This doesn’t exactly fit our bucket-list-story mold, but we couldn’t help but share it. As we’ve said before, most of our bucket-list wishes come to us in response to the question, “What’s most important to you today?” We didn’t ask that question of these teenagers, but still they told us how important it was to them to help other kids through a loss. After all, who better than a teenager who’s been through it herself?
Have you ever tried to buy a sympathy card for a child or teenager who’s lost a loved one? It’s very hard to find something that fits.
Handmade sympathy card made by teen who has lost a loved one.
Our bereavement coordinator, Nora Brashear, LCSW, recently went in search of such cards. When she came back empty-handed, she decided to go to the experts.
Luckily, we have access to some brilliant teens who’ve been through it and know first-hand what works. Nora asked two of them what they found most helpful, and they agreed that the homemade cards they received from other kids were the ones that most lightened the load.
Two of these teenagers talked with Nora about making cards for our hospice to use with children. One is a 13-year-old who lost a parent suddenly a few years ago. Another is a 17-year-old who recently lost a sibling. Both of them have received grief counseling through our Bereavement Outreach program, and both were delighted to put their arts-and-crafts skills to work for other kids who are grieving.
Handmade sympathy card made by teen who wants to help another through loss.
Nora used grant funds to purchase the card-making supplies, gave them to the two teens, and they went to work. These photos are of the first set of cards they’ve completed. We thought they did an outstanding job!
Nora and the rest of our bereavement staff will use the cards with the children of our hospice patients, and also with children in the community who come to us for grief and loss support.
We’re so happy to have these cards on-hand, but we’re even happier that two special teens used their own losses to help make another child’s loss a bit easier.
Handmade sympathy card made by teen who has lost loved ones.
Hospice Care Plus provides exceptional, compassionate care for individuals with serious and advanced illness; while honoring dignity, ensuring comfort, and celebrating life.
Our Service Area:
Our hospice home program serves you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.
Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.
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News & Events
New Gala Perk: Bourbon-Tasting Tent!
If dinner and dancing aren’t enough to wet your whistle, the Gala on Derby Eve has a new trick up its sleeve. For the first time ever, the 2016 Gala will feature a Bourbon-Tasting Tent. “Bourbon pairs well with the Gala, because it’s as steeped in Kentucky tradition as the Derby itself,” says Julie Hatfield,…
Reservations Open for Gala on Derby Eve
Your “place to be on Derby Eve” is back for its 13th year: The Gala on Derby Eve. The benefit gala brings together 200-plus guests in Richmond each year to celebrate Kentucky’s Derby tradition while raising funds for Hospice Care Plus. This year’s Gala on Derby Eve is Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m. Registration…
Bucket-List Campaign Starts Feb. 26
The 2016 Bucket-List Challenge Campaign kicks-off Friday, Feb. 26, with seven days of inspiring stories about hospice patients and families. The Bucket-List Campaign is a fundraising event, but also raises awareness about hospice care. For seven consecutive days, Feb. 26 to March 4, Hospice Care Plus will share one bucket-list story each day. The stories…
New! 1st Tuesday Tours
Starting Tuesday, February 2, the Hospice Care Plus Compassionate Care Center will offer First Tuesday Tours. The tours are to help the community learn more about one of Kentucky’s few, freestanding, hospice inpatient centers and will be offered on the first Tuesday of each month from noon through 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.…