Grief is a universal feeling that comes with the loss of a loved one, but it can also come from the loss of the life you thought you were going to live. In this episode of A Place of YES, Heather Straughter chats with Lizzy. Lizzy’s daughter has special needs like Heather’s son Jake did before he passed. Lizzy opens up about her daughter’s rare diagnosis, her responses to therapists and other professionals telling her “she ‘s asking the wrong questions,” and the joy that comes with being a parent of a medically fragile child.
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Losing a Son to Rare Disease: Parental Isolation & Grief
“When you’re a rare parent, it’s not just the disease—it’s the loneliness, the constant feeling that no one really gets it. And when your child is gone, that grief is even more complicated. Jack taught me so much. I want other parents to know they’re not alone.”
What It’s Like to Lose Your Best Friend at 18
“She was supposed to be here for the birthdays, the firsts, the little moments that feel big. But she’s not—and that’s the part that never stops hurting.”
Why I Quit My Job to Grieve My Parents’ Deaths
“I realized I’d never actually stopped to grieve. Not after losing my mom, my dad, or my marriage. So I quit my job and took a year to do it. That time changed everything—and now I’m helping others do the same.”
