#8 Lydia Kirkland - Grieving mother

Joining Callsuma Ali in the room today is guest Lydia Kirkland, a mother of two children working in a group home as a Case Manager for foster care children in New Jersey.

Lydia runs a non-profit in memory of her daughter called Filling buckets for Brianna that helps bereaved parents with funeral costs and headstones. 

In addition, Lydia has a IG called 'life after losing my child' and a YouTube Channel also entitled 'life after losing my child' her platforms help to support and connect with other grieving individuals. She enjoys the simple things in life like music, reading, nature and art.

Lydia reflects on Brianna's life, what she was like, her favourite colour green, and Brianna's inclusive outlook on life. Brianna died suddenly after falling ill due to complications with type 1 diabetes that could have been prevented. We unpack healthcare negligence very briefly and the impact it might have when co-existing with grief should it be pursued when seeking answers and justice particularly when the outcome still remains the same. That it won't bring her back. 

We delve into a common factor that occurs in bereavement, the lack of aftercare from friends and family and how this can impact our mental health, everyone wants to be loved and seen during the most difficult parts of their life, particularly when we carry deep pain and loss. Showing up is so crucial in the aftermath to aid in our healing. 

The death of a child no matter what age is often described as a loss like no other by many charities across the world, incalculable and inconceivable. How could it be that a parent outlives their child? 

We close the episode on gratefulness, not to find a silver lining but as Lydia puts it so eloquently, the best things in life are free. 

As always thank you for listening and don't forget you can find updates on @bereavementroom over on IG and twitter, just search bereavement room. 

Your host

Callsuma Ali