When a child dies...

[veN]

It's v.sad. It's a different kind of sad than when an adult dies. And when it is a child who has special needs, then it's another kind of sad all together.

Over the weekend, a 13 year old boy I know died. The actual cause of death is unknown to me, but as I understand it, he was at his most medically fragile state as of late, and spent the last week in the hospital. Just last month in another isolated incident, another boy of the same age that I know died. I know this happens in my field of work (I'm an Educational Assistant, and a Leader for a life skills/rec day-camp for children with special needs in the summer), but no matter how many children I have worked with have died, it doesn't get easier to accept death nor deal with it.

I first started working with him when he was a smiling, charismatic 5 or 6 year old, and I'm looking forward to gathering with others who have been involved in his life over that time until now, and even before. I welcome the opportunity to grieve, remember, cherish and say good bye to an unforgetable boy.

Closure is a beautiful thing.

[thumper]

Originally Posted by Nev

It's v.sad. It's a different kind of sad than when an adult dies. And when it is a child who has special needs, then it's another kind of sad all together.

Over the weekend, a 13 year old boy I know died. The actual cause of death is unknown to me, but as I understand it, he was at his most medically fragile state as of late, and spent the last week in the hospital. Just last month in another isolated incident, another boy of the same age that I know died. I know this happens in my field of work (I'm an Educational Assistant, and a Leader for a life skills/rec day-camp for children with special needs in the summer), but no matter how many children I have worked with have died, it doesn't get easier to accept death nor deal with it.

I first started working with him when he was a smiling, charismatic 5 or 6 year old, and I'm looking forward to gathering with others who have been involved in his life over that time until now, and even before. I welcome the opportunity to grieve, remember, cherish and say good bye to an unforgetable boy.

Closure is a beautiful thing.

Your last two lines: I hear what you're saying. There's two ways to mourn I think... in this case you're saying goodbye to someone who has left a real impression on you. I guess the opposite would be when my friend's biological father died with whom he had no contact. He was sad alright, but it was a lot worse because he had no memories of the bastard and was just grasping at straws on how take the whole thing. He cried and done drunk himself stupid for zero satisfaction. Be glad for the memories you had with this kid.

[trance4life]

i'm sorry for your loss

[veN]

Thanks guys.

[MC Hammered]

I think it hurts more when a child dies due to the fact they have not had a chance to "live" life, experience things, "see" things as we have had the chance to.

The innocence that gleams in their eyes, the open mind they have towards the world. These are all things that I for one wish that I could have again.

A parent should never be there to bury their child. I saw the agony my grandmother went through when she came to the hospital to view my Dad when he passed away. I pray I never have to go through such torment.

I feel for your loss. Death is never easy to take but it is unfortunately the one thing we will all face at some point in time.

[veN]

Originally Posted by thumper

Your last two lines: I hear what you're saying. There's two ways to mourn I think... in this case you're saying goodbye to someone who has left a real impression on you. I guess the opposite would be when my friend's biological father died with whom he had no contact. He was sad alright, but it was a lot worse because he had no memories of the bastard and was just grasping at straws on how take the whole thing. He cried and done drunk himself stupid for zero satisfaction. Be glad for the memories you had with this kid.

I am grateful for the memories I have and for all I learned about people and myself from the time I've spent with him and all other children I work with. In response to your friend's situation, I can't even imagine being in that position. Wow. That's grief.

[veN]

Originally Posted by MC Hammered

I think it hurts more when a child dies due to the fact they have not had a chance to "live" life, experience things, "see" things as we have had the chance to.

The innocence that gleams in their eyes, the open mind they have towards the world. These are all things that I for one wish that I could have again.

A parent should never be there to bury their child. I saw the agony my grandmother went through when she came to the hospital to view my Dad when he passed away. I pray I never have to go through such torment.

I feel for your loss. Death is never easy to take but it is unfortunately the one thing we will all face at some point in time.

Exactly what I was meaning in the first few lines of my post. Death is always a sad, sad thing. But sometimes seems even more sad when it is a child; Someone who has so much time left to see the world and potential to grow into something great.