“Loss happens. Loved ones die, and suddenly you don’t know what to do.
“Can you imagine seeing your children struggle with your terminal illness, fearing no one will be there to help them through the most painful time of their lives? Meet the Damms – Steve, Tyra and their children Cooper (age 8) and Katie (age 4).
“’Steve was my one true love. He loved Cooper and Katie more than any parent I’ve ever seen love a child. Steve started showing symptoms in the fall. In January, tests revealed a mass in his brain stem, a glioblastoma grade IV, the most aggressive kind of brain tumor in a location that’s not operable,’ shares Tyra.
“The children watched their lives unravel as Tyra cared for Steve during his illness while struggling to maintain daily life and deal with her own grief. That’s when Faith Presbyterian Hospice stepped in with care and support from Faith’s Child Life Specialist. Valerie Sanchez, Director of Bereavement at Faith, explains, ‘Adults often ask: is it OK to tell children that mom or dad is dying? What do we say? Together, the Child Life Specialist and the family figure out how to get through when those tough times come.’
“Grief support for children is so important. Children who lose a parent are at much greater risk for falling behind in school, depression, anger and substance abuse. Faith provides a dedicated Child Life Specialist to help children through their grief journey – something very few other hospices provide.
“’It was time for me to tell Cooper and Katie their daddy was going to die soon. We sat in the family room and with the support of Faith and our pastor, I told Cooper and Katie that daddy had fought very hard but he was about to die.
“’Having Faith’s support made Katie and Cooper more comfortable discussing their emotions. Faith staff made them special blankets with pictures of Steve that they sleep with every night. When we celebrated Steve’s birthday after his death I used Faith’s idea to release balloons. Cooper has fond memories of his buddies around him and writing notes to Steve and seeing 100 balloons go up in the air. Those were special moments created because we have the support of Faith. As Katie and Cooper grow, they’ll have different kinds of questions, reactions and emotions. Knowing I have the caring support of Faith means a lot,’ shared Tyra.
“The kind of hospice care that makes Faith different includes patient therapies and grief programs that Medicare and insurance don’t cover. Traditional hospice support ends after 13 months, but not at Faith. Faith staff are there for children and families as long they are needed. Donations provide for 100% of Faith’s Child Life Services and grief support.
“With your support on North Texas Giving Day, we can continue to help families like the Damms who are going through the scariest time of their lives. We will be there in their worst moments to support them through their struggle – before and after the loss.
“Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation helps ensure compassionate care for residents, patients and families in Greater Dallas served through Faith Presbyterian Hospice, and two senior living communities, Grace Presbyterian Village and Presbyterian Village North.
“When the personal finances of a resident or patient are exhausted, the Caring Funds ensure that quality care is available, regardless of ability to pay.
“North Texas Giving Day is a great source of blessing for our Caring Funds. Please consider a generous gift on September 22, 2016. Together we can provide a much-needed lifeline for those we serve!”
-By Anita Ray, Presbyterian Communities and Services Foundation Manager of Annual Giving
* Photos provided by Presbyterian Communities And Services Foundation _____________
In seven years, North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $119 million into the North Texas community. In 2015, $33 million was raised through more than 118,000 gifts benefiting over 2,000 nonprofits.
On Thursday, September 22, support Presbyterian Communities And Services Foundation by linking here and spreading the word. #NTxGivingDay