Compassionate Friends of Canada in town

By Mo Cranker on August 26, 2017.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

Great things can happen when people with shared experiences come together.

This weekend, The Compassionate Friends of Canada is holding its annual national gathering in Medicine Hat. The organization gives parents who have lost a child a place to find healing and support.

Group president Donna Rodin says the weekend can do a lot for bereaving parents.

“This is a time of sharing and healing for us,” she said. “We have a lot of workshops planned and this is a really great time for people to come together. There will be newly bereaved parents and people who have been dealing with this for a very long time. It’s a great time for people to come together.”

Of the many events scheduled to take place at the Medicine Hat Lodge this weekend, some are journaling, multiple speakers from around North America, live music, quilt making, a men’s-only workshop and a candle lighting event, being held Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at the Lodge.

“There’s lots of grieving groups around, but ours focuses just on child loss,” she said. “It’s one of the biggest things anyone could lose. Losing a child is something that is incredibly hard to deal with on your own, so that’s why we are here.”

Rodin says it is important for families that have had children pass away to get together and talk.

“When you put all of these different families together, everyone sees what everyone else is going through,” she said. “If you have such a big group, you’ll have people that are years into their grief, and they can reach out and help the people who are just starting the process. Sharing stories and techniques, and just letting each other know that you’re not alone can do so much for people.”

For more information head down to the Medicine Hat Lodge this weekend.

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