Finding Hope and Healing: Navigating Grief after the Loss of a Child with Candy McVicar | 99

Welcome to the Created To Thrive Podcast, where we believe that even in the midst of hardship, there is hope and healing for a brighter tomorrow.

 

The loss of a child is one of the worst losses that humans can experience. Whether a child is lost in the womb, at birth, or after a few years of life, the crushing grief changes a family forever. How do you move forward? How do you begin to cope with all that you’re feeling? 

 

In today’s episode, we have a very special guest joining us - Candy McVicar, to help us work through this type of grief. Candy is a grief support expert who has worked extensively with families who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of a child. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of grieving the loss of a child, as Candy shares her own personal journey and provides valuable insights and advice to those who may be going through a similar experience. We explore the differences in grieving styles between men and women, the importance of seeking support, and practical strategies for navigating the grief journey. 

 

Candy also shared her experiences in seeking support and finding little to no help. In response, she channeled her pain into something positive and founded the Missing Grace foundation, which supports individuals grieving the loss of a loved one. Through this organization, she has created avenues for healing, education, and commemoration, providing support groups and even Grace care packages to those who need it most.

 

In addition, Candy spoke about her book, which she wrote in collaboration with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the Five Love Languages. This book explores how to apply the concept of love languages within the context of grief, providing insights and tools for navigating the emotional journey.

 

Join us as we gain deeper understanding and hope in the face of unimaginable loss.

 

Candy McVicar is an author, inspirational speaker, and devoted advocate for families who are grieving a baby or child. After experiencing the stillbirth of her daughter Grace, she founded and became executive director of Missing GRACE Foundation, whose mission is to provide support, resources, and education for families and professional care providers when there is loss of a baby, infertility, or adoption challenges. Candy has been a featured guest on Fox News, Focus on the Family and Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and their two daughters. To learn more visit her website: https://candymcvicar.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CandyMcVicarOfficial/

https://www.instagram.com/candymcvicar/

https://www.missinggrace.org/

 

Check out Candy's book she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman called:  “Holding on to Love After You've Lost a Baby: The 5 Love Languages® for Grieving Parents."

 

Losing a baby or a child is a devastating loss. How does a parent begin to grieve and survive the anguish of such deep sorrow? 

Key discussion points:

- Grieving styles between men and women

- Verbal and emotional expression vs. internalizing grief

- Personal experience of speaker's husband opening up about deceased daughter

- Importance of support groups and counseling in navigating differences in grieving styles

- Women's greater inclination towards seeking support and joining support groups

- Giving men designated time frames or specific occasions for grieving together

- Speaker's personal experience of loss and adoption challenges

- Speaker's journey to starting an organization to help others experiencing loss alone

- Book recommendation for individuals who have experienced loss or received a bad diagnosis regarding their baby

- Ways to support the Missing Grace foundation, including donations and volunteering

- Encouragement to persevere in pursuing the desire to have a family

- Suggestions for making changes in diet, lifestyle, and mindset to improve fertility

- Stories of breakthroughs and miracles despite infertility diagnoses

- Gratitude for the opportunity to meet with Lori, the guest on the podcast

- Prayer for healing and lifting the weight of grief in listeners' lives

- Introduction to Missing Grace organization and its services

- Events and initiatives organized by Missing Grace, such as the Hope and Hearts Run Walk event and Grace care packages

- Speaker's experience implementing the Five Love Languages book in her marriage and grief process

- Importance of recognizing and addressing the different ways grief affects individuals

- Coping mechanisms during grief, including healthy and unhealthy choices

- Navigating faith during the grieving process

- The significance of honoring and joy in the process of grieving the loss of a child

- Advice on seeking support from others who have experienced similar grief

- Importance of self-care and gentleness with oneself during the grieving process

- The role of faith and relationship with God in finding comfort

- Hope for a new day and the possibility of things getting better even in the midst of intense grief.

-Through all your losses, grief and trauma, you found a way for God to help you heal.

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