Supporting grief for children, especially your own children is hard-work. Children see death differently, depending on their age.
Category: Our Story
Feeling Child Loss
Child loss is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to carry with me. Although when I reflect I also know that watching my child suffer was THE most difficult thing.
A day at a time – Coping with grief
My name is Abigail Burton. This is my take on coping with grief. In March (2019) my husband and I lost our middle son, Matthew Noah Michael Burton. He was just 5 years and 11 days old. Matthew was born with a complex medical condition. Which included things like chronic lung disease, hypotonia, and club … Continue reading A day at a time – Coping with grief
Knowing My Limits
As a carer, I am often stretched beyond my imaging. But would I know when I had reached my limits? During the bushfires, I learned that answer.
Building Community as a Carer – Why do my friends call this life The Hunger Games?
My friends compare this community to the Hunger Games. Our 'unlucky' drawcard landed us together. We need our community & the odds to ever be in our favour.
Grief while facing a New Year
Who knew as a kid that a New Year would be a cause of further pain & grief? The New Year is coming, and our lost loved one, won't be in it While grieving as I learned to take a day at a time, I was surprised to realise that the idea of New Years … Continue reading Grief while facing a New Year
Relief while grieving a disabled child
Feeling relief while grieving a disabled child seems like a cold and heartless thing. But when you have witnessed your child in almost constant pain for long enough, this may happen to you. If it hasn't happened to you, keep in mind that everyday is new, and that emotions and feeling are all over the … Continue reading Relief while grieving a disabled child
Dealing with Death – after you have lost a Child
I never considered before what dealing with death after I lost Matthew would be like. It's Father's day.Today I am mourning another little person gone too soon. I absolutely 100% knew dealing with death of children close to me would happen. But I didn't know how it was going to affect me. Another blow Yesterday … Continue reading Dealing with Death – after you have lost a Child
Caring for a Child with a Rare Condition
We didn't know we were living with a child with a rare condition. Where we started; Our first peek into the world that is fragile & complex medical conditions, was when Matthew was just 9 weeks old. We had been at our parent's for dinner. I gave him a bottle/feed before we put him in … Continue reading Caring for a Child with a Rare Condition
Not Just a Special Needs Mum – Getting Yourself Back
The day I realised that being a 'Special Needs Mum' was part of my identity was an interesting moment. I was on the other side of the world, in Cleveland, Ohio. I had packed myself up and taken myself to the other side of the world, to work on me. To learn from someone that … Continue reading Not Just a Special Needs Mum – Getting Yourself Back