The Compassionate Friends

The Compassionate Friends – Update

January 13, 2018 by TCF Ottawa

Dear Compassionate Friend:

With the turning of a calendar page, a New Year used to represent the chance of a new start, a fresh beginning full of hope, promise and even resolutions to make positive changes. For those grieving the loss of a child, it represents another milestone on the grief journey, as days become weeks, months and years without our loved ones. Although the number of milestones on each personal journey is unknown, we can believe that at some point, there will be more behind than ahead, and we will be able to look forward with hope rather than looking back with regret.

May this new year be your time to look forward again.

Sharing Circles – every third Tuesday

Our Sharing Circles continue on the third Tuesday of every month from 7pm to 9pm at The Olde Forge Community Resource Centre, 2730 Carling Avenue (at Richmond Road). Our next meetings are on January 16th, February 20th, March 20th and April 17th. There are no fees to attend and no need to register in advance – please arrive a few minutes early to sign in. You can find directions and a map on our Chapter website www.tcfottawa.net.

Mid-Winter Social – February 18th

Following a successful inaugural event last year, Julia and Kevin Page have offered to host a second Mid-Winter Social from 12 noon to 2pm on Sunday, February 18th at their home in Britannia. The format will be a pot-luck lunch, similar to our Summer Social, and is open to any parent, regardless of whether or not you have attended a Sharing Circle or other TCF activity. If you would like to attend (and we hope that you will), please reply to this e-mail for directions.

Health Quality Ontario NIPT Survey

The attached notice regarding Non-invasive Pre-natal Testing (NIPT) may be of interest to parents who have experienced either pregnancy or infant loss. If this is relevant to your situation, please read the attachment and contact the HQO representative directly.

National Newsletter

The attached December newsletter from the TCF Canada National Board includes the story of Vince Leitao of Toronto and “Jonathan’s Law”, which was recently passed by the Ontario Legislature to allow bereaved parents up to 104 weeks paid leave following the death of a child.

Similarly (but not in the newsletter), the passage of “Rowan’s Law” was the result of Gordon and Kathleen Stringer of Ottawa bringing to light the issue of concussion in youth sport, after the untimely death of their daughter Rowan.

These are some examples of how parents have turned the negative experience of their child’s death into a positive commemoration of their life. If you are considering what you might do to honour your child’s memory, remember that actions do not need a high public profile in order to have an impact, and that TCF does not participate in legislative or political activity.

Website / Facebook

Our Chapter website (www.tcfottawa.net) contains additional information and resources, including our Chapter library and newsletters from other Chapters and the National Board. You can also read and post notices on our Facebook page – look for “The Compassionate Friends – Ottawa Chapter”.

We are currently looking for a Facebook host. If you are familiar with social media and have an interest in providing on-line support, please reply to this e-mail.