Better Together: Healing by connecting
By Shirley Hickman, Volunteer
When you are living with a workplace tragedy, whether a life-altering injury, illness or the death of a family member, January brings additional challenges. The days are short and some days the sun does not even shine. It’s cold, perhaps wet outside and we do not really want to go out.
While our friends and co-workers are making New Year’s resolutions, we are dealing with getting through day by day. We are waiting for the next ‘first’ – whether it be a birthday, the first anniversary of the incident, or perhaps an upcoming family event. A first (or third or fifth) court date may be looming, and many have questions about the investigation or why the legal system takes so long. How are we going to cope with all those events?
Family members with similar struggles started Threads of Life. We found that when we shared our personal stories with other family members we usually felt better. It did not solve all the problems, but we know there are others dealing with similar issues and pain.
Many of us found hope and healing when we were able to attend events with others, such as FamiliesConnect workshops. When I attend these virtual events, I realize that I am not alone dealing with the ongoing issues of pain, loss, or frustration. Each month of FamiliesConnect is a different topic and facilitator, but the common thread is seeing others, sharing experiences, learning healthy coping skills, how to honour our losses, and knowing that I am not alone in these struggles.
I invite you to look at the schedule for the FamiliesConnect sessions. A few of those who attend have shared with you why they do:
Debbie shares: Joining Threads of Life shortly after the tragic passing of my son Adam on May 4, 2018 from a workplace accident was like joining an extended family who knew about my grief because they too had lost a child due to a workplace fatality. I really look forward to the Threads of Life monthly FamiliesConnect workshops because I can share with other parents ways to keep our loved ones’ memories alive while moving ahead with our lives. I feel comforted in knowing that our loved ones are always with us even though we cannot physically see them.
I really enjoyed the Games Night sessions because they reminded me of the importance of having fun together. Being a member of Threads of Life is like having a Circle of Care and a common Thread joining us together.
Winnie shares: It was about 30 years ago that we found out that my husband, Gerald, had an environmental issue that would eventually end his working career with the coal mines as a pipe fitter. He took much pride in his work and the news was not received well with him. As this illness progressed he dealt with limited involvement in life and withdrew from some of things that we really did enjoy as a couple. One of these things was that we didn’t dance nearly as much as we used to. He had always enjoyed a drink but the illness created an excess of idle time and the drinking progressed. We isolated ourselves from much of what had given us pleasure and the end result was that our relationship, our marriage suffered. In 1992 he found sobriety and was sober for 28 years when he passed away in 2020.
During this time I really leaned heavily on our friends for support. It was a graced gift to have friends who I could share all that was happening because Gerald was not always receptive to discuss all that was going on.
The themes for the FamiliesConnect sessions are very meaningful to me, especially during those times when I felt very much alone. It helped tremendously to have a shoulder to lean on and a listening heart that would support me in my rants.
Sharon shares: The monthly FamiliesConnect sessions are a space that feels encouraging and genuinely supportive. One of the things I appreciate most is the sense of inspiration. The facilitator guides us with care, but it is the group itself — the stories, the laughter, the honesty — that truly brings the experience to life.
Best of all, these sessions give us the gift of time together. Every gathering brings us closer. We are not just learning skills — we are building relationships. We are cheering one another on, and getting to know each other in a way that feels heartfelt and personal.
FamiliesConnect is not just a program to me. It is a reminder of what happens when people choose to show up, listen, grow, and support one another. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.
From me: I invite you to look at the schedule for the FamiliesConnect sessions. Many others, in similar situations, have found topics that have proved useful. For questions or concerns about Threads of Life programs please reach out to Karen Lapierre-Pitts, Manager Family Support. I encourage you to do so. Please know you do not have to be alone.
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