NOTHING compares to the emotional turmoil of a parent left to bury their dead child.
This experience has affected the lives of Tammy Kilpatrick-Schull and Michelle Richardson, who are calling for expressions of interest from people who have dealt with the death of a child to join a Compassionate Friends Queensland support group at Tamborine.
The Compassionate Friends Queensland organisation is a self-help institution which offers friendship and understanding for families following the death of a child, grandchild or sibling.
Group facilitator Ms Kilpatrick-Schull said grieving the death of a child was an unnatural tragedy.
“Your belief systems in life are your foundations – you believe your children will lead happy lives, you believe the world is a good place. When your child dies those foundations explode and you can’t stand up anymore,” she said.
“You can lose your whole self and who you were before that child was born.”
Ms Kilpatrick-Schull said the grieving process could be isolating for parents and it was important for them to know they were not alone.
“We find that some of the friend groups you had before you lose your child do not understand (the issue) and drop off the radar,” she said.
“It is very isolating and can help to get together with people who have had the same or similar experience. It helps you heal.”
The first Compassionate Friends meeting will be held at 25-33 Vonda Youngman Drive, Tamborine on August 8 from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
The meeting is specifically for people who suffered the loss of a child.
Meetings are expected to be held bi-monthly on days which best suit people in need of support.
For more information call 5543 8004 or 3254 2657.
