Page 31 - 2016 Autumn-Winter Issue
P. 31

object, bend the knees, grasp the item firmly and lift with   stay in the present moment and focus on the one task at
the legs (abdomen and buttocks), not the back.                hand thus lowering our risk for accidents and injury.

Safety issues are equally applicable to                                                     Coralease Ruff, PhD, RN, and her husband,
the workplace. Depending on the nature                                                      Willie became bereaved parents in 1997,
of the job, the work environment may                                                        following the death of their 21-year old daughter,
impose its set of risks for accidents and                                                   Kandy, in an automobile accident in the
injuries. We must exercise care when                                                        Dominican Republic. For nearly 19 years, she
using machinery, chemicals, and bulky                                                       has been involved in the Compassionate Friends
items.                                                                                      Inc. at all levels including Chapter founder and
                                                                                            Chapter leader, workshop presenter and member
In short, everyday activities pose                                                          of the National Board of Directors. She has
increased risks to us when we are in                                                        published her daughter’s life story and her grief
acute grief.                                                                                journey in a book entitled, Her Light Still Shines.

In summary, grief causes us to be
distracted and forgetful, predisposing
us to serious injury. We are vulnerable
to accidents while driving, walking and
cooking. When we act mindfully, we

Connect with Other Bereaved Parents, Grandparents, and

    Siblings Everyday on TCF’s Online Support Community

The Compassionate Friends offers “virtual Chapters” through an Online Support Community (live chats).
This program was established to encourage connecting and sharing among parents, grandparents, and
siblings (over the age of 18) grieving the death of a child. The rooms supply support, encouragement, and
friendship. The friendly atmosphere encourages conversation among friends; friends who understand the
emotions you’re experiencing. There are general bereavement sessions as well as more specific sessions:

Monday                         Tuesday                        Wednesday                      Thursday
9:00 - 10:00 AM EST            9:00 - 10:00 PM EST            9:00 - 10:00 PM EST            8:00 - 9:00 PM EST

Parents/Grandparents/Siblings  Bereaved Less than Two Years   Parents/Grandparents/Siblings  No Surviving Children
9:00 - 10:00 PM EST            9:00 - 10:00 PM EST            10:00 - 11:00 PM EST           9:00 - 10:00 PM EST
Parents/Grandparents/Siblings  Bereaved More than Two Years   Parents/Grandparents/Siblings  Parents/Grandparents/Siblings

Friday                         Saturday                       Sunday
10:00 - 11:00 AM EST           9:00 - 10:00 PM EST            8:00 - 9:00 PM EST

Parents/Grandparents/Siblings  Parents/Grandparents/Siblings  Survivors of Suicide
9:00 - 10:00 PM EST            10:00 - 11:00 PM EST           9:00 - 10:00 PM EST
Parents/Grandparents/Siblings  Parents/Grandparents/Siblings  Parents/Grandparents/Siblings
10:00 - 11:00 PM EST
                                                                                                                                                 ©Arndt Vladimir/fotolia.com
Parents/Grandparents/Siblings
9:00 - 10:00 PM EST
Pregnancy/Infant Loss

Visit www.compassionatefriends.org/Find_Support/Online-Community/Online_Support.aspx for
                                       more information and to register.

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