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.
Recent News:
A New Name, The Same Compassionate Mission
News & Events
Urgent Need: Help for Patient Comfort
Can you help meet an urgent need for comfort? If you have ever visited our Compassionate Care Center, you know it offers a comfortable, peaceful environment for patients and families at a challenging time. Our Center gives comfort in many ways: 24-hour pain and symptom management, pet therapy, no visitor restrictions, large rooms that allow…
HCP Wins Hospice Honors Award
Hospice Care Plus has been named a 2024 Hospice Honors Award recipient by Healthcare First. Hospice Honors is a prestigious program that recognizes hospices across the country that provide the highest level of quality as measured by patients and families. Hospice Care Plus was one of only 12 hospices in Kentucky to earn the award…
Volunteer Training June 8
Hospice Care Plus is hosting an in-person training for new volunteers on Saturday, June 8, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at the Madison County Public Library in Berea. Register today to secure your spot!
Volunteers Honored for Years of Service
At our annual volunteer appreciation dinner on Tuesday, April 23, we were proud to honor the dedicated volunteers who choose to dedicate their time and skills to help Hospice Care Plus serve those with serious illness and their families. Numbers alone can’t show the value of the time and skills our volunteers bring to our…