scheduling a physical Drinking plenty of water Building strong relationships LA HIN
This autumn think of it less as a time to fall but more of a time of beauty and transition Maybe even a time to nurture ourselves and our memories ust as mother earth nurtures herself and prepares for change
M e Me or
o for he o id s In anticipation of the holiday season memory box workshops will be held at LifeNet Health regional offices across irginia oin with other donor families to create your own personal shadow box in honor of your loved one l
l
l
i h ond Saunders Avenue on Friday October th from pm to pm
o no e Franklin Road on Thursday November st from pm to pm ir ini e h Concert Drive on Thursday November th from pm to pm
To RS email Tina ierce or call ext lease give your name phone number number of participants and which location you would like to attend
for rie in
ii r f
i ies
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1105614745895/archive/1111098766882.html
11/26/2012
Donor Family Quarterly
Page 5 of 8
e salute our veterans and their families for their sacrifice on eterans' Day and every day Some have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom You will never be forgotten
Survivor Outreach Services SOS is a support group for surviving families of military service members who have died in the line of duty Call ext or email Donna ngeman us army mil for more information
e in Te rs
r
ni e r
Dear Dr Leary My husband passed away uly It was our son's th birthday I'm not sure how to handle his birthday next year Our son seems fine with his Dad's passing His Dad had been sick off and on for a long time -- Kimberly Dear imberly My sincere condolences on the recent death of your husband It sounds like your son may see his father's death as a release from a slow decline or chronic illness and a relief to any suffering hen there is meaningless pain associated with continued life it is not uncommon to look to death as a reprieve Nevertheless your son's feelings about his father's absence in his life will probably surface at different times in his life Your son may miss his father most acutely during family celebrations life transition points and anniversaries Though your son "seems fine" after his father's recent death your son's grief work may ebb and flow with different intensities depending on what is happening in his life and the support he needs You can assist your son best by allowing whatever feelings emerge and help him to express and move the grief from his body You know your son best so encourage him
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1105614745895/archive/1111098766882.html
11/26/2012
Donor Family Quarterly
Page 6 of 8
i Dr. Leary is a psychologist and certified grief therapist who consults with LifeNet Health. Her responses reflect her professional opinion to general questions. Individuals struggling with complicated grief are encouraged to seek the care of a professional. Please submit your questions to Robin Cowherd, LifeNet Health, 1864 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23453, or visit Healing Tears at our website.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1105614745895/archive/1111098766882.html
11/26/2012
Donor Family Quarterly
Page 7 of 8
l
l
l
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1105614745895/archive/1111098766882.html
11/26/2012
Donor Family Quarterly
Page 8 of 8
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1105614745895/archive/1111098766882.html
11/26/2012