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 empowers those we serve to enjoy the highest quality of life, respecting their values, beliefs, needs, and goals through specialized care, education, resources, and grief support.
Our Service Area:
Our Home Hospice and Home Palliative Care programs serve 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.
Recent News:
Give a Heart for Hospice in February
Celebrating Teresa Turner’s Retirement
News & Events
Center Update Nears Completion
In 2023, our Compassionate Care Center marked its 15th anniversary. After 15 years of providing care to thousands, the facility needed key updates to maintain it as a comforting, peaceful place for patients and families. Thanks to an anonymous donor who gave an unrestricted gift of $10,000, we were able to launch an update plan…
New Grief Support Group Offerings
Hospice Care Plus is offering several new support groups for those grieving the loss of a loved one. The newest addition is a six-week Grief Support Series. The series uses focused topics for each session with opportunities for participants to share their experiences. The last session is dedicated to creating a shadowbox in memory of…
Rockin’ Derby Eve Benefit Party May 3
Reservations are now open for the area’s longest-running Derby Eve party. Rockin’ Derby Eve will take place Friday, May 3, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Madison County Fair Grounds’ Richardson Hall. Reservations are open through May 1. Although the name has changed over the years – Bourbon, Boots & BBQ, the Gala on…
Positive Payload Program awards $250.00
American Trucks has awarded Hospice Care Plus $250.00 through its Positive Payload Program. These unrestricted grants are awarded to non-profits who are dedicated to making a positive impact in their community and who rely on the use of specified pickup trucks to help serve their mission. Organizations are selected from applications on an ongoing basis,…