From those first words of a diagnosis, a family’s life shifts to a different journey than expected. This shift, or change, can trigger a grief response. There is a loss of a certain picture you had envisioned for your child, and giving yourself space to process that change will help you to move forward with greater confidence. Grief is not an end, but a passage that we walk through. It is normal to deal with the emotional challenges of grief when a diagnosis is introduced to your family.

This grief is met with an intensified grief in the event of the loss of a child. Losing someone you love is unspeakably difficult. It is more than an event – it is a process. As a parent, we love and lead our children through life and sadly, sometimes through death as well. Surrounding yourself with strong supports before, during, and after your child has died is one of the best things you can do – for both of you.

What works for some, may not work for others. Each of us is unique in our experience of grief and bereavement, and so are the supports required to meet our individual needs. On this page, you will find suggestions of resources that might be helpful to you as you start to find your way. These range from support groups, family/peer networks and organizations dedicated to helping you and your family heal.