At the annual ADEC Conference, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. David Meagher and discuss with him ways that people can find hope again after loss.

Dr. Meagher is a pediatric surgeon who practices in Ohio, but he is originally from New York.  I’m a fellow New Yorker as well, and as we all know, New York has been through a lot. After 9/11 especially, it took people many years for people to find hope again.

I asked David to share three ways people can find hope after loss. Hear his advice in the video below:

 

Here are some key takeaways from the video:

  • First, when you suffer a loss, don’t keep that within yourself. Be willing to let others in. Share your feelings and share your losses; let them go through the process with you.
  • Second, find programs and groups that are close to where you live and participate. Go in and actively participate in those groups because they can help you tremendously.
  • Third, realize that when you suffer loss that it’s not over for you. You can take the memory of that relationship with you for the rest of your life. It can actually be a very positive addition to the rest of your life. As you go on with your life you can share continuing bonds; then it’s not a loss as much as it is a change in the way you and your family live.

 

For more video interviews like this one, please see the Open to Hope YouTube channel.

Heidi Horsley

Dr. Heidi Horsley is a licensed psychologist, social worker, and bereaved sibling. She co-hosts the award-winning weekly cable television show and podcast, Open to Hope. Dr. Heidi is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, and an award-winning author, who has co-authored eight books, and serves on the United Nations Global Mental Health Task Force. She also serves on the Advisory Boards for the Tragedy Assistance Program, the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation, and Peace of Mind Afghanistan. She served on the National Board of Directors for The Compassionate Friends, and for 10 yrs. worked on a Columbia University research study looking at traumatic loss over time in families who lost a firefighter in the World Trade Center.

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