KAWARTHA LAKES-Last night, seven year old Josh Lazor cried for the first time since his dad passed away suddenly in May 2017.
His mother Tia credits Hospice Children’s Grief Services with helping her son finally grieve the loss of his dad.”They are amazing, he actually had a good cry with daddies picture last night” Tia Ross-Lazor told Kawartha 411. “It was good to see because he’s been holding it in.”
On May 17th 2017, Josh’s dad dropped him off at school, but he wouldn’t be there to pick him up. Tia says her husband had a heart attack during the day and couldn’t be revived. “It was hard for my son to even digest what had happened because he had just been with his dad that morning.” Tia explains through her tears. “I think kids don’t deal with it as quickly as we do, they don’t realize the impact it had.”
Both Tia and Josh have been attending the new Living Through Loss Family Program. It’s modelled after the successful, internationally recognized programs offered at the Dougy Centre, The National Centre for Grieving Children and Families in Portland Oregon. The Living Through Loss program is for children, teens and their parents or guardians who have experienced the death of someone who has played a significant role in their life. It provides families the opportunity to connect with their peers to talk, listen, observe and play in a safe environment.
“It’s allowing him to have the ability to cry because he also sees other children in the same situation, which is very very helpful for him.” Tia says. “He’s kind of an introvert and doesn’t open up much so that was huge last night for him to cry. As hard as it was to watch, it was good for him.”
November 15th is Children’s Grief Awareness Day and Hospice is hoping to raise awareness.  “We want to help people recognize the fact that children do grieve and need support and ensure people are aware that locally, families can turn to Hospice Services to support grieving children.” Ryan Alexander, Manager, Hospice Services,Community Care Health & Care Network told Kawartha 411. “Grief can manifest itself in many ways, emotionally, socially, physically, academically and more. This makes it important for children to understand their grief and develop mechanisms that help them work through their grief.”
Not only has it helped Josh come to terms with his dad’s death it’s also helped Tia. “I honestly would recommend it to anyone who has ever lost someone.” Tia says.”I am way better than I was a year ago. I can’t say enough good about it, it’s very very helpful.”
The Living Through Loss Program is offered twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 6-7:30pm at 55 Mary St w, Lindsay and the Community Care Adult Day Centre and the Ontario Early Years Centre. The services are free of charge. There are other grief support programs available as well. Click here for more information:Â https://www.ccckl.ca/services/hospice/
For more information call (705) 879-4123
Email:Â @[email protected]
