email PITY II

Today's Date

Support for Parents

We wrote in the last newsletter about the need for counselling for some parents, and hope that any of you who have tried to get counselling have managed it without too much difficulty. If you are having problems please speak to your co-ordinator, a committee member or contact the office.

The Alder Centre has helped a number of parents affected by organ retention, and they are now setting up a support group. They have asked us to let everyone in PITY II know about the group. It will meet fortnightly, commencing Thursday 2nd November from 7 - 9 pm, at a City Centre location in Liverpool.

"The aim is to provide the opportunity to meet and share thoughts, feelings and experiences, whilst gaining support from each other. Two counsellors from the Alder Centre will facilitate the group." says the Centre. If you want more details then please contact Ahsan Khan, Brian Langrick or Angela West on 0151 252 5391.

Alder Hey will also arrange for a counsellor from the Alder Centre to come out and see you at home if that would help. Please speak to your link worker on the helpline to arrange this.

There is also the Child Death Helpline, 0800 282986, which is available from 7 pm - 10 pm every evening, and Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10 am - 1 pm.

The Helpline is staffed by ordinary mums and dads who have also lost a child. Some of the volunteers on the helpline are also affected by organ retention.

PITY II has also raised with the hospital the very serious problems that some people are having coping. The Community Trust in Liverpool will set up an extra service for some parents who need special support, and discussions are also taking place with services in Manchester.

Don't forget that the main reason for the group setting itself up was to provide support. Some parents have said they feel we concentrate too much on campaigning, and not enough on support. Although the things that get into the media might make it look like that, don't forget that everyday co-coordinators and committee members are talking to other group members to help them through this difficult situation. If you haven't heard from your co-ordinator for a while, why not give them a ring, or you can always ring the office for information or just a chat. No one else quite understands your situation like someone who has been there.

Co-ordinators will be circulating a form around all their members. This asks for some general information, and will help co-coordinators to help you. It will also make it easier if you want to be put in touch with someone who has the same circumstances as you. Although everyone in the group has been affected by organ retention, there are many different situations within that. Some parents lost children through stillbirths; some children were in their teens when they died. For some people talking to someone else with a similar story may help.

 

---

top of the page
Home | Latest News | FAQ | Kidz for Kidz | Calendar | Poets Corner | Contacts/Links | email PITY II